We Got Married | Dk Masterlist [COMPLETE]

⋆ ˚｡⋆౨ৎ˚ Your Baby Daddy Ain’t a DJ - [Series Intro]

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♥ pairing: lando norris x fem!reader

♥ synopsis: you didn't think twice about the dj you hooked up with until you found out you were pregnant. turns out the man wasn't just some dj but a famous formula 1 driver.

♥ smau + some written - none of the pictures are mine

♥ warnings: swearing !!!

♥ a/n: tbh this specific type of trope is not my preferred cup of tea to write but that one childish gambino lyric I based the title off of was just so lando coded and I couldn't resist lol

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yourusername at least the girls will always have my back

comments are restricted

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"The dad is a dj!?" your mom was completely shocked.

"What the fuck do dj's actually do?" your sister asked.

You covered your face with your hands prompting the two of them to feel even more sympathetic.

"Hey," your sister said, sitting next to you on the couch and putting one of her hands on your shoulder. "It's going to be okay, okay?"

"Mija," your mom joined you two on the cushions. "We will always be there for you."

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liked by yoursister, yourbestfriend, and 14,673 more

yourusername my beautiful daughter camila + her favorite stuffed animal 🤍

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yourbestfriend the prettiest mom

*liked by original poster*

yoursister the plushie needed a shoutout?

yourusername she clutches onto it for dear life

yourbestfriend deer life* 😀

yoursister stop

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end notes: here's the intro/teaser to this little series. I'm so excited to kick it off!

Lost Star | l.jh

Pairing: Producer Woozi x ex-trainee reader

Genre: First Love, Reunion, Second Change

Type: Slow Burn, Angst, Fluff

Word Count: 14k

Summary: Jihoon had lost the star of his heart a long time ago. However, 11 years later, his lost star appears, and his heart never feels more conflicted.

Jihoon counted his steps from his new apartment unit to the convenience store with a slow, measured pace. The clock pointed to four in the afternoon, and all he needed was a single pack of ramen—something simple to soothe his mind. Soonyoung had visited the day before and deliberately left it off Jihoon's grocery list, citing health reasons with a smug grin.

"We're in our thirties now. Let’s eat healthier, Jihoon."

Did Jihoon care? Not really. He’d been going to the gym religiously for years. Ate vegetables and fruits after every meal like some disciplined monk. But sometimes—like today, when his brain felt sluggish and creativity hit a wall—he just wanted to boil a portion of ramen. Let the MSG fill his kitchen, fog up his windows, and trick his dopamine into working again. Sometimes, that salty warmth was all it took to unlock a melody worth recording on his phone.

So now he had to get it himself. Again.

Exposing himself to the daylight wasn’t the worst thing, he figured. One of the reasons he moved to this new neighborhood was because it was closer to the company building. Seungcheol had said the area was peaceful, and Jihoon agreed—at first.

That was before he saw you again.

Before the surreal gut punch of recognizing you behind the counter at the convenience store.

Before the awkward silence that stretched too long between two people who used to dream under the same roof.

He could walk to that store. The one where you worked. Pretend to be just another customer craving the nation’s favorite instant noodles. But his heart wouldn’t let him. Not after that accidental reunion. Not after your eyes widened just a little, then dropped just as quickly. Not after both of you pretended it didn’t happen.

For the past two days, Jihoon had been walking around with this subtle ache in his chest—a kind of guilt he couldn’t explain. Maybe it wasn’t his fault you disappeared, but somehow, the silence that followed still made him feel like an asshole.

Meeting you again was never on his to-do list for the year.

Not after eleven years.

Not after your sudden disappearance during the trainee days—when everything had felt like it was about to begin, and then you were just… gone.

But who would’ve expected you to work there too?

The further convenience store. The one Jihoon deliberately chose to walk to—solely to avoid seeing you again.

“Is it possible to work in two different convenience stores?"

He found himself asking that question to his manager, offhandedly, while they were on the way to a schedule a day after he saw you for the second time that week.

It haunted him.

Not in a horror-movie way, but in that quiet, persistent kind of way that made his chest heavy and his mind foggy. So much so, he’d forgotten how to make music.

He couldn’t even count the hours he’d spent staring blankly at his studio screen, letting beats loop endlessly without direction. Every time he sat down, memories of the trainee days swelled like echoes in the room. His keyboard—usually his safe place—suddenly looked like the old one from the practice room.

And just like that, he’d be back in time. Sitting beside you, both of your fingers grazing the keys, your heads low in shared concentration while chaos unfolded around you—Soonyoung falling over, Seungcheol screaming his puberty out, the usual mess.

“I think it’s possible,” his manager said. “With different shifts, I mean.”

“Why? You thinking of working at a convenience store now?” his manager joked, glancing over while keeping one hand on the wheel.

Jihoon let out a small chuckle.

He had too many zeros in his bank account for that kind of lifestyle—and far too little energy to immerse himself in a brand-new job culture. Honestly, just the idea of small talk with strangers all day made him tired.

“If you were talking to Dino, he might say yes to your suggestion, hyung,” Jihoon replied, resting his head back against the seat.

His manager laughed. “I know, right? But still, it’s the first time I’ve heard you bring up something so... not you. Lee Jihoon, behind a convenience store counter?”

Jihoon grinned, a little more amused than he expected. “Hey, I might be great at it. I was a hard worker during trainee days, remember? You forgot already?”

His manager—one of the oldest on the team, someone who’d seen Jihoon through his fiery teenage years and his stubborn perfectionist era—just let out a warm, knowing laugh.

“Trainee days must’ve been tough, huh?” he said after a beat. “You did well, Jihoon. Seriously. Good job.”

And for a moment, Jihoon didn’t say anything. The corner of his lips twitching up. Compliments always made him awkward—but coming from someone who saw the whole messy journey? It settled differently. Deeper.

“Hyung… do you remember a female trainee named Ji Y/n?”

His manager glanced at him, then nodded. “Of course. She was an ace. Everyone thought she’d debut for sure. But she just... disappeared. I always wondered what happened. Did the company drop her? Did you ever hear anything?”

Jihoon slowly shook his head, eyes shifting toward the road outside. A convenience store passed by in a blur, and for a second, his heart clenched.

“I don’t know,” he murmured. “Everyone asked around back then. It was just the four of us at first—me, Soonyoung, Coups hyung, and her.”

His voice softened at the memory, almost reverent.

Jihoon hadn’t realized it until recently, but somewhere along the way—after he debuted, after the whirlwind of success—he had stopped questioning your disappearance. The noise of the industry had drowned out the ache. He buried it under practice schedules, tour dates, and deadlines.

But the truth was...

Somewhere deep inside his heart, there was still a space carved out for the quiet longing.

A small, unspoken ache that whispered, Where did she go? Is she okay?

And now, after seeing you again—after all these years—he wondered if that ache had never really left.

Maybe you were the ghost that had always haunted him.

*

Back then, small Jihoon didn’t know what to do with himself during his early trainee days. Everything felt overwhelming—the routines, the expectations, the constant pressure to improve. But he was quietly relieved to find comfort in two people: an older boy named Seungcheol, and a same-age friend, Soonyoung. The three of them stuck together, quietly enduring every class, never once daring to complain out loud.

Then one day, a new face entered the frame.

The vocal instructor introduced her as a transfer trainee—someone with experience from a major entertainment company. They were told to learn from her. Study her discipline, her skill, her presence.

And that’s when you, Ji Y/n, walked into the green practice room with an assertive smile painted confidently on your face. Like you had no doubts. Like you already knew your path. Like the stage was already yours.

You glowed.

It wasn’t just your visuals—though Jihoon would admit, even then, you were an eye candy in the middle of their hard, exhausting days. But it was more than that. You had aura. The kind that lit up the room. The kind that made people look up when you passed by.

You shared generously with them—tips, stories, encouragement. You could sing. You could dance. You even rapped with surprising ease. Every evaluation, you impressed the supervisors without fail. And of course, everyone expected no less from someone who had come from a bigger company.

Jihoon remembered watching you from the back of the room, sweaty from practice, trying to hide the envy in his eyes behind admiration.

You were everything he wasn’t yet.

And everything he quietly wished to become.

Jihoon clearly remembered the day you casually mentioned that you were learning how to produce music. You said you’d picked it up from an older trainee at your previous company, brushing it off with a humble smile. “I’m not that good,” you claimed.

But to young Jihoon, Seungcheol, and Soonyoung, you might as well have been a genius. The three of them watched you with stars in their eyes, completely captivated. It was their first time witnessing someone actually create a song—piecing together melodies, layering harmonies, experimenting with beats—and it lit a spark in them. In Jihoon especially, something shifted.

“Did you learn it from G-Dragon of Bigbang?” Soonyoung had asked with innocent curiosity, eyes wide.

Everyone laughed, but Jihoon didn’t forget that moment.

Looking back, he realized—

That was the exact point when he started seeing you as a star.

Jihoon leaned back in his studio chair, eyes fixed on the ceiling as an old song played softly in the background. It was one he had produced years ago—rough around the edges, unfinished, but alive with memories.

He had sent nearly ten messages to Seungcheol earlier, pestering him about whether he still had the old folder filled with their trainee-day demos. And now, with the files finally playing through the speakers, Jihoon felt himself slipping into the past.

None of the tracks were perfect. Far from it. But each one carried a piece of who they were back then—ambitious, reckless, hopeful.

Seungcheol’s voice came in first, mid-puberty and full of effort. His rap stumbled a little, but the fire was there. Jihoon chuckled when he heard the word “Elevation” in one of the lines. How did teenage Seungcheol even know that word? Had he been reading dictionaries between dance classes?

Then came your voice.

Soft. Grounded. Not the kind of high-pitched perfection producers chased today, but something more—something real. There was honesty in your tone, a raw emotion that pulled him in even after all these years.

Jihoon closed his eyes.

Do you still sing like that?

*

Jihoon didn’t see you when he first stepped into the convenience store tonight. The last time he came, it was during the night shift—maybe this time, it wasn’t your turn. A small part of him felt relieved.

He walked through the automatic doors with the simple intention of grabbing another pack of ramen. A soft hum echoed faintly through the aisle, and as he turned the corner, he found the source.

There you were—crouched down, restocking shelves.

You flinched at the sudden awareness of his presence, nearly losing your balance.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you coming,” you said quickly, bowing your head politely before walking away with a full restock basket in hand.

Jihoon parted his lips, wanting to say something—to stop you—but the moment passed too quickly. You were already gone.

He turned his eyes toward the rows of ramen, but his mind had long wandered. The image of you behind the convenience store counter was a stark contrast to the version of you etched into his memories.

You—once the ace trainee, confident and radiant, someone the instructors praised, someone the rest of them watched in awe—now stood beneath flickering fluorescent lights, wearing a clerk’s uniform and scanning barcodes. It was jarring. And it hurt in ways Jihoon couldn’t name.

“What is this?” Soonyoung pointed at the suspiciously large stack of ramen stuffed into one of Jihoon’s kitchen cabinets while he rummaged around for coffee.

With arms crossed and a judgmental stare, he turned toward the living room where Jihoon was sprawled on the couch, eyes glued to his phone as he mindlessly scrolled through the webcomic he’d been hooked on lately.

“What?” Jihoon lifted his head lazily, following Soonyoung’s gaze toward the open cabinet.

“There’s like… fifteen packs of ramen in here. Do you even eat these?” Soonyoung asked, brows furrowed in disbelief.

Jihoon nodded, eyes flicking back to his phone. “I do. Sometimes,” he replied nonchalantly, as if it were the most reasonable thing in the world.

Soonyoung tilted his head with a mix of annoyance and concern. “Didn’t I tell you to stop eating junk? What happened to eating healthy?”

Jihoon let out a soft chuckle, amused. “You sound like a wife.”

Soonyoung scoffed dramatically as he finally located the coffee powder and slammed the cabinet shut. “I’d make a great wife, thank you very much.”

He shot Jihoon a look as if daring him to disagree, but Jihoon just smirked, raising an eyebrow like he agreed—at least a little.

Soonyoung didn’t say anything after that. The kitchen fell into a soft quiet, broken only by the clinking of a spoon stirring coffee. Jihoon stayed on the couch, but his thoughts wandered.

He thought about his new, strange habit—buying a pack of ramen almost every night. Always just one. Never to eat. He let them pile up in the cabinet like forgotten mementos. He never said why. Because he knew the reason. And saying it out loud would make it too real.

“By the way…” Soonyoung broke the silence as he walked over to the couch, settling beside Jihoon with a glass of iced coffee in hand.

“The convenience store a block from here—”

Jihoon’s body tensed. His eyes shot up, and he sat up straighter, alarmed. “Why?” he asked, a little too quickly.

Soonyoung blinked, startled by the sudden reaction. “What’s with you?” he asked, puzzled.

Jihoon quickly shook his head, brushing it off. “Nothing. Just—keep going. What about the store?”

“I was just gonna say…” Soonyoung sipped his coffee, still eyeing Jihoon. “They started selling Kkokkalcorn and Matdongsan again—the ones we used to destroy during trainee days.”

Jihoon let out a soft sigh. The tension left his shoulders as quickly as it had appeared. He leaned back against the couch cushions again, suddenly feeling silly. For a second, he thought Soonyoung had seen you.

“Oh,” he mumbled. “Cool.”

But the tightness in his chest didn’t fully fade. Because while Soonyoung was thinking about snacks, Jihoon was still thinking about you.

*

Jihoon raised his brows in confusion, standing still in front of the cashier counter. You had just slid a small bottle of vitamin drink across to him after he’d paid for what must’ve been his twentieth pack of ramen this month.

“You should start taking care of your health,” you murmured, not quite meeting his eyes.

He blinked. Did you really think he was eating all those ramens? Of course you did. Anyone would.

He took a quiet breath, a little too sharp, and grabbed the vitamin drink. “Thanks,” he mumbled, voice slightly rough as if it had caught on something in his chest.

With that, he turned and walked toward the door. His steps felt heavier than they should, dragging under the fluorescent lights and quiet pop music in the background. The clock behind the register read 2:04 a.m.—his work could wait. That wasn’t why he came tonight anyway.

He stopped just before pushing the door open, something tugging at him.

“You still sing?” he asked, without turning around at first.

When he finally looked back, his eyes met yours.

The question lingered in the air between you—simple, but heavy. Like it had taken him years to ask, and now that he had, everything might shift.

You looked taken aback by his question. “Me?”

Jihoon nodded slowly. “Yeah… do you still sing, Ji Y/n?”

Silence settled between you. Not awkward—just heavy, like the universe paused for a moment to let Jihoon hear himself say it. After nearly a month of seeing you again—glimpses, passing words, late-night convenience store visits—he had finally asked the question that had haunted him more times than he could count.

But you tilted your head slightly, your voice light, accompanied by a soft, teasing smile. “No ‘how are you?’ first?”

Jihoon huffed out a breath, half-laughing at himself, shaking off the embarrassment. Of course, that’s what you’d say. You were always that girl—calm, confident, casually radiant in your own way. You knew how to disarm people without even trying.

Taking a few steps closer, he gave in. “Okay, fine. How are you?”

This time, your smile softened into something real. “I’m great… How about you, Woozi?”

Jihoon’s heart clenched at the nickname. Not in a way that hurt—but in a way that burst something open inside him. Warm. Familiar. Breath-stealing.

Woozi. You were the one who gave him that name.

There was a phase when you grew close to some of the senior artists in the company. They adored Jihoon, calling him in a playful, affectionate tone that never failed to make you laugh during practice.

“Our Jihoon… Our Jihoon…”

“Our Jihoon got the step wrong?”

You’d mimic them with a teasing grin, and the other trainees would burst into laughter. Jihoon, on the other hand, could only lower his head, trying to hide the pink dusting his cheeks. No one needed to know just how much that nickname affected him.

“Uji?” Soonyoung, who had just proudly settled on his stage name ‘Hoshi,’ chirped excitedly, offering the shortened form of Uri Jihoon—Our Jihoon.

Jihoon groaned in frustration, clearly unimpressed. “Please, no.”

The room echoed with laughter, everyone amused by the suggestion—everyone except Jihoon.

But then your voice cut through the noise, calm and certain. “Woozi… sounds more sophisticated, right?”

Jihoon turned his head, catching the gleam in your eyes. You were seated cross-legged on the studio floor, marker cap between your fingers, looking at him like he was something more than just another trainee. Like you saw something already formed within him.

Without waiting for approval, you stood up, walked to the whiteboard, and uncapped the marker. With neat, confident strokes, you wrote the name.

Woozi.

Jihoon took a deep breath, his gaze dropping to the slippers on his feet before slowly lifting back to where you stood behind the counter.

"I'm..." he started, arms falling open at his sides as if gesturing to his entire self—his tired eyes, messy hair, and the bag of ramen crinkling in his hand.

You let out a soft laugh at his little gesture.

"I'm still the same," he said with a shrug and a small, helpless smile.

He saw you glance down, a chuckle slipping from your lips as you bit back a smile, covering it with your hand. "That’s great," you said, voice warm, eyes flickering up to meet his.

Then you tilted your head, teasing lightly, "So... does ramen help with your music now or something?"

Jihoon exhaled sharply through his nose, shaking his head. "It’s not the ramen," he murmured, and something in his tone hinted that there was more to the story.

A gentle silence settled between the two of you, stretching just long enough for both your hearts to beat twice. Then Jihoon spoke again, voice quieter this time.

"I'm glad you're okay."

You nodded slowly, a small but genuine smile tugging at your lips. "Me too."

The soft chime of the door interrupted the moment as a new customer entered. You turned immediately to greet them, your professional smile slipping into place as you lifted your restocking basket again and headed toward the drink section.

Jihoon lingered for a second longer, watching your back before finally stepping out into the night—with a heart that, for the first time in a long while, felt a little lighter.

*

How could someone be this chronically offline?

Okay, Jihoon was, too—kind of. But not like this. He had social media, even if he barely posted, and his company profile existed with at least a few photos and a bio. But you? You were a complete digital ghost.

No record. No trace. No tagged photos, no mutuals, nothing.

Were you using a different name now? A secret username?

He rubbed his temples in frustration, eyes scanning the last of the open tabs before giving up.

Jihoon sighed heavily and dropped his head beside the keyboard, forehead grazing the cool surface of his desk.

He'd started to question if you were even real—or some elaborate figment from his overworked, nostalgic brain.

"Is she a ghost?" he muttered, his voice half annoyed, half amused, as he sat back up and began closing one social media tab after another.

Click. Click. Click.

With five tabs gone and zero results to show for it, Jihoon finally leaned back in his chair and returned to his work—though your absence lingered louder than any background noise.

The next day, Jihoon invited Hansol to his studio, letting him be the first to hear the song he had worked on the night before.

“It’s not perfect—it’s still raw,” Jihoon said, his voice quiet but edged with anticipation as he clicked the play button.

The room filled with the soft rise of synths, layered with ambient textures that pulsed gently through the speakers. Hansol raised his brows in surprise, the corners of his mouth twitching into an impressed smile. He began nodding along, fingers tapping rhythmically on the armrest of the chair.

“This is... very different from your usual stuff,” Hansol said, glancing over with interest.

Jihoon nodded slowly, already aware. He leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, eyes focused on the screen even though he wasn’t really looking at anything.

“Yeah,” he murmured, “I know.”

Hansol chuckled once the song faded out. “Last month you said you lost your sense. What’s this then?” he asked, amusement flickering in his tone.

Jihoon let out a laugh, leaning back in his chair. “Maybe moving out sparked something. Change of scenery might’ve rebooted my creativity.”

Hansol pointed a finger at him knowingly. “Exactly! So, how’s the new house?”

“It’s great. Bigger space, definitely more comfortable for me. The cats are still going crazy trying to adapt, though.” Jihoon smiled faintly, eyes softening at the thought. “But I feel at ease. Finally.”

Hansol nodded, genuinely listening. “I figured as much. I was worried about you, hyung. Even Coups-hyung mentioned you asked the staff for old pre-debut folders. I thought, ‘Oh no, Jihoon’s really at his breaking point.’”

Jihoon chuckled, clearly entertained by Hansol’s concern. “Nah, not yet. I’m grateful it hasn’t hit the limit.”

“Good,” Hansol said, leaning back in relief. “Because if you go down, we all go down.”

Jihoon smirked. “Then I better stay afloat, huh?”

A heavy silence settled between them, stretching long enough to feel intentional. Jihoon tapped his fingers lightly against his knee before finally speaking, his voice low.

“Do you remember that one female trainee who just disappeared one day?”

Hansol’s expression shifted instantly. “Of course,” he said without hesitation. “She was in the debut line. Y/n, right?”

Jihoon nodded slowly, eyes drifting toward the studio wall. “Yeah… I ran into her recently.”

Hansol straightened a little. “Seriously? Where?”

“At a convenience store,” Jihoon replied, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “She works there now.”

Hansol looked genuinely surprised, his brows lifted. “Wow. That’s... unexpected.”

Jihoon didn’t answer right away. His gaze dropped to the floor, lips pressed together. “She looks the same,” he said softly. “But there’s something different too. I don’t know... It messed with my head a bit.”

Hansol tilted his head. “You talked to her?”

“A little. Nothing deep.” Jihoon rubbed the back of his neck. “But just seeing her again... it brought back more than I thought it would.”

Hansol leaned back in the chair, a nostalgic smile spreading across his face. “She was pretty much a celebrity back then.”

Jihoon gave a small scoff, the corner of his mouth lifting. “Yeah… everyone knew her name. Even the vocal trainers talked about how fast she picked things up.”

“She had that vibe, you know? Confident. Chill. Like she didn’t need to try too hard,” Hansol added, his voice tinged with fondness.

Jihoon hummed in agreement, eyes lost in some far-off thought. “Yeah... she always felt like she was meant for something big.”

Hansol glanced at him. “So what happened? Did she say why she left?”

Jihoon hesitated, then shook his head. “No. I didn’t ask.” A beat passed. “And I don’t think she’d tell me, even if I did.”

Hansol didn’t push further. Jihoon’s voice had softened into something almost unreadable.

There were things Jihoon wasn’t saying. And maybe he wasn’t ready to.

Not yet.

