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⥠ENHYPEN WHEN THEY REVEAL YOUR RELATIONSHIP
PAIRING. idol!enhypen x idol!reader
GENRE. fluff, romance, humor
WARNING. mild swearing
NOTE. I wrote this while i was getting a massage. It was amazing. Also do u guys wanna read any reaction tropes ?? because i am starting to not know what to write next.
MORE WORKS. navigation | enha!masterlist
HEESEUNG | the wallpaper
Hee would be the type to accidentally show his phone screen in a wlive. (Iâm sooo not used to typing wlive instead of vlive) like, heâd definitely just put his phone on the table of the live, explaining something to Engenes and all of a sudden, his mom texts him. Notification pops up, and Engenes would go feral becauseâlow and behold, youâre his wallpaper. Except he ended the live before an Engene could point out his wallpaper, and he wouldnât suspect a single thing; going to bed peacefully after. Only when he woke up to a million missed calls did he go; oh shit.
JONGSEONG | the accidental softlaunch
you guys would be going on a date. He takes pictures of you eating a bagel in a cafe because gosh! Youâre so cute??? You upload the pictures of you eating this bagel, and your fans love it!! Wanting to share the moment with Engenes too, Jay decided to take a picture of the bagels and drinks you guys got. He tried to be careful, really! He got rid of your coffee from the view and made sure to only get pictures of his share of the food! If only he thought about the window reflection, showing your strawberry patterned skirtâŠ
JAEYUN | the speaking before thinking
Gosh, this man⊠heâll give you a headache for sure. Man exposed your relationship in a live. A LIVE. Literally no take backs. Engenes will just be like, âyo do you like mint choco ice cream jakeypooâ and heâll be like ânah, but you know who does?â Both engenes AND him thought of Sunoo, but his mouth didnât. â(Reader) đ€â Thereâll be a moment of silence all of a sudden, from both sides. Heâll try his best to deny allegations (man would he be fighting for his life..) but itâll be too late by then.
SUNGHOON | the dispatch article
Yeah. Yâall werenât slick. Went on a date with dyed hairs. Like?? Ya go out like that and expect to not get caught. (bfr) But yeah, Han river date. All was fun and cute until you hear a camera shutter. Both you and Hoon turn around slowly to the stalker. The three of you glance at each other, and all of a sudden you both chase after the stalker. It was terrifying from the stalkerâs viewpoint, but it was already sent to the company by the time you and Hoon caught up with him, so too bad ig..
SUNOO | the one who couldnât contain their expression
This is him, cop!! The delulu one! (Jk thatâs us) He was literally in the airport, about to fly to Europe for some kcon event. Your group did the pictures before his, and a fan noticed you both kinda have similar outfits. (This is not coincidental, he actually made you both match clothes) Now, this fan is one of those shipper kinda fan⊠(like those Lisa and Jungkook ones đ) and so they yelled out, âSunoo, did you match with Yn today? Thatâs such a cute couple outfit!â And then he let out the most high-pitched, flustered giggle. Like deadass. It rang through the airport and his members gave him the stare.
JUNGWON | the actually planned one
Yeah. If it ainât you who slipped the relationship, then it isnât being slipped accidentally. Likeâever. This man is prepared to make you guys be undercover agents atp. He ainât slippinâ. But, he does get pouty behind cameras and a bit impatient that he canât just hold your hand. So, after having the green flag from you and your company; he talked to his company about it! You wonât know how he convinced Hybe, (those boba eyes i swear.) but he did so before you knew itâHybe released a statement!
NIKI | the one who did it because he felt challenged
One day, he texted you âwhat if i expose our relationship đâ You thought it was one of those jokes again, yk? and so you said âall words no actions đ€„đ€„â Why you challenged a kid whoâs genuinely so competitive? Literally no thoughts in your brain when you said that to him. Next thing you know, you got an emergency call from your ceo. You know why? Because your boyfie decifed to post a tweet of you guys, with a caption saying âme n my adorable shmookerpump on a date đđ©· #NIKI #YN #NIKIYNBESTCOUPLEFRâ
TAGLIST. @ja4hyvn @flwoie @sulkygyu @xiaoderrrr @ineedaherosavemeenow @lonewolfjinji @hyfenet
© astrae4 2023 | please donât copy, translate, or plagiarize my works on all platforms!
THROW HIM AWAY! | Han Yujin
IN WHICH yujin wants to cuddle you, but you want to cuddle mr. carrot. A Valentineâs Special
FEATURING Zerobaseoneâs Han Yujin and you, a highschool au
WARNINGS: kissing and sugar sweet nicknames
NOTE: Happy Valentines everyone! Here is for my jebewon readers and Yujin stans. Love you all (muah muah muah đ) and please help me reblog hehe~ itâs my first time writing for zb1 so tell me if you want more works for them in the future!!
MORE WORKS: navigation | zb1!masterlist
IF THERE WAS ONE THING you treasured more than your stash of shoes, it would be the stuffed bunny doll that Yujin gave you during his confession. A pink, soft plush (you named him Carrot) with a white bow wrapped around its neck. You still remembered the day he gave it to you, after school with trembling hands as he rapped out his confession, eyes looking everywhere but you. You remember accepting it shyly, face feeling hot as it implied that you like him back.
That was three months ago.
Now, it seems that you grew very attached to the doll, not being able to sleep without it. So much so that you brought it with you during your Valentine's sleepover with Yujin.
Yujin had begged asked his mother to let him invite you to his house for a sleepover as his valentines day surprise. You were excited, and thankfully, your parents had let you come. The day was perfect in your eyes. You arrived in the evening and played video games with him and his brother until dinner time. Then, you had dinner with his parents. After, you and Yujin washed the dishes before finally having alone time together.
He had surprised you with strawberries covered in chocolate that he made himself (it tasted questionable đš but you still ate it, silently praying that you wonât end up in the toilet bowl) and gave you a small bouquet of flowers. (it was the last of his money but heâd never admit it)
You kind of almost teared up, thanking him by giving the boy a kiss on his cheek.
After, you played seventeen matches of uno and two matches of scrabble (Yujin rage quitted scrabble which was why you played uno so many times) before it was time to sleep.
âCan I have the right sideââ
âSure, now cuddle me,â he said impatiently, opening his arms.
Unfortunately for him, luck wasnât on his side.
âOkay, butââ you took out Carrot, âCarrot goes in the middle.â
âAre you kidding me.â (the boy was likeđ§đ»đ)
âWhat.â
âWhy are you holding that, weâre about to cuddle.â
âAre you rejecting Carrot right now, Yuyu? Heâs our child.â
âThrow him away!â
âNO đ đš!â
âHe can live without hugging you tonight, itâs supposed to be just you and me..â
âWell, I canât live without him.â
Yujin dead stared at you, before pulling the covers over his head and back-facing you. Oh..he was sulking alright. You looked at him, then at Carrot, and sighed.
âBut I guess I canât live without you most..so Carrot can sleep alone tonight..â
You could literally hear the gear in his head run as he peaked his head out of the blanket, giving you his boba eyes.
âReally?â He asked.
You set Carrot aside, going under the blanket and sandwiching him in a hug immediately, âyeah.â
He let out a noise of complaint, but you knew that he was enjoying it most since he didnât retaliate and hugged you back, burying his face in your head. (Thank goodness you used your peach shampoo today)
A bit of silence passed as you basked in his warmth before you broke it, face looking up at him.
âYujin.â
He let out a hm? as a reply.
âHappy valentines, love you.â
He looked at you with lovesick eyes before giving the fastest smooch (peck) in the lips. You were shocked, and he was đŒ because he was very proud of doing that.
The boy let out a giggle đ„ (how dare he after he gave you a bomb) and went back to his previous position.
âLove you too~ goodnight and sweet dreams my honey bunny sugar plump pie.â
âWhy do you have to ruin the moment.â
âLol.â
âGoodnight too I guess..â
It was safe to say that you couldnât sleep well that night; somewhat because Yujin forgot to tape his mouth so he snored so loud and drooled on your head, mostly because of his previous words and actions. (Youâd never tell him that it was because of his previous behavior though, his headâs already big enoughâŠ)
TAGLIST â @heemingyu @ja4hyvn @flwoie @sulkygyu @xiaoderrrr @ineedaherosavemeenow @lonewolfjinji @teddywonss
© astrae4 2024 | please donât copy, translate, or plagiarize my works on all platforms! â inbox open for conversations and requests.
EYES ON ME | anton lee
IN WHICH you need to do your assignments, but anton wants your eyes solely on him. A 300 milestoneâs special
FEATURING: Riizeâs Chanyoung Lee and you (non-idol au)
WARNING: none
NOTE: thank you so much for 300 follows! Itâs such a big milestone for me and I canât explain how happy and thankful I am for all of you. I hope to continue giving you works and I hope you enjoy! Love you guysss đđ
MORE WORKS: navigation | riize!masterlist
THE CLOCK HITS 7pm as the sounds of your calculator echoed, filling the silence of your apartment. Papers were strewn all around your desk, one unfinished equation to the next.
In the midst of your concentration, the clicking of your door and the 6-foot-something man was left unheard and ignored. That was, until you felt a hand tug the hem of your shorts.
You stiffen for a second, before loosening up as familiarity washes over your body. Warm, big hands that touched you with the gentleness of a chick; it was your Anton.
You hummed in acknowledgement, but still focused on finishing your equation. Gosh, do you have a love-hate relationship with the subject.
He didnât answer, only tugged your shorts again before putting his heavy head on your lap.
You didnât think too much of it until he tugged the hem of your shirt this time. Looking down, you see a pouty man nestled under the warmth of your stomach.
What was it this time? you thought to yourself as you could just feel his sulky mood radiating from miles away.
âAnton..?â You whispered in confusion, your hand finding its way home in his hair, messing it up.
He stared up at you, his mouth pursed in a line that screamed at you âIâm not happy!!đŸâ, yet his eyes softened and you could tell that he was just pretending to get your attention.
You sighed before putting down your pen and putting both hands on his face.
âWhat does my big baby want, hm?â you teased with a playful grin before pinching his cheek, eliciting an ow! from him.
He took your hands in his before spilling the beans, âYou promised me you wonât miss dinner today.â
âItâs not past dinner yet, itâs 6ââ
âItâs 7.â
âOh. Well I can still eat dinner now, 7 isnât too late yetââ
âYou also promised me youâd give me attention today.â
âAhâŠâ you answer awkwardly as you just remembered, âSorry about that, baby, but the workloadâs a lot lately.â
Anton sat up before looking at you deadass AND even more sulky than before, âYouâre literally already early, I know this is supposed to be due in a week.â
Yeah, you werenât winning this one. You sighed once more as your mind gears up in making a plan to redeem yourself.
Putting your hands on both his cheeks, you put on your best doe eyes.
âIâm sorry baby,â you said before peppering his face with kisses, âforgive me..?â
In an instant, all the frustrations in your Antonâs face immediately ran away. He put his (gigantic) hands on your waist before kissing you on the cheek.
âOkay,â He mumbles.
He was about to kiss you some more but you interruped him.
âRight, I should eat dinner now,â You spoke, standing up. You were about to walk to the kitchen, but his hands pulled you back. Surprised, you landed back with an oomf.
âWhat was that forââ
âLater,â he says as he puts his hands around your waist, âI want your eyes on me right now, we can eat later.â
Knowing that you arenât getting out of this, you just gave in to your fate.
TAGLIST. @ja4hyvn @flwoie @sulkygyu @xiaoderrrr @ineedaherosavemeenow @lonewolfjinji @teddywonss @taerae-verse
NETWORKS. @k-labels
© astrae4 2024 | please donât copy, translate, or plagiarize my works on all platforms!
IâLL BITE YOUR ANKLES
âGive it to me right now,â you sulked, as your short ass tried to reach for the tub of ice cream which your boyfriend held up high. (rude! đ)
âLol noâ he said, with a bright grin as he proudly held it above your head.
You paused for a secondâcause, âDid you just say lol in real life..â
He didnât even seem bothered with it, just popping a âyup!â accompanied by his shit-eating grin. (đ)
âIâll actually bite your ankles if you donât give me my tub RIGHT NOW.â
âYou mean MY tub of ice cream? This was your gift to ME.â
âAnd I want one scoop so give it here.â
âTry to get it yourself. Oh wait you caâAGHâ
â Jung Sungchan, KIM YOUNGHOON, Myung Jaehyun, KIM GYUVIN, NI-KI, Park Gunwook, Kim Sunwoo, Lee Know, Yoon Keeho, CHOI BEOMGYU, Jeong Yunho, Xu Minghao, Mark Lee
MORE WORKS â navigation
TAGLIST. @kyusqult @ja4hyvn @flwoie @sulkygyu @xiaoderrrr @ineedaherosavemeenow @lonewolfjinji @teddywonss @taerae-verse
NETWORKS. @k-labels @deoboyznet @zumblrnet
© astrae4 2024 | please donât copy, translate, or plagiarize my works on all platforms!
HAN TAESAN | happy wife, happy life
pairings â idol!han dongmin x idol!reader
warnings â hanging joke, saying marriage but not actually married yet(?)
genre â FLUFF & romance hehe (wc. 789)
note â mentally not the best so im rlly inconsistent but itâs okay for now guys đđ if u have any requests iâd be very happy to make it for u đđ plspls like repost n follow đ
more works â navigation | bnd!masterlist
DING! DING! DING!
The buzzing notification sounds echoed loudly in a busy cafe, making some customers look at the victim responsible for these noises.
Said victim hurries to turn their notification sounds off, before checking his messagesâonly to see 6 missed calls and 14 messages from âmanager đ«đ„â.
manager đ«đ„: WHERE ARE YOU???
manager đ«đ„: WEâRE THREE HOURS LATE ALREADY!!!!
you: im On the Way!
you: gimme a bit
manager đ«đ„: dont lie. I literally see your location and it isnât moving AT ALL.
you: okay im actually almost done.
you: seriously, the lineâs almost over
you: [picture attached]
manager đ«đ„: fine. Come back faster! We need to hurry up to isac bc u guys already missed the track comp.
you: đđ
âOrder 1140, Mr. Woonhak!â Called a server.
Nobody reacted to that call for a few seconds, before the 180-ish-cm man jolted, remembering that he was supposedly Woonhak.
(Ever put a name in your order and forgot about it? Yeah, it happens to me all the time.)
âHere!â He replied, coming to the counter in a hurry.
âMatcha cake with pink frosting and custom lettering?â They asked to be sure.
âYes, thank you so much!â Replied âMr. Woonhakâ as he takes the takeaway-boxed cake and hurried out the door.
He practically jumped in the car (gracefully though) with how fast he was going.
âYah!â shouted Woonhak, âwhyâd you take so long!?â
âDonât you see the line?â Replied Taesan, his eye rolling as he holds the cake with care.
âYeah but why do we have to go get this cake? Just get it at any other bakery so we wouldnât be late to ISACâwe already missed the track race!â
Someone (Leehan) suddenly sat up from the backseat, glasses crooked on his head as if he just woke up (he did), âThatâs because itâs y/nâs favorite cake.â
âYeah Woonhak,â butted another menace (jaehyun), âItâs their 2nd anniversaryâ but of course youuuu wouldnât understand since youâve never had a womanâs touch before other than your mom and sister.â
âYAH!â screamed Woonhak.
Thus, another bonekdo quarrel emerge.
(Woonhak lost once again. Give me a dab in the comments; one dab = one hp for our maknaeâs patience)
EXCLUSIVE: BOYNEXTDOORâS TAESAN MISTAKES ISAC FOR WE GOT MARRIED?
In the ISAC 2024, k-pop boy band BOYNEXTDOOR (under KOZ) arrives 5 hours late to the venue, earning some attention from netizens. Onedoors (Boynextdoorâs fans) called them hilarious, especially with that spectacular entrance, consisting of the members wearing sunglasses and strutting in the building as if they won the games (they will then lose really badly in archery) in a proud manner.
Despite the many games and groups competing in the games, what went most viral was surprisingly not sports-related, and weâre here to tell you the scoop!
Boynextdoorâs Taesan is widely known for dating [reader] of [group name] since the very beginning of their debuts. They also went trending many times for thatâlike a fresh breeze in the very tense atmosphere of idol-relationships. This time, it seems that Taesan decided to take it up a notch with his display of public affection and prove to everyone that romance is very much not dead!
Running in the buildingâand then sliding on his knees to stop in front of [reader]âs viewâbefore procuring a bouquet of pink lilies for her all the while his very supportive members threw confetti at them!? Gosh, me when! After that, he also gave [reader] an exclusive cake from [readerâs favorite cake shop] to celebrate what seemed to be their 2nd year Anniversary.
Other idols in the building such as ZEROBASEONE and THE BOYZâs Younghoon gave their support by cheering on the coupleâas well as many others. Later on, it was even said by Zerobaseoneâs Gunwook jokingly in his groupâs vlog that he was jealous of their relationship, haha!
When asked about it later on in a live, Taesan responded that it was simply because it was their anniversary, and he wanted to make it special for them. In addition, he said a catchphrase that went viralâ saying âHappy wife, happy lifeâ, despite them not being married yet. [readerâs group] have not yet responded to this statement.
Many netizens are reacting to this viral video, saying that itâs so fresh and sweet of them twoâsome even joking and saying that âIâm the guy h*nging in the lights behind themâ (source) in Tiktok and Instagram. All in all, netizens seem to think that itâs extremely sweet and wishes them both to remain happy and strong in the relationship!
What do you think about it?
Comments (19.99) | open
More related searches⊠BOYNEXTDOOR comeback September 25 | Sunghoâs so hot in the new concept photo: twenty ver.
TAGLIST @ja4hyvn @flwoie @sulkygyu @xiaoderrrr @ineedaherosavemeenow @lonewolfjinji @teddywonss @taerae-verse
© astrae4 2024 | please donât copy, translate, or plagiarize my works on all platforms!
Will read this soon
Let's go to the beach-each (nicki minaje - starships) Let's go get a wave
áš ăkim donghyun x fem reader ê°đê± ïčfluff ïč+8.5k contains: surfer!leehan and lifeguard!fem reader, slight enemies to lovers and slight slowburn, mention of the rest of BND members THIS IS FOR THE #SWY EVENT COMING 2 U BY @onedoornet âââ
The sun blazed overhead as you stood at your lifeguard post, scanning the ocean for any signs of trouble. Busanâs beach was packed, as always, with tourists and locals soaking up the summer heat. You squinted against the sunlight, and there he wasâagain.
Leehan, the surfer who consistently defined the rules.
Leehan was the type of surfer who thrived on teasing and stirring up playful trouble, especially with anyone who dared to challenge him. He had a natural, effortless charm, the kind that made peopleâespecially girlsâthink they had his attention when, in reality, he was always a step ahead, never letting anyone get too close.
His laid-back attitude, paired with his sharp wit, made him irresistible to most, and they often mistook his flirtatious smirks and lighthearted jabs for something more. But Leehan wasnât one to be tied down or caught up in romantic expectations. To him, the fun lay in the game, not in the commitment, and he enjoyed keeping people guessing, always in control, never truly letting anyone see past the surface.
He rode a wave effortlessly, his form sharp and perfect as he carved through the water. It wouldâve been impressive if it werenât for the fact that he always surfed in the restricted areas, despite your repeated warnings. You huffed, standing up and blowing your whistle loud enough for him to hear, waving your arm to signal him back to the safe zone.
But instead of acknowledging you, he threw you a cocky smirk while waving his hand, returning the gesture, and kept riding the wave. Your blood boiled. This was the third time this week.
After what felt like an eternity of him ignoring you, he finally paddled back to shore, dripping wet and grinning as if nothing was wrong. He sauntered up to where you stood, his surfboard tucked under his arm.
"Something wrong, lifeguard?" he asked, raising an eyebrow, feigning innocence.
"Yeah, there is," you snapped, crossing your arms over your chest. "That area is off-limits. You know that."
Leehan shrugged, flicking his wet hair back, and your eyes couldn't lose the opportunity to see his neckbone stretch out, his Adam's apple on full display. "I wasnât causing any trouble. Just catching a wave."
"Youâre going to cause an accident," you retorted, standing your ground. "If you donât follow the rules, Iâll have to ban you from the beach."
He grinned wider, clearly not taking you seriously. "You think you can handle that?"
Your irritation flared. "Donât test me, Leehan. Iâm here to keep people safe, not babysit rebellious surfers."
"Whatever you say, lifeguard," he said, mocking with his tone, turning away as if the conversation was over. "Just try not to get too worked up over little things."
His winked at you as he left; you watched him walk off, fuming. You sighed and sank back into your chair, the familiar sound of waves crashing against the shore doing little to calm your nerves.
Busan Beach was supposed to be a peaceful escape, a break from the chaos of Seoul, where you could spend the summer doing something productive, just like your grandfather had encouraged. Instead, it felt like you had signed up for a full-time job babysitting an unruly, reckless surfer.
Mingyu, the head lifeguard, had warned you about Leehan the first day you showed up in your red lifeguard suit, excited and ready to take on the challenge of keeping the beach safe. Heâd pulled you aside and told you in no uncertain terms, âWatch out for Leehan. Heâs⊠persistent.â
Youâd laughed it off back then, thinking it couldnât be that bad. But after a few encounters with him pushing every boundary, you finally understood the exhausted look Mingyu had given you. Leehan wasnât just persistentâhe was relentless.
This rivalry had been building for weeks, and no matter how much you enforced the rules, Leehan never seemed to care. He was infuriatingâarrogant, reckless, and completely unaware of how much he got under your skin.
The next day, it was the same routine. You on the tower, keeping an eye on everyone, and him in the water, pushing every boundary he could. By noon, youâd had enough and stormed over to where he was setting up his board.
"Do you enjoy making my job harder?" you asked, voice sharp.
He looked up at you, clearly amused by your frustration. "Maybe I just enjoy getting a rise out of you."
You opened your mouth to fire back, but before you could, a sudden scream cut through the air. You both turned toward the water, where a young boy was struggling in the strong current.
Without hesitation, you dropped everything and sprinted toward the water, adrenaline surging through your veins. You dove in, swimming as fast as you could to reach him, your training kicking in automatically.
Just as you reached the boy and grabbed him, you saw Leehan beside you, his strong arms helping to keep the boy afloat. You exchanged a brief, surprised glance before focusing on getting the boy back to shore.
Once on land, you both worked together to make sure the boy was okay, adrenaline still pumping through your veins. As soon as the boyâs parents arrived, you finally allowed yourself to breathe.
"Oh my God, I told you to not go there without dad! Thank you so much, darling." The mother of the boy hugged you so tight that you thought you were about to have a lack of oxygen anytime soon. You heard claps from the people that saw everything, and you blushed, bowing at them and returning to your tower, not noticing that Leehan was behind you.
You climbed back up to your lifeguard tower, your heart still racing from the rescue. The adrenaline had yet to leave your system, and you were trying to calm yourself when you felt someoneâs presence behind you. You didnât need to turn around to know it was Leehan; his familiar energy was unmistakable.
"What now?" you asked, not bothering to look at him as you plopped down into your chair, hoping the waves could drown out your lingering frustration.
Leehanâs voice came from closer than you expected. "That was impressive."
You blinked, surprised by the compliment. Turning slightly, you saw him standing there, no cocky smirk, no playful teasing. Just genuine respect in his eyes. It threw you off.
"You helped," you said, slightly begrudgingly but acknowledging the fact that he had been right there in the water with you, making sure the boy was safe. It was the first time youâd seen him take something seriously.
He shrugged, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Guess Iâm not always causing trouble, huh?"
You huffed, leaning back in your chair. "Donât get used to it. Youâre still on thin ice with me, surfer."
Leehan chuckled, the sound softer than usual. "I can live with that." He tilted his head, looking at you with curiosity. "You ever think maybe youâre a little too uptight? Not everything has to be a battle."
Your jaw clenched. "Not everything is a joke, Leehan. Some of us have responsibilities."
"And some of us know how to enjoy life while still being responsible," he countered, that familiar teasing edge slipping back into his tone. "Maybe you should try it sometime."
"Go to hell," you said, and he laughed at you. Well, at your answer. "Thankfully, I will only deal with you for the next two months."
"Two months?" you nodded, answering him while looking at the horizon, seeing how the majority of people were already leaving as a cool breeze started to feel.
"I'm going back to Seoul. Only coming here for my summer vacations and my grandpa." You look to your left, his body leaning against the balcony through which you could see everything, his gaze fixed on you.
You started to take your things, cleaning in the process some of the food you had eaten and writing a report for Mingyuâall of that in the presence of Leehan, who was giving you space.
Both of you left the tower; you left Leehan there, not thinking that he would only take his surfboard and run to you, catching you up.
"Where are you going?" Your eyes narrowed, feeling weird out for his drastic change of behavior.
"My grandpa's house." You pointed at the colorful house; you knew your dad was in the neighbor's house playing cards, so he won't embarrass you with a comment in the presence of Leehan.
The boy next to you let out a sigh. "I only have two months to bother you."
"You already bothered me for a month; I think I can handle two months, sadly."
"Oh, please, you love nagging me. You love me." He sang the "love" word, and you pushed him; he laughed as you once again left him behind. You reached the door of the house, your key opening it easily. Leehan left his surfboard on the sand and putted a hand on your door as you were about to close it. "I'm sorry."
"You wanna know something, Leehan? I love making memories at the beach, but right now you're causing me stress. Please, let me have a peaceful two months," he put a thinking face, looking at you short after.
"I will help you with that," your eyes shinned.
"You're not coming to the beach?" He scoffed at your answer.
"No, but I will help you make memories. Ones that you won't forget." You both stood there, his hand coming to your vision as he put a string of your hair to the back of your right ear. "Only if you let me."
"Good night, Leehan."
