why tf is he extra scrumptious here omfg ...
im entering my bubblegum era because pinks comfort me ☺️
i really want to write something about enha x harry potter but im afraid i dont know enough terminologies and i might just make up my own timeline 😮💨🖐️
jay ... slaying as always .... but jake?! the SLUT jumped out wtf (my hands is one screen away from grabbing exposing his collarbone) 😭☝️
IG : billboard
Songs on the charts, sold-out shows, the kind of career most musicians dream about—everything’s perfect. But success doesn’t fill the emptiness. And then, just when you think you’ve moved on—there he is. Your past, standing in front of you like a love song you never finished.
𓏲 ๋࣭ ࣪ ˖✦⋆˚ pairing — park jongseong x male!reader
𓏲 ๋࣭ ࣪ ˖✦⋆˚ word count — 2.8k
𓏲 ๋࣭ ࣪ ˖✦⋆˚ tags — male reader, jay x reader, estranged exes to lovers, famous singer!reader because we're built like that, is this angst? i have no clue, memories of your past together just hits hard ughhhh, jay has a new lover omg the drama-mama-mamah, you are dramatic as hell but we love you for you, you are insane to still think of him, i understand though you are in love with jay we see each other WE SEE EACH OTHER, more to come!
𓏲 ๋࣭ ࣪ ˖✦⋆˚ warning + notes — use of male pronouns, has some implied relationships, swear words, mentions and use of alcoholic substances, author's interpretation of the people in this fic might not reflect them irl, story update lengths may vary~
𓏲 ๋࣭ ࣪ ˖✦⋆˚ way back into love : the full masterlist
The cold Manhattan air gave you a chill as you walked towards the path from East 5th. Swimming through the dozens of people that got to their own businesses for the day, Jay’s business card only felt like burning a hole in your side pocket.
You hadn’t slept.
Not after the bar. Not after you met him.
The card was still there when you woke up—creased from how tightly you’d gripped it, the edges digging into your palm like a guilty secret.
You should’ve thrown it out, yet here it is..
Instead, you found yourself standing outside Yves' Bean Over Eat, the café you and Jay used to haunt during finals week. Back then, the place had been a refuge—scented with overroasted beans and the sharp tang of sharpie ink on disposable cups.
Now, it was polished. Trendy. The kind of place you assumed Naomi would approve of.
"The usual?" The barista—new, unfamiliar—smiled expectantly.
You hesitated.
"...Yeah."
The lie tasted bitter. There was no usual anymore. Not since Jay left. Not since you traded slow mornings for studio call times and press junkets.
Luckily, they got your order right. You took a seat by the window, watching the city blur past in streaks of gray and gold.
Resting your back on the wooden furniture, your phone buzzed.
Mira: Atlas wants you in the studio by 11. New single’s getting pushed up.
You exhaled through your nose.
You: I’m asleep.
Mira: Clearly you’re not.
You: I’m sick?
Mira: Don’t ask me now?
You: Family affair?
Mira: What family?
You: Tell them I’m dead.
Mira: They’ll prop your corpse up on stage with a backing track.
You snorted into your matcha.
Then the bell above the door chimed.
And suddenly, Jay was there.
Blond hair slightly windswept, glasses that fit onto his face so perfectly, and a dark loose turtleneck kept in wraps under a plaid sleeve clung to his shoulders like it was made for him.
At that one second, his eyes locked onto yours, wide with surprise—as if he hadn’t spent the last 24 hours lying awake hoping you’d come.
As if he hadn’t spent the last four years regretting everything.
Slowly, he walked himself up to where you were, hesitant at first to really know if it was really you.
With enough courage to muster, he spoke words like it was his first time doing so.
"H-hey," he said, his voice rough.
Your grip tightened around the cup. "Hi."
Jay hesitated, then slid into the seat across from you. Close enough to touch. Too far to reach.
"...You came."
You shrugged, staring into your matcha. "I like the foam here."
A lie.
Jay knew it.
Somehow, he always did.
His fingers tapped restlessly against the table—a habit he’d never kicked.
"Listen, about last night—"
"Don’t." You cut him off, sharper than intended. "Just… don’t."
Jay flinched.
Silence stretched between you, thick and suffocating.
Outside, a taxi honked. A couple laughed. Life moved on.
Then, softly—
"I miss you."
Your breath hitched.
Jay wasn’t looking at you. He was staring at his hands, knuckles white where they gripped the edge of the table. "I know I shouldn’t say that. I know it’s—fuck, it’s selfish. But I do."
The admission hung in the air between you, fragile as spun glass.
You could shatter it with one word.
Instead, you whispered—
"I miss you too."
Jay’s head snapped up, eyes searching yours like he’d misheard. Like he’d dreamed this moment a thousand times and still wasn’t prepared for it.
Then his phone buzzed.
Unknown Caller.
The damage was done.
You stood abruptly, chair screeching against the floor. "I should go."
"Wait—" Jay caught your wrist. His touch was warm. Familiar. "Please."
You froze.
His thumb brushed over your pulse point—once, twice—before he let go. "...Can we try this again? Just… us. For real."
You wanted to say yes.
You wanted to run.
In the end, you did neither.
"I’ll think about it," you murmured.
Jay exhaled, slow and shaky. "Okay."
You left before he could see your hands tremble.
˚ ✦ . . ˚ . . ★⋆. ✦ . . ˚ . ✦ ˚ ˚ .˚
The studio lights were blinding.
You squinted against them, headphones crushing your skull as the producer’s voice crackled through the intercom.
"One more take. From the bridge."
You clenched your jaw.
This song was garbage.
Poppy, soulless, manufactured—everything you’d sworn you’d never make. But Atlas had quotas. Algorithms. A bottom line that didn’t care about artistic integrity.
You took a breath.
And sang.
The lyrics tasted like ash.
"I’m over you, I’m over us—
don’t need your love, don’t need your touch."
A lie.
The worst kind.
When the track finally ended, you ripped the headphones off, tossing them onto the console.
Mira arched a brow from the corner. "Dramatic, aren’t we?"
"Buzz off," you laughed dryly.
She tossed you a water bottle. "So. Jay."
Your throat closed.
Mira smirked. "You’re worse than a telenovela, you know that?"
"I hate you."
"Liar." She nudged your shoulder. "Talk."
You slumped against the soundproof wall, sliding down until you hit the floor. "...I don’t know what I’m doing."
Mira joined you, stretching her legs out. "Do you want to know?"
That was the problem.
You did.
And it terrified you.
˚ ✦ . . ˚ . . ★⋆. ✦ . . ˚ . ✦ ˚ ˚ .˚
The call came at 2 AM.
