#jandy week

[icedmatchatae]

Glimpse of Us | KTH Chapter VI: Why I Love You

Pairing: Problematic Idol Taehyung x Grad Student Reader

Genre: Idol AU, Ex-Childhood Best Friends into—, Angst (Hello, welcome to my angst central), Fluff (mainly in the flashbacks), Slow Burn, Eventual Smut

Summary: BTS’s V has been living a lavished and successful lifestyle, but underneath all of that, Kim Taehyung is far from the perfect image the media and fans made him out to be. All he wants is to relive the feelings of happiness and purpose in his life, but how can he when he left behind those memories years ago? The same memories, he hopes to see a glimpse of.

Warning: Flashback fluffs, kdrama references, talks of plants, idk teenage Tae hit for me in this, but adult Tae rn ????, some swearing here and there, the plot thickens and PAIN

Word Count: 13.8k

Chapter VI: Why I Love You || Series Masterlist

“You practically live in my room with all the clothes you leave here.” Taehyung entered his bedroom carrying an extra pillow and blanket. He saw you in your daisy pajama set you received on your birthday from his parents. You sat on his full-sized bed on the right side while having his laptop on your lap. “And be careful with that! It cost a whole fortune.”

“Same goes for you. Half of my drawers are your clothes.” You muttered as you typed something on his screen. “I am also careful. I’m just trying to find a movie that we could watch.”

Ever since Taehyung got gifted a laptop for Christmas, it was practically yours as well considering how much time you’ve spent on it. He didn’t mind though, he loved sharing with you, and oftentimes, you needed it for school.

He opened up the blanket before wrapping it around you, then putting the cushion behind your back although you wouldn’t really need it since you always ended up cuddling to his side. “You wanna watch Spirited Away? Or maybe Princess Mononoke?” You asked when he sat beside you on the left and wrapped his arm around your waist.

Pecking your temple, he rested his chin on your shoulder. He tilted his head to the side as he stared in awe at you. But it went unnoticed as you scrolled through the illegal website you found weeks back. “What do you wanna watch, Blue? I’ll watch anything.”

A spark of mischief appeared in your lively irises. “Really?” You said before changing the entire website in light speed before your actual want popped up.

“Really, Boys over Flowers again? This is like the fourth time you’ve watched the entire series when it came out!” Taehyung whined. He only did so because when you’ve watched it four times, he too watched it four times. All the time. He pulled you back to the bed frame while you brought the computer with you. “Why do you love this so much?” Despite all the complaining and nagging, he obliged hopelessly to the viewing of tonight’s entertainment. 

“I read the manga.” You shrugged. “I love the main guy too.” Your heart fluttered envisioning you and Gu Junpyo together.

Taehyung rolled his eyes and suppressed the pinch of jealousy running through his veins. “He’s such a dick to her though. Don’t fall for guys like that.”

“Nuh-uh! He actually cares for her, he just doesn’t know how to express them well…” You defended your celebrity crush as you played an episode. You placed the laptop in between your bodies before snuggling into Taehyung with your leg over him.

“Whatever, if you really do fall in love with some asshole, I will beat him up.” Taehyung scoffed to which you giggled. He hooked under your leg, bringing it closer and in a comfier position. “I never want you to be treated like Jandi. He tormented her!”

“So what guy should I fall for?” You asked nonchalantly. You reached for his hand to intertwine them with yours, laying it on his chest.

“Someone who will give you unconditional love and won’t intentionally hurt you, Blue.” He murmured into your supple hair. While you carelessly played with his hand, he fluttered his kisses into your strands.

The conversation died from there as the both of you watched the episode, but halfway through the show, he heard your soft snoring. The side of your cheek squished up onto his torso. You let go of his hand minutes back so you could wrap an arm over him. You were such a koala, but he loved it. That’s why he grew to love cuddling so much.

Taehyung chuckled at your slumbering form. He closed his laptop and moved it to the bed stand so that you could properly sleep. There he turned the lamp light off, darkness spilled over his room. He shifted you to your side before doing it to himself, separating your bodies.

But you let out a tiny whimper, losing the warmth. Your best friend hushed you as he circled his arms around your waist, pulling you in. The distance between you closed with your fronts touching. You latched a leg in between his and cozied up onto him.

“Night, Hyungie.” You mumbled, air-kissing him when you dozed off again. He laughed quietly at how needy you looked.

He leaned in to peck the tip of your nose, watching you sleep in his arms as always. Though the only light came through the small window, he clearly saw your beautiful resting face. The warmth in you outstretched the vicinity and onto him A true sight for him to see. He never got tired of this view—having you here with him in his arms. Nobody else in the world could break you apart. He wanted to stay like this forever and will make it happen. He was head over heels. He loved you. He loves you.

He truly was in love with you.

-

Taehyung stared exhaustedly at his ceiling. He hadn’t been having intense schedules for a while, yet he was still the same amount of tiredness. But he couldn’t find it in himself to close his eyes and let sleep take over his body. Maybe it was all the thoughts running through his mind, following him from left and right. The gears of his brain worked despite the tranquility of the night and the calmness of the air.

He lay on the right of the bed, craning his neck to the left of him to see his curled-up girlfriend sleeping like a log. She faced her body toward him, staying close as she dreamed away about God knows what. Yet the distance was evident, limbs weren’t sticking together. It felt cold to the touch, but he wasn’t at all fazed. He glanced absently at her snoozing features, holding no impressions.

His eyes shifted back to the unusually fascinating white ceiling as his mind began to think of you. It has been a couple of weeks since Jungkook’s party. The morning after, the guests recovered from the hangover after the headache-infused Jungkook bought everyone piping hot stews. You arrived in the kitchen quietly, back into your previous night’s dress as you went down to the dining room.

You waved shyly before announcing your departure, skipping the free meal. But Jungkook was adamant about letting you take it to go, so you accepted it as you said your goodbyes left. That was the last time Taehyung saw you.

It wasn’t on purpose though, there was an increase in schedules for them, having a few group meetings and conferences to do despite the pause on BTS’s music. In between those times, he had to go to his sessions. He’d text every now and then to check up on you, but you usually replied late since you were busy. But that was okay, you confirmed that you had eaten and slept well.

Tomorrow—well, technically, today—would be his first day off in a while, and messaged you a suggestion earlier at night if you wanted to spend it with him. It was a Sunday, so he knew you were off. You haven’t spent time alone together at all since the reunion, so he assumed this was the perfect opportunity. 

He could have asked Clara, but she had family business so he canceled the offer.

You still haven’t responded, so he was getting frantic if you’d ignore him. Though you reassured him that you wanted him in your life again, Taehyung still had this unconscious belief and fear that you would take it back. He knew that you wouldn’t think that way, but it was the evil side of his mind playing with him.

Maybe he should mention you to his therapist, he somehow managed to talk over or change the subject about any updates. Besides sharing light memories with his friends, he kept any thoughts of you to himself like before. It worked in the past, but look where that led him. Now everything about you ate him alive, yet he couldn’t be more grateful for it.

Damn, he really did need help.

Dr. Im wasn’t going to judge him otherwise that was unprofessional. He still thought about it. Perhaps the idol was scared that his doctor disclosed something in him that he wouldn’t want to hear…or afraid to hear in a sense. There were certain pieces of information no one but he knew about and it stayed that way. However, sooner or later, it had to be revealed but Taehyung didn’t know how to do it.

As his angels answered his prayers, his phone lit up on the bedside drawer. Reaching out to it, his eyes adjusted to the blue light then sparkled in joy when he saw replied. It read—

Sure, I don’t mind. You’re in luck that I’m giving myself a break from studying. 

Senselessly and ignoring the fact that it was one in the morning, his thumbs worked their magic to message you saying to get ready by ten. You texted instantly agreeing with no other questions, making the sides of his lips curl in excitement. He locked his phone and placed it back in its original position.

He dozed off satisfied and thrilled for the morning.

-

Taehyung arrived in the kitchen, fully dressed in his casual attire—a brown suit paired with his black shoes with the backing pushed down. He whistled whimsically as he found Clara also dressed for the day in her black business attire.

“You seem cheery today, baby.” She smiled as she went up to kiss his cheek. The idol paid no attention to her affection and lets it be. But she scuffled his hair to which he screeched as a complaint.

“Don’t mess it up!” Taehyung whined, despite making it messy to give the effortless look. Patting his wild strands down, Clara giggled amusingly as she clutched her handbag on the kitchen counter.

“You’re dressed nicely, do you have another schedule?” She wondered before pulling out a small mirror and her lip tint.

He pulled his phone out of his pocket, seeing another text from you that you were on your way. “No, it’s my day off.”

She lavished the wand on her lips, coating it in a soft pink. “Aww, really? If I had known, I would have taken the day off too.”

“It’s fine. Isn’t it important anyway?” He shrugged as he messaged you to be safe, settling it down on the kitchen island.

The socialite sighed in response, “Yeah, it’s a soft launch of our collaboration with another company. My dad wanted you to come, but I told them you had work.”

“Thanks for taking me out then.” He mentioned with a smirk. “Parties like that are boring.”

“Don’t remind me.” She rolled her eyes. “Love my family but I cannot bear to hear another generic speech from them.” She shoved her items back into her purse and observed her boyfriend, who was in a lighter mood today. “So how come you’re dressed up? And shocking in a good mood.”

The idol rolled his eyes as he eyed her back. “Is it shocking that I’m like this?”

“Yes, because you’re usually sour.”

Taehyung grimaced at her reply, a tad offended. He didn’t want to ruin his attitude because of her. “I’m going out with ___. Haven’t been able to see her since the party.” There was a pinch in Clara’s face when he announced his day. She peered at her boyfriend with narrowed eyes, almost like slits. Taehyung challenged her stare with a rather mundane and relaxed look. He cocked an eyebrow, muttering the word, “What?”

“Just you and her? Is Seojoon Oppa or Wooshik Oppa coming?” She inquired, hands resting on her hips.

“Just us two, like old times.” Taehyung simply answered. “We haven’t hung out in a while.”

“Yes, you have.”

“Besides the party and going to her work isn’t hanging out.” He countered as he grabbed his keys.

“You’re really making an effort to spend time with her.” The socialite pointed out as she went towards the fridge to obtain a water bottle.

“Well, everyone knows, including you, that we had a falling out, so we wanted to catch up.”

“Are you free tonight? Maybe we can have dinner together.” Clara offered. “We’ll even purchase extra sides of japchae for you.”

“I guess so?” The idol was iffy on it. “Depends how long I’ll be out with ___.”

“Wha-where are you even going with her anyway?”

His phone vibrated, with your contact name popping up. You were here and quickly pocketed his phone. “Not sure, but she’s still new to the city. I might take her to the park or a village, she loves gardens too so we’ll see. Maybe even to a cat cafe, she loves animals.”

Taehyung blabbered on, listing some suggestions, while Clara stood there listening to activities she used to ask him to do. “Whatever, you both don’t do, let’s go together.” She insisted with a gentle smile.

The idol blinked at her, forcing the curves of his mouth to go up before nodding. “We can.” Clara couldn’t tell as she clapped enthusiastically, but it was an empty promise. “She’s here, so I’m heading out.” He began walking away.

“Oh, I’ll follow you out. I have to go soon too.” The socialite trailed beside him. “Tannie was also picked up by Hyungsik for a dog date.”

Once the front door opened, a gust of wind splashed the couple’s faces. The early signs of the fall season were showing with the cooling breeze, partly cloudy and sunny skies, and change in color of the once green summer, creating the perfect weather. You waited by the walkway of the porch. You sported a buttoned-down light mocha v-neck dress over a rustic cardigan. You paired on the same pair of heels from the party. Hair was straightened this time with little to no makeup on, maybe curled your lashes and tinted your lips but that was about it.

Taehyung smiled at your presence as he jogged down to your stature. You waved at him before noticing Clara too, so you greeted her as well. “Hi Clara, are you coming too?”

The socialite puts on a smile and shook her head, “No, I have some family business to do.”She noticed the similarities to your wardrobe, but you both didn’t bother to notice. “But I hope you both have fun, okay? Tae, text me anything fun.“

Taehyung looked distracted, not even hearing what his girlfriend said. You nudged him and motioned towards Clara that she spoke to him. He turned back to see her and brainlessly nodded, “Have fun at work!” He grabbed your wrist as he unlocked the car. He basically dragged you into the vehicle as he didn’t want any more interactions happening between you and her.

Clara watched his car take off with you waving back and Taehyung ignoring her entire presence. As the vehicle grew smaller and finally out of sight, the socialite grimaced. Clenching her jaw, she had many thoughts going on and was suspicious of him, especially with you. She doesn’t know if she liked it or not, but one thing was for sure, she reached for her phone and sent a message.

-

“Taehyung, we’ve been driving for over an hour.” Looking through the tinted windows, you watched cars passing by and disrupting your view of the water. This was maybe the third bridge he drove through. But instead of coming out into a city, a small town came into your vision with many small businesses ahead.

“I don’t like being in Seoul as often as you think. There’s a place I know of that you might like. Plus, fewer people recognize me or just leave me alone compared to the city.” You stayed silent and nodded, but he knew you listened carefully. “Hmmm, you don’t like my driving?” He merely questioned as he took a left turn. “I would assume with the excellent music playlist and scenery would have you enjoying the ride.”

“Well, this is the first time I’ve seen you driving, let alone be in a car with just you.” You stated, turning back to see him focus on the road. You noticed how he removed his blazer and rolled up his sleeves. His veins were visibly seen through his honey skin. He only used one hand and held the steering wheel at the very bottom. “I’m not complaining though.”

The idol snuffed, glancing at you quickly before staring forward. “Must be weird then. We would used to walk, take the bus, or the train together.”

“Not weird…just been a while.” Shaking your head, you went back to sightseeing out your passenger window.

Taehyung’s eyes constantly shifted from gawking at you to the highway. Tightening his grip on the wheel, he used his unoccupied hand to listen to an old song that came up into shuffle. At the first beat of the song, your head shot towards the stereo receiver.

You snorted, completely incredulous at the music choice. “Jesus Christ, why do you have this on your playlist?” A smile crept up as the hit of nostalgia washed your face.

His signature boxy grin came up while watching you as he shrugged, “It’s all on shuffle. I’ve never heard it in a while, so I’m surprised as you are.”

“Do you still know the lyrics?”

“Of course, I do. You made me learn it from all the times we’ve heard it.” He scoffed as if the question shouldn’t have been asked in the first place. The traffic light turned red, making the vehicle at a stop.

“Well, let’s put it to the test then!” You challenged before amplifying the volume.

You both then sang the lyrics to the song, “Almost paradise!! A warmer day than the sun, the look in your eyes. It’s like having the whole world!” While at the stoplight, Taehyung finally focused his attention on the passenger’s seat to fully sing to you. “In my life!! Like a light in my weary life, you came to me and gave me love. If only I could keep it forever!”

“You are all of my love!” Taehyung sang or rather shouted.

“You are all of my life!” You continued.

“With my everything, I love you!!!” You sang together right before the light went back to green. While resuming the drive, you fell into a pit of laughter through what was once your favorite drama. You were surprisingly impressed that you remembered it, not seeing the show in ten years. But guess that’s what happens when you watched it eight times.

On the other hand, Taehyung’s body felt lighter after that. A very tiny memory was a core one at that moment, cherishing simpler times. It felt good, felt so right. The only thing he wished for was for the light to stay red a little longer. 

-

“You still love plants, right?” He asked as you both entered the establishment. Eyes sparkled in delight when you scoped the nursery filled with various plants you’ve grown to learn over the years. Ranging from foliage to blooming to only in-season ones. It was getting colder and cloudier in Korea, so there were indoor growing lights built about the jungle of greenery. “Cats too?”

The place he brought you was also part of a cat cafe, so it combined two of your favorite interests into one. Not many individuals were here at the moment as the place opened for the day not too long ago. Scanning below you, you spotted different breeds of cats walking around, playing with scattered toys, napping, and laying down on towers

“Surprise you remembered that.” You mumbled, suppressing the excitement within you when you spotted a black feline strutting up to your form. Without thought, you picked the cat up and it immediately warmed up and trusted you. You cooed at the sight of its eyes slowly closing and melting into your arms.

Taehyung’s eyes shimmered at your interaction once again. He always knew how weak you were for animals. Back in Geochang, you would pet each chicken at his grandmother’s farm and play with other neighbors’ dogs every time you walked home together. You loved them and they loved you back.