As the door clicked shut, you leaned your back against it, your heart still racing. Leehan's words echoed in your mind, that teasing tone now laced with something deeper, something unfamiliar. He'd always been a thorn in your side, a source of frustration, but tonight, something had shifted. His offerâno, his promiseâlingered in the air.
"Only if you let me."
You shook your head, trying to shake off the warmth blooming in your chest.
The next few days went by in a blur of routineâkeeping an eye on beachgoers, making sure everything was running smoothly. Leehan acted like nothing happened, and so did you. He wasnât causing trouble like before. In fact, he stayed in the safe zones, and whenever you crossed paths, heâd flash you a soft grin. Keyword, soft.
If he wasn't in the safe zones, he was relaxing under the umbrella; even sometimes he would come to talk to you; no bickering and no fighting. You even got to know more about him; he was applying to an university in Seoul with his best friends; he had a dog; he got his first surfboard at the solid age of six; knowing small things makes you see him less insoferable.
This was one of those days, a small lunch break as he talked to you.
"Hey, can you not go at the same time as always?" You cleaned your mouth with a napkin, your eyebrows frowning.
"Why would I not do that? My shift is over by that." He put a finger between your brows, and you relaxed them.
"You said you want to make memories. Right?"
"Hey, Leehan!" You both heard a male scream. Looking from the balcony, there were five boys, all of them waving at the boy, and for the first time, you could see a big smile on his face.
"Sungho!" He looked at you as he stood up. "Meet me outside the tower. My friends came to surf." You didn't even have time to answer; he left, and you could see through the balcony how he jumped to his friends, making you smile at the brotherly view.
Time flew really slowly, watching the people and Leehan with his friends. You wouldn't admit it, but his friends were as handsome as him, but there was something about Leehan that simply made you look at him more. Just like he said, as you were going down the mini stairs the tower had, you could look at him in the distance with not one surfboard but with two. A few minutes past when he stood in front of you, the surfboards in both of his sizes.
"What are you doing?"
"More like, what are we doing?" He gently gave you a surfboard with a smile. "We are surfing."
"Yeah, there's no way I would do that." You pointed the surfboard, and he opened his eyes.
"Come on! It would be fun; what's stopping? Because, as far as I know, you are on vacation." You gulped, looking down at the sand.
"I don't know how to surf."
Leehan's lips curled into a teasing grin, his eyes lighting up. "You don't know how to surf? Youâve been a lifeguard this whole time and never tried."
You felt your cheeks flush with embarrassment, but you held your ground. "It's not like I havenât thought about it. I just never had the chance, and I didnât want to."
"Embarrass yourself?" He finished, stepping closer; the surfboard balanced easily under his arm. You looked away, feeling the warmth of his presence. "Don't worry. Iâll teach you."
You rolled your eyes, crossing your arms. "I don't need a cocky surfer trying to teach me something Iâll probably fail at."
Leehan tilted his head, his expression softening. "I'm not that bad of a teacher, you know. And I won't let you fail. Besides," he added with a wink, "you canât leave here without making at least one memory that youâll actually want to keep, right?"
You hesitated, watching as his teasing demeanor slowly faded into something more sincere. The offer was genuine. And there was something in his eyesâsomething that made you believe, for just a moment, that this wasnât a game to him anymore. He was serious about making a memory with you.
"Fine," you sighed, taking the surfboard from his hand, the weight of it heavier than you expected. "But if I wipe out, it's on you."
Leehan laughed; the sound was warm and carefree. "Deal."
He guided you toward the water, explaining the basics as you walked side by side along the shore. His usual teasing was gone, replaced by patient instructions as he showed you how to balance, how to paddle, and how to read the waves. For the first time, you saw him differentlyânot as the rebellious, rule-breaking surfer who drove you crazy, but as someone who was genuinely passionate about the ocean and everything that came with it.
The sun was starting to set, casting a golden glow over the beach as you finally paddled out together. The waves were gentle, and Leehan stayed close, his eyes on you the entire time. "You ready?" he called out over the sound of the surf.
You nodded, heart pounding in your chest as you focused on staying steady.
"Okay, when the next wave comes, I want you to pop up and keep your knees bent. Donât overthink it, just feel it," he said, his voice calm and reassuring.
You waited, your breath catching in your throat as the wave approached. Leehan gave you a nod, and with all the courage you could muster, you popped up, your legs shaky but holding. For a brief, glorious moment, you were riding the wave, your heart soaring.
Then, just as quickly, you lost your balance and tumbled into the water with a splash.
When you resurfaced, sputtering and laughing despite yourself, Leehan was right there, grinning at you like heâd just witnessed the most impressive feat in the world. "Not bad for your first try!"
You playfully splashed water at him. "I wiped out."
He shrugged, still grinning. "You got up. Thatâs what counts."
You couldnât help but smile, your earlier frustration melting away. There was something about the way he looked at you in that momentâlike he was genuinely proud of youâthat made your heart skip a beat.
As the sun dipped lower on the horizon, painting the sky in hues of pink and orange, you paddled back to shore, the soft sand welcoming your tired feet. Leehan walked beside you, the atmosphere between you lighter, more relaxed. For once, there was no teasing, no argumentsâjust an unspoken understanding.
"You did good today," he said, his voice softer than usual as he set his surfboard down.
"Thanks," you replied, brushing some sand off your arms. "I guess youâre not such a terrible teacher after all."
Leehan chuckled, but then his smile faded slightly as he looked at you, his gaze lingering longer than usual. "You know, I wasnât kidding about what I said before."
You tilted your head, curious. "About what?"
"About making memories." He stepped closer, his expression more serious now, the playful, carefree surfer gone. "I want you to remember this summer⊠with me."
The sincerity in his voice caught you off guard. This wasnât the cocky surfer who loved pushing your buttons. This was Leehan, standing in front of you, vulnerable for the first time. You could feel the weight of his words, the way they hung in the air between you.
"IâŠ" you started, unsure of how to respond. Your heart was racing again, but this time, it wasnât because of the adrenaline from the waves.
He reached out, gently tucking a loose strand of your hair behind your ear, his fingers brushing against your skin. "I think Iâve been spending so much time trying to get a rise out of you becauseâŠ" He trailed off, his gaze dropping for a moment before meeting yours again. "I like being around you, lifeguard."
You blinked, the confession catching you completely off guard. "LeehanâŠ"
He gave you a small, nervous smileâsomething youâd never seen from him before. "I know I can be a pain, but⊠I think weâre past that now, donât you?"
For once, you didnât have a sharp comeback. Instead, you found yourself nodding, your heart pounding in your chest as you took in the sight of him standing there, more open and vulnerable than youâd ever seen him.
"Yeah," you whispered, your voice barely audible over the sound of the waves. "We are."
Leehanâs eyes softened as he stepped closer, the teasing smile replaced by something warmer, more genuine. "Good," he said quietly, his hand lingering on your arm for just a moment longer than necessary before he pulled away, his eyes still locked on yours. "Then letâs make this a summer to remember."
â : â
Another month and a half has passed, and you canât count how many times youâve gone out with Leehan. Each time surprises youâonce, you were at an aquarium where he wouldnât stop talking about fish (which was a pretty big surprise, considering how much he loved marine life), and another time you were decorating cookies at his house with his lovely grandma, who adored you.
Leehan had invited you to a quiet café hidden on the outskirts of the beach town, one with a view of the ocean but far away from the usual crowd of surfers and tourists. It was intimate and cozy, with soft music playing in the background and large windows that let in the golden light of the setting sun.
âSo, this is one of my favorite spots,â Leehan said as you both settled into your seats. He smiled, but there was a nervousness behind it, like he was waiting for your reaction.
âItâs beautiful,â you said, gazing out at the waves. âI didnât even know this place existed.â
He grinned, leaning back in his chair. âTold you I had good taste.â
You spent the next hour talking about everything and nothingâabout university, future plans, the places youâd want to visit. Leehan opened up more than usual, telling you about his worries about moving and not being accepted for university, about missing the place that made him grow, and about how he wasnât sure if he was ready to leave behind this part of his life.
âI mean, I love surfing, but itâs not just that, you know?â he said, his voice softer than usual. âItâs⊠everything. The people. The memories. This summer.â
You glanced up at him, your chest tightening at the way his eyes softened when he looked at you. "Youâll miss it, wonât you?"
âYeah.â He smiled faintly, his gaze lingering on yours for a moment before looking out at the ocean. âBut Iâll miss you more. I like your personality, lifeguard.â
The words hung in the air between you, heavier than they should have been, making your pulse quicken. He wasnât teasing. There was no playful glint in his eyes, no mischievous grin on his lips. It was just⊠him. Honest. Vulnerable.
You opened your mouth to respond, but the words didnât come. Instead, you smiled softly, reaching across the table to lightly tap his arm. âIâll miss you too, Leehan. I like your personality too, surfer.â
He looked down at your hand on his arm, his expression unreadable for a moment before he turned back to you. His hand slid over yours, gentle and warm, sending a shiver down your spine. âThis summer,â he began, his voice trailing off as he searched for the right words. âItâs been different. Because of you.â
Your heart raced, the air between you thick with unspoken feelings. You wanted to say somethingâanythingâto fill the silence, to break the tension, but you couldnât. Instead, you stayed there, your hand still under his, the weight of his touch grounding you in the moment.
Before you could fully process what was happening, the waiter came by with your drinks, breaking the spell. Leehan pulled his hand away slowly, almost reluctantly, and you both shifted back into the comfortable rhythm of your conversation.
But the atmosphere had changed. There was a tension now, a soft, electric current running between you that neither of you could ignore.
As the evening went on, you wandered down to the beach together, the cool sand beneath your feet and the sound of the waves lapping against the shore. The sky was a blend of purples and oranges, the last remnants of the sunset painting everything in a dreamy haze.
Leehan walked beside you in silence for a while, his hands tucked into his pockets. You glanced over at him, noticing the way his brow was furrowed slightly, like he was deep in thought.
âAre you okay?â you asked softly, nudging him with your elbow.
He blinked, looking over at you with a small smile. âYeah. Just thinking.â
âAbout what?â
He hesitated for a moment before turning to face you fully, his gaze intense. âAbout creating your next memoryâ
You looked up at Leehan, your heart fluttering at the sincerity in his eyes. The evening had been perfect, filled with quiet moments and laughter, and now, as you stood together on the beach with the ocean breeze swirling around you, his words felt like a promise.
âCreating my next memory?â You asked, your voice barely above a whisper.
Leehan nodded, his smile softening. âYeah. I want us to have more moments like this, you know? I want us to remember this summer not just as a time when we were friends but as something more.â
You took a deep breath, trying to steady the rush of emotions that were flooding over you. The way he spoke made it clear that this wasnât just about summer or surfing; it was about something deeper, something real.
âWhat do you have in mind?â you asked, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness.
Leehanâs eyes sparkled with a mixture of mischief and affection. âIt's a secret. And it will take time.â
"Really?" Leehan nodded as he took the stairs to your house along with you.
"Yeah, so you'll be free from me," you said, making a small pout.
"I started to get used to your annoying ass." You opened your door quietly; it was pretty late, and you knew your grandpa was sleeping.
Leehan put his palms on the door frame once I was inside, his face stretched to match mine. "Once again, you prove to me that youâŠ"
"Don't do-"
"Love me." Like the first time, he sang the first word, but on the contrary, one month ago, this time you rolled your eyes with a smirk on your face, pushing him out as he gave you a smile.
"Goodnight, Leehan." You gave him your back to go to the kitchen, but his hand caught your waist and made you spin. Now you were face to face, your hands on his chest for support due to the sudden movement.
The moonlight bathed Leehan in a soft glow, casting a halo around him that made your heart skip a beat. His fingers lingered on your waist, his touch warm and gentle, as if he were testing the boundaries of the moment, unsure if he should take it further or let it fade.
You held your breath, feeling the weight of the unspoken tension between you. The electric current that had been building all evening was finally reaching its peak. His eyes searched yours, dark and intense, as though he was trying to find the courage to say what had been left unsaid for weeks.
âIâm serious,â he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. âI'm going to make this last week with you memorable. I'll give you my word.â Your heart hammered in your chest, and you felt yourself leaning in, pulled toward him like the tide to the shore. His face was so close now, close enough that you could see the way his breath hitched. His lips went to your cheek in the softest way possible.
He took his hands off your body, now a soft smile in his face as he watched you. So ethereal, so beautiful, so unique.
"Good night, lifeguard."
â : â
It wasnât like him to go radio silent, especially after what had happened that night at your house. You found yourself constantly checking your phone, hoping for a text, a callâanything that would explain why he was gone so suddenly. But there was nothing. The beach felt different without himâquieter, lonelier. Even the familiar sounds of the waves crashing against the shore werenât enough to drown out the thoughts swirling in your mind.
Had something changed between you? Had you crossed a line that couldnât be undone?
Your grandpa had noticed your distraction, but as always, he kept his words to himself, only offering the occasional knowing smile whenever you seemed particularly lost in thought. It was a week later, though, when he came to you, holding a package wrapped in delicate, sea-blue paper.
âThis arrived for you,â he said, his eyes twinkling with a quiet amusement.
You blinked, looking between him and the package. âFor me?â
He nodded, handing it over. âFrom Leehan. He said youâd know when to wear it.â
Your heart fluttered at the sound of his name, and with trembling fingers, you carefully unwrapped the package, noticing something written in the wrap paper.
"Tonight. Be ready at 7. Iâll be waiting on the beach."
Inside was a dressâa beautiful, flowing white dress, simple yet elegant, with delicate lace details around the neckline. It was the kind of dress that felt timeless, like something out of a fairytale.
"How does he know my size?" you whispered.
"I called your mother, and she gave it to me." Your grandpa surprised you, and he simply winked, leaving your room as you admired the dress.
By the time the sun began to set, you were standing at the edge of the beach, your toes sinking into the cool sand. The dress flowed softly with the breeze, and for a moment, you felt like you were in a dream, like you had stepped into one of those romantic movies where the ending was bittersweet but beautiful.
Ahead, you saw itâthe soft glow of string lights hanging between two palm trees, illuminating a small table set for two. The sound of distant laughter carried through the wind, and as you got closer, you spotted Leehanâs friends: Woonhak, Taesan, Jaehyun, Sungho, and Riwoo. They were busy setting up the final touches, but the moment they noticed you, they gave you a wave before retreating, leaving the scene just for the two of you.
Leehan stood by the waterâs edge, his back turned toward you, his hair ruffled by the wind. He was wearing a white shirt that matched the dress he had chosen for you, and as he turned to face you, his eyes softened. The moon had begun to rise behind him, casting a silver light over the beach, making the whole scene feel like something out of a storybook.
âYou lookâŠâ His voice trailed off, his gaze lingering on you as if words werenât enough to capture what he wanted to say. ââŠperfect.â
You smiled softly, stepping closer. âThis is beautiful, Leehan. I canât believe you did all this.â
He scratched the back of his neck, looking a little sheepish. âI had some help,â he admitted, nodding toward the group of friends who were now disappearing down the beach. âBut I wanted tonight to be special.â
You glanced around at the lights, the candles flickering on the table, and the waves gently lapping at the shore. It was specialâmore than you could have ever imagined. But beneath the beauty of it all, there was a bittersweet undercurrent, a silent understanding that this summer, this moment, was coming to an end.
As you both sat down at the table, the conversation flowed easily at firstâlighthearted, filled with laughter, stories of the past few weeks, and jokes about the lengths he went to keep the evening a surprise. But as the night deepened and the stars began to dot the sky, the mood shifted.
There was a heaviness now, a shared sadness that neither of you could ignore.
Leehan's eyes lingered on yours longer than usual, the weight of everything unsaid pressing down on the both of you. The breeze carried the scent of saltwater, the distant hum of the ocean a constant reminder of the fleeting nature of this moment. You took a deep breath, feeling a lump form in your throat as the reality of the situation settled in. Two days. You had two days left together.
âI still havenât heard back from the university,â Leehan said softly, breaking the silence. His voice was quieter now, vulnerable in a way you hadnât seen before. âI keep checking my email, waiting for something, but nothing yet.â
Your heart clenched. You knew how much he wanted this, how hard he had worked to get to this point, and yet here he wasâstuck in limbo, waiting for a future that still seemed so uncertain.
âIâm sure itâll come,â you said, your voice gentle. âMaybe theyâre just taking longer than usual.â
He gave a small, tight smile, but it didnât quite reach his eyes. âYeah. Maybe.â
You both fell into silence again, the weight of the situation settling heavily between you. The string lights above flickered softly, casting warm, golden hues over the table, but they couldnât chase away the growing ache in your chest.
Leehan leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair, his gaze fixed on the ocean. âYouâre leaving in two days.â
It wasnât a question, just a statementâa fact that hung in the air like a cloud over the evening. You swallowed hard, nodding.
âI know,â you whispered, your chest tightening. âIt feels like this summer went by too fast.â
He nodded, still not meeting your eyes. âI didnât want it to end like this. I didnât want⊠us to end like this.â
The words hit you like a wave, crashing over you with a force you hadnât expected. Us. He had said itâacknowledging what had been growing between you all summer, the connection that neither of you had dared to put a name to.
âYou know,â you began, your voice trembling slightly. âI donât want this to end either.â
Leehanâs eyes finally met yours, and in that moment, the vulnerability in his gaze mirrored your own. The emotions you had both been holding back all summerâfear, excitement, longingâwere laid bare, unspoken but undeniable.
âThen why does it feel like weâre both saying goodbye?â His voice was barely above a whisper, the sadness in his tone echoing the ache in your own heart.
You didnât have an answer. You didnât know how to explain that sometimes things were too perfect to last. Sometimes, no matter how much you wanted to hold on, life had other plans. You reached across the table, your hand finding his, the warmth of his touch grounding you, even as everything else felt like it was slipping away.
âIâm going to miss you, surfer.â You whispered, your voice thick with emotion. âMore than you know.â
Leehan squeezed your hand, his eyes never leaving yours. âIâm going to miss you too, lifeguard.â
The silence that followed was heavy with the weight of all the things you couldnât sayâhow much you had come to care for him, how much this summer had changed you. But there was no need for words anymore. You both knew. The feelings were there, just beneath the surface, waiting to be acknowledged.
But you wouldnât say it. Not tonight. Not when the thought of saying goodbye was already too much to bear.
Instead, Leehan stood up, offering you his hand. âCome on,â he said softly. âI have one last surprise.â
You let him lead you down to the waterâs edge, the cool waves lapping at your feet. The moon was high in the sky now, casting a silvery glow over the ocean, and for a moment, it felt like you were the only two people in the world.
He pulled you into a slow dance, the sound of the ocean and the distant music from a small speaker he installed, blending together into a soft, romantic melody. You rested your head against his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath your cheek. His arms wrapped around you, holding you close, as if he were trying to memorize the feel of you in his arms.
âThank you for this,â you whispered, your voice barely audible over the sound of the waves.
He didnât respond with words. Instead, he pressed a soft kiss to the top of your head, his arms tightening around you. And in that moment, you knew. You both knew.
You were in love.
But it was a love you couldnât hold on to, not right now. Not when the summer was ending and life was pulling you in different directions.
So, for tonight, you danced. You held on to each other as the waves whispered their goodbyes, as the stars blinked down from the sky, and as the world around you faded away. Because in this moment, you didnât need to say anything.
â : â
You stood in the doorway, phone in hand, staring at the screen longer than you should have. The familiar weight in your chest grew heavier, pressing against your ribs as you swallowed down the lump in your throat. The house felt quieter now, the warmth of last nightâs memory still lingering in the air. It was hard to believe that just hours ago, everything felt timeless, like your summer would never end. But now⊠it was real. You were leaving.
Taking a deep breath, you pressed the voice message icon and tried to keep your voice steady.
"Hey, Leehan. Sorry for bothering you. I know you're probably still sleeping, but my mom came earlier than expected, andâŠ" Your voice wavered, but you forced yourself to continue. "I'm leaving right now for Seoul."
A wave of sadness washed over you as you spoke, each word feeling heavier than the last. You paused, trying to collect your thoughts, to say something meaningful, something that could capture the bittersweet emotions flooding your heart. You wanted to thank him for everythingâfor all the memories, for the way he made this summer feel like something out of a dream.
"Thank you for everything, Leehan. For the beach, for the laughter, for⊠for making this summer unforgettable." You hesitated, unsure of how to end it. "Iâll miss you."
The words hung in the air, final and inevitable. You released the button, watching the message send with a soft whoosh. It felt like letting go of something precious, something you werenât quite ready to part with.
You pocketed your phone and turned to face your grandpa, who stood in the doorway watching you with a sad but understanding smile. His arms opened, and without a word, you wrapped yours around him, squeezing tightly. The scent of the sea, the warmth of his flannel shirtâeverything about him reminded you of this place, of home.
âIâll miss you so much, grandpa,â you whispered, your voice breaking just a little. Tears pricked your eyes, but you blinked them away, not wanting this moment to end in sadness.
He patted your back softly, his voice steady. "Iâll miss you too, kiddo. But youâve got your whole life ahead of you. Donât forget that."
Pulling back, you offered him a watery smile, nodding as you wiped at your eyes. He glanced over at your mom, who was waiting in the car, then back at you.
"You can always come back, you know. This town⊠itâll always be here. And so will I."
You nodded, but the heaviness in your heart remained. It was never just about the town. It was about everything that had happened here, the memories you were leaving behindâmemories you werenât ready to let go of, not yet.
With one last look at the house, the beach in the distance, and the path you had walked so many times with Leehan, you climbed into the car. Your mom smiled softly as you buckled in, but you couldnât return it. Not yet.
The engine started, and as the car pulled away, you found yourself turning back, looking through the rearview mirror at the small beach town fading in the distance.
Leehan stood by your grandpa, chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath, the bouquet of flowers cradled protectively in his arms. His eyes darted to the road where the car had just disappeared, his face pale with the weight of realizationâhe was too late. He gripped the flowers tighter, his knuckles white against the delicate petals.
Your grandpa placed a hand on Leehanâs shoulder, his expression soft, filled with the kind of understanding that only comes with age. âYou didnât miss her by much, son. She just left.â
Leehan nodded, but the words didnât bring him comfort. The ache in his chest only grew as he looked down at the flowers, the card tucked neatly between them, filled with all the words he hadnât been able to say to you. Five pages, front and back, confessing everything he had felt all summerâeverything he had been too afraid to voice.
âI wanted to tell her,â Leehan murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. âI thought I had time.â
Your grandpa sighed, his hand still resting gently on Leehanâs shoulder. âSometimes, we think we have all the time in the world. But life⊠it doesnât always wait for us.â
Leehanâs gaze lingered on the empty road, his heart heavy with regret. He had planned everything so carefullyâevery detail of the beach date, every moment leading up to his confession. But now, it felt like it had slipped through his fingers like sand.
"Leehan!" he heard the familiar scream of Jaehyun; actually, all of his friends were running to him with smiles on their faces. Jaehyun was faster than the rest, a paper in his hand shoving in his face.
"God, MyungJae, what is that?"
"Read it!" He took the paper and read it, his energy below zero slowly going up. He could feel the relief when he read, "We are glad to have you, Kim Dong Hyun, at our university."
"I got in," he said, a small smile on his face.
"We all did! We're going to Seoul, baby!" Woonhak screamed, and that's when a bulb turned on Leehan's head. A soft touch on his shoulder made him look at the old man.
"I think you actually have a chance to give her the flowers."
Leehanâs heart raced as the realization hit him. Seoul. He was going to Seoul. The very place you were headed. He had a chanceâmaybe not to stop you from leaving, but to find you again, to tell you everything he had kept bottled up all summer.
He looked at his friends, who were all celebrating, but his mind was already somewhere else. Turning to your grandpa, who still had that knowing smile on his face, Leehan felt a surge of determination.
âI need to go after her,â he said, voice shaky but full of resolve.
Your grandpa chuckled softly, nodding. âI figured as much. Go on, son. Sheâll be glad to see you.â
â : â
A month. Thatâs how long it had been since you last saw Leehan. No messages, no updates from your grandfatherâjust an aching silence that grew heavier with each passing day. And now, here you were, standing on the familiar beach in Seoul, the same place you came to clear your head. The sky was a fading blend of soft orange and pink, slowly surrendering to the approaching night.
The dress you wore felt like a relic from a time that felt both distant and painfully closeâthe same dress from that unforgettable beach date with Leehan. Nostalgia coursed through your veins, memories of that night replaying in your mind as the sound of the waves whispered around you.
You sighed, kicking at the sand as you walked closer to the water, unsure why you had returned here tonight. It was as if some invisible thread had pulled you back to this place, as if the universe wasnât quite done with the story between you and him.
The soft crash of waves filled the silence, and for a moment, you let yourself get lost in the rhythm of the ocean, your thoughts drifting like the tide.
"That area is off-limits, young lady."
Your heart skipped, your breath catching in your throat as you whipped around at the familiar voice. And there he was, standing a few feet away, wearing that same teasing, lopsided smile that had made you fall for him in the first place. Leehan.
He looked a little different nowâmore mature, like the month apart had shifted something in him. But his eyes still held that spark, that mischievous glint you had come to adore.
âLeehan?â You breathed, your heart pounding so hard you thought it might burst from your chest.
He gave you a small shrug, his hands tucked casually in his pockets as he took a step closer. âWhat? You didnât think Iâd just disappear, did you? Especially after all the trouble I went through for that beach date.â
You couldnât help the smile that tugged at your lips, your chest filling with warmth. âI thought you mightâve forgotten about me.â
His eyebrows shot up, a look of mock offense crossing his face. âForgotten? You, lifeguard?â He stepped even closer, until he was standing right in front of you, his voice dropping to a soft murmur. âImpossible.â
Your heart swelled at his words, and for a moment, all the hurt and uncertainty from the past month seemed to melt away. But there was still one question you couldnât shake.