Your phone lit up the darkened bedroom, Unknown Caller flashing across the screen like a ghost.
You stared at it.
Let it ring.
On the last vibration, you picked up.
"Hey." His voice was rough with sleep. Or something else.
"...Hey." You could hear relief at some point by the way he answered you.
A beat. Then—
“Sutton Place, was it?”
Your face crumpled in curiosity. “Say that again?”
"I’m outside."
Your heart stopped.
Slowly, you padded to the window, peeling back the curtain.
There he was.
Leaning against his car, face tipped up toward your townhome. The streetlight caught the gold in his hair, the curve of his jaw.
God did he look so beautiful.
You swallowed hard. "...Why?"
Jay’s breath crackled through the speaker. "Because I can’t stop thinking about you."
Simple. Honest.
Devastating.
You closed your eyes and made your choice.
The predawn air bit at your exposed ankles as you descended the townhouse steps, the wrought iron railing cold under your palm.
Jay stood exactly where you'd seen him from your bedroom window—not under the glow of the streetlamp like some romantic cliché, but half-shadowed where the light didn't quite reach, as if even now he couldn't fully step into the light.
"You came down," he said, voice scraped raw. His hands flexed at his sides like he wanted to reach for you, like they'd forgotten they weren't allowed to anymore.
You tugged the sleeves of your sweatshirt nervously, fingers curling into the worn fabric. "You called. And here I am, against my better judgment."
A taxi rumbled past, its headlights catching the hollows under his eyes, the new sharpness to his jaw. This Jay was both familiar and foreign—the boy you loved sanded down into a man by time and choices and the kind of regret that carves itself into bone.
The Bentley parked haphazardly behind him gleamed under the streetlights, but neither of you mentioned it. Some truths didn't need saying out loud.
"You shouldn't be here," you said, but your feet stayed rooted to the pavement.
Right there, he can only reciprocate a breath — eyes tracing your tousled hair, and even the worn NYU sweatshirt you’d stolen from him years ago.
You tightened your arms around yourself. "You’re blocking a five-million-dollar driveway, by the way."
Jay snorted, raking a hand through his windswept hair. "Still can’t believe you live here. When I saw the address on your tour rider, I thought it was a typo."
You sighed, knowing full well how he was able to get that kind of information. He was always smart when it came to you and your whereabouts.
“Leah?”
“Sarah, actually.”
“Oh …. that also makes sense.” You laughed it off.
The city air was quiet, almost as if it was drowning you both in the most tender moment between night and dawn.
"Atlas pays well for selling your soul," you said, watching his smile die.
Jay exhaled through his nose, the ghost of a smile tugging at his lips. "You would say that."
The first time he'd shown up unannounced back at your old dorm, it had been 2 AM after a fight with his father. Now here he was again—your personal ghost, arriving at the most liminal hour between dusk and dawn.
"Let's go somewhere," he said, nodding toward his car.
You could have said no. Should have, probably. But the look in his eyes—that quiet, shattered hope—had always been your undoing.
˚ ✦ . . ˚ . . ★⋆. ✦ . . ˚ . ✦ ˚ ˚ .˚
The diner was nearly empty, the vinyl booths cracked with age and the air thick with the scent of burnt coffee. You slid into the corner seat—your seat, the one you’d claimed a lifetime ago during late-night study sessions and stolen kisses over shared milkshakes.
Jay paused by the table, his fingers brushing the chipped laminate. "Jesus. They still haven’t replaced these?"
"Some things don’t change," you said, watching as he eased into the seat across from you. The booth was smaller than you remembered. Or maybe you’d just forgotten how close you used to sit.
The waitress—Marge, according to her nametag, though she hadn’t been here last time—dropped two menus on the table without looking up. "Coffee?"
"Please," Jay said.
"Cola." you added. Jay looked at you with concern etched on his features.
Marge grunted and shuffled off, her orthopedic shoes squeaking against the tile.
“At three in the morning?”
“You know I stack up Diet every day for this.” You smiled. “That small fridge we had was my lifeline.”
“To this day?” He spat in shock, but not surprised. Almost as if just taken aback of the old habit.
“I mean, I can afford a mean inverter double door refrigerator.” You jest. It is true, you can definitely afford that luxury now.
“I wasn’t talking about the amount of colas you can stack in a fridge.” Jay sighed, your usual bickering setting the tone for the conversation—familiar, easy, the kind of back-and-forth that used to mean something more.
But it didn’t mean that now.
There was no playful shove after, no rolling your eyes just to hide a smile. No lingering glances that said I’m only joking, teasing to see your face crumple so cutely.
Before, this would’ve been the part where you leaned in, just a little, brushing your lips against his cheek before he could finish his next sentence. Before, he would’ve reached under the table, fingers threading through yours like it was nothing, like it was the easiest thing in the world.
Now, it was just words. Just two people talking, nothing hiding between the lines.
And that was the worst part—knowing exactly what it wasn’t anymore.
“It’s better than whiskey.” You retorted. Jay can only look at you with a simple gaze.
Jay drummed his fingers against the table — still the nervous habit he’d never kicked.
"So."
"So."
Another silence. The kind that should’ve been awkward but wasn’t. The kind that felt like picking up a conversation you’d only paused.
Jay sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I don’t know where to start."
"Try the beginning," you said softly.
He met your gaze then, his dark eyes searching yours. "The beginning’s messy."
You huffed a laugh. "Since when have we ever been squeaky clean?"
Something in his expression fractured. For a second, you thought he might reach across the table. Might bridge the distance with his fingertips like he used to.
Instead, he folded his hands together. "I was wrong."
The words landed like a punch.
"About what?" you asked, though you already knew.
"Everything." Jay’s voice cracked. "The band. The label. You. I thought—" He broke off, shaking his head. "I thought I was protecting you. From the industry. From selling out. From … losing yourself."
Your chest ached. "And instead?"
The words sat there, heavy between you, like waiting for a wound to finally bleed.
"Instead—" He stopped, jaw tightening like the words were sharp in his mouth, like they might cut him on the way out. His voice dropped lower, rough at the edges.
"I lost you."
Just like that. No take-backs, no pretending it didn’t happen.
Silence pressed in, thick and suffocating. You could hear his breath, uneven, like he’d been holding it too long. Like he hadn’t meant to say it—or maybe he had, and that was worse.
And there it was, laid out between you: the truth, bare and ugly. With no way to get it back.