*

Jihoon sat at the small table in front of the convenience store, phone in hand, aimlessly scrolling as he waited for your shift to end. Earlier, he had walked into the store with all the courage he'd gathered since stepping out of his apartment. He needed you to hear the song. The thought had been haunting him for days, and tonight, he was being braver than he’d ever been.

“When does your shift end?” Jihoon asked, setting a bottle of Zero Coke on the counter.

“In twenty,” you replied, a little caught off guard by his sudden visit.

Jihoon simply nodded, paid with his phone, and grabbed the drink. “Okay. I’ll wait for you,” he said casually before turning on his heel and walking out, not giving you time to respond. He didn’t dare look back. He was too nervous to care how confused you looked.

Now, he watched from the table as you reappeared, changed out of your uniform and ready to go. You walked over holding another vitamin drink, setting it in front of him as you sat across the table.

Jihoon chuckled at the sight. “I don’t have those unhealthy habits anymore, Y/n.”

“So you eat your vegetables now?” you teased.

Jihoon laughed, the sound light and genuine. “I’m not that hopeless.”

You leaned back slightly, eyeing him curiously. “So what is this, Jihoon? What do you want from me?”

He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he pulled out his earphones and plugged them into his phone. “You know I don’t do small talk,” he muttered, handing you one of the earbuds. “I want you to hear something. It’s rough, the lyrics are still nonsense, but… I want your opinion.”

You raised an eyebrow. “My opinion? You’re the one making a living writing songs, Jihoon.”

He scoffed, shaking his head. “Just listen first.”

“This isn’t your style,” you said once the song ended. Your voice was calm, almost casual, but there was a trace of something else—familiarity. Like you knew his sound, like you’d been paying attention all along. And something inside Jihoon stirred with quiet hope.

He nodded slowly. “It’s not. It’s yours.”

You let out a soft chuckle, shaking your head. “I don’t have a style, Jihoon.”

Without saying anything, Jihoon opened his phone and pulled up a SoundCloud profile. He turned the screen toward you. “This is you, right?”

There it was—your old stage name as the username, your song watermark sitting in the bio like a timestamp from a past life.

Your eyes widened. “You looked for that?” you asked, half laughing in disbelief. “You’re crazy.”

Jihoon shrugged, a small smirk playing on his lips. “Maybe. But it was the only place I could still hear your voice.”

You stared at the screen for a second longer before looking up at him. “So… what’s your intention with all this, Jihoon?”

He didn’t answer right away. His eyes dropped to the bottle of zero coke in his hand, thumb running absentmindedly along the rim. Then he looked at you, fully, like he was trying to read something in your face before saying it.

“I want you to sing it,” he said quietly. “For the demo.”

You blinked. “What?”

Jihoon took a deep breath. “I wrote it with your voice in my head. I don’t know why, but I kept hearing you. Not just any vocal—it had to be you.”

You looked away, biting the inside of your cheek. “Jihoon… it’s been years.”

“I know.”

“I haven’t even sung properly in—”

“I know,” he interrupted gently. “I just… I couldn’t let this one go. I need your voice to bring it to life. Even if it's just a demo.”

His voice was calm, but you could tell it was costing him everything to stay that way.

You looked at him again, brows slightly furrowed. “And after that?”

Jihoon hesitated. “I haven’t thought that far ahead.”

A quiet laugh escaped you, more out of nerves than amusement. “That’s very unlike you.”

“I know,” he repeated, softer this time. “But this… this just felt right.”

You looked at him for a long moment, the weight of shared history hanging between you.

Then your gaze dropped to your hands, fingers brushing against the condensation on your drink bottle. “I don’t know if I can, Jihoon.”

He tilted his head, watching you quietly. “Why not?”

You took a breath, but the words felt heavier than you expected. “Because music… it used to mean something different to me. It was everything, and then it wasn’t. And now, I don’t know what it is. I don’t know what I am with it.”

Jihoon didn’t interrupt. He waited, the silence around you stretching like a safety net rather than pressure.

You forced a laugh, more bitter than you intended. “You said you heard my voice, but I haven’t even let myself sing in years. I don’t know if I even like how I sound anymore. What if I’ve forgotten how to feel it?”

Jihoon leaned back, resting his arms on the table. “Then let’s just try. Not as a job. Not for the industry. Just you and me, like we used to.” His eyes softened. “You don’t have to be who you were. You just have to be honest.”

You let out a shaky breath, your fingers now picking at the edge of the label on your drink. “It’s complicated. You don’t understand, Jihoon.”

*

You stared at the old blue mp3 player Jihoon had left for you. Not a file sent through a messaging app, not an email attachment—just this little, scratched device loaded with his new demo. A relic of the past, almost stubborn in its simplicity. Holding it felt like touching a memory, one that pulled you back to a time when everything was filled with laughter and reckless dreams. No tears of regret, just passion.

With a quiet sigh, you set the mp3 player on the chipped table in your cramped studio apartment and shuffled toward the tiny kitchenette. The kettle’s hum filled the silence as you reached for another cup of instant noodles. You had lost count of how many you’d eaten this week. But counting anything had become pointless long ago—especially the years since your parents died.

You were eighteen. It was just another exhausting training day when the manager called you out of the practice room, his expression uncharacteristically somber. He told you, in a voice that tried to sound steady, that your parents had been in a car accident. Out of town. Fatal.

Shock was too small a word. You didn’t know what to feel, didn’t know how to react. You hadn’t been close with them—not in the way families in dramas were. No warm hugs, no heartfelt talks. Just the distant, dutiful exchanges of a family that functioned but never flourished.

Your uncle and aunt arrived in Seoul a day later, somber and silent. They promised to take you home to South Jeolla—promised you would return soon, that you could continue chasing your dream. But those promises were lies, whispered only to keep you from protesting.

Seoul faded into the rearview mirror, and so did your dream. What was once a life bursting with dance practices, vocal lessons, and late-night laughter with your trainee friends turned into the quiet humdrum of rural life. The city lights you once knew blurred into distant memories, and the path you’d so fiercely pursued buried itself with your parents.

You sought help from the company, but by then, everyone already knew. Knew your parents were gone, knew your uncle had taken over their business, and knew he’d cut off the funds your father used to send every month. Sympathy turned into avoidance. Promises of support dissolved into awkward silences. No one listened. No one reached out.

And so you were alone—alone with a dream that withered before it could bloom.

You didn’t finish school. Never went to college. No work experience worth mentioning. Your uncle’s family kept the business for themselves, never offering you a share, never once asking what you planned to do with your life.

"Life is so full," you muttered as you settled back at the table, snapping your chopsticks apart before stirring the steaming noodles. The warmth touched your lips, a poor but familiar comfort—the only warmth you’d felt in a long time.

"Full of shit." Your gaze drifted back to the mp3 player.

There was no way Jihoon was serious about wanting to hear you sing again. Not after everything. Not when you’d buried that part of yourself so deeply, you almost forgot it was ever real.

*

You went to Seoul without anyone knowing a year after Seventeen debuted. Covered from head to toe, you slipped into a crowded broadcasting show, watching them perform with the same intensity as always—driven, passionate, like nothing had changed. But for you, everything had.

As if fate couldn’t resist irony, you bumped into an old manager. His eyes widened, recognition breaking through his initial shock.

"Y/n?" he whispered, his voice tight, as though saying your name might summon a ghost.

You stood still, hands shoved deep in your pockets, your expression unreadable. "I heard the girls are debuting," you said simply, ignoring his question.

He glanced around nervously before grabbing your arm, pulling you aside. "You shouldn’t be here. The vice president is here."

"Can I talk to him?"

"What are you thinking? You can’t just disappear and then show up expecting to talk to him."

"Disappear? I didn’t disappear. Everyone knows what happened to me. They knew, and no one looked for me."

You found yourself humming to the demo Jihoon handed you. Your hand paused mid-motion, a soda can hovering just above the fridge shelf. You had listened to it, finally—maybe not much, or so you told yourself. But you listened until you fell asleep. And now, without even realizing it, you’d been humming it all day. The melody lingered, familiar and strange, wrapped in the warmth of guitar riffs and a band sound Jihoon rarely touched before.

Later, you caught yourself typing sentences into your phone’s notes. Drafting lyrics, deleting one word only to replace it with another, trying to fit them against a melody that seemed to cling to your thoughts. You were even considering a theme—the song didn’t even have one yet. What were you doing?

Jihoon stepped into the convenience store, the familiar chime signaling his entrance. He glanced toward the counter, but you weren’t there. Instead, faintly, from the back room, he heard it—a soft, almost tentative melody.

His brows knit together as he moved closer, ears straining to catch the sound. It was his song. And it wasn’t just playing—it was being sung.

He paused by the door to the storage room, not daring to move any closer. Your voice, clear and a little rough around the edges, wove through the notes with an effortless familiarity. You were humming the melody, occasionally mumbling words that you hadn’t quite settled on yet, but the sound was unmistakably yours.

Jihoon didn’t breathe for a moment, his chest tight. You didn’t even notice him, too caught up in the rhythm, stocking shelves while lost in the music.

A smile broke out on his face, small but undeniable. He hadn’t heard you sing in years, not since back when everything was simpler, when music didn’t feel like a burden.

Suddenly, you spun around, a soda can still in your hand, and froze. Your eyes widened, caught mid-hum, and Jihoon had to bite back a laugh at how startled you looked.

“Oh,” you managed, your voice betraying both surprise and a hint of embarrassment. “I didn’t hear you come in.”

Jihoon leaned against the doorframe, his smile soft but genuine. “I didn’t mean to interrupt,” he said, his tone low and careful. “You sounded... really good.”

You looked down, feeling heat rise to your cheeks. “It’s just—just stuck in my head,” you muttered, trying to sound nonchalant as you resumed stacking the cans.

Jihoon hesitated, unsure if he should push or let it go. But the chance felt too precious to pass up. “That’s a good sign, right?” he asked, stepping further into the room. “Means it’s catchy.”

You shrugged, still not meeting his gaze. “Maybe.”

Jihoon shifted his weight, trying to keep his voice casual. “Were you… coming up with lyrics earlier?”

You froze for a fraction of a second, fingers hovering over the last soda can. “Maybe.”

“Do I get to hear them?” he asked, his tone light but his eyes a little too hopeful.

You straightened, closing the fridge door with a soft thud. “No.”

He blinked, surprised by your bluntness, but there was no sting—just a quiet laugh. “Why not?”

“Because they’re not ready. They’re just… thoughts,” you muttered, crossing your arms, feeling defensive even though he hadn’t done anything. “They might not even make sense.”

Jihoon nodded slowly, stepping back slightly to give you space. “Okay. No pressure.”

But that only made you feel worse. You leaned against the wall, letting out a heavy sigh. “It’s just… I don’t even know what I’m doing, Jihoon.”

“Writing lyrics, apparently,” he teased, but his voice was gentle.

You glanced at him, and the earnest look on his face melted away some of your frustration. “The theme… it’s about being there for someone. Like… promising to be there, even when they think they’re alone.”

Jihoon’s smile faded, replaced by a quiet understanding. He stepped closer, close enough that you could feel the warmth of his presence. “That’s… powerful,” he murmured. “It’s honest.”

You bit your lip, hesitating again. “I don’t know if it’s any good.”

“I want to hear it,” he said, voice unwavering. “Even if it’s just a draft.”

You stared at him, searching for any sign of pity or insincerity. But Jihoon was just there, waiting—patient, unwavering.

Finally, with a sigh, you pulled out your phone, scrolling to the notes app. “Fine, but if you laugh—”

“I won’t,” he promised.

You stepped closer, handing him the phone. Jihoon’s eyes scanned the words, his expression shifting subtly as he read. His fingers lightly brushed the edge of your phone, his lips moving soundlessly along with the lyrics.

Seconds stretched into a minute. Then another.

When he finally looked up, his eyes were a little brighter, his voice softer. “Y/n… this is beautiful.”

You swallowed, feeling your chest tighten. “You really think so?”

“I know so,” Jihoon whispered. “It’s… it’s everything I wanted the song to say but didn’t know how.”

You looked away, a shy smile tugging at your lips. “Well… now you do.”

He chuckled, the sound light and almost relieved. “Now I do.”

And for a moment, standing there in the quiet hum of the storage room, it felt like you were back in a place where music was more than just sound—where it was a language, something only you and Jihoon could speak.

*

You sat on the leather couch in a studio, fingers twisted together, watching Jihoon work in his element. He hadn’t said much since you both arrived—just a few clicks of his mouse, a quiet hum under his breath, and the soft glow of the monitor lighting his focused face.

Your gaze wandered, from the cables snaking across the floor to the soft, ambient lights lining the room. You tried to keep your breathing steady, but you could feel the nerves crawling up your spine, your thumb unconsciously tracing the edge of your phone.

Jihoon hadn’t turned around, but you knew he sensed it. Maybe it was the way you shifted on the couch, or how your voice had gone quieter since you both stepped inside.

He paused, fingers hovering over the keyboard. “Do you want some water?” he asked, not even turning, voice calm but carrying a gentleness that tugged at you.

You almost laughed. “Am I that obvious?”

A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “A little.”

Silence settled again, but it was softer this time. He adjusted the volume of a track, listened, then leaned back in his chair.

“Y/n,” he said suddenly, and you straightened slightly. “Just sit there. You don’t have to do anything else.”

“I know,” you whispered, but the words felt thin against the weight in your chest.

He leaned his head back, finally meeting your eyes. “I brought you here because I want you to feel it again. Not because I expect you to perform.”

You swallowed, nodding, but you didn’t trust your voice.

“Besides,” he added with a gentle laugh, “I need you here. You have better taste in lyrics than me, remember?”

The tension in your shoulders eased, just a little. “You used to hate it when I nitpicked your lines.”

“Maybe I did. Or maybe I just hated that you were right most of the time.”

You smiled, leaning back into the couch, your fingers finally relaxing.

Jihoon turned back to his screen, but not before you caught the faintest look of relief in his expression. He wasn’t just working—he was making space for you, creating an atmosphere that felt safe, unhurried.

“Wanna try it?” Jihoon asked, casually, but his gaze was attentive.

Your heart skipped. “Sing it?”

He nodded, not pushing but not letting you hide either. “Just try. No pressure.”

You leaned back, taking a deep breath. “Okay… just… play the track.”

Jihoon adjusted a few settings, and soon the familiar sound of the demo filled the room. The gentle guitar strums, the soft beat—familiar yet new, warm and inviting.

You inhaled sharply, your fingers curling around the edge of the couch. And then, with a voice that felt shaky at first but gradually steadied, you began.

“Come stop your crying, it will be alright…

Just take my hand, hold it tight…”

Your voice wavered, but you pushed on. Jihoon’s eyes remained on the screen, but you could see the subtle way his head nodded, following your rhythm.

“I will protect you from all around you…

I will be here, don’t you cry…”

Jihoon made a few adjustments, lowering the instrumentals slightly, letting your voice shine just a bit more.

“For one so small, you seem so strong…

My arms will hold you, keep you safe and warm…”

The nerves twisted inside you, but the words carried you. They weren’t just lyrics—they felt like a promise, a warmth you had missed, a memory that still lingered.

Jihoon’s hand reached out, his index finger tapping a small rhythm on the desk, a silent gesture of encouragement.

“This bond between us can’t be broken…

I will be here, don’t you cry…”

As you reached the final line, your voice softened, but it didn’t shake. It flowed.

“You’ll be in my heart…

Yes, you’ll be in my heart…

From this day on, now and forevermore…”

Silence followed, the track fading into nothingness. You barely realized you were gripping the edge of the couch until you felt the tension in your fingers.

Jihoon turned, a soft, almost amazed smile spreading across his face. “You’re still incredible.”

You looked away, feeling your cheeks warm. “It’s… it’s just a draft.”

“A beautiful one,” he corrected. “And your voice… it’s still there, Y/n. Stronger than you think.”

You bit your lip, a small laugh escaping. “I was terrified.”

“And yet, you sang like that.” He leaned back in his chair, his smile growing. “You wanna try another take? Just to warm up more?”

You met his eyes, a quiet spark of excitement finally breaking through your nerves. “Yeah… I’d like that.”

Jihoon leaned back in his chair, the soft glow of the studio lights casting a warm hue over his face. He was quiet for a moment, his fingers tapping lightly against the armrest, eyes still on you. You expected another round of feedback, another subtle correction. But instead, he smiled—a slow, thoughtful smile.

“I think we should release it.”

You blinked. “Release? Like… as in, actually put it out there?”

“Yeah,” he nodded, leaning forward, his hands resting on his knees. “We could release it as an indie song. No heavy promotion, just… something real. Something raw.”

“Jihoon, I haven’t sung in years,” you whispered, your fingers instinctively curling into your sleeves. “I mean… this was just—”

“Beautiful,” he interrupted, his voice gentle but firm. “This was beautiful. Your voice, the lyrics… it’s all there.”

Your lips parted, a hundred protests dancing on the tip of your tongue. The fear, the anxiety, the echo of all those years wasted, the bitterness of dreams abandoned—they all screamed at you. But beneath them was something else, something softer and far more dangerous.

Hope.

“What if…” you hesitated, your gaze falling to the polished floor, “what if no one listens?”

“Then it’s just a song we made,” Jihoon said easily, his voice calming. “But if someone does… if it reaches even one person, then it’s worth it.”

Your gaze met his, and you saw nothing but sincerity in his eyes. No judgment, no pity—just that quiet, unwavering faith Jihoon always seemed to carry.

“But… it’s just a draft. It’s not perfect.”

“Then we’ll perfect it. We’ll record a proper take, polish the instrumentals, mix it right.” His voice grew animated, that spark of creative energy you knew so well lighting up his expression. “It can just be under a simple artist name—no big reveal, no pressure.”

You bit your lip, a nervous laugh escaping. “I don’t even know what name I’d use.”

“Then we can come up with one.” Jihoon’s grin widened, his excitement infectious. “Or we can just go with something simple. Y/n. Nothing to hide.”

Something in your chest tightened at that—your name, out there again, but this time without the weight of forced expectations or shattered dreams. Just you.

“You’re serious,” you whispered, a hint of awe slipping into your tone.

“I am.” He leaned forward again, his voice softer now. “You deserve to be heard, Y/n. Even if it’s just this one song. Even if it’s just this one moment.”

Your throat tightened, and you looked away, blinking quickly. You didn’t want to cry—not now, not in front of him. But you couldn’t stop the smile that spread slowly across your face.

“Then… let’s do it,” you whispered, barely trusting your own voice.

Jihoon’s smile softened, relief and pride mingling in his expression. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.” You let out a shaky laugh. “Let’s do it.”

*

The song was out—and it was a hit. More than just a quiet indie release, it spread like wildfire, carried by word of mouth and algorithmic whispers. People were captivated by the raw emotion in your voice, the honest lyrics, and the gentle but powerful production. It didn’t take long for listeners to notice the signature touch in the arrangement. Soon, word got out: Woozi of Seventeen had produced it.

Suddenly, you were no longer just a voice behind an anonymous track. Labels started reaching out, messages flooding your inbox with offers and promises. It was overwhelming, surreal.

Jihoon was there, calm and steady as always, sifting through the chaos with you. He recommended a label—one he trusted, one that would nurture your talent without forcing you into a mold. And you listened, handing in your resignation at the convenience store without a second thought.

Your world changed. You went from late-night shifts stocking soda cans to late-night sessions in recording studios. The label signed you, and they were careful, letting you be yourself, preserving the authenticity that made your first song a success.

And now, here you were, standing under the stage lights of a bustling university festival. A gentle breeze rustled your hair, the warm glow of the sunset casting an amber hue over the crowd. You sat with a guitar in your lap, the mic waiting. Nervous? Absolutely. But the moment your fingers found the strings, a familiar calm washed over you.

You played Jihoon’s song—no, your song. Your voice carried over the crowd, clear and heartfelt. People swayed, some holding up their phones, and you lost yourself in the music.

In the audience, Jihoon stood beside Hansol, his cap pulled low but not low enough to hide the proud smile tugging at his lips. His gaze never left you, watching every strum, every note you sang.

Hansol leaned over, his hands in his pockets, his voice a mix of honesty and admiration. “I thought you were going to give this song to Dokyeom hyung.”

“I was about to, for his solo.” Jihoon’s eyes softened, a quiet sense of satisfaction settling in. “But this song found its owner first.”

Hansol chuckled, his gaze shifting back to you. “I guess it did.”

Jihoon didn’t reply, but his heart swelled with pride, watching you command the stage with a quiet, soulful power he always knew you had. And he couldn’t help but feel like this was just the beginning—your beginning.

*

“I don’t know if you’re the type who likes staring at the stars.” Your voice teased Jihoon, a soft laugh lacing your words as both of you lay side by side on the rooftop of his place, the summer night sky stretching endlessly above. A gentle breeze rustled, carrying the scent of warm grass and distant city lights.

Jihoon had picked you up from a performance at a local music festival, a quiet but thoughtful way of celebrating the first anniversary of your debut. The night air felt cooler up here, the world below seeming a distant hum.

“I always enjoy nature,” Jihoon muttered, a hint of mock annoyance in his voice. “Wonwoo’s not the only one who’s romantic in our group.” But his expression betrayed him, a playful grin spreading as he turned to see you laughing.

“You sure? Because he sets the bar pretty high.”

Jihoon’s grin softened, his gaze wandering back to the stars. For a moment, a comfortable silence wrapped around you, the kind that didn’t demand to be filled.

“How do you feel?” he asked, his voice a touch quieter.

“About what?”

“Everything.”

“Surreal.” You breathed out, the word slipping past your lips like a confession. Your fingers traced idle patterns on the cool rooftop surface, searching for words that didn’t feel cliché. “I don’t know, honestly. Everything was hard—very hard. I was just... surviving. Then suddenly, I woke up one day, and I was on stage, singing. Living my dream.”

Jihoon listened, his gaze steady, his silence an invitation for you to continue.

“But sometimes, it still feels like a dream I might wake up from. Like I’m just waiting for someone to tap my shoulder and tell me it’s over.”

“Then why did you stop?” Jihoon’s question was gentle, but it hit deeper than you expected.

You hesitated, watching a faint cloud drift across the stars. “Because it felt like the world I knew crumbled overnight. Everything I thought I’d always have just… disappeared. I thought my dream went with it.”

Silence settled between you two, the gentle rustle of the summer breeze the only sound. Jihoon’s gaze remained on the stars, but his focus was entirely on you.

