#y/n living their best life working at a gas station | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

lattaeyongs · 2 years

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summer of love (ljn)

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↳ pairing: lee jeno x reader

↳ word count: 15.2k

↳ genre: ‘90’s!au, brother’s best friend!au, summer!au, neighbor!au, slice of life(ish)!au, fluff, slowburn

↳ summary: The summer of 1997 was a weird time. As a person living in the modern era, you’d completely forgotten what it was like to live in the ‘90’s. In May 1997, you listened to the Backstreet Boys, flipped through TV Guide, and had an answering machine which seems so archaic now. But that isn’t the only reason why the summer of 1997 was weird. That summer was the time you fell for your brother’s best friend.

↳ warnings: minor cursing, making out

SUMMER 1997

Your second year of college is over. You’ve taken your last exam, and it’s finally time to ditch your dorm and lousy roommate to go back to your childhood home for the summer. It’s a three-hour drive with no rest stops from college to your home, but it took longer due to the gas station stops to get junky, sugary snacks and coffee. But eventually, you made it back home in one piece.

Your childhood home looks almost exactly the same as you left it: The old, green, flowery wallpaper that your parents keep forgetting the change still hangs in the kitchen, the brown carpet in the entry hallway with the weird stain is still there, and the pantry still has an endless supply of potato chips. The only thing missing are your parents.

“Y/N!” Renjun exclaims, coming to hug you. As your older brother's arms lock around you, you notice how different he feels despite last seeing him only two months ago; prickly stubble pokes at your skin, and he definitely has been working out.

He parts from you, moving to the answering machine sitting on the kitchen counter. “Where are mom and dad?” You ask.

“Out,” he says abruptly, playing the messages in the machine before clearing them out. “They’re shopping to make dinner. They thought you would come back later. And by the way,” he continues, “Jeno’s coming over.”

“Okay,” you respond back simply. At this point, you’re used to Lee Jeno; he’s practically your family, in that the Lees live only a few houses from yours. It is honestly a wonder how Renjun and Jeno have remained friends since they were five-year-olds running around the neighborhood grafitti-ing the sidewalks with colorful chalk designs without growing apart or finding people more apt to suit their developing selves as time passes. It seems that instead of growing apart because of the new scenes and sounds in their adult lives, they were growing together like two parallel vines despite the distance they had to combat in college. When you hear the doorbell a few moments later, you know it’s Lee Jeno.

He certainly looks different than what you remember with dark hair this time and a slight tan. You haven’t seen Lee Jeno since winter break when he was staying with his parents across the street. Just like you and Renjun, he’s back home from college after the school year, and you’ve seen him around a couple of times a year with all the school breaks.

“Y/N!” Jeno smiles in that very Jeno way that makes everyone’s heart melt. He leans down a bit to meet your eyes, taking his thumb and forefinger of his hand and squishing your cheek. You playfully bat his hand away.

“Quit doing that!” You giggle with a pout on your face. “I’m not a baby anymore! I go to college!” You say incredulously, a little bit of a whine in your tone.

“You’re always a baby to me,” he teases. You roll your eyes at this, moving over to let him in.

“Jeno!” Renjun yells, ditching the answering machine. He rushes over to hug the other boy. “It’s good to see you.”

“You too Jun,” Jeno replies. You smile at the sight.

“Let’s play pool,” Renjun says. Jeno agrees, nodding. Both boys go to the basement where your family’s famous pool table resides (your father having gotten it for free from some bar closing in the ‘70’s), and Jeno shuts the door loudly on his way out. You’re about to rain on Renjun’s parade and tell him to come back and clear the answering machine he left behind, but you think against it. You didn’t feel like interrupting a friendship that is so beautiful. So you sit on the chair that Renjun recently left, pressing the ‘listen’ button on the answering machine.

As you listen to the promotional spam calls from companies trying to sell you things that you didn’t need or couldn’t afford, you purse your lips. Seeing Renjun and Jeno together almost made you jealous; none of your high school friends were back from college, and through the few calls you all would have during the school year, they’re off doing bigger and better things than this sleepy town that you call home.

That night you were going to sleep in your bedroom filled with cassette tapes, posters and pink and yellow wallpaper that you picked out when you were seven. After satisfactorily wrapping yourself in your comfortable blankets that smelled of lavender detergent (your favorite scent), you stare at the ceiling. You couldn’t imagine not visiting this place.

So you have a secret. No, not of the deep dark kind, but something that would definitely earn you a lot of teasing if your friends and family found out about it. One of your biggest guilty pleasures is the movie series The Zygon Kingdom, a science fiction franchise about alien invasions. Stereotypically, people think this series is for losers, gamers, and nerds who live in their mom’s basement. When you’re in public, you try your best to refrain from comment or make fun of the series alongside others, but in private, you secretly anticipate the new movies, going to see it immediately when it comes to theaters.

And that’s what you’re planning on doing today. Today is the release of the fifth movie of the franchise, The Zygon Kingdom: A New World. Finally, you actually had plans; you were starting to look pathetic with how much TV you were watching; your parents were even joking that the most recent book that you’ve read is the TV Guide that was mailed a few days ago. On top of not having friends to hang out with this summer, Renjun, a fresh graduate from a pre-law program, has been running around town trying to find positions to start paying off his degree debts and to gain experience while also trying to study for the LEET exam to qualify for law school. All your friends and family being busy would be depressing to you on any normal day, this comes to your advantage today, for you don’t want to be seen.

“I’m going to see a friend. Love you.” You say quickly to your parents. With how immersed they are in Full House, their marked TV Guide beside them, you could have said that you wanted to get a tattoo, and your parents would probably not bat an eye.

“Okay, be safe honey,” your mother says dismissively.

Leaving through the basement, you go to your car outside, unlocking the door. Obviously, you’re carrying your big tote bag so you could sneak in snacks; you even went shopping at the convenience store to prepare. Once you’re finished with the ten minute drive from your home to the movie theater, you look in both directions before entering the line in the lobby of the theater to get a ticket. You’re going to pay in cash, not credit to make sure that this can’t be traced back to you, and you pull out a large flopping hat that you have saved in your car, placing it on your head the second you step out of the car. Yes, you were being completely paranoid, but the last thing you want is someone recognizing you as you go into the movie theater or your parents looking at your credit card statement to see that you went to the movie theaters to view The Zygon Kingdom.

The time you spent waiting in line is filled with you looking around in all directions, making sure to avoid gazes of anyone that went to high school with or parents whose kids you babysat. Gossip travels fast, and you didn’t feel like finding out how fast. This is a whole covert operation – you get in and you get out, hopefully with your reputation still intact.

“One ticket to the new Zygon movie,” you say quietly. The woman sitting at the counter almost doesn’t hear you because of how quiet you are or how loud the chatters are of high schoolers and adults coming to the movie theaters after a long week, but either way, she gives you your ticket.

“It’s in room B,” You’ve gone to this movie theater enough to know where everything is without needing a map or extra time to find your way around. Since you took into account Friday night traffic and the length of the line, you have about five minutes before the movie starts.

“Thank you,” you say, smiling quickly. Keeping your head low, you move your neck around as if your head is a moving surveillance camera, still trying to make sure that no one you know is seeing you walk into room B, which has a huge blue and yellow poster of The Zygon Kingdom: A New World right next to the door. Once the coast is clear, you head into the dark movie room, finding row sixteen, in the middle.

“Excuse me, excuse me,” you whisper to people who you had to cross to get to your seat. The room is at half capacity; a few advertisements are playing on the screen, for now you have three minutes before the movie starts (but it will probably be longer since ads play for at least ten minutes after the movie is supposed to start to give people extra time). You find a spot in the middle row, which is where the majority of those few people are because you can get a good view of the screen and the audio would be loud but not too loud.

Pushing down the foldable seat, you sit down. Bringing your purse to your lap, you pull out a bag of chips from your bag, opening it before the movie so that no one gets annoyed at you for opening it so loud. You adjust your sitting position, letting your left leg cross over your right one, and in the dark room, you accidentally kick the seat in front of you. It’s a loud sound, and you slightly grimace at the pain in your foot now. The person in front of you turns around, and you feel like you lost the air in your lungs.

“Jeno?”

“Y/N?”

After the movie incident, you and Jeno realize that you actually have more in common than you thought. Apparently, Jeno is in the same position as you when it comes to high school or local friends. Just graduated from college, his friends have found well-paying starting positions and internships, and except for a few people, he’s also been bored at home. Instead of finding a job immediately or stretching himself thin like Renjun, Jeno decided that it was best for him to take a break mentally after college, and then he would be on the job hunt. So now you two have been much more inclined to meet up.

This would have never happened a year ago. Sure, you would hang out with Jeno when Renjun invited you to hang out with them, and you would even have a good time, but by yourselves, you were a bit more than strangers. Now that doesn’t seem so.

“I still can’t believe that you like the Zygon Kingdom. Liking the Zygon Kingdom is so not you.” You say, grinning at Jeno. “I would never have pegged you as a fan,” You and Jeno are at an ice cream parlor, enjoying the shelter of this building better than the merciless afternoon sun outside. Lee Jeno, a college soccer star who gets all the girls liking a cheesy science fiction movie? That’s not something you learn every day. Picking at his chocolate ice cream, Jeno smiles at you too.

“I could say the same for you.” Taking a bite of your ice cream, you cross your legs under the table, a slightly pensive look on your face. Leaning forward, you put your elbows on the white table. “So what else do I not know about you?” You ask.

“Well,” Jeno tilts his head. “I like to dip my pizza in honey.”

“I know that,” you say. “Back when you and Renjun used to order pizza at the house, you would always ask me where the honey is.”

“You remember that?” Jeno asks, surprised. You shake your head, a disapproving frown on your face. “I only remember because you’re the only person in the history of humankind to dip your pizza in honey. Honestly, how do you even stomach that?”

“The same way you can eat that mint chocolate chip ice cream you have here,” he says, pointing to your cup. You gasp in mock offense, and he only continues. “That stuff tastes like toothpaste.”

“To make up for what you just said, you have to tell me something that I actually don’t know about you.” Jeno grunts and this, and you wait, tapping your foot against the tiles annoyingly.

“When I was a sophomore in high school, I went to one of Ten’s house parties,” he stops for a few seconds, and you look at him, your gaze willing for him to continue. “He brought in eight kegs of beer from God knows where, and I had a few drinks.”

“Shut up!” You say, pushing Jeno’s shoulder from across the table. You’re absolutely astonished. “You, Lee Jeno, student council representative for your entire high school career, got drunk while going to Ten’s parties?” You only know Ten through his reputation, specifically his outrageous house parties that he throws whenever his parents are out of town that almost always end with the cops coming to shut it down. They’re always the highlight of your high school class’s weekend in your sleepy little town, where the mall or the park are the most interesting places to go. You’ve never been to one of Ten’s parties yourself since in high school, you were never much of a partier (and you didn’t have the ‘contacts’ to get invited anyway), but you’ve heard that he’s the definition of a privileged rich kid with money to burn.

“Yes, that was me.” he laughs. “And, it gets better.” You lean farther forward, your cheek propped up by your fist. “I was so drunk that I couldn’t drive home, so I called Renjun at like midnight to pick me up. When I came into his car, it smelled like perfume, and he had lipstick all over his face. Yeri Kim was in the back of his car.”

Your eyes widened. “No way! Renjun told me he was studying for a history test!” You remember this day in-depth because it was the night of the freshman dance that you went to with your friends.

Jeno smiles at your astonished look before clearing his throat. “I told you something you didn’t know about me and something you didn’t know about Renjun, so you better tell me something good that I didn’t know about you.”

You sigh, tilting your head upwards. Pushing your tongue against your cheek, you’re deep in thought before you spring up in your chair again.

“Remember when you, me, and Mark would all volunteer at Taeyong’s animal shelter?” You ask. During your high school years, you were in desperate need of Honors Society hours to make you look better on your college applications, so you ended up signing up to take care of unadopted pets, either rescue or lost. Jeno, Renjun, and a few of his other friends had the same idea since it would be easy to carpool.

“Yeah?” Jeno responds. Bringing your palm against your mouth, you shelter some giggles before Jeno has a curious look on his face.

“Y/N? What is it?” You lick your lips before inhaling sharply.

“While getting in the parking lot with Renjun to get something from your car, do you remember getting hit by a bunch of water balloons?” Jeno squints for a few seconds as if trying to connect some invisible dots, and after a few moments, his eyes widen, his mouth in an “o” shape.

“That was you?” He says, astonished. “I blamed Chenle for that for an entire year!”

“Yup, it was me,” you say, giggling in between words.

“Why did you do it?” He asks.

“It was supposed to be for Renjun, but then you got in the way, and by that time, I already dropped the water balloons.” Jeno purses his lips, as if trying to picture you in the situation you described. This only leads you into another laughing fit.

“You should have seen your face, I will never forget how hilarious you looked and how you were like ‘Chenle if you’re working the dog walking on the ceiling, then I’m gonna kill you!’” You snicker, imitating Jeno’s voice by making it abnormally deep.

“I do not sound like that.”

“I do not sound like that,” you imitate again. Jeno crosses his arms, a brow quirked.

“Okay, I’ll actually stop this time,” you say, giggling.

After a few moments, Jeno laughs with you. The prospect of no friends in town seemed unfounded today, for there is a friend for you that has been sitting under your nose this whole time.

You’re sitting cross-legged on your bedroom floor as you organize your colorful array of CDs, different albums you’ve collected through various birthday monies and Christmas gifts. Not only are there CDs, but your shelf is loaded with cassettes. By this point, no one used cassettes anymore, but it was the easiest way to record songs from the tape radio and have to listen. You would simply put the cassette in your tape radio and press the ‘record’ button when radio stations would have their two hours ad free music. A mini cassette of free music was perfect to put in Renjun’s old walkman as you took a jog around the neighborhood. You learned this method two years ago from your father, who used this way to get free music in the ‘80’s, but now, you have a huge collection of songs that have become a pain to oragnize. You’re not exactly good at putting things back in their place, tending to grab your CDs and cassettes, use them, and then discard them on top of the little shelf you have.

Point is, this is an arduous task. This is why when you hear the phone ring in the living room, you run out to get it. Plus, if you didn’t answer it now, it would be your task to clear out the answering machine at the end of the day. So, now you had one less message to listen and clear out.

When you hold the house phone to your ear, you only hear a monotonous dial tone, signalling that the person hung up. You feel a little suspicious, but think nothing of it; sometimes, neighborhood kids find it funny to dial random numbers and not answering when the person picks up – like virtual ding-dong-ditching.

But your suspicion proves right when you feel wetness on your head. On the floor of your living room is a deflated balloon, and in your hair, you’re pretty sure it’s water. There’s only one person you think could be behind this, and he slowly comes out from the space he’s hiding in your kitchen. He smirks as he shows you a small corded phone connected to the wall, shaped like a lip (probably Jeno’s sister’s that he stole from her room). Before you can grab him in your kitchen, Jeno is running out onto the street.

“Lee Jeno what the hell?” You screech to the boy running down the street. You don’t bother to take your shoes, only closing the front door to prevent any animals coming into your house to take shelter from this hot weather. The heated pavement sings the soles of your feet as you run, but the feeling doesn’t bother you: you’re on a hot (literally hot) pursuit of Lee Jeno, and in the distance, you can see him.

“Damn these short legs,” you mutter. You run and you run through the neighborhood. Lee Jeno has you taking sudden turns, trying to get you to break your tail on him, but it’s unsuccessful. Finally when you’re close enough, you spring forward onto Jeno’s back. He sways at the sudden weight, falling to the ground. Thankfully, you’re on grass, which is cooler to the pads of your feet and breaks Jeno’s fall.

“What was the meaning of this?” You ask, pointing to your dripping head.

“It’s a little something called payback.” He smirks.

“Hey, there’s a difference,” you start off, “Mine was on accident. It was supposed to hit Renjun. Your’s was on purpose.” You cross your arms, pouting.

“Well, then this was supposed to teach you not to be mean to your brother.”

“Siblings in the same age group act like this all the time,” you say. You then put your index to your chin. “At least if you’re like me and Renjun.” If Jeno pulled something like this on his older sister Jihyeon, who is six years older than him, he wouldn’t survive to tell the tale.

The boy in front of you sucks in a big breath. “Let’s settle this once and for all then,” Jeno says. He comes closer, his body only a few inches from yours. “A game.” He smiles. “I have some water balloons at home. If you win–”

“You have to give me 20,000 won.” You finish. Jeno raises his eyebrow. “There’s a new Backstreet Boys album I want,” you say.

“Alright, fine,” Jeno says. “But if you lose,” Jeno stops midway, trying to bite his lower lip in a way to shelter the huge smirk on his face. “You have to clean my car.”

“Too easy, all I’ll need is a hose,” you wave your hand.

“Not the outside.” Your eyes widen at this new development.

“You mean…”

“Yup. The inside.” You’ve never been in Jeno’s car yourself since mostly when you would hang out with Jeno, it would be with Renjun, which means that you’re using Renjun’s car. But Renjun has told you, pretty infamously, that his car is messy and smells like a giant foot.

“That’s cruel and unusual punishment!” You say. Let’s just say if Renjun thinks it’s smelly, it’s probably smelly. Renjun has been a teenage boy before, and many teenage boys are a species that usually cannot detect the lack of hygiene.

“Those are the parameters of the game,” Jeno says. “If you resign now, that’s considered a loss, which means you have to clean my car anyway.”

You flatten your lips. Damn, you’re in a deadlock now.

“Fine. Game on.”

Lee Jeno destroyed you. But honestly, what else did you expect? Lee Jeno, who has played soccer his whole life and has had plenty of experience with strategy and planning, completely and utterly destroyed you. It wasn’t the smartest idea to go guns-blazing with water balloons at Jeno, but you didn’t have many other choices. Your long-distance aim and contact skills weren’t that good, for you never played “sports,” sports as in competitive sports since you only danced for a couple of years. You did use your surroundings well, hiding behind trees and bushes so you can stalk your way to Jeno, but that only did so much.

So now you are wearing an old T-Shirt and some jeans shorts, opening the front door and performing the ‘walk of shame’ as you walk to Jeno’s house, where boxes of unopened trash bags, air freshener, sponges, and soapy water sit.

Jeno is only a few feet away from the cleaning materials he left out, sitting on a beach chair.

“Y/N,” Jeno says, waving to you in a friendly way. “Thank God you’re here. I was worried you might happen to forget about the deal. I really need you right now,” Jeno chuckles, “because my mom wanted me to clean my car last week. She said that if I don’t clean my car by tonight, then she’s really gonna give it to me.”

“Good,” you say, laughing a bit to yourself. “Somebody’s gotta tell you. Back in high school, I was afraid to get in this car, or else I would never be the same again.”

Scrunching your nose, you peek your head inside Jeno’s car. It’s an old 1984 Nissan 300zx, most likely used because if his parents are anything like your parents (which not so surprisingly, growing up around each other, they are), they would never give their teenage sons brand new cars. The people in your neighborhood certainly aren’t tearing at the seams with money.

Gulping harshly, you decide to throw whatever junk you find in the car away. You pulled out wrappers, chip bags, old water bottles, and random coins that you pocketed (Jeno let you since even he knows how bad cleaning his car is – which is why he held off on it for so long). Jeno kept you good company, and you found yourself chitchatting with him as you organized every piece of junk in his car in a trash bag.

“Are you liking college so far?” Jeno asks broadly when chatter between you both slowly dies. No response.

“What’s wrong?” Jeno asks. He knows he’s right to think that when it takes you a few minutes to respond, a few moments for your gaze to focus on him.

“College hasn’t been that fun,” you confess to Jeno, the words falling out of your mouth faster than it should. “I haven’t made a lot of friends despite finishing my sophomore year, and my roommate is a pain. Her entire side of the room is so messy and acts like I’m unreasonable. It’s a small space anyway, she should keep it clean!” You huff, scrubbing the cloth seats in Jeno’s car harder. It felt as though a huge weight has been lifted off of your shoulders.

You were surprised that you confessed this to Jeno of all people. When you told Renjun this freshman year, he advised that it would get better after the first semester, and your parents said the same thing, but nothing really changed. You’re going to university on a significant scholarship, and you didn’t want to give that up if you decided to transfer somewhere closer to home, closer to your support network of familiar places and people. Ever since then, you didn’t tell anyone how miserable you were in college.