Marge returned with your drinks, the mugs landing with a sharp clack against the worn formica. The drinks you’ve ordered sloshed over the rims, bearing no noise as the silence surrounded you. You waited until she’d shuffled off, her orthopedic shoes squeaking against the linoleum, before speaking.
"You didn’t lose me," you said, so quiet the words barely carried over the hum of the neon sign outside. "You let me go."
Jay flinched like you’d struck him. His fingers tightened around his mug, knuckles whitening, but he didn’t look up.
Outside, a garbage truck groaned past, its headlights cutting through the diner’s grease-smeared windows. For a second, the light caught the lines around Jay’s eyes—new ones, ones you didn’t recognize.
The clock above the counter ticked, each second louder than the last, marking time you couldn’t get back.
Funny, how everything kept moving. The world didn’t stop just because something broke.
He stared at the chipped mug the waitress dropped in front of him. "I dream about this place," he admitted quietly. "Wake up reaching for you across cold sheets."
Your breath caught. Four years. Four years of radio silence, of carefully curated distance, and he says this like it's nothing. Like the words weren't grenades.
"Why now?" you asked, your voice barely above a whisper.
Jay's fingers traced along the table napkins he has on the table—around and around in a nervous circle. "Because I saw you play last week. Really play, not that polished Atlas bullshit." His eyes met yours, dark and desperate. "And back at the wedding? You forgot the lyrics to 'Way Back Into Love' again. Just like you always did."
The admission hung between you, fragile as the morning light beginning to creep through the diner's grimy windows.
Jay reached across the table, his fingers hovering just shy of yours. "I thought I finally nailed it and I was doing the right thing. Letting you chase your dreams without me holding you back." His throat worked as he swallowed.
"But watching you up there in person again after all this time—you looked just as trapped as I felt."
The truth of it lodged in your ribs. Atlas's golden cage. The songs you didn't write. The versions of yourself you'd whittled away to fit their mold.
Jay's phone buzzed—once, twice—lighting up with Naomi's name. He didn't reach for it.
"I should go," you said, standing abruptly.
Jay caught your wrist, his grip feather-light. "Please, stay."
Two words. That's all it took for the walls to crumble.
His request hung in the air, simple yet devastating.
The radio in the kitchen crackled to life with your latest hit—all polish and production, nothing like the raw songs you used to write. Then your voice floated through the static, singing lyrics you barely remembered writing. The label had polished every rough edge off that song, sanded it down until it was shiny and hollow. A hit, but not yours. Not really.
Jay’s grip on your wrist tightened slightly, his thumb finding the flutter of your pulse.
"You must hate that song," he murmured.
You swallowed hard. The chorus swelled, saccharine and overproduced. "I hate most of them now."
Jay stood slowly, his free hand lifting—hovering near your cheek, close enough that you felt the warmth of his palm but not the touch. Waiting. Always waiting for your permission, even now.
The diner’s door chimed as another customer entered, the bell jangling. A gust of cold morning air rushed in, carrying the smell of the city streets and exhaust. Neither of you moved.
"Call me," you whispered, pulling away. Your voice barely carried over the radio. "This time, when you’re really ready to talk about … us."
You stepped out into the dawn, the weight of his gaze following you like a second shadow. Behind you, the phone buzzed again—persistent, impatient.
You didn’t look back.
𓏲 ๋࣭ ࣪ ˖✦⋆˚ story taglist — tagging @kaiyunsim @firstclassjaylee @ryes-brownies08
𓏲 ๋࣭ ࣪ ˖✦⋆˚ can i join the masterlist? — sure! i do frequent posts and updates so just be warned! leave a reply on any posts and i'll add ya in the future updates, much love~
𓏲 ๋࣭ ࣪ ˖✦⋆˚ way back into love : the full masterlist
legacy masterlist! | made by writhyv 💘
Songs on the charts, sold-out shows, the kind of career most musicians dream about—everything’s perfect. But success doesn’t fill the emptiness. And then, just when you think you’ve moved on—there he is. Your past, standing in front of you like a love song you never finished.
𓏲 ๋࣭ ࣪ ˖✦⋆˚ pairing — park jongseong x male!reader
𓏲 ๋࣭ ࣪ ˖✦⋆˚ word count — 2.2k
𓏲 ๋࣭ ࣪ ˖✦⋆˚ tags — male reader, jay x reader, estranged exes to lovers, famous singer!reader because we're built like that, is this angst? i have no clue, memories of your past together just hits hard ughhhh, jay has a new lover omg the drama-mama-mamah, you are dramatic as hell but we love you for you, you are insane to still think of him, i understand though you are in love with jay we see each other WE SEE EACH OTHER, more to come!
𓏲 ๋࣭ ࣪ ˖✦⋆˚ warning + notes — use of male pronouns, has some implied relationships, swear words, mentions and use of alcoholic substances, author's interpretation of the people in this fic might not reflect them irl, story update lengths may vary~
𓏲 ๋࣭ ࣪ ˖✦⋆˚ way back into love : the full masterlist
The studio smelled like overpriced candles and desperation—vanilla and bergamot masking the stale coffee and exhaustion clinging to the air.
You slumped in the vocal booth, headphones pressing into your skull once more like Atlas' hands around your throat. Your forehead was drenched with nervous sweat as you stared at the lyric sheet through blurry eyes.
"Again," the producer's voice crackled through the intercom, not looking up from his screen where waveforms pulsed in hypnotic patterns. "From the bridge. And this time, I need you to feel it."
“Again?” You tried to retort.
“Don’t you dare. We’ve barely got any material.” The rude operator just kept on going.
You wanted to scream.
Instead, you closed your eyes and sang the same hollow lyrics for the seventeenth time that day, your fingers twitching against your thighs with each forced note.
"I don't need your love, I don't need your touch—"
A lie. Every word.
With every inch of her might, she pushed the heavy studio door to crack it open. Ariana Grande slipped in like sunlight through storm clouds, her quaint dress complimenting her petite frame.
The scent of her perfume momentarily cut through the studio's stale air as she caught your eye through the glass and mimed playing a small violin—her signature this is torture face, complete with exaggerated pout.
You choked back a laugh that threatened to turn into something more fragile.
"Break time!" she announced, marching in before the producer could protest. Her manicured fingers plucked the headphones off your head with practiced ease, the sudden absence of pressure making your ears ring.
“For real?” You asked.
"Come on, superstar. Five minutes won't kill your track." She winked. "Unless we're aiming for that post-crying vocal texture?"
“That’s a you thing.”
“Blah blah, just get outtt~”
The second you were out of earshot, she shoved a matcha latte into your hands. The cup was still warm, condensation beading on the cardboard sleeve.