“What happened back then?” he finally asked, his voice cautious, almost hesitant.

You didn’t answer immediately, your fingers nervously tracing the rough texture of the rooftop. “It was… well, you know, my parents died in an accident. The business went to my uncle, and they kept me there. I was… stuck. And the company didn’t reach out either.”

Jihoon turned his head slightly, concern darkening his eyes. “I… I didn’t know that.”

“Yeah.” You tried to keep your voice steady, but a hint of bitterness slipped through. “I don’t know what the company told everyone, but once my uncle stopped funding them—the monthly support my father used to send—suddenly, I didn’t exist to them anymore. I wasn’t even a memory.”

Jihoon’s brows furrowed, his expression a mix of anger and sadness. “That’s… that’s awful.”

“It was.” You laughed, but there was no humor in it. “Being forgotten hurts more than losing everything else.”

You took a deep breath, letting the summer air fill your lungs before exhaling slowly. “Thank you, Jihoon.”

His gaze shifted to you, confusion flickering in his eyes. “For what?”

“For everything.” Your voice was softer now, carrying a weight you hadn’t meant to show. “There was a time when it felt like everyone had forgotten me. My family, the company… even the dream I once had. But you… you didn’t.”

Jihoon’s lips parted, but no words came out immediately. His fingers fidgeted slightly, a nervous habit you had come to recognize.

“I didn’t do much,” he finally murmured. “I just… I just gave you a song.”

“That’s more than enough.” A gentle smile tugged at your lips. “It wasn’t just a song, Jihoon. It was a reminder that I could still be someone. That I could still do something I love. And you listened. When no one else did.”

He looked away, staring back at the stars as if they had suddenly become the most interesting thing in the world. “You’re giving me too much credit.”

“Maybe.” You leaned a bit closer, your shoulder brushing against his. “But I’d rather give it to you than let myself think I did this all alone.”

A quiet chuckle slipped from him, a hint of warmth returning to his voice. “Well, I guess I can accept that. Just don’t forget that I’m still your producer. I’m allowed to be bossy.”

You laughed, a genuine, lighthearted sound that seemed to lift the weight from your chest. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

*

Jihoon leaned back in his chair, his gaze shifting between the scattered lyric sheets on the table and the two figures beside him. You were seated cross-legged on the couch, your phone in one hand as you scribbled words onto a notebook with the other. Seungcheol sat beside you, far too close for Jihoon’s liking, his shoulder pressing against yours as he leaned over, peering at your notes.

“Are you sure that line flows well?” Seungcheol asked, his voice a low murmur close to your ear, his hand resting casually on the back of the couch—dangerously close to your shoulder.

You smiled, brushing a strand of hair behind your ear. “I think it captures the feeling. But I’m open to suggestions.”

“Here,” Seungcheol’s fingers lightly grazed your wrist as he reached for your pen. “What if you say—”

Jihoon’s jaw tightened, and he reached over, pulling his keyboard closer with a faint, intentional clatter. “Let’s focus on the melody first. No point in perfecting lyrics we can’t fit to the music.”

You glanced up at him, your expression caught between amusement and gratitude, while Seungcheol just laughed, leaning back but making no move to create more distance.

“Of course, Producer-nim,” Seungcheol teased, though his tone was light. “I’ll leave the melody to the master.”

Jihoon’s fingers danced over the keys, the soft piano notes filling the room. But even as he worked, his eyes would occasionally dart back to you and Seungcheol. He saw the way Seungcheol would lean in, his hand sometimes brushing against yours, his quiet chuckles always a little too close. And you… you seemed oblivious, focused on your lyrics, nodding at his ideas, but never quite leaning back into his touch.

Still, it was enough to gnaw at Jihoon.

“I think this transition needs more impact,” he finally said, a little louder than necessary, his gaze meeting yours. “Y/n, try humming it with me?”

You perked up, nodding. “Sure.”

You moved slightly forward, leaving Seungcheol’s side as you walked over to Jihoon’s setup. He adjusted the mic stand for you, his hands lingering for a second, his voice softer now. “Just follow my lead.”

The melody played, and you hummed along, your voice blending seamlessly with his instrumental. As you sang, Jihoon’s tense shoulders seemed to ease, and the faint hint of a smile played at his lips.

Seungcheol watched, a knowing smirk crossing his face as he leaned back against the couch. “Wow, Producer-nim really knows how to bring out the best in his artists.”

Jihoon’s fingers paused on the keys, his gaze flicking to Seungcheol. “That’s the job.”

But beneath the calm expression, his focus never strayed from you.

The door clicked shut behind you, leaving a quiet stillness in the studio. Jihoon leaned back in his chair, exhaling as his fingers tapped rhythmically against his armrest. He began to tidy up the lyric sheets scattered around, but his calm didn’t last long.

“You know, I should start charging for my acting,” Seungcheol's voice cut through the silence, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. “I mean, watching you go all stiff with jealousy was worth every second.”

Jihoon’s eyes shot up, narrowing. “What are you talking about?”

“Oh, please,” Seungcheol laughed, casually leaning against the back of the couch. “The way you practically glared holes through me every time I leaned close to Y/n? The piano smashing was a nice touch too.”

“I wasn’t glaring,” Jihoon grumbled, shuffling the lyric sheets with unnecessary force. “I was focused on the work.”

“Sure. Because ‘Let’s focus on the melody’ wasn’t you screaming ‘Back off’ in music producer language.”

Jihoon’s cheeks tinted the faintest shade of pink, and he spun his chair around, refusing to face Seungcheol. “You were the one being unnecessarily touchy. That’s a cheap move, hyung.”

“Cheap but effective,” Seungcheol sang, walking over to Jihoon’s desk. “I just wanted to see how far you’d go. Honestly, I thought you were going to throw that keyboard at me.”

“I considered it,” Jihoon muttered, his grip tightening around the edge of his desk. “Don’t push it.”

Seungcheol chuckled, leaning closer. “You should just tell her, you know. You’ve already done the hard part—writing with her, watching her grow, supporting her in the background. The only thing left is saying it.”

Jihoon’s shoulders tensed, and for a moment, his eyes softened. “She… has a lot going on. And I’m…”

“A coward?”

Seungcheol had known about Jihoon's little crush on you since predebut. It wasn't anything Jihoon ever said—it was everything he didn’t. The way his eyes would follow you just a moment longer than anyone else, how his usually stoic expression softened whenever you spoke, and how his rare laughter seemed to come easily whenever you made a joke. Jihoon never talked much, but when it was with you, his words seemed to flow a little easier.

But Seungcheol had kept quiet, just observing, thinking it was just a passing crush. After all, they were all young, chasing dreams, busy with practices, and dealing with the pressure of a debut that seemed just out of reach. Feelings were bound to get tangled.

It wasn’t until years later, when he heard Jihoon was producing a song for you—your first song, the one that became a hit—that Seungcheol realized it wasn’t just a crush. Jihoon didn’t just work on your song; he poured himself into it, perfecting every note, making sure the melody brought out the best in your voice. It wasn’t just a project to him.

So, one night, when the two of them were alone in the studio, Seungcheol leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, watching Jihoon fine-tune your track for the hundredth time. The younger one didn't even notice him at first, too lost in his world.

“You like Y/n, don’t you?” Seungcheol finally asked, his voice calm but direct.

Jihoon’s fingers stilled over the keyboard, a faint hesitation hanging in the air. He didn’t turn around. “What are you talking about?”

“Oh, come on,” Seungcheol chuckled, pushing off the doorway and walking in. “Don’t pretend. I’ve seen how you look at her. I saw it back then, and I see it now.”

Silence. Jihoon’s shoulders seemed to tense slightly, and then he exhaled, leaning back in his chair. “It doesn’t matter.”

“Doesn’t matter?” Seungcheol frowned, taking a seat on the couch. “You’re making her first song. You’re working harder on it than any other track you’ve touched lately. If that’s not a confession in itself, I don’t know what is.”

“She deserves something good. Something that works,” Jihoon mumbled, his fingers fidgeting with a pen.

“Yeah, because she’s talented. But for you? It’s more than that.”

Jihoon finally turned to Seungcheol, his expression unreadable. “What if it’s pointless? What if she doesn’t see me that way?”

Seungcheol leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “You won’t know unless you try. And you know Y/n. She’s not the type to run away from something honest.”

Jihoon’s gaze dropped to the floor, the faintest trace of a smile ghosting his lips. “I don’t even know where to start.”

“Well, maybe not by glaring at me every time I joke with her,” Seungcheol teased, lightening the mood.

Jihoon rolled his eyes, but there was a warmth in his expression now. “Maybe I’ll throw the guitar at you next time.”

“Sure, sure. But just so you know, if you keep pretending you don’t care, someone else might show up and make her fall for them.”

That thought alone seemed to light a fire in Jihoon’s chest, and Seungcheol caught it—the brief flash of determination in his eyes.

*

After that night, Jihoon began to change in ways that were almost too subtle to notice—unless you were paying attention. Jihoon was still Jihoon, calm and focused, but now there was a quiet sort of energy around him whenever you were near.

He started texting you more often—just small things, like asking if you got home safely after a late recording session or sending you a link to a song he thought you’d like. He listened intently when you spoke, his gaze never wavering, and his usual brief responses grew a little longer, more thoughtful.

In the studio, he would suggest a break whenever he noticed you seemed tired, even going as far as bringing you your favorite drink without asking. Once, he even swapped his hoodie with yours when you shivered slightly from the cold air conditioning.

You noticed it too. The way he would look up when you walked in, how his usually distant expression softened, or how he would stay in the studio a little longer when you were there, even if his part of the work was done.

One evening, as you tried to perfect the chorus of a song, your voice cracking slightly from overuse, Jihoon stood up and gently took your wrist. “Let’s take a break. Pushing won’t make it better.”

“I’m fine. I can—”

“You’re not a machine, Y/n,” he interrupted, his voice gentle but firm. “Come on.”

He led you out of the studio, the warmth of his hand lingering on your skin. Outside, the cool breeze swept across your face, and you sighed, leaning against the wall.

“Thanks,” you murmured, looking at him.

Jihoon nodded, but his eyes lingered on you, as if there was something more he wanted to say. But instead, he just stayed there, standing beside you in the quiet hallway, his presence alone enough to calm your nerves.

Seungcheol noticed too—how Jihoon’s attention seemed to orbit around you. He watched with a grin whenever Jihoon would get subtly annoyed if someone else got too close, how his friend seemed to naturally gravitate toward you.

“Man, I never thought I’d see Woozi being soft like this,” Seungcheol teased one day when you left to get water.

“Shut up,” Jihoon muttered, pretending to focus on his laptop.

“You’re not even hiding it anymore.”

“I’m just making sure she’s okay.”

“Yeah, and I’m the president,” Seungcheol laughed. “Just admit it, you care about her.”

Jihoon’s lips pressed into a thin line, his gaze flickering to where you stood by the water dispenser. “I do.”

“You should tell her.”

“Easier said than done,” Jihoon mumbled, but the way his eyes followed you spoke louder than any confession he could make.

The quiet hum of the studio equipment filled the room, a gentle backdrop to the creative chaos surrounding you. Papers scattered on the table, some scribbled with half-finished lyrics, others with scratched-out chords. You sat on the couch, your guitar resting against your thigh, and Jihoon was beside you, his laptop open, the familiar glow illuminating his focused expression.

You strummed a gentle melody, your fingers moving almost automatically, but your mind was elsewhere—specifically, on the way Jihoon’s gaze kept flickering toward you. He wasn’t obvious, but you’d known him long enough to recognize when something was on his mind.

“Let’s try it again from the second verse,” he said, his voice steady as always. But the way he leaned closer, his shoulder brushing against yours, felt different.

You cleared your throat, trying to shake off the slight flutter in your chest. “Okay, but I still think the transition feels awkward. It’s too sudden.”

Jihoon hummed, leaning back, but even then, his arm remained against yours, his warmth grounding you. “Then let’s smooth it out. Maybe extend the line or add a softer bridge.” His fingers tapped on the keyboard, adjusting the track.

You glanced at him, trying to focus on the work, but the closeness was impossible to ignore. “You’re getting really good at reading my mind, you know that?”

Jihoon smiled, a gentle, almost shy smile that you rarely saw. “Maybe I’ve just been paying attention.”

Silence fell again, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. You played the melody, humming along, your voice blending with the soft notes. Jihoon’s gaze didn’t leave you, his eyes tracing the way you lost yourself in the music.

“Your voice… it always suits this kind of song,” he murmured, almost to himself.

You stopped, cheeks warming slightly. “You think so?”

“I know so.” His tone was soft, but there was a quiet certainty to it. “You bring the lyrics to life. That’s why I knew this song was meant for you.”

Something in your chest tightened at his words, the sincerity in his voice wrapping around you. “Jihoon, I—”

The door swung open, and Seungcheol peeked in. “Still at it? I knew you two would be here until dawn.”

You cleared your throat, suddenly aware of the closeness. Jihoon leaned back slightly, his expression returning to its calm, composed look. “Almost done. Just refining.”

“Of course.” Seungcheol grinned, stepping in. “But don't overwork her, Woozi. She still needs that voice tomorrow.”

Jihoon rolled his eyes. “I know. I’m not a slave driver.”

But as you tried to refocus, you couldn’t shake the lingering warmth of his words—or the way his gaze had softened when he looked at you.

The door swung open again, and Soonyoung waltzed in, carrying two plastic bags that crinkled noisily. “Midnight snacks! I bring salvation in the form of tteokbokki and kimbap!”

“Finally,” Seungcheol cheered, abandoning his spot by the soundboard to raid the bags. Jihoon, ever the disciplined one, simply raised an eyebrow, though the faint smile on his lips betrayed his amusement.

“You two are gonna spoil her,” Jihoon muttered, but he didn’t stop you when you reached for a kimbap roll.

“Oh, please. She’s working too hard. A little late-night energy won’t hurt.” Soonyoung plopped down on the couch beside you, practically beaming. “So, what are we working on?”

Jihoon tapped on his laptop. “Just fine-tuning the second verse. Y/n thinks the transition’s too abrupt, and I agree. We’re trying to find a smoother flow.”

Soonyoung leaned forward, chewing on a piece of tteokbokki. “Why don’t you add a two-bar instrumental bridge? Something subtle, like a rising piano line to ease the mood?”

Jihoon’s eyes lit up. “That could actually work. Give me a second.” He started tinkering with the software, and the room filled with the delicate rise of soft keys, fitting perfectly between the verses.

“I’m a genius,” Soonyoung declared, looking smug. “I should get producer credits.”

“You wish.” Jihoon snorted, but he saved the updated version, clearly pleased.

As you sipped on a can of soda, feeling the comfort of the warm, slightly chaotic atmosphere, Soonyoung’s voice suddenly cut through, clear and casual—too casual.

“Didn’t you like him in the past?”

Silence. An absolute, crushing silence.

The room seemed to freeze. The soft hum of the equipment suddenly felt louder. You stared at Soonyoung, your breath caught, the half-chewed kimbap in your mouth suddenly dry.

Jihoon’s fingers, which had been moving so fluidly over the keyboard, halted mid-gesture. His gaze snapped to you, a mix of shock and confusion. Seungcheol looked up, a piece of tteokbokki half-raised to his lips, his jaw slack.

“I—What?” you managed to say, your voice smaller than you intended.

“You forgot?” Soonyoung looked genuinely surprised, blinking at the stunned faces around him. “I remember you told me about that on our way to the dorm. You thought Jihoon was cute—especially when he got all serious with his lyrics.”

“I—That was…” Your voice faltered, heat rushing to your cheeks. “I was young. We were all kids.”

“Soonyoung-ah,” Jihoon’s voice was a warning, but the redness creeping up his ears betrayed him. He still hadn’t looked away from you.

Soonyoung seemed to sense the tension he’d stirred up, but instead of backtracking, he leaned back with an amused smile. “Hey, I’m just stating facts. And now look at you two, making music together all over again. Feels like fate.”

You tried to focus on your food, each bite feeling heavier than before. Jihoon’s gaze flickered away, his attention returning to the screen, but his fingers hovered, unsure.

The warmth in your chest was impossible to ignore. Jihoon’s eyes met yours once more—fleeting, almost shy—but in that glance, there was a question, a hesitant spark. And your heart raced just a little faster.

*

The chaos erupted like a wildfire.

You had just stepped off the stage after another successful performance, the bright lights still lingering in your vision when your manager rushed toward you, her expression pale. “Y/n… you need to see this.”

She handed you her phone, and there it was—a news article that had already gone viral. The headline screamed: "Rising Star Y/n Accused by Family of Theft and Runaway: The Truth Behind Her Past."

Your heart dropped. Your uncle’s name was right there, and his words were cruel and twisted.

“She stole from our family, took a large sum of money, and disappeared to Seoul. We tried to help her, but she betrayed us,” the article quoted him. He painted a picture of you as an ungrateful, deceitful child who had thrown away family for fame.

Panic twisted your stomach. Your manager’s phone kept vibrating, notifications pouring in—fans commenting, people demanding an explanation, other news outlets picking up the story.

“How… How could he…?” your voice was barely a whisper, your hands cold

“Y/n, we need to make a statement,” your manager urged. “We have to clear this up.”

Clear it up? What even was there to clear up? It was a complete lie. You knew the truth, Jihoon knew, but would anyone believe you over the man parading as your family?

Your mind spun with memories—the suffocating isolation back then, your uncle holding back your inheritance, his family treating you like a burden. You had nothing when you left, nothing but the tiny bit of courage you had left to chase a life they tried to take from you.

The staff members whispered, your phone buzzed incessantly. Social media was already flooding with comments—some defending you, others calling you a fraud.

*

Jihoon’s phone buzzed endlessly. Notifications flooded in, messages from the members, the manager, and even his mother, asking if he knew about the chaos involving you. His jaw tightened, a sense of dread clawing at his chest. He had just seen you hours ago, your smile bright after another successful performance. How had everything fallen apart so quickly?

He dialed your number, pressing his phone to his ear, but the call went unanswered. Once, twice, three times. Panic gripped him tighter with each failed attempt. He paced his studio, his fingers tapping against his thigh, a nervous habit he couldn’t shake.

The headlines were ruthless, and the comments even worse. People who didn’t know anything about you were already labeling you a liar, a thief. Jihoon knew better. He knew how you had struggled, how you had clawed your way out of the darkness they had thrown you into.

Finally, he grabbed his keys and stormed out. He wasn’t going to just sit there. He needed to find you.

As he sped through the city, he tried calling you again. This time, he called Seungcheol.

“Hyung, where is she? Did you get to her?” he blurted the moment Seungcheol picked up.

“Jihoon?” Seungcheol's voice was muffled, the sound of a car engine in the background. “Yeah, I have her. We’re heading somewhere safe. Soonyoung’s coordinating with the legal team, but things are blowing up fast.”

“Is she… Is she okay?” Jihoon’s voice softened, betraying his fear.

“She’s in shock, I think. Trying to stay calm, but you know Y/n. She’s… trying to hold it together,” Seungcheol explained, his voice quieter. “But Jihoon, she’s hurt. Her own family did this to her.”

Jihoon’s grip on the steering wheel tightened, knuckles pale. “Where are you taking her?”

“To my place for now. It’s better if the press doesn’t know,” Seungcheol replied.

“Stay there. I’m coming.” Jihoon didn’t even wait for Seungcheol’s reply before ending the call, his foot pressing harder on the accelerator.

His mind raced, thinking of what to say to you, how to comfort you. But all he knew for sure was that he needed to be there. You weren’t going to face this alone. Not again.

*

When Jihoon stepped into Seungcheol’s apartment, the air was thick with tension. The lights were dim, and Soonyoung stood in the kitchen, whispering urgently into his phone. Seungcheol was by the window, his gaze shifting between the streets below and the silent figure curled on the couch.

And then he saw you.

You were sitting there, knees drawn to your chest, your face buried against them. Your shoulders trembled slightly, and even from across the room, Jihoon could see your fingers gripping the fabric of your pants so tightly your knuckles were pale.

“Y/n…” Jihoon’s voice was barely a whisper, but it seemed to echo in the room.

You didn’t look up immediately, but when you did, your eyes were glassy, lost. A faint, broken smile appeared on your lips, but it crumbled just as quickly. “Jihoon… I…”

Before you could finish, Jihoon crossed the room, kneeling beside the couch. He didn’t hesitate, reaching out to gently hold your hands, prying your fingers free from their tight grip. “It’s okay. I’m here.”

You shook your head, a choked laugh escaping you. “It’s not okay. They’re saying… they’re saying I stole from them. That I ran away with their money. That I… Jihoon, I didn't do that. I swear—”

“I know.” His voice was firm, leaving no room for doubt. “I know you didn’t. We all know.”

Your breathing was unsteady, each gasp catching in your throat. “But the whole world thinks… They’re calling me a thief, a liar. My own family did this… Why? Why would they—” Your voice broke, and tears slipped down your cheeks.

Jihoon’s heart twisted painfully. He had never seen you like this—so exposed, so lost. The woman who stood on stage, who wrote lyrics with such passion, who fought to rebuild her life, now reduced to this fragile state.

“They’re scared, or greedy, or just cruel. But none of that is your fault,” Jihoon whispered, his thumb brushing away your tears. “We’re going to fix this. I promise you.”

You stared at him, searching for something—reassurance, hope, anything to hold on to. “Jihoon… I don’t know what to do.”

He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he leaned closer, resting his forehead against yours, letting you feel his warmth, his steady presence. “You don’t have to know. You just have to let us help you. Let me help you.”

A quiet sob broke from you, and you leaned into him, your arms instinctively wrapping around his shoulders. Jihoon’s arms enveloped you, holding you close, his chin resting on your shoulder as he whispered, “You’re not alone. Not anymore.”

Across the room, Seungcheol looked away, giving you both a moment. Soonyoung stepped out to the balcony, continuing his call but throwing a quick thumbs-up toward Jihoon. The world outside might be cruel, but here, you had them—people who knew you, who cared, who would fight for you.

*

Within hours, statements from both your label and Pledis were released, carefully crafted yet resolute in their tone. Your label firmly denied your uncle's accusations, clarifying that his claims were false and rooted in a personal dispute. They acknowledged the difficult situation you faced in the past, explaining that you were a young trainee who had to abandon her dreams due to unforeseen family circumstances.