“Why would I forget these things about you?” The idol inquired as he followed behind. You were distracted by all the plants and the kitties everywhere. “Plants were your hobby and animals were your interests.”

You turned back to him with an amused grin while he cocked an eyebrow playfully at you. He then stepped forward to reach out a hand toward the black cat. His finger stroked its head, and once he got approval, he ran his hands through the ebony coating.

“You love animals too.” You spoke up as you joined him in caressing the animal in your arms. “We used to be late in elementary school because we played with Banchan along the way.” The familiar mention of the Shiba Inu that used to live in the neighborhood brought many memories between you two. If possible, the same ones replayed in your heads.

On your first day of another school year, while holding hands, you and Taehyung walked a route your grandparents made to ensure safety for a six and seven-year-old. Though you both went to the same elementary school as his younger sister and brother, Taehyung was usually the last one to get out of bed so his siblings never bothered to wait for him and left earlier. But you did, so he’d never be lonely and you loved being with him.

However, it was very dangerous because you two were easily distracted especially regarding your interests. One of them being animals. That’s where Banchan the Shiba Inu came in because you quickly noticed the dog outside, held back by his leash. You ran up to him to give him some love while Taehyung wasn’t too far behind. Once the boy scratched his tummy, Banchan licked his face jubilantly, letting out laughter from the both of you.

Eventually, the owners, who were a sweet fairly young couple, heard your giggles and told you to go to school as it was already late into the schedule but promised that you could play with their dog after school. Though they received pouts and whines, you obliged and left for the school day, then came back once the day was over.

Needless to say, it became an occurring “Banchan morning love” time followed by being late for the past month, getting light scoldings from his parents and your grandparents after getting calls from your school. But the couple was kind enough to both of you by giving every Saturday dedicated to playing with Banchan, in exchange for being punctual. This continued until the couple moved out of Geochang the next year, bidding goodbye to your furry friend.

“He was too fluffy to not pet!” Taehyung still reasoned after all those years passed. His hand dropped to his side when he found an orange feline, cautiously stalking toward him. Watching his every move, the apricot-hued animal eventually slammed its body onto the idol, making him laugh at the aggressive begging to be pet. He carried it into his arms and paced beside you. “You have this Shiba Inu just hanging outside your house. Not expecting little kids to just go and play??”

You chuckled as those words were probably verbatim of our reasonings to his parents. “We still got our way.” Whilst holding the cuddly cat buddy, you roamed around the cafe nursery. The plant selection was gorgeous and difficult to even buy just one. You would buy one, but…now wasn’t a time to be spending willy-nilly.

“Do you still have your plant collection?” Taehyung asked, recollecting the memories of you repotting, watering, and talking to your babies (what you called them).

You sighed as you grazed your thumb over a leaf of a little monstera deliciosa. “No, unfortunately, I donated them away to the children’s center back home before I left. I wasn’t able to bring them all and I knew no one would be caring for them either.”

Taehyung’s mind recaptured memories of you and your grandmother tending toward the little porch garden. He never understood the immense hobby for it, but you enjoyed your plants and with that, he used to help you every now even educating himself. There were instances where he surprised Namjoon with his vast knowledge of certain plants and the caring they needed.

However, knowing that you’ve shared this hobby with your grandmother who passed long ago, it saddened him knowing you weren’t able to continue something you loved anymore, especially when it was with your grandmother. “H-how about your grandfather? He could have taken care of them.”

Something in your eyes peeked through. No spark, no light, it was rather dark, almost solemn but obscure. Taehyung couldn’t fully comprehend what it meant. To the best of his knowledge, the look seemed similar to an occurrence when you were younger but it was hard to tell. He hated not knowing.

Yet he had to remind himself his memories with you weren’t enough to know everything about who you were now and your current situations. How you used to be doesn’t equate to who you are now. But it was hard not to.

“Uh, just too old and such.” You rushed as you paid attention to the section of Devil’s Ivy. “Plus, his focus was on the fruits and vegetables in the land. It would be too much for him to handle on top of that.” You seemed a bit frazzled when you spoke, most likely not wanting to talk anymore about it. So you decided to change the topic, “Are you getting anything?” You moved further into the back of the nursery.

“I’m fine with getting some brunch in the cafe, but did you want anything?” He asked before settling the orange cat down. You did the same to your black one but plastered a kiss on its head before letting it free with its friends. Taehyung took notice of it and a side of his lips curved up.

“Uhh, no. I’m okay.” You shook your head, continuing to stare at the beautiful Peace lily plants. They didn’t have their flowers, but they were beautiful all year round. But Taehyung trailed your line of sight at them and saw a bit of longing and want. “You know Peace lily plants, or as they are scientifically called, Spathiphyllum, are known for their air-purifying abilities, and grow in a bright spot out of direct sunlight. They’re a bringer of peace, especially when they bloom their white flowers.” You rambled on with your in-hand facts as he listened. He never really understood, but somehow absorbed it easily.

Cutting your long speech, he commented, “Weren’t these your first plant?”

Stopping your mouth from moving, you blinked at him dumbstruck at his sharp mind. “How could you ev—I got Penny before I met you!” Yes, you named your Peace lily Penny, an American name but it was so easy to remember. And yes, your Peace lily was also a girl.

“You talked to her every day since we met before we would play. You talked to me about her and how special she was, and how excited you were every time she bloomed flowers.” Taehyung listed it down humorously and you couldn’t help but be stunned that he remembered all of that at the top of his head. “Also how could I forget when you cried when she died and found out they only last three to five years.”

Jesus Christ, you too remembered that day clearly. When you were eight, Penny died on you no matter how much you talked to her and fed water to her and drooping leaves. You wept into your grandmother’s arms and then into Taehyung’s before your grandmother explained that plants like Penny don’t last as long, it was part of their cycle.

Still, you were heartbroken, so to cheer you up, Taehyung gathered his entire household and yours to make a funeral, commemorating Penny, your first plant.

“I didn’t know!” You rolled your eyes, then cringed at the thought of your utter despair for a plant. “Then again, you and I both know death loves to come my way.”

You said it as a joke, but then Taehyung’s pupils dilated even choking on his spit. He tapped on his chest harshly while you rubbed his back as a sign of concern and comfort. Once he settled down into a calmer state, you said, “Guess my dark sense of humor is surprising to you?”

Of course, it was. Death was always a sensitive topic, especially experiencing it at a young age. You whined easily when your parents were mentioned or the words “dead” or “die” came into the conversation. “More so.” Taehyung shrugged worryingly in contrast to your light demeanor.

“It’s easier to cope with it.” You hummed, playing with the Peace lily’s bright green leaves. “Death, life, and especially when the people you love aren’t your life anymore.” You glanced back at his shocked state, observing the sudden pain in his eyes. You didn’t mean to say it like that, but it became a habit that you couldn’t stop yourself to do.

Taehyung said no comment on it, seeing as how casual you looked after you said that. He lets it be and wanted to lighten the mood. He shook himself out of the shock and cleared his throat. “If you want it, I’ll buy it for you.”

“No, I wouldn’t want that.” You scoffed before rolling your eyes.

“But I want to.” He pouted before inspecting the pots of Peace lilies for the perfect one. “Consider it as a gift. I invited you out anyway.”

“Taehyung, no!”

“Why not?!”

“Buying things is too much for me…” You mumbled, now fiddling with your fingers. Hoping he would understand, you also said, “They cost too.”

He hummed in response. “Does it look like I care about the cost? I’m not bragging but I am a world star.” You furrowed your eyebrows at his haughty explanation, it was quite entertaining. He meant well, but the words weren’t supporting him. He too caught on and wanted to mentally punch himself. “No, that’s no—lemme rewind.” You chuckled softly at his tense state as you crossed your arms over yourself. “I have a bit more spending money compared to when we were teens, so I’d like to give you things that you desire and want.”

You squinted at what he said, thinking very wrongly of it. “I’m not saying that it is, but you sounded like a sugar daddy.”

He opened his mouth, but quickly closed it, not knowing how to even respond to that. But he disregarded what you said. “The point is—I want to give things. I don’t mind paying. I love giving gifts. I’m a gift giver, to my friends, and family, and that also includes you, ___.”

Your teeth were in between your lips, still, not all convinced. “I still need to pay you back for the hospital bill.”

“That’s weeks ago and I don’t recall any mentions of you paying me back.” He retorted, completely baffled by your weak reasoning. “I wouldn’t have agreed either, so let that go.”

“Bu—”

“You’ve been eyeing these plants since we came here, I know you want them.” He lifted the perfect pot of Peace lily. The pigment held the summer vibrancy despite the Fall weather coming soon. A ray of leaves fanned out happily and proudly to its blossomed curve. It was still a baby, being held from the bottom of the terracotta pot with a single hand of Taehyung’s. “Even if you say no, I’ll still get them.”

“This one you picked up does have a nice shape to it.” You pointed out, but he knew you were inching to accept his offer.

“You also can start a collection here. I’ll even help you tend to them unless you want me to.”

“You do realize plants and the care are expensive.”

“Then I’ll provide them for you.”

“Okay, that’s too mu—”

“You loved planting, ___, but you had to stop.” He blurted out, zipping up any reasoning from you. “You did it with your grandmother too, it was something you bonded together over. Something you remembered her with.” He saw your eyes move around yet still managed the gaze you gave him. “I don’t want you to lose that.”

The mentioning of your grandmother ached your heart. It has been a while since you spoke about her. The vivid images of her teaching you about all those plants popped to mind, nostalgically and memorially. It was because of her, you found this loving hobby of plant care and it was something you never wanted to let go of, even if you left for Seoul.

Your eyes watered, but not enough for them to spill. You blinked continuously as you controlled your breath. You simply nodded, completely sold on what Taehyung said. “I’ll get him.” You retrieved the pot into your two hands as you scanned your new baby.

A bright smile morphed onto Taehyung’s face as he heard little whispers from you to the Peace lily. “Him now?” You hummed as you grinned happily. “Does he have a name?”

“Don’t know…maybe after you? Tae?” You quipped to which he laughed.

“Me? Why? You never named your plants after any of us?” He chirped as he looked at the plant. “But Tae seems nice for him.”

“They are known to be dramatic.” You informed. “They droop and act like they’re dying if you don’t water them or give attention.”

“Did you just insult me?” He gasped, putting a hand over his chest as if he was offended.

“No, it’s fact.” You snorted as you carried your baby in the cafe’s direction. “I’ve seen those Run BTS episodes.” Taehyung chuckled more as he retrieved more equipment you needed into his hands and arms.

You highlighted once again that you followed the band and its entertainment beyond music. It still stunned him, but only because he didn’t think you’d do so after what happened. He even talked about it briefly before. But you said that despite the ending of your friendship, you were tremendously proud of him and his members’ success. You loved the message they conveyed and all that they’ve done to endure it.

Not enough words or presents would express his gratitude towards you. He felt undeserving of your gentle actions and affable behavior, yet he was very selfish to continue to want it. In his eyes, you were never a pushover or an attached brat. You gave all that you could to those you loved because they were who you had in life, the only ones. They were the only ones who’ve seen the vulnerability and dedication in you and you weren’t willing to spread it as often even if you did. You were needy in the best of ways because it showed you also wanted a shoulder to lean on, especially maturing at a very early age. 

There were so many things about you that screamed perfection, caring, warm-hearted, and resiliency. Just you in general, and Taehyung was eternally grateful to see it through his own very eyes as well as experience the way you gave yourself and spoke to him with so much passion and tenderness. No one was more true than you, his Blue.

In the past, there were so many reasons why Taehyung loved you, and unexpectedly—at least to him—why he hopelessly fell in love with you.

-

Knowing each other since a young age and being best friends, it was obvious how much Taehyung loved you. He always loved you, even telling it to you many times every day. It was so easy to say and he meant it. He would do anything for you. He cared and wanted to protect you. You even said it back, so it was natural to speak about love within your relationship.

However, loving and being in love was not as obvious. There was a fine line between the two that was difficult to pinpoint. It often gets the betterment of people, even when they’re older and wiser. You can bounce from one to the other all you want without realizing it, but you eventually had to choose a side.

In Taehyung’s case, he learned about this decision at the beginning of his teenage years. In his first year of high school and when he first joined his soccer club, his older players would bring up topics about sex and love more than they should. Teammates were split in half, wanting sex and wanting love. He didn’t listen as much, but he did recall somewhere along the lines of having a partner to hold and cherish eternally.

With that, he went to his father regarding the love his teammates were talking about. “Well, the definition of love is very broad and can be interpreted many ways, son.” His father, Jitae, began, cocking his head to the side in thought.

“They talked about having someone to hold and adore eternally,” Taehyung repeated from his memories.

“Hmm, so I guess my example would be me and your mom.” Jitae brought out as he clapped his hands together. “Because I love having her by my side and being by her side. I’m in love with your mom, and that will never change.”

“In love?” He questioned, not getting what that meant. “Don’t you love us? We’re your kids!”

His father laughed endearingly at his son. “Of course, I love you, and Eunjeong, and Sungyeon. I love all of you! You three gave me all the more reasons to love and stay on Earth.” He defended. “However, loving and being in love are different. The love I have for your mom is different from my love for my kids.” 

“What did you mean?”

“I certainly don’t want to go into detail, but I’m head over heels for your mom. I’ve been way before we had you three. You kids gave me a reason to stay on Earth, she gave me a reason to be alive. Every time I look at her, my heart starts racing or skips a beat. I’m deeply committed to her as she does to me. She’s my partner, my wife. She’s my connection, she makes me feel better, do greater, a comfort.” Jitae explained thoroughly. “I would do anything for her.”

While Taehyung processed these thoughts and explanations, he had certain questions. “Will I have that? Do I have that now?”

“I hope that you’ll have that.” Smiling, his father patted down his son’s hair. “And to answer your second question, you’re still young. I found your mom when we were in our 20s, so there’s a lot of time. But there are possibilities.”

“Like?”

“Well, do you have someone who you’re in love with?” Jitae picked out as he stared at Taehyung. “Having a connection, to make you feel better, do greater, your comfort. Heart skips every time. You would do anything for them.”

Taehyung had no answer as he tried his best to think with his developing adolescent brain. Jitae had a specific person in mind but decided not to say anything for his son to figure it out himself.

Time passed, yet his mind stayed stagnant with this idea. It intrigued him to an extent, wondering if he would ever have the experience of feeling how his dad felt toward his mom. He knew that he loved all around, his parents, his siblings, his friends, your grandparents, and of course, you. But the act of being in love?

He thought about what his father had told him, being connected, feeling better, and doing better. A comfort in his life, and would do anything for them. The list was easy to eliminate options. Well, there was nothing to cancel out because all those traits went straight to you. You were the first person that popped into his head.

Strange though…or rather perplexed to say the least. How would it be possible? He loved you, that was a given, but in love? You weren’t a partner or wife, you were his best friend, his Blue! Does that even suffice?  

Suddenly a realization was brought upon him. Heart beating fast, skipping beats? He doesn’t think he has ever gotten that from you. He took you into his arms many times, even intertwining his fingers together with yours. He kissed your temples, head, and cheeks. Yet nothing happened to his heart.

Maybe you weren’t the one he was in love with. His father did say that he was still young and had a lot of years ahead. Why did this even bug his mind anyway? Why was he thinking too much about this? He was a teenager; he needed to think about other things like gaming, friends, and sleep. Anything really besides love.

He did love you though and wouldn’t give up anything in the world to not have that feeling anymore.

However, it took a while for him to see how special you so were to him. And how did he find out?

You had your first crush.

It was some boy named Jinhwan in your class. He was a kind and smart boy from what you told him and even let you borrow his pen when yours ran out of ink. You partnered up with him one day on an assignment and you have gotten to know him better. Days after he kept talking to you during breaks and sometimes bypassing. Each encounter felt more whimsical and fluttering to your heart, and eventually, you realized that you had a crush on him.

However, get this—you didn’t tell Taehyung.

You surprisingly spoke to his sister, which shocked and insulted him. He didn’t understand why because he was your best friend after all. All that information was from Eunjeong who assumed that you told him. New flash, you didn’t and it flabbergasted the boy.

He felt offended that you didn’t tell him and told his sister. His sister?? Last thing he remembered he was your best friend, not her. You told him everything, you even told him when you got your first period before anyone else. Why’d you tell her and not him? 

There was a slight tinge of jealousy coursing through his body. Not sharing was partial towards his emotion, but the primary reason was the very thought of you liking another boy.