“Can I make a confession?” Jeno asks suddenly. You were worried that you were being way too personal after Jeno didn’t say anything for a while; after all, Jeno is your brother’s friend and not yours.

“Shoot,” you say.

“I didn’t have many friends in college either. Why do you think I always hang out with Renjun every summer?” You’re piling all the trashbags together near the edge of the Lee property for the trash truck to come later today, but hearing this is enough for you to turn around and look at the raven-haired boy quizically.

“I don’t believe that,” you scoff. “You have teammates and a hundred girls who would tattoo your name on their chests immediately.”

“They’re just teammates and girls. I got along with my teammates, but I don’t talk to them on a regular basis after graduating college.” Jeno sighs. “And the girls who liked me in college liked me because I was ripped. None of them really wanted to know me personally.”

The silence between you both is deafening. You purse your lips, sympathy in your voice. “I had no idea.”

“Most people don’t,” Jeno says. “I try not to tell everyone this,” he says, a slight humorous lilt in his voice.

“Those girls missed out,” you say, a soft smile on your face. “You’re hilarious and great to be around.”

“It seems like I have that effect on the members of the Huang family,” Jeno smiles, any sign of melancholy gone from his face.

“Say,” you start off, bending down to reach the mat on the car floor. “if I find something I think is of value in this car, then can I keep it?”

Jeno nods. “Sure, I guess. I can’t imagine what could be of value.”

“Now I’m 20,000 won richer,”

Jeno’s back instantly becomes more rigid as he sees you wave a few crumpled bills in the air, almost unrecognizable due to the amount of dust and grime accumulated on it. A couple of coins here and there were tolerable for him to let you keep, but 20,000 won is a lot for loose change in the car. “I tend to find 20,000 won very valuable,” you smile.

Jeno curses under his breath. “Touche.”

“I guess we both won.” You shrug your shoulders, “You’re gonna have a clean car for your mom, and I have enough money to buy that Backstreet Boys album.”

Just the other day, you ran into Taeyong, the owner of the pet shelter you used to volunteer at. You were at the supermarket, picking up some groceries for your parents when you saw the man carefully weighing a bag of Roma tomatoes. Although he is almost five years older than you, it certainly doesn’t seem that way with how youthful his face looked, and when he noticed you putting bananas in your shopping cart, he was glad to see you. You both engaged in pleasant conversation about your lives since you volunteered at his pet shelter, and he mentioned to you that he was short of hands. Recently, a full-time employee quit, and he needed people more than ever. He offered you a job on the spot, and you gladly took it – you needed something to do this summer anyway, and your parents were starting to get a little restless with how much you were at home, revolving your life around TV Guide.

You had been working for a few days at the store and got to know the two other employees, one of which is Doyoung, who you already knew from your time volunteering at this shelter, and Sungchan, a boy around Jeno’s age who had been working for a year. Compared to the last time you saw this shelter as a senior in high school, not much has changed. The only thing that was different was that the walls were recently wallpapered.

Taeyong greeted you when you walked in, and you already started following a routine you set up for yourself; the good thing about hiring you was that he didn’t have to teach you much since as a volunteer, you would feed and wash animals a couple of hours a week, which as an employee, that was the same thing on a fuller time basis. In the mornings, you liked to start off walking dogs in the dog walking area on the roof before the sun would shine mercilessly in the afternoon. Carrying a light brown golden retriever puppy named Dasom, you head down the roof stairs back to the lobby, where Jeno is sitting on a hard, metal chair.

“Jeno?” You ask. “What are you doing here?” You don’t ever remember telling him that you would be here.

Jeno smiles at you. “Your mom told me I could find you here. And some other guy said you were walking a dog, so he told me to wait here.”

You nod. He must not have meant Doyoung since he would already know him from his time at the pet shelter in high school. “So you must have met Sungchan.”

Jeno shrugs his shoulders. “Yeah, I guess. He said he was going to wash some of the new arrivals.” While speaking, Jeno’s lips curled into a small smile. “Remember when we used to do that?”

“God,” you say, shaking your head. “That was one of the worst jobs.” You said. If there was anything that dogs and cats hated was being in water. New arrivals, especially strays, haven’t been introduced to clean water in a long time and can get especially rowdy since they are also untrained.

“There was one dog that me, Renjun, and Chenle had to wash, and let’s just say that it looked like we took a bath too!” At this, you both laugh.

You lick your lips, looking at Jeno, good humor in your eyes. “I almost feel bad leaving Sungchan all by himself.” Crossing your arms and leaning your back against the wall, you look at Jeno, your head cocked.

“So what are you really doing here?”

Jeno looks fondly in the distance. “I think Bongshik needs a new playmate,” you smile at Jeno. For as long as you can remember, Jeno has always been a cat person, and after much convincing, his parents agreed to get him a cat seven years ago. They initially were only getting Jeno the cat to help teach him responsibility, because as a teenage boy, he had none, but slowly, Bongshik grew on them too. Ever since, the Lee family’s soft spot has been Bongshik.

“Do your parents know?” You ask.

Jeno smiles. “They were the ones who suggested the idea.” As Bongshik grew older, his energy hasn’t quelled, and for the lack of neighborhood cats, he follows the Lee family around everywhere in the house.

“What breed?” you ask.

“Maybe a Bengal. I’ve heard that they are energetic.”

“I think there are some Bengals. Let’s check the back.” You both go into the room adjoining the lobby, where the rescue and stray animals were stored. After a long night with Doyoung yesterday, the cages were cleaned, and all the animals looked happy that it was clean. You both are greeted with excited barks from the dog section of the room, and finally, you approach the cats in another room. Cats of various breeds occupied the segregated space, from Shorthairs to Bobtailed cats. Black, white, gray, and tabbies are all present, and they look at you and Jeno quizically.

Jeno also observes the felines intently. “Actually, Bongshik is full of energy, so maybe a bit of a quieter playmate to contrast,” Jeno taps his chin, thinking to himself. Some cats wave their tails at Jeno as if wanting his attention while some other cat mothers wrap their tails around their young, protecting them. There are two cats that seem to take his attention, two cats that are sitting together. They don’t appear to have any sort of genetic or familial relationship, for one cat is white with a few specks of black around the ears while the other is a gray tabby with a white chest; they both appear to be Shorthair crossbreeds, though.

“Can I hold that one?” Jeno says, pointing to the white one with the few black specks. You open the cage with the master key that you have in your pocket, and carefully, you take the cat out of the cage. Jeno has his arms open, so when you place the cat in his arms, he cradles the animal, the most adoring look on his face. The other cat seems to be annoyed and meows a lot, its gaze on the white cat, and the white cat starts meowing back.

You and Jeno both melt on sight.

“So cute,” Jeno murmurs, putting the tip of his nose on the crown of the white cat’s head. This cat does not seem to be bothered that it’s being held by Jeno (when most cats take some time getting used to a new human). It is as if they were both destined to meet. This cat does turn to face his companion still in the cage once in a while, still meowing.

“I think this one’s more concerned that its friend is not being held,” you jest. You stand on your tiptoes to grab the other, carefully cradling the tabby in your arms. It starts meowing for its companion, and you face Jeno.

“This one’s also so cute,” Jeno says longingly. He comes closer to you, bending a little, his face close to the tabby that you’re holding. His smile is wide, his eyes shaped like crescents. Carefully, he holds the white cat with one cradled arm, and with the other, he uses his index and middle finger to pet the other cat. The tabby meows happily.

As Jeno tries to stand upright again, his head almost bumps your face, but he stops before that, carefully meeting your gaze. For what feels like an eternity, you both stare. Jeno’s eyes are like brown pools, and you notice every detail on his face; how dark and pronounced his eyebrows are compared to his suntanned skin, how pretty his nose looks against his face, the fringe on his forehead that is so close to giving a lovetap to his eyes, how shapely his chin is, a small, stray mustache hair kissing his upper lip…

His lips. Pursed slightly as he drinks in the sight of the little details of your face as well. They look a little chapped –

“There you are Y/N! Is that you Jeno?” A familiar voice rings across the large room, and you notice it to be Doyoung. His gaze is focused on you both. You and Jeno immediately stop gazing at each other, as if Doyoung flipped a switch, and you both focus your attention on the raven-haired employee, his hair wet from a fresh shower. He usually comes to work at eleven or noon since he is not a morning person.

“Yeah, it’s me,” Jeno says, waving before repositioning his other hand to hold the white cat in his arms.

“Long time no see,” Doyoung remarks. “How’s college?” He asks.

“Graduated in the spring,” Jeno says. “I’m back with my parents now.” He says.

“Oh,” Doyoung says, nodding awkwardly. “Well, if you want a job, the door is always open here. Trust me, we need the help,” Doyoung says.

“Thanks,” Jeno says, smiling courteously at Doyoung. “I’m actually here to look for another cat. Maybe two,” Jeno looks at you, an eyebrow raised in anticipation. Suddenly, he sneezes.

“Jeno,” you chastise. “What about your cat allergy?” You suddenly remember. Jeno learned affirmatively after adopting Bongshik that he had a cat allergy, and his sister and parents tried to convince him to give Bongshik back to the shelter, but Jeno vehemently refused. After almost a month of bonding with the feline, he didn’t have the heart to give Bongshik back. Instead, he went to the drug store and got some anti-histamines to suppress his allergies and eventually got more personalized medicine from his doctor. At first, his doctor said the best (and cheapest) course of action would be to return Bongshik, but Jeno just took the prescription and has since then been refilling his prescription on a regular basis.

“What cat allergy?” Jeno asks, but he sneezes a few times. Cocking your head at the raven-haired boy, you snort.

“That cat allergy?” You say, leaning all your weight on one leg.

“It’s nothing,” Jeno says dismissively. “I’ll ask my doctor. I’ll probably just have to up my dose.”

It was Doyoung’s turn to snort. “Can you really be around three cats every day?” He asks. “The only reason your allergy didn’t get out of control while you were volunteering here was because I kept you with the reptiles.” You nod in agreement. The reptiles were kept in another room on the far side of this shelter, far away from all the cat hair floating around in this room. Jeno, though, still used to sneak a few minutes with the cats.

“I can be around three cats!” Jeno says defensively. By this time, the white cat is rubbing itself against Jeno’s T-shirt.

Feeling this, Jeno’s gaze softens, and he smiles at the kitten, whose brown eyes Jeno looks in to. “I am going to name you Seoli,” Jeno says in a soft tone and gazes at the cat in your arms. “And I’m going to name you Nali.”

“Did your parents agree to two new cats?”

“Well,” Jeno trails off, shrugging his shoulders.

“Lee Jeno!” You say.

“My parents grew to like Bongshik. They’ll grow to like Seoli and Nali.” Jeno reasons.

You roll your eyes. Lee Jeno is the only person in the whole world you know who has a cat allergy and still wants three cats. “Lee Jeno, you’re crazy, you know that?”

Seoli and Nali instantly got along with Bongshik. The three of them would sleep together, eat together, and roam the house together, only being apart momentarily. Like Jeno predicted, his parents grew to like the addition of Seoli and Nali to the family.

Hearing about the new cats from you, Renjun would visit Jeno, and you would come along with them and play with all three cats. Renjun started joking that you two started being best friends without him and that you were leaving him in the dust.

Renjun started a new job as a paralegal and became busier than ever; he was working to save enough money to live in an apartment closer to the law firm he worked at, which is forty-five minutes away from your house. The commute itself was tiring and he was working extra hard to get along with his coworkers, going to events, and establishing contacts.

Like many weekends, this weekend Renjun was hanging out with a few coworkers at a party at one of their houses, and normally, you didn’t mind this, only joking to him that he only came home to eat and sleep.

In mid-July, without fail, you and Renjun would always go to the beach, ever since he was old enough to drive; it was valuable “sibling time” that your parents supported and even suggested; as teenagers, you didn’t always get along, and your parents wanted you both to establish a close relationship because sibling relationships were the only life-long relationships.

This weekend, Renjun was busy, and for the next few weekends, he would be catching up with old friends and would even go on a few dates, for his dating life was pretty sparse with how busy college was. You were hoping that Renjun could blow someone off and come with you and not break the tradition, but your hopes did nothing to change reality after Renjun told you about his plans and apologized that he wouldn’t be able to come to the beach with you.

So you decided, if you can’t bring your brother to the beach, bring your brother’s best friend.

At 7 AM on a Saturday, you knock on Jeno’s door, a few doors from your house, dressed in a casual T-Shirt and jeans shorts. You’re ready to go, without a doubt in your mind that Jeno won’t come.

Jeno answers the door, rubbing his eyes. From the looks of the dark house, Jeno’s parents aren’t awake. As a means to hold himself up, Jeno leans against the door. He’s dressed in long pajama bottoms and a black T-shirt (that is littered with Seoli’s white cat hair). The white, spotted cat follows Jeno to the door, sitting a few feet away from the living room couch.

“Y/N? What are you doing here?” He asks, his voice heavy with drowsiness.

“We’re going to the beach, obviously,” you say matter-of-fact, in a voice that Jeno didn’t look like he wanted to argue with. He knew that you were hurting because Renjun couldn’t come with you to the beach any time soon, so he was ready to be called to go to the beach.

“Right now?”

“Yes right now. Don’t you remember that Renjun and I would leave early in the morning to get a head start to the beach?” The closest beach to your house is two hours away, and being landlocked during the college semester makes you restless for the yearly summer beach trip as well.

“Yeah I know but–”

“No ‘buts,’” you interrupt. “If we leave now, then we get the whole day at the beach. Be ready in thirty minutes.”

Jeno acknowledges with a sleepy grunt before closing the door, and you head back to your house to eat breakfast. If you left hungry, then you would be tempted to stop along the way for snacks, making the drive longer. So you ate a hearty bowl of oatmeal, a banana, and drank a glass of water before seeing Jeno standing at your door twenty-five minutes later with one of his sister’s peach-colored tote bags hanging on his shoulder, in casual shorts and a T-shirt, and a navy colored cap covering his black hair. You already had your things ready in a bag next to the dining room table, and you carry your bag and exit out the front door, saying a quick goodbye to your parents.

Out on the porch, you jog across the driveway to Jeno, and your parents wave to him. “Have fun guys,” they chorus, smiling. You roll your eyes.

“It’s like they’re leaving us on a playdate,” you say, and Jeno smiles, the tiredness in his eyes long gone.

“Want to ride in my car? After all, it’s clean now,” Jeno says. You sigh, but it’s not exasperated or tired.

“I should know,” you say.

Jeno’s Nissan sits in its usual place on the driveway, and Jeno takes his keys from his pocket, unlocking the car. As you both load your bags onto the back seat, you breathe in the air. “Minty fresh,” you smile, looking at the tree-shaped car freshener hanging on the rearview mirror. “You better keep this car clean because I am not cleaning it again,” you threaten, pointing your finger accusingly.

“I pinky promise,” Jeno says, he extends his hand, his pinky out, and you grasp it with your pinky, pinkies locking as well as your gazes.

Jeno’s hands are way softer than you expected.

The pinky promise lasts way longer than you expected, with you quickly pulling away and getting into the front passenger seat of the car. Jeno hops in the driver’s seat, and the car starts.

Jeno’s driving is smooth, and through the window, you admire the scenery. You pull out of your neighborhood, driving on local roads for a good few minutes, and you admire the beautiful scenery of houses, shrubs, and picket fences before getting on the highway. Now, cars are zooming past you both, of all sorts of shapes and colors, minivans to sport cars, black, white, gray, and silver.

“Turn on some music,” Jeno prompts. It’s easy to get distracted on the road, not by external forces such as a random bird flying by, but from the lull of the car when driving on the highway – when driving on the highway, the roads look the same, a cause for boredom and tiredness. The steady humming of Jeno’s car is particularly relaxing on this early morning.

“I thought you would never ask,” you say, in a voice that sounds mischievous. You twist your body to reach the back of the car, and you reach into your bag, fishing for something. When you pull it out, Jeno rolls his eyes.

“Seriously?” Jeno groans.

“What? You said you wanted music,” you say defensively.

“I didn’t mean the Backstreet Boys.”

You don’t listen to him and instead press the ‘CD media’ button on the front dashboard and insert your CD. The music is catchy, and you hum along to the songs that you’ve loved, namely ‘I’ll never break your heart’ and ‘Everybody.’

“I’ll never understand girls. I mean, what’s the appeal of boybands anyway?” Jeno says after some time.

“It’s the group dynamic, the interactions, the teamwork, and the songs are catchy as –” you stop yourself, cocking your head at Jeno. “Are you nodding along?”

“N-No,” Jeno stutters, purposely keeping his gaze fixed on the road so he doesn’t have to face you.

“Admit it,” you say, a smug look on your face. “You like it.”

“No, I don’t” Jeno argues.

“Yes, you do,” you argue back.

“No I don’t,” Jeno repeats.

You snort at this. “Look at us, we sound like two five-year-olds.”

“I think,” Jeno says with a joking lilt, “that we sound like an old married couple.”

“That too.” You look at the boy, an eyebrow arched.

After a few moments of silence, Jeno changes the topic. “I’m hungry,” he says. “Let’s get some instant ramen.”

“Where’s the microwave, genius?”

Jeno pouts. “Fast food?”

“We’re gonna be there in like fifteen minutes. I have some snacks in my bag.” Once again, you reach for the back of the car, fishing inside the tote bag for a bag of Cheetos.

“Here,” you say, holding the bag towards him.

“I’m driving, genius,” he says, emphasizing the last part in a mocking tone. You roll your eyes.

“I guess you’re gonna have to feed me,” Jeno says.

“Seriously?” You groan.

“Yes. If I could open the bag with my eyes and feed the Cheetos with some mad telekinesis, then I would.”

“Well, you would have to keep your eyes on the road, so you still couldn’t do that either.” Jeno grunts at your response, and you silently feel a small victory winning this conversation.

You open the bag and take a Cheeto in your left hand. Jeno opens his mouth, and you place the piece in his mouth. He crunches on it, and when you see his Adam’s apple move as he swallows the snack, you reach in and grab another piece. On and on this pattern goes until there are no Cheetos left in the bag, and at the final time you drop a piece of the snack in his mouth, he playfully clamps down on your fingers.

“Jeno!” You exclaim.

Jeno has a youthful, playful look on his face. “That’s what you get for forcing me to listen to this crap.”

“You like it too!”

Jeno rolls his eyes. “Here we go again.”

The rest of the car ride is filled with laughs, as though you were supposed to bring Jeno along to the beach this year instead of Renjun. The beach is filled with people wanting to soak up some sun, children playing games, and surfers swimming in the water. Luckily, there’s enough beach for everyone; the sands on this beach are well-maintained, and they go on for miles.

Suddenly, you grab the boy’s wrist, and Jeno looks surprised, a cute doe-like expression on his face (Jeno has the most beautiful, expressive eyes).

“Come on,” you say, a wide smile on your face. “I’ll show you a nice spot.”

Together, the two of you are lugging your tote bags across the beach, careful not to step on anyone being buried in sand or children playing games or other people sunbathing. It’s like the sand wants to absorb your feet, which is why your steps are labored, along with the load you are carrying.

The spot you take Jeno is more secluded, with sparse surfers coming about here and there. It’s next to a jagged, gray peak, perfect for divers. The small pieces of eroding rocks falling to the water make it less kid-friendly, but it’s still a good spot if you want to relax and get away from the noise. Right here is where you decide to set up, a few yards from the shore where the cold seawater can’t touch you.

Carefully, you unpack your tote bag, set up your beach towel, and place a book on the sand. The beach was always a way for you and Renjun to relax together, talk about updates in your lives, and strengthen your relationship. But sometimes you both liked to sit in silence, enjoying each other’s company while enjoying the words of an author, the introverts you both are.

Before sitting down, you also take off your T-shirt and shorts, revealing a navy, strappy bikini underneath. Picking up your book, you open it to the first page and sit down. Next to you, Jeno takes off his shirt, revealing toned abs. (What did you expect? He plays soccer). You don’t want to admit that your attention on your book is long gone.