“You got this from Mira?” You asked, hesitating at first as you received the cup.
“I’m appalled.” She muttered under her breath. “I know your blend. I’m a Grande, if that helps.”
You rolled your eyes as you rolled with her puns and so.
It was as if a lifetime ago when you were only dreaming of getting tickets to one of her shows. Now, you were rubbing elbows with one of the industry’s finest. You could say it was one of the perks of being an artist, to get a glimpse of those who really have inspired you since the beginning.
As for why she’s here, it’s complicated. At one point you babbled to a bunch of staff people that you’d die to get your favorite artists on your next album, projected by almost any stat person to be a Grammy nominated album at minimum.
Atlas heard, and Atlas gives. You could say you were thankful for them being greedy to get someone as Grande. It was a dream come true made reality for you.
"Breathe," she murmured as she sat on one of the round chairs, her usual bubbly persona dropping for a rare moment of sincerity as she studied the dark circles under your eyes.
You took a grateful sip, the familiar bitterness grounding you as it burned your tongue. "They're gonna fire me."
Ari rolled her eyes so hard it looked painful, leaning against the leather couch that had seen brighter days. "Please." She flicked your forehead lightly, her diamond ring catching the studio lights. "Atlas would sell their firstborn to keep you."
When you didn't smile, she nudged your knee with her own. "You're their only cash cow this decade, and we both know it. Remember Tokyo?"
The memory surfaced—Dior's store opening, the two of you hiding in a dressing room with smuggled champagne, laughing until your stomachs hurt about all the industry nonsense.
That had been...what? Eight months ago? It’s a crazy world to be an artist in.
The studio door cracked open again. Mira hovered in the doorway, her tablet clutched to her chest like a shield. The fluorescent hallway lights backlit her frazzled bun. "Uh...sorry to interrupt, but—"
Ari waved her off without looking away from you. "Five more minutes, Mira. The man's about to have an aneurysm." She gestured to your white-knuckled grip on the latte cup, where your nails had left crescent moons in the cardboard.
Mira hesitated, biting her lip hard enough to leave marks, then stepped fully inside. The door clicked shut behind her with ominous finality.
"It's...it's really urgent. Mr. M's waiting upstairs. He said—" She cut herself off, glancing nervously at Ariana, her fingers tightening around the tablet.
Ari raised one perfectly arched eyebrow but didn't press.
“Ah. Him again?”
“It’s always him.” You sighed.
Looking at you, she squeezed your shoulder, her touch warm through the thin fabric of your t-shirt.
“Have you been working out?” She blurted.
“You know I do—”
"Go," she murmured, just for you. "We'll pick this up later."
As you stood, she added quietly, "And text me if you need an alibi. I've got a great story about a karaoke bar and three backup dancers ready to go."
“Wait, three?”
“It’ll be five if you agree on a time today.” Ari winked with mischief.
–––
The elevator ride to the executive floor felt like ascending to the gallows. Each passing floor number blinked accusingly, the mirrored walls reflecting your tired expression back at you from infinite angles.
You fixed your hair with trembling fingers, tucking the loose strand behind your ear, but it was a losing battle—you looked exactly like what you were: exhausted.
Mr. M's office was all sharp angles and cold light—floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Manhattan that did nothing to warm the space, a massive oak desk that probably cost more than your first car, its surface polished to a mirror shine.
He didn't stand when you entered, just gestured to the chair opposite him with the gold-plated pen in his hand, the overhead lights glinting off his Rolex.
“New watch?” You flick your gaze to his wrist, smirking. “Let me guess—gift from HR after they finally capped your sexual harassment complaints?”
The air conditioning kicks on. Or maybe it’s just the ice in his stare.
“Cute.” He doesn’t blink. “You’d need a personality to weaponize before it’d land, though.”
You lean in, sugar-venom sweet: “And you’d need a dick to compensate for before I’d care.”
His knuckles whiten around his coffee cup. There it is—the crack in the armor. You file it away for later. Also, you killed that delivery though.
"Sit."
You remained standing, your back straight despite the ache between your shoulders.
“Difficult artists…” Mr. M muttered rather underhandedly as he slid a tablet across the desk with one finger, the movement precise and controlled.
The TMZ article glared up at you—grainy but unmistakable, the timestamp reading 3:17 AM in the corner.
You and Jay in that diner booth, his hand hovering near yours like he couldn't quite help himself, the neon sign casting both of you in pink light. The headline burned your retinas:
ATLAS’ GOLDEN ACE SPOTTED WITH MYSTERY MAN! Insiders say the late-night meeting has Atlas execs "concerned"
Mr. M tapped the screen with his pen, circling the title with the sound so crisp it nipped at your ear.
“I’m taking it their talking about you?” You tried to lighten the mood. “You do look ‘concerned’.. time isn’t kind to those like—”
"You’d do well to quit the quips and explain, boy." Mr. M huffed.
You kept your voice level through sheer willpower.
"An old friend."
Oh, joy.
"An old distraction," Mr. M corrected, his Italian loafers hitting the carpet as he leaned back, the leather chair creaking under his weight. "Do you know how much we've invested in you? Your image? Your brand?" His fingers steepled, the diamond pinky ring catching the light.
"Jongseong Park—former law school trust fund kid, now what? A music theory professor?" He scoffed, the sound dripping with disdain. "How...quaint."
He didn’t have to force that into your throat, the bitter fact that Jay made such a decision.
Just for the sake of you, needing no confirmation from him.
You knew Jay would do anything for you, but it still ached you. Ached your heart.
He really loved you that much, and you felt undeserving of all of it.
Your nails bit into your palms, the pain the only thing keeping you grounded. "He’s a respectable professor at NYU."
"Exactly." Mr. M's smile was all teeth, the kind that never reached his eyes. "And you're here. In the big leagues." He stood abruptly, circling the desk with slow, measured steps.
You couldn’t help but shoot a glare at the man before you—but what of it?—you’re stuck in this golden pit he’d call his home.
"We own your voice. Your face. Your story." His hand landed on your shoulder, heavy as a shackle. "And your story doesn't include some washed-up law school dropout playing teacher."
The words hit like a slap, each syllable a hammer blow to your ribs.
"Damage control," Mr. M continued, straightening his cufflinks with a practiced flick of his wrists. "Rolling Stone next week. You'll say he's … consulting on new material." His smile turned razor-sharp, the kind that promised consequences.
He inched a bit closer to you, much to your disdain.
"You'll smile when you say it."
—
The last student trickled out of the lecture hall, the door swinging shut behind them with a hollow thud that echoed through the suddenly empty space.