It was weird and uncomfortable for him. Like why have a crush on a boy that you met at your school? Gross. QYou practically knew nothing about him except that that Jinhyuk boy was nice, but that wasn’t even a fact and that was based on judgment by the individual. If you had a crush on someone, it should be someone that you knew for a long time, who understood you, who cherished you, who kept you in their arms at all times, and who would give the world to you. Someone like hi—

Yeah, he realized he was in love with you.

But he suppressed them right now to be upset, but not at you though. Only the fact that you didn’t tell him. Whether or not he was in love with you, but he really was, you didn’t inform him of something important that could change your life. He was about to march to your house when Eunjeong stopped him to inform him that you stayed back at school because Jinhwan asked to speak with you. Rumor has it that he was going to confess to you, indicating he too had a crush on you. Mutual pining. And that made Taehyung’s heart sink into an abysmal hole.

Fuck, it was too late.

-

Taehyung waited on the steps of your front porch, staring down at his feet. Hours passed since school ended and there was no sight of you near. He felt worried, upset, sad, and all various kinds of emotions right now, but most importantly, in love. In love with you.

Why didn’t he notice it any sooner? Then again, nothing changed between you two. Yeah, you were getting older, developing maturely and elegantly. But you were you, his Blue. He was him, your Hyungie. There was no difference within your dynamic, other than getting closer to one another as the seconds went on. So if this was true, then was he in love with you this whole time? How would that even be possible? He was a child when he met you. Yet again, he always loved you since the moment he met you.

The sound of shoes dragging along the concrete and sniffles broke his running mind. Once he raised his head, he was met with your puffy eyes and tear-stained cheeks. Mouth quivered loosely with every rapid gasp coming out of you to stop the weeping of your cries. His mind went full alarm as he shot up from the stairs to go up to you.

With every step, he cautiously observed you. You were fighting back the sobs as you tried pursing your lips together. But when he puts you in between his arms with his hands around your back, he asked, “My Blue, what happened? What did he do to you?”

You broke every resistance inside of you and cried like a baby into his chest. The same exact cry when you ran away after Jinhwan stole your first kiss and embarrassed you by laughing at your confession in front of his friends. Little did you know it was all recorded, or when you were crying your poor self out behind a building, so then he proceeded to upload it online for everyone.

So you bawled out even more so until you were tired of crying and mindlessly walked home. But you saw your worried best friend waiting for you, ready to give you the comfort you needed and deserved. Your entire soul collapsed onto him.

“Hy-Hyun-Hyungie!” You keened, slithering your arms over his chest as you gripped onto his uniform shirt that you drenched in your tears. “I-I-I—”

“Shhh, no. It’s okay. You’re safe, Blue.” He shushed you as he had one hand over your head and the other hooked around your waist. Your form bounced as your sobbing overpowered your breathing. “I’m here now. Don’t worry. I’ll always be here.”

-

After hours passed once again, you, fortunately, stopped shedding tears though your emotions were still heightened and intense. You had to lie to your grandparents and say that you were sick to not go to school the following day. They knew you weren’t ill, but they knew something was up since it was uncommon of you. They let you be and hoped it’d make you feel okay.

Taehyung never left your side, having you in his arms or within reach. He even slept over for the night. But once it hit your “bedtime,” your minds were still awake. Your best friend thought it was a good idea for you to escape for the time being, so you both did. And what better way than to sneak out of your window in the dead of night to go to the park and hang out under the blossoming tree? It was your favorite pastime together after discovering that you could do things without your grandparents and his parents knowing.

When the gentle breeze touched your skin, the serenity of the starry sky pricked with specks of stars, and no one else but your best friend was right by your side. You let the setting calm every nerve in you, closing your eyes and taking the deepest breaths.

Taehyung kissed your hair before resting his cheek on the top of your head. His growth spurge over the winter time let him be much bigger than your stature. He hated seeing you like that, heartbroken, undeserving of what happened to you, and crying over some stupid ass boy who doesn’t deserve shit from you or anyone. He wanted to beat this boy up, but you told him no because he wasn’t worth it and you hated violence. He had to oblige, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t call his sister up and tell her to punch him in the throat.

“How are you feeling now, Blue?” He whispered, staring up at the night before you.

“Less crappy, but better now.” You sighed, laying your head on his shoulder and leaning closer toward his form. “I feel like an idiot.”

“No, you’re not. Those boys were dicks and Jinseok guy was a complete asshole.” Taehyung countered, feeling upset that you were talking down upon yourself. “You didn’t deserve anything that was given to you like that.”

“Still, I fell for it.” You frowned as you stared down at your fingers playing with each other. “I should have known. No boy ever liked me because I’m ugl—”

“Don’t you dare finish that sentence.” He interjected sharply, his restrained vocal cords due to puberty somehow helped his voice drop an octave. “Don’t ever succumb your worth with pea-minded small dick boys.”

“Then why aren’t I liked by anyone?” You complained, balling your hands into fists as you tried controlling the tears that threatened to come out again. “So many of my peers got confessions, always overheard boys talk about how pretty my classmates were, or even asked me about Eunjeong because she thought she was cute and I knew her.”

“Blue—”

“And don’t get me started on you.” Your attention went on him and his large irises looking back questionably. “You told me about all the confessions you had from this past year alone and how you rejected them all, but you still keep getting them.”

“___—”

“I mean it’s a given that you’ve always been handsome and always nice and caring to others. I just feel so shitty about myself because I don’t ever feel confident in myself, as a best friend and as a—”

“No!” Taehyung shouted, causing you to flinch and pause your rambling. His mind was all over the place. First, you called him handsome and while you did consistently mention it in the past, this was the first time he noticed how much his heart was racing and how he was getting squirrels in his stomach.

Second, he didn’t like hearing your self-deprecations at all. Did you really think so lowly of yourself? Not once did you show any signs. It wasn’t right and he should have caught on earlier.

“Stop doing that. Stop talking bad about yourself.” He shook his head before reaching out for your hands to hold. “And don’t compare yourself to others, Blue.”

“How can I not? I’m surrounded by it all the time, aka you!”

“I-I’m sorry I made you feel that way.”

“No, no. Not you. I’m sorry. I—” You stopped yourself, trying to collect your thoughts into a reasoning argument. “I just feel like I’m not good enough sometimes. Like I guess, this was more than that stupid prank and lie Jinhwan did or not being liked by anyone. Like, I’m never enough to satisfy or be worth something in someone’s life.”

For some odd reason, he couldn’t help but chuckle. Sure, your words were raw and from the depths of your heart but really? Not enough to be worth something in someone’s life? Seemed a little bit exaggerated.

Hearing his laughter, your eyebrows pinched together and cheeks puffed into anger at his response. But before you could even get a single sound out of you, he commented, “Now that’s an insult to me.”

Now your expression resembled confusion, “What do you m—”

“Why would you even say something like that when you’re literally everything in my life?”

His words punched you in the throat, taking your very breath away. “D-don’t—you don’t mean that! I said something, not—”

“Now why would I lie? I never lie to you! I do mean that, and I said everything because you are everything!” Taehyung retorted. He used one hand to hold your waist, pulling you into his lap. Sitting in between his legs, you laid back onto his chest as his chin stayed on your shoulder. “You mean so much more than you could ever imagine to me. Y-yo-you’re my best friend, Blue. I can’t have you think that you’re any less for others, me, and yourself especially. It breaks my heart knowing that I’m not helping you through that.”

“Don’t carry my burden on you.” You muttered quietly. “My whole self-esteem is just at its low and blowing out of proportion. I just became a teenager. You can’t really help me on this one.”

“I bet I can.” His eyes lit up, making you turn back to see him. Your faces were centimeters away. While you stared casually at his face, he felt his breathing slipping away at the gorgeous sight of you under the fluorescent moon. He managed to catch him without notice and continued. “I—I think you’re the most beautiful girl I’ve seen in my entire life, and I’m blessed that I get to see you every single day. If people don’t see it, they weren’t gifted with seeing the true beauty that you hold.”

You gawked wordlessly, pupils dilating by the second as he spoke with endearment and authenticity. Heartbeat fastened as he spoke on. “___ ___, you’ve been and always will be worth it, in my life, in your grandparents’ life, my family’s, anyone who comes across you. Don’t support that mindset with people of less importance in your life because it doesn’t help you. Focus on who matters, like you.”

“I can help by reminding you to not speak such foulness about yourself, pointing out the way you impact my and your loved ones’ lives, and showing you how beautiful you are because you truly are.” Using his unoccupied hand, he pushed a strand out of your face and tucked it behind your ear. “These little boys must have dead skin cells coming out of their shit-stained mouths if they don’t think you, ___ ___, are beautiful.”

You blinked rapidly and your lower lips pouted out as if it was the only reaction you could give. The little voice in your head begged to differ. But with his piercing coffee-swirled eyes at you, it slowly diminished and lowered its volume. It was hard to tell with your conscious, but you believed him even if it was just a little bit. 

You saw him leaning closer, his eyes shut smoothly. Staying still but eyes widening with every centimeter closer, your mind was on blast, anticipating his next move. However, he did a little turn-up and kissed the tip of your nose lightly.

You shook your head out of surprise. Why did you expect something else? Of course, Taehyung was always affectionate toward you. You couldn’t react any further as he brought you closer to him and peppered kisses onto your shoulder. You blinked away and focused straight into the night, trying to relax.

“The only thing I wish I could do was to stop that kiss from happening.” He spoke again with a huff. “I’m sorry your first kiss was with that fucking jerk. God, are you sure you don’t want me to beat him up?”

There the tenseness you didn’t realize you had in your body blew away and was replaced by laughter. “You shouldn’t resort to violence. He was a dick, but I can’t change the past. I wished too though.”

“Which is why you should always come to me first before you go do something.” Taehyung scolded in a know-it-all way, making you roll your eyes in defense. “I didn’t even know you had a crush until Eunjeong told me and she only did so because she thought I knew already! Why didn’t you tell me, Blue?”

Your form suddenly shrunk and sunk into his body, feeling the hotness steaming up your cheeks. “I know I tell you everything, but this was different…”

“How is it different?”

“I-I-I needed a girl’s opinion.”

“Oh.” Was all he could say. It made sense, you were a girl while he was a boy. There were certain things he may not understand from a guy’s perspective and he couldn’t defend himself.

“Don’t worry. I learned my lesson. If I like someone, I’ll be sure to tell you.” You promised.

But you never did.

“And I will do the same back.” He added, to open your communication together.

“You know I don’t think you ever told me you had a crush on someone.” You mentioned, tilting your head as you gazed into the distance with wonder.

You heard a deep chuckle followed by a vibration on your back. “That’s because back then I don’t think I liked someone enough to consider it a crush.”

“Then surely, you have someone that you like. I mean you’re in high school too with new people.”

“Yes, I’m in high school but that doesn’t mean anything.” He shrugged as he nuzzled into your neck, making you giggle at the ticklishness.

“So you don’t like any girl, or guy, or someone?” You tried your best not to assume anything. Since he didn’t like anyone, you didn’t know what he liked.

He laughed again, throwing his head back. “You’re so silly sometimes.” Exhaling, he smiled warmly while squeezing your hand. You focused on him with your doe eyes, an innocent smile faint on your lips. He looked down for a split second, hoping you didn’t notice. Judging by the continued look on your face, you weren’t seeing anything out of the ordinary. But he could see everything changing in him, in you, and between each other.

He was stuck in this conundrum. It would be selfish of him to tell you how he felt after getting your heart broken by another. You most likely won’t reciprocate back and he doesn’t even know how you think of him beyond being his best friend. He also didn’t want to ruin the friendship, the strong bond you two created for nearly ten years to be destroyed because he caught feelings for you. He loves you. Dear God, he was in love with you and only you.

But he couldn’t do it. And he didn’t know if he will ever.

“I-If-If I like someone, I’ll be sure to tell you, Blue.” He replied carefully as his fingers tapped over the smooth skin on the back of your hands.

But he never did.

“‘Kay!” You didn’t think any more of it. In fact, you felt a whole lot better after talking to Taehyung. He always knew how to reassure you about your insecurities and dilemmas your teenage brain liked to give you and cause harm. Your fingers found their way to intertwine with his. “At least I know I’ll always have one guy in my life that I’ll love.” His eyes widened, lips slightly parting. “I will always love you, Hyungie.” You pressed your lips onto his soft cheek before you laid your head onto the crevice of his shoulder.

He doesn’t know if you felt how hard his heart thumped in his chest. If you did, you don’t bother bringing it up. He doesn’t know this feeling, was it good or bad? But having you in his arms felt so perfect. Yet the fear of you finding out dreaded his entire soul. It would break him if something were to happen between you two. Was this what being in love was like? Why was it scaring him?

“A-and I will always love you, Blue.” He meant it at the bottom of his heart, but he didn’t mean it in the way you did.

And he doesn’t think it would be from here on.

-

You made it through the day with Taehyung. An invisible thin barrier held you back earlier in the day, but it eventually evaporated the more you talked to him, like how you were before. You don’t know how many hours passed in that cafe because together you spent all that time eating and playing with the cats. You opened up a little more to him and told him about your college years and why you chose to move to Seoul.

You explained how stagnant life has been for you for a while and thought you’d lead to nowhere if you continued to stay in the area you lived for your entire life. You managed to get by and thought of suppressing the feeling until your grandfather convinced you. You were very much hesitant, as it was going to be out of your comfort zone, but you and he both knew it was the right decision to make. It was also the only school that accepted you that wasn’t in Geochang, because it was the only one you applied for that wasn’t Geochang.

Taehyung did try to ask a question about your grandfather, but he noticed how brief and vague your answers were. You changed the subject and turned it on him when he did so. Maybe you weren’t ready to talk about it? Or you just didn’t want to tell him. Ever since his family moved as well as the passing of your grandmothers, contact has been lost through the years. Even if Taehyung tried to contact back, he wouldn’t know if you were still in Geochang or not and unfortunately, he did not have the time to check.

Nonetheless, the two of you enjoyed your time together. Of course, while staying hidden for Taehyung’s sake. After the cafe, he drove back into the city where he kinda took you shopping. You say kinda because he attempted to buy things for you and you said no, but he didn’t care so you just walked away from him. He got the message and begged for forgiveness, but it was all fine. You treated him corn dogs as a light snack or at least attempted to because when you pulled out of your wallet, he tapped his card with ease. 

When the sun went down, you assumed the day was over, but not for the idol. He took you to a jazz nightclub he has been dying to go to for ages. Everyone he invited was always busy or tired. He even invited Clara, and they were about to go but she got sick.

The opportunity was right there, so Taehyung insisted. You didn’t mind at all, you were excited about it. By the end of the time there, you loved every second of it, even catching some songs here and there. It surprised him, but he never realized until now that it was you who introduced him to the love of jazz.

Nighttime fell when the both of you got out, and the city lights illuminated the area. For a Sunday night, it was pretty crowded and Taehyung suggested going somewhere quiet. You were about to protest that it was time to go home, but your stomach gargled aloud that the idol wanted to put food in you right away. Knowing he wasn’t taking a no on this one, you gave up.

But you settled for some street food, rice and fish cakes, bibimmyeon, suyuk,and ice cream for dessert. Taehyung knew a nearby park and thought it’d be nice to eat under a tree, getting away from all the people. So here you were—stomachs filled to the brim and enjoying the nice view from where you say while tasting the sweet confection.

Once in a while, Taehyung mentioned memories of him and his members regarding instances perfect for the moment. This one was about the park. “I used to come here a lot with Jimin actually, when we were younger. It was always secluded, so even after debut, no one was around.”

“I wonder why? This place is amazing at night.” Your eyes roamed at the calm scenery. The cooling autumn wind caressed you while the hours of darkness cascaded around. The stars weren’t as prominent, but they were exchanged by the blinking lights of the city buildings and skyscrapers. 

It almost felt like deja vu.

Taehyung looked over towards you and noticed how you stared into the outlook. A tender grin crept on your mouth as you slowly closed your eyes.

“Never bothered to ask that when you finally get privacy.” He muttered as he finished his ice cream and threw it in the trash bag you made. “Been a while since I came here though. I miss it here. Jimin would also like it too.”

A giggle came out of you, “You talk about your members a lot.”

“I-Is-Is that noticeable?” A peak of blush swiped across his cheeks.

“Well, from the whole day, yeah. I practically know everything about them through you.” You snuffed in delight. “It’s nice though. You care about them. I’m sure with the break, you don’t see them as often?”