âWhat are you doing here, Leehan?â You asked, your voice barely above a whisper.
He smiled, that teasing grin never leaving his face as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small bouquet of flowers. âWell, your grandpa mightâve told me a little secret. Something about how you always come here when you need to think.â
You blinked, your chest tightening at the thought of your grandpa playing matchmaker. âHe told you where to find me?â
Leehan chuckled, shaking his head as he handed you the flowers. âYeah, heâs pretty sneaky for an old guy.â
You took the bouquet, feeling the softness of the petals between your fingers, your heart racing at the thought that he had come all this way just for you. But before you could say anything, Leehan stepped closer, his expression softening, his voice turning serious.
âIâm so sorry,â he blurted out, his voice rough with regret. âFor not calling, for not texting⊠for disappearing. IâI wanted to. Every single day, I wanted to reach out, but I didnât know what to say. I didnât know if youâd even want to hear from me after I let you down.â
Your heart clenched at the sincerity in his voice. You had been angry at first, hurt by his silence, but now, seeing him like this, so vulnerable and broken by his own mistakes, you couldnât hold on to that anger.
âI missed you,â you said softly, the truth of it spilling from your lips before you could stop it. âI missed you so much, Leehan.â
His eyes softened at your words, but the guilt in his expression remained. âI missed you too. Every day. And I hated myself for not telling you, for letting my own fear keep me from you.â
He took a step closer, his hand reaching out to gently cup your cheek. His touch was warm, familiar, and it sent a shiver down your spine.
"I messed up," he started, his voice quiet but heavy with emotion. "I should have called you the moment you left. Every day, I wanted to text you, to hear your voice, to know how you were doing⊠but I didnât. I thought giving you space was the right thing. I thought I was being respectful, but honestly, I was just scared."
His thumb grazed over your knuckles, his touch soft, almost hesitant. "I was scared that maybe you'd moved on. Maybe I was just some summer fling to you and that the second you left for Seoul, Iâd be forgotten. But I never forgot you. Not for a single second."
His voice cracked, and he paused, his eyes brimming with unshed tears. "Every time I looked at the ocean, I thought of you. I thought about the way you used to look at it, like it was a part of you, and all I could think was how much I missed you. How much I miss us."
You felt your heart tighten at his words, the weight of his confession sinking deep into your chest. He let out a shaky breath, stepping closer, his hands still holding yours as if he were afraid to let go.
"You have no idea how much I regret not picking up the phone and telling you how I felt. Because, God, I am so in love with you. I love the way you laugh when you think no oneâs listening, the way you get lost in your thoughts when you're staring at the waves, the way you make everything feel right. Iâve loved you for so long, and I canât keep pretending that I donât."
His gaze softened, and his voice grew even quieter. "Iâm sorry for making you think I didnât care, for being such a coward. But I canât let you walk away again without telling you how much you mean to me."
He took a deep breath, his grip tightening just a little as he leaned in, his voice steady but filled with an overwhelming tenderness.
"I love you, lifeguard."
The world seemed to fall away in that moment, the weight of his words settling over you like a gentle breeze. Your heart pounded in your chest, a mix of emotions swirling inside youâjoy, relief, and love. You had waited so long to hear those words, and now that they were here, everything felt right.
A slow smile spread across your lips as you looked up at him, your hand tightening in his. âI love you too, Leehan.â
His eyes sparkled with happiness, and before you could say anything else, he closed the distance between you, his lips brushing softly against yours. The kiss was gentle at first, filled with the sweetness of first love, but as the moments passed, it deepened, filled with all the emotions you had both kept hidden for so long.
When you finally pulled away, Leehan rested his forehead against yours, a playful grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. âYou know, Iâve been waiting a long time to do that.â
You laughed softly, your heart feeling lighter than it had in weeks. âIâm glad you finally did.â
He chuckled, his arms wrapping around you as he pulled you close. âGet used to it, lifeguard. Iâm not going anywhere this time.â
"What do you mean?" He cleared his throat and looked at you.
"Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you. I got in, to the university."
Leehan laughed as you wrapped your arms around him, your excitement evident as you squeezed him tightly. The bouquet of flowers had tumbled onto the sand, their petals scattered around as you held him close.
âYou got in?â You asked, your voice muffled against his chest.
He nodded, a bright smile on his face. âYep. Me, Jaehyun, Woonhak⊠all six of us got in. Last month was moving everything and paper work. So, it looks like weâre both headed in the same direction.â
You pulled back slightly to look up at him, your eyes wide with surprise and joy. âYouâre really here.â
Leehanâs grin widened as he nodded again. âI wouldnât have it any other way.â
A wave of happiness washed over you, the feeling of his presence comforting and reassuring. âIâm so glad youâre here, Leehan.â
"And you know why?" You had a feeling of what was about to come. "Because you love me," he said, doing a small dance in front of you. This time, you laughed, your heart jumping in joy.
"Yeah, I do love you, surfer." He kept on dancing, so you took him by the collar of the shirt and kissed him once more.
Leehanâs laughter mingled with the rhythmic sound of the waves, filling the evening air with a playful melody. He stopped dancing when you pulled him closer, your lips meeting his in a kiss that spoke volumes. His lips were warm, and the kiss was both tender and teasing, full of the longing you both had felt over the past month.
As you broke away, he looked at you with a smirk. âYou know, Iâve been practicing my dance moves just for this moment.â
You laughed, your eyes sparkling. âAnd here I thought you were just trying to impress me.â
Leehanâs grin widened, his fingers tracing light patterns on your arm. âOh, trust me, impressing you is just the beginning. Iâve got a whole repertoire of moves Iâve been saving for our next date.â
Your heart skipped a beat at the thought of future moments with him. Hand in hand, you both walked along the shore, the waves gently lapping at your feet. The night was filled with laughter, flirtatious glances, and the promise of a future together. The summer might be ending, but with Leehan by your side, every moment felt like the beginning of a beautiful adventure.
â· đđđđđą'đ note: After contasntly debating into wiÂżhich one to put out to the world, here I am giving not only to the network but to the onedoorblr/bndblr my second work! I promise I will post more of my boys, I truly will (and pls the song in the intro has NOTHING to do with it LMAO, I forgot the song I chose before)đ
whispers in twilight
ïœĄïœ„:*Ë:â§ïœĄ synopsis: as taesan and you work closely on the guqin, your initial awkwardness gradually fades, giving way to a growing connection that is put to the test when taesan learns of a potential arranged marriage, leading him to make a midnight visit to confess his feelings.
ïœĄïœ„:*Ë:â§ïœĄ pairing: taesan han x f!reader ïœĄïœ„:*Ë:â§ïœĄ genre: romance, coming of age ïœĄïœ„:*Ë:â§ïœĄ a/n: this chapter's longer to make up for the last one. i hope you guys love it! there are jumps in the plot. i didn't mark them because they're a bit obvious but lmk if you'd prefer that i mark them! ïœĄïœ„:*Ë:â§ïœĄ word count: 7.3k
⧠comments are appreciated! â§
The days passed in a gentle blur, the routine of your work shifting subtly with the new project at hand. Each morning, you would wake with the first light of dawn, the anticipation of the day sending a thrill through your veins. The guqin, now in its earliest stages, was the centerpiece of your thoughts, a challenge and an opportunity unlike any you had encountered before.
The first time Taesan arrived at your familyâs store to begin the project, the air between you was thick with an awkward shyness. As he stepped inside, you both seemed to hesitate, unsure of how to proceed. Taesanâs usual confidence faltered slightly as he took in the sight of the workspace, the tools neatly arranged, the wood laid out on the workbench. You stood by the door, your hands nervously fiddling with the edge of your apron, your heart beating a little too fast.
âGood morning, Your Highness,â you greeted him with a small bow, your voice barely above a whisper.
âGood morning,â Taesan replied, his tone equally subdued as he offered a polite nod. There was a moment of silence, both of you standing there, unsure of what to say next.
âShall we⊠begin?â you suggested, gesturing toward the workbench.
âYes, of course,â Taesan agreed, moving to the workbench with an almost exaggerated care. As he approached, you both reached for the same piece of wood at the same time, your hands brushing against each other.
âOh! Iâm sorry!â you exclaimed, pulling your hand back quickly.
âNo, itâs fine. I didnât mean toââ Taesan started, his words tumbling over themselves as he tried to reassure you.
You both laughed nervously, the awkwardness between you thickening the air. Taesan cleared his throat, trying to break the tension. âSo, um, how do we start? Iâve never really⊠built anything before.â
You smiled, finding his uncertainty a little endearing. âItâs not as complicated as it seems. Weâll start by selecting the wood. It needs to be just right for the guqin, something that can resonate with the sound but also hold the tension of the strings.â
Taesan nodded, his eyes scanning the various pieces of wood laid out before you. âAnd how do we know which one is right?â
âItâs all about the grain and the feel,â you explained, reaching for a piece of paulownia. âSee how the grain runs smoothly? Itâs straight and even, which means itâll produce a clear sound. And when you run your hand over it,â you demonstrated, letting your fingers glide over the wood, âit should feel smooth, almost like silk.â
Taesan mimicked your actions, running his hand over the wood. âLike this?â he asked, glancing at you for confirmation.
You nodded, pleased with his eagerness to learn. âExactly. Youâre a natural, Your Highness.â
Taesan chuckled softly, his nerves easing slightly. âIâm just following your lead. Youâre the expert here.â
âHardly,â you replied with a shy smile. âIâm still learning, too. But Iâve found that working with wood is all about patience. It teaches you to slow down, to really pay attention to the details.â
âThat sounds⊠peaceful,â Taesan said, almost wistfully. âThereâs so much noise in the palace. Sometimes I wish I could just⊠escape it all.â
You paused, sensing the weight behind his words. âMaybe this project can be that escape for you,â you suggested gently. âA way to find some quiet.â
Taesan looked at you, his expression softening. âI think Iâd like that.â
As you continued to work, the two of you gradually found a rhythm, though there were still moments of awkwardness. Whenever you both reached for the same tool, your fingers would collide, and each time, youâd both laugh nervously, apologizing in unison.
âWeâre going to have to figure out how to work together without bumping into each other,â Taesan said with a grin after the third or fourth time it happened.
âIâm sure weâll get the hang of it eventually,â you replied, your smile growing a little more confident. âBesides, itâs nice to have someone to share the work with.â
âI feel the same,â Taesan admitted, a warm tone in his voice that made your heart flutter.
Gradually, as the day wore on, the initial shyness began to fade. You found yourself growing more comfortable in his presence, the awkwardness giving way to a tentative ease. Taesan, too, seemed to relax, his movements becoming less stiff, his voice more assured as he asked questions about the guqin, his interest in the process genuine and clear.
By the end of that first day, you had managed to establish a tentative rhythm to your work. Though you still bumped into each other from time to time, the moments were now accompanied by shared smiles and the occasional laugh, the earlier tension replaced by a budding camaraderie.
As the days turned into weeks, something subtle began to change in both your lives. Taesan, who was once known for his serious and sometimes distant demeanor, became noticeably more agreeable and lighthearted. His brothers couldnât help but notice the shift, exchanging curious glances during their training sessions.
One morning, during a particularly intense practice, Sungho caught Taesan staring off into the distance, a faint smile playing on his lips.
âTaesan, your form is off today,â Sungho pointed out during a sparring session, but his tone was more teasing than critical. âYouâre not daydreaming, are you?â
Taesan snapped out of his thoughts, a faint blush creeping up his neck as he realized he had indeed been lost in a daydream about you. âIâm fine,â he replied, a little too quickly, earning knowing smirks from Sungho and Jaehyun.
âReally? Because it looks like youâre thinking about somethingâor someoneâelse,â Jaehyun chimed in, his grin widening.
âJust focus on your own training,â Taesan retorted, trying to mask his embarrassment, but his brothers werenât so easily deterred.
âWe just want to make sure youâre not getting distracted,â Sungho added with a wink, causing Taesan to groan inwardly.
But despite their teasing, Taesan couldnât help the small smile that tugged at his lips. His thoughts were consumed by the time he spent with you, the way you worked so diligently, the way your eyes lit up when you talked about your craft. It was becoming increasingly difficult to keep his mind on anything else.
The change in Taesanâs demeanor extended beyond his interactions with his brothers. During lessons, his tutors noticed that his mind seemed to wander more than usual, his gaze drifting out the window as he thought about what you might be doing at that very moment. Even during his zither practice, his fingers would sometimes falter on the strings as his thoughts strayed to you.
One evening, as Taesan sat with his zither in the garden, his fingers absentmindedly plucking the strings, Woonhak approached him, a curious look on his face.
âYouâve been playing that same melody over and over, brother,â Woonhak remarked, sitting beside him. âSomething on your mind?â
Taesan glanced at him, a bit startled by the observation. âJust⊠thinking.â
âAbout the guqin, or about something else?â Woonhak asked, a playful glint in his eyes.
Taesan hesitated, not quite sure how to answer. âBoth, I suppose.â
Woonhak smiled knowingly but didnât press further. âWell, whatever it is, itâs nice to see you smiling more these days. You seem⊠happier.â
Taesan looked down at his zither, the strings vibrating softly under his touch. âI think I am.â
As the golden light of the setting sun filtered through the palace gardens, Woonhak left and Taesan sat alone with his zither, the familiar weight of the instrument grounding him as he plucked a few tentative notes. The melody that emerged was soft, almost hesitant, as if his fingers were searching for something just out of reach.
His mind drifted back to you, the way your hands moved with such care and precision as you worked on the guqin, the quiet determination in your eyes as you poured your heart into every detail. There was something about you that had captivated him, something he couldnât quite put into words but felt deeply nonetheless.
As his fingers moved across the strings, a new melody began to take shape, one that was soft and lilting, yet filled with a quiet strength. It was a reflection of you, of the way you carried yourself with grace and dignity despite the challenges you faced. The notes flowed together, each one a tribute to the qualities he admired in youâthe honesty in your voice, the gentleness in your touch, the warmth in your smile.
Taesanâs thoughts became more poetic, his mind painting vivid images of you that he translated into music. He thought of how you were like a delicate flower blooming in the harshest of conditions, your beauty and resilience shining through despite the odds. He compared you to the finest silk, smooth and elegant, with a strength that belied its softness.
The melody grew richer, more intricate, as his thoughts deepened. He thought of how Yves Saint Laurent had once spoken of his designs, how he crafted each piece with love and care, always with the women who wore them in mind. Taesan felt a similar sense of devotion as he composed, each note a careful stitch, each phrase a deliberate brushstroke meant to capture the essence of you.
His music was a way of expressing what he couldnât say aloudâthe admiration he felt, the growing affection that he was only beginning to understand. The melody was tender, yet filled with an undercurrent of longing, a reflection of the feelings he couldnât fully articulate but that were becoming impossible to ignore.
As the final notes of the song faded into the evening air, Taesan sat in silence, the zither still vibrating softly beneath his fingers. The song he had composed was different from anything he had ever played beforeâmore personal, more intimate. It was a piece of his heart, laid bare in music, inspired by you.
He knew he couldnât share this song with anyone, at least not yet. It was too private, too revealing of the emotions he was still trying to understand. But as he sat there, the last rays of sunlight fading into twilight, he couldnât help but feel a sense of peace, as if through the music he had found a way to connect with you even when you werenât by his side.
Taesanâs heart swelled with a mix of emotionsâadmiration, affection, and a burgeoning sense of something more. The song was a testament to what you had come to mean to him, a reflection of the way you had quietly woven yourself into the fabric of his thoughts and dreams.
With a final, lingering note, he closed his eyes, letting the music echo in his mind, a silent promise to himself to protect the connection he felt with you, no matter what the future might hold.
Meanwhile, in your fatherâs store, a similar transformation was taking place. You found yourself humming softly as you worked, a lightness in your step that hadnât been there before. Your father, ever observant, couldnât help but notice the change in you.
âYouâre in a good mood these days,â he remarked one morning as you adjusted a display of instruments. âAnything special going on?â
You looked up, startled out of your thoughts, and quickly shook your head. âNothing, Father. Just⊠enjoying the work, I suppose.â
But your father wasnât fooled. He watched as you interacted with customers, your usual reserved demeanor replaced by a bright, cheerful energy that seemed to draw people in. There was a subtle glow about you, a happiness that radiated from within, and he couldnât help but smile to himself, even as he wondered whatâor whoâhad brought about this change.
One afternoon, as you were sanding down the body of the guqin, Taesan watched you with a quiet intensity, his gaze tracing the curve of your neck, the way your hair fell in soft waves over your shoulder. He admired the focus in your expression, the way your hands moved with such care and precision. You were so different from anyone he had ever knownâhonest, hardworking, and with a quiet strength that drew him in.
âYouâre really talented,â he said suddenly, his voice breaking the comfortable silence. âI can see why your father trusts you with his work.â
You looked up, surprised by the compliment. âThank you, Your Highness,â you replied, a shy smile tugging at your lips. âBut I still have a lot to learn.â
Taesan shook his head, a small smile playing at his lips. âYouâre being modest. The work youâve done on this guqin⊠itâs incredible. Iâm really looking forward to playing it.â
You felt your heart swell with pride at his words, the warmth of his praise settling in your chest. âIâm glad you think so,â you said softly. âI just hope it lives up to your expectations.â
Taesanâs smile widened slightly, his gaze lingering on you for a moment longer than necessary. âI have no doubt it will.â
As the day drew to a close, the golden light of the setting sun filtered through the windows, casting long shadows across the workshop. The guqin, now nearly complete, stood on the workbench, its smooth surface gleaming in the fading light. There was still work to be done, but the end was in sight, and the sense of accomplishment that filled the room was almost tangible.
As you stood side by side, admiring the progress you had made, a comfortable silence settled between you. The soft sound of your breathing, the distant chirping of crickets outside, the warmth of the sun on your skinâit all seemed to meld together into a moment of perfect contentment.
In the palace, Taesanâs brothers couldnât resist teasing him whenever they found him lost in thought. During a particularly quiet evening, they gathered in the garden, the soft glow of lanterns illuminating their faces.
âSo, Taesan,â Jaehyun began, his tone light and teasing, âhowâs the guqin project going? Or should I ask how the craftswoman is?â
Taesan shot him a warning look, but it only made his brothers chuckle.
âYouâve been awfully distracted lately,â Sanghyuk added with a grin. âMust be somethingâor someoneâkeeping your mind busy.â
âItâs just the project,â Taesan replied, trying to sound casual, but the blush creeping up his neck betrayed him.
âRight, the project,â Sungho said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. âAnd I suppose thatâs why you keep sighing like a love-struck poet?â
Taesan groaned, burying his face in his hands. âYouâre all impossible.â
Woonhak, always the supportive one, patted him on the back. âDonât worry, Taesan. Weâre just happy to see you like this. Itâs nice to know youâre enjoying yourself.â
âEnjoying myself? Iâm being tortured by all of you,â Taesan muttered, though the corners of his mouth lifted in a reluctant smile.
The brothers shared a laugh, the teasing light-hearted and filled with affection. Despite their jokes, they were genuinely glad to see Taesan in such good spirits. It was a welcome change from the usual seriousness that often hung over him.
As the days turned into weeks, the guqin began to take form, each piece carefully crafted, each detail painstakingly perfected. The work was slow, meticulous, but there was a certain rhythm to it, a quiet joy that came from creating something beautiful with your own hands. Taesan often found himself lost in the process, his worries and fears momentarily forgotten as he focused on the task at hand.
There were moments when your hands would brush as you worked, the brief contact sending a jolt of electricity through your skin. You would both glance up, startled, your eyes meeting for a fleeting second before you looked away, a faint blush coloring your cheeks. It was in those small moments, those quiet, stolen glances, that something deeper began to bloom between youâa connection that neither of you could fully understand, but that was undeniably there.
On one such day, Taesan arrived at the store, expecting to find you in your usual spot, but as he stepped inside, he was greeted only by the quiet hum of the shop. The familiar sight of you was nowhere to be found.
A slight frown tugged at Taesanâs lips as he looked around, puzzled. It wasnât like you to be absent during your work hours. Just as he was about to call out for you, your father appeared from the back of the store, a knowing smile on his face.
âLooking for someone, Your Highness?â your father asked, his tone light and teasing.
Taesan cleared his throat, trying to hide his embarrassment. âYes, I was looking forââ he hesitated, then finished with a touch of formality, âI was looking for your apprentice.â
Your father chuckled softly, a sound filled with warmth. âYou wonât find her here today. Sheâs in her room, just down the hall.â
âOh,â Taesan replied, feeling a bit foolish for not checking sooner. âThank you.â
With a nod of gratitude, Taesan made his way out of the store and into the small courtyard that separated the shop from your living quarters. The air was fresh, filled with the scent of blooming flowers, and the soft rustle of leaves in the breeze provided a calming backdrop as he walked.
But as he approached the entrance to your home, he heard something that made him stop in his tracks. It was faint at first, but as he focused, he could make out the softest, most pleasant singing coming from the direction your father had indicated. The sound was like a balm to his soul, each note wrapping around him and soothing the tension that had built up from his duties at the palace.
His heart rate quickened as he realized the voice belonged to you. Without thinking, his feet carried him closer to the sound, his movements almost instinctual as he sneaked toward the window of your room. The song was so beautiful, so pure, that it drew him in like a moth to a flame.
When he reached the window, he couldnât resist taking a peek inside. There you were, standing in the middle of your room, tidying up with a graceful ease that made his breath catch in his throat. Your voice floated through the air, each note more captivating than the last. The sight of you, bathed in the soft afternoon light, was enough to make his heart skip a beat.
Taesan stood there, mesmerized, completely lost in the moment. All the stresses of his daily life melted away as he watched you, your beauty and your voice a perfect harmony that filled him with a sense of peace he hadnât known he needed.
But then, you turned.
Your eyes met his through the window, and for a split second, time seemed to stand still. Then, in a sudden burst of realization, you screamed.
Taesan, startled by your reaction, let out a scream of his own, stumbling backward as his foot caught on the edge of the porch. With a yelp, he tumbled down, landing unceremoniously on his butt.
The shock of the fall quickly gave way to a rush of embarrassment as he scrambled to his feet, his cheeks burning with mortification. Before he could fully recover, you had already raced to the window, your face a mixture of concern and apology.
âYour Highness, Iâm so sorry!â you exclaimed, your voice filled with genuine distress. âI didnât mean to startle you!â
Taesan, still rubbing the sore spot on his back where he had landed, quickly waved off your concerns. âNo, no, itâs my fault. I shouldnât have been spying on you like that. I didnât mean to scare you.â
There was a moment of awkward silence as you both processed what had just happened. Then, almost in unison, you both broke into nervous laughter, the tension of the situation easing with each shared chuckle.
Taesanâs laughter faded into a sheepish smile as he met your gaze again. âItâs just⊠your voice was so beautiful, I couldnât help myself. I was so entranced by it that I forgot to⊠well, to announce myself.â
Your cheeks flushed a deep shade of pink at his compliment, and you quickly averted your eyes, shyly muttering, âThank you, Your Highness.â
Taesan found himself relishing the sight of your blush, knowing that he had been the one to cause it. There was something incredibly endearing about the way you reacted to his words, and it only made his heart swell with affection.
âPlease,â he said softly, taking a small step closer to the window, âyou donât have to call me âYour Highnessâ when itâs just us. You can call me Taesan. Iâd like that.â
Your eyes widened slightly at the suggestion, and for a moment, you hesitated, the formality of your relationship still lingering in the back of your mind. But when you looked into his eyes, you saw the sincerity there, the genuine desire for a deeper connection.
âTaesan,â you repeated, the name feeling both foreign and intimate on your tongue. It was the name his mother had given him, the name that held a piece of his true self, the part of him that was separate from the title and the responsibilities.
He smiled at the sound of it, his heart warming at the way you said his name. âThank you,â he murmured, his voice filled with gratitude and something deeper, something he was only just beginning to understand.
The two of you stood there, separated only by the thin wooden frame of the window, yet it felt as though a new bridge had been built between you. The connection was undeniable, a shared understanding that neither of you could ignore.
As the moment stretched on, Taesan found himself wondering what it would be like to stay here, in this quiet, peaceful place, away from the palace and the demands of his life. But for now, he was content just to be near you, to bask in the warmth of your presence and the sound of your voice.
And as the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the courtyard, Taesan knew that this was a memory he would treasure foreverâa moment of pure, unguarded connection with the person who had come to mean more to him than he could have ever imagined.
In the midst of your work, your father quietly observed the changes in you. One evening, as you sat by the window, the soft glow of the setting sun casting a warm light over your face, he approached you with a gentle smile.
âYou seem happier these days,â he remarked, his voice soft and filled with warmth.
You looked up at him, surprised by the comment. âDo I?â
âYes,â he said, nodding. âThereâs a lightness in you that I havenât seen in a long time. Itâs good to see.â
You felt a warmth spread through your chest at his words, the truth of them settling into your heart. âI suppose I am happier,â you admitted, a small smile playing at your lips.
âWhatever the reason,â your father continued, his tone gentle, âIâm glad. You deserve to be happy.â
You nodded, feeling a deep sense of gratitude for your fatherâs understanding. âThank you, Father. I think⊠I think Iâm just enjoying the work, and⊠the company.â
He smiled, his eyes twinkling with affection. âWell, keep enjoying it. It suits you.â
As your father left the room, you turned your gaze back to the window, your thoughts drifting to Taesan. There was no denying the connection that had grown between you, subtle and unspoken, but there all the same. And as the days continued to pass, you found yourself looking forward to each new day, each new opportunity to work alongside him.
That night, the palace was lit by the warm glow of lanterns as the princes gathered in the grand hall, summoned by their father. The atmosphere was tense, the usual camaraderie between the brothers replaced by a somber seriousness. The royal advisors, dressed in their formal robes, stood to one side, their expressions grave.