Pledis, under the direct supervision of Seungcheol, Jihoon, and Soonyoung, released their own statement. They confirmed your history as a promising trainee who was forced to withdraw from debut due to family complications. They expressed regret that you had to leave under such circumstances but emphasized their support for you now.

The company stood by your truth, and it wasn't just words on paper. Seungcheol was the one who demanded the statement be released immediately, his voice firm and unwavering in the meeting room. Jihoon insisted on the wording, making sure every detail reflected the reality of your situation without exploiting your trauma. Soonyoung, surprisingly serious, went as far as personally reaching out to industry connections, making sure the narrative didn’t spiral out of control.

With their combined efforts, the public's perception shifted. Sympathy replaced doubt, and the comments under your social media flooded with support.

Alongside the official statements, photos of you with Seungcheol, Jihoon, and Soonyoung began to circulate on social media. Some were candid shots—Seungcheol playfully ruffling your hair, Jihoon walking beside you with a faint smile, and Soonyoung making exaggerated faces to make you laugh. Others were from studio sessions, showing you deep in conversation with Jihoon or Seungcheol leaning over to check your lyrics.

Fans started piecing together the connection. Jihoon, the genius producer behind almost all your songs, wasn’t just a collaborator—he was a steadfast presence in your life. Seungcheol and Soonyoung, who were known for their loyalty and protectiveness over their members, clearly extended that same care to you.

Online discussions swelled with sympathy. “If Seungcheol and Jihoon trust her, then I trust her too.” “You can see in their eyes they genuinely care about her.” “Jihoon produces all her songs—there’s no way she’s the person her uncle described.”

A week after the tide of public opinion began to shift in your favor, Jihoon arrived at your doorstep unannounced. The moment you opened the door, he stepped inside with quiet confidence, his eyes searching the small space until they found you standing there—alone, vulnerable, yet somehow still holding on.

He said nothing, letting the silence fill the room before slowly opening his arms wide. Without hesitation, he pulled you into a deep, unwavering embrace. Your body shook as the walls you’d built crumbled, and the sobs you had kept buried for so long spilled out uncontrollably. You melted into his chest, feeling like fragile glass finally cradled safely after a storm.

Jihoon’s arms tightened gently around you, his steady heartbeat resonating against your ear like a calming rhythm. In that quiet moment, his presence spoke louder than words ever could—he was here, unwavering and steadfast, ready to be the anchor you needed. No matter what had happened, no matter how far you had fallen, he wasn’t going anywhere.

Jihoon’s hands slowly stroked your hair, his touch gentle and soothing as if trying to erase every trace of pain you’d carried alone for so long. He whispered soft reassurances, low and steady, barely more than a breath.

“You’re not alone anymore,” he murmured. “I’m here. We’ll get through this—together.”

His voice held no pressure, only quiet strength that wrapped around you like a warm blanket. As your sobs softened, you clung to him tighter, letting yourself finally rest, finally breathe. For the first time in a long while, you felt seen—not as someone broken or forgotten, but as someone worthy of care and love.

Jihoon held you like that until the world outside faded away, and all that mattered was the steady beat of two hearts healing side by side.

After a while, Jihoon gently pulled back just enough to look at you. The two of you settled on the worn-out couch, close but not crowded, the quiet hum of the city outside your window filling the space between you.

He studied your face with soft concern. “How are you feeling? Really.”

You hesitated, then let out a shaky breath. “Honestly? Still fragile. But... better, now that you’re here.”

Jihoon nodded slowly, his eyes never leaving yours. “It’s okay to take your time. I’m not going anywhere.”

His words wrapped around you like a shield, giving you the courage to admit the weight you’d been carrying, the fear that had made you shut down for so long. In that moment, sitting side by side, you realized maybe—just maybe—you could start to heal.

You looked down at your hands, twisting the edge of your sleeve nervously. “I’m sorry,” you whispered, voice barely steady. “For everything that happened—how I disappeared, how I pushed people away... especially you.”

Jihoon’s hand found yours, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “Hey, none of that was your fault. You didn’t ask for any of this.”

“But I still feel like I should’ve done better. Stayed strong—for myself, for everyone who believed in me.”

He shook his head gently, eyes soft but firm. “You’ve been through so much. It’s okay to be human, to stumble. What matters is you’re here now, and we’re going to face this together.”

You swallowed the lump in your throat, grateful for his steady presence. “Thank you... for not giving up on me.”

Jihoon smiled, a quiet promise in his gaze. “Never.”

Jihoon’s grip on your hand tightened just a little, his eyes searching yours with a seriousness that made your heart skip. He took a slow breath before speaking, his voice softer than before.

“Y/n, I’ve been holding this in for a while… but I can’t anymore. I like you. More than just a friend, more than just someone I want to help. I’ve liked you since before you even knew I existed.”

You blinked, caught off guard by the sudden confession, your heart racing.

“I didn’t say anything because I wanted to be there for you, not add any pressure. But seeing you now, vulnerable and still so strong—it’s made me realize I don’t want to hide it anymore.”

He gave you a small, hopeful smile. “I want to be by your side. Not just as your producer or friend... but something more, if you’ll let me.”

Your breath hitched, and a heavy wave of doubt washed over you. You looked down, voice barely a whisper.

“I... I don’t know if I deserve this—deserve you. After everything I’ve been through, all the mistakes, all the pain... How could someone like you want someone like me?”

Your heart ached with a mix of gratitude and fear, the weight of your past pressing hard against the hope Jihoon’s words had sparked.

Jihoon reached out, gently lifting your chin so your eyes met his. His gaze was steady, full of warmth and certainty.

“Y/n, you don’t have to be perfect for me to want you. I see you—everything you are, everything you’ve been through—and it only makes me want to be by your side more.”

He smiled softly, his voice low and sincere.

“You deserve kindness, love, and a fresh start. And I want to be part of that with you.”

You searched his eyes, vulnerability and doubt still lingering in yours. “Jihoon… are you sure you won’t regret this? Being with someone like me—after everything?” Your voice cracked, heavy with the weight of all the pain and uncertainty you carried.

He held your gaze steadily, no hesitation in his eyes. Slowly, he shook his head, a gentle but unwavering smile playing at his lips. “Never. I’ve waited so long to tell you this. You don’t have to be anyone else for me—I like you exactly as you are.”

Then, without breaking eye contact, he reached out and cupped your cheek tenderly. The world around you seemed to quiet as he leaned in, closing the distance between you. His lips met yours softly at first—warm, comforting—like a silent promise that he was here to stay, no matter what.

You melted into the kiss, feeling a fragile hope bloom inside you for the first time in so long. It wasn’t perfect, but it was real. And in that moment, that was enough.

His lips brushed against yours with a softness that took your breath away, gentle like the first drop of rain after a long drought. The kiss deepened slowly, tender but full of meaning, as if every unspoken word between you was being conveyed through this quiet connection.

Jihoon’s hand moved from your cheek to cradle the back of your neck, steadying you, grounding you, letting you know he was there—completely present. You felt the warmth of his breath mingling with yours, the faintest tremor of emotion in his touch.

It wasn’t hurried or desperate; it was patient and sincere, like a promise that no matter how broken or uncertain your past had been, he wanted to be part of your future. Your heart hammered wildly as the kiss lingered, a delicate thread weaving your two souls closer in that perfect, fragile moment.

After pulling back just slightly, Jihoon rested his forehead against yours, his eyes searching yours with a quiet intensity. His voice was soft but certain, carrying all the emotions he had kept hidden for so long.

“I love you,” he said simply, as if those three words held the weight of everything between you. “I’ve loved you from the moment I first saw you, even when I didn’t say it. And I want to keep loving you—if you’ll let me.”

He gave you a small, hopeful smile, his hand still gently holding your face.

“Will you be my girlfriend?”

The end.

Master List:

Series:

A Drop in the Ocean

Part one :

Part two :

Part three:

Part four:

Part five:

Part six:

Part seven:

Part eight:

Part nine:

Part ten:

The Mazer Runner :

Newt :

Coming soon

ʚིᵋ ⋆ [SVT RECORD] LUNA AND JEONGHAN PARIS VLOG ࣪ ! ˓ ౨ৎ ࣪˖ ─── now playing…

[SVT Record] Luna and Jeonghan’s Paris Fashion Week Vlog | Fashionistas Turned Tourists in the City of Lights 🇫🇷✨

synopsis: Experience the charm of Paris with Jeonghan and Luna as they wander through the iconic streets, visit the Louvre, capture moments at the Eiffel Tower, and share heartfelt memories during their Fashion Week adventure.

╰ ౨ৎ LUNA-VERSE MASTERLIST ╰ ౨ৎ svt youtube

bold dialogues are spoken in english ღ

The screen flickered to life with a shaky but deliberate motion, the edges of Jeonghan’s hand coming into view as he adjusted the camera. His long, slender fingers hovered momentarily before the lens before pulling back, revealing the spacious interior of a business-class cabin. The muted hum of the plane filled the background, a calm yet constant rhythm beneath the scene.

Jeonghan’s face appeared first, his sharp yet serene features framed by the faint glow of overhead lights. His posture was effortlessly relaxed, leaning back slightly in his plush seat with the casual air of someone who had done this a hundred times before.

His hand grazed the side of the camera, tilting it slightly to capture the seat next to him. There sat Luna, head bowed, her glossy hair falling over her face as she scrolled through her phone with a look of quiet concentration.

“Hello, everyone,” Jeonghan greeted in his low, velvety voice, the sound so smooth it felt like it could lull someone to sleep. He spoke with a lazy sort of charm, as though the words didn’t need any extra flourish to hold their weight.

At the sound of his voice, Luna looked up, her eyebrows lifting in curiosity before recognition softened her expression. She locked her phone and set it aside on the small table between them, leaning forward slightly to match his posture.

“Hi, Carats,” she said warmly, her tone gentle yet playful. She gave a small wave to the camera, her lips curving into a soft smile that lingered as she glanced at Jeonghan before refocusing on the lens.

Jeonghan turned his gaze to her, the corner of his mouth quirking up in an almost imperceptible smirk. “Where are we going today?” he asked, tilting his head just enough to make the question feel casual yet directed entirely at her.

“Paris,” Luna answered promptly, her smile widening. She leaned back slightly but kept her hands folded neatly in her lap. “For Fashion Week.”

Jeonghan’s eyes lingered on her for a beat longer, an almost imperceptible flicker of admiration in his gaze. Then he turned back to the camera, his tone steady and deliberate as he explained, “Yes, Jiyeonie and I have a busy schedule in Paris for the next few days.”

He shifted in his seat slightly, resting an elbow on the armrest as he continued, “I will be attending the Saint Laurent show while our Jiyeonie…” His voice trailed off, his eyes sliding back to her as if to cue her to finish the thought.

Luna picked up seamlessly, “I will be attending the Miu Miu show for Fashion Week.” She adjusted her posture, her hands gesturing subtly as she spoke. “Then Hannie and I have been invited for a private viewing for FRED’s new collection.”

Jeonghan nodded along as she spoke, his expression one of quiet attention. When she finished, he tilted his head slightly and asked, “You excited?”

Her head turned toward him, her eyes sparkling with a mix of excitement and sincerity. “I am,” she replied, nodding. “I’m also really excited to be in Paris again. I cannot wait to meet you guys.” She directed the last part to the camera, her tone softening with a touch of affection.

Jeonghan, still watching her, turned back to the camera with a faint chuckle. “Our flight is around fourteen hours, so we’ll be resting for most of it,” he explained, his voice calm and measured. “But we’ll see you all soon once we arrive in Paris.”

Luna, catching his cue, leaned slightly closer to the camera, waving once more. “See you soon!” she chimed in, her smile bright and warm. “Stay tuned!”

The screen briefly caught the slight upward curl of Jeonghan’s lips as he leaned forward to turn off the camera, his movements deliberate and unhurried. The video cut to black, the anticipation of their Parisian adventure lingering in the air.

The soft hum of tires on Parisian cobblestones were muted by the car’s interior. Through the window, the glittering cityscape of Paris passed by, the occasional flash of golden streetlights illuminating the backdrop of historic architecture.

Outside, the streets were alive with nighttime vibrancy, though the mood inside the car was calm and intimate.

The camera, now steady as it was being held by their staff, captured Jeonghan and Luna sitting shoulder to shoulder in the backseat.

Jeonghan’s posture was slightly reclined, his head tilted ever so slightly toward her, exuding a relaxed and unbothered air. Next to him, Luna rested her head against his shoulder, her eyes half-lidded with exhaustion from the long flight. Her body language was soft and comfortable, her weariness almost palpable as her breathing slowed into a gentle rhythm.

“We’ve arrived in Paris,” Jeonghan announced, his voice low and composed, a perfect blend of casual and velvety. His gaze flicked from the window to the camera, the faintest trace of a smile tugging at his lips as he made the statement.

“It’s probably two or three in the morning in Korea,” he continued, pulling his phone out of his pocket with an effortless motion. The sleek device glinted briefly in the light as he glanced at the time before turning it toward the camera for confirmation. “But it’s dinnertime here, so we’re off to eat dinner.”

Luna, still leaning into him, merely nodded, her head moving slightly against his shoulder. Her silence spoke of her fatigue, but there was a subtle fondness in the way she nestled closer, letting his voice fill the quiet.

Jeonghan’s attention shifted as something caught his eye outside the window. His hand gestured toward a grand, illuminated structure in the distance. “What’s that?” he asked, his tone curious yet calm as he pointed, his long fingers tracing the direction of the landmark.

Luna lifted her head, her eyes following the line of his gaze before settling on the building. “Palais Garnier,” she said softly, her voice carrying the remnants of her exhaustion but laced with a gentle warmth. She straightened slightly, brushing her hair back as she continued, “It’s an opera house. One of the most famous in the world, actually.”

Jeonghan listened intently, his gaze steady on her profile as she spoke. The way her voice softened when she explained something she found fascinating didn’t escape him. He turned back toward the window, his eyes lingering on the passing cityscape.

“Maybe it’s because it’s my first time in Paris,” he began thoughtfully, his tone dropping to something quieter, more introspective, “but I don’t want to look at my phone in the car. I just want to look outside, even from the airport to the hotel.”

“Paris is pretty, isn’t it?” Luna asked, her voice breaking the brief silence. She finally lifted her head fully from his shoulder, turning her gaze to him with a small smile.

Jeonghan hummed in agreement, the sound low and warm. He tilted his head slightly toward her, his expression unreadable but intent. “This isn’t your first time, right?” he asked, his voice carrying a note of curiosity.

“It’s my second time in Paris,” Luna replied with a nod. She adjusted her seat slightly, angling her body more toward him as she spoke. “I took my parents here the first time a couple of years ago. It was a gift to them for their wedding anniversary. It was only supposed to be the two of them, but they wanted me there with them.”

Jeonghan’s gaze remained fixed on her as she spoke, his expression softening. His eyes traced her features as if committing every detail to memory, the dim light casting a subtle glow over her face. “Pretty,” he said simply, his voice barely above a whisper.

Luna blinked, caught slightly off guard. “Right?” she said with a small laugh, assuming he meant the city. She gestured toward the window, her tone picking up slightly as she continued, “Europe has its own vibe. I love it.”

“They also said the rain stopped right before we arrived,” Jeonghan added, his gaze flicking briefly out the window before returning to her. “So I was glad.”

“Our luck is insane,” Luna replied, her smile widening slightly as she turned to the camera. The expression was met with a grin from Jeonghan, his amusement evident in the way his lips curved lazily upward.

Jeonghan leaned in slightly, his grin turning mischievous. “Or,” he began, his tone teasing but smooth, “it stopped because you’ve arrived.”

Luna’s brows furrowed, her expression twisting into playful disbelief as she let out an exaggerated sigh. “Aigo-ya,” she said, shaking her head as if to shake off his cheesiness.

Jeonghan laughed softly at her reaction, the sound rich and unhurried. He turned his attention back to the camera, his smirk still firmly in place. “Anyway,” he drawled, his tone carrying a hint of amusement, “Jiyeonie and I are off to eat dinner.”

The declaration brought a giggle from Luna, her laughter soft yet unrestrained as she glanced at him with a look of both affection and exasperation.

The screen faded back in, transitioning smoothly to the warm, inviting interior of a quaint Parisian restaurant. Soft amber lighting cast a gentle glow over the wooden tables and plush seating, creating an atmosphere of understated elegance.

In the frame, Jeonghan and Luna sat side by side in a corner booth, their shoulders brushing subtly as they leaned into each other’s space. The camera was positioned at a slight angle in front of them, capturing their interaction with the intimacy of a candid snapshot. Behind the camera, their staff sat quietly, allowing the two to take center stage in the frame.

Jeonghan’s posture was effortlessly relaxed, his elbow resting casually on the table as he perused the menu in front of him. His brows furrowed slightly in concentration, his long fingers lightly tapping the edge of the menu as if deliberating his choice.

Luna, on the other hand, held her menu with both hands, her posture a touch more upright. Her eyes scanned the options, but every now and then, her gaze flicked sideways to Jeonghan, as though silently asking his opinion without needing to voice it.

Their unspoken communication was almost magnetic, the subtle glances and fleeting smiles creating an atmosphere charged with an understated chemistry. When Jeonghan finally made a decision, he leaned slightly toward her, his hand gesturing to a particular item on her menu as he shared his thoughts. Luna’s lips quirked into a small smile, and she nodded, her eyes lingering on him for a moment longer before she returned her attention to the menu.

Once their orders were placed, they settled into an easy rhythm of conversation with each other and their staff. Jeonghan turned his body slightly toward Luna as they spoke, his gestures fluid and expressive, punctuated by the occasional lazy smile that seemed to come naturally to him. Luna listened attentively, her eyes warm and focused on him, occasionally chiming in with soft laughter or a thoughtful comment.

The camera captured the quiet intimacy of the scene— the way Jeonghan’s fingers brushed briefly against the edge of Luna’s sleeve as he reached for his glass of water, the way Luna tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as she listened to him speak.

When their food arrived, the mood shifted into one of shared enjoyment. Jeonghan picked up his utensils with an effortless grace, his movements unhurried as he began to eat. Luna followed suit, her gestures delicate and precise. Every now and then, they exchanged subtle looks— Jeonghan raising an eyebrow in amusement as Luna tried something new, or Luna smiling softly when Jeonghan offered her a bite of his dish.

The staff behind the camera remained a quiet presence, occasionally capturing candid moments of the couple sharing an inside joke or exchanging a look that lingered just a second too long. The chemistry between them was palpable, not through grand gestures or dramatic displays but in the quiet, understated moments of connection— the way Jeonghan’s gaze softened when he looked at her, or the way Luna leaned ever so slightly closer to him as they spoke.

The scene faded once more, signaling the transition to the next part of their journey in Paris, but the warmth of their interaction lingered, a testament to the quiet yet undeniable bond between them.

Seamlessly, the crisp morning light of Paris filtering through the streets was seen. Jeonghan and Luna walked side by side, their pace leisurely, the camera capturing their relaxed expressions and occasional glances at one another.

The city was still waking up, its charm accentuated by the quiet ambiance and the faint sounds of footsteps echoing against cobblestones.

Luna, dressed warmly in a chic coat and scarf, glanced at the camera held by one of their staff. Her soft smile lit up her face as she greeted the viewers. “Good morning,” she said, her British accent gentle, her voice still slightly hushed as though not wanting to disturb the peace of the moment.

Jeonghan turned his head at the sound of her voice, his lips curving into a lazy smile as he chimed in. “It’s 8:45 a.m. right now,” he began, his voice low and calm. He slipped his hand into his pocket, pulling out his phone to check the time. “I fell asleep around 1 a.m. last night and woke up at 4 a.m. I couldn’t go back to sleep, so I waited for the sun to rise. But because it’s winter, the sun wouldn’t rise. That’s why I’m out here at 8:45 a.m…” He paused, glancing at Luna with a knowing smirk. “Jiyeonie slept like a baby. I had to drag her here with me.”

Luna chuckled softly, nodding to the camera in agreement. “I was so tired from the flight that my body didn’t have time to be jet-lagged. After dinner, I was knocked out,” she admitted, her tone light.

Jeonghan hummed in acknowledgment, his gaze momentarily dropping to their feet as they walked. “We’re not really sure where we’ll go, but I wanted to take a walk with our Jiyeonie, so we’re out here,” he said, his words casual but filled with a subtle affection that didn’t go unnoticed.

As they continued walking, Jeonghan reached out, gently taking Luna’s hand in his. He intertwined their fingers effortlessly, swinging their joined hands back and forth as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Luna glanced at him, a faint blush dusting her cheeks, but she said nothing, instead letting a soft smile curve her lips as she adjusted her stride to match his.

Turning her attention back to the camera, Luna said, “We’ll just take a stroll here in beautiful Paris, enjoying the morning with no clear destination or plan in mind… but that’s the fun part, isn’t it?”

Jeonghan glanced at her, his lips tugging into a crooked smile as he nodded. “You’re right, as always,” he replied, his tone teasing yet sincere.

Luna’s gaze wandered to the scenery around them, her eyes lighting up as she admired the beauty of the city. “Paris is beautiful despite the cold,” she mused softly, her voice carrying a sense of wonder.

Jeonghan chuckled, pulling his coat tighter around himself. “We didn’t know Paris would be this cold. That’s why I only brought these two jackets, so I’m wearing both of them right now,” he said, his words drawing a light laugh from Luna.

“I didn’t expect it to be this cold either,” Luna admitted before glancing up at him with a playful smile. “It’s okay. We’ll shop later, Hannie.”

Jeonghan smirked down at her, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “You’re just finding excuses to shop,” he teased, his tone dry but affectionate.

Luna turned to him, her eyes narrowing in mock annoyance as she gave him a playful glare. With an exaggerated motion, she turned her head to the side, lifting her chin in mock defiance. “‘The cold never bothered me anyway~’” she sang lightly, the lyrics flowing from her lips with a playful lilt.

Jeonghan burst into laughter at her dramatic response, his shoulders shaking as he watched her. “Anyway,” he said after a beat, turning his attention back to the camera. “We’re going toward a square—Place Vendôme.”