“Yeah, the last time I saw everyone together was Jungkook’s party. Everyone is doing their own thing.” Taehyung informed with a deep sigh. “I do care about them, and miss them. But lately, it’s a bit of bother sometimes that I’m glad I’m away from them.”

You flung your eyes open in shock before turning to meet his attention. “What do you mean?”

“There’s just a lot going on in my own life, and I feel like they coddle or smother me with things.” He explained, but not enough to give too many details. He has yet to tell you what his current situation was and was a bit insecure about it. He knew you wouldn’t judge, you were the last person he’d ever think to judge, but the timing wasn’t right. He recently got you back into his life, but he thought it would be too much for you to find out what happened to your best friend all these years in between. A bit ashamed, really.

Unlike him, you don’t further speculate. You hummed in response, moving forward from the topic. But you do say, “As you care for them, they care for you even if it’s the type you don’t want.”

He didn’t have any response to that. Instead, he shifted the topic to something lighter to mend his curiosity. “You know how you’ve been following the group and all,” The idol began and you waited for him to continue. “So who’s your favorite in the group?”

With that, a hearty laugh spewed out of your lips with your shoulders shaking. Taehyung’s eyes widened at your giddy expression. This was the first time he heard you laugh so hard since the reunion. If anything, in a while for that matter. He missed that wonderful sound, seeing the happiness and enjoyment shine off of you. It was the best thing he ever experienced with you.

“Why?” You asked as the giggling died down.

“I mean you’ve seen our content and finally met the guys, so I’m sure you would have a favorite.” Taehyung reasoned as he leaned back into the tree trunk. “Despite loving us equally, fans have those bias and bias wreckers, right?”

“They would freak out if they knew that you knew that.” You said before exhaling deeply. “I guess I do have a favorite.”

“Who?” He sounded way too excited there, then realized you probably never chose him so he shrunk into his body.

“Do you think it would have been you?” You inquired humorously.

“A-At first, but then, I forgot we’ve stopped talking and…you hated me.”

You observed his behavior, feeling rather unguarded of himself when he spoke. You sensed the shame seeping out of him. “Yeah, we didn’t talk but I never hated you, Taehyung.” You licked your lips, remembering the earlier times when you did say those hurtful words. “I did say it back then, but as I said, I never meant it.”

“So, does that mean I was your favorite?” His pupils sparkled underneath the moonlight.

“No, it’s Hoseok.” You replied scoffingly. “Even if I didn’t hate you, that didn’t mean I chose you as my favorite. Are you kidding me?” You say as you finished your dessert, and threw it into the bag.

“So why Hoseok Hyung?” The pout on his lips was so evident that he was somewhat offended you didn’t choose him. “What does he have that made you pick him?”

“First off, super talented with his rapping and dancing. I like his style, as an artist and for fashion. He’s practically innocent in all the shit you do with games and jokes, I feel bad sometimes just watching him get punished. Sweet, down to Earth, great smile, handsome, I forgot to sa—”

“Okay, I get it. You like him!” The idol interjected. His tone was infused with green envy as you were able to list down many characteristics about his member without thought.

You grinned at how he was being, but never acknowledged it so he wouldn’t be embarrassed as much. But maybe, just maybe you wanted to point another thing out. “It also sealed the deal when you had to kiss him as a penalty.”

A combination of grimace, scowl, and disgust appeared on his face at the horrible and traumatizing memory. It was a punishment, for something he can’t remember and didn’t want to, but it was still a punishment. It also didn’t help that that was his first kiss. Hoseok hated it, he hated it, and for that, it was lost in the past until you brought it up.

“Please, don’t bring that up.” He wallowed in agony, but you kept smiling. “Before you say anything else, yes, he was my first kiss. It’s one of the most tragic things ever.”

While he covered his face with his palms, he doesn’t notice the smile going flat on you as you watched him. Once he looked back up, you held the curves of the mouth up. “It’s fine. At least we both have shitty first kisses, but you had it with someone you care for.”

Taehyung muttered something you couldn’t quite comprehend before his phone vibrated on the grass. It caught both of your attention and saw that it was Clara messaging him. There were twenty-four messages specifically. He then grabbed his phone to view her texts.

The harsh taps on his screen followed him throwing his phone into his jacket. Frowning as he looked back up into the sky, he blew a sigh through his nostrils. He seemed frustrated, probably from what was said in between texts. You didn’t want to assume thought. You then checked the time and it was close to midnight. Maybe that had to do with it.

“We should go, it’s getting late.” You cleared your throat as you began gathering the trash bags.

His head turned in your direction, “Are you tired?”

“Kinda, I also have school and work tomorrow.” You stated. “You should go home too because Clara might get upset for not coming home early.”

“She’s fine.” He mumbled, waving it off. “I just told her we’re still having our dinner and stuff…”

He wasn’t necessarily lying, but it didn’t sound right either. “Was she okay with it?”

“Yeah, I guess so.” He shrugged before smacking his lips. “So do you wanna go home now? Don’t want you to stay out too late to have fewer hours of sleep. How’s that by the way?”

You rolled your eyes, grinning a little at his concern for your health. “Better, but I still don’t get the ideal eight hours. Grad school is a bit hard and time-consuming, so it’s nice to do things like this.” You gestured around you.

“So I’m assuming you don’t want to go yet?” The idol smirked as he nodded toward the parking lot.

You thought about it for a second. If Clara was fine with him staying out and spending time with you, then you guessed that it wouldn’t hurt to stay a little longer. You were enjoying the view before you when she texted. “Maybe a few more minutes.” You held your thumb and index up, signaling a tiny space between the two as emphasis.

Taehyung chuckled at your demeanor, he saw more of a playful you opening up. He too didn’t want to leave just yet, and certainly not leave because his girlfriend said so. This was his time with you, and he wanted to cherish it.

The both of you continued to sit in silence, gazing into the city night. This place was a perfect spot to see the bridge, the buildings, and the lights, yet remained secluded. It was fascinating to you how different Seoul nights were compared to Geochang. Your hometown wasn’t as crowded and you would always see familiar faces. However, here, every day was different, and areas were swarming. Though the majority of the customers were old, working at the restaurant made you shocked at how late people enjoyed going out. If anything, Geochang had an unofficial curfew at ten at night.

As you were staring, there was a little voice in your head shouting about Clara. After meeting and conversing with her, you saw how genuine and lovely the socialite was. She was invested in the things you spoke about as well as passionate about what she does but remained as humble. Clara would ask questions about how Taehyung was when he was younger and learned more about her boyfriend.

You didn’t hate her, there was no reason to. She was always good to you, but deep down, you felt somewhat uncomfortable being near her. You found yourself comparing her to you, and you didn’t understand why. After all, she was Kim Taehyung’s girlfriend of five years—that was a long time and would probably marry her.

While you were just an estranged friend from his younger years.

“So…” You spoke out, taking his attention away from the scenery. “I didn’t mention it before, but good to see you with someone. You and Clara.”

“Really?” He sounded in disbelief. 

“Yeah,” Your pitch was a little higher than usual, but you were genuine.

The entire time you’ve known him, he never voiced out liking or wanting anyone. It concerned and agitated you at one point, even when he left for training. You really don’t know what happened in that ten-year gap, but he came out with a pretty steady girlfriend who loves him dearly. 

“At least by now, I know you can fall in love or have a crush on someone.” You quipped as you nudged him by the shoulder. He stayed quiet for a bit, processing what you said but you continued with your speech. “I think Clara’s great for you, almost complementing your entire aura. You have an old soul while she’s very refreshing.” While you blabbered away about his girlfriend, Taehyung felt sour and filled with a grimace which he tried his best to cover it up with a deadpan. “On top of it all besides being sweet, Taehyung, she’s so gorgeous. You would pick someone like her. She’s so pr—”

“Excuse me, ___.” He cuts you off with irritation oozing out of his pores. Your eyes stayed on his, wondering what set him off on what you said. You weren’t saying anything negative or ridiculing at all. “You know you’re beautiful too.”

His words threw you off, making you snort in disbelief and shook your head. Why did that even matter right now? You kept a joyous expression in contrast to the seriousness Taehyung held. “I know…ish.”

That was also true. You have grown to accept and love yourself for who you were and what you looked like after many adolescent years of struggle. Your features didn’t exceed the high standards of Clara, but you made it a point and lifestyle in your grown life that before your grandmother died, she always mentioned how uniquely captivating you always were, looking different in the best way possible.

Of course, it was shocking to get compliments from others. As well as your conscious had a habit of making you compare yourself to others, whether it was good or bad. Like for this instance—Clara.

But you wanted to breeze on from his statement. “But that’s beside the point—”

“No, I hear that tone, ___. You’re comparing yourself to her.” Taehyung informed as if it was a fact about you, which it was. Yet you didn’t want him to know that.

You sighed, not understanding the big deal of it all. “I’m not talking down on myself! I swear. I’m just saying…” Your eyes shifted down to the ends of your dress. “Clara is pretty and you really won with her.”

“I don’t care about pretty. I love beautiful.”

That caused you to lift your head and meet his eyes, which you didn’t know pierced at you for who knew how long. You didn’t even realize how near he has gotten to you. The fabric of your clothes touched his pants. Your torsos twisted to continue the eye contact.

The look on him…was a familiar feeling and time. It held something you didn’t want to see or think about after those years of struggle because if you did, another wall buried deep down inside your entity would come crashing down.

“Taehyung, you can’t—”

“I can.” He disagreed, leaning closer. “Because I remembered promising you that I’d show you how beautiful you are, how special you really are, ___.”

“This literally has nothing to do with me!” You refuted, trying to deny any claim he had about you. But you stayed frozen as he slowly inched forth. It wasn’t odd because Taehyung was always known to be affectionate, but it sure was concerning you right now. “Can’t I compliment your gorgeous girlfriend?”

“No, because she already gets that from everyone around her. She doesn’t need any more of that.” He grumbled. His eyes quickly glanced down at your face, enough for you to notice. “But it relates to you because of your eyes. They held insecurity and concern, I remember that look. It was the same look when you got your heartbroken back in middle school by that dumbass boy.”

It surprised you at times, how Taehyung was able to catch on and read you like a book even after years of disappearance. From the first couple of months of renewing the friendship, not a time goes by when he remembered little things about you despite your constant protest of being a changed person. Maybe personality-wise shifted into a cruel sarcastic approach, but the habits were consistent.

Albeit to your annoyance to him on that, you couldn’t help but do the same more often than you should.

“___, when I say this, I mean it and I take it to my grave,” Taehyung announced, irises boring at yours with no play. “Stop comparing yourself to others. I know it’s hard, but it’s harder to live with it. It doesn’t help you or the others around you. I never liked when you do that.”

You bit the inside of your cheek, hearing his objection. You didn’t want what you said to end up like this, but there was no doubt that he interpreted it to a t. You didn’t think he’d still care enough about you like that. What else goes on in his head that you didn’t expect?

Out of nowhere, he held your cheek with his palm, snapping you out of your daze. He was now so close to you that with any movement, something would touch. It was like before when you were younger with him and had the status of a best friend with a purposeful and deeper meaning. “You’re still the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen in my life, ___.” Your pupils dilated at his reveal. Cheeks spreading with flushness and warmth you hated to expect. “Wouldn’t want any better. Any person would be lucky to have you.”

Excuse me? He said that way too personally. Why the fuck would he say that to you? It started to frighten you, furrowing your eyebrows and cocking your head to the side. Yet he focused on your reaction with sincerity, nothing in what he spoke upon held no lie and you knew it.

There was a pause in the air, holding your breaths. The familiar warmth to your irises soothed his body down just by the look. It was as if his vision pulled him back in time where he saw you exactly like this, underneath a tree late at night with sparkles gleaming on you. The swift capture of your thirteen-year-old self before your current self settled before him. He wanted this moment to last for as long as he remembered.

And without thinking, he closed the gap between you two as he shuts his eyes and puckered his lips.

Hoping to find softness and sweetness, but there was no avail on the other side. It was the complete opposite. A harsh reddened ache ran through his cheek before he peeled his eyes open to reveal a raging you fueled with perfidy.

You smacked his face again, but this time harder than the last before you pushed yourself away from him, almost a meter away. Your mouth gaped as you stood up from the grass and patted yourself clean to get the fuck away from him.

Eyes widening as large as a goldfish, Taehyung realized what he tried to do. Scrambling to get up and beg for redemption, he tried to speak but you interrupted him. “Here I thought you wanted to be my friend again, but you deceived me and I don’t want nothing of it!” You snarled before grabbing your bad and shouldering it over.

“Wait, ___. I’m sorry! I don’t know what c—”

“Save it! I don’t wanna hear your bullshit!” There you walked away from the scene angry and disappointed with shame all over you. You needed to get away, you couldn’t stay. But you were pulled back by the wrist and twirled around to see a worried and frightened idol searching for mercy on you.

“___, please. I-I’m sorry, I—”

You snatched your wrist back, breathing through your nostrils in hopes it calmed your wrath. “I don’t care if you’re sorry! Fucking think about your girlfriend! Why would you even fucking dare to do that?”

“I-I wasn’t thi—”

All of sudden, you yanked him by his collar. Pulling him close to see the break of trust in your livid pupils, you seethed, “I will not be some home wrecker.” You pushed him roughly, almost making him imbalance but he stabilized his feet. “You lost my trust. I don’t wanna fucking see you anymore.”

You never looked back and continued your path out of the park. You thought he would have followed you again, but when you heard the cries of your name at a distance, you knew he wasn’t going to try. Maybe you were too rash, or maybe you said things you didn’t mean. It didn’t matter anymore.

But you knew that if you ever saw him again, you would think differently of him.

Tagged: @manuosorioh @kaal-ee @thvxstf @dahliasbouqet @bertqut1 @fuckthinking @taebangtanbabe

#taehyung x reader #taehyung fic #taehyung fanfiction #kim taehyung x reader #taehyung smut #taehyung angst #taehyung fluff #kim taehyung fanfic #kim taehyung #bts fanfic #bts fluff #bts smut #bts x reader #matcha masterlist

[queen-of-writing-bad-things]

Henry Danger Reader Insert | Captain Man x Reader: SEASON 1

Episode 23: The Bucket Trap

~ Down in the Man Cave~

Charlotte and (y/n) were anxiously anticipating the return of Henry and Ray from their patrol. They'd had been waiting for hours and after growing antsy, they had taken to pacing around. However, to their relief, the long wait was soon over, as the tube alarm sounded and the two superheroes dropped into the headquarters.

"Hey, how'd it go?" Charlotte greeted them, she and (y/n) lighting up now that they could hear about their adventures.

"Oh, man, it was insane." Ray smiled as he and Henry walked down the steps to the females. His happy demeanour perked up his best friend, her boredom and nervous excitement bubbling down into a calmness.

"It was nuts!" Henry exclaimed, fuelling Ray's climatic animation. 

"Don't leave us in suspense then!" (y/n) told them, eager to hear about what had happened. Things had been a little tense in the Man Cave for the past week, ever since the whole Dennis escapade. Ray tried for days afterwards to get his best friend to stay with a friend downtown, but she refused. The Man Cave was her home, he was her friend and she wasn't going to leave when there was work to be done.

"Okay. The news helicopter was flying around over Swellview, just going in circles." Ray started, his grin expanding at how intently the woman was listening to him.

"Because the helicopter pilot fell asleep at the controls." Henry continued, adding a touch of drama to the tale with his voice.

"And did you guys figure out a way to wake him up?" Charlotte asked, intrigued at how the story was unfolding.

"No. We just watched the helicopter fly around in circles." Ray said, walking past the girls, who looked at the heroic duo in disbelief.

"Until it ran out of gas and fell right down into the Jandy River," Henry added, not helping how horrified they looked.

"Raymond!" (y/n) exclaimed, shocked that he had just watched the helicopter crash. She watched him move to the supercomputer.

"And you guys didn't do anything?" Charlotte voiced her anger too.

"I got a video of it going down," Henry said and he shared a smirk with Ray. The girls' frowns got even deeper at how they were borderline gloating.

"What about the pilot? Was he hurt?" Charlotte inquired, hoping they weren't going around if someone had gotten injured.

"No. Just wet." Kid Danger shrugged, as Ray laughed at the memory.

"So very wet." He chuckled, (y/n) rolling her eyes at his amusement. She didn't think that the situation was funny at all. She lost her train of thought when Henry received a text, his phone dinging from the notification.