Taesan entered the hall alongside his brothers, his mind still lingering on the afternoon he had spent in your company. But as soon as he stepped into the room, the weight of the situation settled over him like a heavy cloak.
The king, their father, sat at the head of the table, his expression stern as he surveyed the gathered assembly. âMy sons,â he began, his voice deep and resonant, âwe have received troubling news. Our relations with the neighboring kingdom of Gahyeon have become strained, and tensions are rising.â
The room fell silent, the gravity of the situation sinking in. Taesan exchanged a worried glance with Sungho, who nodded slightly, his expression serious.
âOur advisors have been working tirelessly to find a solution,â the king continued, âbut it seems that diplomacy alone may not be enough to ease the tension. The Gahyeon king has made it clear that he expects more⊠substantial concessions.â
The word âconcessionsâ hung in the air, heavy with unspoken implications. Taesanâs heart began to beat faster, a sense of unease settling in his stomach.
One of the advisors stepped forward, his voice measured as he addressed the princes. âThere have been discussions, Your Majesties, about the possibility of strengthening our alliance through⊠other means.â
Taesanâs mind raced as he tried to make sense of what the advisor was saying. The words âstrengthening our allianceâ echoed in his ears, and he couldnât help but feel a growing dread.
The kingâs gaze swept over his sons, lingering on each of them before he spoke again. âOne option that has been proposed,â he said slowly, âis an arranged marriage. A union between our kingdom and Gahyeon could bring the peace we need.â
The silence that followed was deafening. Taesan felt his chest tighten, his thoughts immediately turning to you. An arranged marriage? The very idea sent a shock through his system, his mind struggling to process what it would mean.
Sungho was the first to speak, his voice calm but firm. âFather, have we considered all other options? Marriage is a significant step, and not one to be taken lightly.â
âWe have considered many options, Sungho,â the king replied, his tone grave. âBut our priority must be the stability and security of our kingdom. If a marriage can secure that, then it is a path we must be willing to consider.â
Taesanâs thoughts were in turmoil, his mind flashing back to the moments he had shared with you in the workshop, the quiet connection that had grown between you. The thought of being bound to someone else, someone chosen for political gain, was almost unbearable.
âThis is not a decision that will be made lightly,â the king continued, his gaze settling on each of his sons. âBut I want you all to be prepared for the possibility. If it comes to it, we must do what is necessary for the good of the kingdom.â
As the meeting came to an end, the princes were dismissed, each of them deep in thought. Taesan lingered behind, his mind still reeling from the revelation. His brothers filed out of the hall, their expressions somber, but Taesan couldnât bring himself to move.
An arranged marriage. The words echoed in his mind, mingling with the memory of your smile, the warmth of your presence. He knew he had a duty to his kingdom, but the thought of sacrificing the connection he had found with you⊠it was a thought he couldnât bear.
With a heavy heart, Taesan finally turned to leave the hall, his mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. As he walked through the empty corridors of the palace, his footsteps echoing in the silence, he knew that the days ahead would be filled with difficult decisionsâand that his heart would be tested like never before.
Taesan could feel the weight of the discussion pressing down on his chest. The mention of an arranged marriage had shaken him to his core, the thought of being bound to someone else, someone chosen for political reasons, leaving him with a sense of desperation he hadnât known he could feel.
As he walked through the dimly lit corridors of the palace, his mind was a whirlwind of emotions. Every thought, every fear seemed to converge on one undeniable truth: he couldnât let this happen without telling you how he felt. The idea of never seeing you again, of not knowing what could have been, was unbearable.
Without thinking, Taesan turned on his heel and started towards the exit, his pace quickening with every step. He had to see you. He had to tell you.
But just as he reached the palace gates, he was stopped by Sungho and Jaehyun, who had been waiting for him. Their expressions were serious, and Taesan knew they had guessed what he was about to do.
âTaesan, this isnât wise,â Sungho said, his voice low but firm. âYou canât just run off in the middle of the night. What if someone sees you?â
âI donât care,â Taesan replied, his voice edged with urgency. âI need to see her. I canât⊠I canât just leave things like this.â
Jaehyun exchanged a glance with Sungho before stepping closer to Taesan. âWe understand, brother, but you need to think about this. What if someone follows you? What if they find out?â
âIâll be back before anyone notices,â Taesan promised, his eyes pleading with his brothers to understand. âPlease, just let me go. I have to do this.â
There was a moment of silence as Sungho and Jaehyun considered his words, the weight of the situation hanging heavily between them. Finally, Woonhak and Leehan, who had joined them quietly, stepped forward.
âWeâll cover for you,â Woonhak said softly, his voice filled with a quiet resolve. âBut you need to be quick.â
Leehan nodded in agreement, his expression serious. âWeâll handle things here. Just⊠be careful, Taesan.â
Taesan felt a surge of gratitude and relief as he nodded, his heart pounding in his chest. âThank you. Iâll be back soon.â
Without another word, Taesan turned and sprinted out of the palace, the cold night air biting at his skin as he ran through the empty streets. The market, usually bustling with life, was eerily quiet at this hour, the silence only amplifying the urgency in his steps.
His breath came in ragged gasps as he pushed himself to keep going, his legs screaming for him to stop, but he didnât care. All he could think about was reaching you, telling you how he felt before it was too late.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he reached your house. The lights were dim, and the streets were deserted, but Taesan didnât hesitate. He tapped on your window, the sound sharp in the stillness of the night.
Inside, you stirred, groggily waking from your sleep. As you slowly opened the window, your eyes widened in surprise at the sight of Taesan standing there, looking wild and frantic.
âTaesan?â you whispered, your voice filled with concern. âWhatâs wrong?â
Taesan struggled to catch his breath, his thoughts tumbling over each other in a frantic rush. âI⊠I just came from a meeting. Thereâs talk of an arranged marriage⊠to secure peace with Gahyeon. I donât know if it will be me, but⊠but if it is, I canât live with myself if I donât tell you.â
You stared at him, your heart pounding in your chest as his words sank in.
âTell me what?â you asked, your voice barely above a whisper.
Taesanâs eyes were filled with a mix of desperation and determination as he took a deep breath, his hands trembling slightly. âTell you that⊠that I care about you. More than Iâve ever cared about anyone. And if I donât tell you that now, before anything happens, I know Iâll regret it for the rest of my life.â
There was a moment of stunned silence as you processed his words, the weight of his confession hanging in the air. Taesanâs chest rose and fell with each breath, his heart racing as he waited for your response, unsure of what he would do if you didnât feel the same.
Finally, you reached out and gently placed your hand over his, your touch soft and reassuring. âI⊠I care about you too, Taesan. More than I can put into words.â
Taesanâs heart swelled with relief and something deeper, something that felt like hope. âI donât know what will happen,â he whispered, his voice filled with emotion. âBut I want you to know that, no matter what, youâre the one I choose.â
You nodded, tears welling in your eyes as you squeezed his hand. âAnd youâre the one I choose too.â
With those words, something shifted between you, a connection solidified in the quiet night. Taesan knew that whatever happened next, he wouldnât face it alone. And as he stood there, hand in hand with you, he felt a sense of peace that he hadnât known was possible.
But the moment couldnât last. With a heavy heart, Taesan knew he had to return to the palace before his absence was noticed. Reluctantly, he let go of your hand, his eyes lingering on you as if trying to memorize every detail of your face.
You gazed at him, the intensity of his emotions mirrored in your own eyes. His wild and frantic appearance, the urgency in his voice, and the raw vulnerability he had just shown you made your heart ache. You knew the danger he was in, the risks he had taken to come to you, and the thought of him leaving now, alone in the dark, filled you with a deep sense of unease.
âTaesan,â you whispered, your voice trembling slightly, âitâs not safe for you to go back now. The guards might catch you. Maybe⊠maybe you should stay.â
Taesan hesitated, your words echoing in his mind as he looked at you. He could see the concern in your eyes, the way you worried for his safety, and it made him want to stay more than anything. But he also knew the risksâwhat would happen if the royal guards discovered his absence, the consequences of being found in your home.
He glanced at your face, noting the cute, unsure expression you wore, and his resolve wavered. You were giving him an out, a reason to stay, and he wanted to take it. But should he?
An internal struggle raged within him, each moment feeling like an eternity as he weighed his options. On one hand, he knew the sensible thing to do was to return to the palace, to avoid any unnecessary complications. But on the other hand, the thought of leaving you, especially after everything that had just transpired, felt like a betrayal to his own heart.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Taesanâs desire to stay won out. He exhaled slowly, his decision made. âIâd like to stay,â he said softly, his voice filled with quiet resolve.
A small, relieved smile spread across your face as you nodded. âWait here,â you whispered, before turning and sneaking through the house. Your steps were light, careful not to wake your father who was sleeping in his work area.
The house was still, the only sound the soft creak of the wooden floorboards beneath your feet as you made your way to your room. You slid open the door just enough to beckon Taesan inside, gesturing for him to remove his hwa (shoes) before he entered.
Taesan followed your lead, slipping off his shoes and tiptoeing behind you, his heart pounding with a mix of excitement and nerves. He felt a rush of adrenaline as he crossed the threshold into your room, the intimate space feeling both foreign and comforting all at once.
As the two of you stood in the small room, the air between you thick with a new kind of tension, neither of you knew what to do next. The awkwardness returned, and for a moment, you both simply stared at each other, unsure of how to proceed.
Finally, you gestured toward a small cushion on the floor, your voice barely above a whisper. âLetâs sit.â
Taesan nodded, lowering himself onto the cushion while you did the same. The room was dimly lit by the soft glow of the moonlight streaming in through the window, casting gentle shadows across the space. The intimacy of the moment was undeniable, and as you both settled in, the earlier tension began to melt away, replaced by a quiet sense of comfort.
You began to speak softly, your words filled with a wistful longing. âSometimes, I wonder what it would be like⊠to live in a world where we didnât have to worry about responsibilities or titles. Where we could just be ourselves.â
Taesanâs heart ached at your words, and he found himself nodding in agreement. âIâve thought about that too,â he admitted, his voice hushed. âA world where I could play my music without worrying about what people would think. Where I could make my mother proud, not because of my title, but because of who I am. A world we could be us.â
Your eyes met his, and for a moment, the world outside seemed to disappear. There was something magical about the quiet conversation you were sharing, the way your dreams and fears seemed to align so perfectly. It felt as though, in this small room, you had both found a refuge from the weight of the world.
The conversation flowed naturally after that, the two of you whispering about your hopes and dreams, about the lives you wished you could lead. The more you talked, the more you realized just how much you had in common, how much you both longed for a life free from the burdens of expectation.
As the night wore on, Taesan found himself speaking about the history of music, his voice gentle and melodic as he recounted stories of famous musicians and their compositions. You listened intently, your eyes growing heavy with sleep but your heart full of warmth.
Eventually, your head began to droop, your eyelids fluttering as you fought to stay awake. Taesan noticed and smiled softly, his heart swelling with affection as he watched you struggle to keep your eyes open.
âYou should sleep,â he whispered, his voice tender. âYouâve had a long day.â
You nodded sleepily, unable to resist the pull of exhaustion any longer. As your eyes closed, Taesan reached out, his hand trembling slightly as he gently moved a stray strand of hair from your face. The simple act was filled with a quiet intimacy, and as he leaned down to press a soft kiss to your forehead, he felt a sense of peace settle over him.
âGoodnight,â he whispered, his voice barely audible as he settled down beside you. The warmth of your presence was comforting, and as he lay there, his hand resting just inches from yours, he couldnât help but feel that, for the first time in his life, he was exactly where he was meant to be.
Sleep came slowly, but when it did, it was filled with dreams of a world where the two of you could be together without fear or consequence. And as the first light of dawn began to creep into the room, Taesan slept soundly, his heart finally at ease.
The first light of dawn crept into your room, casting a gentle glow over the space where you and Taesan had fallen asleep. As the sun slowly rose, its warm rays filtered through the window, softly illuminating the peaceful scene. Taesan stirred, his eyes fluttering open to the sight of you still sound asleep beside him, your breathing steady and calm. A small, contented smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he remembered the events of the previous night.
But as the reality of the new day set in, Taesan's smile faded slightly. He knew he should return to the palace before anyone noticed his absence, yet the thought of leaving you was something he wasnât quite ready to face. Still, duty called, and with a reluctant sigh, he carefully extricated himself from the warm cocoon of blankets, making sure not to wake you.
Meanwhile, back at the palace, Woonhak and Leehan were already awake, their faces etched with a mixture of worry and mischief. They had noticed that Taesan had yet to return, and with the morning lessons about to begin, it was up to them to come up with a way to cover for their brother's absence.
âHeâs still not back?â Leehan asked, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he peered out the window.
âNope,â Woonhak replied, a mischievous glint in his eyes. âWhich means itâs up to us to keep the teachers from realizing anythingâs wrong.â
Leehan grinned, already catching on to what Woonhak was suggesting. âThis is going to be fun.â
The two brothers hurried to the lesson hall, their minds racing with ideas for the most outrageous excuse they could come up with. When they arrived, the other princes were already seated, their tutors waiting expectantly. But there was one empty seatâTaesanâs.
âWhere is Prince Taesan?â one of the tutors asked, his tone sharp as he glanced around the room.
Woonhak and Leehan exchanged a quick look before Woonhak stepped forward, his expression serious. âPrince Taesan⊠well, you see, heâs been called away on a very important mission.â
The tutor raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. âA mission? At this hour? And what, pray tell, is the nature of this mission?â
Leehan jumped in, his face a picture of solemnity. âYes, a mission. You see, there was a⊠a wild boar sighting in the royal gardens early this morning. Itâs been terrorizing the koi fish pond, and as you know, Prince Taesan is the best at dealing with such matters. He was called to handle it personally.â
The tutorâs other eyebrow shot up, but before he could respond, Woonhak added, âItâs true. The boar has been particularly aggressiveâthis one is said to be the size of a small horse. Itâs not something that could be left to just anyone.â
Another tutor, trying to maintain his composure, asked, âAnd how exactly is Prince Taesan planning to deal with this⊠monstrous boar?â
Woonhak didnât miss a beat. âOh, heâs gone to retrieve the royal spear. You know, the one thatâs been blessed by the gods for just such an occasion. He should be back⊠eventually.â
Leehan nodded vigorously, backing up his brotherâs tale. âYes, and weâve been instructed to tell you that this mission is of the utmost importance. Heâs to return only when the koi fish are safe.â
The tutors exchanged incredulous glances, clearly struggling to believe the absurd story but also unsure how to challenge the princesâ account without offending the royal family. After all, who were they to question the mysterious ways of royalty?
âVery well,â the head tutor finally said, suppressing a sigh. âWe shall proceed with the lesson. Please inform Prince Taesan that we expect a full report on the state of the koi pond once his âmissionâ is complete.â
Woonhak and Leehan exchanged triumphant grins as they took their seats, having successfully pulled off the ruse. As the lesson began, they couldnât help but stifle their laughter, imagining Taesanâs reaction when he found out about the wild boar story.
Meanwhile, Taesan, unaware of the elaborate excuse his brothers had concocted, was making his way back to the palace, a sense of calm and resolve settling over him. Little did he know, the story of his brave battle with a âmonstrous boarâ would be waiting for him when he returned.
ïœĄïœ„:*Ë:â§ïœĄ taglist: @astrae4
disclaimer: this, in no way, reflects the idol. this is purely fiction. m!list | previous | next
one of the best iâve read on boynextdoor!! Sooo sad itâs not getting the recognition it deserves đ GO CHECK IT OUT EVERYONE!! đ
*:ïŸâ§*:ïŸâ§ 19.99
*:ïŸâ§ synopsis: seoin yang is suddenly teleported into an alternate universe where 20-year-olds are conscripted into a brutal war. most donât make it back, but those who do are rewarded with notoriety and lavish comforts, creating a perverse incentive for families to sell their children to HYBEâa biomedical engineering facility known for creating superhumans to fight in the war.
woonhak, HYBEâs most successful experiment to date, is approaching what HYBE deems "completion". as the day draws near, his hyungs are desperately trying to help him escape his grim fate. when seoin finds herself in this bleak reality, she must decide whether she can help them in their struggleâand if she can, how.
*:ïŸâ§ pairing(s): boynextdoor x original female character, ??? x original female character *:ïŸâ§ genre: sci-fi, romance *:ïŸâ§ featuring: boynextdoor, enhypen, hybe (as a company), naver (as the enemy country) *:ïŸâ§ status: ongoing; updates are sporadic *:ïŸâ§ a/n: as soon as i saw the 19.99 trailer, i wanted to write something with that storyline so fast.
*:ïŸâ§ character profile: seoin yang
⧠prologue: complete! - revised 210824 ⧠chapter one: complete! - revised 210824 ⧠chapter two: complete! - revised 210824 ⧠chapter three: complete! - revised 210824 ⧠chapter four: complete! - released 210824 ⧠chapter five: complete! - released 220824 ⧠chapter six: complete! - released 310824 ⧠chapter seven: loading... ⧠chapter eight: loading... ⧠chapter nine: loading...
disclaimer: this, in no way, reflects the idol. this is purely fiction. ⧠comments are appreciated! ⧠!nanamlist
knock knockâwelcome to onedoornet, a network of writers for boynextdoor! the doors are currently open to onedoor writers. if you'd like to join, do check the house rules before filing for an application. we hope you enjoy your stay!
†house rules
†members
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HAN TAESAN | happy wife, happy life
pairings â idol!han dongmin x idol!reader
warnings â hanging joke, saying marriage but not actually married yet(?)
genre â FLUFF & romance hehe (wc. 789)
note â mentally not the best so im rlly inconsistent but itâs okay for now guys đđ if u have any requests iâd be very happy to make it for u đđ plspls like repost n follow đ
more works â navigation | bnd!masterlist
DING! DING! DING!
The buzzing notification sounds echoed loudly in a busy cafe, making some customers look at the victim responsible for these noises.
Said victim hurries to turn their notification sounds off, before checking his messagesâonly to see 6 missed calls and 14 messages from âmanager đ«đ„â.
manager đ«đ„: WHERE ARE YOU???
manager đ«đ„: WEâRE THREE HOURS LATE ALREADY!!!!
you: im On the Way!
you: gimme a bit
manager đ«đ„: dont lie. I literally see your location and it isnât moving AT ALL.
you: okay im actually almost done.
you: seriously, the lineâs almost over
you: [picture attached]
manager đ«đ„: fine. Come back faster! We need to hurry up to isac bc u guys already missed the track comp.
you: đđ
âOrder 1140, Mr. Woonhak!â Called a server.
Nobody reacted to that call for a few seconds, before the 180-ish-cm man jolted, remembering that he was supposedly Woonhak.
(Ever put a name in your order and forgot about it? Yeah, it happens to me all the time.)
âHere!â He replied, coming to the counter in a hurry.
âMatcha cake with pink frosting and custom lettering?â They asked to be sure.
âYes, thank you so much!â Replied âMr. Woonhakâ as he takes the takeaway-boxed cake and hurried out the door.
He practically jumped in the car (gracefully though) with how fast he was going.
âYah!â shouted Woonhak, âwhyâd you take so long!?â
âDonât you see the line?â Replied Taesan, his eye rolling as he holds the cake with care.
âYeah but why do we have to go get this cake? Just get it at any other bakery so we wouldnât be late to ISACâwe already missed the track race!â
Someone (Leehan) suddenly sat up from the backseat, glasses crooked on his head as if he just woke up (he did), âThatâs because itâs y/nâs favorite cake.â
âYeah Woonhak,â butted another menace (jaehyun), âItâs their 2nd anniversaryâ but of course youuuu wouldnât understand since youâve never had a womanâs touch before other than your mom and sister.â
âYAH!â screamed Woonhak.
Thus, another bonekdo quarrel emerge.
(Woonhak lost once again. Give me a dab in the comments; one dab = one hp for our maknaeâs patience)
EXCLUSIVE: BOYNEXTDOORâS TAESAN MISTAKES ISAC FOR WE GOT MARRIED?
In the ISAC 2024, k-pop boy band BOYNEXTDOOR (under KOZ) arrives 5 hours late to the venue, earning some attention from netizens. Onedoors (Boynextdoorâs fans) called them hilarious, especially with that spectacular entrance, consisting of the members wearing sunglasses and strutting in the building as if they won the games (they will then lose really badly in archery) in a proud manner.
Despite the many games and groups competing in the games, what went most viral was surprisingly not sports-related, and weâre here to tell you the scoop!
Boynextdoorâs Taesan is widely known for dating [reader] of [group name] since the very beginning of their debuts. They also went trending many times for thatâlike a fresh breeze in the very tense atmosphere of idol-relationships. This time, it seems that Taesan decided to take it up a notch with his display of public affection and prove to everyone that romance is very much not dead!
Running in the buildingâand then sliding on his knees to stop in front of [reader]âs viewâbefore procuring a bouquet of pink lilies for her all the while his very supportive members threw confetti at them!? Gosh, me when! After that, he also gave [reader] an exclusive cake from [readerâs favorite cake shop] to celebrate what seemed to be their 2nd year Anniversary.
Other idols in the building such as ZEROBASEONE and THE BOYZâs Younghoon gave their support by cheering on the coupleâas well as many others. Later on, it was even said by Zerobaseoneâs Gunwook jokingly in his groupâs vlog that he was jealous of their relationship, haha!
When asked about it later on in a live, Taesan responded that it was simply because it was their anniversary, and he wanted to make it special for them. In addition, he said a catchphrase that went viralâ saying âHappy wife, happy lifeâ, despite them not being married yet. [readerâs group] have not yet responded to this statement.
Many netizens are reacting to this viral video, saying that itâs so fresh and sweet of them twoâsome even joking and saying that âIâm the guy h*nging in the lights behind themâ (source) in Tiktok and Instagram. All in all, netizens seem to think that itâs extremely sweet and wishes them both to remain happy and strong in the relationship!
What do you think about it?
Comments (19.99) | open
More related searches⊠BOYNEXTDOOR comeback September 25 | Sunghoâs so hot in the new concept photo: twenty ver.
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© astrae4 2024 | please donât copy, translate, or plagiarize my works on all platforms!
ONCE MORE WITH SUMMER 㠀㠀㠀â ă € âïč H.TS ïč
MOVING ă €,ă € back to your hometown brings you memories and your childhood friend taesan !
ᶻză €( x fem!reader ) đ ă € fluff, childhood frnds, summer romanceă € warnings kissing, nicknames ă €â ( 5.5k wc ) ă €
onedoornet summer with you âă € library ă € bnd shelfă € navi
A cool breeze hits your face through the open window of your car as you let the summer sun hit your skin. You smile in contentment when you enter the familiar area and look at the neighbourhood you have grown up in. Not much has changed in the four years but you feel a fresh wave of nostalgia hit when you see everyone you knew on their regular work schedule.
It really is good to be back home!
Steering the car onto your parentâs porch you skip towards the steps ringing the bell. The house that was re-painted just before you left now doesnât look that bright, with some dark patches visible if you look closely enough. You hear the door click, and your mom instantly hugs you as soon as the door opens.
Passing a high-five to your dad, you go up to the car to bring your university stuff in. With some very stupid questions from your dad and cute attempts to get you to eat everything your mom had made they leave you alone to go to their own work. The quietness of the house settles around you, a stark contrast to your loud roommates back in Uni as you make your way upstairs to your old room to unpack.
Before you can even start unpacking the doorbell rings making you sigh. You get up grudgingly, still hating the idea to go downstairs even though it has been six years. You turn the knob without much thought knowing it might be some kind of delivery.
ââSup?â he asks and you still in your tracks hearing the voice. With jet-black long hair with Oreo shades and his signature smirk, there was Taesan wearing a light white t-shirt and shorts standing at your door. You stand in confusion for a while before screaming, âTaesan?â
âWow you are still blind because I donât see anyone else here,â he deadpans pretending to look back before he yells lightly as you slap his arm. For a moment itâs all quiet, the sound of quiet breaths filling the void and it almost feels unnatural before he speaks up.
âStill have tortoise feet?â You choke on air at his question glaring at the tiny smirk adorning his face and grit out, âI never had tortoise feet, asshole.â
âDo I need to search up pictures to prove you again?â he grins making you push his chest which he easily dodges. âWhat? You want me to be nostalgic when we literally messaged last week?â
âYou can at least be a little cordial,â you scoff as he enters your house murmuring, âCordial, my ass, but sure, how have you been my dear tortoise-feet friend?â
âGenuinely, fuck you,â you grit out, pursing your lips and smiling as he turns coyly and says, âNo can do too busy honey.â Your eyes widen as you plop down on the couch and look at him asking, âDid you and Reah finally do it? I thought it would at least take ten years with the pace you two were moving with.â
âI broke up with her eleven months ago,â he shrugs nonchalantly as you choke on air for the second time today and scream, âHow could you not tell me?â
âYou didnât ask,â he makes a face making you gasp at his answer before you shrug. Taesan has always been like this so deep down you are aware he didnât want to make a big deal out of it. He once fell from the swing set because you pushed too hard and even though six-year-olds are major tattle tales he didnât utter a single thing about how he scraped his knees to his mom or you.
You came to know months later that his knee had been bloody making you feel extra bad because he kept quiet. This incident is almost as same as this but you avoid the âwhyâ and go on, âSo who is the new one?â
âWe broke up because I realised I just liked her for being the exact similar to me but slowly I realised we have a lot of differences we canât mend and that led to us breaking up,â he replies, sitting down beside you and shrugs at your wide eyes saying, âYou were thinking it, werenât you?â
You avoid his eyes as he chuckles still training his eyes on your face before he says, âWell you are still bitchless.â âHow would you know that?â you scoff knowing full well he is right, that in fact, you donât have anyone right now.