When Jeno catches you staring, an immediate flare of heat hits your face, and you quickly try to bring your attention back to your book, starting at the first sentence. You’re unable to keep focus anymore, just re-reading the same sentence at least five times because your brain is too distracted to understand the sentence.

“You don’t have to look away,” Jeno teases. “Every girl wants a look at Jenabs.”

“That’s what you’re calling it? Jenabs?”

“Yes. Is there a problem?” Jeno asks.

“Obviously. It sounds so self-centered,” you huff.

“You’re just lashing out because I caught you red-handed.”

“Maybe you’ll get a red hand to your pretty face,” you challenge, a humorous look in your eyes.

“Ah,” Jeno says thoughtfully. “You think I’m pretty?”

Another hot flare hits your cheeks, with the heat of a thousand suns. “No,” you say.

“Yes,” Jeno counters.

“No,” you repeat, this time more confident. By this time, you both are gazing at each other intently in silence, until suddenly, you start laughing. Jeno does too. It was one of those times when the moment seemed so serious, but the argument was just so silly.

“Just admit that you think I’m attractive,” Jeno says simply.

“Every girl with a pulse thinks you’re hotter than a sidewalk in August.” You deadpan.

“I don’t care what they think,” Jeno says suddenly. You quirk an eyebrow at this statement. Quickly, Jeno recovers himself. “I care about what you think.” He smiles. “You’re the only person I’ve known that hasn’t ever brought up my looks.”

“Why should I?” You shrug your shoulders. “You know you’re hot.” At this you and Jeno laugh again together, but after a few moments, Jeno stops laughing.

“So you admit it?” Jeno asks curiously.

“Yes, I do.” You say sighing, hating that you’re giving him this victory. “Lee Jeno, you’re one of the most attractive men I’ve seen in my whole life,” you vow. “Now, can I get back to my book?” You ask.

“Fine.” Jeno obliges. He sits down on his towel laid out beside yours, lying down on his back as you read your book. His gaze changes from the ocean’s waves licking the sandy shores to the side of your face. You’re maybe a chapter in when Jeno interrupts your train of thought.

“Are you really gonna be reading the whole time?” Jeno whines. “I didn’t bring anything to do because I thought we were gonna go in the water.”

“Th-The water?” You ask. You look at Jeno as if he grew a second head.

“Yes, water. We’re at the beach per your request. Remember?” Jeno says slowly.

“Yeah, but I didn’t think–”

“You didn’t think about swimming at the beach?” Jeno asks incredulously.

“No,” you respond, your voice small.

“You’re literally wearing a swimsuit,” Jeno points out.

“Yeah, but that’s just to get a good tan,” you say. Now that you say it out loud, it does sound kind of ridiculous that you didn’t even make plans about getting in the water today. “And plus,” you say a bit awkwardly. “I don’t really know how to swim.”

It seems as though Jeno’s eyes are about to bulge out of his face. “You’ve been coming to this beach for years, and you don’t know how to swim?”

“I never really learned how. I mean, I did, but I wasn’t very good, and I’m super out of practice. I usually just come here to read or admire the scenery – Jeno!” You exclaim. Jeno snatches the book out of your hand and places it on the towel. He’s strong enough to hoist you up, and you’re left with no choice but to jog along with him to the edge of the shore, kicking up mounds of sand; you have a stinking suspicion about what he’s going to do.

“Today’s the day I’m gonna teach you how to swim.” He says.

“B-But,” you stutter, struggling for words. Jeno doesn’t look like he’ll take no for an answer.

“I promise I won’t let go of you, and we won’t go far from the shore.” He says, his gaze sincere. “Let’s start off with floating. Spread your arms out and kick your feet up. Act as though you want to lie down on the water like it’s sand. Like this.” Jeno demonstrates, going slightly away from the shore and deeper in the water, leaving you knee-deep, standing on the wet sand underfoot. Once Jeno has floated for a few seconds, he positions himself upright, everything except his neck and face submerged in water as he swims towards you, walking the last few steps to you.

“Now you try.” You look a little nervous but follow what Jeno says. You kick your feet up and try to treat the water like it’s the sand you rest your towel against; Jeno’s hand is on the small of your back as he holds you up. You’re not used to the feeling of water in your ears, and you’re struggling to stay afloat as you accidentally breathe in water. Hearing you cough, Jeno sets you upright, and you cough up the salty water.

“I don’t like,” you say between coughs. “The water in my ears. It keeps going in.”

“Trust me when I say that when you don’t want water to go in your ears and nose, it doesn’t. When you are thinking about water going into your ears and nose, it does. Now, let’s try again.”

“No,” you whine. “I don’t like swimming.”

“Please?” Jeno asks. “For me? After all, you did drag me out here so early.”

“Fine.” You relent.

“Like I said,” Jeno chides, “Kick up your feet and lie on the water like it’s sand. Don’t struggle too much right now. Unless you don’t think about the water around your ears and nose, it won’t go in.”

You repeat what you did earlier, kicking up your feet and lying on the water like it’s sand. This time you don’t move a muscle. You let the gentle low-tide waves of the water kiss your skin and wash over you again before it’s exposed to the refreshingly cool ocean breeze again. Jeno’s hand is against the small of your back as he leads you to deeper waters.

“What are you doing?” You ask.

“Floating is all the same. If you can float in knee-deep water, you can float in deeper water.” Jeno looks into your eyes. “Don’t worry, I still won’t let go.”

You don’t struggle against the water, and when you’re in the deeper water, Jeno helps bring you upright on the water. This time, your feet are unable to touch the ocean floor, and before the panic can settle in your eyes, Jeno is holding your waist.

“Upright floating works the same way. Don’t struggle. Hold your head up high.” You follow as Jeno says and observes how he does it. Jeno slowly takes his hands away from your waist and holds your arm instead. Slowly, he lets go, and here you are in front of him, swimming; you’re pretty amazed too.

“Oh my God, I’m doing it!” You say excitedly. Jeno shares your excitement.

“I know. To think you wanted to give up,” Jeno shakes his head.

Your bodies are close, so close that you can feel Jeno’s breath on your nose. Jeno looks almost angelic with the way the salty water glistens against his face as if his skin is made of diamonds. His jet-black hair is stuck to his forehead, and your hair is in thick, salty strands, but the moment still feels perfect; the shouting of children in the distance doesn’t bother either of you.

You almost want to ki–

Suddenly, you’re taken out of your thoughts when a splash of cold water hits your face. Jeno has already swum a few feet away, the culprit of the cold splash on your face.

“Tag! You’re it!” He says in between giggles.

“Jeno!” You exclaim, trying your best to swim and splash him.

He’s the most handsome, adorable dork you’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing.

Every summer, city council organized a summer concert series held at the local park. They mostly featured student bands, cover bands, and lots of vendors. But most importantly: they were free.

The one happening tonight was the last one of this year’s series, and there would be fireworks. You hadn’t been able to attend the last few summer concerts because of your growing responsibilities at the pet shelter; you were becoming pet manager, a position where you would inventory what animals were available to adopt, and the numbers were changing every day. Also, Doyoung had gone on vacation along with many of the volunteers, so you, Taeyong, and Sungchan were left to cover for them.

Tonight though, you were given the day off, so you decided to see if Jeno was free to go to the concert with you.

You tell your mother your intentions, and when you’re done talking, she gives you a sly look.

“You’ve been hanging out with Jeno a lot recently. Is there something I should know about?” She asked. She doesn’t ask this in a condescending, strict-parent tone, but of one as a friend. For the most part, your mother was always the woman you came clean to and got advice from; there were truely only minal secrets you kept from her.

“Yeah Y/N, is there something we should know about?” Renjun asks.

Renjun. For a while, you had completely forgotten about him. He had started getting suspicious recently that you were harboring feelings for his long-time best friend. After the beach trip, he started getting suspicious, but he had been too busy to do anything about it, only sulking in the corner thinking about it.

You had to admit that you had a little crush on Jeno, in that every time you thought about him, your heart started racing in an exhilarating way. Maybe when Renjun was around, you weren’t as slick as you thought you were. “No,” you say, a little quieter than you meant for it to be. You clear your throat, making your voice louder. “Nothing’s going on. Jeno’s always available to hang out, which is why I’m hanging out with him.”

Your mother doesn’t say anything, knowing Renjun is in the room. Most likely, Renjun was worried that if you and Jeno got into a relationship, it would mess up the long-time friendship they had, and if you broke up, it would be even worse. You understood his sentiment, but it’s not like Jeno likes you back…

Right?

The way he looked at you, the way that when you talked, he was fully attentive, his soft, expressive eyes reacting, listening to every word you say.

That’s just because you guys have become good friends, right?

(A part of you wishes that it isn’t).

You’re wearing your standard summer uniform of daisy dukes and a T-shirt when you walk up to Jeno’s house and the door opens before you knock. Jeno is standing at the entrance of his house, already dressed in shorts and a sleeveless shirt, showing off his strong arms.

“Jeno,” you say. “Do you want to go to the summer concert together?” You ask.

“Actually,” Jeno says shyly. “I was gonna ask you the same thing.”

“Great.” Jeno invites you in and asks if you want anything. You said you would just have some water. He pours you a glass before heading to his room to grab a towel and some bug spray. Stepping outside, you both spray yourselves, and when he goes back inside to put the bug spray away, he tells his parents that he’s going to be out and will be back before ten.

The park is a short drive from your neighborhood, and it is just as scenic as you remembered it to be. It’s about sixty-something acres filled with walking trails that loop around your city, which city council has tried hard to have more “green” city planning, rather than letting this place become a concrete jungle.

In this park, there is lots of green space for people to lay their towels across the grass and enjoy the music. Most of the people here are young parents with budding families, in which a family-friendly free concert with a packed picnic and fireworks is the perfect summer activity. There are also older people like you and Jeno, showing up to the concert today because they were bored. The beginning of August signaled to high schoolers the start of school, and to college people that they would be moving back to their dorms soon. Either way, the park is packed. Tonight isn’t as hot and stuffy as most nights, which also accounts for why there are so many people here tonight.

“What’s the theme for this concert?” You ask Jeno when you hop out of his car.

“‘70’s American rock,” he says.

“Fun,” you say. You weren’t an avid rocker, but you turn on the oldies radio station, you didn’t mind listening to a few rock songs. “It’s better than working at the pet shelter every single night.” Jeno laughs. You loved your job more than anything, but you wanted a semblance of work-life balance.

“Now I’m glad I didn’t take up Doyoung’s offer immediately,” Jeno says.

“It isn’t usually this bad,” you say. “It’s just that Taeyong and many volunteers are on vacation, and I’m being given more responsibilities.”

“Maybe I could come in and volunteer just to help you out,” Jeno says wistfully. “I’ll have to find time in my schedule,” he jokes.

You raise a brow at the boy. “In your schedule of doing nothing?” You snort.

“It’s not nothing,” Jeno counters. “I’m just relaxing before finding a job. Jobs are going to be there after I take a little break from college,” he says. Renjun wouldn’t ever be caught saying something like this. For him, it’s always one thing onto the next. Renjun is a restless man, and taking a break without a job would drive him crazy.

While Renjun is ridiculously Type A, Jeno is the opposite. He’s used to opportunities coming to him, believing that everything has a way of working out in the end. It’s crazy how the two have managed to be friends with such vastly different outlooks on life.

You drop the topic, opting to lay out the towel that Jeno brought. There’s enough space for both of you to fit… but tightly. Even though you’re wearing bug spray, the sharp, freshly cut grass makes your skin feel itchy.

“I guess we’re gonna have to sit like this,” you say a little awkwardly. Jeno turns to face you, his face only inches from yours; your arms brush Jeno’s biceps, and you feel your throat become dry.

“Yeah,” he says softly. No witty reply.

The silence between you is broken by the cheers of the audience. The performers are here.

“What’s up Neo City?” The head performer asks the audience. He’s a man in his mid to late twenties, wearing a white T-shirt and jeans. Cheers are the response, filling the air.

“We’re Neo Culture Tech, and today we’re going to be performing some covers to end Neo City’s 1997 Summer Concert Series! We hope you enjoy the performance!” The man stops talking, and the park erupts with cheers.

The first note is played on the piano, followed by the addition of drums and electric guitar. The songs go on one by one, and Neo Culture Tech plays popular songs by the Eagles, ACDC, Fleetwood Mac, and Def Leopard. Parents are dancing with smaller children, singing along to the songs they listened to in grade school, while younger people sit on their towel and jam out to the songs less physically.

You and Jeno are bobbing your heads together to the music, stealing glances at one another. Jeno was able to sing along a little to ‘Shoot to Thrill’ and ‘Gold Dust Woman,’ while you were able to sing along to ‘Witchy Woman’ and ‘Hotel California’ after memorizing the lyrics so long ago. As the guy who was playing the guitar played the guitar solos for ‘Hotel California,’ people cheered.

“Before we start the fireworks show, I’d like to end off with a banger. Everyone stand up and find a partner to dance with!” the lead singer said. With that, the band started the chords for ‘Pour Some Sugar On Me’ by Def Leopard.

Jeno looks at you, a wry smile on his face. “Would you care to dance with me, partner?” He asks, holding out his elbow. You loop your arm in his.

“Of course.”

By this time, more of the younger people were standing up, dancing with their friends, boyfriends, girlfriends, husbands, or wives. You and Jeno were dancing, not caring how you looked, your hands clasping and unclasping as Jeno twirled you around to the rock song. You both sing along to the song, knowing the famous song.

When the song ends, you’re out of breath, your chest against Jeno’s, but Jeno doesn’t look very tired; there’s only a small drop of sweat pooling at his forehead, and he’s able to control his breathing. While the crowd screams, cheering for the band that just performed, you and Jeno are in your own world.

You feel like you know what Jeno’s thinking.

Slowly, you start leaning in, and Jeno follows your example. Before long, your lips land on his. You only want it to be a peck, but your body refuses to listen to your brain, so here you were, for what feels like centuries kissing Jeno. You weren’t going to struggle against your feelings anymore, you were going to float like you were at the beach.

Kissing your brother’s best friend.

Kissing the guy that all the girls in high school drooled over, the guy that got so many sports scholarship offers, the guy that many thought was infallible.

But he’s just Jeno, the adorable dork who’s stuck with your brother for almost their whole lives through thick and thin.

The adorable dork that you’ve helplessly fallen in love with.

Reluctantly, you both pull away, your breaths hitting each others’ noses. You’re almost to scared to look Jeno in the eye.

You just changed everything.

While you’re too busy not looking at Jeno, he takes your chin with his thumb and forefinger and tilts your gaze upward, to look at him.

When you look into his beautiful brown eyes, you realize that you didn’t change everything with one kiss. The feelings were always there. While you were slowly falling for Jeno, Jeno started slowly falling for you.

“I-I think I’m in love with you,” Jeno says, his voice unsure, lacking that cocky athlete tone that’s synonymous with Lee Jeno. While one hand remained holding your chin up to face him, the other hand was on your waist.

You didn’t think you ever wanted him to stop touching you.

“No,” he corrects himself, clearing his thoat. Seconds felt like hours, and your heart is racing like crazy.

“I know I’m in love with you.”

You think the loud beating sound is just your heart, but when you look up, the black sky is filled with color, expressive fireworks shining before dissipating. Red, orange, blue, and purple fill the sky before gray smoke settles and floats away. The park is oddly quiet while at least two hundred people enjoy the fireworks and are held by their boyfriends or girlfriends. You look up with Jeno in the same position you were, his arm still on your faces close. Your jaw is close to touching his collar bone, your nose almost touching his neck.

“I love you too.”

It’s probably one in the morning right now.

Ever since you and Jeno confessed your feelings, all you were doing was hiding your feelings around your family. You didn’t want Renjun finding out about your relationship just yet, and Jeno had the same idea. You and Jeno wouldn’t advertise to your families that you were hanging out, and most of the time, you met up at the pet shelter, where Doyoung was the only one who knew about the true nature of your relationship (after the unfortunate man walked in on you two making out in the janitor’s closet). You and Jeno forced him to promise that he wouldn’t tell anyone or even give any hints if he ran into your families; in small towns like yours, word travels fast.

Other than seeing Jeno at the animal shelter, you would sneak Jeno into your bedroom at night. A little part of you thrived from the danger you felt, doing something secret and slightly forebidden (nothing this exhilarating ever happened to you in high school or in college). You live in a one-story bungalow (like all the houses in your neighborhood), and your parents’ room is on the other side of your room, with the kitchen separating your rooms.

However, only a wall was separating you from Renjun’s room. You think you’re safe right now since through the paper-thin walls, you can hear Renjun soundly snoring to himself. The iceing on the cake was that Renjun is a light sleeper.

You hear a knock on your window, and you look to see that it’s Jeno. You’re in your pajamas, just a shirt with some pajama shorts, and you get off your bed, systematically opening the latch to your window. Pushing the window, it opens now, and Jeno opens it a little wider, enough for you to let him in.

He’s dressed in a T-shirt, sweatpants, and red, drugstore flipflops. He rubs his arm a little bit, a small scowl on his face.

“You should really trim that rose bush,” Jeno says softly, his gaze following to the rosebush that is near your window. Outside your window, you had a good view of the garden, and your mother took great pain to maintain that garden; your father often joked that it was her third child. For Jeno to get access to your window, he would have to wade through all the plants and flowers, careful not to step on anything because your mom would notice the next day. “I think it roughed me up pretty good.”

“Let me see,” you whisper, pulling his arm. In the minimal light that came from the almost full moon outside, you’re able to see clearly. It’s just a little scratch, that was slowly turning into a red line. No blood.

“You’ll live,” you say rolling you eyes. Sometimes Lee Jeno was the most dramatic guy that you’ve ever met.

Jeno pouts. “I think I would feel better if you kissed it,” he suggests.

You heave a sigh. “I swear to God,” you mutter. You lean foreward, pressing your lips against his arm. “That better?” You ask, crossing your arms and leaning your weight to one leg.

“How about one here?” He asks, pointing to his lips.

You laugh a little to yourself. “Greedy little–”

Jeno interrupts you. “Don’t act like you don’t want to.”

Standing on your toes, you lean in, your nose touching Jeno’s for a brief moment before your lips collide. Jeno’s hands gravitate towards your waist as he tries to push you against the nearest wall. He pushes you to the wall with the window he climbed into your room with. There’s only a narrow gap of space between the edge of the window and the bookshelf that houses all of your albums. He pushes you there, his knee finding its place between you legs. He grunts a little as his lips trail from your mouth to your chin to your neck. He slides you against the wall, your elbow hitting the edge of your bookshelf, and something goes flying off of the top of your bookshelf.

Immediately, you and Jeno jump apart at the noise when the object hits the floor. You’re thankful that the carpet muffles the sound, but it’s still audible since it hit the edge of the wooden door. You bend down to examine the fallen object, realizing that it’s just a snowglobe. You pick it up, putting it on your desk instead. No one stirs. Renjun is still in his room snoring.

“We’re supposed to be quiet!” You whisper loudly, putting your index finger to your lips.

“I’m sorry!” Jeno apologises.

“God, you lumber around my room like you haven’t been here before,” you joke. “How about let’s go into the bed where there’s less chance of making a noise.”

Jeno quickly agrees, and you both go into your bed, under the covers. Jeno’s arms find their place around you once more, and you put your head on Jeno’s chest, feeling his heartbeat. Jeno kisses the top of your head. After a few moments of lying like this in silence, your lips find Jeno’s again. You’re on top of him, him straddling your hips, but quickly, it turns into him on top of you. You both kiss each other with a new kind of fervor, but Jeno pulls away. “How long are we going to be doing this?” He asks. “I don’t know about you, but this whole sneaking around thing is getting kind of old. I just want to call you my girlfriend in front of people.”

You kiss him. “Just until I get the chance to tell Renjun.” You say. “I have a speech prepared.” You clear you throat, shifting your position in bed so you can face your boyfriend. In the dim light in which you can barely see Jeno, you can imagine his beautiful features, barely believing that you are his girlfriend. “I love Jeno, Jeno loves me, we want to be together, and you can’t do anything about it.” Jeno waits for more.

“That’s it?” He asks.

You shrug your shoulders. “What else am I supposed to say?”