"Ugh. Another text from Jasper. That's eleven texts in one hour," Henry groaned, wondering why his friend was so keen to get his attention.

"I've got nine," Charlotte added too, scrolling through all the notifications as she leant on the back of the couch and Henry and (y/n) sat down. 

"Man, what's up with that Jasper kid?" Ray asked, standing from the computer chair and going over to Charlotte. 

"It's the bucket boy, right? Doesn't he have any other friends?" The young woman questioned too. She didn't know a huge amount about Jasper, other than he was Henry and Charlotte's other friend, he was a bit annoying and he loved buckets.

"Well, yeah, but not the kind you'd be, you know, proud of," Charlotte said carefully, not wanting to be mean about her friend.

"We're his best friends. But now because we work for you, we end up having to leave him alone all the time." Henry explained, making Ray and (y/n) feel a little guilty. They didn't live an easy life, they had to sacrifice a lot to keep everything secret. It sucked that the kids had to do it as well.

"I feel really bad for him," Charlotte said too.

"We're sorry we expect so much from you, but this is what we have to do to keep Captain Man fighting crime." (y/n) told them sincerely and the teens knew she meant it. They knew that she went through crap for Ray too, even though it was often for a completely different reason.

"Yeah...you guys hungry? Who wants Greek food?" Ray put his hand up, smiling at his friends. They weren't impressed, especially (y/n), who wished that sometimes he'd suppress his childishness in serious moments.

"Ray, we just told you we had a real problem we have with our friend," Henry stated, not believing how dismissive his boss had been.

"And all you can say is 'Who wants Greek food?'" Charlotte reiterated and Ray lifted his arm even higher. 

"Don't be a dick!" (y/n) scolded him, punching him in the stomach, his rock-hard abs hurting her hand more than she hurt him. 

"Tzatziki? Moussaka?" The large man held both her hands together so she couldn't hit him again. She struggled against his grip, but let's face it, she wasn't going anywhere.

"Fine, but we're still going to discuss it." She sighed, making her best friend pick her up and spin her around before skipping off to phone the Greek restaurant.

"You can never say no to him." Charlotte deadpanned, she and Henry watching the situation with bemused faces.

"You lurveee him." Henry teased her, making her hide her red face in her hands.

"Shut up! Go get changed!" She replied in an embarrassed voice. She knew that what they were saying was completely true, but they didn't need to know that.

~~

The food had finally arrived, creating a delicious-looking spread on the couch table. The ground had gathered around it, serving strawberry and blueberry kool-aid alongside the meal.

"Mmmmm..." They all said as they took the first mouthful, the traditional food doing wonders on the tastebuds.

"Man, I love these 'jye-rose'. That's how you say it, y'know, 'jye-rose'." Ray said, his pronunciation not great.

"You try it." He told the kids as (y/n) rolled her eyes and took a sip of her strawberry drink.

"'Jye-rose'" They said together, thinking that it wasn't very difficult to say.

"Perfect." Ray complimented them, taking another bite of his food.

"Don't you think you should talk about something else with them?" (y/n) nudged his knee with his and he looked over his glass at her, the blue liquid sloshing about in the glass.

"What?" His voice was muffled by the glass, and he sounded puzzled as to why she was raising her eyebrows at him.

"Back to our problem with Jasper," Henry told him, jogging his memory back to their problem. Ray groaned at the mention of the boy, causing his best friend to hit him on the arm like a mother scolding her child.

"Don't be rude!" She looked at him sternly, a finger pointed at his face.

"Don't groan, he's our friend." Charlotte chided him too.

"Yeah, and it's not cool how we always have to lie to him and leave him all alone when you need us to work," Henry told his boss his real feelings, which didn't go down with Ray very well. He never took criticism in good humour.

"Okay. Here's an idea." He said in a cheerful voice.

"What?"

"What you got?" The teens replied, thinking he had good intentions.

'Oh god...' (y/n) had known Ray a lot longer than they had and she knew that he wasn't taking their concerns seriously.

"One night soon, we go to Jasper's house...we sneak into his room..." Ray leaned closer as he explained his plan, which the kids nodded along enthusiastically.

"Here it comes." (y/n) mumbled under her breath. 

"And we brain wipe his memory so he doesn't remember either one of you." Ray smiled, thinking it was foolproof.

"There it goes." The young woman pinched the bridge of her nose in exasperation as Henry and Charlotte scoffed in offence.

"No. Friends don't wipe friend's brains." Charlotte said in an angry voice. 

"Yeah, you wouldn't wipe (y/n)'s brain." Henry gestured to the woman and Ray frowned as they did.

"What? No! She's my friend!" The superhero exclaimed, proving their point. The fact sucked, always the friend, never the girlfriend, but at least it made him see he was a hypocrite.

"Just pass the lamb balls," Ray said to the dark-haired girl in an irritated tone.

"They're actually called Keftedes." (y/n) mentioned as Ray served her some in a sulk.

"Anyway, I got a better idea," Henry announced, wondering how the two adults would take it.

"What?" Charlotte turned to him, knowing that anything was better than what Ray had suggested.

"I say that we just tell Jasper that I'm Kid Danger." Henry declared, causing (y/n) to choke on her meatball and Ray to spray his Kool-aid across the floor.

"That was charming," Charlotte commented with a grimacing face, as the woman in front of her coughed from the food in her windpipe. Ray patted her back and eventually, she calmed down, but she still felt shocked at what the boy had suggested.

"No! No, no, no, no, sir!" Ray exclaimed, wiping his mouth with a blue napkin as he soothingly rubbed (y/n)'s back. He was still on edge from her last near-death experience.

"Oh, why not? (y/n/n), come on! What's the worst thing that could happen?" Charlotte looked at the more reasonable of the two, but even she was sceptical at the idea. This Jasper kid wasn't known for his intelligence and his super-enthusiasm for Captain Man would surely result in him spilling to a supervillain or something.

"Uh, well, the worst thing is if Jasper blabs it all over the place, and then everyone in the world knows Henry's Kid Danger," Ray said in an amused voice, (y/n) agreeing with him even though she knew it was upsetting the teens.

"And then the bad guys follow him and find out he works here, so then they know how how to find Captain Man too, and then they blow this place up, including this really cute skirt I bought last week that I haven't worn yet." (y/n) was exaggerating a bit, but it was nothing compared to how Ray was feeling. He had stood up and was now pacing up and down the middle of the Man Cave.

"And then they could also figure out where Henry's house is, which puts him and his whole family in major danger." Ray finished the scenario by planking on the back of the couch, his body hovering next to (y/n) as she nibbled on her food a little.

"Okay, but other than that?" Charlotte looked at them with a bored expression. In her eyes, it really wasn't that big of a deal.

"Nobody is going to tell Jasper or anyone else that Henry's Kid Danger," Ray said firmly.

"(y/n), help us out!" Charlotte pleaded with her, thinking that she would get on their side and convince Ray.

"Sorry, guys, but I agree with doofus. Jasper just can't keep secrets." (y/n) tried to be fair, but it was so hard. Everyone wanted her on their team since she influenced either side. But ultimately, she thought her best friend was right. Just because Jasper was their friend and was getting left out, didn't mean they should tell him.

"Come on, what if I promise you he'll keep the secret?" Henry asked Ray, sighing with (y/n), who lifted herself onto the back of the couch.

"You can't guarantee that." The superhero argued.

"You wanna know how many of my friends I can't tell about my job? They just have to accept that I've got responsibilities." (y/n) lectured, Ray walking up behind her and squeezing her shoulder. He knew how many things she had given up for him; friends, some family, a normal life, and he couldn't be more grateful that she had stuck with him. He put her through late nights, criminal lunatics coming after them, endless repairs and menial tasks. She really was his angel.

"All right. Why don't we just test Jasper and see?" Charlotte proposed, having had enough of the tall tales about moral high ground.

"Yes. Good." Henry agreed with her.

"What are you guys talking about?" Ray said in a very strained voice, (y/n) swinging her legs over the back of the sofa so she could go over and calm him down.

"We'll make up some big old juicy secret." The dark-haired girl told the adults, making them rub their faces with frustration. Kids were too stubborn for them.

"And then, if he keeps that secret for a week, we know we can trust him." Henry theorised, looking at the two earnestly.

"What do you think?" Charlotte asked, hoping they'd agree.

"Okay." Ray nodded, (y/n) smirking at him as she whispered in his ear, her hot breath making his hair stand on end.

"But we get to pick the fake secret." The young woman grinned at the teens mischievously, knowing that it would have to be something so crafty, so intrinsically evil, they would squirm on the spot.

"Sure." 

"Done deal, man." Charlotte and Henry nodded at each other, thinking they could take anything that was thrown at them. Ray sat back down on the couch, pulling (y/n) into his lap and the two of them smiled sweetly.

"So, what secret do you want us to tell him?" Charlotte asked, so Ray murmured into the woman's ear and she giggled cunningly. 

The sight of them snuggling and whispering together so openly was unusual for them, but Ray had been more touchy ever since he saw the fading bruises on her collarbone. They always reminded him that she could be taken in an instant, so he found himself needing more physical reassurance that she was still there. However, for Charlotte and Henry, this was war, and no cute couple was going to make them back down.

"That you and Henry..." Ray started, his hands sliding down her waist so his thumb could stroke where her leg joined to her hip. She relaxed into him, enjoying how the scent of his cologne enveloped her. 

"...Are boyfriend and girlfriend!" (y/n) squealed, holding up two fingers and then joining them to indicate the two friends coming together in love. She and Ray watched in amusement as the kids cringed and scowled at the thought of being more than friends. The man's chest rumbled behind her as he chuckled and pressed a kiss to her shoulder, making the woman blush as she sipped her drink.

"Have fun..." (y/n) quipped, as she and her would-be boyfriend knew they had their employees rattled. This was going to be interesting...

~Later that night~

Henry and Charlotte had meticulously planned their dinner with Jasper. Everything had to be perfect, otherwise, Jasper would smell a rat and think it was a prank. The table was set, the food was ready, all they had to now was wait for him to arrive.

"Okay, who's going to start?" Henry asked Charlotte as she set out the beakers. 

"I don't wanna start." She replied, thinking that the whole plan was unnecessarily wicked on Ray and (y/n)'s parts. 

"It's my house, I make the rules." He said like a child.

"Well, why'd you ask me who's going to start if you knew you wanted me to start?" She responded, causing an argument between them. They talked over one another frantically until Jasper came through the door.

"Hey, guys!" He greeted his friends, who broke apart instantly once he spoke.

"Oh, hey, Jasper."

"Hi there, Jasper." They said simultaneously, acting like they hadn't just been freaking out.

"So, why'd you guys invite me for dinner?" The curly-haired boy inquired, throwing his jacket on the couch and sauntering to the table.

"Pfffft, what do you mean why?" Henry scoffed.

"Friends don't need a reason to invite a friend for dinner, right?" Charlotte joined in with a nervous smile.

"I guess." Jasper shrugged.

"Although we do have a reason."

"There is a reason." His friends told him, igniting curiosity in him. What did they want to tell him?

"But first, did you see we made your favourite dinner?" Henry gestured to the spread put out before them, and Jasper gasped as he took it all in.

"Fish sticks and peas!" The boy clapped his hands excitedly.

"Yeah. Sit down." Charlotte told him, finding it a little odd that Jasper ate fish sticks with just peas. The friends sat down, Charlotte giving Henry a look.

"Uh, so, we have something that we kind of wanna tell you. But first, you have to promise. You got to swear that you'll never tell anyone this secret. " Henry started, his tummy alive with butterflies.

"No worries, I can keep a secret." Jasper smiled.

"Can you?" Henry stared at him intensely, putting his friend on edge.

"Yeah. I never told Charlotte you were the one who killed her goldfish." Oh poor Jasper, he really needed to think before he said something. Henry looked at Charlotte with wide eyes as she kicked off.

"WHAT?" She yelled, thinking that her goldfish's death was one of life's shitty curveballs.

"You did not just say that!" Henry snapped at Jasper, who was perspiring at the situation he found himself in.

"You killed Nemo?" Tears sprung up in the corners of the girl's eyes. Her beloved fish...

"We're getting off track here." He looked at her and she calmed down a smidge.

"Now, we want to tell you a big secret, but you gotta seriously swear that you'll never tell anyone," Henry told Jasper firmly.

"Never ever." Charlotte cemented, her tone of voice telling the teen that she meant business.

"I swear on Nemo's grave." Jasper held his fingers up, swearing his secrecy. 

"Stop mentioning Nemo," Henry whined at him as the dark-haired girl in front of him gave him a death glare.

"I can't believe you killed him." She hissed over the fish sticks.

"I tickled his back, he had a stroke, it wasn't my fault!" He yelled back. He hadn't meant for the fish to die, but that wasn't the point. Henry didn't know how to get the words out of his mouth, but Charlotte gave him an encouraging look.

"Charlotte and I are boyfriend and girlfriend." He struggled out, thinking about how he was going to kill those two, oblivious, sanctimonious, stinking excuses for bosses/friends when he got hold of them. Jasper's bottom lip quivered in shock, pointing a shaking finger at his friends.

"You? She? You and She? You and him?" He stuttered, looking back and forth between them. He obviously couldn't take it, because he grabbed the bowl of peas and emptied it down his shirt.

"What?!" He yelled after the peas have rolled out of the bottom of his shirt. 

"It's true." Charlotte lied, trying to make herself sound believable.

"You guys are dating?" He spluttered.

"We sure are."

"We're deep in love." Charlotte felt like throwing up, but she plastered a fake smile on her face like Henry.

"Wow. So you guys, like, kiss and stuff?" Jasper giggled at the thought of them doing all the mushy, lovey-dovey stuff.

"Mmm-hmm, we sure do," Charlotte replied Henry looked like he was about to spontaneously combust.

"We kiss a lot." The boy said uneasily, swallowing the lump in his throat.

"Can I see?" Jasper questioned in a low voice, setting off a panic in their stomachs.

"Well, we can't kiss right now," Charlotte told him quickly.

"Why not?" The curly-haired boy groaned, thinking his friends were taking all the fun out of what he'd just learned. 

"Because Charlotte has a mouth sore." Henry came out with, irritating the girl in question. Why did she have to be the diseased one?

"Ewww, gross," Jasper complained at the thought.

"Yeah, it's real gross." Charlotte glared at the boys.

"Henry, why don't you take me to the mouth doctor?" She pointed to the door with her thumb.

"Sure, baby." Henry cringed at what he said, but it gave the two a chance to get out of the house. 

"Wait, it's nighttime. I think all the doctors are closed!" Jasper yelled after them as they opened the door.

"Remember, you promised that you'd never tell anyone that we're boyfriend and girlfriend." Henry reminded him.

"Okay, but where are you going to take Char--" The poor kid couldn't finish his sentence as they ran out briskly. At least he had his fish sticks to keep him happy.

~Junk-N-Stuff, the next day~

Henry and Charlotte were busy scrubbing the teeth in the Dinosaur's head. All that fire had scorched them into a grungy colour, so it was their task to get them back to a reasonable state. Ray and (y/n) were watching them curiously, wondering how to bring up the conversation about the bucket kid.

"So, you guys told Jasper yesterday, huh?" (y/n) asked as Ray helped her polish the counter.

"Yep."

"We did." The kids replied, getting their toothbrushes into all the nooks and crannies of the dinosaur's mouth.

"Ha, I bet he's already blabbed it to every kid in your school." Ray chuckled, thinking he and (y/n) were guaranteed to win the bet.

"And if he did, it meeeeeans....we were right and you were wrong, we were right and you were wrong, we were right and you were wrong!" The large man sang with a little dance, Henry and Charlotte strolling over to the counter with frowns on their faces.

"Okay, that's enough." (y/n) squirted some cleanser onto his hand since he was getting on her nerves too. He recoiled with a grumble, ceasing his petulant behaviour. All of a sudden, the shop's doorbell jingled and Jasper came into the store. 

"Shhhh!" Henry and Charlotte shushed the adults, much to their annoyance.

"We weren't talking," Ray said to them, but they had already gone to see Jasper. He put his arm around (y/n)'s shoulders as they watched the teens interact.

"Hey, Jasper." Henry greeted his best friend.

"What are you doing here?" Charlotte asked cheerfully.

"I can't stop thinking about what you guys told me last night." Jasper started, causing the other kids to shush him as Ray smirked into his coffee.

"Give me a sip." (y/n) whispered to him, not taking her eyes off the three.