“Place Vendôme,” Luna repeated, nodding as she walked. Her voice was thoughtful as she added, “Guys, it’s a mission. Say ‘Place Vendôme’ five times quickly…”

Jeonghan’s lips curved into a mischievous grin as he accepted the challenge. “‘Place Vendôme, Place Vendôme, Place Vendôme…’” His words stumbled slightly on the fourth repetition, and he let out a small laugh, shaking his head. “It’s so hard.”

Luna raised an eyebrow at him, a playful glint in her eye as she attempted the same. “‘Place Vendôme, Place Vendôme, Place Vendôme, Place Vendôme, Place Vendôme,’” she said flawlessly, her tone filled with triumph as she turned to Jeonghan and stuck her tongue out at him.

Jeonghan scrunched his nose at her, his smirk widening as he shook his head in mock disbelief. “You just had to be perfect at everything, huh?” he said, his voice laced with both amusement and fondness.

Luna nodded, her expression playful as she tilted her head to the side like a child basking in praise. Jeonghan couldn’t help but chuckle at her antics, the sound light and warm as it filled the crisp morning air.

Jeonghan slowed his steps, gesturing slightly with his free hand as he spoke to the camera. “We’re walking right now, and we can see the Eiffel Tower,” he said, his voice soft but tinged with a subtle excitement. His other hand, still loosely clasped with Luna’s, lifted as he pointed toward the iconic structure in the distance. Even through the faint morning fog, the outline of the tower was visible, its iron latticework standing tall against the muted skyline.

“It’s still so cool even from afar,” Luna gasped, her eyes lighting up as she followed his gaze. Without a second thought, she slipped her hand out of Jeonghan’s and looped her arm through the crook of his elbow, resting against him as if it were second nature. Jeonghan let her, glancing down at the subtle shift before smiling.

“It’s my first time seeing it,” he said, tilting his head toward her slightly as though sharing a secret. His voice dropped a note, laced with genuine awe. “It’s hidden in the fog, so it looks super cool.” He turned back to the camera, motioning with his hand again. “Look over here. Do you see it?” He pointed to the faint silhouette in the distance. “The Eiffel Tower is so pretty hidden in the fog.”

“It’s even prettier at night because it lights up,” Luna said softly, her voice carrying an almost dreamy quality. Her gaze lingered on the faint outline of the tower before shifting to Jeonghan.

Jeonghan hummed in agreement, his lips quirking into a thoughtful smile as they continued walking. After a moment, he spoke again, glancing at the camera. “Right now, we’re at Concorde?” he said, the sentence ending as though it were a question to himself. He chuckled lightly before adding, “Reminds me of the Concorde Airliner.”

Luna turned her head slightly toward him, her brows lifting in curiosity as she listened to his train of thought.

“A long time ago, if you look at Blue Marble, they had the Concorde Airliner,” Jeonghan explained, a nostalgic grin spreading across his face. “You could take a variety of planes.” He gestured vaguely, as though tracing the memory in the air. “What square was this again?” he asked, his voice casual as he glanced at Luna.

“‘The Place de la Concorde’,” Luna answered with an amused smile tugging at her lips. There was a knowing glint in her eyes, a subtle amusement at the way Jeonghan was recounting random bits of trivia.

“That’s right. It’s the same Concorde,” Jeonghan said, nodding firmly as if he’d pieced together some great mystery.

Luna smirked, tilting her head up to look at him. “Continue, my tour guide. What else is there?” she teased, her voice light but dripping with playful sarcasm.

Jeonghan’s eyes twinkled at her words, and he played along gladly, straightening his posture slightly as though stepping into the role. He gestured toward the next landmark, pointing with a flourish. “Yes, ma’am. Do you see that tower over there?”

“Yes, yes,” Luna said, nodding earnestly as she mirrored his enthusiasm.

“It’s called an Obelisk,” Jeonghan said with a slight smirk, his tone taking on a mock-professorial air. “They say they brought that from Egypt. How did they manage to do that?”

Luna tilted her head, her brows furrowing slightly as though considering his question. “I’m also curious how they managed to do that,” she said after a beat, her tone laced with mock seriousness. But her composure broke as she dissolved into laughter, the sound bright and melodic as she leaned slightly against him. “You’re my tour guide, no? You’re supposed to know.”

Jeonghan looked down at her, his lips curling into a mischievous smile. His gaze lingered for a moment, his dark eyes glinting with teasing amusement. “Ah, but you see,” he began, his voice dropping to a smooth, playful drawl, “I’m a modern tour guide. I specialize in vibes, not facts.”

“Vibes.” Luna’s laughter bubbled up again, her nose scrunching slightly as she giggled. “Aigo-ya,” she muttered, shaking her head as though exasperated but unable to hide her grin.

Jeonghan chuckled, his smile softening as he looked at her, the corners of his eyes crinkling. “You’re lucky the vibes are good then,” she quipped, nudging him lightly with her shoulder.

As they continued their stroll, Luna lightly tapped Jeonghan’s arm where hers was linked, glancing up at him with a teasing smile. “Continue, my tour guide. I want more good vibes,” she said, her voice playful and inviting.

Jeonghan tilted his head, a slow, mischievous grin spreading across his face. “Good vibes? You’ve come to the right place,” he replied coolly, indulging her with a slight bow of his head as though he were a true guide. “As we are walking, we can now see a bridge. We’re going to the Seine, and here is the Pont Alexandre III. That’s what it is,” he explained, gesturing casually around them. “All the names here sound so cool.”

“Really cool,” Luna echoed, her eyes sweeping the scene before them. Then her gaze caught something, and she let out a small gasp of excitement. She slipped her arm out of Jeonghan’s in one quick motion and bolted ahead, her movements light and full of energy as she dug into her bag.

Jeonghan trailed behind her with a slow, steady pace, his arms already stretching forward in expectation.

By the time Luna reached the railing overlooking the Seine, she had already pulled out her digital camera. Without needing to ask, she turned and handed it to Jeonghan, who accepted it with a lazy grin that was both amused and knowing. “Take a photo of me, Hannie,” she said, her tone half-command, half-request.

“Alright. Stand there,” Jeonghan said, motioning to a spot near the railing. His voice was calm and collected, but there was an undercurrent of indulgence, as if he found her excitement contagious.

Luna stood in place, her pose casual as she leaned lightly against the railing.

Jeonghan immediately began moving around her, the camera clicking steadily. He crouched down, stood back up, shifted to the left, then to the right, his every movement deliberate. Despite the brisk air and growing wind, he took his time, adjusting his angles with a focus that bordered on meticulous. “Turn your head a little to the left,” he directed, his tone soft but firm. Luna complied, her movements fluid, her expression natural.

“Perfect,” he said under his breath, clicking again before straightening up. “You’re making my job way too easy.”

Luna laughed lightly, glancing over her shoulder at him. “Am I?”

“You are,” Jeonghan confirmed, his lips curving into a small smile. “Now, look out at the river— don’t look at me. Just look out, Nana-ya.”

Luna turned her attention back to the Seine, resting her elbows on the railing as she gazed out. The wind picked up, tousling her hair and sending strands flying across her face. Jeonghan paused mid-click, lowering the camera slightly as he stepped closer. “Come here,” he said simply, his tone casual but laced with a quiet authority that left no room for argument.

Luna blinked at him but didn’t hesitate, stepping toward him with a curious tilt of her head. Jeonghan reached out, his fingers brushing gently against her face as he tucked the stray strands of hair behind her ear. His touch was slow and deliberate, his gaze focused as he arranged her hair neatly, smoothing it down with a practiced ease.

“He’s not only my tour guide, he’s also my photographer and my stylist,” Luna quipped, turning toward the camera their staff was holding. Her tone was light and teasing, but her smile was warm, her eyes soft as they flicked back to Jeonghan.

Jeonghan let out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head slightly as he stepped back. “Alright, let’s finish this.” He lifted the camera again, resuming his careful efforts to capture her in the perfect light.

Once they were done, there was a wordless exchange of roles. Jeonghan handed the camera back to Luna, and without needing to be asked, he moved into place by the railing, standing with an easy confidence as he waited for her to direct him.

“Your turn, Hannie,” Luna said, her voice lilting with amusement as she brought the camera to her eye.

Jeonghan leaned one arm casually against the railing, his posture relaxed yet effortlessly striking. “How’s this?” he asked, his lips curving into a smirk as he glanced at her out of the corner of his eye.

“Not bad,” Luna replied, her tone teasing as she adjusted the focus. “But tilt your head a bit.”

Jeonghan did as she asked, his movements deliberate but unhurried. “Like this?”

“Perfect,” Luna said, clicking the shutter. She mirrored his earlier efforts, moving side to side, crouching down, and even stepping back to get a wider shot. The wind blew again, ruffling Jeonghan’s hair, but he didn’t flinch, letting her take control.

“You’re a natural,” Luna commented as she continued snapping photos. “But I expected nothing less.”

Jeonghan raised an eyebrow, his smirk deepening. “You’re doing a pretty good job yourself, director Jiyeonie.”

She grinned, lowering the camera for a moment to meet his gaze. “Well, someone has to keep you in check.”

Jeonghan chuckled, the sound low and warm. “Good luck with that,” he murmured, leaning back against the railing as she raised the camera again.

As Jeonghan’s impromptu photoshoot came to an end, he casually handed the camera back to Luna. He moved toward her, his steps measured, but before they could leave, Luna grabbed his arm and turned to the staff trailing behind them with cameras still rolling.

“Wait,” she said, her voice carrying a bright note of enthusiasm. “Can you please take a photo of us?” Without waiting for an answer, she handed her camera to one of the staff members and grabbed Jeonghan’s wrist, tugging him back toward the spot near the railing.

Jeonghan let himself be dragged, his steps unhurried, an amused smirk playing on his lips. “You’re really taking this tourist role seriously,” he teased as they reached their spot.

“Just stand here,” Luna instructed, positioning herself in front of him with ease.

Jeonghan leaned one arm on the railing behind her, his posture relaxed but instinctively protective, the crook of his elbow almost wrapping around her. Luna stood close, her bright smile lighting up her face as she posed effortlessly, the Seine and the bridge creating the perfect backdrop.

Jeonghan, on the other hand, gave a lazy half-smile to the camera, the kind that was barely there but still somehow charming. As the staff member counted down, he glanced down at Luna, his smirk softening into something more tender. She didn’t notice at first, still beaming at the lens, but his gaze lingered on her for the rest of the shot, unbothered by the camera capturing the moment.

Once the staff handed the camera back, Luna excitedly flipped through the photos, Jeonghan leaning in beside her to look. His shoulder brushed hers, and they huddled closer as the images appeared on the small screen. “Not bad,” Jeonghan murmured, his tone thoughtful. “We look good together.”

Luna grinned, not looking up as she continued scrolling. “We do.”

Jeonghan turned to one of the rolling cameras and said, as if sharing an inside thought, “I keep thinking of ‘Spirited Away’.”

“Hm?” Luna hummed distractedly, still absorbed in the photos.

Jeonghan’s lips curved into a sly smirk as he added teasingly, “They said this is the Seine. I wonder how ‘sen’sible it is.”

At that, Luna froze mid-scroll and slowly looked up at him. Her expression was a mix of disbelief and exasperation, her deadpan stare speaking volumes. “Really?” she asked, her voice flat, before immediately looking back down at the camera, pretending she hadn’t heard it.

Jeonghan couldn’t hold back his laughter, low and amused. He glanced at the filming staff, then back at the camera, winking playfully. “She loves my jokes,” he said with mock confidence, his voice dripping with mischief. He leaned slightly closer to Luna, his tone dropping into something quieter but still teasing. “You’re just mad because you didn’t think of it first.”

Luna snorted softly but didn’t look up, still scrolling through the pictures with exaggerated focus. “No,” she replied without missing a beat. “I’m mad because you keep finding new ways to embarrass me in public.”

Jeonghan’s grin widened as he tilted his head to catch her gaze. “Embarrass you? You’re the one hanging onto me as we walk here and putting me to work. How are you embarrassed?”

Luna finally glanced up, her eyes narrowing slightly. “This is teamwork, Hannie. And you signed up for this when you joined me.”

Jeonghan chuckled, leaning a little closer so only she could hear. “Teamwork, huh? Then why do I feel like I’m doing all the heavy lifting?”

Luna gave him a sideways glance, her lips twitching as though she were fighting back a smile. “Maybe because you like being in the spotlight,” she countered coolly, her voice tinged with humor.

Jeonghan raised an eyebrow, his expression effortlessly smug. “Can you blame me? It’s hard not to shine when you’re standing next to me.”

Luna groaned, shaking her head as she turned her attention back to the photos. “You’re impossible,” she muttered, but there was no hiding the fondness in her tone.

“And you’re still here,” Jeonghan quipped smoothly, his grin never faltering as he watched her.

“I am,” Luna nodded as they continued walking along the Seine.

Jeonghan spotted the Eiffel Tower once more, a little closer than before, standing tall and proud despite the fog softening its outline. He gestured toward it with his free hand, his tone casual but still holding that subtle wonder that the structure always seemed to invoke.

“Look at that, it’s the Eiffel Tower,” he said, his voice calm yet slightly playful.

Luna followed his gaze and immediately lit up. “We need to get a picture with it.”

Jeonghan hummed thoughtfully, nodding. “Hmm. We should.” His lips twitched upward, the ghost of a smile. Then, as if unable to resist, he added with a slight chuckle, “This is the sensible Seine river.”

Luna turned toward the camera following them and raised her eyebrows with mock exasperation. “He had to repeat it,” she said, deadpan, but the glint of amusement in her eyes was unmistakable.

Jeonghan laughed softly, clearly pleased with himself, before turning back to her. “We need to take a picture here too,” he announced, suddenly decisive.

Before Luna could say anything, Jeonghan grabbed her digital camera right out of her hand and handed it to one of the staff members filming them. He then linked his hand with hers and gently pulled her toward the side of the river, finding the perfect spot with a better view of the Eiffel Tower.

“Stand here,” he said, his tone casual yet firm, guiding her into position like it was second nature.

They posed naturally, their hands still intertwined as they stood side by side, the river and the iconic tower behind them. Jeonghan leaned in slightly, his free arm lifting to rest on the railing behind her, his stance protective without being overt. Their linked hands remained between them, a subtle but intimate detail as they both smiled toward the camera.

After a few clicks, Jeonghan adjusted their position, wrapping his arm fully around her shoulders while still keeping their hands intertwined. Luna tilted her head slightly to look up at him, her smile softening in that moment, but Jeonghan’s gaze stayed fixed on the camera, his expression effortlessly relaxed yet somehow magnetic.

Once the photo was taken, the staff handed the camera back to Luna, and the two huddled together again to look at the photos. Jeonghan leaned in close, his cheek almost brushing hers as they scrolled through the images.

“Not bad,” Jeonghan murmured, his tone pleased.

Luna giggled. “Not bad at all.”

With that, they turned back toward the path and started making their way back to their hotel. The wind picked up slightly, and Luna instinctively clasped Jeonghan’s hand with both of hers, trying to warm it up.

Jeonghan chuckled at her small gesture before playfully wrapping an arm around her waist from behind, pulling her closer. In one smooth motion, he slipped both of their hands into her coat pockets, trapping her in his embrace as they walked in sync.

The movement made Luna laugh, the sound light and melodic. “I love the cold,” she said, smiling up at him.

“I’ll never understand why,” Jeonghan replied, shaking his head with an exaggerated sigh.

“It’s because ‘the cold never bothered me anyway~,’” Luna sang teasingly, turning her head to look up at him mid-verse.

Jeonghan was already smirking down at her, clearly amused. “Elsa?” he called her, his tone playfully mocking.

“‘Do you wanna build a snowman?’” Luna continued with a grin, making Jeonghan laugh softly.

Still holding her close, Jeonghan turned back to address the camera that was filming them. “Fortunately, Hoshi will be here on the 18th to see the fashion show, so luckily I’ve requested a padded jacket from our manager. If I endure it a bit more…” He trailed off, visibly cold but unwilling to break the moment.

“You should say, ‘Fortunately, Jiyeonie and I are going shopping soon…’” Luna interrupted, her tone sweet but clearly hinting at her own agenda.

Jeonghan chuckled, indulging her. “We’ll also shop. I promise.”

“I know we will,” Luna said smugly, confidence shining through her teasing tone.

Jeonghan laughed, his breath visible in the cold air. “My mouth is frozen… It’s hard to talk,” he muttered, rubbing his lips together.

Hearing that, Luna turned her head slightly, her eyes glinting with mischief as she discreetly puckered her lips, as if implying something without saying it outright.

Jeonghan caught the gesture immediately, a low chuckle escaping him as he tightened his grip around her waist and gently lifted her off the ground, turning her away from the camera in one fluid motion. “Let’s go,” he said firmly, his voice warm with amusement.

“Let’s go!” Luna giggled, her laughter echoing softly as they continued their playful walk back toward the hotel.

In their hotel room, the camera focused on Jeonghan sitting elegantly in front of a sleek vanity. The soft glow of warm lighting illuminated his features as his stylist meticulously worked on his hair, combing through the strands with precision.

Jeonghan’s makeup artist stood to the side, dabbing at his cheekbones and blending foundation seamlessly into his skin. His reflection in the mirror was sharp yet calm, the epitome of effortless charm as he sat still, letting the professionals do their work.

In the background, Luna could be seen sprawled comfortably on her belly across Jeonghan’s bed, her legs lazily bent at the knees as she swung them slightly in the air. She was completely engrossed in her phone, her thumbs tapping away occasionally as she scrolled, her hair tumbling loosely around her face. She was in her own world, her posture relaxed and unbothered, a stark contrast to the quiet busyness surrounding Jeonghan.

Jeonghan glanced at the camera in front of him, his expression shifting into a soft smile as he addressed it. “So, right now, I’m getting ready for the Yves Saint Laurent show tonight,” he began, his voice smooth and calm, the kind that naturally pulled people in. He gestured briefly to his stylist with his hand, careful not to disrupt the makeup brush hovering near his jawline. “They’re fixing my hair and makeup to make sure I look decent enough for the event,” he joked lightly, his tone infused with a teasing self-awareness.

He tilted his head slightly as the stylist adjusted his hair, his gaze darting to the mirror and back to the camera. “It’s a busy night for me— after the show, I’ll probably have a few other things to wrap up. But our Jiyeonie…” He trailed off, his smile widening as he nodded toward the background.

The camera panned slightly to capture Luna, still lying on the bed, entirely absorbed in her phone. Jeonghan’s smile turned affectionate as he called out, “Nana-ya~” in a soft, sing-song voice.

Luna looked up at the sound of his voice, blinking in slight confusion before realizing the camera was on her. A small smile tugged at her lips as she raised her hand to wave lazily at it. “Hi,” she said, her voice light and casual, before returning to her phone with the same nonchalant ease.

Jeonghan chuckled softly, his gaze lingering on her for a moment before turning back to the camera. “She’s a bit tired from this morning,” he explained. “We went for a walk along the Seine pretty early, and then we went shopping for a while after.”

He paused, his eyes flicking to Luna briefly before continuing. “But… we didn’t end up getting anything because none of the stores had what she wanted.” He lowered his voice slightly, adding conspiratorially to the camera, “So now she’s a little bummed about it.”

At this, Luna raised her head slightly, as though she’d heard him, but she didn’t respond, only going back to her phone with a faint pout on her lips. Jeonghan watched her for a moment before speaking again, his tone gentle but teasing.

“It’s okay,” he said, directing his words toward her now. “I promise we’ll shop again soon. We’ll find exactly what you’re looking for.”

Luna glanced up at him from her phone, her lips quirking into a small smile. “You always say that,” she replied, her voice playful but with a hint of accusation.

“And I always deliver,” Jeonghan countered smoothly, raising an eyebrow at her through the mirror.

Luna’s smile grew, and she shook her head slightly, her attention already drifting back to her phone. Jeonghan’s gaze lingered on her for a moment longer before he turned back to the camera, his lips curling into a soft, knowing smile as he said, “See? She knows.”

The stylist, now satisfied with his hair, stepped back to let Jeonghan adjust slightly in his seat. He leaned back, resting his elbow on the vanity and his chin on his hand as he looked straight at the camera, his expression a mix of charm and ease. “Alright,” he said, his tone signaling the conversation was about to shift. “That’s the update for now. Stay tuned.”

The car slowed to a stop under the soft glow of the streetlights outside the venue, where the energy was electric. The night sky was a deep navy, peppered with faint stars, but it was the sea of flashing lights and the ecstatic energy of the crowd that illuminated the scene. Fans clustered behind sturdy barricades, their voices merging into a harmonious chorus of cheers and screams as soon as Jeonghan stepped out of the sleek black car.

He emerged with effortless grace, dressed in a tailored black ensemble that spoke volumes of elegance and sophistication. The structured lines of his blazer contrasted with the soft silk of his shirt beneath, which caught the light with every movement. His trousers were impeccably fitted, and his polished black shoes reflected the shimmering glow of the venue’s lights. His shoulder-length black hair fell naturally, framing his sharp features, with just enough tousle to give off an air of casual sophistication.

The instant Jeonghan appeared, the crowd erupted. Fans waved lightsticks, posters, and their phones in the air, calling his name with uncontainable excitement. The fervor was palpable, their admiration echoing across the cold evening.

Jeonghan turned toward them immediately, his face lighting up with an easy smile that seemed to cast warmth over the freezing night. His long fingers lifted in a poised wave, acknowledging the crowd’s enthusiasm as they pushed closer to the barricades, desperate to catch every glimpse of him.

Camera flashes exploded like a storm of stars, painting the night in bursts of silver and white. Photographers lined the walkway, jostling for the perfect shot, their lenses focused entirely on him. Jeonghan moved fluidly, effortlessly aware of the eyes on him without seeming burdened by it. He paused for the cameras, adjusting his stance subtly to give them the angles they craved.

He tilted his head slightly, his black hair catching the light, and let his hands fall naturally to his sides before shifting one into his pocket with practiced ease. The slight smirk on his lips— barely there, but enough to send fans into a frenzy— made the moment feel magnetic. His gaze darted over the crowd briefly, a silent acknowledgement that made every individual feel seen.

Jeonghan took his time, pivoting slightly as he moved along the red carpet, giving different angles to the flashing cameras. His every step was measured, purposeful, the very picture of composure amidst the chaos. The murmurs of admiration from the press were barely audible over the cacophony of fans calling out his name, but they were there, buzzing in tandem with the atmosphere.