Jeno smiles. He finds directness to be one of your most endearing qualities. You aren’t scared to say what’s on your mind, even if it’s controversial. He puts a hand on your cheek and brings you closer to him, kissing you again. His lips smack against your’s and you’re pretty sure you can hear audible popping sounds every time you both mutually pull away for air, only meaning to come back.

When he pulls away, Jeno says. “Y/N, you should at least be a bit more considerate to his feelings. This is going to be a big change for him.” Jeno reasons.

You seemed to like the exact opposite of what Jeno sees in you. You liked the way he considered everyone, and although it sometimes makes it seems like he is a people-pleaser, people who are the most considerate to others’ feelings when it doesn’t align with their own are the people who are the peacemakers, the role models, the people who rule the world.

While you were the fire, Jeno was the water, who made you see reason. And your directness teaches Jeno to stand up for himself.

“I know, but if Renjun can’t accept it, then he needs to grow up.”

“I don’t think Renjun wants to grow up.”

After you hear the new voice, the lights turn on, and you and Jeno immediately jump apart to opposite sides of your twin bed (but it’s not possible without your bodies still touching). This only gives the onlooker a better view of the two parties involved. When you and Jeno finally decide to face the onlooker, you realize that it’s Renjun in his pajamas. He wasn’t wearing his contacts, but he doesn’t need them to recognize the two most important people in his life. His arms are crossed as he examines both you and Jeno, and together, you both struggle for an explanation.

“Surprise?” You and Jeno chorus together.

PRESENT DAY

Eventually, Renjun got over it. Or else, he wouldn’t have been able to give such a wonderful best man speech.

That’s right. After years of dating which helped you realize that no one was more perfect for you than Jeno, you and Jeno decided to get married in 2003 after you both were settled in your careers. Jeno, after a few months of relaxation, got a job at a marketing firm, and he worked his way up to become a lead account manager. You, after earning your degree in accounting, worked at a firm for a few years before quitting and becoming the book keeper at Taeyong’s pet shelter, which now you owned. Taeyong moved to his mother’s paid-off house in Seoul to take care of his aging mother, so he stepped down and gave you ownership of his beloved pet shelter. He now worked at his mother’s supermarket and visited you often.

Sometimes, it amazed you how far society has gone since your childhood. You would never have dreamed of touch-screen cell phones with the power of a full-sized computer or your fridge making grocery lists for you. It was convenient and fascinating, but at other times, this new world scared you; only recently has it been confirmed that your phone is listening to you and people are selling your online data.

“Kids, dinner!” You shouted up the stairs. Just after you were married, you became pregnant with your daughter, and five years later, your son came along.

“Coming,” your daughter Yoona said.

“Yeah!” Your son Hyuckjae yelled from his room. That wasn’t really an answer, leaving you signing by the kitchen.

Jeno is already sitting at the table, eating the meal that you prepared. It wasn’t that complicated, just some fried rice with some vegetables and meat, as well as potato soup since you were tired after your long day at work. You sat at the table next to your husband, and you know you don’t have to call for your children again when you hear thundering down the stairs. Yoona’s phone is glued to her hands, while Hyunjae finds his position next to Jeno. The food is on the table, but only three of you are eating; Yoona’s food remains untouched as she sits down and keeps her attention only on her phone, not acknowledging the presence of her family.

“Yoona!” You say, snapping in front of her face. Only when you put your hand between her phone did she actually look at you.

“What do you want mom?” She says, exasperated.

“Aren’t you going to eat your food?”

“Yeah,” she replies, “In a little bit,” Almost immediately, she only looks back at your phone.

“Yoona, put the phone away.”

“That’s right honey,” a new voice interjects, and it’s Jeno. “Put your phone away. We want to have a conversation.” Jeno adds.

“About what?” Yoona asks. She finally puts her phone down and looks at you both. “Are you guys having a midlife crisis?”

“Midlife –” Jeno stops.

“We’re not even that old yet!” You exclaim.

“Yeah Yoona,” Hyuckjae adds.

“Shut up Hyuckjae,” Yoona says, her voice snarky. “Buttering up to Mom and Dad isn’t going to get you a phone.”

“Says who?” Hyuckjae argues back. “Mom and Dad didn’t say anything.”

“Hyuckjae, you’re not getting a phone,” you say stubbornly.

“Oh come on, Mom!” Hyunjae whines. “I’m the only eighth grader without a phone!” Hyuckjae counters.

“Me and your father didn’t have a phone at your age. You’ll live.”

“That’s because you guys lived in the stone ages.”

Jeno scoffs. “The ‘90’s weren’t even that long ago.”

Yoona cocks her head. “The ‘90’s are in history books now.”

You and Jeno both look at each other, but Yoona continues. “The ‘90’s were like thirty years ago.”

You knew that time had passed, but it never really occurred to you the quantifiable number of years; someone born in 1990 is in their thirties now. You vividly remember 1990, being a thirteen year old. Jeno was fifteen. You wonder how he’s feeling.

“That doesn’t change why you should have a phone, Hyuckjae,” you say.

“What about schoolwork? I’ll be in high school in the fall.”

“You can use the family computer.” Hyuckjae groans; the desktop in the computer room right off the entrance of your’s and Jeno’s suburban home (originally the formal dining room) is a Windows 8.1, and somewhat slow.

“Hyuckjae, we’ll get you a phone your first month of freshman year, just like your mom and I agreed on.” Jeno says cooly. “That’s when Yoona got her first phone.”

Hyunjae grunts. “But that’s so long from now.”

Noticing how the conversation mainly was between you, Jeno, and Hyunjae, Yoona gestures to pick up her phone when you point at her.

“Don’t even think about picking up that phone right now, young lady,” you say pointedly, and Yoona’s hands immediately back away.

“Right that conversation we’re going to have,” Jeno says, redirecting the topic. “How was everyone’s day?”

“That’s the conversation you want to have?” Yoona says.

“Yeah, what’s wrong with it?” You ask, defending Jeno.

“Nothing…” Yoona trails away.

“I’ll start,” you say. “I had an overall good day. Taeyong gave me an extra 15% off groceries instead of 10%.” It was incredibly convenient that Taeyong’s mother’s supermarket was only eight miles from the pet shelter.

“Nice,” Jeno says, smiling in that same boyish eyesmile that you fell in love with all those years ago. “I had an average day. It would have been good, but the coffee machine in the cafeteria broke,” Jeno sighs.

You and Jeno both turn to look at Yoona. “I had a good day, I guess. I got a 100 on my calculus test.”

“Great job!” Jeno says. You reach over to rub Yoona’s shoulders.

“You see? I told you it would benefit to go to calculus tutoring,” you say.

“Hyuckjae? How was your day?” Jeno asks.

“Not good. You guys aren’t getting me a phone.”

“We just said we would!” You exclaim. “When you’re a freshman.”

Hyuckjae grunts at this and stands up, heading towards the sink to clear the remnants on his plate. You didn’t realize that Yoona and Hyukcjae had been eating particularly fast tonight, evident by their nearly empty dishes.

“I’m going to the computer room,” he says, not waiting for a response when he leaves. Shortly after, Yoona is done with her food. After rinsing her plate, she leaves it in the sink and snatches her phone off of the dining room table (as if you were going to take it and look at the texts on the notification bar).

“I’m going to my room,” she says. She waits for you to say a resigned ‘okay,’ and she heads up the stairs, sparing no time to look at her phone.

“What could be so important that she can barely stay a free moment without her phone?” You voice to your husband. You and Jeno are taking your time eating your meal at the table, now by yourselves.

“What isn’t so important at that age?” Jeno says before slurping the soup collected in his spoon. “When you’re a teenager, you see things with a different perspective than you would see if you were a mom, for example.”

You sigh at these words, the fresh perspective that your husband is giving you that you failed to see initially. Jeno is good at seeing all sides of the situation; that’s why Renjun always goes to him for advice.

“I guess,” you say, crossing your arms. “I can’t imagine being a kid right now.”

“I bet Yoona and Hyuckjae can’t imagine being a kid in the ‘90’s.”

You sigh. “Things really have changed, haven’t they?” When you and Jeno were younger, you weren’t trying to get the best gadgets to impress your friends, you didn’t have advanced TV’s and vacuum cleaners that were listening to you, you weren’t always on Instagram and Twitter, and the concept of a ‘social media influencer’ didn’t exist at all.

When you and Jeno were younger, you thought the future would resemble Back to the Future. Although there weren’t any hoverboards that actually hovered the ground in 2016, the actual future paralleled the movie in surprising ways with the fact that people were always so distracted with the screens in their hands.

“Don’t you ever just feel…” you start off. Jeno’s attention is on you while he eats.

“Don’t you ever feel that people are always in their own worlds?” You ask. “Always on their phones looking at the latest posts, listening to music, downloading photos? No one ever runs around the neighborhood and draws chalk or play with the neighborhood kids,” you sigh. It was like people preferred to type than to talk.

“Yeah. It wasn’t like that when we were kids,” Jeno says. You eat a couple of spoons of friend rice, the silence between you both evident.

“In a way,” Jeno says, “Things are still the same.”

“How?” You ask.

“Well, people still have the need to be social, whether it’s on social media or in person. And we are still trying to keep up with our friends,” he says. Without words, you know he’s talking about your son and how obsessed he was about getting a phone since his friends started to flash their iPhones and Samsungs.

“I still think life was simpler back in the ‘90’s,” you say stubbornly. “Even though we had to use TV Guide to find out what was on TV, it was still easier. I’m always looking over my shoulder these days,” you confess. “Every single second, so much data is being collected and sold, it makes me worried. On top of all that, social media isn’t good for young kids,” you say, redirecting the conversation back to Hyuckjae. You feel a little guilty seeing Hyuckjae so upset that he doesn’t have a phone, but it was the principle that mattered. You didn’t think phones were good for young kids, to be hooked up to the internet 24/7. Being fifteen and having a phone isn’t much better than being fourteen and having a phone, but you drew the line at high school. You couldn’t protect your son forever, no matter how much you desperately wanted to.

“There’s still something that remains simple, though,” Jeno says. When he gently squeezes your thigh, you think you have an idea.

“This,” he says. He leans over and kisses your lips, cupping your cheek. His lips are soft as they rub rhythmically against your lips. He pulls away, his voice soft. “I love you. We can be in 2092, teleporting to see our great-grandchildren, and I’ll be in love with you,” Jeno says.

You giggle. Nineteen years of marriage, and he still makes you feel like a young bride.

“We can be in 3092 with our brains connected to robots, and I’ll still be in love with you,” you counter, turning this into a competition.

“How about let’s think about right now,” Jeno says. He cups your cheeks in his hands and admires your eyes before he kisses you deeply, as if he isn’t going to kiss you ever again.

The world can change as much as it wants, as long as you have Lee Jeno by your side.

a/n: if you've made it this far, thank you so much for reading :) since this is my first slowburn, let me know what you thought in the comments or by sending me an ask! thanks again!

#nct #jeno #lee jeno #nct fluff #nct scenarios #nct dream #jeno fluff #jeno scenarios #jeno imagines #nct imagines #nct reactions #nct dream fluff #nct dream scenarios #nct dream imagines #jeno smut

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humblequestvinyl · 8 months

Text

mustang or me

MUSTANG OR ME, CONRAD FISHER X FEM!READER

APART OF THE ‘ANOTHER ON THE WAY’ SERIES

SUMMARY: after leaving the love of her life in cousin’s beach and breaking his heart, y/n wonders on her drive home who was going to breakdown first, her 1989 mustang or herself?

inspired by mustang or me by megan moroney

◀ ⏸ ▶

lowercase is intentional! wc: 1.03k

warning: ANGST BABYYYY, conrad being the bad guy (im sorry i hated doing this) swearing, underage smoking.

a/n: heard mustang or me live recently and was ON THE GROUND CRYING. my fav song to start off the another on the way series, i had to!

LOOKING INTO HIS OCEAN BLUE EYES,

y/n l/n felt tears well into her eyes as they stood out on the beach, with the waves crashing onto the sand as they looked at each other in disbelief.

“it was a one time thing sunshine,”conrad started as he walked towards her, causing y/n to step back, “we weren’t even together yet and belly and i both regretted it-”

“but neither of you bothered to tell me?”the h/c girl questioned, tilting her head a bit to look at conrad, “not even after we got together in september or after jere started dating belly?”

it was silent between the two for a few moments as y/n could see conrad giving her a blank stare, and as every second passed she could feel a bit of her heart break.

finding out the boy you loved had a fling with your best friend, on the night they had all collectively decided to throw a midsummer party. everything had come bursting out, breaking down the wall both the fisher boy and the conklin girl had put up.

“we thought you knew.”conrad finally whispered, and y/n’s eyes widened, “i mean jere knew-”

“jeremiah was here last summer connie!”y/n shouted, throwing her arms up in the air, “he was physically here to witness it all! i wasn't! i was in europe exploring, something you encouraged by the way!”

“so no conrad, i didn’t know because i wasn’t fucking here!”y/n exclaimed, feeling the keys to her mustang rustling in her pocket a bit, “and the fact that you just assumed i knew that you and belly had a fling hurts!”

“i’m sorry!”conrad yelled, and he watched as wisps of h/c hair turned around and started storming towards the driveway, “i’m sorry y/n!”

he quickly followed the girl as she unlocked her mustang, and opened the door before conrad grabbed ahold of her hand, “y/n don’t leave-”

“i can’t do this anymore conrad.”she whispered, feeling tears in her eyes knowing what she was about to do would kill him.

she watched his blue eyes soften, and she wanted to breakdown crying right then and there, “you don’t mean that sunshine.”

“i do connie.”she choked out, before trying to compose herself, “it wasn’t going to work anyway. with me going to buffalo and you’re going to be at stanford, there was no way we were making it out of the summer.”

“we can make this work.”conrad tried to reason, and y/n shook her head in disagreement knowing she was about to become a college athlete, and it was going to be chaos.

“i’m sorry conrad.”

the h/c girl quickly got into her mustang, and turned the engine on before looking at him one more time before she drove out of the fishers driveway, and towards her home state of vermont.

she had almost a four hour drive ahead of her, and as soon as she made it almost thirty minutes away from cousins, she stopped for some gas and cigarettes knowing she’d need both of them for this drive home.

as she walked into the gas station, her e/c eyes met with the cashier who gave her a comforting smile as y/n went to grab a few energy drinks. once she got back to the counter, she placed the alani’s down before making eye contact with the cashier, reading her name badge quickly.

daisy

the one thing y/n hated the most.

“anything i can get you sweetheart?”the woman questioned, breaking y/n out of her state of mind, and the girl hummed before pulling out her fake id, “can i get two packs of reds and thirty on pump ten.”

she watched as the woman glanced at the id, before grabbing the cigarettes and she quickly finished up the girls transaction before y/n was out of there. as soon as the h/c girl got outside, she could see smoke blowing from the hood, causing her to curse up a storm knowing she was supposed to get it fixed before she left for the summer.

“fucking kidding me.”she muttered, opening up the hood and letting the smoke out for a bit, not really wanting to call her father to see what she could do for it.

once the smoke had settled, y/n quickly pumped the gas into her green mustang, and was back off with a cigarette in her mouth, knowing that was the only was she was going to make it through this drive home.

she was an hour out from home when sweet nothing by taylor swift started to play over the car radio, and y/n felt herself finally break.

tears started to flow down her cheeks as she drove for a few more miles, thinking about the last ten months her and conrad had spent together. memories of conrad driving all the way to vermont during a snowstorm to spent her 18th birthday with her, to her and conrad going to the beach house alone during christmas.

every single memory she had of the two of them was tainted. every. single. one.

all due to what she considered a ‘dirty little secret’

a loud sob burst through y/n lips as a bunch of different noises started to ring through her car, and her dashboard lit up with multiple issues ranging from low gas to needing a new engine.

she always wondered that the day she experienced her first heartbreak with the unreliable mustang, who’d breakdown first? the mustang or the girl with a sensitive heart, one she protected with her life.

she quickly won that battle.

#conrad fisher #conrad fisher angst #conrad fisher x reader #jeremiah fisher x reader #the summer i turned pretty #the summer i turned pretty angst #susannah fisher #conrad fisher x you #conrad fisher imagine #conrad fisher x y/n #tsitp conrad #tsitp fanfic #another on the way series

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2knightt · 1 year

Note

Howdy knight in shimmering armor!! :DDD it is moi~ & I come humbly presenting my req ✨🥹

So. 👏🏼 We've heard of motherly!reader, right? And we got motherly!reader. We've heard of sister!reader, and we got sister!reader.

Now get ready forrrrr *🥁🥁🥁* daughter!reader! 🩷💫

can I get some hcs for our Sodapop with a daughter/daughter!reader? I feel like he'd be such a sweet and loving parent aaaa 😭😭 whether biological or adopted it's entirely up to you, darlin'! I just live for the sweet fluff; my brain is stuck on Darry and Pony and the rest of the Greasers as uncles akshdj it's driving me up a walllllll.

uncle/godfather (!!! 😱😭🩷) Steve—maybe her taking an interest in cars or working at the DX when she gets older?? or not and somethin' else has her best interests at heart!! but everybody loves and dotes on her endlessly still bc she's their princess UGH the potential is insanity.

Work your magic, firefly!! If it's what'chur into, I'd love to see whatcha got for me! 😚 If not, then don't worry a thing at all, m'kay? <33 Entirely up to you!

↳tell the angels no!₊˚✧

➬ sodapop curtis x daughter!reader

a/n; THERES MY FAVOURITE PERSON EVERRR!!! HIIIIII!!!! ALSO I MADE READER LIKE IN THE RANGE OF A PRETEEN..BUT I MADE IT PRETTY VAGUE ON THE AGE..SAUR.

you’re sodapop’s biological child, and he couldn’t be happier omfg.

he’s such a good dad :(.

he legit can’t say no to you so you can get away with literally anything.

you punch a kid because they were annoying you?

“aw, it’s okay. i bet she didn’t mean it.”

“your daughter punched the child 3 times in a row.”

“just like i taught her!”

you get caught stealing?

“just ask for money! or take some from uncle steve.”

if you ever tell him you have a crush on a kid, he’s telling everyone. shouting it in the streets fr.

“who is he? is he cute? is he nice? rich?”

“papa!!”

and if the gang finds out?? good luck.

“what? you’re way too young to even to be thinking about boys!”

“yeah, what uncle two-bit said!”

“guys she’s a child. let her explore.”

“shut up ponyboy, this is y/n we’re talking about.”

do NOT ask sodapop for help with any of your work.

as soon as your done with adding, it’s ponyboys problem.

each person in the gang probably has their own job or role in your life.

johnny is the uncle you go to for peace and quiet.

“johnny-uhh…let’s go to the lot!! i’m tired of this house.”

“alright, kiddo. go tell your dad where you’re going.”

johnny’s jealous that you have a better childhood than he ever had, but he’s happy that it’s you getting the best childhood you can possibly get.

ponyboy’s the one you go to for academic help, or just..help in general.

“uncle pony, what’s 12 x 2?”

“what’s 12 + 12?”

“24?”

“there’s your answer.”

two-bits the uncle you go to when you’ve had a bad day. he does ANYTHING to make you laugh.

he’ll tell you any story about anyone to make you smile with tears still in your eyes.

“w-well what about dad?”

“OH! your dad used to work at this gas station, the DX, right? and one day a guy came in to rob the place, grabbed the drinks, chocolate bars, everything and just RAN! so your father ran after him but he tripped and took the guy down with him! i swear he was the same shade as a tomato when the story came out!”

“really?”

you asked, in between laughs.

steves the uncle you go to for…literally everything.

you’re probably his favourite person so…he’s ‘round you a lot.

“uncle steve, i’m trying to go to school!”

“schools for losers.”

“uncle?!”

“but don’t drop out. drop out and i kill ya.”

darry is the one you go to for actual advice and a shoulder to lean on.

you probably call him grandpa for the laughs.

“an-and i just don’t know what to do, pa! it’s so..UGH!”

“just breath, y/n. you’re a strong young girl. you can make it, like you always do.”

dallas is the uncle you go to for actual fun.

he let’s you get away with anything and everything.

he might even be worse than your dad.

“can i have a cigarette?”