"I asked if you wanted a coffee and you said no!" Ray mumbled back. This was one of her quirks that really annoyed him, but at the same time, he loved it. 

"I don't want a coffee, I want a sip of yours. Pleeeease!" She pouted, making him groan and offer her the cup. She took a mouthful and grinned at him happily, focusing on Henry and his friends again. How he loved to see her smile...

"I didn't say anything. But, man, this secret is hard to keep." Jasper confessed, as the two adults circled the cash register and walked over to the group.

"Ahem, excuse us." (y/n) sauntered over to them, a playful spring in her step.

"Henry, Charlotte, we need you guys to go down to the basement and mop the walls." Ray lied, thinking of anything that would get them to leave Jasper alone.

"Since when do we have to mop the walls?" Henry looked at them both with suspicious eyes. They were up to something.

"Since now. You'll find buckets and mops ready to go down there." (y/n) smiled at them, grabbing Ray's mug and taking another drink, making him purse his lips in slight annoyance.

"But our friend Jasper's here and--" Charlotte tried to excuse them as the young woman gave Ray the cup back, but he was having none of it.

"Oh hey, no worries. We'll keep your little friend company." Ray smirked, looking at Jasper, who felt a little awkward. Reluctantly, Henry and Charlotte shuffled off to the elevator, giving Jasper some hand gestures to tell him to keep the secret, no matter what.

"I think something's up with those two." (y/n) smiled at Ray, hinting to Jasper that they were talking about Henry and Charlotte's 'relationship'. 

"I don't know anything." The boy said, trying to take his mind off blabbing by playing with a piece of junk on sale.

"You sure? They seem like, I don't know like there's something they're not telling us." Ray said thoughtfully, he and the young woman walking around Jasper in an attempt to get him to feel nervous. And it was definitely working.

"Well, I can't help you." Jasper stayed strong, so (y/n) knew it was time to pull out the big guns.

Nudging Ray, she nodded her head to the floor, so he used his strength to lift a solid gold, jewel-encrusted bucket. It was everything Jasper had dreamed about and more.

"Oh dear god, what is that!?" The boy cried, having never seen such a beautiful bucket in his life.

"Oh, you mean this old thing? This is just King Tut's golden bucket." She said to the teen with an innocent face. Bribery was a classic way to get someone to squeal.

"It is? I've read about that bucket. It's over 3000 years old!" Jasper breathed, taking in how the gold glinted under the light.

"Is it?" Ray folded his arms, pretending like he and (y/n) hadn't spent all of last night curled up on his bed trying to find the world's best bucket.

"Well, who'd have thunk it? We just want thirty bucks for it." The young woman said in an airy voice, causing Jasper to go into a meltdown.

"Thirty? I could have thirty bucks by tomorrow. I can sell my grandmother's wheelchair!" Ray smirked at how desperate the boy was, he was walking right into their trap.

"So you'll really sell it to me?" The boy asked the adults, who shrugged in response. 

"Uhhh, no," Ray said, seeing the heartbreak grow on Jasper's face. (y/n) felt a bit bad at how they were using dirty tactics, but she knew that criminals didn't play fair, and they had to test Jasper thoroughly.

"No?" Jasper cried, the three of them unaware that Henry and Charlotte had turned on the supercomputer's camera link to the store. They watched in horror as their bosses teased and tortured Jasper to spill. They even had his biggest weakness: a bucket.

"See, here's the thing, we think you know something about Henry and Charlotte. Like...maybe a little secret." (y/n) leaned in close to Jasper's ear, the boy starting to feel the pinch now.

"Yeah, I think Henry and Charlotte have a secret, and I think you know what it is." Ray juggled the bucket enticingly between his hands, (y/n) nodding along with his words. She could see the boy was starting to crack, all they needed to do now was go in for the kill.

"And we're not going to sell King Tut's golden bucket to a boy who keeps secrets from us." The woman said. Ray put his arm around her so it could settle on her hip, gloating when Jasper's lip quivered. They were an intimidating pair and Jasper found it incredibly hard to stand up to them.

"But that's not fair!" Jasper whined and pouted.

"Mmmm. Life isn't fair, son." Ray pouted back. If life was fair, he would've carried (y/n) off into the sunset by now and they'd be married happily ever after. But life's a bitch and then you die.

"You know what life often is?" (y/n) smiled at Jasper sweetly.

"What?" He replied with a shred of hope.

"Unfair." She blanked him, thinking about all the time's destiny had screwed her over. If life was fair, she'd be a supermodel or a pageant winner and she'd turn Ray's eye her way, even though he'd been hers and vice versa for years.

Jasper groaned in pain, his heart in a constant battle with his brain; bucket or secret, secret or bucket? Charlotte and Henry were entranced by the monitor in the Man Cave, praying he'd stay strong for them.

"Just tell us what you know and you'll be walking outta here with King Tut's golden bucket right in your sweaty hands." Ray insisted, tempting him like a devil on his shoulder. He moved the bucket around in his hands, Jasper losing his self-control.

"Can I tell you a secret about someone else?" Jasper tried, but it was a poor shot.

"No, we don't care about anyone else." (y/n) yawned, trailing her manicured nail around one of the jewels.

"My mom steals butter from restaurants." Jasper divulged, not that it had the slightest bit of difference.

"Don't care." Ray said without emotion, not giving a shit about a woman who stole stupid things from restaurants.

"Will you please sell me the bucket?" The boy put his hands together as he begged.

"Tell us the secret!" Ray yelled, as Jasper grunted and strained from the pressure. It was on the tip of his tongue, so he started running around the shop groaning and shouting before he left the establishment completely.

Henry and Charlotte breathed a sigh of relief as Ray clenched his fists in frustration. They so nearly had him.

"What the hell just happened?" (y/n) asked, trying to process that a teen boy had just had a nervous breakdown in her workplace and had run from the store like he was in actual pain.

~A couple of days later ~

Henry and (y/n) were finishing up the cleaning, sweeping the floors and doing some final dusting. They had been working hard, leaving Ray to grumble and sulk to Charlotte. However, their attention was diverted from their work when a notification dinged on Charlotte's phone.

"Who's that?" Henry asked, propping his broom up as he stopped sweeping.

"Jasper, he just got off the bus and he's on his way here." She replied, scanning through the message rapidly.

"Ohhh. You mean our friend who's kept the secret we told him?" Henry poked (y/n) and leered at Ray, annoying the two adults.

"That's the Jasper." Charlotte played into his mockery, smirking at both of them.

"The deal is he's got to keep your fake secret for a whole week." Ray reminded them, knowing that there was still time for Jasper to bottle it.

"Only two days to go." Henry fought back. He thought Jasper could do it, he had faith in his friend.

"Only two days to go." (y/n) mimicked the boy in a childish voice, which was unlike her, but her stubbornness meant she wanted to win. The doorbell tinkled as Jasper entered Junk-N-Stuff, ready to stay strong.

"Hey, guys." He greeted, strolling into the store carefully.

"Oh, hey." Charlotte smiled, also ready to prove her bosses wrong.

"Come to hang?" Henry asked his best friend.

"Nope, I'm here to talk to your boss and his girlfriend." He said in a stern voice as Ray and (y/n) faltered from what he called them. Panic alarms were ringing in their heads and they quickly shook their heads in denial, although their red cheeks were something of a giveaway.

"No, no, no, no, no, no, no, you've us all wrong. She's just my friend." 

"Oh god, no, no, no. He's not my boyfriend, as if!" The words tumbled from the lips automatically, their sentences jumbling into one long mess of lies and suppressed feelings. They both avoided any eye contact as Henry and Charlotte signalled to Jasper that mentioning any feelings in front of them both was a colossal no-no. 

"W-whatever. I'm here to talk to your boss and his...friend." Jasper corrected himself, but he still maintained his confident tone.

"Well, gooooood." Ray replied, settling into the 'friendzone' once again, even as it stung his and (y/n)'s hearts.

"We like to talking to you." (y/n) smiled with a high-pitched voice, but it didn't reach her eyes. She was happy to move on from the awkward moment, despite the fact 'friend' made everything seem so bittersweet.

"Uhh, well actually, Ray and (y/n) are really busy and we got a lot of--" Henry tried to get Jasper to leave, but Ray could see that the curly-haired boy was looking for a fight, and boy, he would give him one.

"Hey! Henry, Charlotte, please go down to the basement and..." Ray interrupted him, trying to think of some humdrum work that would keep the kids busy.

"...Rotate the light bulbs." (y/n) snapped her fingers as the thought came into her mind. It was pointless, but it would take them ages to do every light in the Man Cave, so it was perfect for them.

"Rotate the light bulbs?" Henry looked at her weirdly as the woman lifted herself onto the counter.

"What does that even mean?" Charlotte added, rolling her eyes at their lame attempts to get rid of them.

"It means we want you to unscrew all the light bulbs and then screw them back in again," Ray explained like it was the best job in the world.

"Darn, I wish I was as lucky as you kids, getting to do all of the light bulbs down there! Oh well, off ya go!" (y/n) grinned at them with a fake, sugary voice and Henry and Charlotte did as they were told. But they managed to get a few hand signals in as they walked to the elevator, reminding Jasper again to keep his mouth shut.

(y/n) slid off the counter and circled it so Jaspar could stand and look at them as they faced off.

"Hello." The boy said cooly, but Ray had called the bluff of countless supervillains and that meant he was a seasoned arguer.

"I know why you're here. You've been thinking about something." Ray mocked him.

"Dreaming and thinking...about this." (y/n) used all her strength to lift the bucket, passing it to Ray who held it like it was weightless.

"I want that bucket," Jasper told them confidently.

"We know you do," Ray replied, rolling the metal object in his hands.

"$60. That's double what you asked." The boy stated, slamming the money down on the counter, but Ray just sighed.

"Okay, we were very clear. We know you have a secret. If you want us to sell you this bucket, you better start talking." Ray snapped his fingers in Jasper's face, bulking up his muscles to intimidate Jasper.

"I will not tell you my secret. This is a simple business transaction. My $60 for King Tut's bucket." The kid said firmly, pleasing his friends down in the Man Cave, who were watching again on the computer.

"No deal." (y/n) snapped, causing Jasper to groan as Ray took the bucket away. The thing was worth 3000 bucks. As if she'd sell it for sixty and not get any juicy information with it.

"Come onnnnn!" The teen cried.

"Tell you what, you can have it for free," Ray told him in a sing-song voice. This was his trump card, his best tactic, something he knew Jasper would find irresistible.

"Free?" The boy breathed, gazing at the bucket longingly. It was funny really, he looked at buckets like Ray looked at (y/n), when she wasn't looking, of course.

"Just tell me your little secret." Ray leaned in close to him, his voice sounding like Yoda or possibly Gollum. This was really tricky for Jasper, on one hand, he had the bucket of his dreams nearly in his grasp, but on the other, he had his solemn promise to his friends that he would tell. What to do?

"What's it gonna be, boy? Bucket...for...the secret."  (y/n) hissed at Jasper, holding Ray's wrist so she could edge the bucket closer to the teen's face with every word.

"One sec!" Jasper groaned, jogging off to a corner and zapping his armpit with a taser. He groaned in agony, making the two adults lean back in horror. Should they be worried about this kid? Even Henry and Charlotte were freaked out by his drastic actions.

Jasper let out a deep breath, the pain refocusing his mind. Tucking the taser back into his pants, he cricked his neck and waltzed back up to the counter, ready for round two.

"I will not tell you my secret." He reiterated, Henry and Charlotte encouraging his commitment from downstairs. Ray grumbled and put the bucket down, deciding to switch tactics.

"Hold on, we'll be right back." The large man led his helper by the hand, her stopping briefly so he could yank the bucket from under Jasper's nose. He didn't want to lose his only negotiation point, so it was best to take it with them. 

They sloped off through the backroom and went down the elevator. When it's doors opened, Henry and Charlotte were sat on the couch facing them, looking extremely smug. The adults chuckled sarcastically at how pleased they looked with themselves. 

"Oh, you guys think you're soooo smart," Ray said, walking up and over the back of the couch whilst (y/n) just walked around it. She huffed at how the teens smirked at them; they may have won the battle, but they certainly hadn't won the war.

"No, we think we're so right." Henry gloated, he and his friend leaning of the back of the coach so they could see what their opponents were doing.

"You two are just mad because we proved Jasper can keep a secret." Charlotte pointed out, making Ray frown.

"Yeah, he's so good at keeping secrets, he has to electrocute himself to stop talking." She quipped as she leaned against the wall next to the snack machine with Ray.

"One french fry." The man said, smacking his hand against the screen so he could say his order. The machine complied, and the woman took the single fried potato between her finger and thumb.

"Wait, what are you going to do with that french fry?" Charlotte looked at them both with worry, thinking it was all part of some conspiracy to break Jasper's resolve. But, it wasn't. (y/n) snapped it in half and gave one piece to Ray to eat as she scoffed her own. They swaggered back to the elevator, intent on finishing this thing.

"Aw, guys, don't feel bad just because..." Henry started as the friends turned around just in time for them to see...

"We were right and you were wrong, we were right and you were wrong, we were right and you were wrong!" The kids repeated Ray's song from earlier, copying his dance too. 

"This isn't over until we say it's over." (y/n) told them, hitting the button with her elbow so she and Ray could step back into the elevator.

"Don't count your Jaspers before they hatch," Ray said mysteriously, tossing the bucket between his hands as the doors slid shut.

"The hell does that mean?" (y/n), asked him in a confused voice once they were moving.

"I don't know," Ray said honestly, making her giggle a bit at how silly he was. Reaching the shop floor again, she drained her face of emotion and they stepped back out into Junk-N-Stuff, where Jasper was absent-mindedly counting his money.

"All right. I have $100 here. If you'll--" Jasper tried to bargain, but Ray jumped in before he could go any further. It was time to play smart...

"Stop. We'll sell it to you for ten bucks." Ray told the boy, who was really perplexed at the offer.

"Just $10?" He gasped, as Henry and Charlotte panicked in the Man Cave. This must be their dastardly plan to get him to blab once and for all.

"Well, aren't you going to buy the bucket?" (y/n) asked, noticing his hesitance.

"I'm not telling you my secret," Jasper repeated sternly, making the adults hold their hands up in innocence.

"You don't need to," Ray said, placing his trap.

"Henry and Charlotte told us everything down in the basement." (y/n) played along, pretending to sort out some documentation as Ray messed about with some junk behind the counter.

"Really? They told you they're boyfriend and girlfriend?" Jasper asked, not realising he'd been caught out. 

"Noooo, but you just did!" Ray smirked and (y/n) was glad they'd won, but victory came with a bitter taste. Ray laughed in the boy's face as he cried out in anguish, Henry and Charlotte stamping their feet in pure irritation. 

"We were right and you were wrong, we were right and you were wrong, we were right and you were wrong!" Ray bragged into the camera that was showing the store in the Man Cave before walking to the elevator to rub it into Henry and Charlotte's faces.

"I deserve this!"Jasper said to himself as he electrocuted himself with his taser. (y/n) felt rotten about the whole situation and she wasn't going to let the kid hurt himself for his mistake.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, kid, give me that!" She said, running over to him so she could confiscate the weapon.

"But, I broke my promise." Jasper whimpered, making her feel sorry for him. It was a mean trick that they'd played and she knew that just because he'd been outsmarted, it didn't mean he was dumb.

"And your friends will forgive you. Something tells me it wasn't that big of a secret." She smiled at him gently, knowing that Henry and Charlotte were probably 'breaking up' right that very minute. The curly-haired boy sighed and said goodbye to her, leaving the shop with a sombre stomp.

Going down the elevator, (y/n) arrived in the Man Cave to see Ray doing his victory dance on the couch.

"What are you doing?" She asked, looking at him with her arms folded.

"Celebrating." He replied, only stopping briefly to answer the question before boogieing again. She sighed at how he was behaving in front of Henry and Charlotte, who plodded to the elevator in a silent, but foul mood.

"You ever hear of modesty in success?" She questioned as he lept down in front of her and started to dance with her, her hands in his.

"Just dance with me." He told her, enjoying the way their bodies moved together in a clumsy rhythm.

"But there's no music." She frowned, wondering how he was able to jive and step in time when there was no beat to follow.

"There doesn't have to be when it's just us." He told her with a sweet smile on his face, sweeping her across the Man Cave. 

It was true when they were together, they made their own music, their own harmony, and it was the softest melody they had ever heard.

