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potatomountain · 11 months

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TLaM CH 6

“Like a Comedy”

mutant reader x human ateez

Word count: 2.5k

Warnings: there will be potential triggers for anxiety and mental illnesses all throughout this story. Not all characters are nice at first.

AN: I absolutely loved writing this chapter! but then i just wasnt sure how to wrap it up so it took so long but finally here we are! woot!

a reminder a lot of the times i don't edit my works and that this is a slow burn, its going to take awhile for mc to meet and trust each of the eight but she’ll get there!

This is a work of fiction, in particular Fan fiction, and in no way is this a representation or an accurate depiction of ATEEZ or any other idols/people used for this work.

Any feedback is always appreciated and adored! Comment on the masterlist to be added to the taglist <3

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***-

>is it too late to back out?

Pacing just outside the open gate I stared at my phone, waiting for Jongho to reply. I didn't have to wait long, the three dots showing up for just a second before the message popped up.

> don't wuss out, you said you wanted to get used to this place. Can't do that if you don't go in.

He had a point. He always had a point. Three days of consistent texting, coaching, and explanations and the man whose face I didn't know had become the closest thing to a confidant, or friend, that I ever had. And I couldn't even tell if he was actually nice or cared to be said friend. I appreciated him nevertheless.

> why do you always have to be right?

I replied with a groan, stopping in my tracks and looking back up at the red brick building. I just had to go in there- I didn't have to stay long, I could grab some tea and just keep to myself in a corner? Maybe there would be no one here?

Boy was I wrong. Not even two minutes later, the front doors of the tavern opened up and a man with bright red hair came rushing out, heading straight for me. "If I have to watch you pace one more time in front of the tavern, I am going to lose my mind. Come in, pleaseeee-" He whined out the please, stopping just before me.

I could only stare, jaw hanging open as I slowly blinked, trying to process the strange man in front of me. This wasn't Seonghwa, despite both of them having fierce jaws his was a bit more cutting edge. Of course there were also the obvious differences of the bright red hair, slightly shorter and scrawnier; as well as their voice, his having a higher pitch and not as smooth.

While my brain spent far too much time comparing this new person to the only face I had attached to this tavern, the other man in question finally stepped out of the doors in a hurry. "Wooyoung, what did I tell you about approaching new customers?!"

The red head rolled his eyes and turned with a pout to face Seonghwa. " I couldn't stand watching you freak out for another 2nd over the fact that she just wanna come in. So there I fixed both of your problems. Now how about you two do whatever you need to do and let's all head inside? I feel like I'm dying of heatstroke just looking at her all bundled in this heat!" As for emphasis, he pulled on the front of his tee-shirt to move air beneath it, sighing in content.

What seemed to be becoming a habit was the way I would look over at Seonghwa as a silent plea for help, glancing between him and the object I needed help with. I was far too frightened to actually run, gripping my phone hard enough my knuckles actually hurt. Seonghwa softened at my expression, head lolling to the side and brows pushed up in concern. "I'm sorry Blue, Wooyoung is-"

"Wait THIS is Blue? The girl you were rambling and worrying about all week?" Wooyoung screeched out, looking me over with a new found curiosity before nodding. "I see I see. Well, sorry if I spooked you but you really should come inside."

Again I looked between the two of them, holding my phone to my chest as if that would calm my racing heartbeat. "I-"

"Wooyoung, just go inside and make something for her. As well as the honey lavender tea." Seonghwa grabbed him by the shoulders and gave him a not-so-gentle push towards the door. He watched him stumble his way back inside, showing him every time Wooyoung turned to try and say something. Once it was just the two of us, he turned with a soft smile, yet I could feel how anxious he was.

It didn't help my nerves at all.

"Again, I'm sorry about him. He'll make you something to eat and I won't charge you, especially after we gave you such a fright."

I shook my head, still frozen otherwise as I searched for something to say, fighting the urge to run still.