Jay slumped against the piano, his fingers absently tracing the keys without pressing down—a habit he'd picked up after quitting law school, when the weight of his parents' disappointment still sat heavy on his shoulders and the only comfort was the familiar topography of black and white ivory.
The late afternoon sun’s rays slanted through the high windows of Steinhardt, painting the hardwood floors in gold. Dust motes danced in the beams, swirling around sheet music left abandoned on stands. The air smelled like rosin and old books, with the faintest hint of lemon polish underneath.
Jay closed his eyes, exhaling slowly. The lecture had gone well—better than well, actually. His students had been engaged, asking thoughtful questions about modal interchange that showed they'd actually done the reading. It should have felt like a victory.
Instead, all he could hear was your voice cracking on that diner's cheap speakers last night, singing words you'd once whispered against his skin like secrets.
"Professor Park?"
Jay turned, expecting another eager undergrad with questions about their midterm or perhaps the department secretary with paperwork.
Instead, Naomi stood in the doorway, her silhouette framed by the sunlight streaming in from the hall.
Her crisp navy blazer was wrinkled from travel, her usually impeccable ponytail slightly askew. A rolling suitcase stood at her side, its wheels still damp from New York's unpredictable spring showers.
"Surprise," she said softly, her heels clicking against the hardwood as she approached. The sound was measured, precise—like everything Naomi did.
Jay's stomach dropped. She wasn't due back from Washington until tomorrow. He'd planned to—well, he didn't know what he'd planned.
Clean the apartment, maybe. Buy flowers.
Pretend last night hadn't happened.
“You could’ve called me.” Jay forced a smile on his features. “Feeling alright?”
There were no words—nothing but silence that only drowned their presences together. There was no way to measure the volume of how deafening it was.
Naomi’s gaze did look longer as she always did, slowly leaning in as she reached into her briefcase, her movements deliberate.
The leather creaked as she pulled out a folded tabloid, sliding it across the piano lid without a word. The paper made a soft scraping sound against the polished wood, the movement sending a few sheets of music fluttering to the side.
The New York Post, its cover page loaded with one giant headline image.
The grainy photo stared up at him—you and him in that diner booth, caught in some unguarded moment he couldn't even remember. Your fingers had been inches from his, your face tilted toward him in the pink neon glow like you were sharing a secret. The headline was bold and brutal:
MIDNIGHT RENDEZVOUS! Who is the mystery man stealing pop's golden ace's heart?
Jay's throat closed. His fingers twitched toward the newspaper, then pulled back, leaving it lying there like an indictment.
Naomi didn't yell. Didn't cry. There was no trace of any emotions that tore her face anew.
Just studied him with those keen lawyer's eyes that missed nothing—not the way his breath hitched, not the flush creeping up his neck, not even the promise ring he suddenly found himself twisting around his finger.
The silence stretched between them, taut as a high wire, the only sound the distant chatter of students passing in the hall outside and the metronome-like tick of the classroom clock.
"I know." She said simply.
And that was worse than any accusation.
𓏲 ๋࣭ ࣪ ˖✦⋆˚ story taglist — tagging @kaiyunsim @firstclassjaylee @ryes-brownies08
𓏲 ๋࣭ ࣪ ˖✦⋆˚ can i join the masterlist? — sure! i do frequent posts and updates so just be warned! leave a reply on any posts and i'll add ya in the future updates, much love~
𓏲 ๋࣭ ࣪ ˖✦⋆˚ way back into love : the full masterlist
legacy masterlist! | made by writhyv 💘
he's not getting boring is he? he's not being too different from what you were before right? even if you say things to reassure him, it'll just bug his mind over and over … maybe he needs some ideas to spice it up? hmmm … i mean googling about it shouldn't hurt …
𓏲 ๋࣭ ࣪ ˖✦⋆˚ pairing — nishimura riki x male!reader
𓏲 ๋࣭ ࣪ ˖✦⋆˚ tags — fluff, lil cracky, will be suggestive, implied male!reader, implied long time relationship with riki, childhood friends (?), something's definitely going to happen and I will be SEATED
𓏲 ๋࣭ ࣪ ˖✦⋆˚ warning + notes — UHHH just know that ni-ki did this to himself, this is his FAULT for being so fuckin cute AFAGFRGFHRGHHGHHH!!!! dissapears from the face of the earth
𓏲 ๋࣭ ࣪ ˖✦⋆˚ word count — 1.3k
𓏲 ๋࣭ ࣪ ˖✦⋆˚ looking for my main masterlist? — here's the legacy one!
The apartment was quiet. Too quiet.
You sighed, rolling your stiff shoulders as you pushed open the front door, toeing off your shoes with a tired groan. Work had been a beast—endless meetings, last-minute revisions, and a client who seemed allergic to the word "deadline." All you wanted was to collapse onto the couch with your boyfriend and forget the world existed for a few hours.
But the moment you stepped inside, the air shifted.
The usual clutter of Ni-ki’s dance gear and half-empty water bottles was gone. The living room was dim, lit only by the warm glow of candles—real ones, not the battery-operated ones you usually kept around because someone had nearly set the curtains on fire last time. The scent of something—was that garlic?—drifted from the kitchen, mingling with something floral. Roses?
Your eyebrows shot up.
"Riki?"
No answer.
A quick sweep of the apartment revealed the dining table—set with your good plates, the ones you only pulled out for special occasions. A single red rose lay across your napkin. The pasta in the center looked… charred at the edges, but the effort was unmistakable.
Your chest warmed. Anniversary. You’d completely forgotten.
A rustling sound came from the bedroom. And then, a thud.
Oh have you already figured it out.
"Riki?" you called again, voice laced with amusement. "If you’re hiding in there, I swear—"
The door creaked open.
And then—
Holy shit.
There he stood, bathed in the golden light of the bedside lamp, completely naked—save for the disaster of red ribbons haphazardly wrapped around his body.
As the door creaked, he turned towards you, face struck with disaster seeing you seeing him still not ready.
A stash of ribbon looped around his waist like a belt, others tangled around his biceps in a way that looked more accidental than artistic.
A single bow sat crookedly on his hip, barely clinging on. His face was flushed, his usually confident smirk wobbling into something painfully unsure.
"Shi- I mean ... Surprise?" He said, voice cracking.
You blinked. And then, you lost it.
A loud, unfiltered laugh burst out of you, doubling you over as you clutched your stomach. *"Oh my god—*what—what is happening right now?!"
Ni-ki’s expression flickered between mortification and defiance. "I—I researched this!" he insisted, gesturing wildly—which only made the ribbon around his wrist slip further. "It was supposed to be romantic!"