As he approached the main entrance, Jeonghan paused again, this time turning toward the barricades to give the fans one last wave. His expression softened slightly, the corners of his lips curving upward in genuine appreciation for the crowd’s presence. His fingers fluttered in a delicate yet deliberate gesture before he resumed his walk, the tails of his blazer swaying lightly behind him with each step.

The venue itself loomed in the background, its grandeur amplified by dramatic lighting that highlighted the ornate architecture. The sleek, modern red carpet pathway leading into the event was framed by towering displays of the Yves Saint Laurent logo, an embodiment of timeless luxury.

Jeonghan reached the entrance but glanced back one final time, a fleeting look over his shoulder that sent another ripple of excitement through the crowd. Even with his back turned, his presence was commanding, the sharp lines of his outfit and the deliberate way he carried himself exuding quiet power and elegance.

And just like that, with one final wave and a subtle nod to the cameras, Jeonghan disappeared into the venue, leaving the crowd buzzing with energy and the press scrambling to capture the lingering magic he left behind.

Luna was seated in front of the vanity, the soft morning light filtering through the windows, painting the room in a warm, cozy glow.

She leaned forward, adjusting the camera with deft hands, dressed in an oversized beige hoodie that was unmistakably Jeonghan’s— its long sleeves engulfed her arms. Her hair was still a little disheveled, evidence of having only recently woken up, and her face was bare, fresh from sleep.

“Here we go…” she muttered quietly, her voice groggy yet steady as she pressed the record button. She leaned back into her chair, crossing her legs comfortably. Her team was already bustling around her, a stylist gently brushing through her hair while another began unpacking the makeup she would wear for the event.

“Today’s the day of the Miu Miu fashion show,” Luna said to the camera, her voice a little livelier now. “I’m getting ready… getting my hair and makeup done right now.” She wiggled slightly in her seat, folding her arms over her lap as she smiled at her reflection in the mirror. “The mood of the day is not like the original lovely Miu Miu mood. It’s going to be chic. I’m going to be Chic Luna today,” she joked, chuckling softly.

As she finished speaking, Jeonghan strolled into the frame, his steps unhurried, his presence effortlessly laid-back. He was dressed casually in black sweats, a stark contrast to the sharp ensemble he had worn the night before. In his hands was a bowl of sliced fruit, and he was chewing leisurely, clearly at ease.

“You’re always chic,” Jeonghan said smugly, a teasing smirk playing on his lips as he leaned against the edge of the vanity.

Luna glanced up from the mirror, lifting her brow at him in a mix of skepticism and amusement. “Always?” she echoed, her tone light but laced with mock disbelief. Her lips twitched as if fighting a smile. “Even in this?” She gestured lazily to the hoodie swallowing her frame.

Jeonghan shrugged, unbothered. “Especially in that,” he replied, his voice warm, yet casual, like he was stating an obvious fact. His smirk remained intact, the ease of his confidence radiating as he leaned closer.

Luna looked up at him, her expression skeptical but amused, and gave him a pointed look. Jeonghan held her gaze, his own steady, challenging her silently as if daring her to disagree. “Alright,” she finally said, her voice laced with playful resignation, earning a satisfied chuckle from him.

Jeonghan chuckled softly, his posture relaxed, entirely at home in the moment. Luna, despite herself, allowed her smile to grow as her attention drifted back to the mirror.

Her gaze, however, didn’t stay there long. It flickered down, catching sight of the strawberries nestled in the bowl Jeonghan was holding. The rich sheen of chocolate coating one caught the light, and for a moment, her eyes lingered.

The pause was brief, but Jeonghan noticed it instantly. His perceptive nature caught every nuance of her expression— the subtle shift of her gaze, the way her lips pressed together in subtle temptation.

Without a word, Jeonghan plucked one of the strawberries from the bowl, the motion unhurried, deliberate. He held it up, his fingers poised with a practiced elegance, his other hand positioned just beneath the strawberry to catch any potential drip of chocolate. His movements were seamless, fluid, as if feeding her was the most natural thing in the world.

Luna blinked, her eyes darting to the strawberry, then back up to him. She didn’t need to say anything. The unspoken understanding passed between them effortlessly, a testament to the familiarity they shared. Leaning forward slightly, she took a bite, the sweetness of the fruit and the richness of the chocolate blending perfectly. A soft hum of satisfaction escaped her lips as she leaned back into her chair.

Jeonghan’s eyes never left her, his gaze steady and unreadable. Then, with the same ease, he lifted his thumb and gently brushed it across the corner of her lips, where a tiny smudge of chocolate had lingered. The touch was brief, almost casual, but deliberate. He brought his thumb to his own lips, licking away the chocolate with a calm, self-assured air that made Luna’s cheeks flush faintly.

“Better,” he said simply, his tone as smooth as the silk draped over their bed nearby.

Luna rolled her eyes, though the gesture was half-hearted at best. “You’re ridiculous,” she murmured, though there was no bite to her words.

“And you love it,” Jeonghan countered, his smirk making a triumphant return.

“Debatable,” she shot back, though her lips curved into a faint smile that betrayed her playful tone.

Jeonghan shifted slightly, leaning a little closer, his bowl of fruit still in hand. “Debatable? After I fed you my strawberry?” he echoed, his voice dropping ever so slightly, his tone now teasing but threaded with the kind of easy intimacy they always shared.

Luna glanced at him through her lashes, her expression coy. “Extremely debatable,” she replied, her voice light, but her gaze steady as it met his.

For a moment, the air between them stilled, charged with the quiet tension of two people completely attuned to each other. Jeonghan’s smirk softened into something warmer, but no less confident. Without breaking eye contact, he picked another strawberry from the bowl, holding it out to her.

Luna tilted her head, considering him briefly before leaning forward and taking it again. This time, she made a deliberate point of savoring the bite, her eyes sparkling mischievously as she leaned back with a satisfied hum. “Thanks,” she said sweetly, her tone dripping with mock innocence.

Jeonghan shook his head slightly, a quiet chuckle escaping him. “Always pushing it, aren’t you?” he remarked, his voice fond.

“Always,” Luna quipped back effortlessly, her grin widening as she glanced at the camera, as if to say, See what I deal with?

Jeonghan lingered beside her as the team continued their work, his presence a comfortable constant.

Luna turned her attention back to the camera, gesturing subtly to indicate she was addressing her audience again. “So, what’s up for today?” she began, her voice light and conversational. “The Miu Miu fashion show is this afternoon. And Hannie—” she turned slightly to glance at him, “—needs to get ready soon because right after the show, we have another schedule together. A private viewing for FRED.”

Jeonghan raised an eyebrow at her, already sensing where this was going. Luna smirked subtly before adding in a casual tone, “And then, before dinner… we’re going shopping.” She finished her sentence slowly, almost sneakily, and then tilted her head to look up at Jeonghan, gauging his reaction.

He was already looking down at her with a lazy, amused expression, one eyebrow raised as if to say, Really?

Luna blinked up at him with her large, doe-like eyes, feigning innocence as she bit back a smile. Jeonghan saw right through it, of course, but that didn’t stop him from indulging her. “Alright,” he said slowly, dragging out the word with a teasing edge, “but only if you do something for me first.”

Luna pouted, hesitating as she searched his face for clues. “What kind of something?” she asked cautiously, her lips forming a slight pout.

Jeonghan smirked, his amusement evident, but he didn’t answer right away, letting the suspense build. Finally, he leaned in slightly, his tone playful as he murmured, “Surprise me.”

Luna sighed dramatically, clearly reluctant, but her desire to win him over outweighed her hesitation. She leaned forward slightly, her cheeks puffing out in a small display of determination before she pulled out her phone and showed him the Lego set he desperately been wanting and bought it online.

Jeonghan’s smirk deepened, his gaze softening as he found her endearing.

“Alright, alright. Thank you, Nana-ya,” he said at last, his tone lazy but approving, and he gave a slow nod of assent.

“Yay!” Luna cheered softly, turning back to the camera with a triumphant smile. Her expression was one of pure satisfaction, but she wasn’t done yet. Tilting her head up toward Jeonghan once more, she opened her mouth expectantly, a mischievous glint in her eye.

Jeonghan chuckled under his breath, shaking his head slightly before indulging her once more, feeding her another strawberry. Luna took it with a pleased hum before glancing back at the camera. She winked, her smile widening as she seemed fully aware of the power she held over him.

Jeonghan shook his head again, the corners of his mouth lifting in a small, affectionate smile as he muttered under his breath, “Always gets her way.”

The afternoon air in Paris was crisp, the winter sun muted behind a pale gray sky, casting a soft glow over the bustling scene outside the venue of the Miu Miu fashion show. Crowds had gathered behind barricades, their energy palpable as they waved banners and phones in the air, the hum of excited chatter punctuated by occasional squeals of recognition as celebrity guests arrived one by one.

When Luna’s car pulled up to the event, a ripple of excitement swept through the crowd. Her arrival was heralded by an enthusiastic wave of cheers, fans holding up signs with her name, their phones trained on the sleek black vehicle. The door opened slowly, and Luna emerged with an effortless elegance that seemed almost otherworldly.

She stepped out gracefully, her heeled boots clicking softly against the pavement as she straightened to her full height.

She was dressed in a chic ensemble— a structured black coat cinched perfectly at the waist, accentuating her silhouette, paired with a crystal-embellished Miu Miu skirt that shimmered subtly in the daylight. Her makeup was bold but refined, with a smoky eye and a deep nude lip that complimented the modern yet timeless aesthetic of her outfit. Her hair, styled in sleek waves, cascaded over her shoulders, completing the look with understated glamour.

The moment she appeared, camera flashes erupted like a cascade of stars, illuminating her figure as she turned toward the crowd with a radiant, confident smile. Her gaze scanned the faces of her fans, and she lifted a hand to wave at them, her gesture warm and genuine, eliciting another round of enthusiastic screams. “Luna!” they called out, their voices blending into a symphony of admiration.

Luna took a moment to pose for the cameras, her movements fluid and poised. She turned slightly, offering the photographers a three-quarter view that showcased the intricate detailing on her coat. Her hands rested lightly at her sides as she shifted her weight, tilting her head just enough to cast a sultry glance over her shoulder before turning forward again, her expression softening into a radiant smile.

The rhythm of camera clicks seemed to intensify as she struck the perfect balance between composure and approachability.

She stepped closer to the barricades, waving again to the fans who were calling her name. Some reached out eagerly, holding out pens and posters in the hope of an autograph. While her team guided her along, Luna paused briefly to acknowledge a few of them, her smile never wavering.

A fan shouted, “You’re so beautiful!” and Luna, catching the compliment, turned her head slightly, her smile widening as she gave a small, playful bow in gratitude.

Turning back toward the venue, Luna moved with unhurried grace, her heels clicking softly against the pavement as she ascended the steps leading inside. Before entering, she turned one last time to face the crowd, giving a final wave that felt both regal and personal.

The cheering rose to a crescendo, the air buzzing with excitement as she disappeared into the venue, leaving an indelible impression on everyone outside.

The sun dipped low over the Paris skyline, painting the city in hues of amber and gold as Jeonghan and Luna stepped out of their car for their final event of the day. Both were dressed to perfection, exuding a quiet elegance that turned heads.

Luna wore a fitted, off-shoulder black dress adorned with subtle glittering embellishments that caught the light, paired with sleek stilettos that elongated her figure. Jeonghan, ever the embodiment of sophistication, was in a sharp double-breasted navy suit, his hair swept back to reveal his striking features.

Together, they radiated a magnetic charm.

“Finally, we are here to have a private viewing at FRED,” Luna said with a soft smile as she turned on the camera to document the moment for her vlog.

“Yes, let’s go and check out FRED’s new collection with me and of course, our Jiyeonie,” Jeonghan added, his tone teasing yet smooth, as he stood by her side.

Inside, the luxury boutique was impeccably designed, its minimalist elegance allowing the jewels on display to truly shine.

The pair was greeted warmly by the CEO and high-ranking figures of the brand, who had gathered for the private viewing. Handshakes and polite bows were exchanged, their warmth making the atmosphere relaxed yet intimate. The CEO gestured for them to follow, and Luna and Jeonghan were led into a private room where the newest collection awaited

The moment they stepped inside, Luna’s eyes widened, sparkling like the diamonds before her. The centerpiece of the room was an elegantly arranged display of jewelry— necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings, each more dazzling than the last. Luna’s gaze flitted from one piece to another, her expression a mixture of awe and childlike delight. She moved closer, leaning over slightly to get a better look at a particularly stunning set.

“Wait, hold on,” she gasped, her voice tinged with wonder as her eyes landed on a heart-shaped diamond necklace accompanied by matching earrings, a bracelet that cleverly doubled as a hidden watch, and a delicate ring. “This might be my favorite one.” Her tone was light, yet the sincerity in her words was undeniable

Her reaction drew soft laughter from the FRED team, charmed by her genuine enthusiasm. Jeonghan, standing just behind her, leaned in to get a closer look himself, his presence close but not overbearing.

“It’s so gorgeous,” Luna said, her voice quieter now as she glanced up at him. “I really want this.”

Jeonghan’s lips curled into an amused smile. “Do you?” he asked, his voice low and smooth, the corners of his eyes crinkling as he watched her.

The CEO, amused by their exchange, stepped forward. “Would you like to try them on?”

Luna looked up, surprised but clearly delighted. “Can I?”

“For you? Yes, of course,” the CEO replied warmly, prompting Luna to laugh softly, her cheeks faintly tinged with color.

She was seated on a plush velvet couch, where a professional with gloved hands began carefully removing the pieces from their display. The heart-shaped diamond necklace was the first to be draped around her neck.

The cool metal made her flinch slightly, and she laughed softly. “It’s cold,” she remarked, shivering just a little as a member of her staff stood behind her, holding her hair up.

Next came the earrings, followed by the bracelet-watch, each piece accentuating her elegance. When it was time for the ring, Luna unknowingly lifted her left hand for the jeweler to slip it on.

The woman assisting her paused, a playful smile on her lips. “No, not for that finger yet,” she joked, her voice light, but the implication clear.

Luna laughed, her cheeks heating up as she glanced at Jeonghan, who was busy taking photos of her on his phone. She didn’t miss the way his lips quirked upward in amusement after hearing their translator translate to him, his gaze flickering briefly to her left hand before returning to her face.

“Beautiful,” Jeonghan murmured after a beat, his voice just loud enough for her to hear.

“Right?” Luna replied, meeting his eyes with a smile before turning her attention back to the team. “It’s amazing. I might not control myself and get this entire collection,” she added, her tone lighthearted, drawing laughter from the room.

The private viewing continued with both Luna and Jeonghan trying on various pieces. Jeonghan, though quieter, had his moments of playful commentary, especially when Luna’s excitement over a particular piece was palpable.

By the end of the session, the couple had impulsively decided on matching necklaces, the simplicity of the design contrasting beautifully with its luxurious quality.

As they finalized their selections, Luna turned to Jeonghan, her expression soft but teasing. “I think we’re going to need an extra suitcase for all the shopping we’re about to do,” she joked, earning a chuckle from him.

“We’ll make it work,” he replied, his tone reassuring, though the glint in his eye suggested he’d enjoy watching her figure it out.

The Parisian streets were alive with a soft glow from the streetlights, illuminating the cobblestones as Luna and Jeonghan strolled side by side. Both had changed into more casual yet effortlessly chic outfits for their evening out after the private viewing.

Luna wore an oversized black trench coat draped over her shoulders, paired with high-waisted jeans and a fitted black turtleneck. Jeonghan was equally fashionable, dressed in a tailored black coat over a red top and jeans, his hair slightly tousled from the breeze. The two of them walked arm-in-arm, their bodyguard trailing a few steps behind, holding several shopping bags from their previous stops.

The staff holding the camera out for the vlog, filming the two gave them a signal before Luna started speaking. “So, we just finished our private viewing at FRED,” she began, her tone light and conversational. “And now, as promised, we’re shopping.” She turned towards Jeonghan with a teasing smile. “Because someone said I could.”

Jeonghan raised a brow at her but smiled, leaning into the frame. “Someone had to say yes,” he teased. “Otherwise, I’d never hear the end of it.”

Luna gasped dramatically, glaring at him playfully. “Excuse me? I’m being very responsible about this. I’m not just buying for myself.”

“Right,” Jeonghan drawled, the smirk on his lips unmistakable. “Totally responsible. That’s why there are at least three bags already.”

Luna pouted, flipping her hair as if to dismiss him. “For your information, I bought something for my parents. And I’m planning to get stuff for the members too. So technically, I’m just being very thoughtful.”

Jeonghan chuckled, shaking his head. “You’re always thoughtful. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have a little problem when it comes to shopping.”

Luna rolled her eyes but laughed, linking her arm more tightly with his as they entered another boutique. The warm lighting inside reflected off the polished displays, showcasing rows of high-end clothing, shoes, and accessories.

As they stepped inside, Luna immediately gravitated towards a rack of brightly colored blazers. She picked up a soft lavender one, holding it up to herself in the mirror. “What do you think?” she asked, glancing at Jeonghan.

Jeonghan leaned against a nearby column, his hands tucked into his coat pockets. “You already know my answer. You look amazing in everything.”

“That’s not helpful,” Luna muttered, shaking her head as she handed the blazer to a sales assistant and moved on to a pair of sleek leather boots. She slipped one on, turning her foot to admire the fit. “Should I get these in black or brown?” she called out.

“Both,” Jeonghan answered without hesitation, earning a pointed look from her.

“Han,” she said, exasperated but amused.

He shrugged, walking over to her. “I’m just saying. You’ll end up using both eventually.”

Luna huffed but grinned, moving to another section while Jeonghan trailed behind her, turning to the camera filming them. “Alright, everyone,” he said in a mock-serious tone, directing the camera to point at Luna as she sifted through rows of handbags. “This is what it’s like shopping with our Jiyeonie. She’s currently pretending she’s deciding between two colors, but we all know she’s going to get both.”

Luna glanced back at him, feigning annoyance. “Don’t expose me.”

“I’m just being honest,” he replied, the mischief in his voice evident.

The sales assistants couldn’t help but smile at their banter as Luna turned her attention to the men’s section. She picked up a soft cream-colored shirt, holding it up against Jeonghan’s chest. “How about this one?” she asked, tilting her head to the side.

Jeonghan examined it briefly. “It’s nice.”

Luna narrowed her eyes. “Just nice?”

“I’ll wear whatever you pick,” he said simply, his gaze meeting hers with an amused softness. “There are perks to shopping with you, after all.”

Luna laughed, catching the meaning behind his words. “Perks like me buying things for you too?”

He smiled, not denying it. “You said it, not me.”

They continued their shopping spree, Luna occasionally asking for Jeonghan’s opinion while he mostly observed, teasing her or quietly marveling at how excited she got over each item. By the end of their visit, their bodyguard was carrying even more bags, and Luna turned back to the camera with a triumphant smile.

“This was productive,” she declared, her tone light and happy.

Jeonghan glanced at the growing pile of bags and then back at her. “Productive for your wardrobe, maybe.”

Luna just grinned, leaning her head against his shoulder as they walked back out into the cool Paris night.

The cozy restaurant was warm and softly lit, a pleasant contrast to the crisp Parisian night outside. Luna and Jeonghan sat close to each other at a small table by the window, sharing quiet giggles as they leaned over a digital camera that Jeonghan held. The bright display illuminated their faces, highlighting the easy smiles and fondness between them. Jeonghan’s elbow rested casually on the table, while Luna leaned slightly into his side, her hand occasionally brushing his as they scrolled through the photos.

To Luna’s other side, Hoshi was perched with a fork in hand, digging into a decadent slice of dessert. “We’re eating dessert right now,” he announced to the camera in front of them, his tone cheerful and slightly muffled by his mouthful of cake. “I arrived in Paris today and met Jeonghan and Jiyeonie.”

His words were accompanied by a bright grin, and Luna and Jeonghan both chuckled softly at his energy, momentarily distracted from their camera.

Jeonghan finally looked up, turning to address the vlogging camera set up by their staff. “This is a camera I bought because it’s cute,” he explained, holding it up for the audience to see before shifting it toward Hoshi. “I’ll take pictures of Hoshi and gift you the pictures a year later,” he teased, his voice light and amused.

Hoshi laughed loudly, leaning into the frame with a playful pose. “Go ahead. I’m ready,” he said, dramatically angling his face as if preparing for a magazine shoot.

“Enjoy the food,” Jeonghan remarked dryly, snapping a quick picture of Hoshi while Luna chuckled at the interaction.

“I want the flash to work,” Jeonghan muttered, fidgeting with the buttons on the camera.

Luna leaned closer, wrapping her hand around the back of his neck to steady herself as she adjusted the settings with her other hand. “It’s this,” she murmured, turning on the flash with a soft click. Her fingers brushed lightly against his as she handed the camera back to him.

“So cute,” Jeonghan murmured, lifting the camera again. “Hoshi’s so cute.” The flash went off, capturing a bright snapshot of Hoshi mid-bite.

“Did you take it?” Hoshi asked, leaning over slightly.

“Yeah, so cute.” Jeonghan nodded, his expression pleased as he checked the screen. “It came out well.”

“You’re so cute, Soonie,” Luna chimed in, taking another delicate bite of her own dessert. Her tone was warm, laced with affection as she smiled at Hoshi.

“The flash needs to work for a good picture,” Jeonghan said, his focus still on the camera. He tilted the screen to show Hoshi the photo. “How is it?”

“That’s good,” Hoshi replied enthusiastically, leaning in to examine it more closely.

“It’s good, right? Isn’t it cute?” Jeonghan asked, turning to Luna and holding the camera up for her to see.

“This is Hoshi,” Jeonghan said, showing the image to the vlog camera. “Then next is Hoshi with the flash. So cute,” he remarked with a teasing grin.

Luna, momentarily engrossed in her cake, didn’t notice as Jeonghan turned the camera toward her. The flash went off, and she immediately paused mid-bite, her eyes darting up in surprise before she instinctively struck a quick, playful pose.

Jeonghan chuckled, taking another shot. “Caught you,” he said, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

“Ya, give me a warning next time,” Luna scolded lightly, though her tone was filled with amusement. She adjusted her hair and posed again, making Jeonghan laugh as he snapped another photo.