It seemed like he could tell, a plea in his eyes that pulled at my heartstrings, but it was his mumble that really brought an ache to my chest. "Please don't run again…"

It was precisely because I had run the first time I was so scared to come back. After running out like a mad man wouldn't it be awkward to come here? How could I face them? Well I was now, and that was thanks to the red haired man. "I- I'm sorry I ran. I want to run now honestly…"

"I can tell, you have such a pretty pattern on your skin I thought you were having a hard time masking. What can I do to put you at ease?" He spoke slowly, carefully, choosing each word to hopefully ensure it didn't have me running for the hills.

I wish I had an answer for him though. "Startling me before I walk in through the door doesn't really help… I uh, do you have a room I can sit in for some time? I need to calm my nerves and…"

"Of course! What kind of room do you need? I made sure each room has their own thermostat and cooling system. Some of them are vastly different so depending on what you-" He broke off, gasping, eyes going wide as tears streamed down my face. "Oh my God you're crying? You're crying, crap I really messed up-"

I shook my head before lowering it. "A-a room with a shower. Steam on my skin helps." I couldn't place why I was crying, the emotions that had welled up within me were foreign and just too overwhelming to name.

Seonghwa didn't press any further, nodding his head and motioning for me to follow. I knew I wouldn't be able to hold the last of my mask in place for much longer, my clothes feeling like sandpaper on my skin and my back shivering at the air change once inside the tavern. He was quick, leading me towards the stairs to the upper rooms, neither of us stopping at the sounds coming from the kitchen. We stopped at the first door, he put in a key code and the door clicked open. "Bathroom is the only other door, go ahead and use the shower and take as long as you need. Thermostat is right to the left of this door… you can come into the kitchen when you are ready, or explore. Just, don't push yourself Blue." He held the door open for me, care evident on his features as I passed by as carefully as I could without touching him.

"Thank you. Please leave me be for now." I muttered out, immediately turning to the stat to turn it up high. Only when the door shut, a sound click resonating in my hyper aware ears, did I sigh with relief and let my guard down full.

I tossed my clothes haphazardly off as I practically rushed to the bathroom, barely registering anything about the room.

I hit my limit but this time at least I didn't run.

===========

Seonghwa stood outside the room until her heard the shower, only then letting out a sigh of relief. The pure panic that had been on your face moments ago had struck a cord with him, leaving him even more anxious and scared that you might leave again; he was surprised when you stayed and asked to use a room.

One problem solved, one more to address. Rage bubbling up he turned and headed down the stairs quickly, calling out when he hit the ground floor. "Wooyoung!!" He made a beeline for the kitchen, slamming the doors open to see Wooyoung scramble to the other end of the island, hands up on defense.

"Wait wait Hwa! Can we talk about this?"

"Talk about what? Are you trying to scare away all potential customers?!" He hissed out, slamming his hands on the island counter and staring down the red haired man on the other side.

Wooyoung glanced at his routes of escape, Seonghwa in the way of both. "She didn't run off though!" He took a step to his right only for Seonghwa to move in his way, doing the same when he turned to head the other way instead.

"That's because I intervened! She was ready to bolt, again, because of your callousness!" Seonghwa once more cut him off, and again when Wooyoung attempted the other way. They were at a standstill, only the long kitchen island standing between them both and sparing Wooyoung for the moment. Seonghwa was determined though as they both bobbed from one side to the other.

That didn't mean Wooyoung was going to just let him win, he still tried. "You can't tell me you didn't want to go out there yourself! You practically paced a dent into the floor of the lobby!"

Seonghwa hesitated, only for a split second as Wooyoung was right: he had held himself back from going out to her, every second she paced had made him even more anxious.

Wooyoung saw that split second as his chance, darting from one side to the next and managing to throw Seonghwa off his trail long enough to make it a few steps. Freedom was in sight only for the back of his shirt to be grabbed from across the counter. The sudden force had the collar too tight around his neck as he fell back against the marble, Seonghwa climbing over the counter to get to the other man faster. "You're not getting away from me you little shit."

Nimble as he was, Wooyoung twisted and squirmed out of his shirt, scrambling for the door only to get blocked by Seonghwa a second later. He ducked under just in time, making a beeline for down the hall just as they heard the front door ding. At the sight of the newcomer, Wooyoung picked up his pace. "SANGIE SAVE ME!!"