"Romantic?" you wheezed. "You look like a craft store exploded on you!"
"I panicked!" he whined, trying—and failing—to adjust the mess of fabric. *"The tutorial made it look easy, but then I couldn’t—why is this so complicated?!"
"Tuto- they have this on Youtube?!" You wheezed.
"Tumblr, okay? Tumblr!" Ni-ki whined, his art piece moving around as his frame did.
You wiped tears from your eyes, stepping closer. "Okay, okay—let me help." You gently tugged at a loose ribbon near his collarbone. "This one’s just… hanging here. Were you trying to tie it like a scarf?"
Ni-ki groaned, hiding his face in his hands. "I give up. This is the worst anniversary surprise ever."
You bit back another laugh, cupping his cheeks. *"No, no—it’s perfect."
He peeked, slowly, through his slender fingers. "...Really?"
"Really," you grinned. "I mean, yeah, it’s ridiculous—but that’s you. My ridiculous, over-the-top, adorable boyfriend who—" You paused, eyes trailing down. "—somehow thought ribbons were the key to seduction."
Ni-ki pouted. "It worked, though."
You snorted. "Did it?"
"You’re looking," he pointed out smugly.
"Hard not to when you’re basically a present with a bow on your—" You gestured vaguely. "—well, everything."
He laughed then, bright and unrestrained, the sound melting into the apartment's quiet. For a moment, the absurdity of it all faded—the ribbons, the burnt pasta, the fact that you’d forgotten today was special. None of it mattered.
Because he was here. Yours.
You brushed a thumb over his cheek, voice softening. "You didn’t have to do all this, you know."
Ni-ki leaned into your touch, his earlier bravado fading into something quieter. "I wanted to. You’ve been working so hard… I just—" He hesitated. "I didn’t want you to think that ..."
'That?" You looked at him, with his eyes reciprocating a yearning gaze.
"That I was ... getting boring."
Your heart clenched.
"Hey," you murmured, pressing your forehead to his. "You could never be boring. You’re the guy who came up to me first when I was a new kid and showed me around Shibuya even though we hadn't told our parents about it."
Ni-ki laughed. "The same day too—"
"The same day too!" You chuckled. "That was my first day, and I went with the popular kid on a trip downtown!"
Both of you laughed at the memory, Ni-ki beating your arms as his body couldn't contain his laughter.
"Also, who proposed to me with a pack of those golden Haribo gummies he so hardly earned after a week and cried when I said yes. Who still tries to make me carry him to bed even though he's taller than me now—"
"You can still do it!" he protested.
"You're past 6 foot!"
"And I'm light as a feather—"
You kissed him.
Slow, sweet, lingering—until the tension in his shoulders melted away, until your hands found his waist, pulling him a bit closer.
When he finally pulled back, his eyes were warm, his smile small but real.
"I love you," you whispered. "Ribbons or no ribbons."
Ni-ki exhaled, resting his head against your shoulder. "...Even if the pasta’s burnt?"
"Even then."
A beat of silence. Then—
"...So," he drawled, fingers tracing idle patterns on your hip. "Since you do like the ribbons…"
You rolled your eyes. "Oh my god."
"Wanna unwrap your gift?" His voice dropped, lips brushing your ear. "I hear it’s one of a kind."
You groaned, half-exasperated, half-aroused. "You’re impossible."
Ni-ki grinned, all teeth. "But you love me."
And as the candles flickered, as the pasta sat forgotten, as his hands slid under your shirt with far too much confidence for someone literally tangled in ribbons—
You couldn’t argue.
"Yeah," you breathed, tugging him back toward the bed. "I really do."
Right there, you could feel his warmth once again, bathing your lips in such sweet harmony.
The kiss deepened, slow and syrupy, his mouth against yours. The ridiculousness of the ribbons faded into the background—now all you could focus on was the way his hands slid up your back, the way his breath hitched when you bit his lower lip.
You pulled back just enough to murmur against his mouth, "So. These ribbons."
Ni-ki grinned, all mischief. "What about them?"
"They're everywhere," you laughed, plucking at the one draped over his shoulder. "How did you even manage to find the time and prepare all this?"
He huffed, but his cheeks flushed darker. "I just had time, you know? Also, it's harder than it looks." His fingers twitched against your waist. "Maybe you should... help me out."
"Oh?" You arched a brow, dragging a fingertip along the ribbon circling his wrist. "You want me to fix this mess?"
Ni-ki’s breath stuttered. "I want you to take it all off."
Your stomach flipped.
Slowly, teasingly, you tugged at the loose end of the ribbon around his wrist. It unraveled with a whisper of silk, pooling at his feet. Your fingers trailed up his arm, following the path of another ribbon—this one looped haphazardly around his bicep. You tugged, and it slipped free, revealing the smooth, sun-kissed skin beneath.
Ni-ki watched you with half-lidded eyes, his chest rising and falling just a little faster now.
"Like what you see?" he murmured, voice rough.
You smirked. "I might."
Another ribbon, this one slung low around his waist, barely holding on. You tugged it free with a slow pull, letting your knuckles graze his hipbone. His breath caught.
"Tease," he accused, but he didn’t stop you.
You hummed, stepping closer, your chest nearly brushing his. "You wrapped yourself up like a present," you murmured, fingers skimming the last ribbon—the one pretending to cover him, tied in a loose bow at his hip. "What did you think was gonna happen?"
Ni-ki’s throat bobbed. "This," he admitted, voice barely above a whisper.
Your fingers curled around the final ribbon.
"Happy anniversary," you whispered back—
And pulled.
EN—D
𓏲 ๋࣭ ࣪ ˖✦⋆˚ kai's notes — okay i just had too THAT RECENT CLIP OF HIM RINGIN THE BELL AND PRESENTING HIMSELF?!?! HEAD TO TOE AS A GIFT?!?1 YES PLEASE?!?! so here is a fic based on that, you are SO welcome sahjfahfjas
my masterlist! | made by writhyv 💘
u got texts // drabbles | jongseong park x male!reader
pairing: jay x male!reader
genre: fluffy smau
notes: IM BEING SERIOUS WHEN I SAY ... BLONDE JAY ‼‼‼ got me on a chokehold THIS MAN AND HIS POWER 😭🙏
illegally_blonde.png
THE WAY I WAS RATTLING MY CAGE WHEN I SAW IT 😭😭😭
hope you guys enjoyed it! please like, comment, or reblog~
my masterlist!
made by writhyv.
when i say he's the cutest member 😍
© 4𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓. do not edit/crop logo
I-800-LOVE-YOU | nishimura riki x male!reader
pairing: niki x male!reader
genre: fluff!
word count: 2.3k
notes: nothing much! hope you enjoy these povs that really frame 'your' character's feelings towards ni-ki hehe
Why does it seem so unreal talking to him? Is it really worth the risk?