âYou would scream-text me if you get a boyfriend like you have done before,â he smirks knowing he has the upper hand in knowing all your tiny habits all so well. You show him the middle finger before crossing your legs and leaning back saying, âThen how are you too busy, Mr. Han?â
âYouâre wrong there, I said I am too busy to fuck you, not anyone else,â he leans over to you, face close to yours, the little smirk that you feel is permanently attached to his face on display making you stare back.
Your eyes lock with his and you can slowly feel the air drain out of your lungs and the familiar ache return. You purse your lips looking away and try to slap yourself to reality. It has been four years and the summer you return is not the time to rekindle your feelings.
Four years ago when you had incessantly teased Taesan for being bitchless he revealed he actually had a girlfriend which had left you choking on air. You had not expected him to have anyone and secretly hoped your wishes come true. But he got a girlfriend and you knew you had to suppress those feelings one way or another and never tell them to Taesan.
You did not want to burden him further and on the other hand, you would get incessantly teased for a lifetime by his over-inflated ego. And you definitely did not want the second one.
âGirl,â Taesanâs voice reaches your ears making you jump up and you realise you had zoned out. âSorry,â you murmur softly before turning towards him and getting another light jumpscare from how close Taesan is sitting.
He, too, gets hyper-aware of the proximity before he moves away quietly. A thick silence falls in the air as you two keep quiet adding another layer of tension to it. Taesan clears his throat suddenly as you sit up straight knowing he will say something.
âDo you want to go to the drive-thru movie tonight?â your eyes widen as soon as the question leaves his mouth and you excitedly sit up yelling, âYes.â You two were never allowed to go to these movies without parental supervision or a group of friends before in high school and now the idea seems too thrilling to miss out on,
And your parents donât have restrictions on you now.
âAnd get all that greasy popcorn and burgers to go?â Taesan asks again, his eyes glinting with mischief and you deadpan, âIs that even a question Han Taesan?â He laughs as you start bouncing on your seat with excitement.
âMeet you tonight?â he asks as you nod watching him leave through the door. You knew exactly where to meet him!
âYou do know our parents wonât tell us anything if we properly went out, right?â You giggle as you jump down on the soft mound of dirt in your backyard as Taesan shrugs saying, âFor old timeâs sake.â
âIf you are really stuck up on that then letâs call your mom and tell her to catch us and get us grounded for two weeks,â you smile as he laughs at you. Back when you two were eighteen you had once snuck out to go to a drive-thru movie alone. Taesan had just got this license and he needed to put that to good use. But everything came to an end when Taesanâs mom stood at her gate ready to greet you two and she even called your mom. You two never knew how she was aware of it but you were aware of being dragged back home as you glared at Taesan the whole way back and then got grounded.
You smile at the memory as you follow him out watching him walk out the backyard towards his car. You look at him properly for the first time properly in six years, slowly realising that he has lost most of his teenage features. He already had puberty hit him like a Mac truck but now when you slowly see his adult features you realise how much you all have grown.
But that was the problem with Taesan and your feelings for him. You had them when he fell of a swing set, had a runny nose, when he was a scrawny teen, when he changed in his puberty, and you realise now they were slowly coming back.
But unlike in the morning, you didnât want to deny and suppress them anymore, instead, you wished he saw you in the same light you saw him. You are aware that might be a big delusion you are walking on but the night was young and you are willing to give everything a try.
âYou are being exceptionally quiet, you know? Did university turn you into some thinker or shit?â Taesan breaks the silence looking at you making you roll your eyes at him. You sit down on the passenger seat and take in a deep breath inhaling the way his car smells so him.
Slipping into the driverâs seat, he notices you distracted because you havenât talked back to him about his comment and right now you are blankly staring at the streetlight in front of you. He sighs, knowing better than to poke you about it, he would definitely do it if you two were kids, but you grew up.
And he knows that he canât be the same as he was before.
He waits for a while watching you intensely stare at the streetlight before leaning over and pulling the seatbelt over your body. The sudden figure blocking your sight finally breaks your trance as you are surprised to see Taesanâs body so close to yours. You gasp lightly as you feel him tighten the belt and look away to do anything to remove the idea of him over you from your mind.
You feel your breath hitch as his body continues to hover over yours making you wonder what is taking him so damn long to get a seatbelt. You look up slowly, eyes tracing along his face and loving every small feature that is accentuated in the low light.
âWhat are you doing?â you whisper when you feel your breath back in your throat and regret it immediately as he turns his head directly over your face and snickers, âWhat do you think?â
The moment is broken instantly as he sits back down with a thud and replies, âLittle miss passenger princess cannot tie her own seatbelt.â âShut the fuck up, I can,â you retort hating and loving how he is back to his usual routine of making fun of you by calling you a âprincessâ.
âSure! That is exactly why you complained about your roommates first day after moving out,â he smirks as you gasp saying, âThey were insufferable and you are aware of it.â He grins at your sentence knowing well he does know it because he trusts you with his heart. Some people might call him blind but he knows his childhood friend better than she knows herself and he would actively ignore those people.
He starts driving out of the alley with one hand on the steering wheel which you find oddly attractive making you slap yourself internally. You need to wake up before you regret doing something you only have ever dreamt of. Your eyes stick to his side profile again as you trace your eyes down his arms to the wheel and then back to his face smiling a little at the familiarity of the situation.
You feel like you are seventeen again when you couldnât drive and he would drive you around, which slowly started with mere neighbourhoods before it escalated to secret escapades. The last part has always been a secret between you two unless well he has told any of his exes.
âMan I missed you driving me around and running errands for me,â you sigh, realising how much you actually missed this making him snicker as he replies, âAww, the princess had no one to drive her around in uni?â
You roll your eyes at his teasing as you retort, âHey it is your fault to make me like this, always driving me around.â He locks eyes with you in the rear-view mirror replying, âAnd have you ever once heard me complaining?â
The soft smile that follows that question has you breathless for the nth time that night before you watch him slowly look away. Your eyes rest on the road in the front watching the dark and familiar neighbourhood before your eyes train to the sign of the drive-thru that you are seeing after a decade.
âWow the sign is still tacky,â you comment and Taesan speaks, without missing a bit, âJust like someone I know.â You glare at him as he shrugs saying, âI did not mention any names though,â a small smirk making its way into his face.
You smile sarcastically at his comment waiting for him to park the car at an empty spot. âWhat are they playing tonight?â you ask in a sing-song voice making Taesan hitch a breath wondering why didnât you say anything to his last comment.
âOoh, Mean Girls, love that,â you pucker your lips looking at him as he chuckles nervously as he parks his car in an empty spot between two cars and stops the engine.
âYou know what else I love?â you ask and he side-eyes you wondering what lunatic he has as a friend and you giggle maniacally as you suddenly move over to his side and strangle him as he catches your hand trying to stop you.
He is strong, you will give him that, as he tries to restrain you, choked voice leaving his tongue before he finally grabs your hands and forces them apart and looks up at you. You glare back at him, faces inches apart as he breathes heavily.
You stay quiet, mind in a haze at the lack of distance and not processing anything. Taesanâs hands still wrapped around your wrist you stare at him shamelessly. Taesan is not much better as he licks his lips and holds your wrists properly so you donât fall.
The intro of the movie plays suddenly making you and Taesan both jump as you quickly shift to your seat laughing awkwardly as Taesanâs eyes fix in the screen in front of you.
âYouâre still ugly,â you hear him snicker after a while as you chuckle saying, âI will really choke you to death this time.â He rolls his eyes as you deadpan before he holds out a greasy burger in front of you. That shuts you up in an instant as you snatch it away from his hand moaning in delight.
âWow, I did not want to hear that,â he murmurs and you snicker making the sound three more times just to annoy the shit out of him while looking at him with sparkling eyes. He lightly slaps your cheek as your attention finally snaps to the screen.
You lean back as he does too before you two start judging the cheap choices that the characters make and laughing uncontrollably. Just like old times!
You donât remember when you got home last night but your momâs scream gets through your ears as you hurriedly sit up to see her standing at the door and say, âIf you donât come down in five minutes, forget breakfast exists.â
You whine in a groggy voice as you reluctantly get out of bed to freshen up. As soon as you reach downstairs your smile drops seeing Taesan being all smiley and helping out your mom as she animatedly talks to him.
God forbid she treats him better than she will ever treat you. You roll your eyes as Taesan passes you a smile which is ninety percent evil and sit down at the table. You hear your mom groan as she sits down and says, âMy back hurts so bad.â Your breath hitches as soon as you hear that knowing very well that is her way of getting you to run her errands.
And with Taesan here, she is gonna exaggerate it to make sure you are the one who gets it done. Your eyes thin at her as she locks eyes with you before smiling and continuing, âHow will I do my gardening today?â
You purse your lips cursing her internally. Your mom knows you hate gardening like hell and she was down to make you love it and you canât believe she pulled that one trick on her old book.
âWe will do it for you,â Taesan replies without missing a beat and your head is instantly in your hands. You hear your mom gasping and thanking Taesan as you chuckle sarcastically making a mental note to get her back for it.
That is how you land with rubber gloves and a shovel in your hand at your family garden while Taesan holds the dirt in one of his hands and some small flower plants ready to be sowed.
âFuck you and your best child mindset,â you curse at him before walking ahead as he smiles at your attitude. He loved your chaotic personality more than he cared to admit and he is glad that it didnât change in the last four years. A lovesick smile plasters over his face as he sees you angrily plant the shovel into the soil and stomp in your plastic boots.
âYou still hate gardening?â he chuckles and you deadpan saying, âI didnât go to Uni to do a gardening major now did I? So of course I still hate it, you idiot.â He snickers at you throwing the dirt bag close to your feet making you glare at him.
The planting part is quiet before Taesan breaks it with his dumb question, âSo princess how is it? Getting your hands dirty and doing the peasant work?â You snicker shaking your head lazily; Taesan did a wrong thing asking that because the next thing he gets is you throwing a ball of dirt towards his face.
It happens so fast he cannot dodge it as he gasps wiping the dirt off his clothes and wiping his hands on yours. âYah, Han Taesan,â you screech as he giggles menacingly and gets up running to the other side of the garden. It takes a while for you to get up but once you do you run, laughing as you see him try to hide behind the bushes.
âYou think you can escape,â you smile like a lunatic and then laugh as you pick up the hose pipe and kick the tap open. Taesan fills a huge hit of water before he can run as you run with the pipe behind him.
The summer heat gets in your system, making you sweat profusely but you wish you cared as much as you do to annoy Taesan. So you are frankly surprised when you feel the cool water splash to you from all directions making you scream.
âHaving fun?â you hear Taesanâs voice and laugh before you can decipher how the heck he turned on the sprinklers. âNot yet,â you yell back running behind him as you spray him one last time before tackling him to the ground.
He makes a groan as his back hits the ground followed by you on top of him as you laugh. Your full body is soaked as you grin looking at the Oreo hair sticking to his head. His giggles reach your ears as his hands wrap around your waist and you two shake while laughing.
When you finally stop you realise the proximity you are in and your smile drops. You are literally on top of him, while his hands are wrapped around your waist as your elbows rest on the ground. Taesan is still smiling as he looks at the messy garden.
He looks back at you and suddenly is hyper-aware of the proximity too. You stare down at his brown orbs, your rational mind telling you to move away but your body not allowing you to. Meanwhile, Taesan has somehow short-circuited not knowing how to process the current situation.
You are so tempted to look at his lips, but you force yourself not to before reality strikes and you hurriedly get off him.
You laugh awkwardly as you say, âWe should be glad we didnât ruin the good part of the garden.â He laughs too, awkwardness filling the air, as he looks back at the wet bushes and ground, willing to look anywhere but your eyes.
You get up, and he finally looks up as you stand awkwardly, and his eyes widen saying, âYou should go change.â âWhat? Who will help you then?â you ask, offended. Did he think because you were a girl you couldnât help him do the heavy work?
His eyes shift awkwardly to your other neighbour who was at his door before he towers over your figure gritting his teeth and says, âJust listen to me for once and go change.â
âYouâre annoying as fuck,â you murmur but go anyway. If he wants to do more work, then fine, he should suit himself. You like lying down anyway. You curse him again as you enter your room when your eyes finally land on your figure and you realise why Taesan forced you.
Your pink bra is fully visible through the white shirt you are wearing and you realise why he kept pressuring you. Your face heats up at the thought of him looking at you while you look like that before you hurriedly peel off the clothes off your body.
The faster the moment of embarrassment is gone, the better. Isnât it?
It definitely isnât as you hear Taesan making fun of you for the fifth time that night as you sit in your favourite Tteok-bokki place. âOkay enough,â you grit through your teeth as your face turns a permanent shade of pink for the night.
Taesan laughs again and this time you take a handful of your food before stuffing his face with your food and watch him choke lightly. âLunatic,â he mouths before he gulps them down and you grin menacingly. You inhale the food scent loving again to be back home.
It has been three weeks and you already donât want the summer to end. You wish you could stay here and not go away but you know you have to when you see the email notification hanging on your phone.
But first, you decide as you remove the notification, you need to enjoy the summer.
âWe havenât really done any summer activities, you know?â you speak as you put another serving of tteok-bokki in your month and Taesan hums before saying, âYeah, but it is our summer, do we really need to religiously do any summer activities?â
You nod quietly, hating he makes sense as he chuckles, âYou hate that I made sense right now, donât you?â Your smile drops as you sigh. Why does this boy know you so well? He could know you a bit less well and it would be way easier for you.
âFine, since you want to do some summer activity we can go the park from here and see the stars,â he murmurs, regret hitting him instantly as the sentence leaves his mouth. He had promised to never ever do this kind of romantic stuff with you. It doesnât help his heart at all but his mouth definitely doesnât know when to shut up.
He looks up, hoping you are so engrossed in your food you didnât hear it but it all goes in vain as you stare at him with round eyes. Those eyes, those stupid damn beautiful eyes that were always his biggest weakness.
That is a damn lie! Every part of you is his weakness and he knows it. He tried, he genuinely tried to move on as he didnât want to ruin the friendship at all. Every time you two made fun of the rumours of you two dating, he secretly hoped there was a part of you that didnât take it as a joke.
Little did he know, your heart was hurting too, watching him smile at something you wish was true.
So he tried, he got a girlfriend, and he loved her but they broke up and it followed the same pattern for all his exes. He just fell out of love! And it sucked, because the only one he knows he would never fall out of love with, is you. And you are out of his reach!
âSure,â your small voice breaks him out of his trance as he watches you quietly get back to your food.
Sure enough, you two walk to the park silently, feeling the night breeze hit your bodies. The park is silent as you two lie down and not a single word passes as you two look up.
The stars sparkle brightly as you look up from the dark park grounds. The swing set lightly sways in the wind as you hear the metal creak on its joints.
âI have never done this before,â you whisper as he laughs nervously saying, âWhy not? You are a hopeless romantic, I thought you would have at least done it once with your every ex.â
You turn towards him, resting your head on your elbow as a pillow and say, âYeah but he has to be really special, and none of them really were.â He turns his head sideways, not knowing why his heart calms down and gets excited at the same time. He is glad knowing he is the first one you are doing this with.
On the other hand, you just said a sentence that might make him rip all his hair and take a dunk in the pool to get his mind cleared. âSo you think I am special?â he jokingly asks, half wishing you donât answer.
You gulp as his eyes lock with yours and you hum lightly as you turn back towards the sky. You cannot possibly hold eye contact with him or he will know all those feelings you had kept hidden for years.
You gulp again looking up and changing the topic as you say, âIt is really pretty.â Taesan hums in approval, eyes not leaving your face as he replies, âIt is.â
Things have been a little awkward since that night, but you wish you overcome it soon. You definitely do not want to fuck up your friendship in the last few weeks left.
You jump when you hear a tap on your window and then two more before you get up from your bed and look down. You are hit with a paper ball in your face as you close your eyes and take a deep breath before yelling, âYah Han Taesan.â
He giggles as you shut the window and get down the stairs to teach his unserious ass a lesson. âWe are not kids anymore you know,â you reason as you shut the door loudly as he shrugs throwing another paper ball towards you which you skilfully dodge.
You run towards him as he giggles running out to the street and you scream at him to come back. You catch up with him pretty easily as he runs lazily and wrap your arms around his waist tightly to prevent him from getting away.
He turns around laughing and holding the paper balls high enough to be out of your reach as you whine saying, âNot fair.â âWhy not?â he whines back mocking your tone as you jump up to get the paper balls but all is in vain as he keeps them skilfully out of your reach.
Suddenly drops of rain hit your skin as you look up to see the clouds forming. âFuck,â Taesan murmurs under his breath wanting to go to a shade as soon as possible but you clutch at his sleeves stopping him.
âWhat?â he asks, as the rain increases as you reply, âLetâs get drenched.â He laughs at your face before realising you are serious and says, âYou know we might get killed, if our moms find us getting purposely drenched, donât you?â
âFuck I wish I cared,â you reply back closing your eyes to get the summer rain in your system. Taesan smiles, mesmerised by you as he watches you twirl around and jump lightly.
He chuckles when he hears you giggle along, lovesick eyes training on your figure as you dance like a crazy person on the street.
You let the rain hit your skin but maybe you were too mesmerised to realise the puddle was nearby as you slipped. You grasp on thin air, a short yelp leaving your throat but before you can hit the ground you feel Taesanâs arms around your waist as he pulls you to his chest and hugs you.
âBe careful,â he murmurs as you stand awkwardly with him half-hugging you and your chest heaves up and down at his voice. It is weird, you have never heard this tone from him, this protective tone or maybe you have never realised he had used it before.
You look up and before you can stop yourself your hands are working their way up to part his wet hair lightly from his forehead as he stares down at you smiling.
Taesan knows it is now or never. He should not keep quiet, he needs to tell you right now! Maybe it is the high of the summer rain, or you looking up at him with your wet lashes or the fact that you are held so closely to him he finds himself spilling what he wanted to do for decades.
âI like you,â he whispers and your hand stills as you look back at him, wishing you werenât hearing things. The silence that takes over is deafening as you gulp and ask, âWhat?â
Taesan takes a deep breath before he says, âI like you, I have liked you for so long, but I never had the courage to tell you and I saw you getting so happy when I announced my first girlfriend, like you never wanted us to be a thing because you cringed at our rumours. But god, have I loved you all through my life, even through your awkward emo phase and god, I tried, I tried so hard to move on, but I couldnât but I wished I could because you never liked me did you, and even now-â
He shuts up when he feels your lips on his and it is gone as soon as it comes as you stare at him even in shock that you did that. His eyes lock with yours before he grabs you by your waist and pulls you towards him and places his lips on yours without wasting a single moment.
The kiss is not awkward instead, it feels familiar, like you have done it a thousand times before and it feels close to home. So close, that it felt like home! Your fingers intertwine with his as you giggle when you feel him smile in the kiss. The summer shower gets into your lips, messing it up in the most perfect way possible.
When you part you punch him lightly saying, âStupid, I thought you were the one who didnât like me back,â as he shrugs and says, âGuess we are the original dumb and dumber duo.â You laugh loudly at him before you hear your motherâs voice screaming.
You two look back to see both your mothers standing at a distance, probably yelling at you two as to why you were getting purposely drenched. But you canât hear anything over the buzzing excitement in your ears and a loud thumping heart.
âShould we do it?â Taesan whispers in your ear, mischief sparkling in his eyes as he holds you close with a hand wrapping around your wrist while the other casually rests on your waist.
âRun? Yes definitely!â you answer your own question giggling as you look up at his brown orbs that hold so many memories. All the love, lies and hate, all the times you had looked at them and wished he was yours. From childhood to now!
And that is finally true!
âOnce more with summer, right?â he asks as your eyes focus on his figure, slowly making the haze of your motherâs figure get closer and closer to you two.
âOnce more with summer,â you confirm, smiling and biting your lips as his grip tightens around your wrist and you two run, laughing loudly.Â
ARA'S NOTES ă €,ă € if you can't already tell, i have been religiously watching "love next door" because omg am i a sucker for childhood friends to lovers. anywaysss i hope you enjoyed this story that took two months to finish (i wrote 4k today itself shh). summer romance why can't you happen for me !
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CHANHEEEEEEEEE đđđđđ
Couple Thrifting (Choi Chanhee)
Genre: fluff and very cute lmao, couple thingsâŠ, Chanhee calls the reader angel once ig
Sana: so I wrote this in an hour (if you remove the time I kept on talking with Ves lmao) and honestly I had this in my drafts for over a month and @hursheys helped me incorporate it and didnât let me give up on it yesterday when I was dying to do that lmao. Also thank you to vesper for beta reading this short thing of mine lolol. Hope I see some interactions when I get back đ.
Word count: 778
Taglist: @cloverdaisies @mosviqu @kimsohn @deoboyznet @a-dream-bookmark @bella-feed
I let out a whine as Chanhee drags me from one shop to another. As much as I love him and his endless passion for shopping, sometimes I just wanna let him do the shopping part as I sit somewhere quiet and eat food.
I enter another vintage shop he found as he goes in the shop with his fingers intertwined with mine.
I couldnât help but slightly blush at that unintentional tight grip he had on my hand as he didnât let go of me the whole time.
I let him wander around the shop for a bit as I looked at the various collections of hats they had on display. I couldnât help but take a liking towards the hello kitty hat which was displayed. Picking it up, I examined it thoroughly as I felt a smile creeping up my face when I remembered Chanheeâs crazy obsession with hello kitty.
âAngel, could you come here for a moment?â I placed the hat back down as I walked deeper into the store to find where Chanhee was.
I saw him holding a matching pair of sweaters. It was a turtleneck sweater and a few ropes were attached to it. One had black and blue while the other had pink and blue.
âWhy are you holding two sweaters?â I asked while grabbing the pink and blue sweater and examined it.
âMatching clothes, go and get changed.â He said with a slight roll of his eyes as he ushered me in the changing room while he went to wear his own outfit.
After a while I come out of the room and show the outfit to Chanhee. He immediately told me to pose by the window as he took out his camera and took a few pictures.
I saw him look around the store and immediately grabbed the white bow clip and styled my hair with it.
Grabbing my arm he walked around the store with me as he immediately halted when he saw a white tote bag with a few designs on it.
Handing it to me, he looked around the store to look for a few more accessories which would go with my outfit.
âChanhee..I think we bought enough items.â I assured him as I stopped him from looking for anything else.
âBut I wanna dress you up and style you.â He mumbled quietly and looked around the store again.
âHow about you go wait outside while I pay for our clothes? We can go to another vintage shop if youâre that desperate to dress me up.â I joked with a small laugh as I gave a small peck on his cheeks.
Chanhee just gave a small nod and walked out of the door. I took this as a chance and grabbed the hello kitty hat I had seen and immediately paid for it with the other things.
Exiting the shop I saw Chanhee taking a few pictures of himself. I take out the hello kitty hat and gently place it on his head.
âHmm?â Chanhee hums in confusion as he looks up at me and then grabs the hat I had placed on his head.
I saw an instant smile taking a place on his features as he looked up at me with a huge smile on his face, âWhere did you get it?â He asked happily as he told me to take a few pictures of him.
I heave out a deep sigh jokingly but take a few pictures either way. âWell I knew you have a crazy obsession with hello kitty so when I saw that hat on the display I had to buy it as a surprise for you, you know?â I answer as I click a few pictures of him.
âWhy do you know me so well?â He says with a laugh as I make sure to take pictures of him at that moment. âEven I have something for you.â He says as he takes out a small locket from his pocket.
I gently grabbed it from his hands and examined it, the vintage design on it made it all the more unique, âWe can keep a picture in it. I bought one for myself too. This way we can always be with each other even when weâre not together.â I smile shyly when he says that but feel my heart swell with love when I see the love Chanhee held in his eyes for me.
âShould we go get some printouts of our favourite pictures of each other then?â Hearing my question Chanheeâs eyes immediately sparkle with excitement as he stands up from the bench in excitement.
âLetâs go!â
âïžâïžâïžâïžâïžâïžâïžâïžâïžâïžâïžâïžâïžâïžâïžâïž
I DEMAND CHANHEE WITH A GIRLY GFâŒâŒ
OMG NO BC THIS LIVES IN MY HEAD RENT FREE. MASC CHANHEE DRIVES ME CRAZY đ”đ”đ”
CHOI CHANHEE WITH A GIRLY GIRLFRIEND
navigation | tbz!masterlist
First time he met you, the only thing he could think about was how pretty and cute you are. You were both in a cafe, and he was inevitably drawn to you. Was it because of the bows in your hair, the dainty pearls on your neck, or the light and elegant dress you have on? Chanhee has no idea, but oh, how he knows that heâs enticed by your aura.
( He asked for your number then, and you accepted, luckily! ) Weeks come to months and you guys are officially dating! (hurrah!)
Chanhee definitely takes the lead in this relationship! From planning dates, to picking you up, pulling your chair for you, and paying ( you tried to pay a few times, but the man just wonât let you! đ itâs okay though, you do your end by batting your eyelashes lovingly at him and holding his arm affectionately after he paid for your things hehe~ đ ) your datesâ bills. He even confessed first to you! ( as a man SHOULD. It is their job your honor, I am a firm believer! ) The confession was PERFECT too, by the way. Pink roses, chocolates, and a miffy plush!
Oh, how perfect this man is! He might not look it, but heâs sure as hell strong! ( did you guys see when chanhee carried his members AND his chanel bag at the same time?!?! My nose bled omg ) He carries all your bags for you and even helped you carry your new table in the living space and set it up for you! You fear that you now have a bad habit of not tying your own shoes anymore because the! Man! Does! It! For! You!
Also??? CAN I JUST ADD A SCENARIO?! CHANHEEâS HANDS. Theyâre so attractive and for what. The way he KNOWS you love it too and always teases you for it! The way he also loves teasing you because you get flustered way too easily for your own good. Just the other weekend, you were unable to reach the menstruation pads because it was placed too high for you and you called him to help you! He asked what it is you need, and you pointed at the pads because it was too embarrassing to say out loud. What happened next was so EVIL of Chanhee to do to you!