“Alright, one more, Nana-ya,” he said, his voice soft but teasing. He was fully immersed in capturing her, the fondness in his gaze evident as he clicked the button once more.

“Let me try now,” Hoshi interrupted, reaching for the camera. “I’ll take one of you two.”

Jeonghan handed over the device, and Luna shifted in her seat, wrapping her arms loosely around Jeonghan’s neck as she leaned her head atop his. Jeonghan responded by slipping an arm around her waist, holding her close. They held the pose for a few seconds, the camera flashing twice as Hoshi captured the moment.

“Okay, now flip it and join us,” Luna instructed, gesturing for Hoshi to come closer. He grinned and set up the camera on the table, flipping the screen to face them before settling in beside her.

The three of them posed together, Luna in the middle with Jeonghan and Hoshi leaning in on either side. The camera captured their bright smiles and easy camaraderie, freezing the moment in time.

Afterward, Hoshi handed the camera back to Jeonghan, who immediately scrolled through the photos. The three of them leaned closer, their heads nearly touching as they admired the pictures.

Jeonghan held up the camera for the vlog. “Anyways, it’s a camera I bought because it’s so cute,” he repeated, tucking it back into his coat pocket with care. “As soon as Hoshi arrived, we met to eat dinner. So we just had a snail dish, and now we’re eating dessert. We forgot to record, so we’re now recording during dessert,” he explained.

“He was too excited with the camera, he forgot the vlog,” Luna teased, her tone light and playful as she turned to him with a knowing grin.

Jeonghan raised a brow at her, the corner of his mouth lifting in a smirk. “Says the one who got completely distracted earlier shopping for everyone and their pets.”

Luna gasped, feigning indignation. “That was for our members too!”

“And yet, I saw the most bags in your name,” Jeonghan quipped, his deadpan delivery earning a burst of laughter from Hoshi.

Their teasing continued, filled with warmth and laughter, as they savored the last bites of their dessert, the bustling energy of Paris providing the perfect backdrop to their lighthearted evening.

The three of them strolled through the glowing streets of Paris, the cobblestones reflecting the soft yellow light from the ornate streetlamps above. Luna was nestled between Jeonghan and Hoshi, her arms comfortably linked with theirs as they walked in sync.

The evening air was cool, carrying with it the faint scent of blooming flowers and the occasional waft of something delicious from nearby cafes. Their staff walked in front of them, capturing the moment on camera as the trio laughed and chatted, their voices blending into the quiet hum of the city.

“We’ve finished eating, and since the Eiffel Tower is just around the corner…” Jeonghan began, speaking directly to the camera with his signature calm, slightly amused tone.

“This street is so pretty,” Hoshi interrupted, his eyes darting around to take in the charm of the Parisian architecture as they crossed a quiet intersection.

“Right?” Jeonghan agreed, glancing at him with a small smile. “This is the place Jiyeonie and I said was pretty when we were in the car.”

“Oh, really?” Hoshi asked, tilting his head curiously.

“Yeah,” Jeonghan replied.

“It’s even prettier at night,” Luna chimed in, her voice soft yet full of wonder as she glanced around. The lights made her features glow, her excitement bubbling just under the surface.

They continued walking at a leisurely pace, the sounds of their footsteps blending with the faint chatter of people in the distance. Jeonghan glanced toward the camera again, adding, “We’ve walked about ten minutes to see the Eiffel Tower. Jiyeonie told us that it sparkles every hour on the hour.”

“It does,” Luna confirmed, her eyes lighting up. “I really want to see it because I didn’t get to last time when I was here.”

Jeonghan nodded, a touch of excitement breaking through his typically calm demeanor. “We have a minute left, but right now it’s hidden because of the buildings,” he said, pulling out his phone to check the time. His lock screen, a close-up photo of his and Luna’s eyes with their heads tilted together, caught the light briefly.

Luna caught sight of it and gave Jeonghan’s arm a gentle tap with her free hand. Her gaze flicked up to his, and she raised a brow with a knowing look.

Jeonghan chuckled under his breath, quickly pocketing his phone again. “What?” he teased, though the faint blush on his cheeks was unmistakable.

“We need to get there quickly,” Luna said, shaking her head at him but smiling nonetheless. “It’s almost time.”

“I wanted to see it sparkling,” Jeonghan added, his voice tinged with anticipation. “It’s fifty-nine minutes right now.”

“We need to see it when it changes,” Hoshi said, his steps quickening to match their urgency.

“Right. Exactly when it changes,” Luna agreed, her voice lilting with excitement.

“How long does it sparkle?” Hoshi asked, glancing between them as they visibly started to hurry, their pace picking up.

“I don’t know,” Luna admitted, her tone slightly breathless as they turned a corner.

“Forty seconds?” Jeonghan guessed, throwing out a random number.

“Forty seconds?” Hoshi repeated in mock disbelief, his wide eyes making Jeonghan laugh.

“I don’t know!” Jeonghan replied, shrugging with a grin. “Won’t it stop after ten p.m.?”

“I think it would be longer, no?” Luna said, her voice hopeful as she picked up the pace, her heels clicking against the pavement.

The trio moved with a newfound urgency, their laughter and quick exchanges punctuating the quiet streets as they hurried toward their goal.

Jeonghan pointed ahead as they continued walking briskly through the dimly lit streets, the Eiffel Tower’s glow visible just above the rooftops. “I think that’s a rooftop terrace,” he said, gesturing toward a cluster of faint red lights glowing in the distance. “See those red lights? That would be a perfect spot to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle.”

Hoshi, catching sight of it too, took off suddenly, jogging ahead in his excitement. “Wait for us!” Luna called after him before letting out a worried gasp. “Shi-shi! Be careful!” Her voice rose slightly, eyes narrowing at the wet patches glinting on the pavement.

Jeonghan chuckled at her motherly tone, his hand slipping down to catch hers. Without hesitation, he linked their fingers together and gently tugged her forward. “Come on, let’s go see the tower sparkle!” he urged, his grin both playful and encouraging.

Luna narrowed her eyes at him but let herself be pulled forward, picking up her pace carefully. “If I fall flat on my face, I’m dragging you with me, Yoon Jeonghan,” she warned, her voice filled with mock seriousness.

“Deal,” he said with a teasing lilt, glancing over his shoulder at her. “But I won’t let you fall. You trust me, don’t you?”

She huffed but couldn’t hide the small smile that tugged at her lips. “You’re lucky I do,” she muttered, carefully jogging alongside him.

As they neared the clearing, their pace slowed. Hoshi, still ahead of them, stopped abruptly, his figure silhouetted by the twinkling lights of the Eiffel Tower. The structure loomed grandly above them, its lights shimmering like scattered stars against the night sky.

“Look at this,” Jeonghan murmured, his tone soft with awe. He squeezed Luna’s hand lightly, as if grounding himself in the moment. “It’s so big.”

Luna tilted her head back to take it all in, her breath hitching slightly. “It’s even more beautiful than I imagined,” she said quietly, her voice tinged with wonder.

Hoshi turned around, his face lit up with excitement. “Wanna snap some pics?” he asked, already pulling out his camera.

“You brought your camera?” Jeonghan asked, a mix of surprise and approval in his tone.

“Yeah, of course,” Hoshi replied, fiddling with the settings as he approached them.

Jeonghan fixed his coat slightly, adjusting the lapels of his shirt before striking a casual yet effortlessly cool pose. “Alright, get my good side,” he said with a smirk, standing a few steps in front of the Eiffel Tower.

Hoshi snapped a couple of pictures, then motioned for Luna. “Your turn, Jiyeonie,” he said.

Luna fixed her hair for a moment, smoothing down her coat before stepping into frame. She glanced at Jeonghan for reassurance, and he gave her a small nod, mouthing, “You look great.” She smiled softly, then turned her attention back to the camera as Hoshi captured a few shots.

“It comes out like this,” Hoshi said, stepping closer to show them the photos on his camera screen.

Jeonghan leaned in to look, his brows furrowing slightly. “Oh, yeah. The lighting isn’t right at all,” he commented, his tone mildly critical.

“Press this,” Luna said, reaching out to click a button on the camera. She adjusted a few settings with practiced ease, her expression focused. “There. That should help.”

“I’m so bad with cameras,” Jeonghan admitted with a small chuckle, watching her work.

“Me too,” Hoshi said, nodding in agreement.

Luna handed the camera back to Hoshi and turned toward Jeonghan, who was already reaching for her hand. He tugged her closer gently, his other arm resting lightly on her waist. “Come on,” he said softly, glancing down at her with a slight tilt of his head. “Let’s take one together.”

She smiled at him, the moment briefly charged with a quiet intimacy before they turned their attention back to the camera. Hoshi snapped a photo of them, the Eiffel Tower sparkling brightly behind them, casting a magical glow over the scene.

As the photos were taken, Jeonghan glanced at the glittering tower and murmured, almost to himself, “To think that I’d see Paris and the Eiffel Tower in my lifetime.”

Luna glanced up at him, her expression softening. “And now you’ve seen it,” she said, her voice quiet but filled with meaning.

Jeonghan looked down at her, his lips curving into a small, tender smile. “Yeah,” he said, his eyes holding hers. “And it’s better than I ever imagined.”

Jeonghan and Luna strolled side by side through the cobblestone pathway leading to the iconic Louvre Museum. The brisk morning air carried with it the soft murmurs of tourists and the occasional flutter of pigeons that darted past them.

“We’re here at the Louvre Museum,” Jeonghan announced cheerfully, turning slightly to the camera following them, his free hand gesturing toward the museum’s grand facade. His voice held the lively warmth of someone fully immersed in the experience.

“Ta-da!” both he and Luna chimed in unison, their voices overlapping perfectly. They turned to look at each other, momentarily surprised by their synchronicity, and broke into soft chuckles.

“I was so curious about how the Louvre Museum would be,” Jeonghan continued as they approached closer to the museum. “I only ever saw it in textbooks.”

Luna tilted her head in agreement. “It does feel surreal seeing it in person, doesn’t it?”

“After taking a picture with this pyramid,” Jeonghan added, pointing toward the famed glass pyramid ahead, “Jiyeonie and I will go explore the museum.”

The grand pyramid sparkled in the crisp daylight, and tourists were already gathering around it, their cameras clicking incessantly. Jeonghan’s gaze shifted to a flock of pigeons pecking at crumbs scattered nearby. He smiled slyly and nudged Luna with his elbow, his tone teasing as he pointed toward them.

“This place totally feels like Europe. The buildings and the pigeons,” he said. “You think of Europe when you think of pigeons.”

Luna halted mid-step, narrowing her eyes at him. She side-eyed him with a playful exasperation that made his grin widen.

“Really?” she asked dryly, her voice laced with mock disbelief.

Jeonghan laughed, the sound rich and unbothered. “I’m serious! Don’t they give it away? Very European vibes.”

“Right,” Luna muttered with a shake of her head, though her lips twitched, threatening to betray her amusement.

As they reached the photo spot, Jeonghan looked around at the setup— an elevated stand positioned strategically to allow visitors to align themselves perfectly with the pyramid’s tip. “Is this the photo spot?” he asked, his finger pointing toward the stand.

“Yeah, that’s right,” Luna confirmed with a hum, eyeing the growing line of tourists.

“I want to take a picture here too,” Jeonghan said eagerly, rubbing his hands together in excitement. But his enthusiasm quickly faltered as he shivered against the brisk wind. “So cold!” he exclaimed with a slight pout.

Luna, who had been busy candidly snapping photos of him from a slight distance, immediately looked up at his complaint. Her expression softened as she tucked her camera under her arm and waddled toward him in her oversized coat. Without a word, she wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into a hug. Jeonghan’s arms came up naturally, enveloping her as he smiled over her head.

“You’re warm,” he murmured, his voice low with contentment as they swayed lightly from side to side.

“There are seagulls here too?” Jeonghan suddenly said, peering over her shoulder at the sky.

Luna pulled back slightly, her brows arching. “Does it make you think of Europe too?” she teased, recalling his earlier comment about the pigeons.

“Yes,” Jeonghan replied smoothly, his eyes dancing with humor. “But there’s no ocean here. Is it because of the Seine?” His tone was curious, but the sly glint in his eye betrayed him. He leaned closer and said, with deliberate emphasis, “The sensible Seine.”

Luna groaned, letting out a dry laugh as she bumped her hip against his. “The really sensible Seine,” she muttered, shaking her head.

“We went there last time, right?” Jeonghan prompted, his lips quirking upward.

“We did, Hannie,” Luna coaxed, her tone indulging him.

“In the morning, when it was cold,” he added, his gaze softening as he recalled the memory. “It was like 8 am or 8:30 am.”

“Right,” Luna said, nodding as she adjusted the scarf around her neck. “You dragged me out of bed to walk with you.”

Jeonghan’s brows lifted, his grin playful. “Dragged you? I simply encouraged you to embrace the Parisian morning, Nana-ya.”

“You literally pulled the blankets off me,” Luna countered, her tone a perfect blend of exasperation and fondness.

Jeonghan chuckled, his gaze flicking down to her face as they continued walking. “And you didn’t complain when we found that bakery with the croissants.”

She huffed, unable to argue. “That bakery saved your life.”

They paused as the line to the photo platform moved forward. Jeonghan observed the other tourists, noting how they posed creatively to align their fingers or hands with the pyramid’s tip. “Oh, everyone’s doing that,” he said, pointing toward one group as they struck exaggerated poses.

Finally, it was their turn. “Okay, let’s do it,” Jeonghan said, stepping toward the platform.

Luna smiled as she nudged him forward gently. “You go first,” she said, already pulling out her digital camera to capture the moment.

Jeonghan hesitated, glancing over his shoulder at her. “Tell me if it’s weird. Where do I do it?” he asked, stepping onto the platform and striking an awkward pose.

Luna laughed softly, adjusting the camera. “That’s good. Do that,” she encouraged, snapping a couple of photos.

After a few moments, Jeonghan hopped down and handed her the camera. “Your turn,” he said, reaching out to hold her hand as he helped her onto the platform. His grip was steady, his touch lingering just a moment longer than necessary.

Luna glanced back at him as she stood in position. “What should I do?” she asked.

“Just look natural,” Jeonghan said, his voice teasing as he raised the camera. “Which shouldn’t be hard for you.”

She rolled her eyes but followed his direction, posing gracefully as he snapped the photos. When she hopped down, Jeonghan studied the pictures on the screen, his smile softening.

“Let’s do it together,” he said, turning to her.

Luna glanced at the platform, then at him. “I don’t think it’s allowed,” she muttered. “And even if it is, I don’t think we’ll fit.”

“It’s fine,” Jeonghan coaxed, tugging lightly on her arm. His tone shifted into something softer, almost childlike. “Come on, just one. For me?”

“You want us to get kicked out is what you’re saying,” Luna deadpanned, though the corners of her mouth twitched.

Jeonghan leaned closer, his voice dropping to a playful murmur. “Who’s going to kick us out? I’ll tell them it’s for love. No one argues with love.”

Luna groaned, pressing her palm to her forehead. “You’re impossible. What are you even talking about?”

“Yet here you are, standing next to me,” he quipped, his grin widening.

She sighed dramatically but finally relented. “Fine,” she said, holding up a finger. “But not on the platform. We’ll take it in front of the pyramid.”

Jeonghan’s eyes lit up, and he gave her a quick, triumphant nod. “Deal.”

Luna handed the camera to one of their staff members, her fingers lingering for a brief moment as she explained the settings with quiet precision. Jeonghan stood a few steps behind her, adjusting his jacket with a casual air but watching her with a subtle smile.

Once everything was set, Luna turned back to him, brushing her hair back from her face as the wind played with the loose strands. They moved instinctively closer, standing side by side before Jeonghan shifted, sliding an arm around her waist with easy familiarity. The two of them stood in perfect harmony, the glass pyramid of the Louvre sparkling behind them, its geometric lines catching the soft winter sunlight.

Luna rested one hand lightly on his chest, glancing up at him with a faint smirk as if challenging his pose, while Jeonghan tilted his head toward her, his expression effortlessly cool yet warm with a hint of teasing affection. Their chemistry was palpable, the slight turn of their bodies toward each other radiating an intimacy that the camera effortlessly captured.

Jeonghan and Luna stepped out of the grand entrance of the Louvre, the sound of their footsteps softened by the uneven cobblestone pathway. Jeonghan pulled his jacket a little tighter against the crisp winter air and tilted his head toward the camera that trailed them.

“We saw the Mona Lisa and took a lot of pictures,” Jeonghan said, his tone light, almost proud, though his eyes betrayed the fatigue of walking through the museum for hours.

“Too many pictures,” Luna chimed in, emphasized with an amused shake of her head, her lips curving into a teasing smile. She glanced at him, and their eyes met briefly, his widening in mock innocence as if silently asking, Was it my fault?

“There were so many incredible pieces,” Jeonghan continued, looking back at the camera. “I’m usually not that interested in museums or art museums, but here—” he paused, gesturing vaguely with his free hand toward the Louvre behind them, “there were a lot of pieces that were just so amazing I went, ‘Wow, this is cool.’ It was actually fun.” His expression softened, his genuine surprise at enjoying the experience adding a boyish charm to his demeanor.

Luna nodded along, her hands tucked into the pockets of her coat as she kept pace beside him. “Museums are very fun places for me to go to. I find different types of art interesting, and being in the Louvre and seeing the iconic pieces we only see in pictures made me appreciate it even more.” She spoke calmly, her words deliberate, as if reflecting on the experience in real-time.

Jeonghan cast her a sidelong glance, a hint of admiration flickering in his eyes as he listened to her. “You sounded like a professional just now,” he teased, nudging her shoulder lightly with his own.

“Maybe I should host an art documentary next,” Luna shot back smoothly, her tone playful but with a touch of sincerity.

Jeonghan chuckled, his breath visible in the chilly air. “I’d watch it. As long as it’s you narrating.”

Luna rolled her eyes, but her cheeks flushed faintly, whether from the cold or his words was hard to tell. “And you’d be fast asleep five minutes in.”

“Hey, I’d watch the whole thing,” Jeonghan replied, feigning offense. His teasing grin gave him away, though, and Luna laughed, shaking her head.

As they neared the street corner, they both turned to wave at the camera, their figures silhouetted against the backdrop of the historic museum. Jeonghan raised a hand, his fingers splaying in an exaggerated gesture of farewell. “Bye, everyone!”

“See you in the next spot,” Luna added with a smile, her voice soft but cheerful as she glanced at Jeonghan one last time before they continued walking away, side by side, their footsteps fading into the Parisian buzz.

Jeonghan held the baguette carefully in one hand as he and Luna climbed the sloping streets of Montmartre. The iconic neighborhood, bathed in the warm hues of late afternoon sunlight, felt alive with its cobblestone streets and quaint Parisian charm.

Jeonghan adjusted the beige hoodie— now his for the day— under his black blazer, his free hand tucked casually into his pocket as he walked beside Luna. She looked effortlessly chic in her beige long coat over a black turtleneck and matching pants, the two of them unintentionally coordinated but perfectly in sync.

“Here we are at Montmartre,” Jeonghan said, glancing at the camera being carried by their staff just ahead of them. “When DK went to Europe, he left a comment on my social media saying he wanted a Paris baguette, so…” He lifted the baguette slightly, a boyish grin tugging at his lips. “I got this baguette for DK.”

Luna laughed softly, shaking her head as she glanced over at him. “Are you seriously planning to take that back to Korea?” she asked, her tone amused but affectionate.

Jeonghan nodded solemnly, though his eyes sparkled with mischief. “Of course. I’ll hand it to him myself. It’s my mission now.”

“That baguette’s going to be as hard as a rock by the time we get there,” Luna teased, her laughter light and melodious as she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

“It’s the thought that counts,” Jeonghan replied smoothly, tapping the baguette against his palm for effect. “DK will appreciate it.”

Luna tilted her head, a skeptical smile on her lips. “Uh-huh. I’ll believe it when he actually eats it.”

Jeonghan laughed, his shoulders shaking as they continued walking. “We’ve come here for Fashion Week,” he said, addressing the camera again, “and now we have to head to the airport.”

“It’s been such a whirlwind trip,” Luna added, glancing at him. “Feels like we just got here.”

Jeonghan hummed in agreement. “We just saw Montmartre, and we have an hour left. So I said I wanted to see the Eiffel Tower during the day one last time. That’s where we’re headed now.”

Luna turned, pointing at the faint silhouette of the Eiffel Tower in the distance. “There’s the Eiffel Tower,” she said, her voice tinged with a quiet excitement.

Jeonghan followed her gaze, a faint sigh escaping him. “It’s sad, but it’s time to leave Paris. It was so fun here.”

“I know,” Luna agreed softly. “I wish we could’ve explored more and stayed longer. There are still so many places I want to visit in France.”

Jeonghan’s curiosity piqued, and he looked at her. “Where do you want to go?”

“Cannes, the Palace of Versailles… Disneyland!” she listed off, her eyes lighting up at the last destination.

Jeonghan smiled warmly at her enthusiasm. “Disneyland, huh? We’ll go there next time. I promise we’ll visit all those places soon.”

“You mean it?” Luna asked, her voice soft, a hopeful smile tugging at her lips.

Jeonghan met her gaze, his voice gentle but firm. “Of course. Anything for you.” He muttered but his words carried a quiet sincerity, the kind that made Luna’s heart skip a beat.

By the time they reached the base of the Eiffel Tower, the sun had started to dip lower, casting a golden glow over the iconic structure. They stopped in front of it, turning to face the camera together. Jeonghan raised his hand in a wave, his expression a mix of contentment and reluctance. “Everyone, we’re saying goodbye to Paris,” he said, his voice carrying a soft finality.

“Goodbye for now, Paris,” Luna added, her wave graceful, her smile tinged with bittersweetness.

“We’ll visit again, Paris!” Jeonghan said, his tone brighter now, as if reassuring both the viewers and themselves.