#fanfiction #drex stinklebaum #jace norman #bomika #captain man x reader #kid danger #nickelodeon #miles macklin #chapa de silva #danger force season 3 #danger force #henry danger #ray manchester fanfiction #ray manchester #ray manchester x reader #fanfic #friends to lovers #reader x character #x reader #reader insert #(y/n) #lovers #romantic #couple #love #relationship #friends #friendship #family #platonic

[thenowherejournal]

A Chapter in Jelaine’s Life: Some things About being a Reader

An Interview Article by Francis and Nad (February 2024)

Readers have different approaches to picking up a novel and have varying tastes– and for a bookworm, you could imagine all the stories that had accumulated during their journey in the vast spaces of a library. Each shelf, rows and rows of stories that came from people all over history and realities. For this interview, we found someone who can share their experience with literature. Our resident bookworm for this article is Jelaine Dio.

BACKGROUND

The 25-year-old graduate of Bachelor of Science in Psychology found herself reading stories in her past time during 5th Grade. While the other kids in her class were playing outside during break time, she was exploring her English textbook for the short story collection; that is when the world opened up to her. Now, she reads novels from the likes of Sally Rooney, John Green, Jandy Nelson and Coco Mellors—some of her current favorite authors that she noted. Her current read is The Guest by Emma Cline, previously followed by Jenny Mustard’s Okay Days.

A lot of these books share a similar genre: Contemporary fiction. She stated that it was her favorite genre in fictional literature because she found herself easily visualizing the story if it is closer to real life or based on certain personality traits. 

KEY EXPERIENCES

“Summer Time: A Book A Day”

Only after a few years of falling in love with the short stories, she managed to read over 7 books a week during her summer vacations. Although some readings are motivated by school credits, she still read an impressive amount during that time. She noted that she has read over 200 books since then. As life goes by, people get busy with their time. Even if life gets busy, she always tries to slip in a moment to read. She said “I read my book if I was waiting for something or if there’s a downtime—whether in public or at home. Because I do not have any cellular data on my phone when I leave the house, I always bring my book for times when I must wait.”

We asked her what was the first fiction she had read and she directed us back to her 3rd year of Junior High. She asked her classmate for a recommendation for a book to start reading fiction “She is also a bookwork and reads her book on an iPad. I asked her ‘What ‘s a good fiction to read first?’ and she let me borrow a copy of ‘The Little Prince’”. She noted that before that, she was not reading much then. After picking up the book, that is when she started being a book fanatic again.

On average, outside of summer time when she finishes a book a day, her average reading time then lasts for two to 3 days per novel. Now, she slowed down to finishing a book in a week but if she has work, then she finishes a book in a month. After she finishes a book, she takes a day to take a break and she picks up another book to start. 

I’ll See It Through, Always

When she reads a book, she sees through it, even if it is average “It’s like in the movies, for example. I watch a movie and I find myself enjoying it but when I see some bad reviews, I don’t find it as a waste of time because I enjoyed the work”. She also added how she also thinks about the effort the author took to finish their story. That’s why sometimes when she finds a story in BookTok, a community in TikTok that shares content about literature, she reads it because of how it was marketed. Sometimes, she ends up reading erotic fiction without realizing it because of how the synopsis was advertised. During the interview, she laughingly said that she found that it was her guilty pleasure to read those types of stories

INSIGHTS

Eenie-Meenie-Miney Book!

When entering a bookstore, some people may feel overwhelmed when offered a lot of options. Jelaine is one of these individuals. Because of this, she has devised three ways to choose the next book she will indulge herself in. One is looking at its cover. As ironic as it is for a bibliophile, she does not really follow the famous saying “Don’t judge a book by its cover." When she sees that a book has an aesthetic and eye-catching cover, she will pick it up and read it. Though on some occasions, she will go through the book’s synopsis before buying it. 

Another way is through recommendations in social media’s “BookTok". She follows countless book lovers on Instagram that post their recommendations in their feeds. When she sees these posts, she will buy two to three of those novels and put them on her shelf of books she will later read. Lastly, she picks up and buys the next novel that she will read by browsing the books of the same authors as the previously finished novel she enjoyed. With these three ways, she has fortunately bought novels that she considered a “good book".

"A Good Book"

It is fair to think that a bookworm that has read hundreds of novels would have a grasp of what makes a "good book". In Jelaine’s viewpoint, a novel that has a striking and grand plot is not important, but what is important is the story’s overall flow. She also added that “ A good book is something you can genuinely relate to the character even though that character has a different experience compared to you." Jelaine also mentioned that when she underlined and bookmarked a lot of lines and parts of a book that she is reading, then that novel is exceptional for her.

LESSONS TO SHARE 

A Wider Vocabulary And Getting In Touch To One’s Feelings And Emotions

For almost half of her lifetime, Jelaine has been “sticking her nose" into numerous books in various genres and lengths. With all these consumed fictional works, she has gained extensive knowledge in vocabulary. She quoted, “Due to reading, my word bank is overflowing". As a result, she can understand words in novels that are unusual while also understanding each sentence that she reads quickly.

Reading has also helped her to become more empathetic, since she is able to know and feel what the characters are going through and understand them as the story goes on. Hence, when a person reads, they can be in touch with their emotions and process them in a healthy manner. 

Something for Readers

Jelaine’s go-to book recommendation to whoever asks her is Celeste Ng’s first novel, "Everything I Never Told You". She deemed this as a good recommendation since it has themes that will make a person feel multiple emotions throughout its entirety. As she shares what the book is about, she mentions that it circles around the idea of family dynamics and how grief affects each member. She said, "This novel is heavy and heart-wrenching". Another book recommendation she mentioned was "Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine" written by Gail Honeyman, which is also a heavily emotional novel.

In addition, she mentioned a quote from one of the books that genuinely made an impact on her. The line was “They teach you growing up that you are only one thing at a time-angry, lonely, content--but he's never found that to be true. He is a dozen things at once. He is lost and scared and grateful, he is sorry and happy and afraid. But he is not alone.” This is from V. E. Schwab’s, "The Invisible Life Of Addie Larue. With these few pieces of line, she feels comforted and loved since it tells the reader that it is good to feel emotion and not to invalidate one’s feelings.

 “When you read, it’s not just printed words on a paper, it is a mixture of the character’s experiences, feelings and views and in turn, you also experience what they have gone through and feel their emotions. With reading, you gain new experiences without physically experiencing them, but through words on a piece of paper." - Jelaine Dio

#booktok #bookworm #biblophile #literature #book recommendations #contemporary literatures #novels #fictional novels #cotemporary books

[waddddle]

2024 TBR

It's the last day of December, and I am still stuck in bed with the flu. Twelve days of lying in bed feeling terrible. The only upside of my bed-bound misery is updating my reading spreadsheet. I bought quite a few books in 2023 and haven't had the time to update my spreadsheet. 

Because of this update I realized that i have 33 unread books on my shelf. That is a lot of books. Leaving these books unread on my shelf forever would be a waste of space, so I have set a goal for myself. Read all the unread books on my bookshelf.

There are 52 weeks in a year. If I were to read one book a week, I would reach my reading goal with ease. To motivate me to read these books I am setting one simple rule: no more buying books until the unread books have been read. Basically just a book-buying-ban. 

So here is a full list of all the unread books on my bookshelf.

Yerba Buena - Nina Lacour

One of Us is back - Karen M. McManus

Paper Towns - John Green

An Abundance of Katherines - John Green

The Anthropocene Reviewed - John Green

All I Know Now - Carrie Hope Fletcher

In The Time We Lost - Carrie Hope Fletcher

Pindakaas en Sushi 2 - Roderick Leeuwenhart

Pindakaas en Sushi 3 - Roderick Leeuwenhart

Heartstopper vol. 5 - Alice Oseman

Solitaire - Alice Oseman

Loveless - Alice Oseman

Pride and Prejudice and Pittsburg - Rachel Lippincott

The Love Hypothesis - Ali Hazelwood

The Sky is Everywhere - Jandy Nelson

Als het Leven Pijn Doet - René Diekstra

Hoop - Roland van der Vorst

Grote Kleine Dingen - Liane Moriarty

Wild - Charyl Strayed

The Midnight Library - Matt Haig

Throne of Glass - Sarah J. Maas

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo - Taylor Jenkind Reid

Normal People - Sally Rooney

The Queen and I - Sue Townsend

Bi - Julia Shaw

I am Glad My Mom Died -Janette McCurdy

Howl's Moving Castle - Dianna Wynne Jones

Castle In The Air - Dianna Wynne Jones

Here's To Us - Adam Silvera & Becky Albertelli

More Happy Than Not - Adam Silvera

Five Survive - Holly Jackson

You Will Get Through This Night - Daniel Howell

Legends and Latte's - Travis Baldree

#books #tbr list #tbr #to read

[rhiezus]

[ coffee] for your muse to drop their coffee or any other beverage in mine's muse // A BOO E O INSOO !

a montage from a movie of the 2000's with an emo punk song kept playing in jandi's mind ever since she actively decided to date insoo in her workplace, in her defense it was almost impossible to date elsewhere with his schedule and her workaholic way of life. they would go around like two idiots in and out of rooms, checking corridors, sending texts, and speaking in code and it all made her smile and laugh more often than she must have in her entire life. for once she finally understood why her idols did it and she couldn't help feeling confidently like one of them.

she still would tell herself she wasn't in her most right state of mind when she fell in love with insoo — falling in love? ew, she would cringe just thinking about it. but nevertheless, she couldn't keep lying to him or even herself anymore, they had so much fun together and she was completely enamored with him, withstanding his bullshits and trying to keep her own under control. honestly, she had never dated anyone before so she couldn't say what was right or wrong but he couldn't care less and sometimes she was even glad to find out he found that incredibly endearing. a hot famous guy thinking her clumsiness was cute? she knew she was biting more than she could chew, but it's also not like it was gonna happen again at all.

a few weeks ago, boo — like everyone affectionately called her — would be asking her treinee ostin to pick up her coffee from downstairs, avoiding eye contact with anyone while trying to focus on whatever chaos her job landed on that particular day. today, however, she was trying to ignore the date of the attik comeback and just what completely obnoxious post a mayb made on instagram just to have a drink with her boyfriend. she had to literally sneak out of her office because whereas no one would expect her to answer properly, they would still dare to ask where she was going. it was insane how much of a family this office could be when most of the time they didn't even tolerate each other.

insoo was just on the coffee shop floor, doing nothing but waiting for her while on his phone. she couldn't help but giggle when she saw him, anyone with their right mind would ask what an actor like him was doing wasting his time away just sitting by the window of his company building on his phone on a thursday afternoon. shame on him for wasting his time with her, she was having too much fun to let go. in a second of complete hysteria and probably a little too much excitement of seeing the man she liked just being a goof on his own, too hot to handle, boo came right behind him patting him on the shoulder a few times before sitting in front of him. "don't you have a job?" she teased loudly, a weird smile playing on her lips.

he clearly wanted to laugh too, because the next thing she knew they got up and order their coffees. she paid her own. not to raise any suspicions, she said the first time and it gradually became a habit even if by the corner of her eye she could see insoo little roll of his eyes. "latte, you're such a kid." she couldn't help by whispering in his ear when they were just out of earshot from the barista, not when he was this close and this lovely. they were just making their way to the elevator, to their usual spot on the almost abandoned fourth floor just three above her office. at this point in time, jandi was very confident in knowing the whole building. but not all she could escape from.

as soon as they were getting cozier at the elevator, the coffee almost forgotten in their hands if it wasn't for how hot they still were, while their hands found each other while they were going up and his lips seized her neck like it were his own. "stop it." she was giggling like an idiot when it did stop, the elevator made a sound and the doors opened just as someone was getting in. luckily they weren't paying much attention, neither was she which made her coffee cup spill everywhere, especially in her boyfriend's expansive clothes. immediately, she made the most exasperated gasp ever the same one she did when she hyunki confessed he was dating someone. "holy shit." her hands tried to make sense of the mess, but it was already impossible. and then, trying to avoid their eyes, they both giggled again like complete morons. "serves you right, jumping on people unnoticed." she fought it, sliding off on the floor like owning the situation but not before turning around slightly to mouth an apology.

#boo x insoo #im deeply sorry for being this random #but also i aint #cause this shits too good #emo punk of the 2000's = dirty little secret #boo. #and thats it for today folks

[tetsemi]

The Humans Answered (not my OC)

Not my OC - Source below

I was just three weeks out of training and I already have had enough of this war. The Threens were winning. They were ruthless, sadistic and totally without mercy or compassion. Whenever they found one of our colonies, they started the occupation by destroying our birthing pools… killing our young while still in the larvae stage.

Helpless.

We fought back as best we could, but our ships were smaller, slower and poorly armed. We faced a war of extinction, and yet our leaders kept trying diplomacy. After every meeting with the enemy, they promised to stop their actions, but they never did. They always just lied to our leaders, and our leaders lapped it up like the groveling dogs they were.

I was assigned to the third response unit, outfitted with one of our races newest ships… top of the line.. state of the art… but still a joke compared to our enemies. One thing my ship did have going for it was a small faster than light engine. Unheard of really in such a small vessel.

An idea came to me as I lay in my bunk, talking with my wingmate. we were discussing how we just fled from a Threen assault, giving up an entire planet to them, condemning every one of us still left on that rock to a gruesome death.

"You know what?" I said, my arm draped over my eyestalks as if to hide from the fate we just imposed on many of our race. "I think the humans were right."

My wingmate coughed in shock. "Why bring those crazies into it?" he asked. "Don't we have enough to contend with already?"

Humans.

What they did… it opened many an eyestalk, that is for sure!

When the humans were first discovered and introduced to the galaxy at large, they were excited. They were always smiling, hopeful and optimistic for their futures.

They were so happy to find out that they finally were advanced enough to be accepted into the galaxy. I remember seeing screen grabs of the Dolan ambassador laughing.. literally laughing in the face of the human representatives.

"Advanced enough!" he roared with mirth "Who cares if you are advanced enough! Your planet is rich in resources! That's all the advancement we need!"

The smile on the humans faces seemed to crumple at that, though they valiantly tried to remain optimistic of the situation.

Until the Dolan's took untold millions of tons of resources, and refused to pay, saying "Now you know to get payment up front! That knowledge is the only payment you will get from us!"

And the Sleen empire.. they invited 100,000 humans to come live on their planet… only to slap them in chains when they arrived, and made slaves of them. When the humans, enraged at the treatment of their people demanded the release of those captured, the Sleen Empire said "Very well… we are sending the 100 thousand to you now!"

And then sent 100,000 Verridium tipped missiles into human cities and settlements.

It was after that when the Jandis Collective offered them medicine to treat the Verridium burns. At first, the medicine was a godsend, curing the burns and disease caused by the missiles… but then, every human that had gotten treatment died in horrible agony. The collective had used the humans as test subjects for a biological weapon.

The humans, after this, cut off all contact with the galaxy at large. They had become a laughing stock, and were the butt of many a joke and insult. They refused any ship, left any hail unanswered, and never left their own area of space. But two of their years later, they opened channels to the Galaxy, and broadcast this message:

"We welcomed you with open arms. Some of you laugh at us, and that is fine. But if you betrayed us, this is your only warning. RUN."

Oh how they all laughed… these stupid humans, what could they do?

The galaxy did not laugh for long. It seems that even though humans were the punchline of many a joke, they were still able to study the weapons and craft of their enemies, and improve on the designs.

The first sign that the humans might be a force to be reckoned with was when all 7 of the Sleen Empire core worlds were bombarded with tens of thousands of a new type of Verridium missile, ones which seemed to react violently with the atmosphere itself, making the air unbreathable and saw people immolated where they stood, even a thousand miles from where the missile hit.

Most of the galaxy thought this a fluke, that the humans blindly stumbled into creating a weapon that worked better than they planned… but when The Jandis Collective began to fall sick, world after world of collective members dying in agony from a disease so potent, it caused necrosis of the skin to where body parts started to fall off the infected, the galaxy realized this was indeed the humans, exacting revenge. Medical teams from many worlds studied the virus, and it seemed the Jandis Collectives own disease they used on the humans was mutated with a human disease called "leprosy", and the result was disastrous.

The galaxy at large called on the humans, begged them to stop their warfare, and none so loud as the Dolans. They apologized to the humans, offered to pay back what they owed double.

They waited in fear for the human response. And when over a dozen large ships appeared in the skies above the Dolan homeworld seemingly out of nowhere, the Dolans were heard from no more. Their world was laid waste.