Your best friend burst into your bedroom, her infectious grin lighting up the space as she flopped down onto your soft bed without a hint of hesitation.
“Any scoop on the troupe? And by that I mean the dance troupe. And by that I mean the dancer. And by that I mean Ni-ki. And by that I mean—”
“Yah! You can’t just enter a man’s bedroom!” You exclaimed, flinching at her sudden leap across the room.
“A man?!” she shot back playfully, her eyes sparkling. “You’re not just any man, you’re THE man!”
With an exaggerated roll of your eyes, you settled back onto your warm mattress, attempting to tame your disheveled hair, which had been ruffled by her enthusiastic entrance.
“And why is that?” you challenged, trying to keep your composure. “I could do anything to you.”
“Well, don’t do it to me!” she laughed, shoving you playfully. “Do it to Ni-ki!” She squealed as she grabbed pillows, playfully smothering your face with them.
“Hey, hey!” you protested, struggling to push her away. “You heard me through the walls, didn’t you?!”
“What? Am I not allowed to listen in on my own house?” She batted her eyelashes innocently. “You’re lucky I’m shipping you two!”
Groaning, you leaned back on the bed. “Listen, I really don’t understand it.” You sighed heavily, the weight of the conversation settling in. “I don’t think it’s that serious.”
She turned her body toward you, her brow arched in disbelief. “You best believe it is.”
“It’s not,” you insisted, shaking your head. “He’s an idol. Plus, he’s too young AND too famous.”
Your best friend let out a melodious chuckle, shaking her head in amusement.
“What?” you retorted, feeling defensive.
“You’re only three years older, okay?” she pointed out, her voice teasing. “And for the popularity problem, I don’t think he cares anyway.”
“He’s an idol,” you replied, looking away, the weight of your words hanging in the air. “He should.”
She moved closer, resting her head on your shoulder, her voice softening. “Just test the waters. I’m sure he’s just looking for someone, and he found you at the right moment.”
Your mind wandered back to the memory of Ni-ki holding your hands tightly, and a flutter of hope stirred within you.
“Hahh... You’re right,” you finally admitted, turning to face your friend. “He did say he wants to be friends. To be closer... more accurately.”
“See?” she grinned, her enthusiasm infectious.
“I think I can try being friends,” you said, a small smile creeping onto your face. “Nothing wrong with having a friend.”
“Exactly!” Your best friend cheered, raising her fists in triumph. “Then eventually you da—”
“Eventually he comes to a decision to stop it because I’ll be a liability to him,” you cut her off, the weight of your insecurities surfacing.
Her expression shifted, and she playfully punched your shoulder. “Don’t be such a spoiler! Rah!”
You rolled your eyes again, contemplating whether your words truly reflected the feelings swirling inside you.
Of course, you wanted a new friend. Of course, you wanted that friend to be eager to be friends with you. Of course, you’d love to spend time with someone charismatic and talented—it just happened to be that he was also a famous idol. But doubt lingered in your heart—did you truly deserve this happiness? Would it last? And what if you ruined his career, his dreams, his life? The thought sent a chill down your spine.
“God, that’s a lot of things in your head. What a mess,” you thought, feeling overwhelmed.
“I can see all the mumbling speech bubbles in the air right now,” your best friend chuckled, inching closer. “It’s not that insane, right? Just be friends with him.”
You looked at her, uncertainty etched on your face. “But what if I—”
“Just see what happens,” she urged, her eyes earnest. “If it isn’t really working, you can be honest.”
Taking a deep breath, you gazed at your hands, closing them tightly as if to gather the courage within you.
“I can do that,” you sighed, feeling a flicker of determination.
Your best friend wrapped you in a warm embrace, her genuine warmth easing the tension in your chest. “And don’t forget about me. I’m here too.”
“Mhm,” you replied softly, grateful for her support.
A good few days had passed, and a whirlwind of events had unfolded.
You started your first class right after the fan meet, brimming with joy as you taught a group of bright and eager students. They were a delight to be around, and the administration took notice, appreciating your efforts and offering various roles that came with incentives. Smiling at the opportunities that lay ahead, you signed up for most of them and dedicated yourself diligently to your work.
Meanwhile, your friendship with Ni-ki blossomed. He couldn’t wait another day and called you daily, sharing snippets of his life. He recounted how he spent his resting hours lounging in his room, playing games with his bandmates, and practicing choreography for their upcoming promotions. The two of you were growing closer, and you often found yourself wondering when you would see each other in person again.
“Well, Ni-ki does,” Jungwon said from the front seat of the van, breaking the silence that had settled after a tiring shoot for SBS Inkigayo.
The gentle rumbling of the engine accompanied the sounds of exhaustion radiating from the other members. Half the boys had already succumbed to fatigue, using pillows, eye covers, or handkerchiefs to shield their eyes from the light.
“Yeah, but—” Heeseung turned around in his seat, raising a brow. “Isn’t it already afternoon? Are there still classes this late in the day?”
“Good point,” Sunoo pouted, contemplating. “Maybe their school is a bit different? It is Seoul, after all.”
Unbothered, Ni-ki bit his lip, lost in thought as he envisioned seeing you again. His heart raced at the prospect. Moving his legs quickly, he could almost picture seeing your golden smile. Yeah, that's what he's calling it.
"Hey, stop that." Jake muttered as he lifted the eye cover from his face.
Ni-ki acted as if he couldn't hear Jake's plea. The older rolled his eyes and forced an arm to stop the younger's leg.
"No! I swear to god-"
"Oh, he's awake!" Jungwon looked over to the back, where Ni-ki and Jake sat together. Seems like Jake had been napping for quite a while.
"Ugh, yeah." Jake fixed bits of his hair to the side, revealing his sleepy set of eyes wondering around the van. "This guy ruined it with his leg yapping. What's up?"
"Is it fine if we drop Ni-ki at Yanghoon State?" Jungwon asked as he held his phone. For reference, you shared the location of your school to Ni-ki. Of course, Ni-ki could only keep that information to himself for a while, before Jake swatted his phone and sent the pinned location to their group chat.
"Oh? Yeah." Jake moved an inch closer towards the other boys. "We'll just have to keep an eye when PD-nim needs us for backup or anything."