In a last ditch effort to stop the now half naked man, Seonghwa kicked his slipper off, and with great precision, hit Wooyoung in the back of the head. He fell forward just in front of the newcomer, hitting the ground with a thud. Seonghwa caught up, throwing Wooyoung's shirt at him with more force than necessary. "Stay out of this Yeosang."

"With pleasure." Unbothered, the dark haired man held his bag closer to his chest and just stepped over Wooyoung and past Seonghwa. "I'll be in your office to check diagnostics."

Only his confusion stopped Seonghwa from bringing his other slipper down to hit Wooyoung, instead focusing his attention on Yeosang. "But you just checked them last week?"

"I think there is a glitch in the front camera."

"Why would you think that?" With Seonghwa distracted, Wooyoung started to crawl out of the way and into the lobby. He didn't make it far before Seonghwa stepped on the hem of his pants and held him still.

With a bored expression, Yeosang looked between them both, even more certain there was a bug. "I get notifications when someone approaches the building, just in case you might need help. I received a large amount in a short time so…" He trailed off, leaving the rest for them to figure out.

Seonghwa was a little touched by the underlying concern, but that was washed away as it dawned on him just what he meant. "There was a nervous Typhon outside, I don't think it's a glitch."

"And the notifications for the inside?" He pointed above Seonghwa's head to the small camera stationed there. "Another nervous Typhon?"

"More like a nervous Hwa- ow!" Wooyoung winced at the kick he received to the shin, pulling away and standing up to finally put some distance between them. "He was freaking out because she wouldn't come in."

"And then you nearly scared her off!"

Pulling on his shirt Wooyoung kept a table and chair between him and Seonghwa. "Well you weren't gonna go talk to her! Despite ranting all week about her!"

Seonghwa's cheeks went pink, a sign Yeosang noticed. "What's so special about this Typhon?"

"Nothing." Seonghwa pricked, glaring over at Wooyoung. "Point is there is no glitch, just a bunch of nerves."

"Yeah because she's the Typhon. Isn't she Hwa?" Wooyoung dared to step out of the lobby now that Seonghwa seemed to have calmed down a little. Even though his comment had the other flushing even more, he didn't move to grab him.

Yeosang's eyes went wide, turning fully back to the two of them. "You mean the little blue girl? Is she here right now?"

“Yes but don’t bother her. Someone nearly gave her a panic attack.” Seonghwa rushed out, giving Wooyoung side-eye.

With a sheepish grin Wooyoung held up his hands in defense but still ran his mouth. “At least I got her inside. What’s the point of the shelter if the person you built it for doesn’t even want to come in huh?”

Seonghwa flushed several shades deeper, his normal chilly glare lacking any threat from how embarrassed he was to be called out like this. “I should have never told you that story.”

Yeosang was watching with curiosity, not having enough care to ask them to delve into the details. Knowing Wooyoung he would spill the beans to him later without having to pry at all. That was later, right now he thought it might be a good idea to spare Seonghwa from any more teasing; even if it was amusing. “Do you want to see what else he can throw at you other than his slipper?”

“As if I’m scared of him. He’s not going to do anything that might scare off his precious Blue.” He didn’t look so sure, wavering on his heels as Seonghwa turned to him fully, his glare finally menacingly enough to give Wooyoung pause. “Or I can always tell her about-”

Seonghwa began to stalk towards him, Wooyoung abandoning his taunt to retreat through the lobby and stay out of his way. “Remind me why I gave you a job?”

With an exasperated sigh, Yeosang turned back to the office to leave them be to their game of cat and mouse. Wooyoung was going to lose anyways, and he didn’t want to get dragged into it. Instead he headed into the small office to sit at the neatly arranged desk. Since he was here, he might as well do some updates; otherwise he rushed over here for nothing.

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#ateez wooyoung #ateez #Ateez hongjoong #ateez ot8 #ateez yeosang #ateez x reader #ateez x y/n #tlam #ateez seonghwa #ateez yunho #ateez mingi #ateez san #ateez jongho #mutant reader #ateez mutant au #slowburn #ateez fanfic #to love a monster

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