“just don’t tell anyone, kay? i ain’t tryna get the tar beatin’ outta me.”

i like to think that steve’s car work was acknowledged and he moved into a better paying job.

so if you show the slightest bit of interest into cars, he’s bringing you into work on the weekends.

“pop the hood, y/n.”

“sir yes sir!”

they’d be so loving but so annoying with you omfg.

they will barge into your room without asking.

“HEY Y/N!”

“TWO-BIT, WHAT DO YOU WANT?!”

“that’s no way to talk to your uncle.”

“so?? get out! i’m trying to play something.”

they all come into your room and drag you out to the dingo.

OMFG IMAGINE THEM PICKING YOU UP FOR SCHOOL IT’D BE SO EMBARRASSING.

sodapops driving, it’s his car, two-bit and steve are fighting across the seats, johnny and ponyboy and talking over the shouting, dallas is blasting music while darry tells everyone to behave.

all that while you stand infront of school, infront of everyone, as they shout your name out loud.

“Y/N!”

“Y/N GET IN!”

“HURRY UP PLEASE”

“i don’t know who these guys are…must be another y/n.”

“Y/N CURTIS. GET IN HERE NOW!”

“ah, shit.”

“WHAT WAS THAT, YOUNG LADY?”

“nothinguhh!!”

10/10 experience overall, would sell my first born to experience this.

may 27th, 2023. 4:41PM.

#2knightt #the outsiders #the outsiders x reader #what do i tag for platonic fics omfg #platonic the outsiders #sodapop curtis #sodapop x reader #johnny cade x reader #dallas winston x reader #ponyboy curtis x reader #steve randle x reader #darry curtis x reader #HELP??

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squoxle · 8 months

Text

🏁𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐌𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐳𝐲/𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐥𝐥 ~ 𝐏.𝐒𝐇 𝐟𝐟

𓆩⟡𓆪 𝑺𝒖𝒈𝒈𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒚 @addictedtohobi ~ 𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒃𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝑹𝒊𝒗𝒂𝒍 𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝑺𝒖𝒏𝒈𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒏 𝑯𝒆𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒖𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑵𝒊𝒌𝒊? (18+ fanfic)

✩✩𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘴𝘦𝘹𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘴：ⓌⒶⓇⓃⒾⓃⒼ

<<𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠/𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐤𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐬��𝐱, 𝐬𝐞𝐱, 𝐮𝐧𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞�� 𝐬𝐞𝐱, 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐚𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐡𝐨𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐬𝐭, 𝐲𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐚 : feat. members of TXT, SKZ, and Le Sserafim

𝑆𝑚𝑢𝑡 𝑆𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝐻𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑙𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑤／𝐹𝑖𝑟𝑒 𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝐸𝑚𝑜𝑗𝑖❤️‍🔥

✩𝑃𝑎𝑖𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔：𝐄𝐱 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐑𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐫!𝐛𝐛𝐬𝐟!𝐏.𝐒.𝐇. 𝐱 𝐆𝐛𝐬𝐟!𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

☆𝐺𝑒𝑛𝑟𝑒： 𝐔𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬

☆𝑊𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡：4,627

☆𝑆𝑢𝑚𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑦：𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚 𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞, 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐧, 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐨𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐬 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐩 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐇𝐞𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐍𝐢𝐤𝐢, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲'𝐯𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧.

"Hey, can you pass me the wrench?" "Uhhh...which one is that again?" "It kinda looks like a Lego hand." "A Lego hand?" "Yea. Like a C--" Sunghoon was cut off mid-sentence by the car hood falling on his head. "Fuck." "Sorry." "Don't worry about it." "Here's the wrench thingy." "Thanks."

"You're welcome. So, what are you working on anyway?" "I'm installing a new engine in my car." "Why?" "So it can go faster. I'm also gonna tweak the brakes a bit." "Don't tell me you're racing again." "Sorry, but you know I need the money." "What the hell Sunghoon! You promised me that you were done with that. Don't forget what happened last time." "I know. I know. But I'll be more careful this time okay. I promise." "Right, because you're so good at keeping promises huh?"

The last race Sunghoon participated in was about 4 months ago, with a bet set at $8,000. That was enough money to let him take a short break, but he ended up getting in an accident that totaled his car. On top of that, he was arrested that same night. The cops booked him for 180 days and a suspension of his license. Fortunately, you had enough saved up to get him out on bail, which was $2,000. He was a little banged up, with a few cuts on his face from the windshield breaking, and a bruised rib from the steering wheel. You were just glad that he made it out alive, but he promised to never race again. You never really approved of him racing, but you knew how hardheaded and stubborn Sunghoon could be.

"Look, I'm gonna be fine okay. You can trust me. And hey, if anything does happen--" "No, Sunghoon. I don't want to hear another word about this. I'm not letting you race." "Y/N, can you just relax?" "Relax? Relax! How the hell can I relax when you nearly lost your life 4 months ago?!" "Do you think I forgot? Huh? Do you seriously think I forgot that my best friend had to bail me out and drive me home because I fucked up on a turn?" "If you remember it so well then why the fuck are you gonna send me through that shit again?!" "I need the money goddammit! What don't you understand?! Not everyone has a dad who's a fucking walking piggy bank! Some of us can't keep a job for shit! And I can't keep living paycheck to paycheck! So unless you're gonna move in and start helping out, you just need to shut the fuck up!" "You know what, Sunghoon? I don't care what you fucking do. Just don't expect me to catch you when you fall on your ass," you spat before walking back into his house.

"FUCK!" you heard Sunghoon shout from the garage.

You understood that Sunghoon needed money, you weren't blind to his living situation, but you just wish he could make money another way. Currently, Sunghoon was working a job at a nearby gas station. They were paying him $12 an hour, this money was enough to pay for his rent and food, but barely enough to save. He lived in a rental home with intentions to eventually move out into a house he could own. He hated living in a state where he wasn't sure where he would sleep the next day. He's been put out of rentals before, without warning or reason and he didn't want that to happen again.

"I'm sorry," you heard Sunghoon say as he walked through the garage door. "I didn't mean to go off on you. I'm just stressed out right now." "It's okay Hoon. I know how you feel." "Yea, but you didn't deserve that." Sunghoon walked to the fridge and grabbed two cokes. "I really need this race. It's gonna help me a lot. I promise that when I win I'm done racing." "For good?" "Yes," he said handing you a glass coke bottle.

"So what're the stakes this time?" "Well, if I win, I get $10,000." "And if you lose?" "I have to pay $5,000, but I'm not losing so it doesn't matter." "Okay. When is the race?" "This weekend..." "This weekend?! Sunghoon, you haven't raced in months. How the hell do you expect to be ready by this weekend?" "Don't worry, okay. I got this." “You only have 3 days and you just started working on your car.” Sunghoon went completely silent. “What?” “Well, I’ve actually been working on my car for 2 months.” “Are you kidding me?” “I wanted to be ready in case I ever had to start racing again.” “Dammit, Sunghoon.” “Sorry…” “We can’t worry about that right now. We need to focus on getting you ready.” “I told you I got it.” “No, I’m gonna help you this time. And I swear to god Sunghoon if I EVER hear anything about racing come out of your mouth again I’m gonna cut your dick off with a spoon. Understand?” “Jeez. Okay, yea I understand.”

Thursday...

You and Sunghoon went to an abandoned parking lot to practice his turns. Even though you were scared, you sat in the passenger seat next to Sunghoon. "Shit!" He spat as he spun out for the third time. "It's okay, Sunghoon. Just slow down a bit." He took a deep breath before attempting the turn again. He drove straight ahead hitting a speed of 80 before making a sharp turn that would've jerked you out of the car if the door was off. "Great job, Sunghoon!" you smiled. "Thanks," he smiled back. "Tomorrow I'll drive us around that back road." "Which one?" "It's one that's almost always clear. I usually drive it alone, but you'll be joining me tomorrow," he smiled.

Sunghoon dropped you off at your house. "Hey I'll be back in the morning to come pick you up okay," he said as you unbuckled your seatbelt. "Okay," you smiled. "Wait." "What?" "Thanks for helping me. I really appreciate it." "No problem, Sunghoon. It's not like I can stop you. So why not help you?" Hearing this made Sunghoon smile. "Good night, Y/N. See ya in the morning." "Hehe good night dummy," you said before going inside.

Friday...

Yesterday went better than you expected. Maybe it was possible for him to be ready for the race on Saturday. Just a little more practice.

*HONK HONK*

You heard Sunghoon honking his horn from your bedroom.

Immediately you called him, “Stop it Jackass. My parents are still sleeping.”

“Where?”

“In their room duh.”

“Well they must be in their room somewhere else bc I don’t see a car in your driveway.”

“Dammit,” you swore to yourself.

“Cat got your tongue?”

You scoffed before abruptly ending the call and storming outside.

“Looks like someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed,” Sunghoon chuckled as you climbed into the passenger seat. “I have neighbors ya’know.” “Okay and?” “And I don’t think they wanna hear someone honking their horn early in the morning.” “It’s literally 10 o’clock. Who the fuck is still sleeping at 10 on a Friday?” “A baby…maybe.” “A baby? Everyone who lives on your street either has no kids and pets or their kids are grown already.” “Well maybe dogs are sleeping.” “Dogs?! Okay, you’re not making any sense right now.”

You didn’t want to tell your best friend that his rival has been texting you all morning about how he can’t wait to rail you all night long after he wins the race.

When Sunghoon used to race, he had two dangerously competitive rivals, Heeseung and Niki. Niki was younger than both of them, but he was reckless and would do anything to secure a win. The biggest mistake you ever made was undermining him. Niki had a way of giving you a hug only to stab you in the back. You had a personal vendetta against him, but it was nothing compared to Heeseung.

You and Heeseung dated before you found out that he cheated on you with your now ex best friend, Yujin. To this day, she’s still asking for your forgiveness. How dare she come around you, smiling in your face, when she knew what she did?

She was always secretly jealous of your relationship with him. She envied your happiness and plotted to have sex with your boyfriend on your birthday. She pretended to be sick and you didn’t see anything wrong with your boyfriend taking care of your best friend. However, while you were preoccupied with opening gifts and playing games, they were busy fucking each other in your bedroom.

The way you found out is even worse. You were scrolling through Heeseung’s photo gallery looking for a cute pic to use for your lock screen when you found a video of them having sex. According to him, she recorded and sent the video to him as blackmail. She said that if he ever stopped fucking her while you two were together that she’d send you the video and lie about him raping her. It all sounded like bullshit to you. So you cut them both off.

You and Sunghoon had a much different story. The two of you met a little bit before you started dating Heeseung. The friendship you had was nothing more than what it was…friends. That was until your relationship with Heeseung ended.

As the friendship between you and Sunghoon grew stronger, you learned that he was into street racing. The first day he ever took you to watch him race was when you reunited with Heeseung. Obviously you still had some feelings for him, so it wasn’t a surprise when you ended up in a steamy make out session with him.

You would describe your current relationship with Heeseung as...interesting. The two of you only had sex twice after your breakup, but he hasn’t stopped trying to win your heart back.

You and Sunghoon finally made it to the country road that he told you about yesterday. It was literally a twisty, scenic, mountain route, and it was completely clear. He sped around the curves like a race track before eventually slowing down. "What happened? Why'd you slow down?" "I need to tell you something...it's about the race." "What about it?" "You remember Niki and Heeseung right?" "Yes, I do. Unfortunately." "Yea, well I owe them something." "What's this something? It can't be that bad, right?" "Uhh...actually it is. Remember that last race when I crashed." "Yea..." "Well, I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to get involved, but I owe them $27,000." "Twenty-seven THOUSAND dollars? Sunghoon, why are you just now telling me this?" "Because I didn't want you to try and bail me out." "Sunghoon, you know I'm here for you and I'll help you with whatever you need. How much do you owe them now? I'll send it t--" "No!" Sunghoon shouted cutting you off. "I can take care of it myself and winning this race is gonna help me a lot." "But, Hoon. This is $27,000. The prize is only $10,000." "Yea, I know that, but I've also been pushing drugs and using a portion of my check to knock it down." "DRUGS! Are you fucking kidding me?" "Can you please calm down? I'm only doing it until I pay them off. After that, I'm done." "Sunghoon, this is really stupid. You're lucky that you haven't been caught. How much do you owe them now anyways?" "Only $7,000 now. So I'll have about $3,000 left over, which isn't too bad." You took a deep breath before replying. "Okay, well you better win this fucking race." "Yea...I know..."

The sun was setting as Sunghoon finally finished practicing. "Can you stay the night at my house?" he asked. "Why?" "I just...I just don't want to be alone tonight. That's all." This was very strange coming from him. Out of the entire time you've known each other, Sunghoon has never asked you to sleep over. He seemed a little off and you were worried about him even more now after hearing that he was a drug dealer on the side. So you accepted his request. "Sure," you smiled.

Normally, you would sleep on the couch, but Sunghoon insisted on you sleeping with him. "Sunghoon," you asked as the two of you lay in his bed. "What?" "Are you okay?" "What do you mean?" "Like, are you really okay about racing again?" "Yea, why wouldn't I be?" "What if you get in another accident and this time you don't come out alive? Then what?"

Sunghoon went silent for a moment before exhaling deeply. "That's actually why I wanted you to stay with me. I don't know what'll happen tomorrow night. All I can do is hope for the best." He rolled onto his back and stared at the ceiling. "There are two things I'm afraid of right now." "And what's that?" "Losing the race...and losing you." "Losing me? What's that supposed to mean?" "Well...if I die...then I'll never be able to see you again. Heh, honestly that scares me more than losing the race. Sure, I'll end up even deeper in debt, but I'll still have you." "But you're not gonna lose remember? You got this. I believe in you." "I love you." "What?" "I said I love you. I always have. Why else do you think I've been so attached to you? I always call you over to help me with shit I don't even need help with. When I can't sleep, you're the first person I call. Even when my parents died, I knew I could count on you. You're there for me and I'm there for you and I love you for that." "Sunghoon...I...how come you never told me?" "I wanted to wait until I was sure you liked me back. I like the friendship we have, but I've always wanted more." "But why tell me now?" "Because I don't want to die tomorrow without telling you how I feel."

You both rolled over to face each other. "I love you too," you said, looking him in the eyes. You honestly did have a crush on Sunghoon, that's why you hadn't pursued things with Heeseung. But you also felt strange about dating your best friend.

❤️‍🔥: One kiss became two, as Sunghoon climbed on top of you. The kiss deepened as the two of you intertwined your tongues, your kiss being held together by a stream of saliva. You reached your hands under his white tee, gripping his waist as he moved down to your neck. While he was kissing your neck, he bit you, hard enough to get your attention, but not enough to leave a mark. You dug your nails into his skin in response to the sudden sting of pain, causing him to let out a soft moan before sucking on the spot he had just bitten.

He continued this way, biting, sucking, and kissing your lips and neck while massaging your tits before sitting back to remove his shirt, giving you a clear view of his abs and the boner that was flexing in his shorts. You also started to take your shirt off, but what you didn't expect was for Sunghoon to hook his arms around you, unhooking your bra.

Still sitting up, he pulled your tits to his mouth and treated them the same way he did your neck. You clawed your nails into his back at every sharp sting of pain. He grabbed a handful of your hair and kissed your neck and shoulders as he reached into your panties to stimulate your clit. Your wetness coated his fingers as he began to insert them into your throbbing wet hole. He pulled them out and stuck them in your mouth. As you sucked his fingers he pulled out his dick and pushed you back down onto the bed.

He glided his dick between the wet lips of your pussy before pushing straight in. You yelped out at the feeling of his dick stretching you open. He started to pound your pussy, while keeping his hands wrapped around your throat. Your legs were shaking from the constant stimulation as he released your throat and reached his hand down between your legs. He kept rubbing your clit as he fucked you senseless. You came twice before you felt him getting close. Your walls clenched around him as he continued to pump harder and faster before filling you with his cum. :❤️‍🔥

He breathlessly panted over your sweaty body before the two of you fell asleep.

Saturday...

The next morning, you woke up next to Sunghoon, he was still shirtless but he definitely looked hotter than ever as he opened his sleepy eyes. "Good morning," he groaned before kissing your hand. "Morning, Hoon," you smiled. "Are you ready for the race tonight?" "As ready as I'll ever be," he said as he held your hand. "If I win this race, I want you to be my girlfriend." "What? Are you serious?" "Of course I am. I want to wake up next to you like this every day. I want to be able to see that smile and know that you're mine and only mine. I told you that I loved you and I meant that." "I love you too, Sunghoon." "Well then let's start getting ready for that race...after a few more minutes," Sunghoon giggled before climbing back on top of you to give you a kiss.

It was finally the night of the race. You and Sunghoon drove to a large parking lot that was decorated with a crowd of people. After parking, you looked around to see the rest of the racers participating. It wasn't long before you spotted Heeseung and Niki chatting.

"Hey, Babe. Did you get my message?" Heeseung said as you walked up to them. "Yea," you scoffed, rolling your eyes. "Wait. What message?" "The message telling her that if I win, she has to be my girlfriend again." "Why didn't you tell me you were still talking to him?" "Sunghoon, I-" "She didn't tell you because didn't want to hurt your sorry-ass feelings. Trust me, I have proof of her telling me how badly she misses riding my dick," Heeseung laughed. "Fuck you! She told me that she loved me and I believe her. I don't give a shit about whatever the hell your saying," Sunghoon spat. "Jesus, can you cut that lame-ass-middle-school-she-loves-me-so-much bullshit. You know it yourself that she'd much rather be choking on my dick than wasting her breath with a loser like you."

Sunghoon pushed Heeseung’s shoulders. “Don’t start something you can’t finish, Park,” Heeseung spat back. “God, could you guys just knock it off already,” Niki interrupted. “He still owes us money anyway. If you really wanna kick his ass, at least do it over something serious. Fighting over some dumb ass bitch like her is retarded.” “Watch your fucking mouth, Nishimura.” “Calm the fuck down, Sunghoon. I swear to God if you come any closer to me I’ll lay you the fuck out.” “Yea, Park. It’s two against one. Don’t be stupid.”

"Well, well, well. What do we have here?" A voice cut through the tension.

A tall, slender man approached you. He had eyes like a dragon, that cut right through you. “Mr. Hwang,” they bowed in unison. “Hello, boys. Hmm, I see you’ve brought a girl along. I like her,” he said as he scanned your body. “I’ve come here to let you know there’s been a change to the plans. I have some tough competition here for you. I’ve raised the stakes to $25,000 for the winner. But now I think I’ll add her to the prize.” “Who the fuck do you think you are? Huh? I’m not some object you can just toss around.” The man walked up to you and slapped you hard across the face. “Maybe you don’t know who I am. So let me provide you with a little summary of my character,” the man said as he firmly grabbed your chin. “My name is Hwang Hyunjin, and I don’t take shit from anyone. Especially not mouthy little bitches like you.” You spat in his face, to which he responded by wrapping his hands around your throat and lifting you on your toes. “I wouldn’t advise trying that shit again,” he said as you vainly fought for air. “You’re my object now,” he grinned maliciously. “Unless, of course, someone rejects this decision.” The boys stood silent. “Great! Me and my friends will be enjoying her while you boys race around. Remember, winner takes all,” he said before walking off with you.

“I’m definitely winning that race now,” Heeseung cheered. “There’s not a chance in hell that I’m letting you beat me.” “Look, pal. There's more to win now. I don’t care what I have to do, I'm gonna get that money.”

Sunghoon forgot to tell you one more very important thing. He was pushing drugs for the son of a gang leader. Hyunjin's beauty is only skin deep because on the inside he's a heartless monster who'll kill someone if he even suspects they're conspiring against him. It hurt Sunghoon to watch him treat you like that, but he knew that getting involved would've only made things worse.

The boys lined up in their vehicles. "Are you boys ready," a girl shouted. "3-2-1...GO!" she cheered as she bounced around waving a checkered flag.

Sunghoon sped off, taking the lead. Even though Niki and Heeseung were racing separately, they had one goal in mind, winning. Before the race, they agreed that if either one of them won the money would be split 40/60 and Heeseung would get the girl.