âHm?â What is it you need?â Teased Chanhee, pushing a strand of hair behind your ears. His index finger lingering in the back of your ear while his thumb grazes your jawline softly. Youâre way too flustered to say anything, especially with the way he looks at youâor should I say; the way he looks at your lips.
You look away, muttering âStop itâ, way too embarrassed for your own good. His slender fingers move to each side of your face and your chin, bringing you to look back again him against your will.
âBut you have to say it for me to understand, babyâŠIn words.â (HEâS A MENACE AHHHHHHHHHH)
âC-Can you please take the menstrual pads down for me..â you barely got it out. But, Chanheeâs satisfied enough with that reply. âSee? Isnât that easy to ask?â He then follows the sentence by giving you a soft peck on your lips before taking it for you, only to leave nonchalantly. (LIKE? HOW DARE HE???)
Anyways ! đ back to the main topic⊠(sorry i get sidetracked a lot) He also lets you play with his hair and makeup because girly activities are SUPERIOR!! I stand by what I say. Monthly fashion shows featuring your and his closet is a must! You know what else is a must? Him giving you his sweaters of course! Theyâre big on you and warm, so you often use them to sleep ( sorry chanhee, but they arenât yours anymore! )
Your honor, he knows the sidewalk rule! He also loves holding your waist when walking, that way he wouldnât lose you! You love the way you donât need to use your brain when walking with him cause heâs always guiding you. Heâs the big spoon in cuddles for sure (you donât mind, you love being the little spoon and nuzzling your face on his neck) Loves dressing you up too for the day by the way, itâs his favorite morning activity atp.
You know the okokok lalala trend?? Heâs totally the okokok to your lalala. Heâs attentive and listens well while you babble about your day. He thinks youâre so cute when you do so! You often speak quietly, so he has a habit of putting his head nearer to you when you speak!
BONUS: MEMBERSâ REACTION
Look. Out of everyone in tbz, this boy literally has the most bbg energy out there, so all his members would definitely have expected that his future girlfriend would have been the pants of the relationship! But then,, you come and visit their dorm for the first time, and? Letâs just say they were shocked!
You walk in: pink silk ribbons in your hair, face dolled up, and your cute long dress swaying as you closed the door with a gift basket FOR them.
You know what shocks them even more? How affectionate Chanhee was with you, and how soft he was around you. Like um??? Gf privileges much!!! đ They canât even get him to accept their aegyo and here he is; untying your shoes, carrying your bag, and smiling with eyes that look at you like you carry the stars??
Out of all the members, Eric would be the first to speak up to you, sending you a big wave. You replied with a small wave and a shy âhello.!â Soon enough, all the members surround you and you get slightly overwhelmed. Chanhee notices this and tells them to go away, pulling you into his bedroom.
âSee,â heâd say, âyou have nothing to worry about. They love you!â You could only smile, flustered. Chanhee thinks youâre adorable, and gives you the sweetest kiss on your cheek.
Sure enough, they did love you. In fact! They kept pestering Chanhee to bring you over nonstop! He says no to them like đ đ€šđ, thoughâŠ.đđ pookieâs a very jealous manâŠ
© astrae4 2023 | please donât copy, translate, or plagiarize my works on all platforms!
cherie amour | han dongmin (taesan)
synopsis in which dongmin finds himself falling head over heels for the regular that comes into his job (at a vintage record shop) every afternoon.
genre college!au, fem!reader, s2ls (strangers to lovers), and fluff
warnings halfway proofread ngl, kinda has a princess & the pauper vibe (reader is quite privileged & goes to an elite college), quite a few awkward pauses and bashful stares, and dongmin canât flirt for the life of him
word count 2k
a/n first ff out of the neo realm, hope you all enjoy!
track-list my cherie amour x stevie wonder, can i call you rose? x thee sacred souls, and all i do is think of you x the jackson 5
A bead of sweat trickled down the side of Dongminâs face. The rickety fan his boss had found from storage was doing absolutely nothing to shield him from the wrath of the summer heatâ and the fact he refused to turn on the air conditioning wasnât helping him in the slightest either.
Despite feeling like he had been transported to the sixth circle of hell, Dongmin didnât mind his job, it had actually been a juvenile dream of his to work in a place much like this. Somewhere with artifacts filled with history, antique furniture and decor, a devoted community of customersâ and surely, thatâs what he got following being hired for this position.
But he definitely wasnât expecting to be overworked as one of the few underlings for his incompetent boss who had inherited the place and having to endure the smell of what could only be described as vintage.
The continuous buzzing of the fan that whirred beside Dongminâs propped, beat-up sneakers was muffled for a brief moment as in came one of the meager reasons he decided to put up with his jobâ only, even.
You.
Following the chime on the door, a wave of heat entered the record shop but you graciously came with it, so Dongmin couldnât really complain. You greeted him with a smile as he hurriedly straightened in his seat and adjusted his posture stiffly. The smile was returned to the best of his abilities, but heâs sure it came off wonky and jarring.
Silently, you waltzed around the shop. It wasnât very big, and heâs positive youâve walked each aisle at least a few dozen times but it still had you coming back every other afternoon.
It was ritualistic for you to stumble into the small-scale record shop nestled between an antique boutique and a genuine crystal shopâ Dongmin had become hip to this months ago when he had first began working here. Though, it was obvious to him that you had been doing this a lot longer than his time, judging by the way you interacted with veteran staff and even that dense boss of his.
You were around his age, clear from the cardigan you wore that was proudly embroidered in fancy cursive of what he discovered was your home schoolâ the elite college that rivaled his. It had been an initial thought of his that maybe you were an alum and just liked the comfort that the sweater offered but after miraculously seeing you at a rival game between your two schoolsâ football teamsâ he knew for sure that you were close in age.
Unfortunately for him, those were the only details he had found on you. Alleged things about you floated around between his coworkers and to his own ears but he ignored them for solid truth. The truth was, you were clearly a devout music lover from a realm he didnât know of, a school he could only dream of attending, and a lifestyle he had absolutely no experience in.
âAnything new that you recommend?â At the arriose sound of your voice, Dongmin came to a realization that he had been staring at you for far too long.
Under your curious gaze, he stilled. Nearly forgetting to breathe over the fact you were speaking to him. Another fact he had come to realize, is that you enjoyed your solitude. It wasnât often that you spoke to him outside of your purchase of a vinyl or the rare CD. But when you did, Dongmin always fell into the same trap as if it was happening for the first time again.
âIâuhâ whatâs your genre?â He knew this already. You had an affinity for 60s musicâ he came to conclude from the dozen of vinyls he had previously rung up for you.
You hummed, glancing to the spotty ceiling as you contemplated. âI always go for oldies. Anything recent that you like?â As you asked this, you drew closer to the counter where Dongmin was quickly breaking out into a cold sweat over the fact you were verily nearing closer to him.
Your eyes didnât waver from him, it was clear that you were genuinely interested in his own opinion.
âWell, I donât listen to too much recent stuff myself, actually.â He managed to respond, not having the capacity to filter his honesty.
Now opposite of him by the counter, you giggled. Dongmin swore his heart skipped a beat, or two for that matter.
âWell, I guess youâre no help then?â Your voice lilted with humor, your head tilting.
âHeh. No, I guess notâŠâ To Dongmin, he was sure your bout of conversation would end here. You would choose something along the lines of your usual, get rung up with some sort of small talk, and go on about your day while he finished out his shift wallowing about how he wished he couldâve said more to you.
âWhatâs your genre, then,â you squinted momentarily to double-check his nametag. âDongmin?â
For a moment, Dongmin had forgotten his name was his own. You watched him blink at you for a few beats before visibly collecting himself.
âMe? Well, I like rockâ like Nirvana and My Chemical Romance. But I like easy listening stuff tooâŠâ
You nodded, âI assumed just as much.â
Dongminâs eyebrows shot up into his fringe, eyes wide with surprise. âReally?â
An endeared smile etched onto your lips instantly. âYeah, every time youâre here theyâre always playing over the speakers. But I hear the Carpenters every now and then, too. You have good taste.â
Dongmin fought the flattered expression that attempted to spread across his features, clearing his throat in an effort to swallow his excitement. âThanks.â
You nodded, a silence floating in the air as you two both seemed to wait for the other to carry on the conversation. With the atmosphere starting to feel cramped, you open your mouth to ease the awkwardness but Dongmin thankfully beats you to it.
âWeâuhmâ actually just get in some new vinyls that I think you might likeâŠâ
You visibly perk up at this. âDid you?â
Dongmin nods, his tone coming off a bit hesitant. âWell, you get a rotation of the same artists, I noticedâŠâ
Your laughter eases the weight on his shoulders, he finds himself smiling fondly as you nod your head in agreement. âNo, yeah, I do. I guess Iâm quite predictable,â
Dongmin shrugs. âThereâs nothing wrong with that. I think your music taste is good too.â
You find yourself smoothing a hand over your jacket, flattered. âThank you,â
âNo problem.â
You both lock eyes for a beat longer than expected, your own being the ones to flit elsewhere as could feel the flutter of butterflies swarm in the base of your belly. Dongminâs gaze on you is only interrupted when you clear your throat before speaking again.
âDid you want to show them to me?â
âOh! Yeah, sorry,â As if he had been split from a trance, Dongmin lurches back into reality to begin leading you towards a dusty corner of the shop.
A giggle leaves you as you follow close behind. âNo worries.â
Itâs safe to say Dongmin did not fabricate that the new selections would be to your liking. You find yourself rifling through the crate carefully, multiple familiar artistsâ cover arts calling your name. Dongmin canât help but admire you as you work your way through the vinyls with pure amazement in your eyes.
âAnything catch your eye?â He gestures toward the basket that you were leisurely searching through.
Your gaze shifts upwards to where Dongmin is standing, sheepishly remembering that he was there. âA lot. Iâm supposed to be on a budget for stuff like this butâ Oh my god! Iâve been looking for this,â you excitedly pull out a yellowed Lesley Gore vinyl.
Dongminâs amused laughter catches your attention and you roll your eyes at him before shaking your head. âDamn, whyâd you have to know me so well?â
âHeh. I can get you a discount, if youâre interested?â Dongmin approaches you, delivering his sentence carefully to test your reaction.
You jerk away in surprise, shocked that Dongmin would even offer to do that for you. But you can tell heâs genuine as he watches you intently awaiting your response. âNo, no. I just need to practice some self-controlâŠâ
âYou sure? I canât promise that old guy wonât buy up all the Marvin Gaye in hereâŠâ You follow his hands as they skim the top of the distressed and begrimed vinyls, almost like a hypnosis.
A huff leaves you, the memories of your elder competition that most likely had no idea was your competition coming to mind. âShitâ youâre right. Okay, fine. Iâll indulge myself just this once.â
You decide to humor Dongmin and yourself, picking through the crate again to remove several LPs that caught your attention. Dongmin nods, finding confidence in being able to bond with you. After you make your final decision, you both head back over to the counter to finalize your transaction.
âYou didnât have to do this, yâknow. Iâm sure this is actually against the rulesâŠâ
âNah. Itâs fine my boss does it all the time for customers he likes tooââ Dongmin realizes his slip of tongue a little too late, his expression reminding you of a deer in the headlights.
âReally now?â You muse.
âUhâyeah,â Dongmin coughs. âThatâs your totalâŠâ
Your eyebrows jump instinctively at the outcome, gladly digging around in your bag for your card. âDamn. Iâm glad you like me because inflation is killing me right now, here,â
Dongmin accepts your payment and you donât miss the way he avoids your eyes bashfully. When everything is squared away, your hefty bag in hand, he decides heâs capable of addressing you head on.
âWell, I guess Iâll see you around then?â He visibly forces out, internally hoping it comes across as natural (he doesnât).
You nod automatically but have a sudden train of thought that you decide to take a chance and verbalize. âActually⊠do you get off any time soon?â
The boy across from you is clearly stunned at the inquiry, blinking at you a couple times before answering. âUhâ in about an hour, actuallyâŠâ
âCool. Iâll be at the cafĂ© across the street, if you donât have anything to do that is⊠I feel like itâs only right that I repay youâŠâ The last of your sentence trails off as you feel youâre rambling on, but Dongmin couldnât have looked more interested in you.
âNo! I mean, I donât have anything to doâ Iâm free, yeah.â Dongmin shuffles, setting himself in a pose that he hoped conveyed how nonchalant he wanted to be but was clearly failing to do so.
You find yourself amused with his anticsâ a bit flattered as well. âAlright then, see you in an hour?â He nods intently while he watches you back away from the till.
âAn hour it is.â He affirms, returning the wave you spare him before the shopâs door chimes again. Promptly, your warmth leaves him to the humidity of the shop. But he holds his pose knowing heâll be engulfed in it once more.
© jigueminunbich â24
ONE LESS LONELY GIRL
PAIRING idols riki x fem reader
WARNINGS profanity, + more to be added
GENRE fluff, humor, mild angst, workplace romance
SYNOPSIS fans always point out the chemistry between you and riki, and it only continues to grow after you become mcâs together on music bank. but as your feelings rise, so does the tension. and people begin to notice, so you try not to let riki know how you feel. but unbeknownst to you, he feels entirely the same way.
STATUS august 10 2024 - tba
taglist is open <3
PROFILES hypen not hyphen | bunnygirls
TRACK 001 : the left side
TRACK 002 : inconveniently convenient
TRACK 003 : my nervous babies
TRACK 004 : loveyloveyloveydoveydoveydovey
TRACK 005 : big balls and lots of courage
+ more to be added
a/n this smau will be kinda short, maybe only 15-20 episodes. also there will be a lot of written parts
water prince // leehan
When you receive a wedding proposal from the Water Kingdom, you are set on making Prince Donghyun change his mind about marrying you. At least, until you actually see him for who he is.
âł Characters:Â prince!Leehan (called Donghyun in the story) x princess!female reader/you
âł Genre:Â royalty au, arranged marriage au, magical kingdom au, elemental powers au, fluff, comedy, a bit of angst too
âł Words:Â 13.7k
âł Warning:Â mentions of food, reader almost drowning and being seasick, Leehan's father in the story is quite hostile, Leehan feels insecure about not being loved by his father
âł A/N: Happiest birthday to the loveliest person on Earth @dat-townâ€ïž So happy for everything you've achieved and so excited to see what you will continue to achieve! May you have the best year ever, and stay healthy and happy all throughout! â€ïž
âł Taglist: @s00buwu, @dat-town, @emmylksblog
âYou are to marry Prince Donghyun.â
You literally choked on your water when your father announced the big news he had assembled the family for. Your little sister patted your back, trying to be helpful, while your mother shot you a surprised look as if she couldnât decide whether you were appalled or delighted by the news, and thatâs why you were so taken aback. Your brother, Sungho, sat in his chair in a calm manner as usual, quietly analysing the situation while cutting his meat into tiny pieces in the quietest way possible.
You couldnât blame him. You were in the middle of your regularly scheduled dinner in the dining hall of the palace when the King finally told you what he had been hiding from you for sometime. Before that, you couldnât even know whom it entailed - your little sister, Sunghee, your brother, Sungho, or you -, the only thing you knew was that your father had been in talks with other kingdoms. Which was nothing new, really, it was one of his duties as the King of the Fire Kingdom.
âWhy him,â was your first question after you managed to stop coughing, and you couldnât tell who was more shocked by your question: your mother, your father or your little sister. Sungho seemed rather amused, his lips slightly curling upwards. No wonder he knew you the best.
âBecause they offered a wedding proposal?â Your father half-asked, half-answered, and as you put down the glass of water onto the table, you were trying to rationalise his words, but there was nothing you could rationalise about this. From a young age, you knew that this would be your fate, you just didnât know how to face it now.
âI would rather know why I am supposed to be marrying a prince from the Water Kingdom, if it has to be Prince Donghyun out of all people.â
âThey say that heâs really handsome,â Sunghee chirped in, her eyes already forming hearts at the mention of the prince. Then again, she was 15, and she had heart eyes for every prince that she saw at formal events.
âYou should feel grateful that he chose you. Princesses from other kingdoms are all lining up for him,â your mother weighed in, nudging you in the side, and you felt like a kid being reprimanded for something that she had done, not a princess who didnât want to marry a prince who had once tried to sweet talk her into dancing with him at a royal wedding, only to trample on her feet multiple times. That guy was full of mischievous ideas, and you wanted nothing to do with him and his troublemaker ass. Besides, he was said to be full of himself, and you hated nothing more than smug princes who thought that a few compliments would make a princess fall for them.
âPrince Donghyunâs birthday is coming up, and he is supposed to find a bride for himself after his 20th birthday. They sent out the offer on his behalf, but before they expect an answer from you, you are invited to his birthday celebration to get to know him better,â the King explained in detail, and you wanted to evaporate right then and there. Really? You were even invited to his birthday celebration? Was he really that enchanted by that clumsy dance you had had at the wedding, or did the Water Kingdom had ulterior motives behind this decision?
You let out a sigh in return, clearly against the whole thing, but itâs not like you had a say in it. However, you had a say in how you behaved around Prince Donghyun, and actually, this birthday celebration would be the perfect chance to make him change his mind about you - or his family or whoever came up with this stupid idea of being his bride. You could be on your worst behaviour, and make him hate you, or worse, make him disgusted by you, and thatâs exactly what you needed.
âWhen is this celebration?â You inquired from your father who gave you a satisfied smile in return, and told you that he would tell you all of the details and show you the wedding proposal after dinner. Sungho narrowed his eyes at your sudden change of behaviour, but when you turned towards him, you merely mouthed âI know what Iâm doingâ, and he seemed to believe you, going back to his fig jam-coated meat.
Whenever you attended a formal event in another kingdom, at least two members of your family had to be present. Before you and Sungho had turned 20, you had always needed to be accompanied by an adult - mostly your mother because the King had other duties to attend to. Since you were both deemed responsible adults when it came to age and appropriate behaviour, the two of you could go together to Prince Donghyunâs birthday celebration since your mother was to attend one of her sistersâ wedding with Sunghee the day later you set out to the Water Kingdom.
Since travelling on a ship would have required more people to accompany you (and since you were often seasick when out on the sea), you travelled by carriage, and you were supposed to arrive the day before the actual birthday celebration as per the Water Kingdomâs request. That left you with plenty of time to tell Sungho all about your plan of changing the princeâs mind starting from your choice of dress for the day of your arrival - a beautiful, knee-length black dress with puffy sleeves and a V-neck that highlighted the pretty necklace brightening your pale skin with little diamonds in the shape of a flame. It was an appropriate dress in style and length, maybe the V-line was a bit steep according to some, but it was its colour that mattered. In the Fire Kingdom, black represented the end of something - just like how flames turn to black ashes when they can no longer feed on oxygen -, and usually, you wore black clothes at the seasonsâ farewell ceremony. You had a farewell ceremony for all four seasons when you bid goodbye to the previous one and welcomed the new one, gathering around a huge fire and giving your blessings to the kingdom and the royal family.
You highly doubted that Prince Donghyun would be aware of such traditions in your kingdom, but that was the best part of it: that he didnât know about it, but you knew why you dressed like that. You had other tricks under your sleeve, and whilst Sungho didnât disapprove of your plan, he was partly worried about your feelings.
âWill you be able to handle that? You hate nothing more than embarrassing yourself,â he pointed out gently, in his own big brother way, when you mentioned that if you had to embarrass yourself for your plan, you were ready to give it your all. The goal was to make Prince Donghyun go back on his words - or beg the one who came up with the idea of you having to marry him to change their mind -, and the journey getting there might not be all rosy, but it would be worth it.
âIâll make sure I do it subtly enough to not bring embarrassment on myself in front of others. Plus, I think he will want to speak with me in private, so thatâs when I need to strike for real,â you announced with a triumphant smile as you tucked a loose strand of hair behind your ear. The ladies all dolled you up at the palace, but if you were going to a battle, you needed to go in style.
Sungho didnât show it if he was against your plan, and instead, he directed a topic elsewhere but your looming marriage proposal. This way, at least you didnât feel like crawling out of your skin until you arrived, and guess what, Prince Donghyun just had to wait for you at the entrance of the palace when the carriage halted and the servants helped you down.
You tried hard not to stare at him because he did look⊠different. Of course, he looked different, he had been around 16 when you had last seen him; it had been a year after that ominous wedding, and you had seen him in passing in the circle of princesses who cooed all about his beauty and his deep voice and whatnot. Years had passed by, and he grew taller, his shoulders were broader, and his hair was longer, it reached his shoulders already. His features were less boyish, but there was still that mischievous spark in his eyes when you walked up to him after waiting for your brother to get out of the carriage.
You even forgot to look behind him to take in the grandiose palace walls and huge rose windows because he was the main view for you. The way the fading sunlight - late afternoon flowing into early night - shone onto him made him seem like someone from another world, or rather, someone from those fairytales your sister still believed in. If someone embodied royalty, it was him, and you had no idea how he had such an effect on you when you had come here to destroy his plans to marry you.
Alas, you could not let yourself sway just because he was pretty. Beauty could be deceiving, beauty could hurt, and if anyone, you knew that. Being praised for being beautiful, but never being praised for being smart or reliable or kind made you see this whole thing in a new light. So you kept your compliments to yourself, and focused on the boyâs cheeky smile instead.
There was a round of formalities with bowing and courtesy, the servants already hustling-bustling around you, carrying your luggage and gifts, and you heard two ladies from your own kingdom whispering about Prince Donghyunâs angelic smile as they passed by.
You rolled your eyes at their antics, but the Water Kingdom prince either didnât seem to notice, or he didnât mind. Instead, he posed a question that made you furrow your eyebrows.
âDid you come in black because youâre putting an end to your life without me?â
âPardon me?â
âI read that black symbolises the end of something in your kingdom,â he pointed out in a casual manner, and you needed to hold yourself back from commenting that you didnât expect him to do some reading on the Fire Kingdom and its traditions. You could clearly see Sunghoâs facial expression though, he was visibly impressed.
The prince gave you a crooked half-smile as he took one step closer to you, closer than before, but not close enough to call it inappropriate. You had a feeling that he was playing at just that;Â dancing on the fine line of being playfully flirtatious and a bit too much in general.Â
âBut did you know that it symbolises deep love in our kingdom? Itâs a metaphor because if you love someone deeply, you would be willing to swim to the bottom of the ocean for them and the bottom is always so dark, almost black,â he continued equally joyfully, but you needed to gulp down the profanities that were threatening to leave your mouth.
Just how could you mess this up so badly? Not only had you chosen a black dress that symbolised deep love in their kingdom, but you had also failed to consider Prince Donghyun actually looking up the meaning of the colour in the Fire Kingdom. Well, you had to give it to him that he won this round, but you wouldnât have said it out loud for all the money in the world.
So you let Sungho ask about the palace instead while you were ushered inside, and if Prince Donghyun had any itinerary planned for the rest of the day since you were supposedly the only ones who were invited to come a day earlier. Prince Donghyun explained that you would have dinner together and he could show you around the palace afterwards if you were up for it.
âExcellent idea! I would love nothing more than to spend more time with you,â you announced in an overzealous manner, hoping that it could make the prince falter in his good boy role. On the other hand, he seemed rather amused, not weirded out, and suggested that you could check out the lighthouse and the docks if you were that interested. You had no idea that they had such places on palace grounds, but sure, you were in the Water Kingdom after all.
Hoping to direct the topic to something else, when you spotted a bouquet of flowers in a huge vase, you acted oh so innocently as you asked:
âAh, are these fake?â
âMy mother picked them from her garden in the morning. She likes tending to her flowers,â the prince pointed out casually, and you bit down on your tongue in response. Damn it, why couldnât you get a hold on him?Â
Sure, you might have been the only kingdom that had fake flowers placed in the palace corridors because they just didnât grow as exuberant as the ones in the Earth Kingdom, for instance, but you had different climates as well. You would think that the colder, rainy climate of the Water Kingdom didnât necessarily help flowers flourish, but well⊠maybe you were wrong about more than just one thing.
You pressed your lips into a thin line, forcing yourself to shut your mouth, while you were following the prince and the servants down the corridors that were full of paintings of the royal family. The amount of paintings about Prince Donghyun from a very young age to present days was overwhelming: him with a book in his hands in what seemed like a library when he was a child, him in the garden surrounded by flowers, him standing by the sea, him standing by a fish tank, him holding a rose and the list goes onâŠ
You werenât sure whether looking at the actual real-life prince or his painted features was more unsettling, so you did neither and just stared ahead of yourself. Which was a mistake on your part because you managed to walk into the princeâs chest when he halted in front of a room.
âAre you alright, princess?â He inquired with wide eyes as he held you by the shoulders to steady you. You immediately stepped backwards, making him yank his hands away from you.
âIâm alright. It was just a bit dizzying with all the floors and corridors.â
âYou will get used to it,â he said naturally, but there was a slight hint of nervousness in the way his eyes darted from your face to Sunghoâs when he said the words out loud. Your brother, on the other hand, merely stayed still, calmly listening to your conversation. You were sure that you would hear his opinion on it later on, but for now, he didnât seem fazed by the boyâs behaviour and flirty remarks.
âSo will these be our suites?â Your brother asked to break the silence, and indeed, Prince Donghyun took this opportunity to show you to your rooms. Yours was fully equipped with a bathroom and a restroom, a huge wardrobe, candles by the double bed and a wide wooden desk by the equally wide full-length windows that led to a balcony. What took you by surprise was that the fluffy blankets, the luxurious curtains, the welcoming pillows and the walls of the room were all in different shades of blue, but it was done in an elegant way, so no colour overshadowed the other. However, the sight made you feel as if you were close to the sea, and you didnât necessarily like it since the sea always reminded you of those boat travels when you got seasick.