Jake looked at Ni-ki with a sharp edged look. "You better be proper. You're missing our bro night for this."
"You're not the leader." Ni-ki grinned.
"Hey! I'm still older!" Jake jabbed Ni-ki's shoulder.
The manager raised his hand in acknowledgment. Ni-ki’s eagerness to see you excited the whole group, even the higher-ups, despite the risks involved.
“Do we still need the rental car?” Ni-ki asked, scratching his head. “Can’t we just use this van?”
Heeseung sighed, chuckling. “Bro, you already made such a big fuss in the company. Just bear with the car.”
Ni-ki swiped his hair to the side in mock frustration, realizing that his plan to impress you with the company van had come to a halt.
“He’ll love you driving a Civic,” Jake teased.
“Hyung, I can’t drive,” Ni-ki replied, exasperated.
“Oof, I feel like you’re getting UN-cooler by the minute.”
“Aish!” Ni-ki shoved Jake away playfully.
“Who’s the girl anyway?” the manager asked, curiosity piqued.
Everyone’s heads turned toward Ni-ki, who suddenly wore a serious expression. “It’s a he, okay?” he stated, emphasizing the words.
Jungwon tapped Ni-ki’s leg, smiling reassuringly. “Hey, it’s cool. He just asked.”
“Oh? Who’s the guy? I’ve only ever heard your bandmates talk about his school,” the manager said innocently, eliciting a glare from Ni-ki.
“A cool teacher he met!” Sunoo chimed in, raising his hand enthusiastically. “Ni-ki just wanted to see where he worked.”
“Must be a close friend,” the manager remarked, his grin widening. “We’re here, by the way.”
Ni-ki beamed at the news while his bandmates quietly cheered him on. As he stepped out of the van, he couldn’t shake the image of your smile from his mind.
God, he’ll be so happy, Ni-ki thought, a wave of anticipation washing over him.
“Caps! Shades! Mask!” the manager commanded, snapping Ni-ki back to reality.
“Oh, right.” Ni-ki quickly grabbed his disguise—shades and a mask—to shield himself from the public eye. After all, he was a famous idol.
Moments later, he waved goodbye to his bandmates, who drove away swiftly with their other manager.
“I’m going to find the car we rented. Should be around here somewhere. I’ve got the keys, so you just stay here,” the manager instructed firmly.
"Got it." Ni-ki nodded. As he watched the manager leave, Ni-ki couldn't stand still at his current position. His feet jerked way too many times as he anxiously waited for the car.
Today, he only planned to get a glimpse of you. But it would be much better if he gets to interact with you ... and see your smile yet again. Ni-ki vould only blush and look down on his feet as he thought of it.
To his surprise, Ni-ki turned his head as he heard the school chimes. It wasn't a big school, but it surely looked prestigious. The design of the school was an older Neoclassical style, with a large bell tower that survived wars since its been built.
Of course, Ni-ki couldn't have ever known these facts if he wasn't intent on listening to every detail you shared with him. During your calls, he can only memorize all the things you've said to him. That's how you've been occupying his mind. Just a total overload of your voice fills his heart with bliss and warmth. Totally whipped as one would say.
In no time, students of all ages began to pour out of the gates—young kids chattering with friends, slightly older students engaged in lively conversations, and older students lounging around, soaking in the afternoon sun.
Ni-ki reminisced the times when he went to school too. Seeing all the kids there reminded him of his young social life, where he would often participate in events and talk to many people, whether they were his own age or not.
This made Ni-ki smile, remembering how fun it was when he wasn't such a busy idol.
But you know who made him smile even bigger? The sight of you, conversing with your co-teachers as you got out of the school doors. You wore a nice set of casual slacks that complemented your figure, and you had a comfy and fuzzy turtleneck that covered your otherwise impressive frame. To him, it looked like you were covered in marshmallows.
As you gazed around the school yard, you waved goodbye to your students. It was fun seeing them so involved in your class, and you couldn't be happier seeing them interact so happily with their other peers. It fulfills you, as you exhibit the life of an educator. Even though you still had so much you can dream, but can't even think of how it'll work out.
As you thread on the concrete path you stepped on, you thought of wanting to eat something from the local convenience store. A packed burrito? A sliced bread? Or a serving of dumplings? What would best satisfy you as you waited for the bus?
"Aw...” you exclaimed, scratching your head in surprise as you bumped onto a passerby. “Sorry, I—”
“No worries. I did that on purpose,” came the familiar, playful voice.
You looked up, and your heart raced as you met Ni-ki’s gaze, his handsome face adorned with a wide grin.
“Hi,” he beamed, a light of mischief in his eyes.
Your eyes widened in disbelief. “You!”
“Yeah, me—”
“Damn you and your face!” You exclaimed, instinctively shoving your hands toward him, playfully pushing him back as he stumbled slightly.
“Are you crazy? There are people around!” you admonished, your arms resting on the wall, effectively cornering him.
“Sorry. I just can’t help myself,” Ni-ki smirked, clearly enjoying the flustered state he had put you in.
“You...,” you started, trying to maintain your composure. “You know you’re famous, right?”
“I don’t really care,” he replied nonchalantly.
“I do!” you shot back, meeting his cheeky gaze. “Are you always this much of a headache to your bandmates?”
Ni-ki raised an eyebrow, mock contemplation on his face. “Hmm, let me see if I’m really that silly.”
“My point is, this is a public place!” you insisted, feeling your cheeks warm.
Ni-ki held your hands gently, grounding you as he leaned in closer. “Sorry. Should’ve told you,” he said, his smile disarming.
“Aish,” you sighed, running a hand through your hair. “I’m just your friend. Is it really worth all this trouble to see me?”
Ni-ki straightened up, his expression turning sincere. “I said I want to be closer.”
You looked away, trying to suppress the fluttering in your heart. “You did.”
“I said I want to see you often.”
“Yeah,” you murmured, feeling vulnerable under his gaze.
“Can’t I make that effort?” Ni-ki’s eyes were unwavering, and you felt your resolve weakening.
You stammered, “I—I mean…”
“I just wanted to see you again. Is that so bad?” he asked, sincerity radiating from his every word.
At that moment, you felt the walls you had built around your heart crumbling. You sighed, knowing you couldn’t resist his charm any longer.
“You look cute,” Ni-ki complimented, his gaze warm and inviting.
You blushed fiercely. “You’re... unbearable.”
Ni-ki chuckled, tightening his grip on your hands. “Then learn to bear with me.”
You looked into his eyes, realizing that perhaps this was the beginning of something beautiful.
“Because I won’t be going anywhere.”
hope you like it HEEHEE
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