Back at the starting point, you sat in a booth accompanied by two other men. Felix or "Lix" as Hyunjin called him and Minho. "Oh, where'd ya find this pretty little thing," Minho said with eyes full of lust. "I saw her hanging around the boys on the track." "Hmm. And what was she doing there?" "Dunno. But she's been added to the prize." "Hehe, maybe I should go out there and race." "Isn't she gonna say something?" "Probably not." "Why? Wait don't tell me. You gave her the shake down of your character. You've really got to stop doing that. I'm telling you, you'll never get a girl that way." "Ehh whatever. I don't want a girl right now anyways." "Sure ya don't."

Felix walked over to grab your hand, "I'm Felix, but you can call me Lix. Sorry for my friend. Sometimes he can get a little carried away with the big tough guy attitude." "I'm...Y/N." "Hello, Y/N. How about you tell me a little bit about yourself. I'm sure there's more to you than just a pretty face," he smiled.

The competition was tough, just like Hyunjin said it would be, but Niki raced dirty so he already had a few tricks up his sleeve. Niki was trailing behind in 6th place after dropping a few spikes on the ground to stop the others. He maneuvered through the other racers, struggling to hold on to 4th. "Ugh fuck!" he shouted as one of the racers cut in front of him, slowing him down.

Apparently, Heeseung and Niki weren't the only ones teaming up. Two other high-profile street racers, Yeonjun and Soobin, were ganging up on Niki. The funny thing is, is that they were only fighting for the girl. Niki heard the two of them talking about what they wanted to do to you before the race. Yeonjun kept bumping into Niki's car, rocking him back and forth. Niki started to lose control of the car, which Yeonjun noticed and took this as an opportunity to knock Niki completely out.

As he swerved over to crash into Niki, Niki pulled on brakes, causing Yeonjun to drive into a ditch. "DAMMIT!" Yeonjun shouted, slamming his fists into the steering wheel. Niki couldn't help but laugh as he picked up speed to catch up with Soobin.

Heeseung was much closer to Sunghoon, who had now fallen in 2nd place. Heeseung was in 3rd place and knew the perfect shortcut to pass him up. Sunghoon watched from his rearview mirror as Heeseung tailed him before seemingly driving off course. He drove off-road to cut through the turn, earning him a spot in first place.

Sunghoon was caught off guard by Heeseung's shortcut, but he knew how to close the space between them. Jay, another racer, held second place. Sunghoon knew how to get around him, but this would be a risky move. The same move that put his car in the junkyard.

Sunghoon increased his speed as he approached a turn. Jay drove in the middle of the lane as they were now speeding near a cliff. As Sunghoon came closer to the turn he attempted a drift. He successfully passed Jay by turning on the inside but he struggled to regain control as he grazed the railing, scuffing the side of his car.

Somehow, Niki managed to take 3rd place, passing up Jay and Soobin. The three boys continued down the rigorous path as they whipped around the final turn bringing them back to the parking lot. They were neck and neck as they drew closer to the finish line.

*BANG*

A loud noise filled Sunghoon's ears. He watched as Niki spun out of control beside him, crashing into a light post. His tires popped, likely due to the amount of stress on them.

It was just Heeseung and Sunghoon now.

*BANG*

The gunshot went off declaring the end of the race.

"Who won?" Sunghoon asked as he pressed on the breaks before climbing out of the vehicle.

The two boys looked around confused as the both seemingly finished at the same time.

Hyunjin walked out holding your hand. "Congratulations, Heeseung!" he announced. "No way! See Babe. I told you we were destined to be together. Now you can finally stop hanging out with that bum and get back with me." Sunghoon stood there in pure shock which enabled him to speak. He listened as Heeseung taunted him and ran over to scoop you up into a big hug.

"Wait. You didn't let me finish." "Huh? What do you mean?" "I mean congratulations on coming in second." "What?" Heeseung couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Yea, you lost, but don't worry. You're still $7,000 richer." "Huh? How?" "Well, I'm paying out Sunghoon's debt. So now you're $7,000 richer. That is until you pay me the fee for losing," he chuckled. "No...there must be a mistake."

You ran over to Sunghoon, leaping into his arms. "How did this happen?" "Well, while I was hanging out with Mr. Hwang and his friends, I told him how badly you needed this win. That's when he told me that you had been working for him all this time and that he wanted to help you." "Oh my gosh. I-I don't know how to thank you for this." "Well, you did promise me one thing," you said batting your eyes at him. "Oh right. Y/N, will you be my girlfriend?" "That was so corny," you laughed. "But yes, Sunghoon. I'll happily be your girlfriend."

3 months later...

Sunghoon used the money to open up a car shop and Mr. Hwang made sure he always had customers. With the money he was making from his new business, Sunghoon was able to finally move out of that crumby rental and get his own house.

"You're the best girlfriend ever. You know that?" "Yea whatever," you scoffed. "I wouldn't be where I am right now without your help," he said before gently kissing your lips.

❀𝚃𝚊𝚐𝚕𝚒𝚜𝚝:

@chlorinecake @hoyeonheeseung @sussyjake @furious-eagle @cherrriesss @abbyizzy @weyukinluv @addictedtohobi @thatonenoona @wavykook @givemeyourtmihyun @jaeljn @hoonmywk @valennshit @19-yunalyn @hoonbby @frostedblankets @hoonsyo @no-mannerism @perfectxserendipity @chubbibish @ihrtlix @bunniesforsoobin @thereadersparadise @thatbooknerdfr @aiden2001 @belongstoheeseung @jakeybabe @donut-crazs @rizzhee @nikimeows @woonieees @uarmyxtae @rebecca-johnson-28 @they2luv1naia @isa-2007 @silcry @riverscafe @pearlwhitesoul @nikohiroshi @thatbooknerdfr @wonniewonwon

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batsahoy-edits · 1 year

Text

Eddie x pregnant reader

Warnings- implied smut, fluff and a tiny bit of angts?

Y/n and Eddie have been together nearly 4 years. Yes Eddie did finally graduate Hawkins high. With the help of his beautiful girlfriend. He got a job working at a gas station. While y/n works at family video with her best friend Robin and Steve. Y/n doesn’t really get along with Steve. She can’t pin point on why he doesn’t like her. She’s been nothing but nice to him since Eddie introduced them. Well 4 years past, y/n and Eddie live a few trailers down from where Eddie lived with Wayne. Y/n never minded where she lived as long as he has Eddie by her side. Of course not long after moving in together. Y/n became pregnant. It was a massive shock to the couple. Eddie nearly passing out after she told him. Wayne laughing at Eddie’s reaction when y/n told him. He was happy for them, concerned since they were still only young and not even married. Robin was jumping up and down. Naming the baby already. Y/n wasn’t even showing yet and Robin picked out names. Assuming it was a boy. Steve, well he was Steve. He was happy for them. When y/n told him all he said was “as long as I don’t have to babysit, I’m happy for you” easing the tension between them both. He became protective of her. Like a big brother. No one really knew why Steve switched from being distant to protective big brother. But it was nice all the same.

6 months since everyone found out about the pregnancy. Y/n belly popped. She looked like she was having twins. Dustin thought she was having more with how big she gotten. Causing a slap to the back of his head with his own cap from Eddie. The pregnancy hormones were all over the place. One time Eddie came home to a crying woman on the floor. Why she was in tears he doesn’t know. Because as soon as she saw him, she jumped him and kissed him all over. He didn’t even have time to say anything before she was tearing off his clothes right at the front door. Not that Eddie was complaining. But as time went on, Eddie became more distant. Barely even touching y/n. Of course y/n fearing the worst. So she did what she would always do when she’s feeling down. She goes and talks to Robin and Nancy. At Nancy’s house. Since that’s where Robin hangs out at most of the time.

“I don’t know Robin, he seems distant. He won’t even look at me. He doesn’t touch me. We haven’t had sex in ages.”

Robin and Nancy look to y/n sympathetically. Knowing it’s the hormones talking.

“I think he’s tired with working double time. He is working more shifts now that you’re pregnant” Robin explained. Nancy nodded and grabbed a hold of y/n’s hand and gave it a squeeze.

“You should really talk to Eddie about how you’re feeling. He loves you. I’m sure it’s because he’s tired.” Smiled Nancy. Trying to ease y/n anxieties.

Robin and Nancy both know how hard this pregnancy has been on y/n. The pain she’s been in, the headaches, to top it off the anxieties. She loves Eddie she does. But she wants to know if Eddie still loves her.

“What if he has realised he doesn’t love me anymore? That now I’m pregnant he has to step up? What if he thinks I’ll ask him to stop with D&D and his band? I don’t want him to think his life is going to stop because he’s becoming a dad” y/n started to sob. It’s hard enough as it is without feeling like your whole world might leave.

Robin gives Nancy a look. A look that says she’s going to kill Eddie making her best friend feel like this. But it’s not just his fault. The pregnancy hormones has made y/n emotions much worse.

Robin and Nancy both thought it would be better for her, if she stayed with them until they knew Eddie would be home. Once Eddie phoned asking if she was there, Nancy drove her back.

At the trailer it was the same. Eddie barely looked at her. She kissed his cheek hello and he kissed hers. But other than that. Nothing. It was like Eddie just stopped loving her. They were both sitting on the sofa, Eddie surfing through the channels. Y/n couldn’t take it. The silence was deafening. She turned to Eddie, who was fixated on the screen. She sighed and got up to go to the bedroom. Eddie noticed and finally looked up from the tv.

“Everything ok sweetheart?”

Y/n made a little sound and nodded her head. Eddie knew all to well she wasn’t. He was scared to ask further. She’ll either bite off his head or cry. He doesn’t know what to do with either of them outcomes. Eddie watched as y/n disappeared into the bedroom. She closed the door, which Eddie found odd. She never closes the bedroom door. He knows something Is definitely wrong. He puts down the tv control and gets up to see what’s going on. He doesn’t know if he should knock on the door, or if he should walk in. She doesn’t seem like she’s in a good mood so he knocks so silently that he thinks she wouldn’t hear it. He was about to knock on the door again when y/n opens it. She’s changed out of her clothes from earlier today into his Hellfire shirt. No trousers on. It’s not unusual that she’s wearing his clothes, in fact she always wears them. But seeing her in his Hellfire shirt with her swollen belly, something snaps in him. He looks at her with hungry eyes.

He doesn’t even know she’s even talking to him until she shouts his name.

“What?”

“I asked what your doing standing in the doorway”

“Oh, erm. I wanted to see if your ok”

“Well you’ve seen I’m ok”

Eddie shakes his head and puts his hands up to either side of the door frame. Blocking y/n anyway of getting out. He comes out of his daze and looks at y/n with a frown.

“Now sweetheart, I know you’re not ok. You’ve been off for weeks. What’s wrong?”

“I’ve been off for weeks? I think you’re mistaken. I’ve been fine. YOU have been distant”

“Me? What?”

Before Eddie could even comprehend what she’s saying, or even gets to finish his sentence. She asks him something with such a broken voice, his heart breaks at the sound.

“Do you still love me?”

“Of course I do. Why would you ask that?”

“You don’t look at me or touch me anymore”

“Oh baby, it’s not because I don’t love you. It’s- Jesus. It’s because every time I look at you with my child growing inside your belly? I go feral. I don’t even know if I could control myself. If I do get my hands on you, I’m scared I’ll hurt you and the baby.”

Y/n looks at Eddie moving towards her, so slowly she feels like it’s been hours. He reaches for her hands and hold them to his chest. So she can feel his heart beat. He looks down at her and smiles.

“You feel that? That’s how fast you make my heart beat. That’s what you do. Of course I still love you. It’s just you look so fucking sexy with my baby inside of you, even more so now you’re only wearing my Hellfire top. I just want to tear that off of your body and have you right now”

“Then do it. Don’t worry about the baby. You won’t hurt them. Or me!”

Eddie hesitates for a second, but the hunger and love in his girlfriends eyes proves to him that she’s serious, that she wants him as much as he wants her. He doesn’t know how he’s gotten so lucky to end up with the woman of his dreams, but having a baby with her. Makes his life so much better. Hell. He might even make her his wife.

@duberach @katie190297 @storiesforallfandoms @citychick86

#eddie munson #stranger things #stranger things s4 #eddie stranger things #eddie my beloved #eddie munson headcanon #eddie munson x reader #eddie munson x you #eddie munson fan fiction #eddie fluff #eddie smut #eddie munson imagine #eddie x reader #eddie munson x female reader smut #eddie munson x reader smut #eddie fanfic #eddie munson x female reader #eddie munson x fem reader #eddie munson x reader fluff

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luv4divineruler · 1 year

Note

hi may I request a Kit Walker X fem reader with 66 fluff? thank youuuu

absolutely ml!

MOVED TO @spectr3inl0ve

prompts: fluff 66 (bolded)

contains: kit walker being a good sport, kit being too amazing, fluff

1964(pre-asylum kit)

The waitress hastily rid a table of its dishes and cleaned it, anxiously waiting for her boyfriend, kit walker to pick her up. today he was meeting her parents, and she was terrified. kit, on the other hand, wasnt nervous one bit. though in his defence, he was a natural charmer. relief washed over her when her boyfriend walked into the diner, a bell ringing to notify others of the presence of a potential customer. "kit!" y/n called, smiling, as she weaved through the tables and toward the man who just walked in. "hey suga', how are ya'?" he asked as he leaned down to kiss her cheek and slide an arm around her waist, his thick boston accent coating his words. "very stressed, you ready to go?" "yeah, come on."

y/n rang the doorbell to her parents house, clutching kits hand. a few moments passed before the door opened, revealing her dad, who smiled at the sight of his daughter. "y/n! hello, you must be kit!" he greeted warmly, extending his left hand to shake kits. kit smiled and said hello back as he shook y/ns father's hand. as the couple were ushered in, the smell of homemade food filled their nostrils. "smells good, right kit?" y/n giggled. he nodded back enthusiastically, grinning as he and y/n were led into the dining room by her dad.

"this food is amazing mrs l/n." kit said as he dabbed his napkin to the corner of his mouth. "so, kit. what do you do for a living?" y/ns mother asked, ignoring kits praise, her eyes narrowed in kits direction. kit gave an easy smile, "i work at a gas station ma'am.". mrs l/ns mouth set into a hard line. mr l/n seemed pleased enough. "i remember i used to work at a near by gas station when i was around your age, kit. i respect that." mr l/n chuckled, his reaction to kits job the opposite of his wifes.

the rest of the meal was accompanied by y/ns mother interrogating kit about his life, hobbies, friends, work ethic, plans for the future, etc. kit bore it with grace, never failing to smile or be less charming than usual. once kit and y/n had said their goodbyes to y/ns parents and got into the car, y/n let out a loud groan, "im so sorry my mom was being so rude, baby! ugh im so embarrassed!". kit shook his head, smiling "dont be sahhry' sweetharrht.”. as the car started, the girl buried her face in her hands, slightly mortified at her mothers actions. she had expected it though. “well at least my dad loves you,” y/n mumbled through her dainty hands. kit chuckled in response, agreeing with her. glad that kit was still seeing the bright side, she leaned over to kiss him on the cheek. kit glanced at her once before his gaze returned to the road, laughing, “im pretty sure your mom hates me,”. as y/n laughed back, all she could think about was how lucky she was to land a guy like him.

authors note: this isnt my best work sorry! lately i havent been writing anything of quality so requests will take a bit longer

taglist (dm or comment to be added):

#luv4divineruler #kit walker #kit walker x reader #ahs #ahs asylum #american horror story #american+horror+story #americanhorrorstory #evan peters x reader #evan peters fanfic #evan peters #kit fluff #kit walker x y/n

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whatareyousearchingfordean · 2 years

Text

Accidentally In Love

Part Eight

Summary: Dean must reconcile is recent admission

Pairing: Dean Winchester x Reader

Word Count: 1.5K+

Warnings: Language, argument

Author’s Note: Thanks to everyone still around and enjoying this story, I’m just sorry it took me a year and a half to finish a ten-part series, but that’s life I guess. I hope this lives up to expectations and as always I love your feedback xo Alex

Catch up with the series masterlist and check out Alexandra’s Library for more works by yours truly!

It had been hours since Dean had left his brother's home, the sun having set a long time ago. The engineer had pulled the Impala onto a back road and headed West, not stopping until the engine was nearly running on fumes. Driving had always been his escape, his way of turning off his mind when it felt like the world had become to loud.

His confession had taken him by surprise, clearly more so than it had Sammy. It had somehow been so apparent to his little brother, and yet Dean was still grappling with the revelation that he was in love with his best friend. In hindsight, he supposed he had been in love with her for years and was too stubborn to admit it. Maybe it was easier that way too. If it wasn’t her seeing someone, then he was. They always managed to slip past each other. Life was funny that way.

Now, they were both single and whatever he had subconsciously been able to push down could no longer be caged. It was a feeling that frightened him, mostly because he knew he had never been so sure of a woman before. He could see her as his happily ever after, and that was why he knew this had to be done the right way, even if telling Y/n made him feel like he wanted to puke.

Dean turned into the next gas station to appear on the two-lane highway. It only serviced two rusted gas pumps, the single person it employed working out of a building barely bigger than Dean’s bedroom. The older man barely looked up at him as the bell overhead signaled his arrival.

“Nice car,” he remarked as Dean handed over cash for a few gallons of gas.

“Thanks.” It was all Dean could muster up in response as the employee rang him up.

“Headed home?” The simple small talk took the Winchester by surprise. His intent, once he filled up, was that he would head back to Detroit, but now the idea of stepping into his empty apartment felt like a stab to his chest. Sure, he had been avoiding real life by hitting the open road for a few hours but what he hadn’t realized was what would be waiting for him when he finally went back. Sam was so sure everything would work out, and being the thick man he was, Dean now understood what he meant by that.

“Yeah, I suppose I am.” A smile twitched at the corner of his lips as he took his change. He didn’t register the employee telling him to drive safely as he rushed back to the pump.

****

Golden light outlined her front door only moments before he pulled it open. Small tendrils of hair framed her face that had fallen from the braid that was hanging down her shoulders. She was in her pajamas, the loose clothing wrinkled from she had been curled up in bed.

“Dean?” She blinked her eyes a few times, her pupils adjusting to the changes in light.

“Hi, can I come in?” Y/n nodded and stepped back, allowing him to enter before closing and locking the door behind him. The woman followed her best friend into her apartment, stopping short as he rounded on her in the living room.

“What’s going on? Are you okay?” Y/n crossed her arms and cocked her head, still blinking away the confusion of seeing him at this hour on her doorstep.

“Yeah, I’m sorry it’s so late but I had to let you know I can’t do it?” Dean rolled his tongue across his lower lip as he rubbed the stubble on his chin. It was a nervous tick she had picked up on long ago and the pit in her stomach only grew.

“What?” Confusion flooded her features.

“I can’t sign this,” the engineer explained as he held up the battered contract that he held in his hands.

“I-” Dean could see the gears turning behind her eyes as she processed what he was telling her. “Dean, it hasn’t even been twenty-four hours, don’t you want to think about it a little longer?”

“That’s just the thing, I haven’t stopped thinking about it since I left here earlier today.” Y/n dropped her arms to her sides, her hands moving to rest against her hips.

“Okay… is there something you aren’t comfortable with? Maybe we can talk about it and come to an agree-”

“It’s not just some part of it, Y/n/n, it’s all of it,” Dean interrupted her, his tone colder than intended which threw her off guard. His friend blinked at him, a frown forming on her lips as her brain processed what he was telling her.

“I’m sorry,” he tried again but Y/n cut him off.

“No,” she held up a single finger and Dean could see the muscle in her jaw tick.

No?”

“Without a doubt,” she continued and his confusion about her reaction only grew.

“Now I’m confused.” Dean shook his head.

“When I asked you if you were sure, you said without a doubt.” Her words were slow and calculated, the clench in her jaw almost audible.

“I know,” Dean sighed, the guilt only growing heavier as he watched her heart break. “And I didn’t lie to you. I was more than ready to do this for you, hell, I gave a sample to that clinic didn’t I?”

“So what is the problem?” Her voice rose in octave with her outburst.

“This contract,” he offered.

“The contract? What does that even mean?”

“I don’t know,” Dean raised his arms in a shrug before dropping them to his sides again. “I suppose it made it feel a hundred times more real. I felt like I was signing my life away.”

“That doesn’t make any sense,” Y/n narrowed her eyes at her friend as she tried to follow his logic.