Prince Donghyun said that a servant would come by when dinner was ready, but until then, he would let you unpack and settle down. When he got out of sight, you let out an aghast sigh, and fell into the bed, silently screaming into the pillows.
This was so not going as planned.
Dinner was passing by excruciatingly slowly. You literally checked the huge clock on the wall - which had a different type of fish painted by each number of the 12-part circle - every 5 minutes, hoping that time would go by faster, to no avail. You might have been able to spark a fire or put out one as a Fire Kingdom princess, but your magic didnât involve meddling with time.
Alas, you had to sit through the forced conversation with Prince Donghyunâs parents (his older brother was away for a trade talk or something like that), and while his mother was a lovely woman, and her smile, at least, seemed genuine, his father was the definition of a politician. Which wouldnât have unsettled you so much if you had not known his type, and how all of his sentences were well-calculated, carefully practised and being a part of a bigger plan. Even when he complimented his son, you could see that the prince was taken aback for he was smiling so coyly, you had a feeling that he scarcely complimented his children without an audience around.
You were thankful that Sungho was good at reading the room and changing topics in a polite enough manner, so that the King wouldnât deem his action rude. It was difficult to displease them because while playing a foolish girl who always finds something to complain about and acts all so erratic was all fun and games with Prince Donghyun, when you tried to do the same in front of the royal couple, the Kingâs comments made you retreat. He was borderline misogynistic, saying that your honesty would be âcuredâ by having a husband, and that you should be lucky someone was willing to marry you with your reputation of being a fiery princess who always rejected princes.
It got to a point that you needed to excuse yourself to head outside because he started putting down your own parents for raising a princess like you, and you could not stand that. Even though you told them that you would go to the restroom, you had no place in mind, so when a servant left you by the closest restroom, you just stood there for a minute, completely frozen.
âDo you need anything, princess?â A familiar voice spoke up beside you, and you actually jumped back when you heard his voice. You were totally lost in thought, trying to process what you had been told, you didnât pay attention to anything else.
Prince Donghyun noticed your shaken state, and his lips quivered slightly when you didnât speak up. This was the first time that you saw something apart from mischief flash across his orbs when he looked at you, he looked genuinely concerned this time, and suddenly, you had no idea what to do with it.
âIâm so sorry about my father. He isnât the best withâŠâ
âYou donât need to apologise on his behalf. He needs to do it himself if he wants my forgiveness.â
The moment the words rolled off your tongue, you knew how naive it might have sounded, but you didnât care. You kept your chin up high, kept the eye-contact, and the boy did the same. You had a feeling that he was afraid that if he looked away, you would run away. Which was incredibly close to what you actually wanted to do right then and there.
Even though you were usually good at keeping your composure in check, or at least acting like you didnât care what people said about you, you didnât have it in you to continue acting that night. So you were about to say that you would head back to your room to avoid having a conversation with the prince in your state, but he beat you to it.
âHow about that walk to the lighthouse? That's the furthest place from the dining room,â he suggested out of the blue, his words carrying a certain gentleness. You couldnât decide whether this was the perfect, kind prince role that he wanted to play, or whether it came naturally to him.
Nevertheless, you didnât have the luxury to ponder over it, you just wanted a change of scenery - as much as the situation allowed, at least. So you gave in to the princeâs suggestion, and followed him outside the palace through a few unfamiliar corridors, walking through his motherâs garden to get to the docks. It didnât resemble the docks for trading that you had been to before, it was a much more sophisticated one. It was more like a pier with only two ships waiting by the riverside, probably the ones the royal family used for travel.
For starters, the path was lit up by lanterns that glowed joyfully with the last few patches of the sunset still present on the horizon, like little fireflies in the night. The wharf itself wasnât very well-lit, but the brightness coming from the lighthouse made up for that, illuminating the wooden structure leading up to it periodically. Even though there was mud where the water licked into the ground, the palaceâs garden was connected to the shore with a little bridge, so you could walk on it as soon as you stepped past the fence separating the two sides.
Prince Donghyun held his hand out to help you step onto the wharf, and you would have objected fervently if it had not been for your dress - which seemed quite impractical for this kind of movement -, but alas, you accepted it. His grip was strong enough to hold you yet gentle enough to not crush your hands, but you didnât hold onto him longer than needed.
âOh no,â you said as soon as you stepped onto the wooden structure, realising that there was no railing on the sides. Even though the pathway was wide enough for two people, maybe even for three, in the momentary light the lighthouse provided when it was its turn to shine onto the wharf, you werenât sure that you could cross it without getting panicky about it.
âWhat is wrong?â
âI donât like the fact that thereâs no railing here,â you announced as you pointed at the obvious lack of added safety, to which he merely gave you an amused smile.
âYou can hold onto me if you want to,â he offered with a playful wink, and you were anything but impressed by his idea.
âI get seasick easily, and even though we are not on a boat, just the idea of being this close to water without an extra barrier makes me feel odd because I canât swim, soâŠâ
You were not one to talk about your weaknesses so easily, but the sight frightened you more than you would have admitted, and the words just rolled off your tongue without thinking ahead. It was too late to go back on your words though, you could already see how the prince was trying to make sense of the situation.
âI have an idea,â Prince Donghyun announced, mischief no longer evident in his voice as he turned his back to you and stood still.
You blinked, confused, and the thought crossed your mind that this would be the moment he would scare you or push you into the water, and you would have every reason to hate him then because you couldnât swim. Not to mention that you were seasick often, so you absolutely detested anything that was related to water.
âYou know, if you are trying to make a joke out of this whole situation, I wonder why-â You started as you took a step back in case he really did want to trick you. Instead, he raised his hands around him in a circular motion, and a few seconds later, a literal bubble formed in front of him. Then, he directed that bubble to hover between you two as he turned around.
âHow did you do that?â You breathed, bewildered, as you looked at the water bubble in front of you, moving at his will. The boy couldnât hide the smile that was creeping onto his lips at your awestruck expression that turned even more surprised when he started expanding the bubble. You were about to open your mouth to say that you didnât want to get wet when it started getting so big that it almost touched you, but the collision never happened. What happened was that the bubble grew around you without touching you at all, so ultimately, you found yourself insead it, the world around you suddenly quiet and dim.
âIt doesnât burst with human contact or with objects. At least, I can now control it,â Prince Donghyun explained with a bit of a giggle as he stood inside the bubble with you.
You shook your head, trying to recover from this daze, but gosh, it was such a mesmerising sight. The prince looked to be in his element as he was talking about how he had learned to create bubbles and then to control them, all wide-eyed affection and enthusiasm pouring off his gorgeous features. Even if you had moments before when you questioned just how genuine he was, you couldnât question it now, it was enough to look at him. He was dazzling, maple-brown shoulder-length hair tucked behind his ear, big doe eyes filled with stars, while he was showing you how you could touch the bubble from the inside, but it wouldnât budge.
âI am good, arenât I?â He quirked an eyebrow after his monologue, a proud smile tinting his lips. You looked back at him, rolling your eyes at his antics, but you had to try hard to sniffle your smile.
It felt like being inside a separate little island as you were walking inside the bubble, walking towards the lighthouse. You had to be close to him though, or else, he would need to expand the bubble even more, so you followed him diligently, and only halted when you reached the end and stood beside the beacon. This part of the wharf had railings, but you almost didnât notice because the bubble kept out not just the outside world, but also your worries for a while.
âI didnât know you could do something like this.â
âIâm glad to hear that I could surprise you,â he flashed you an even wider grin, if that was possible, but there was something coy about it now, as if he couldnât believe that you could see him in a different light. Well, what could you say? You definitely didnât expect this either.
The prince seemed curious at this point about what you could do with your powers, so you told him that you could make anything related to fire - you could create a spark, you could light up a fireplace, you could burn objects if you got your hands on them, and you could also put out fire if needed. There werenât a lot of uses to your power, to be honest, but you didnât mind. You always had a feeling that the reason war didnât break out between the kingdoms was because you could only practise your magic in your own kingdom, meaning that you couldnât do anything with fire here, even if you wanted to.
Prince Donghyun was attentive and curious, his eyes still having that bright spark to them, and for a short while, you even forgot why you ended up there, inside a bubble he created. Yet, when the next strike of light shone onto you two, and you felt your throat closing up at the sight of him - so boyish, so gentle, so affectionate -, you told him that you wished to go back.
He did seem a bit disappointed, but an understanding smile replaced his momentary pout in a bit, and he walked you back without a word. When you stepped off the docks, the bubble didnât actually burst around you with splashes of water, it merely disappeared. You attempted to seem disinterested, but you were impressed, even if you tried to divert the topic elsewhere.
When you reached your suite, Prince Donghyun offered that you could let him know if you needed anything anytime, he would assist you. You could even knock on his door at the break of dawn - he had shown you where his suite was located on your walk back from the lighthouse -, he would be ready to help.
âShouldnât I notify a servant instead?â You raised an eyebrow, challengingly, but the boy either didnât seem to take note of it, or didnât deem it as an act of challenge.
âWell, Iâm a man of many charms, and I can do a lot more than you think Iâm capable of.â
âA man, pff. Youâre not even 20 years old,â you pointed out cheekily, and he let out a deep, long laugh before his features went back to their previous state.
âBut I will turn 20 tomorrow. I will be a man,â he retorted as he took a step closer to you, his eyes not leaving yours. Your heart betrayed you because when your eyes locked, that traitor decided to skip a beat. You had never been this close to him before, not even inside the bubble, and instead of feeling like you had to keep your guards up, you wanted to destroy the walls you built around yourself, and in that moment, he looked like he wanted to do the same.
âGood night, Princess!â He wished with a widening smile, shattering the serene moment into tiny little pieces, before he turned around and walked away.
The birthday celebration officially started the next day at noon, but guests started arriving from early morning. You didnât even finish breakfast, you were notified that the first carriage pulled into the court, and Prince Donghyun dutifully followed his mother outside to greet the guests. The King was supposedly in his study, but you actually preferred it that way, especially after the previous nightâs conversation at dinner.
So that left you and Sungho enough time to finish the rest of the breakfast while discussing the day ahead. Your brother even brought up the events of last night, and where you had been with Prince Donghyun.
âNowhere scandalous, trust me!â You justified more fervently than needed, and Sungho held up his hands as a peace offer. He looked like he was conflicted whether he should be amused or concerned by your dramatic reaction.
âI would have been surprised if you had been anywhere scandalous, especially with your plan to make him change his mind,â he pointed out reasonably before reaching for his mug of tea. One of the reasons why you liked your brother was because he could keep his cool, and he knew you well enough to not jump to stupid conclusions. His question was probably more out of curiosity than teasing either way.
Hence, you decided to be honest with him, though you didnât want to talk about Prince Donghyun creating a water bubble around you, so you would dare to walk the wharf with him. You didnât know why, but it felt like a rather affectionate reaction to your seasickness, and you didnât want to bring it up.
âHe showed me the lighthouse, and we talked about our magic, and what we can do with it.â
âSeems pretty ordinary to me. Where did you leave your over the top acting?â He inquired with a playful smile, and you gently pushed his shoulder with your own.
âI didnât feel like doing it last night. The Kingâs words got to me more than I would have thought so,â you admitted feebly, suddenly finding your empty plate more interesting than anything else in the dining room. You were usually not one to be swayed by othersâ opinion, you werenât a naive and scared teenage girl anymore. On the other hand, you had never even met anyone as hostile as the King of the Water Kingdom, and you had met a lot of royalty, so that said a lot.
âIâve heard that heâs like that with everyone; heâs never truly satisfied, and doesnât agree with anyone even if heâs wrong. So it wasnât directed at you,â Sungho reassured you softly, and when you looked up at him, you directed a grateful smile at him. He always seemed to know what to say, and you appreciated it more than ever.
You didnât have a lot of time to yourself afterwards because the servants notified you that you should get ready for a bath before they would do your hair and make-up. So you followed them and let them take care of you from head to toe. Sometimes it felt cumbersome to be all dolled up for an event, but you enjoyed being pampered after the previous day, and you didnât want to let it show that you had been affected by the Kingâs viciousness.
Red was the trademark colour of your kingdom, so you picked a cherry-red dress for the event, one that you always felt so powerful in. The bottom part was a widening skirt in wine-red with a thin, more translucent layer covering the silky one underneath that had such a nice fall to it. From your waist up, the material switched to lacy with pretty embroidery making it more intricate on your chest and on your arms alike. Golden beads dotted the middle line that ended in a V-cut that revealed an appropriate amount of skin before it closed up underneath your neck which was covered in beads again. You had matching burgundy high heels to top the look, though they would be covered by the wide skirt either way.
The ladies curled your hair and made the locks resemble the waves in your dress, letting them fall over your shoulders elegantly, with the exception of your front locks which were held back and secured to your temple with a ribbon. Your eyes were covered in a mixture of sparkly silver and burgundy, your lips the colour of ruby-red apples.
You were of the opinion that if you were forced to attend such events, you would do so in style, and you were thankful that your parents let you choose your outfits and consult the tailors yourself, they didnât really meddle with your preference in dresses. Same went for Sungho who showed up in a burgundy-black outfit with delicate embroidery on the chest of his long-sleeved shirt, and an exquisite pair of cotton pants.
As always, you didnât fail to compliment the otherâs look, and when the beginning of the celebration was announced, you made your way to the ballroom, your arms resting on your brotherâs. Since he was by your side, you were more reassured that you barely knew anyone here, though you saw a few familiar faces from other kingdoms. It was easy to tell who came from where because apart from a few different colours, everyone chose to dress in the trademark colour of their own kingdom - blue for the Water, green for the Earth, white for the Air and red for the Fire Kingdom. Since most of them wore some kind of blue, you assumed that quite a lot of relatives of Prince Donghyun showed up, and judging by the older boy by his side, you guessed that his brother also came back from the trade talks in time for the celebration.
The King started his toast with a historical lesson on the Water Kingdom which bored you to no end, so you rather chose that time to examine Prince Donghyunâs flawless outfit. What you expected from such a flawless visual, though? Sure, he would have not looked as dashing in a stable boyâs clothes as he looked right now in his light blue shirt dotted by silver pearls that resembled tiny little water drops, tucked into midnight-blue cotton pants, his shoulder-length hair partly tucked behind his ear, but he had a certain aura to him that was hard to beat.
You might have been staring at him for quite some time because he caught your eyes, and suddenly, you felt exposed. Not only because you had been quite obviously checking him out, but also because he didnât seem smug or teasing, he seemed rather in awe, his lips slightly parting. Could it be because of your dress? He was clearly looking at you, so it couldnât be because of someone else, and yet⊠oh that traitor heart of yours betrayed you again.
âAm I interrupting something?â Sungho mumbled quietly, so only you could hear him, but even his hushed voice was enough to turn your cheeks ruby-red.
âWhat are you talking about?â You turned to him, trying your best to put on an act, but your brother knew you well enough, he knew that you were lying.
âYou seemed to have a moment there with Prince Donghyun, and I suddenly felt like an intruder. Come to think of, yesterday evening, you also left with him, leaving me behind, which implies that despite the fact that you claim that you want to change his mind, you have also fallen-â He started up on a whole monologue, and you had never been more thankful in your whole life that the crowd cheered and clapped, so their loud voices covered up what he was saying.
âOh yey, itâs finally over!â You clapped enthusiastically with the crowd when the King finally ended his speech, and people started dissolving from the middle of the ball room. Sungho would have probably continued teasing you if it had not been for Prince Donghyun walking right up to the two of you because then, he shut his mouth, but his eyes were telling a different tale.
âMay I have this dance?â The prince inquired as he motioned towards the people who started dancing in pairs not far from you which made you realise that you and Sungho just happened to stay at the exact middle of the ball room. Which was awkward in itself, but the way your brother bit down on his lower lip to prevent himself from saying anything made it even more awkward.
You felt the need to clear your throat before you answered.
âOnly if youâre better than you were at 15.â
Prince Donghyun let out a joyous laughter hearing your proclamation, probably remembering that memorable dance from years ago all too well.
âI can assure you that Iâm way better than I was at 15. Iâve taken dance lessons since,â he claimed proudly, puffing his chest out, and Sungho chose this moment to leave you two behind, stating that he was not in the mood for dancing, so you two go ahead. You tried to sear holes into his back while he was leaving you two behind, but to no avail. He didnât even look back.
âSure. Letâs see how much you improved. But if you step on my foot, I will step on yours too, and trust me, you donât want to encounter these high heels closely,â you threatened half-jokingly as you turned back to Prince Donghyun, but he merely laughed off your warning. He seemed pretty confident in himself, so you wanted to give this a chance, and indeed, he did the right thing by immediately extending his hand to you, so you could reach for it. Then, he escorted you further into the dance floor, expertly manoeuvring around already dancing couples.
If the beginning wasnât enough to convince you, the rest of the dance sure was. The boy knew what he was doing, and he did it confidently. You could tell that he had taken those dance lessons seriously because there was only slight hesitation in his movements when he first touched you - your hand, your back and your waist -, afterwards, he overcame his coyness, and continued on like nothing happened.
He held himself like a prince, a delicate prince, and you were bewitched by the twinkles in his chestnut-brown eyes, as if stars were truly dancing in them, he was glowing, his endeared smile crowning his look. He held you so steady that you knew, you could tell that if you were to fall down, he would be able to catch you, and you had never felt so taken care of during a dance. It wasnât about him showing off - despite how he introduced his dance skills -, it was about elevating your dance experience to something you had never had before.
âIâve told you I got better,â he stated matter-of-factly after swirling you around, and when he closed the distance next, you found yourself mumbling something along the lines of:
âYes, I can tell.â
âExcuse me, I couldnât catch that. Could you say that again?â Prince Donghyun teased you, flashing an all too boyish grin, and you rolled your eyes, not believing his antics. Fine, two can play this game, you thought, before you leaned closer and tiptoed on your heels, so that you could be at eye-level with him.
âYou can really dance like a man now, Prince Donghyun,â you whispered into his ears, and when you leaned back, you could see a pinkish hue colouring not only his cheeks but also his ears. You got him flustered, and you called that a win.
The song the musicians were playing came to an end, so you let go of his shoulders, and sank back to your heels. The boy was so dazed that he didnât let go of you for a few more seconds, only when you thanked him for the dance and wished him a happy birthday. You knew that other girls would be lining up to dance with him or other royalty to have a word with him since it was his birthday celebration, so you let him enjoy his day, and got lost in the crowd of royalty.
You ended up having a talk with a princess from the Earth Kingdom, then two of Prince Donghyunâs cousins - Prince Jaehyun and Prince Woonhak - who chirped your ears off about how excited they were to meet you, and shared embarrassing stories about their cousin without flinching an eye. You were sure that it was a way to show you that Prince Donghyun was more than meets the eye, but you got the most surprised when they claimed that the prince had been harbouring feelings for you ever since that dance all those years ago, and he had not stopped talking about wanting to meet you again.
âWhy would he do that? I reprimanded him for dancing so poorly,â you pointed out matter-of-factly, but that just fuelled the boysâ chattering even more.
âOh yes, he did say something about loving the fact that you dared to put him in his place.â
âAnd that you werenât afraid to speak your mind since most royalty wouldnât do so,â Woonhak added to Jaehyunâs answer, and their words just made you wonder even more how much say Prince Donghyun had in this wedding proposal. It should have definitely gone through his father, which made you question why he had even agreed to it if you could not appease him at all, but was the choice ultimately the princeâs? Or did he have as much say in it as you did?
You were about to ask the cousins about this matter when the King announced that it was time to slice the five-tier cake, but he wanted to say a few words before. The princes beside you got all too pumped up at the mention of dessert, and excused themselves to get closer to the cake, so they could be one of the first ones to have their share.
âI would like to start by saying that we are very grateful to have all of you here to celebrate the birthday of our younger son,â the King started with his best neutral smile as he gave Prince Donghyun a side-eye who tried hard to appear more gentle than his father. You could feel from the moment you were here that their relationship was quite strained, but what his father said next just went beyond anything you could expect.
âBut we have more to celebrate today, and I would like to hereby announce that our first-born, Prince Donghee, is going to marry Princess Dayoung from the Air Kingdom. Our son has just returned from finishing up on the marriage talks, and the wedding will take place in two monthsâ time.â
The claps came on quietly at first, then they appeared thunderous in the vast dining room, echoing back from the walls in a mocking tone while Prince Donghyun tried his best not to seem affected. You could tell that his small smile that didnât reach his ears was anything but joyful, and he clapped like he was a mere shadow of himself. His father didnât seem to take note of it as he asked Prince Donghee - the older brother you had seen by his side when they had started the celebration - to step forward and say a few words as well. It was all too perfect, all too practised, you felt sick to your stomach as you watched the scene unfold in front of your eyes.
âMarriage talks are underway with princesses for our second-born as well, but it looks like we have to put them on hold to prepare for the wedding day,â the King concluded after Prince Donghee was finished with his own speech, the room filled with roaring cheers once more.
You should have felt relieved that your possible marriage with Prince Donghyun was put on hold, and you should have felt a bit enraged that there were other princesses in question since they had not told you that you had competition. It shouldnât have mattered, really, but you didnât like the way the King was playing this game, and you felt anything but triumphant over the news. The prince seemed gutted, to say the least, and the way his eyes were searching for yours told you that he hoped that you wouldnât take his fatherâs words the wrong way.
No wonder you didnât feel like having a slice from the cake when they finished their speeches, and when you saw Prince Donghyun quietly walking away from the crowd, you decided to go after him. You met your brother in the meantime, and told him that you would be back. You didnât know where you were going, and for a moment, you thought that you lost sight of Prince Donghyun, only to find him leaving through the garden, heading towards the lighthouse.
You tried to catch up to him, but he was a few metres ahead, and didnât seem to notice you following him. However, when you stepped onto the dock, and realised yet again that there were no railings in sight, you came to a halt.
âPrince Donghyun!â You shouted after him, trying to gain his attention. He immediately turned around, his eyes widening in surprise when he caught sight of you standing still at the very end of the wharf.
âPrincess, what are you doing here?â He inquired, his tone neutral, as he stood there, standing still a few metres ahead of you. You felt like there was a distance between you two both physically and metaphorically, and to hell to all of your plans of changing his mind, you would feel awful if you didnât check on him after how he had checked on you last time following the Kingâs derogatory remarks.
âI wanted to see if youâre okay,â you blurted out, surprising yourself with how confident you sounded, but how couldnât you? The prince in front of you never looked more vulnerable, more humane and more in need of a heart-to-heart talk - a mere 20-year-old boy who was hurt, and everyone decided to turn a blind eye to him and his feelings. The way his eyes were full of sorrowful stars instead of the joyful ones you usually saw swimming in them, and the way his lips quivered, full of emotion, but they looked as if they had never learned how to curl into a smile clenched your heart, not just a little.
âIâm not sure this is the right time to talk,â he dismissed your confession, the look on his face betraying his own words, because he looked like he wanted to talk, he just didnât want to admit it out loud. He was ready to walk away from you when you finally broke from your frozen state, and took a step closer to him.
Your heart was in your throat as you took one step after another, focusing on the princeâs frame instead of the obvious lack of railings by the sides. You pursed your lips in concentration, remembering all those etiquette classes when you had learned how to walk in a straight line. Yet now, your steps were wobbly, your high heels clicking on the wood underneath your feet, and your long skirt didnât help either.
However, when Prince Donghyun heard that you were indeed walking after him, he turned around, and started walking towards you. It crossed your mind for a moment that maybe he would walk by you, so that you wouldnât come after him, and when he halted beside you, you held in your breath nervously, more nervous than you had ever been around him before.
âWhy did you start walking after me? Itâs dangerous,â he pointed at your dress, but there was no malice in his voice. Instead, he sounded as gentle as if he had been talking to a child. For a moment, you couldnât find your voice, and when you did, you were all just a jumble of words. Gosh, this boyâŠ
âI am⊠I just⊠I thoughtâŠâ You started, inwardly cursing yourself for ever putting yourself in this situation. You hated nothing more than embarrassing yourself, and he knew that, he knew that all too well.
âIâve never thought I would make you speechless,â he mused out loud, the side of his lips curling upwards, and you felt the need to punch him in his chest for teasing you like that. You were ready to do just that, raising your left hand, but he reached out for it instead, and laced his arm with yours, as casually as if it had been the hundredth time he did that.
Now you were actually speechless, blinking up at the boy whose side profile was enough to tell you that he was feeling rather shy himself, both his cheeks and ears were turning red after his gesture. He guided you towards the other end though, holding your arm safe and steady, as you were walking side by side towards the lighthouse.
May it be because you were more awestruck by Prince Donghyunâs gesture than your own fear of the open water around you, but you were at the other end before you knew it, and you didnât even think about falling into the water, not even once. Or may it be because he was holding you like he wanted to protect you from all the bad in the world, but there was gentleness in his grip, something that didnât go unnoticed by you (and that traitor heart of yours).
âIâm sorry about what my father said. Itâs true that he has been in talks with other kingdoms regarding marriage proposals, but I havenât been in talks with anyone other than you. Iâve wanted to tell you sooner, I just-â
âI know, I could tell,â you cut the prince off before he could feel even more guilty about something that wasnât in his control.
âReally?â
âYes,â you nodded seeing his bewildered expression. Well, you couldnât blame him since you definitely looked like you wanted to find anything you could criticise about him or his kingdom the day before, but this - standing beside the lighthouse with his arm around yours, watching the setting sun on the horizon - was different. âAnd I know we donât always have a say in what we want when it comes to the matters of our own kingdom. Plus, marriage is a serious topic, and itâs understandable that your father looked at other options, too,â you added matter-of-factly, but you could feel a little bit of a lump in your throat.