And the humans sent out one last message, over 600 years ago.

"Do not come near human space. Do not approach us. Do not contact us. Do not even mention us. If any ship approaches, be it a vessel of peace or war, it will be destroyed. There will be no further warning"

The galaxy's races, of course assembled for war. How dare this upstart race order THEM what to do… so thousands of ships flew to human space to wage war.

Not one of them returned. Not one.

Over the centuries, envoys have been sent to human space. All with the same result. The ships engines would cut out for no reason, then the ship would be destroyed.

"The humans were right" I repeated. "Everyone else in this galaxy sit there and watch us die, slowly at the hands of the Threen. They do nothing. We would all be better off if we were just left alone…. we would be better off if we were like the humans…"

And I stopped, My wingmate scoffed but an idea had been planted in my head. A wild, crazy idea, but no more crazy than flying off undergunned to fight a more powerful opponent.

Tomorrow, I would fly for human space. Tomorrow, I would do what no one dared to do for centuries.

Tomorrow, I would ask for help from the most dangerous race in the galaxy.

It is no small wonder that when I flew off, away from battle, my superiors thought me a coward. They threatened me with death if I did not return with their ship, but I was already light years from their grasp.. my ship was after all the fastest single manned vehicle my race possessed. Even as fast as it was, it took weeks for me to near what we all thought was human controlled space. I was nervous, scared that at any second I would be vaporized by some unseen hand, but still my ship flew on.

Days later, as my stores of food were dwindling, my engines cut out for no apparent reason. My hands flew on the controls, but all systems reported they were working properly. Perplexed, I wondered why, if everything was working, I sat dead in space, and then it hit me.

Humans

Quickly, I activated my communicator and broadcast on all frequencies.

"Greetings. I am Pilot Jav'een, of the third response unit of the Balkan race."

Silence was the only reply

"I come to beseech your aid. The Threen empire is decimating our people and our worlds, and the galaxy at large just sits there, waiting like vultures to pick at the bones of my people and my culture"

Silence.

"Once, your race also battled with the apathy and betrayal of the races of this wretched galaxy. You suffered once as we do now, from the disdain and callousness of races that pledge to help, yet do nothing, from races that swear to defend, but instead betray."

Jav'een checked his broadcaster. Everything seemed to be working. He continued

"We were discovered as a world a century after you had left the galaxy. We never had the opportunity to know you, but I know OF you.. the old races speak your names in fear, as the only race to stand up to the evil that permeates the very core of this expanse of space."

Silence

"I know why you turned your back on the other races.. I understand as my race is betrayed just as yours was"

Silence

"But you can help us bring an end to the way things are. How can you sit on the sidelines, doing nothing while peaceful worlds burn?

Silence

"How can you be so cruel?"

Silence

Angry, Jav'een yelled into his communicator "How can you be so COWARDLY!"

He sat in fear, waiting for his death, when without warning, his engines came back online.

confused, he looked around, wondering what was happening, when across his communicator a single word scrawled from right to left.

……….RUN……………

Slamming his fist down in anger and frustration, Jav'een roared into his communicator.

"Run? RUN? My own people think I ran from a fight with the threen, now you tell me to run like the other races! You want to know the truth? You are the WORST race of them all! I will show you RUN!"

and with that, Jav'een ran to the engine room, ripped his sidearm from his holster, and fired it into the FTL engine that was his only way home. His only escape. His last hope. He fired until his weapon was dry, and the engine was little more than a pile of smoking slag metal.

Breathing heavily, He roared back into the communicator

"Cowards! You will not shoot me in the back! look me in the eyestalks if you are going to kill me and be done with it!"

Silence

In a fit of rage, Jav'een smashed his empty sidearm into the communicator again and again. Now it truly would be silent.

Two days later Jav'een's ship still floated dead in space. He sat on the floor, hugging his legs to his chest and still bristling with anger. He regretted his rash decision, and wished he had died fighting the Threen. At least that death would have meaning.

It was then that he felt a strange vibration. He looked up and around, trying to discern its source, when a strange voice, a human voice, but speaking perfect Balkan, seemed to fill his head, emanating from all around him.

"Pilot Jav'een of the Balkan Empire, I extend you greetings" the voice said

"We have heard your request for aid in your conflict, and having spent the last days researching your plight, we, the Terran Empire, gladly offer you our unconditional assistance."

Jav'een sat stunned, mouth agape.

"Please stand by for your vessel to be taken aboard the UES Kavik for repairs"

"th… thank you" Jav'een said timidly, unsure if the humans would be able to hear him.

"Your thanks are not necessary." Came the reply "In fact, we owe you an apology. We have distrusted the other races for so long, we forgot what it was like to be facing them alone. You reminded us of something we long thought was impossible"

"What is that" Jav'een asked timidly.

"That there can be other races out there… Brave. Defiant. Good at heart. Races that remind us of… us"

And with that, the words stopped, and Jav'een saw from his view port 6 large, angular vessels shimmer and appear from seemingly nowhere, huge and bristling with weapons.

Help was here

The humans answered

#hfy #reddit #humanity fuck yeah

[bitacrytic]

Not such a bad idea

“So...” Arm said, leaning over Pol’s shoulder to read the screen. “This was a bad idea.”

“Was it, though?” Pol asks, looking sideways at Arm. 

“We gave him the power to tell any story and he chose literal violence.”

“You know Khun-Tankhun has things to work through. This is good for him,” Pol said, standing up and going to refill his cup of coffee.

“What happened to all those juicy, beautiful romance plots he used to post? Where did they go?” Arm sits on the chair, scrolling through Tankhun’s story. “Why did he choose to write a whole...” He reads the story details. “Ten-thousand-word fic about his bodyguards in the Squid Games?”

“You’re just mad because you died first,” Pol said, laughing.

“Why the fuck did I die first?” Arm asked. “You run and you stop. It’s a stupid, fucking children’s game.”

“That you lost at. Get over it.”

Arm groaned, leaning back in the chair and swiveling around. He’d been grouching about the story for two days now. He’d read it back and forth, up and down, left to right, looking for typos. But Khun-Tankhun was a meticulous devil.

A notification came up on his screen and he sat up, clicking on yet another story.

“Hey, Pol,” Arm called. “He just used his second slot for the week.”

“What did he write about?”

Arm squinted at the screen, reading the story details. Then he laughed.

“What?”

“It’s a “Boys Over Flowers” au with Khun-Kinn as Gu Junpyo and Porsche as Geum Jandi.”

“Hunh,” Pol said, staring up at the ceiling. “Why does that make so much sense?”

“Because it does, weirdly enough.”

“Well, you wanted romance, right?”

Yeah, Arm wanted romance. Relaxing back in his chair, he pulled the laptop closer and delved into the story. Was this Khun-Tankhjun’s schtick? Would they expect every single story to be a remake of some classic Korean Drama, but staring them?

Because, there was a chance that Arm could get really invested in that agender. 

Provided Khun-Tankhun stopped killing him off before the story even fucking started.

♧♧♧

♧♧♧

Read Another

#kinnporsche #the mansion of men

[kerlonsusa]

Kithe jandi tankhah song

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You can even download MP3 songs for offline listening. This Song Is From Album Tankha in Latest Punjabi.

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Songs are the best way to live the moments or reminisce the memories and thus we at Wynk strive to enhance your listening experience by providing you with high-quality MP3 songs & lyrics to express your passion or to sing it out loud. Tankha Ranjit Bawa Mp3 Song Download, Tankha Ranjit Bawa Full Video Download in Various 8 HD Video Formats.

#KITHE JANDI TANKHAH SONG SERIES#

This song is released by V Series on 3rd October 2020 and runs for 4 minutes and 7 seconds. Download Kithe Challian song and listen Kithe Challian MP3 song offline. aundi jandi nu ghara chakaunda, pichon marda goda, ni lak mera patla jiha, bhar sehan na joga. Landlord song is a vibrant Punjabi song which will make you put your Bhangra shoes on and show your uber-cool dance moves. This song is sung by lehmber hussainpuri.

#KITHE JANDI TANKHAH SONG MOVIE#

Along with it if you are looking for a podcast online to keep you motivated throughout the week, then check out the latest podcast of Podcast. Listen to Kithe Challian MP3 Song by Trilok Kapoor from the Punjabi movie Punjabi Lok Rang free online on Gaana. Presentng Sadi Gali full video song from movie Tanu Weds Manu starring Kangna Ranaut, R Madhavan in lead roles. With Wynk Music, you will not only enjoy your favourite MP3 songs online, but you will also have access to our hottest playlists such as English Songs, Hindi Songs, Malayalam Songs, Punjabi Songs, Tamil Songs, Telugu Songs. Now he is back again with another single track which is composed by JSL Singh.Wynk Music brings to you Kithe Chaleya Tu MP3 song from the movie/album Teri Sewa. Motti Motti Akh Song's Lyrics Ve gaddiyan ch kyun rehnde glass kach ke Ni athne je laye bina kithe bach de Ve cheerdi jandi hai utto thand kaalje Ni aive taan ni motte motte peg vajde Ni kaliyan raatan ch chadhe chaand ban ke Ni yaar mere khad’de ne kand ban ke Ni enna naal hunn milna vi reh gaya Ni kahda billo tere naal pyar ho gaya Motti motti akh da shikar ho gaya Ni patle je lakk da. hikk vichon nikli awaz dil nu chooh jandi hai.sir i pray you. Muchh te Mashook Lyrics (Mucch Rakhi aa) - This artist got popularity from his Desi da Drum song. sir main thuhade gane ton bina koi hor song nhi sunda.thude ganne vich ik vakhri khusboo hondi hai.

#Kithe jandi tankhah song

[tinogiehd]

omg if u have any other books recommendations pls say i’ve been trying to make a list for me to buy this week

definitely future home of the living god, circe and song of achilles by madeline miller, and I’ll give you the sun by jandy nelson

#off the top of my head those are all really good #aya asks

[burningdarkfire]

books i read in oct 2022

[these are all short + casual reviews - feel free to msg me and ask about individual ones if u want a full review or ask for my goodreads!!]

took a week long vacation where i didn’t sleep more than 4 hours a night but still managed to read twelve books in the month hell yeah

acts of service - lillian fishman ★★★★★ (contemporary)

in some ways this is a perfect book for me personally - that constant feeling of oh, this book just described something about gender/sexuality/desire that i hadn’t had the words for before. this is exactly what i’m looking for when i read anything contemporary!

beast at every threshold - natalie wee ★★★★☆ (poetry)

collections that make me so excited about poetry!! when natalie wie said “if the greatest measure of devotion is to hunger without bite, let looking be a placeholder for a kinder want” i went a little bit insane actually

book lovers - emily henry ★★★★☆ (romance)

okay i read this on vacation so i do think it got the benefit of good vibes but like it’s cute and the main character’s character flaws are just like mine fr

fish swimming in dappled sunlight - riku ondo ★★★★☆ (thriller)

translated “thriller” that has none of the conventions of typical western thrillers but was very thrilling for me the entire time lol. i would love to see this as a play!

bad kids - zijin chen ★★★★☆ (thriller)

another translated “thriller” that had that puzzlebox style i like from mystery stories! very satisfying to figure out how everything fits together by the end and the story itself had a lot of heart

jujustu kaisen (volume 17) - gege akutami ★★★★☆ (YA fantasy manga)

fun with some cool lines/panels but i’m ready to take another long break from this manga until the next arc is finished

heatwave - victor jestin ★★★★☆ (thriller)

there is a specific brand of unpleasant literature that i just love to read and this book fits that exactly i think. the main character is miserable and so am i

i’ll give you the sun - jandy nelson ★★★☆☆ (YA contemporary)

this is probably a very good book if you like YA contemporaries with romance. that is not me but i do respect a lot about this book

long way down - jason reynolds ★★★☆☆ (YA narrative verse)

it’s cool that this book was written in verse but it kinda had only one trick and then i had to read a whole book that was not bad but also not very original

the woman in the library - sulari gentill ★★★☆☆ (thriller)

gimmicky thriller about authors/writing that isn’t anything special but it did keep the pages turning for me so i had fun

pieces of her - karin slaughter ★★★☆☆ (thriller)

dual timeline thriller (yes i read a LOT of thrillers this month) and one timeline was much stronger than the other. reading a thriller that feels slow at parts is just not it

the death of jane lawrence - caitlin starling ★☆☆☆☆ (horror)

the insta-love killed the this book for me and you cannot convince me it made any sense whatsoever

#my posts #books #liveblogging books #reading wrap up

[agentkahel]

Happy 12th, to my first naby, Jandi girl. Here's your pic nung 1st bday mo. Let's celebrate next week. 💜 by then, baka di ka na masyado kalbo. 😄 https://www.instagram.com/p/Ci5S0JbpMQhP9bUlQnwqSFXgG3lik5Vykpa74s0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[flowery-draws]

Jandy Week Day 2:  “Conversation”

Finally!!! hhhhhhh!!! background are hard! gee! haha but i love it (even it is mess) SORRY I’M LATE!!!! I know, i know, i’m so sorry =A=; forgive me...

ok so *sigh* finally i made it for day 2 and yeah i’m so slow... btw I was inspired by @rosemary1315 (thank you) about day 2. hope yall like it

Jandy week list --> CLICK On @jandyweekblog

EDIT: ON PAGE 3-4

#steven universe #jandy bomb prompt #jandy bomb #jandy week #jandy week 2020 #jasper #andy demayo #jandy #day 2 #flowery draws #steven universe fanart #steven universe comic #comic #su comic

[rosemary1315]

Jandy Week Day 2: Conversation

[Update: May 26, 2020]

Jandy Week 2020 [Click] @jandyweekblog

Jandy (Andy DeMayo x Jasper) Week 4 [2020] Day 2 "Conversation"

Jasper has some bit problem about adapt at Little Homeworld and earth. She needs advice from Andy. Andy isn't very good at giving advice. But, he trie does his best to give advice as he can.

#Andy x Jasper #Jandy #Jandy Week #Jandy Week 2020 #Day 2 Conversation #My Artwork

[sfcabanasstarcgs]

Jandyweek Day 4: Dancing Together by SfCabanas15

#andy demayo #andy x jasper #jasper #jasper su #su jasper #jandy week #dancingtogether #jandyweek #andrea #andreademayo #jandyweek2019

[jandyweekarchive]

Jandy week 2018

Hello everyone! This year's jandy week will go from August 1st to August 7th

Here are your themes:

Day 1: Glory days

Day 2: Relaxing at the beach

Day 3: Air partners

Day 4: Powers reaction

Day 5: Autumn (fall) afternoon

Day 6: Hard feelings

Day 7: Part of the family

Bonus theme: revisiting the old kindergarden

#jandy #jandy week #jandy week 2018 #jasper #andy demayo #andy #jasper x andy #su #steven universe

[myqueenmarceline]

Come fly with me

Combination of the prompts for days 2 and 3 of @jandyweek Airplanes and Romantic/”date” night

warnings: none, just fluff

Jasper stared in undisguised awe at the view below them; fields and forest rolling out before them. She’d never gotten the chance to see much of Earth before, but this was absolutely beautiful. The wind rushed past them, and she’d never felt this free.

“How’s the view?” Andy called, turning his head a little to see her. Her hair billowed around her, eyes sparkling brightly as she smiled at him.

“This is amazing.” she said. “There’s so much more than I expected.”

“Yeah, you don’t really realize how much there is to it until you really spend some time up here.” Andy replied, carefully changing the angle of the wing flaps. “Here, this is our stop.”

The field wasn't a proper landing strip, but it was flat enough that Andy was able to touch down with only a few small bumps. He hopped out, offering Jasper a hand as she stepped down.

“I found this place a couple months ago. It’s the best place to see the stars in the entire Midwest.” he said proudly, taking out a blanket. They’d stopped right next to a small hill, and he spread it out over the grass.

Jasper sat down, looking up. The sun hadn’t fully set yet, but she could already see a few stars twinkling. “This is all beautiful. Thank you.” Jasper said, and she really meant it. She’d been a little unsure about going out so far with just Andy, but this was going well.

“Hey, it’s nice to fly with someone for a change.” Andy said, pulling out the picnic basket and settling down next to her. This night was going to be great as long as he could spend it with her.

#my fanfic #su #stevenuniverse #jasper #andy #andy demayo #airplane #fanfic #su fanfic #my fanfiction #fanfiction #jandy week #fluff