“Maybe not, but Y/n, I can’t just let you walk away with my kid. I have to be involved.” His voice dropped with his confession. It still felt strange to say it out loud, but it was his truth and he didn’t want to lie to her.

“Since when? Dean, as long as I have known you never once have you mentioned wanting kids.” The architect was trying to wrap her head around this sudden change.

“Well, frankly I never did want them,” Dean agreed with her observation.

“So, you didn’t want kids and I wanted kids, but now you want kids so we can’t have a kid.” Her tone was sarcastic as she tried to follow his flawed logic.

“Well, when you say it that way,” he trailed off, seeing her point.

“How else am I supposed to say it? We were building something. Why would you get my hopes up like this to change your mind at the last minute? You know what this meant to me,” Y/n nearly choked on a sob as she felt her grip on her dreams slipping away.

“Don’t make me out to be a villain here, it’s not like that,” the engineer tried.

“Then what is it like? Explain it to me,” she nearly yelled, her patience evaporating into the night.

“I love you,” Dean snapped back, the words escaping him before he could stop them. The pair stared at each other for a beat before he continued. “Okay, I love you. Is that what you wanted to hear?”

Dean watched as she pulled her lower lip between her teeth, his confession marinating in the silence. The woman looked away from her friend her eyes fixed on the carpet below her feet. He waited a moment and when it didn’t seem as though she was going to react, he had to elaborate.

“You’re my best friend, the one person I spend the most time with, and the first person I call when I’m excited or sad. Somewhere along the way, I fell in love with you, without even realizing it.”

“Without realizing it?” She finally looked back up at him, tears glistening at the edges of her eyes.

“Or maybe I was in denial, I don’t know. But the thought of you moving on in your life without me tore me up inside. I wanted to give you what you asked for but… I’m sorry.”

There was another pause in their conversation as he allowed her to absorb everything.

“Say something, please?” Dean urged her to speak up.

“Like?”

“Anything,” he offered, desperate to hear if she felt the same way. Her lack of reciprocity was like a punch to his gut at this point.

The architect's brow furrowed as she contemplated her next move. The silence hung heavy in the room as Dean waited for her response. To his surprise, she wrapped her fingers into the collar of his jacket and pulled him into herself, their lips meeting in the middle. The engineer melted into her kiss without hesitation, his eyes fluttering closed as he instinctively reached out for her.

She smiled against his lips before separating them just enough to ask, “How was that?”

“Does this mean what I think it does?”

“Yes, you idiot.”

“Then I’ll take it,” he breathed with a sigh of relief, connecting their lips once again.

Forevers: @440mxs-wife @akshi8278 @anathewierdo @atc74 @austin-winchester67 @awesome-badass-cafeteria-sauce @briagallen @callmekda @dawnie1988 @deandreamernp @deanwanddamons @ellewritesfix05 @emoryhemsworth @foxyjwls007 @heartsaved @hobby27 @janicho88 @jarpad24 @jbsgirl4ever11 @jensengirl83 @katbratsupernaturalwhore @leigh70 @littlewhiterose @lunarmoon8361 @lyarr24 @maggiegirl17 @maliburenee @mrsjenniferwinchester @msmarvelouswinchester @polina-93 @roseblue373 @sexyvixen7 @siospins2 @sleepylunarwolf @spnbaby-67 @spnwoman @squirrelnotsam @stiles-stilinski-24-dylan @stoneyggirl @suckmyapplejacks @supernatural3002 @supraveng @tatted-trina6 @thoughts-and-funnies @traceyaudette @tranquility-or-chaos @watermelonlipstick @waywardbeanie @wayward-dreamer @winchest09 @woodworthti666

Accidentally In Love: @deans-baby-momma @hoboal87 @jenniferr0323 @katelyn-renee @kenzieam @redbarn1995 @samsgirl93 @sexysirius @smellingofpoetry @spnfamily-j2 @starryeyeseunbyul @that-one-gay-girl @tvdspngirl314 @vicmc624 @xhannahbananax03

#dean winchester x reader #dean winchester fanfiction #supernatural fanfiction #dean winchester x you #dean winchester fanfic #dean winchester fic #spn fanfic #spn fic #spn #supernatural fanfic #dean winchester #supernatural #alex writes #mine #accidentally in love

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bluevelvetgvf · 2 years

Text

gate & garden: five

jake kiszka x fem!reader (childhood best friends to lovers...)

MASTERLIST 7.4k words

A/N: I do not claim to, nor do I know Greta Van Fleet; they are all real people with real lives, this is an entirely fictional work.

Life was full of unexpected twists and turns. It went fast, things were changing all the time, and that was very prominent going into the second semester of junior year. The recurring question of what to do with your life was looming over their heads.

Students were beginning to plan for their futures, seriously. Planning college visits, taking PSAT and SAT tests, applying for scholarships, etc. Y/N was growing anxious with the unknowns of senior year, and life after school coming at her head-on.

She had many conversations over dinner with Mom and Dad about her future. And shockingly, they supported her decision to professionally pursue dance. They all agreed she needed a backup plan however, but that wasn’t as big of a worry, as she kept her grades up. She was in the top ten students in her class.

Plan A: professional dance. Whether she ended up on Broadway, television and movies, or in a touring company, she didn’t care, as long as she was dancing, she was happy.

Plan B: psychology. It wasn’t her first choice, nor even her second, but it was a plausible, reasonable fallback if dancing didn’t work out.

And the most absurd, and last possible outcome, Plan C: go pro with Jake and the band. (She had little to no faith in their little side-show act going any further than their weekly Fischer Hall gigs, but a girl can dream).

It was just after Christmas break, the first week back to school. School was back in session, and rehearsals for the spring musical, “Suessical” were in full-swing. And so was winter.

Winter in Michigan was about as fun as it sounded. Freezing cold temperatures, accompanied by harsh wind chills, unpredictable snow squalls, freezing rain, and any snow storm could turn into a blizzard.

Winter in Michigan was bad enough, but it was even worse for new drivers, such as Josh, Jake, and Y/N. The twins had gotten their licenses in October (Jake had to take the test twice), and Y/N received her’s just three weeks before Christmas.

The twins shared a vehicle their parents had so graciously provided for them. And Y/N went halfsies on her car with her parents. Being a licensed driver was a new, and exhilarating experience for the three teens. Granted, they all still had curfews, and rules and obligations, but the convenience of being able to take themselves (and their siblings) to and from school and extracurricular activities was too good to pass up. Not to mention the late-night drives, or random gas-station snack runs.

Josh and Y/N especially enjoyed being able to take themselves to and from musical practice. They enjoyed musical practice regardless, the pair finally being able to shine onstage together, in two of the lead roles in the show.

Much to Jake’s dismay, his brother and best friend spent what seemed like every waking hour, not in school, rehearsing for their play. Which he was also informed, was not a play, it was a musical.

Tonight, the two became one, when a freak snowstorm was set to hit Frankenmuth just as musical practice let out. The director was considerate enough to dismiss her students early, to assure they would get home safely.

Y/N however, wasn’t worried. Her car had all-wheel drive, and she was extremely cautious, even without the presence of snow, so she didn’t see a problem in staying a little later than her cast-mates to go over some notes with the director. School had already been cancelled for the next day, in anticipation for the snow to continue through the night, so her mind was already made up.

She had texted Jake before rehearsal ended, alerting him that she would be late to his house. Mom had said it was okay for her to stay over, since school was cancelled.

“Are you sure you don’t wanna just leave?” Josh had asked, an extremely concerned look on his face. “I’ll follow you home.”

“No Josh, I’ll be fine. It’ll be a twenty-minute difference, tops.” And without another word of argument, Josh left.

She stayed for about thirty minutes, going over specific scenes and staging with the director, before they both decided it was best if they headed on their way, before it got too bad.

Y/N mentally prepared herself for the ride, a ride which normally took fifteen minutes, would probably take close to an hour, being as cautious as possible.

She didn’t turn on the radio, the only sound in the car was the sound of her hazard lights on as she made the agonizingly slow drive home. She took turns slowly, only tapped the break when needed, and left more than enough time for her to come to a complete stop before stop signs and traffic lights.

She turned down the road that lead to her house. She was in the home-stretch. Snow-covered trees lined either side of the road, and there was nothing else to see for miles.

She was going slow, only twenty miles an hour. She was less than a mile from the house. Then, seemingly out of thin air, another vehicle appeared, rapidly approaching in the opposite lane.

Y/N gripped the steering wheel, keeping her composure as best she could with the person coming towards her. Even from far away, she could tell they were driving too fast for the conditions.

The headlights grew closer, and before she could comprehend what was happening, it was too late. The other car swerved, loosing control on an unseen patch of ice, and it’s front end collided with her driver’s side door.

She didn’t even have time to hit the breaks.

The sound of squealing tires, the sickening crunch of metal and glass, and then, pure silence. And everything went black.

When Y/N came to, her ears were ringing. It took a mere few seconds to readjust to her surroundings, but when she did, she immediately wished she would’ve went back to sleep.

Her head throbbed intensely, and the monotonous sound of her hazard lights clicking made her head ache worse. Her vision was a little blurry, and an eery chill ran through her bones.

A few blinks, and she was back to reality, fully. Then she remembered what happened, where she was, and the panic set in.

She reached down, jamming her freezing fingers into the seat belt button. It wouldn’t come loose. To her right, everything was fine. It seemed fine. To her left however, it was far from fine.

Her windshield was shattered completely, fat snowflakes falling softly onto her hair. And her driver’s window and door were completely and utterly demolished. Just a chunk of crumbled metal, and squished between the metal and her steering wheel, was her left leg.

She let out a terrified gasp, her hand flying to her face, which was wet. Pulling her hand back from her mouth, her fingers covered in blood. This was bad. This was so very, horribly bad.

The sight of her leg made her sick to her stomach, as did the blood from her nose, and the severity of the entire situation. How would she get out? Where was the other driver? So many questions swirled through her head, if she wasn’t dizzy already, she would’ve been just from that.

Her body seemed to work, as best it could, of it’s own accord. She used all her strength to stretch her body across the seat beside her, digging carefully through her discarded bag to find her phone.

She didn’t think, she couldn’t. Her fingers simply pressed the most recent contact on her phone. Hands shaking furiously, she waited as the line rang.

Jake was riddled with anxiety to begin with, with the impending snowstorm, and his brother and best friend attending musical practice all the way across town. His nerves weren’t calmed, when he received a text from Y/N stating that she would be staying at the school a little later than the others. He wanted to drive down there himself and drag her out of the school and demand her to come home, but Josh had the car.

Josh arrived home exactly when he said he would, with word that Y/N should arrive twenty minutes later. But twenty minutes turned into an hour, and now Jake was sitting, wide awake, picking at the seam of his sweatpants, anxiously waiting for his best friend to arrive.

Ronnie had gone to bed. Sam was in the living room with Mom and Dad watching a movie, and Josh had gotten into the shower. Where was Y/N- Jake was pulled from his thoughts by the vibrating of his phone on the pillow at the head of his bed.

His heart skipped a beat at the sight of Y/N’s contact name on the screen.

He scrambled to pick up the phone, eagerly pressing the accept button and holding it to his ear. He tried to play it cool. “Hey, Y/N where are you, it’s been like an hour?”

A moment of silence, then a panting breath. “Jake?” Y/N’s voice sounded strained, Jake assumed it was from the intense musical rehearsals she had been going through. “Jake-“

“Yeah it’s me. Everything okay?” Jake frowned, unsure what to make of her strange behavior.

Another moment of silence. “Jakey-“ Y/N’s voice cracked. It sounded as if she was doing everything she could to keep it together emotionally. “Jakey-“ She said again, this time a little clearer. “Something bad happened.”

Jake’s stomach churned. “Y/N, what’re you talking about? What’s wrong?” His best friend let out a heart-wrenching sob. “Where are you? What’s going on? Please talk to me-“

“I was almost home Jake!” She sobbed, pure terror in her voice. “I’m just down the road, they came out of nowhere!”

Holy shit. Before Jake knew what he was doing, he was flying down the hallway and down the stairs, almost tripping over the rug as he came to a halt in the living room, gathering his parents attention. “Y/N, calm down- Try to calm down, tell me where you are!” Jake was trying to stay calm too, but she sounded so scared.

Those few words made the world stop in the Kiszka house. All eyes turned to Jake. “I’m down the road.” She replied, unsure. “I’m stuck Jake, I can’t get out.” She whimpered, sniffling tears away.

Jake’s body worked without his brain, rushing to the front door and pulling his snow boots and coat on. “Jake, what’s wrong?” Dad asked, following his son around. “Jake!” He shouted, demanding his attention.

“Y/N-“ Jake’s voice cracked. He was terrified. “It’s Y/N. She’s been in an accident, she said she’s stuck, dad I have to go get her.” Jake tried to keep it together, but the tears rolled before he could stop them.

Everything moved in slow motion. Sam jumped up from the couch and ran upstairs, presumably to wake Ronnie and drag Josh from the bathroom. Mom was on the phone in an instant, probably with the cops. And Dad was right by Jake’s side, pulling on his winter gear.

“Y/N?” Jake asked into the phone. “Hey, are you there?”

A momentary shuffle. “Yeah Jakey, I’m here.”

“Don’t move a muscle, okay? Me and Dad are coming to get you, and Mom called the police, they’re gonna come help.”

Jake’s hands were shaking as he held the phone to his ear. He and Dad booked it to the car, going as fast as they could, with the extreme conditions.

“Jake?” Y/N’s voice sounded quiet over the speaker.

“I’m here. I’m coming.” He swallowed harshly.

“I’m so scared Jake.” She whispered.

Jake felt his heart shatter into a trillion pieces. “It’s gonna be fine, okay? We’re coming. I’m coming to get you, just be brave. Just be brave a few more minutes.”

“Jake…” Her voice grew quiet, as if it was an unfinished thought.

“Y/N? Hey, Y/N, what’s wrong?” Jake began to panic. “Y/N, can you hear me?” There was no answer. “Dad! Dad, she won’t answer me! Dad!” He gripped the sleeve of his dad’s jacket, fearing for his best friend’s life.

“Just hang on Jake, we’re almost there.” His dad reassured him, Kelly himself not even able to disguise the fear in his voice.

Within the minute, they approached the wreck site, and it was catastrophic. Y/N’s car seemed to be in better condition than the other vehicle, which was completely overturned in the ditch on the side of the road. But nevertheless, Y/N’s car was destroyed.

The entire windshield was shattered, the roof peeled back in the front corner, near the driver’s side. The entire driver’s side was crushed, and squished perfect in the middle of the wreckage, was a now unconscious, Y/N.

Jake just about exited the car before it was fully in park, sliding across the icy road to reach his best friend. “Y/N!” He shouted, tears rolling down his cheeks. Please be okay, please let her be alive. He preached inside his head. He couldn’t lose her.

In the distance, blue and red emergency lights were approaching.

Jake skidded to a halt beside the car. Through all of the debris, he couldn’t reach her. He could see her, alone, phone in-hand, covered in blood, and trapped.

Dad did his best to get to her, but the damage was too extensive. They waited by her side for the emergency personnel to arrive. That’s when Jake blacked out.

When he came to, he was at the hospital, slouched in a chair in the emergency room, with Dad beside him. Y/N’s parents were across from them, looking worse for wear themselves.

“What happened?” Jake asked, voice groggy.

At the sound of his voice, all three adults perked up. Y/N’s mother looked like she’d seen a ghost. “Y/N was in an accident.” Dad reminded him.

Duh. Jake wanted to say. How could he forget that? “Yeah, yeah.” He nodded, reorienting himself. “Is she okay? Where is she?”

Y/N’s father cleared his throat. “She’s in surgery right now bud.” He sighed, sitting up straighter in his seat. “Her femur was shattered, pinned between the seat and the steering wheel. And she’s got a severe concussion, and a broken nose. But she’ll make a full recovery.”

Jake let out a breath of air. She would make a full recovery. “The other guy?”

“He’s in critical condition.” Her dad shrugged. “Toxicology reported his BAC was over twice the legal limit, so even if he does wake up, his ass is going to jail for a very long time.”

Jake nodded, relief washing over his body.

The four of them sat in silence, patiently waiting Y/N’s departure from surgery. Jake continued to play the night’s events in his mind. And the severity of her injuries. Broken nose, concussion, those were relatively easy recoveries. Broken femur, however? Brutal.

A broken femur would take at least half a year to heal fully. And she’d be on the bench for track, dance, and summer theatre intensive. He knew she’d be crushed.

“Why don’t you go back to sleep buddy?” Dad suggested, nudging him. “We’ll be here awhile.”

Jake nodded, settling himself back into his seat comfortably, Dad’s jacket draped over him like a blanket. He dreamt about what life was like before that night.

When Y/N awake again, she was in a hospital bed. It was warm, blankets tucked all around her. Her head ached furiously, and everything was fuzzy. “Hey sweetie.” She heard someone say. Everything was muted.

Her head rolled to the side. It was Mom. And Dad. “Mom?” She mumbled, unsure of her visitors.

“Yeah, its me. Dad’s here too.”

She let out a sigh, rolling her head to the other side. Two more figures stood before her. “Hey there sleeping beauty.” A voice said softly.

Sleeping beauty? If she had better control over her body, she’d roll her eyes. “Jake?” She whispered, squinting her eyes to focus. It was Jake. “What happened?”

“You were in an accident honey.” Dad spoke this time. Her eyes didn’t leave Jake. “But Jake found you, and you’re at the hospital. You’re going to be fine.”

Slowly, she nodded her heavy head, rolling it back to face forward. Her eyes finally adjusted to the light, and that’s when it hit her. Her left leg was suspended in the air by a sling, the entirety of it, wrapped in a soft cast. “Mom-“ She said, eyes growing wide. “What’s on my leg?”

Y/N felt bile rise in her throat. Her worst nightmare was coming true.

“Honey, please stay calm. Everything’s going to be fine-“

“Mom!” She demanded, tears filling her eyes. “What’s on my leg!” She couldn’t stop the tears from rolling down her face.

“You were pinned between the seat and the steering wheel honey, it shattered your femur.” Dad answered this time. His bedside mannered needed work.

“No!” She wailed, shaking her head in disbelief. “No, no, no, no-“ She sobbed, rolling her head back onto the pillow. This was it, her entire life’s work ended, in the blink of an eye.

No more dance.

Broken femurs were incredibly rare, and due to the sheer dimensions of the bone, recovery processes lasted longer than other bones. Four months, minimum, potentially a year if things moved slowly.

She hadn’t taken a day off from dancing since kindergarten.

The combination of the sheer emotional weight of the situation, the drugs she was being administered, and the realization of her entire life's work coming to an end sent her into a frenzy.

Her heart was beating erratically, she couldn't stop the tears from falling, and heartbreaking sobs ripped through her chest. This was worse than when Jake broke his arm. A thousand times worse.

Jake winced, each cry she let out, chipping away at his heart. "Y/N-" Her mother spoke, reaching a hand down to comfort her daughter

"You don't understand mom!" She wailed, flinching away from her touch. "My life is over!"

Jake watched her mother's face fall, realizing how heartbroken her child was. Beside him, Dad said something, then he, and Y/N's parents exited the room, leaving him alone with her.

Jake sat for a few minutes, letting her work her way through her fit. He would be there when she was ready.

"Jake." She croaked, her voice hoarse.

He sighed, peering down at her. She looked pitiful, if he was being perfectly honest. Bandages on her nose, her cheeks and eyes swollen and bruised. A heart monitor on her finger, a BP wrap on her arm, and two different IVs in either hand. Not to mention her suspended leg.

"Jake." She pressed, begging for his attention.

"Hm?" He asked, afraid of what she was going to say.

"It's bad, isn't it?" She whispered, tears swimming in her eyes.

Jake nodded, clearing his throat. "I thought you were dead." He whispered, lip quivering. He didn't want to relive that moment. "When you called me- I've never been that scared before. And then you went silent, I thought I lost you.

I never thought it would be as bad as it actually was though. Y/N, it looked like your car was crushed, like a soda can! And there you were, just lying in the middle of all that metal, covered in blood."