Prince Donghyun didnât say anything for some time, so you hoped that you didnât cross any boundaries. You could feel him tense a bit beside you, and since you didnât know why, you let go of his arm, so he could have his own space if he wanted. He looked at your retrieving arm for a few seconds before he spoke up again.
âIâm not sure how to word this, but I feel like my father⊠he doesnât love me the way he loves my brother,â he confessed, raw and vulnerable. He was staring far ahead, but you could tell from the way he was clenching his jaw that even this was hard for him without looking at you. âI donât know why because Iâve tried everything my brother can do, and still⊠I always get that Iâm only good for my looks, and I should marry someone who could bring more to our kingdom.â
You felt your heart drop at his confession because it resonated with you so much, especially the last sentence. Even though you werenât pitted against each other with Sungho, you were also told by distant relatives and royalty from other kingdoms that you were so beautiful, but nothing else, and that you should marry someone who could make you someone. As if you werenât already someone just by being born into your family. You werenât perfect, but you tried to learn how not to let it get to you since as a princess, you had to deal with such comments all the time.
On the other hand, you would have never thought that Prince Donghyun might be going through the same thing because everyone had been gushing about him, and not just about his looks. Yet, you could never know what goes on in a palace unless you live there yourself, so you would never have the heart to question his words. You could tell that he was telling the truth.
âI know it might sound naive given that we are royalty, but the only person you should be good enough for is yourself. Trust me, you will feel a lot lighter if you know that you live your life for yourself, not somebody else,â you shared honestly, looking at him, and thatâs the moment he turned his head to look at you, too.
When your eyes met, you thought that he would ask you about your experience, and you would have told him. Something in you shifted since last night, and you werenât trying to undermine his efforts and see him in a bad light anymore. In fact, what all that bravado showed you was that he still accepted you, and he was willing to put up with your behaviour no matter what.
However, instead of asking about your side - though you had a feeling he understood you even without saying it out loud -, he said the next few words that truly put everything in a whole new light:
âBut I want to be good enough for you, too.â
Sunset reflecting in his eyes, painting his locks in shades of chestnut-brown and statice-purple, his tall frame towering over you as if he wanted to shelter you from the outside world, your heart skipped a few beats before it picked up its pace, and started thumping against your ribcage, electrifying your whole body from head to toe. Your throat was dry, your words non-existent, and you unknowingly took a few steps backwards, as if to detach yourself from this perfect moment⊠only to step on the insides of your two-layered skirt, and fall - very far from elegant - into the cold water.
Your body was in survival mode immediately, your arms flailing around wildly as you tried to keep yourself up in the water. Your lungs were on fire, and despite the fact that you tried to pacify your breathing, telling yourself that you would be okay, your brain didnât listen to you, and made up worse and worse scenarios of you drowning there. Even when firm arms took hold of you, all you could think about was that there was no air, no air, no air⊠drowning, drowning, drowningâŠ
It could have been mere seconds, you couldnât tell, before you got to the shore, and Prince Donghyun helped you push yourself upwards, so you could cough up the water. It felt so violent, your lungs and your throat seemed to battle each other while your eyes were on fire due to the salty water, and your whole body was shivering in your cold, damp clothes. In the meantime, you could subtly feel his gentle pats on your back that turned to circles when your coughs easened up, and your breathing wasnât stridulous anymore.
âItâs okay. Youâre safe now. Itâs okay. Iâm here,â Prince Donghyun said as a mantra while you were trying to pull yourself together. Yet, the moment you felt your shock fading away, you found yourself tearing up, your body starting to shake with the sobs.
Prince Donghyun looked alarmed for a moment, not knowing what to do with you, but you didnât let him decide. You threw your arms around his equally wet body, and sobbed into the crook of his neck.
âThank you⊠for saving me,â you mumbled between ragged breaths, and an intense wave of sobbing came over you when you said the words out loud. You could have died, you could have died just a few minutes ago, and he had jumped in to save you. He could have teased you that the water wasnât that deep or he could have forgotten that you had told him that you couldnât swim, and let you drown there, but he had jumped in without hesitation, and pulled you to shore so swiftly, you wondered if he had used some kind of magic just now. For you.
Prince Donghyun didnât say a word, he let you cry as much as you wanted, while he was holding you safe and sound, while you were holding onto him.
A whirlwind of events followed your unfortunate fall. As soon as you entered the palace, the prince called for servants to help you undress, bathe and help you get warm, and he also notified someone to send a royal medic over to your suite after everything else was taken care of. You were trying to say that he himself should do the same, but he looked more worried about you than his own wet clothes and dripping locks, and you didnât find the right words to say, still a bit under the influence of the past events.
You followed what the servants asked you to, and you liked that you were being told what to do for a change because it helped you to focus on something else other than the near-death experience. Whenever your mind was trying to replay the scene from when you had been in the water, you pulled yourself back to reality, holding onto the bathtub or the side of your fresh gown a bit more tightly, so as to keep you grounded. It was difficult at first, but the more you practised it, the easier it became, and when the servants tucked you into bed, you felt like you were close to being okay again. The medic also stated that you didnât have a fever, there was no sign of a creeping illness, your heart probably beat faster than usual due to the shock, and prescribed some calming herbal tea.
Sungho visited you as soon as he was allowed to, and of course, he came with all those âI should have been there for youâ monologues, the ones you quickly dismissed because you could take care of yourself, you didnât need his supervision all the time, but mostly because it was your fault that you fell (and your dressâ), no one else could be blamed for it. You also asked him not to blame Prince Donghyun, but he seemed more offended by the fact that you dared to assume that he would hold the prince accountable than by the way you were so quick to take the princeâs side.
âHow could I blame him? He saved you, after all,â he declared simply, and let out a long sigh after his words. It was rare that you saw him so concerned, you usually didnât give him any reason to worry about you, so it warmed your heart yet again just how much he cared under that otherwise teasing brother surface.
âIâm sorry for making you worried.â
âIf youâre really sorry, you should get better soon, and listen to the medic,â he reprimanded you as if you had been a child, and maybe he thought the same because he let out a deep laughter afterwards. âHuh, I sound like a real big brother, donât I?â
âYou do, and it kind of scares me a bit. When did you grow up?â You mused out loud playfully, and the effect was immediate. The boyâs furrowed eyebrows smoothed out, and his features easened, softened, his shoulders sagging at ease. He crouched down to toss an unruly lock to the side that was falling into your eyes, and patted your head.
âI remember I did the same when you fell into that pond on our trip to the meadows,â he reminiscenced with a soft smile, and you didnât need to be told twice what he meant by it. You remembered that day as if it had been yesterday. You had been 12 at the time, and your family had already known that you didnât know how to swim, so it had been Sungho who had jumped after you. He was already an excellent swimmer, but that didnât mean he hadnât been shaken by that experience. You remembered how he had stayed by your bedside for the whole night afterwards, afraid that nightmares would haunt you.
âWill you stay by my side for the night this time, too?â You elevated an eyebrow challengingly, and he let out a bewildered huff in relief.
âDo you think I donât know that you wouldnât let me?â
âFair point,â you agreed wholeheartedly, but let him pat your head a few more times before there was a knock on the door. You both turned towards the visitor when he opened the door, and when it turned out to be Prince Donghyun, Sungho gave you a knowing look before telling the boy that he should come in, he was about to leave anyway. It didnât slip your attention that on his way out, he squeezed the younger princeâs shoulder in an affectionate manner, and even though you didnât see it from that angle, you had a feeling that he said thank you to the prince, and thatâs why he seemed so coy all of a sudden.
His hair was extremely fluffy (now that it was freshly washed like yours), the locks curling elegantly around his ears and neck like soft little tendrils, his doe eyes shining in the dim lights of the room, all bright and fond. He was wearing more casual attire than at the party, so you deemed that him jumping into the water after you meant that he had no desire to go back to his birthday celebration that was soon coming to its end either way.
You felt awfully exposed with your hair still wet at the ends, lack of concealing touches and make-up on your face, and being tucked into bed in a nightgown was not at all how you wanted Prince Donghyun to see you, but he didnât seem fazed by your appearance. Nor did he make a comment on it when you beckoned him closer, and he could see for himself that you were fine.
You wouldnât admit it for the world, but it warmed your heart how worried he was, and when it was the fifth time you had to reassure him that you were fine, you had a feeling that it was more out of guilt than anything else, hence, you felt the need to emphasise:
âIt wasnât your fault that I fell into the water, so donât be sorry. Whatâs more, you saved my life, so I couldnât be more thankful for you,â you admitted genuinely, and the blush that crept onto his cheeks was adorable. You had to bite down on your tongue to hold yourself back from smiling at his shy state.
âStill, Iâm sorry that you had to experience it.â
âIt wasnât the first time, actually,â you justified, and continued telling him about that time at the pond Sungho had just talked about, and one time when one of the royal teachers had tried to teach you how to swim, but you had nearly drowned. It hadnât been a super important requirement for a princess to learn how to swim, but since you travelled by ships to both the Air Kingdom and the Earth Kingdom, it was a weakness that possible enemies could take advantage of if things went south. So they had tried to teach you, but to no avail. Your panic always kicked in as soon as water surrounded you.
The prince stayed quiet, and you couldnât tell whether it was because he didnât know if he was allowed to ask questions, or he didnât have any. On the other hand, you had questions, so you inquired if he knew how to create bubbles underwater, and his eyes immediately lit up when he started talking about his power. He did know how to create bubbles both outside of water and underwater, so he could breathe in there without oxygen, and he shared that sometimes he used these bubbles to watch the fish and crabs underwater because he had always been fascinated by them.
His whole demeanour changed when he was talking about the sea and the creatures living there, sharing both stories of his childhood days when he had been collecting shells alongside the shore, and interesting facts about sea life that he read books on. At one point, he was so into talking about his favourite type of fish that he didnât even notice a servant coming into your room and placing some food and another mug of tea on your bedside table. He only realised that the lady was in the room when she pushed a chair beside your bed, so he could sit down on it while talking. Then, he giggled, a heartwarming mixture of excited and embarrassed, and thanked her for the gesture.
âMay I?â He asked before he would have sat down on the chair, and you nodded immediately. Itâs not like you werenât the visitor here, but you appreciated the gesture.
The prince was definitely interrupted because now he didnât know where to continue or where to start, and he just looked around, his eyes darting between different parts of the room until they settled on the steaming bowl of food and the mug of tea on your bedside table.
âOh, you should have it while itâs still hot,â he suggested as he pointed at the steaming bowl. âSince there was mostly heavy food for the celebration, Iâve asked a chef to prepare something more nutritious to prevent you from coming down with something,â he explained as he averted his eyes from the food to you.
You blinked rapidly at him, your suspicion kicking in, but then you remembered what he had said just a few hours before:
âBut I want to be good enough for you, too.â
And it all made sense now. Not just his kind actions, going above and beyond to make sure that your stay at the palace was comfortable from offering to help with anything to checking up on you the first night you had that awful dinner with his parents, but also the way he was different to you than with other girls. Even if you wanted to deny it, you could see that the prince didnât dance with anyone else at his birthday party other than you, and Prince Woonhak and Prince Jaehyun also said that he had been harbouring feelings for you, and now it made sense. He had even learned how to dance properly because of you, and he had created a water bubble, so you could cross the wharf with you.
âWhatâs wrong?â Prince Donghyunâs concerned voice brought you back to the here and now, and you just shook your head with a smile. You werenât sure that you could ever look at him the same way after knowing that he liked you.
âNothing. Iâm just thankful,â you admitted, and reached for the bowl of steaming soup. You could feel the boyâs eyes on you when you took the first spoonful of the soup, but it was delightful, and when the prince asked about it, you said so. He seemed very happy to know that you enjoyed it, and went over what was in the soup, or at least, what he remembered the chef telling him.
âSoâŠâ You cleared your throat after the first few bites, feeling silly for wanting to bring up the topic, but also feeling silly for not wanting to bring it up. In the end, you thought better of it, and just blurted it out. âDid you have a say in the wedding proposal you sent me?â
âYours was the only one I had a say in. My father sent out two inquiry letters to other kingdoms, and he was the one who chose the possible brides in those cases,â he answered immediately, and you saw heat returning to his cheeks when it dawned on him that he basically confessed that he was the one who had chosen you.
âOh,â you found yourself saying, but the boyâs expression was quizzical upon your reaction.
âOh? Oh as in âoh, Iâm so disappointedâ, or oh as in âoh, I didnât expect thatâ or⊠âoh, Iâm so happy to hear thatâ?â He listed out the options, and furrowed his eyebrows, totally clueless. It was a cute look on him, you had to admit, especially in comparison to his usual confidence demeanour.
âOh as in âoh, I didnât expect thatâ, but it makes me feel kind of⊠good?â
The moment the last word rolled off your tongue, you knew that you were done for. Yet, the boyâs smug smile just confirmed that he wouldnât let you live down afterwards, so you braced yourself for his teasing. Instead, his proud smile softened, his big doe eyes turning to little crescents as he watched you eat, and didnât say a word. You found yourself smiling back at him, letting the silence embrace you, and it was so crazy that a day before, you would have done everything to change his mind about you, and now, you just admitted that you were glad that he was the one who had chosen you. Now, you had a better idea why he would have done so, and it made you feel fizzy and warm and a bit enchanted.
You were the only guests who stayed for two nights, but it was the Water Kingdomâs request, so nobody could blame you for it. However, staying for the night after having a heart-to-heart conversation with Prince Donghyun in your room felt odd, as if it was an invitation for something more even though you were perfectly aware of the fact that the King of the Water Kingdom would most probably do anything in his power to choose someone over you when it came to his second-born sonâs marriage. The fact that the prince had been the one to choose you as a potential bride - and you had been the only one he had a say in - made you feel somewhat special, but it also made you feel slightly competitive.
It was laughable, really. You had come here to destroy Prince Donghyunâs plans to marry you, and now, you wanted to destroy his fatherâs plans to outrule you. You werenât a petty loser, you knew how to lose, but still⊠with the way the prince cared for you and went above and beyond to assist you and keep you company during these days made you feel almost compelled to make a better impression on his parents. Not to mention the fact that he had also saved you from drowning.
However, nothing was certain for now, especially not with Prince Dongheeâs upcoming marriage that would take the spotlight either way, so you didnât want to pry about the matter on the day of your departure. On the other hand, you managed to bump into Prince Woonhak and Prince Jaehyun - also having stayed for the night after they had eaten through the whole menu for the celebration - when you left your suite, and they insisted that they wanted you to come back again.
âThat isnât my choice to make, Iâm afraid,â you broke it down to them with a friendly smile, and Prince Woonhak pouted as if he would never ever see you again. You had seemed to make a good impression on them, and it warmed your heart since you had only had one conversation. Though that was a very important conversation given that they had spilled the beans on Prince Donghyun having a crush on you for years.
âYou should invite us to your birthday celebration then. When is it?â Prince Jaehyun suggested with a wide grin, and when you let them know about the date and that you would keep his words in mind before organising it, he looked like an overzealous kid, all smiles and bright eyes. Gosh, they were so cute, it made you miss your ever-so-bright little sister even more.
âWeâre rooting for you two, you know,â Woonhak beamed, not letting silence fall over the three of you, his unruly locks falling into his eyes.
âFor who?â
âYou and Donghyun. Itâs obvious that you like him, too,â he continued with a smug grin, and you were about to open your mouth to decline him, but you were unable to form words. That just seemed to confirm everything in their eyes because their smirks grew even wider, their eyes even brighter.
Thankfully, you were interrupted by a servant who notified you that your carriage was ready, so after a few bubbly words and wishes from the two boys, you were guided outside. Sungho was already there, talking to the Queen of the Water Kingdom by the carriage while you caught sight of both Prince Donghee and Prince Donghyun bidding farewell to other guests. When you halted beside your brother, the Queen inquired if you had a good nightâs sleep, and apologised for the inconvenience the day before. You reassured her that you werenât inconvenienced, you were rather grateful for Prince Donghyunâs assistance, and she smiled a genuine smile, one that made your erratic thoughts calm down a little bit. The King might have been hostile towards you, but the Queen had never been openly critical of you, so you hoped that it could stay that way.
âExcuse me, I have to bid farewell to the other guests,â the woman announced after having a few words with you and Sungho, then, she reached out to squeeze your hands. The gesture took you by surprise, but only in a positive way. âPlease, make sure to visit us again. Donghyun might not say it out loud, but I could see how happy your presence made him,â she shared with a secretive smile, and despite your bewilderment, you reciprocated it, squeezing her hands once before she let go.
âWith pleasure, Your Majesty,â you bowed respectfully as both an answer and both a farewell. You watched her leave before turning back to your brother who had that amused half-smile playing on his lips that told you that he really wanted to call you out on something, but he tried to hold it in. Sighing, you raised an eyebrow in question.
âWhat is it?â
âItâs nothing, really. Iâm just amused by the fact that you came here, set on not wanting to come here ever again in your whole entire life, and now, you just got invited again,â he blabbered as if his words werenât teasing at all, but you didnât want to admit anything, so you merely pointed out, trying to keep your voice as confident as possible:
âShe meant âusâ, not just me.â
âYeah, sure, whatever. Your Water Prince is likely walking towards us because he also wants to meet me again,â Sungho gestured towards Prince Donghyun who was indeed coming up to you, elegance radiating off him while he was taking one step after another. It was unfair how vividly he stood out, and how perfectly the morning sunlight bathed him in its glory, drawing a halo around his chestnut-brown hair. It was also unfair how much your heartbeat picked up its speed when he halted beside your brother, and how much you had to try to sniffle a smile when your eyes landed on his ethereal features.
âI truly hope you enjoyed your stay with us,â he started politely, probably as a matter of courtesy, and he was about to continue when Sungho spoke up.
âOh, I certainly enjoyed my stay,â he said as he gave you a not at all subtle side glance, and you felt the need to roll your eyes at his antics. Gosh, did he have to call you out like that?
âThank you again for the invitation, Prince Donghyun,â you spoke up as if nothing happened, and the boy beamed, a smile blooming on his lips at your words. Unbeknownst to you, your lips also curled upwards. Staring at him felt both so wrong and so right at the same time, and seconds passed by with the cacophony of the surrounding noises fading into the background.
At least, until your brother decided to clear his throat and announce that he would let you two proceed while he would check on the insides of the carriage. A lame excuse, you could tell, but you appreciated his gesture because while you wouldnât do anything inappropriate with the prince that he should not be a witness of, you felt like you could say a proper goodbye to the prince if it was just the two of you.
âI hope you also enjoyed your stay despite my fatherâs words on the first day,â Prince Donghyun mused out loud, his eyes searching for yours, something akin to concern flashing across them. You bobbed your head, reassuring him that you were doing better than on that first day.
âIâm glad to hear that,â he noted, letting a small smile invade his lips as he looked down at his intertwined fingers for a few seconds. You had never really mastered the art of saying goodbye to someone, let alone someone like him⊠someone who made you feel so many things in such a short span of time.
Maybe he was the same for the silence stretched a bit too long, but before you could get discouraged again, you spoke up.
âThank you for everything. My stay was more enjoyable⊠thanks to you,â you blurted out, your voice cracking a bit by the end. The prince looked up right in that moment, and his cheeks flushed, tinting his pale skin in the shade of cherry blossom-pink. You could also feel your cheeks heating up, and it was so unlike you that you felt like running away and throwing yourself into the carriage right away.
âThank you so much for coming, and if itâs up to me, it wonât be the last time we see each other. If you let me, of courseâŠâ
The prince let his words trail off by the end, curious and contemplative, while his eyes never left yours. You felt another rush of heat going through your body at the implication behind his words, but even if you wanted to deny it, even if you didnât, there was only one right answer.
âIâd love to see you again,â you confessed feebly, but in the next moment, you pointed a finger at him warningly to mask up your anxiety. âBut only if you keep practising your dancing.â
Laughter bubbled up the princeâs throat - airy and carefree - before he promised you that he would keep practising, so that he could continue dancing like a man. Then, he flashed one of those boyish grins of his that made princessesâ knees go weak, and now you kind of understood why that was the case.
âSee you again, Prince Donghyun!â
âSee you soon, Princess!â He bid his farewell when the coachman came up to the two of you, letting you know that you could leave whenever you wanted to. You smiled back at the waving prince as you made your way to the carriage, and the coachman helped you inside.
Once you took a seat and looked up at your brother who was sitting in front of you, you warned him:
âNot a word, Sungho.â
âI didnât say anything.â
âThatâs your luck,â you stated playfully before looking out of the window and watching Prince Donghyunâs waving figure getting smaller and smaller until he was out of sight.
A/N: Hope you enjoyed this story of mine! Let me know what you think!
If you want to read more stories of mine, let it be for BOYNEXTDOOR or for other artists, consider signing up for my taglist here.
Hope you have a lovely day/night! Take care! â€ïž
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a ladyâs guide to securing a man with broad shoulders , park sungho
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© astrae4 2024 â please don't copy, translate, or plagiarize my works on all platforms!
This was lowk hard
A bsence of you, grentperez
S pring snow, the boyz
T rue story, ariana grande
R eplay, SHINee
A rmageddon, aespa
E arth, wind, and fire, boynextdoor
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url song game!
thanks for the tag @shyday-ao3 this one looks really fun!
rules: go to your playlist and find a song for each letter of your URL, then tag some friends to do the same
this is when i curse myself for having so many similar letters in my url but here goes!
A: animals (maroon v) G: ghost town (benson boone) I: i ran (so far away) (hidden citizens) R: radioactive (imagine dragons) L: ludens (bring me the horizon) A: achilles come down (gang of youths) N: not afraid anymore (halsey) D: dead man (david kushner) H: hell of a good time (haiden henderson) E: empire now (hozier) R: romeo & juliet (hidden citizens) Q: (this one's really hard, i've got nothing) U: us. (gracie abrams) I: in the woods somewhere (hozier) L: like that (bea miller) L: let's kill tonight (panic! at the disco)
~ ~ ~
tag list time! open tag as always too!
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THROW HIM AWAY! | Han Yujin
IN WHICH yujin wants to cuddle you, but you want to cuddle mr. carrot. A Valentineâs Special
FEATURING Zerobaseoneâs Han Yujin and you, a highschool au
WARNINGS: kissing and sugar sweet nicknames
NOTE: Happy Valentines everyone! Here is for my jebewon readers and Yujin stans. Love you all (muah muah muah đ) and please help me reblog hehe~ itâs my first time writing for zb1 so tell me if you want more works for them in the future!!
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IF THERE WAS ONE THING you treasured more than your stash of shoes, it would be the stuffed bunny doll that Yujin gave you during his confession. A pink, soft plush (you named him Carrot) with a white bow wrapped around its neck. You still remembered the day he gave it to you, after school with trembling hands as he rapped out his confession, eyes looking everywhere but you. You remember accepting it shyly, face feeling hot as it implied that you like him back.
That was three months ago.
Now, it seems that you grew very attached to the doll, not being able to sleep without it. So much so that you brought it with you during your Valentine's sleepover with Yujin.
Yujin had begged asked his mother to let him invite you to his house for a sleepover as his valentines day surprise. You were excited, and thankfully, your parents had let you come. The day was perfect in your eyes. You arrived in the evening and played video games with him and his brother until dinner time. Then, you had dinner with his parents. After, you and Yujin washed the dishes before finally having alone time together.
He had surprised you with strawberries covered in chocolate that he made himself (it tasted questionable đš but you still ate it, silently praying that you wonât end up in the toilet bowl) and gave you a small bouquet of flowers. (it was the last of his money but heâd never admit it)
You kind of almost teared up, thanking him by giving the boy a kiss on his cheek.
After, you played seventeen matches of uno and two matches of scrabble (Yujin rage quitted scrabble which was why you played uno so many times) before it was time to sleep.
âCan I have the right sideââ
âSure, now cuddle me,â he said impatiently, opening his arms.
Unfortunately for him, luck wasnât on his side.
âOkay, butââ you took out Carrot, âCarrot goes in the middle.â
âAre you kidding me.â (the boy was likeđ§đ»đ)
âWhat.â
âWhy are you holding that, weâre about to cuddle.â
âAre you rejecting Carrot right now, Yuyu? Heâs our child.â
âThrow him away!â
âNO đ đš!â
âHe can live without hugging you tonight, itâs supposed to be just you and me..â
âWell, I canât live without him.â
Yujin dead stared at you, before pulling the covers over his head and back-facing you. Oh..he was sulking alright. You looked at him, then at Carrot, and sighed.
âBut I guess I canât live without you most..so Carrot can sleep alone tonight..â
You could literally hear the gear in his head run as he peaked his head out of the blanket, giving you his boba eyes.
âReally?â He asked.
You set Carrot aside, going under the blanket and sandwiching him in a hug immediately, âyeah.â
He let out a noise of complaint, but you knew that he was enjoying it most since he didnât retaliate and hugged you back, burying his face in your head. (Thank goodness you used your peach shampoo today)
A bit of silence passed as you basked in his warmth before you broke it, face looking up at him.
âYujin.â
He let out a hm? as a reply.
âHappy valentines, love you.â
He looked at you with lovesick eyes before giving the fastest smooch (peck) in the lips. You were shocked, and he was đŒ because he was very proud of doing that.
The boy let out a giggle đ„ (how dare he after he gave you a bomb) and went back to his previous position.
âLove you too~ goodnight and sweet dreams my honey bunny sugar plump pie.â
âWhy do you have to ruin the moment.â
âLol.â
âGoodnight too I guess..â
It was safe to say that you couldnât sleep well that night; somewhat because Yujin forgot to tape his mouth so he snored so loud and drooled on your head, mostly because of his previous words and actions. (Youâd never tell him that it was because of his previous behavior though, his headâs already big enoughâŠ)
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© astrae4 2024 | please donât copy, translate, or plagiarize my works on all platforms! â inbox open for conversations and requests.