Jake inhaled shakily, blinking away tears. "That guy is a fucking idiot, and if he ever wakes up from that coma, he's gonna rot in jail-"

"He's in a coma?" She gasped, making Jake look back at her. "Oh God-"

"You feel bad for the other guy?!" He couldn't believe what she was saying. "He ruined your life Y/N! Your dreams are done, don't you understand that-"

"Yes Jake, obviously I understand that! Jesus Christ!" She snapped back. "But I don't wish ill on anyone for it!"

"His BAC was twice the legal limit! In the middle of a snowstorm! He could've killed you! How are you not more angry?" Jake felt anger creep up in his chest. What was she not understanding?

"You can't wish death on someone just because they're a fucking idiot Jake!" She hiccuped, their argument not easing her pain or anxiety. "He's going to get what he deserves, okay? I can't do anything about it, neither can you!

Sorry, I have to live with the consequences of his actions! But I don't need you plotting vengeance on him right now, I just need your support!"

With that simple statement, the fire inside of Jake was snuffed out.

Y/N let her emotions take over again, breaking down into another fit of tears. "Y/N, hey." Jake sighed, leaning onto the bed. "It's gonna be okay. You're gonna be fine."

"Jake, I just lost everything I've ever worked for." She cried, shaking her head. "No more dance, I can't do track this spring, I can't do the musical! Jesus, I won't even be able to walk for the next six months!"

Jake nodded, trying to understand her frustrations. Of course she felt hopeless, she was going to be bed-ridden for the foreseeable future. Y/N hadn't just rested for longer than a night's worth of sleep in eleven years. She was panicking.

Jake let her work through this fit too, waiting until she was fully calm to move on. He released her hand, reaching up to her cheeks and ever-so-gently wiping the last tears away, as he knew he face was tender.

"Everything is going to be okay. Do you understand me?" He stared directly into her eyes. "Everything is going to be okay, because I am going to be there every step of the way."

She nodded softly, not breaking eye contact.

"We're gonna go through this together. Every doctor's appointment, physical therapy appointment. I'll bring your school work, me and Josh will teach you what you miss. And we don't need to take any breaks from band practice because you can play all of your instruments sitting down." A small smile danced on Jake's face, making her's perk up too.

"I promise, I'll see you through. Okay?" She nodded. "I'm serious, do you understand me?"

"Yeah Jakey, I understand." She responded softly, sniffling. "Your bedside manners might need a little work though, you're kind of a hardass."

He scoffed, laughing, and removing his hands from her's. “And you never have to drive again.” He glanced at her, unsure of her response.

“I wouldn’t be opposed to that.” She chuckled nervously. “You really wanna be my personal taxi?”

Jake shrugged, leaning back in his seat. “You live right next door, not like I’ll be going out of my way to come get you.”

Y/N playfully rolled her eyes. “So you have everything figured out for me?”

“Had a lot of time to think.” He replied, shuffling his feet. “You were out for awhile, could only sleep so much without worrying about you, so figured I’d problem-solve.” Y/N couldn’t help the blush that rose on her cheeks. She hoped that through the bruising, Jake couldn’t tell.

Jake sat with her until their parents returned. It was well into the morning hours now, and Dad suggested they return home for a proper night’s sleep. With the reassurance of both Y/N and her parents, Jake reluctantly left.

When they returned home, Mom was waiting for them in the kitchen, a pot of coffee brewing. She looked just as distraught as Y/N’s parents did. Upon seeing Jake, she all but flew out of her chair, rushing to wrap her son in a numbingly tight hug. Jake melted into his mother’s embrace.

“You hungry? I’ll make you something to eat.” Mom offered, puling a chair out for him. Jake nodded, wanting nothing more than to go to bed, but knowing his mother wouldn’t let him rest on an empty stomach.

He and Dad sat while Mom made them breakfast. She explained that Dad had been texting her updates all night, but she couldn’t sleep until she knew Y/N was awake again. The whole incident rocked the Kiszka household. Ronnie, Sam, and Josh all spent the majority of the night in the living room together, patiently waiting with their mother for updates on their friend’s condition. It was only a short time before Jake and his father came home, that they finally retreated back to their own rooms.

Jake didn’t have much to say as he ate. He just let his parents catch up from the night before. And when he was finished, his stomach full, and his heart (mostly) at ease, he went up the stairs, and crept into his shared bedroom, careful not to wake his brothers up. But that was for naught, they were already awake.

“Jake?” Sam whispered, not knowing Josh was also up.

“Go to sleep Sam, it’s been a long night.” Jake hushed him, crawling into his bed.

“How’s she doing?” Josh now spoke. “Is she alright?”

Jake sighed, messing with his pillow. “She’s alright, Josh. That’s putting it loosely.” He huffed, mentally exhausted.

“”Loosely”? What’s that supposed to mean-“

“It means, she’s doing as good as someone who’s dreams have been crushed can be doing right now Josh!” Jake snapped. “Her nose is broken, her femur’s shattered, and she’s got a severe concussion. She’s heartbroken! She’s not fucking great.”

Neither of his brothers answered right away, each of them giving him time to cool off. “Jake?” Sam spoke now.

“What Sammy?” Jake sighed, eyes shut.

“I’m sorry you had to see her like that.” Jake’s heart dropped again. It was a surprisingly mature and sweet thing for his younger brother to say to him. “I can’t imagine how scary that was.”

Jake nodded, although Sam couldn’t see it. “Yeah.” He breathed, trying not to replay the moment in his head. “But she’s alright now, that’s what matters.”

“Mom said she’s coming home tomorrow.” Josh said, shuffling under his blankets.

“Yeah, Mom also said we have to step up and help out. Her parents can’t do it alone, and also-“ Sam began to speak, but Jake cut him off.

“She won’t let her parents do anything for her.” Jake sighed, knowing exactly how stubborn his best friend could be. “She’s gonna need us. And I intend to be there for her, no matter what.”

“We expect nothing less of you Jakey.” Josh all but giggled from his bed.

Jake sat up, squinting to look at his brother in the dark. “What’s that supposed to mean Josh?” He snapped.

“Nothing Jake.” Josh rolled away from him. “Go to sleep, you’re cranky when you’re over-tired.” And with that, the room was silent.

Jake laid awake until he was sure his brothers were asleep. Sam tossed and turned a lot when he was unconscious, and Josh stayed exactly in one spot. He tried not to let his mind wander, he focused on only the happy memories; jam sessions, or weekend hikes, going out for breakfast when they were kids, or catching minnows in the creek behind their houses.

Jake slept most of the day, fully waking again just after dinner. Mom sat with him while he ate a plate of reheated leftovers. She informed him school had been canceled an extra day, as the heating system was broken at the high school building. Now, he would be able to see Y/N through her homecoming.

His heart was heavy as he went about his nightly routine; showering, going through his laundry from the day, mentally preparing for the next day.

He joined Ronnie in her room for a bit, trying to ease her anxieties about Y/N’s condition. She and Ronnie had grown close, the older they got, each girl looking at the other as a sister. Of course, the accident freaked Ronnie out.

Long after his siblings and mother had gone to bed, Dad invited him into the garage for a bit. He had the gas heater roaring, making it warm and toasty. The two sat on the couch in the dark, sharing a glass of whiskey each, and Dad let Jake pour his heart out to him.

Kelly knew the incident with Y/N had shaken everyone up. It was like one of their own had been harmed. But he knew, more than the others, Jake was hurt. From day one, Jake and Y/N had an unspoken bond, like an invisible string tying them together. They were fully inseparable, understanding one another on a deeper level, much akin to a bond between twins.

Jake broke down to his father. He expressed his fears, both about Y/N and the future. He talked about how different he felt from his twin, and his younger siblings, how scared he was to lose his friends, and how unsure he was about the rest of his life. Traumatic events often lead to questioning bigger things.

Kelly sat with his son far into the night, despite how exhausted he was, he knew his son needed this. He let him share all of his thoughts, no matter how wild and scary. He eased his fears as best he could, providing a loving and helping hand.

Jake felt better after talking with his dad. He felt more at ease, despite how unsure he was about the impending future. Dad took their glasses and left them on the side table beside the couch, turned off the heater, and the two went to bed.

Jake slept like a rock that night.

The next morning, Jake was buzzing with energy. Y/N’s mother had summoned him over bright and early, knowing he was eager to help ease her homecoming. He helped her rearrange her bedroom, making everything she could need, easily accessible, in case she found herself home alone.

She left him to his own devices as she ran downtown to pick up some her daughter’s favorite snacks to keep on-hand.

Jake felt a little strange being in Y/N’s room alone. He felt a little strange being in her room at all. It wasn’t often he found himself in her home, his house was always the designated hangout. But her room was very her. Cream-painted walls, just like the rest of the house. Soft, plush carpet beneath his feet, with a few brightly colored knit rugs placed atop it.

Her desk was tucked in the corner by the window, stacks of sheet-music, finished and unfinished, school textbooks, pens and pencils, a cup full of guitar picks. Her windowsill and nightstand were covered in crystals. A shelf ran along the side of her wall, beaded necklaces, silken scarves, and other jewelry hung from it, books of poetry, spells, and various prints of J.R.R Tolkein’s work and other literature lined the shelves.

Her bed was pushed into the other corner of the room, a tapestry hung on the ceiling above her head, and another one was used as a curtain over her window. A beaded curtain covered her closet instead of doors, she and Jake broke the doors wrestling when they were younger. And across from her bed was her music wall. Her record stand, holding her player, and just a small fraction of her collection, (they rest were housed at the Kiszkas). Her first acoustic (the antique one), her second acoustic, and her adult acoustic, the Mustang, her electric bass, and her portable keyboard.

Her walls were Jake’s favorite part of the room, it was a culmination of what made Y/N who she was. Photos of them all from their childhood, up until now. Posters of her favorite albums, mostly by powerful female rock icons, (Songs to a Seagull - Joni Mitchell, Dreamboat Annie - Heart, Bella Donna - Stevie Nicks, Pearl - Janis Joplin, just to name a few). And many tickets from concerts and movies.

Her mother had set up a snack station beside her instruments. A mini-fridge full with a water pitcher, orange juice, and a bin ready to be filled with her favorite snacks.

Jake wasn’t exactly sure how he was supposed to prepare the house for Y/N. He made sure all rugs were out of the hallways and bathroom. The same with anything else she could trip over. He changed the sheets on her bed, making sure everything was nice and clean for her to come home to.

When Y/N’s mother returned home, he and Josh ran across town to the florist, buying the biggest bouquet of flowers Jake could find for Y/N. Josh tried not to smile the entire time he assisted his brother’s shopping.

Josh made a special stop and picked up some celebratory “not dying” weed for the two of them and Y/N to smoke when their parents weren’t around.

Jake helped her mother tidy up the rest of the house while they waited for Y/N to arrive. She and her father arrived home in the late afternoon. Jake had made himself at home in her room, a record was playing as he strummed along to it on her acoustic. He fought the urge to jump up and run down the hallway at the sound of her voice. He stayed put, patiently waiting.

It was only a few minutes before he heard the soft rolling of the wheels on her wheelchair approaching the room. He played it cool as the rolling stopped, looking up to see her sitting very calmly in the doorway of her room.

Her face was a lot less swollen than it was the day before. Her leg was still wrapped up, as was her nose. But her eyes still lit up as she smiled softly at the sight of him waiting for her. “What’s up?” She asked cooly, pretending like she didn’t just escape an early death.

“Hey!” Jake said, maybe a little too excitedly, as he stood up from his spot on the floor. He placed her guitar back onto it’s stand and crossed the room back to her, holding his hands out. “I assume you don’t wanna roll the chair across the carpet?”

She nodded, tugging his hands slightly to stand herself up. He was gentle with her as she took a step forward with her right foot, dragging her left behind her. Jake stepped backwards, she stepped forwards, and dragged her left foot behind. By the time they reached her bed, she was clearly spent, whimpering in pain and frustration as Jake helped her comfortably lay onto her mattress.

She was frustrated, rightfully so, but ever-so-stubborn and embarrassed. Embarrassed that she needed helped for such a simple task, like getting into bed. And that was only the beginning.

“I like the flowers.” She said finally as she settled herself in.

Jake turned quickly, hiding the blush that rose on his cheeks, and he crossed to take the vase from the desk, carrying them back to her. “Josh helped me pick them out.”

He watched as she leaned forward, examining the different flowers and greenery, closing her eyes as she inhaled their scent. The bouquet was made up of white roses, light pink flowers he didn’t quite know the name of, and baby’s breath filled the empty spaces.

“These are called camellias.” Her hand cupped one of the pink flowers, looking like a cross between a rose and a carnation. “They’re a winter blooming flora, smells like a rose.” She plucked it out of the bouquet, holding it up to his nose.

She was right. It did smell like a rose.

He nodded, inhaling deeply. “Here.” She grinned, plucking a rose out of the bunch too, shoving the flower at him. Jake shook his head, confused. He turned back, placing the vase on the desk. She was still holding the flower. “Jake, take the flower.” She teased, waving it in his face.

“Y/N, the flowers are for you.” He insisted, dodging her advances.

She shrugged, using her pointer finger to pet one of the petals of the rose. “I have that whole bouquet for myself Jake, and I appreciate that immensely. But I want you to have this one singular flower. Will you please just take it?” She frowned, holding her hand out to him again.

“What am I supposed to do with it?” He huffed, staring at it.

She shrugged again. “Keep it in a hope chest, dry it out, throw it away? I don’t care, I just want you to have it.”

He sighed, plucking the flower from her fingers, and placing it on her nightstand beside his phone, so he wouldn’t forget it. “They send you home with pain meds or something? You’re awfully happy”

“For someone whose dreams have been destroyed?” She finished, nuzzling her head into her pillow. “Don’t look at me like that Jake, I know you want to say it.” She continued, not opening her eyes.

“I didn’t say anything.” He defended himself.

“Didn’t have to. I know you were thinking it.” She sighed, now opening her eyes. “What record did you have on?”

“Fleetwood Mac’s self-titled.” He replied, eyes trailing over to the turntable that had since stopped spinning. “I like “I’m So Afraid-“

“”I’m So Afraid”?” She spoke at the same time. The pair paused, eyes wide with amusement. “You like the guitar.” She said, slightly shocked.

Jake nodded, smiling. “Tuned your acoustic too. Needed it bad.” He motioned to the guitar that was now propped up against her desk.

She sighed. “It’s cause I only ever play the Mustang.” She pointed across the room to where her beloved electric guitar was tucked away in it’s case. “I like the growl.”

Jake rolled his eyes, jokingly, turning away to put her acoustic back onto it’s stand. “You wanna pluck a few strings?” He asked over his shoulder, ready to unpack her electric if she wished him to do so.

She shook her head, an angry look on her face. “Doc said no guitar until my soft cast comes off.”

Jake’s head whipped around so fast, he thought he might break his neck. “What-“

“It’ll be off in two weeks Jake.” She sighed. “Bones heal fast. As long as I rest for two weeks, it’ll expedite the healing process, and I can start PT, and be fully healed by the beginning of summer. In perfect time for summer gigs.”

Jake started wracking his brain, trying to figure out a timeline for them to prepare a summer’s worth of gigs, with Y/N on both keys and drums, and continue their original song-writing kick they’d been on. He needed her as composer.

“Jake, relax.” She sighed, in annoyance.

He frowned, snapping back to reality. “Excuse me-“

“You’re spacing out, I know you’re freaking out about this.” She said matter-of-factly.

“I’m not freaking out-“

“You are. Your shoulders get really tense, and your eyes space out.” She nodded. “You’re worrying about my injury and the band.”

Jake frowned, pulling her desk chair over to the side of her bed. “We were going good there, writing songs for awhile.” He sighed, leaning his head against her mattress.

She reached out, brushing her fingers over the ends of his hair. He was beginning to grow his hair out longer. “I can still compose music from my bed Jake.” She sighed.

He lifted his head, staring up at her. “Yeah but I know how you write. You have to move. Spin around in your chair, pace the room, pick the guitar up and down, ya know?”

She narrowed her eyes at him, agitated that he was so spot-on with picking up her writing habits. “How do you even know this stuff, it’s not like you’re here when I write-“

“You’ve done a few sets of lyrics with me and it’s very intriguing to watch you work.” He teased, sitting fully upright again.

“You’re making me never want to compose music for one of your songs again, Jacob.” She rolled her eyes, grabbing a throw pillow and tossing it at his face. “I don’t hyper-fixate on your writing habits.”

“That’s because I don’t have any.” He mused, grabbing the pillow from her hands.

She shook her head in defiance, but dropped the subject, no longer wanting to meddle in the “I love watching you do mundane tasks” area of conversation.

It was later in the afternoon when Mom sent a text saying school was cancelled the next day now too, due to a combination of the still-unfixed heating system, and another set of smaller snowstorms due to hit the area overnight.

After dinner, Ronnie, Sam, and Josh came over. Josh brought Jake a change of clothes and pajamas, as his younger twin alerted him, he was planning on spending the night at Y/N’s. Josh couldn’t say he was surprised to hear his brother wouldn’t be leaving his best friend’s side.

The accident had awakened a variation of separation anxiety in Jake. If Y/N was out of his sight, he feared he’d lose her. So he decided he’d stay with her, whenever he could.

She told his siblings about her stay in the hospital, leaving out the really gory details, like when she threw up about a pint of blood from her sinuses emptying down her throat, or when the nurse took out her IV and the needle popped a capillary in her wrist.

Her father helped him set up an air mattress on the floor, while her mother assisted in her shower routine. Mom helped her make Jake’s bed cozy, dressing it up with the softest sheets they could find, and piling it high with blankets and pillows.

Jake helped Y/N with her hair, knowing just how she liked it to be taken care of after a shower.

The two of them played through most of her present record collection, while they talked and reminisced about childhood. They let the soft musings of Joni Mitchell sing them to sleep.

The next morning they awoke to a fresh foot of snow. They spent the day going through old books and school memories.

The next two weeks continued on very similarly. Jake would go to school. After school, he’d take Y/N her classwork, and what he couldn’t work through with her, Josh or Ronnie would. They re-cast her role in the school musical, as per her request. She refused to not let her cast-mates perform the show, just because she couldn’t.

After two weeks of bedrest, she began her physical therapy. Four weeks later, she got the clear to return to school. Jake, Ronnie, and Josh split their time helping Y/N get from class to class. But after just one week in the wheelchair on campus, she gave it up, forcing herself forward on crutches.

Much to Jake’s disapproval, and only a few days of practice, she was steady on her crutches, moving as best she could in the less-than-ideal circumstances.

Jake devoted his entire life to helping Y/N heal to the fullest extent. He drove her to and from school every day. Made sure she had assistance (whether from him, or one of his siblings) getting to and from classes. He helped her at home. He took her to doctor’s appointments when one of her parents couldn’t, and physical therapy appointments.

Every day they both stayed after school to work on her coordination and balancing skills. And she’d practice walking up a set of stairs, to prepare for when she was medically cleared.

After three months, Y/N was progressing phenomenally. In all aspects, except the band. In total, the band had taken a backseat to her injury, and rightfully so. Without Y/N, there was no band. She was one of the two founding members. But besides Y/N not fully being able to participate in band practice, Jake had let his passion fall to the wayside.

Sammy was constantly on his bass, and Josh was always singing to himself. Whatever free time Jake had, he was playing with he Gibson. And more often than not, recently, their after-school study sessions turned into jam sessions. Y/N was back to full-capacity on the drums, and the keys. And she was getting more and more comfortable with the guitar again.

But Jake couldn’t help but feel like something needed to change.

Perhaps he could wait until she was healed. Maybe he was overthinking the entire situation. He had a lot gong on in his life the past few months, it was only natural that the band fell to the back burner.

Jake was beginning to get worried. Worried he wouldn’t be able to decide what to do in an orderly timeframe. Worried that, due to her injury, Y/N would lose hope in the band too. Jake didn’t want to live out his dream if his best friend wasn’t by his side. But he also didn’t want her to become overwhelmed with the amount of responsibility she had waiting for her post-recovery.

Just when all hope seemed to be lost, Daniel Wagner walked through the door, and asked if he could jam.

•

@jakesgrapejuice @writingcold @sunshineonkennasshoulders @jmkiszka @sweet1peach @fictional-duchess

#jake kiszka x y/n #jake kiszka x reader #jake kiszka #gvf #greta van fic #jake fics #gate & garden

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