“Bye!” they said together, their voices harmonizing as they waved one last time. With the Eiffel Tower standing tall behind them, the scene faded, their silhouettes glowing in the Parisian sunset. The vlog ended, leaving behind a feeling of warmth and nostalgia.

comments…

@/lunababybae • 1 year ago ╰ THE LINGERING STARES BETWEEN THEM!!?! HELLO?!! you simply cannot convince me that they are “only best friends” like they say 🥱

@/rinarieee • 1 year ago ╰ JeongNa being lovey dovey in the city of love…

@/gyusshadow • 1 year ago ╰The flirting, the pda, the outfits, the face cards, Jeongna… 10/10! Would recommend!

@/moonbae17 • 1 year ago ╰ Luna: “I took my parents here the first time a couple of years ago. It was a gift to them for their wedding anniversary. It was only supposed to be the two of them, but they wanted me there with them.” Jeonghan: “Pretty.” TF?! I SIMPLY CANNOT WITH THEM ANYMORE!!!!!?₱/₱2!₱/‘

@/saythename • 1 year ago ╰ THEM SHAMELESSLY HOLDING HANDS AT 5:44

@/mad-lineeee • 1 year ago ╰ JEONGHAN FUCKING STARING AT LUNA AS THEY TOOK PHOTOS 6:15 HE IS IN LOVE 🤭💖

@/mrsbaebae • 1 year ago ╰ never thought I would need a vlog of JeongNa’s date yet here we are

@/alyy1625 • 1 year ago ╰ THE FLIRTING?!? GOOD LORD 😮‍💨

@/jeongnanana • 1 year ago ╰ shopaholic Jiyeonie strikes again! honesty, she is a mood 😂

@/gyuuuuudaily• 1 year ago ╰ GOD I JUST LOVE HER BRITISH ACCENT SO MUCH 😫 ITS LIKE BUTTER.

@/sallluuuteee17 • 1 year ago ╰ 6:55 Jeonghan: “My mouth is frozen… It’s hard to talk,” Luna: *puckers her fucking lips* WHAT IS WRONG WITH THEM, HONESTLY WHAT?!/₱/₱&/7 WHAT DO THEY WANT WITH ME?!&27/₱!&@2&’sisjiajska

@/lulu-nana17• 1 year ago ╰ it’s either they are sharing a hotel room… or I am crazy…

@/sebongrighthere • 1 year ago ╰ HANNIE FEEDING JIYEONIE THEN WIPING HER LIPS BEFORE PROCEEDING TO LICK HIS THUMB 🥵

@/missbitchhhh • 1 year ago ╰ “Always gets her way.” AS IF YOU WEREN’T GONNA AGREE ON THE GET GO, YOON JEONGHAN?!!

@/shadowmyshadow• 1 year ago ╰ HANDS DOWN THE BEST FASHION WEEK LOOKS FROM JEONGNA 💞😌

@/angel7266 • 1 year ago ╰ 8:30 JEONGHAN SMIRKING WHEN THE WOMAN JOKINGLY TOLD LUNA “Not on that finger yet.” WHEN SHE WAS ABOUT TO PLACE THE RING ON HER LEFT!! RING!!! FINGER!!!!

@/hannnieeeee7251 • 1 year ago ╰ the FRED CEO and other associates lowkey gushing at Luna and giving her heart eyes while her watermark was busy taking pictures of her on HIS phone 🤪

@/user763816262 • 1 year ago ╰ Han commentating while Jiyeonie was shopping 😂

@/ashonashonash_ • 1 year ago ╰ 9:33 “This is what it’s like shopping with our Jiyeonie. She’s currently pretending she’s deciding between two colors, but we all know she’s going to get both.” YOON JEONGHAN THE MENACE 😂😂😂

@/jijijiyeonienie • 1 year ago ╰ Jeonghan referring to Jiyeon as OUR Jiyeonie 🥹

@/kpopfan17 • 1 year ago ╰ 9:45 IPad kid Hoshi with his filthy rich parents ☺️

@/belleeeee_ • 1 year ago ╰ Luna calling Hoshi “Shi-shi” GOODBYE 🥹 she was scolding her and everything… JeongNa parents!!!

@/diamondlifeu • 10 months ago ╰ JIYEONIE WADDLING OVER TO HUG HANNIE WHEN HE WAS COLD 🥹

@/gyuminggooo • 10 months ago ╰ “Who’s going to kick us out? I’ll tell them it’s for love. No one argues with love.” WTF YOU TALKING ABOUT, YOON JEONGHAN?!!/₱!/&/₱7/!/8/

@/dailynanana • 9 months ago ╰ “Anyhing for you.” TAKE ME TO DISNEYLAND TOO JEONGHAN?!!!

@/chuuuuchhuu17 • 9 months ago ╰ I AM LIVING FOR THIS VLOG!

@/lalunanova • 7 months ago ╰ Let’s be honest. JeongNa vlogs are the best 🤭

@/17-carat • 5 months ago ╰ 10:55 they look at each other as if they are really in love 🥹 guys! the JeongNa theories might be true!!!

@/myg145 • 1 month ago ╰ IT WAS RIGHT IN FRONT OF US, IM AFRAID!! THEY WERE SO OBVIOUSLY DATING AND NEVER HID ANYTHING… THEY WERE HIDING THEIR RELATIONSHIP IN PLAIN SIGHT 🥹❤️‍🩹

@/bjy_lover • 1 week ago ╰ rewatching this again now knowing that these two have been dating for five years and are engaged for months now. my JeongNa heart is so full 🩷🥹

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Taglist: @yeoberryx @minminghao @angie-x3 @jennwonwoo @k13endall @heeseungthel0ml @chisskaa @megumi2020 @yoonzzziino @lllucere @smh-anon @yveclipse @randomworker @bunnystrm @iamawkwardandshy @gratefulbunny1 @bmo-bri @syren-ash @megseungmin @multiplums @unlikelysublimekryptonite @night-storm7 @cookiearmy @seokqt @btskzfav @billboard-singer @junhuisworld @caturdayvibe @coralbatlampzonk @sof1eya @lyraea @jihoonsbbygirl @cocopuff2424 @okoknotco @minvxq @soulphoenix1618 @whineywheeiny @rairaine @toplinehyunjin @ateez-atiny380 @cherrylovescheol @jiimtaee @blurr3db3rry @seomisaho @amanda08319 @peanutbutterslothsstuff @cheolsboo @allthings-fandoms @mystic-megumi @sherlockbye @tastyluvr @luperque

Chapter 5. Rough Wind Lingers || 13 Forget-Me-Nots

❀ Seventeen x Reader

title 13 Forget-Me-Nots or 13 Eternal Loves

synopsis You couldn't wait for your 20th birthday to finally reveal the one person you'd spend the rest of your life with. Well the 13 people you'd spend the rest of your life with. Or that story where reader has 13 soulmates, who happen to be idol group seventeen

genre Fluff, Angst, Romance

tags Soulmate!au, Idol! seventeen x Non-idol! reader, OT13 x Reader, Seventeen x Reader.

warnings Anxiety, Mature language, Inconsistent upload schedule, Reader is gender neutral but sometimes certain depictions lean feminine.

⚘ author i genuinely do not understand why this chapter was a pain for me to write but i got something out of it. constructive criticism is welcomed and my asks are open for feedback!

this story is a work of fiction and should be separated from reality. thank you and enjoy!

—chery

wc 1.3k

《 previous || masterlist || next chapter 》

The concert had long ended and you now sat in your hotel room staring at your phone with Mingyu’s contact open. You skipped going out with everyone after the concert, saying you were still jet-lagged and exhausted from the concert.

Felix’s sisters knew it was a lie but didn’t want to push you on the issue, you’d come to them when you were ready. They did notice your mood change when you came back to your seat, to an outsider they would’ve said you looked fine but his sisters knew something happened in time you were gone and it was something to do with the three men who sat next to you because they never came back.

You put on a sweatshirt to cover your soul mark, having already seen the three flowers now showing a beautiful soft blue color. You wanted nothing more than to meet the rest of your soulmates but the thought of it seemed overwhelming, meeting thirteen people all at once. You couldn’t imagine the chaos they all brought to the table.

Then came the inevitable questions lingering in the back of your head.

Did they expect you to move to Korea and live with them as a full-time student? You had thought about this and knew you couldn’t and wouldn’t move until you finished. This decision would hurt both parties but you couldn’t see yourself moving to Korea so soon to be with them, but you wanted to finish school before taking a big step like that.

Fortunately, you only had one more year of school before graduating.

Did they work out having to share one soulmate? You thought of it but never really sat down and thought about it in depth.

What if they don’t want to be soulmates after telling them you want to finish school first and then come to Korea? 

All these overwhelming thoughts had your head spinning, giving you a migraine.

Woozi’s head was pounding, from the moment they stepped into the house the members bombarded them asking questions. They wanted to know everything about you, all of them not taking into consideration what had happened and how the three of them felt.

“What happened?”

“Why didn’t you text us immediately?”

“Are they nice?” 

“Did they want to meet us?”

“Are they accepting of us?”

“Do they know us?”

Woozi couldn’t take it anymore and he snapped. The events of the day all caught up to him, he was coming down from whatever adrenaline rush he was on and everyone bombarding them once they stepped through the doors, was his tipping point.

“EVERYONE SHUT UP!” Woozi shouted, and the room quieted immediately. They all backed off and looked at him, noticing the exhausted looks on their faces.

“We all need to go to the living area and talk about this, we will tell you the story from start to finish but please back up and give us space to breathe. The last thing we wanted was to be bombarded even though we knew it would happen” Woozi was overwhelmed, they knew it from the way he snapped at them.

“I think I’m going to go to my room” Mingyu announced and left before anyone could protest. His emotions were on a high and he just wanted to be alone, he wanted to sit in silence so he could hear his phone ring when you would inevitably call him. He needed to collect his thoughts on you.

He wanted to hold you, to love and cherish you after waiting so long. You were right in front of him and yet you were still far away from him. He wanted to beg on his knees for you not to leave, to come back with them to the house so you could all meet and figure out everything but he had to put himself in your shoes. He had to think about how this could all be feeling to you. 

“He needs to be alone for now, we’ll check on him once we're done talking” Joshua said staring at Mingyu’s room door, he knew the younger was going through a range of emotions with how the day went. A day nobody could have predicted could happen.

“To answer some questions. We didn’t text you all immediately because we didn’t need everyone turning up to the concert, they’re the sweetest person, and they do eventually want to meet us all but they’ll come to us when they’re ready, yes they’re accepting of having thirteen soulmates and no they don’t know who we are” Joshua looked at Woozi to back him up but he just went straight into telling the story of tonight, not sparring any details.

“So they have no idea who we are? But they’re friends with Stray Kids?” Dino asked with an incredulous look spreading across his face. Other members had the same look on their faces, not wanting to be skeptical of their soulmate but it didn’t sound right in their minds.

“Look when they reach out to us to talk then we can meet and ask all our questions, they have Mingyu’s number and will reach out to him when they’re ready to meet. We need to respect that, we will move at their pace” Seungcheol pointed out, quickly shutting down any more skepticism. They hadn’t met them yet they were making assumptions.

“This conversation is being put on the back burner for now, we need to stop making assumptions about someone we haven’t met, let alone the someone being our soulmate. We need to keep living our lives, we all have a job to do and we need to focus on that for now until they reach out” Seungcheol used his leader voice to finalize the conversation.

Mingyu was on the verge of falling asleep until he heard his door open, he saw it was his roommate Wonwoo. He knew the elder wouldn’t push him to talk and he was grateful for that but he had to get his thoughts out to someone, so he got up to go find Minghao.

He found him in his shared room with Jeonghan, the two paused their conversation to turn their full attention towards him.

“Do you want to talk?” Jeonghan asked, he knew everyone came to him with their problems and he probably came for Minghao but he still figured he’d ask. 

“Yes” The simple reply and then he started spilling his emotions, his raw thoughts of the day. 

He talked about how it feels like mental torture to be the one expecting your phone call, Changbin’s comment from the gym a few days ago, how he wanted to hold you, how he wanted to beg on his knees for you to not leave them, how he wanted you.

By the end of his rant he was sobbing, Minghao held him while he cried. This whole day has affected the three who met you emotionally. But Mingyu felt like he was going through hell.

It took a while and a lot of reassurance, but Mingyu calmed down and decided to leave the two alone so they could rest. Now, he walked around the quiet house, thinking about how everything was about to change for everyone.

He found himself outside on the front porch sitting on the small bench, he placed his phone next to him. The hope you would call him was still there along with the thoughts of you but he knew you wouldn’t call him so soon.

As he looked at the scenery in front of him he heard his phone ring. He grabbed his phone quickly seeing it was an unknown number on his screen he answered it hesitantly, hoping it was you and not a stalker or fan.

“Hello?” He was shaking holding the phone to his ear. He wanted to hear your voice.

“Mingyu? It’s Y/N”

Knock, Knock, Bang.

“Open the damn door, Y/N.” Seungcheol’s voice was sharp, almost a growl, cutting through the muffled noise of the music playing in your penthouse.

You leaned casually against the other side of the door, sipping your glass of wine with a sly smirk. “What do you want, Seungcheol?” you drawled, knowing your tone would only aggravate him further.

“I said open the door,” he snapped, fists hitting the hardwood again, harder this time. The sound echoed through the hallway. You could practically feel his frustration seeping through the air, thick and unrelenting.

“I’m busy,” you said nonchalantly, swirling your wine like you didn’t have a care in the world. Inside, your heart raced, but you’d never let him know that.

“Busy doing what? Posting stories with Mingyu?!” His voice cracked with raw anger. “I saw it, Y/N. You think I wouldn’t see it?” Another bang, louder this time. “You’re such a goddamn child sometimes.”

Your laugh was dry, mocking. “Oh, now I’m a child? Was I a child when you were flirting with that blonde at the event? What was her name again? Oh right—”

“Stop it.” His voice was a low growl now, dangerous. “You know damn well nothing happened.”

“Do I?” you shot back, finally stepping closer to the door. You pressed your palm flat against it, almost as if you could feel his energy radiating through the barrier. “Because it sure looked like you were enjoying yourself.”

“You’re being ridiculous,” he spat. The banging resumed, more frantic this time. “Y/N, open the door, or I swear to God—”

“Or you’ll what, Seungcheol? Break it down? That’s not very idol-like of you,” you teased, the smirk evident in your tone.

“Don’t test me,” he warned, his voice dropping an octave. “You don’t want to see what I’ll do if you keep this up.”

“You’re already here making a scene. Might as well go all in, right?”

“Y/N!” His fist slammed into the door again, a guttural growl escaping him. “You blocked me everywhere. You ignored my calls, my texts, everything. And now I see you out with Mingyu, laughing, drinking, looking like you don’t have a single thought about me—”

“Maybe I don’t,” you interrupted coolly, though your heart twisted at the hurt laced in his voice.

“Liar,” he hissed.

The silence hung heavy between you for a moment, only the sound of his ragged breathing and the faint hum of the city beyond the windows filling the space.

“You’re right,” you finally said, voice tinged with venom. “I did block you. Because I don’t have time to deal with your… antics. If you want to flirt with women at business events, that’s fine. But don’t expect me to stick around and play the fool.”

“You are playing the fool, Y/N,” he retorted, voice sharp. “You think Mingyu gives a damn about you? He’s only in it for the chaos. Meanwhile, I’m the one standing here, pounding on your damn door, because I actually give a shit.”

You hesitated, your fingers brushing against the doorknob. His words cut deep, but you weren’t ready to give in. Not yet.

“And what exactly do you want me to do about that, Seungcheol?” you asked, your voice icy.

“I want you to stop running,” he said, his voice softer now, though the frustration still lingered. “Stop running from me. From us. Open the door, Y/N.”

You leaned your forehead against the door, closing your eyes as his words washed over you. The tension crackled like a live wire between you, both of you too stubborn to let go of the fire you’d ignited.

“Say it,” you whispered.

“Say what?” His voice was impatient again, tinged with desperation.

“Say you’re sorry,” you said, your tone laced with a cruel challenge. “Say you won’t look at another woman like that again.”

He laughed bitterly. “You think this is about me? You’re out here playing games with Mingyu, posting stories just to get a reaction out of me, and I’m supposed to apologize?”

“Exactly,” you said, your smirk returning.

“Unbelievable,” he muttered. Another bang on the door. “You’re impossible.”

“And yet, here you are,” you countered.

Another silence. Then, softly, “Open the door, Y/N. Please.”

Your heart wavered at the crack in his voice, but you held firm. “Not until you prove you’re serious.”

“Serious?!” he exploded. “I left a room full of people to come here the second I saw that story. I’m standing in the hallway of your penthouse building, looking like a complete idiot, begging you to talk to me. And you think I’m not serious?”

You hesitated, your fingers tightening around the glass in your hand.

“Y/N, I’m not leaving until you open this door,” he said, his tone final.

You sighed, taking one last sip of your wine before setting it down. Slowly, you unlocked the door, but you didn’t open it fully. You left just enough space for his dark, burning eyes to meet yours.

“I’m not done being mad at you,” you warned.

His gaze dropped to your lips before snapping back to your eyes. “Good,” he said, stepping forward and pushing the door open wider. “Neither am I.”

And then he was inside, and the air between you combusted.

Part 2

He is just so hot

Eternal Love

Summary: Nobody loves as intensely as an Uchiha, and no Uchiha loves as intensely as Uchiha Madara. He will bring this world to its knees just to avenge her and to be reunited with her again, and as far as he’s concerned, he will succeed. Damn anyone who dares to get in his way.

Genre: Marriage!AU, Established Relationship!AU, Uchiha Couple!AU, Reanimation Jutsu!AU, Fluff!AU, Fluff-Smut!AU, Angst!AU (Barely Any Angst, Just Some Sprinkles - Happy Endings All Around)

Pairings: Uchiha Madara x Wife! Reader, Uchiha Madara x Uchiha! Reader

Warnings: Possessiveness/Protectiveness (Very Mild), Death and Mentions of Death (Mainly Flashbacks), Reanimation of the Dead, War/Conflict (No Matter the Era), Fighting/Mild Violence

Word Count: 8,303

Written: October 27th, 2023, Posted: November 30th, 2023

When you opened your eyes, you weren’t expecting to be greeted by a boy you didn’t recognize with red eyes that you just knew were the Sharingan.

You instinctively raised your guard and as soon as you could feel yourself get in full control of your body you activated your own Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan and took a step back, ready to counter if necessary. You had to be prepared, - your vision was still blurry from being woken up and everything was still slightly disorienting even with the Sharingan but you couldn’t let your opponent see that.

Once your vision started to come back into focus you took a quick look around your surroundings and saw Hashirama and Tobirama, standing alongside who you knew to be Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, and a blonde man you didn’t recognize. A little further behind were a few more people you also didn’t recognize, but the hand sign that the pale one held in place let you know that they were one to reanimate you.

You let go of the annoyance you felt at someone using that Jutsu and refocused, looking until your gaze found the boy from earlier whose red eyes you woke to. What you saw made you let out a small gasp. “… Izuna…? Is that you, Izuna?” You took a small step further, your brows furrowing, before you paused. “No, your Chakra is different. But there’s no denying, you look just like him.” You spoke with a small smile on your face, stepping a little closer. You knew it was mostly impossible to see Izuna in the world of the living again but this boy’s face gave you a large burst of optimism.

“Just as smart as I’ve read you to be, the great Uchiha Y/N. You’ve already read everyone’s Chakra signatures beforehand to be prepared in case of battle. What a brilliantly tactical move, as expected from your caliber.” You looked back towards the pale man with the long black hair, your anger growing again before you narrowed your eyes at the younger Senju brother.

“Tobirama,” your voice was calm but extremely firm, “I thought I told you never to use this Jutsu. I also recall telling you that this should never be documented. For this exact reason,” you emphasized. You created the Reanimation Jutsu. It was something you made in a dark time of your life that still hurt you to think about.

It was lovely in your ancestral Uchiha home, passed down from your family for as long as they could remember. It was the same house you lived in with your husband. You enjoyed the happiness that you felt every day, until it felt like it just started to go down from there. Your clan always at war with the Senju clan, the death of your brother-in-law that started your husband’s spiral, your husband’s defection from the village, and ultimately, his death. It broke you in more ways than you could explain.

When the Senju brothers came to your home to tell you of your husband’s death, you almost collapsed on the spot in grief and rage. The younger brother starts your husband’s path of revenge by killing your brother-in-law, and the older brother ends it along with your beloved husband’s life. They had officially taken everything from you.

It took a lot of time, and a lot of understanding, but you learned not to blame the Senju brothers for what had happened to Izuna and Madara. It hurt you every single day, but you just learned to live with it, burying yourself in your work and missions to compensate. It was on one of these days where you were working on a new Jutsu that you invented when Tobirama offered to join and help if you taught it to him. You allowed him as he did not ask you any questions, simply offering his presence in your mourning, never questioning your judgement or your decisions.

When you believed the Jutsu to be complete, you could tell immediately that it was not something that should be used. It was cruel in nature and you ultimately felt that it went against your morals and also the way of an honorable Kunoichi. It was a Jutsu that would not let the dead lay in final rest, instead waking them up in a cold and shrewd manner, letting the caster control the freedom of those that have crossed over to another world. It was unnatural, wrong.

You were desperate to bring back your husband, and you were willing to try anything. But this, you remember thinking as you saw your Jutsu at work, this is not how I want him back. And so, you made Tobirama swear to never record it and let this die with the both of you. Nobody needed to know that something like this was ever possible in this world. Clearly, he didn’t listen.

“I told you that that was a bad idea, Tobirama. Although, it is very good to see you, Y/N.” Hashirama let out a laugh as he patted your shoulder, letting Tobirama continue to sulk behind him as he tried to duck away from your glare, - just as intimidating as the rest of your clan, Tobirama rubbed at his neck.

“I-I’m sorry, Y/N. I didn’t write down all of it, I made sure I kept it recorded as an incomplete Jutsu just for good measure. I completely removed a few of the sections that took me weeks to figure out. With what was left in the scrolls, nobody should’ve been able to correctly perform it.” Tobirama tried to alleviate his mistake but the pale one spoke again, drawing your eyes to him.

“It was not a hard Jutsu to make sense of, Lord Second.” He smiled in a way that put you on edge, like he was someone to always be wary of. You let it go for now, knowing you couldn’t do anything about it at this moment, and instead embraced Hashirama.

“No point dwelling on it now. It is good to see you, old friend. You as well, Tobirama,” you called out to the younger Senju who gave you a small smile. “Hiruzen, you’ve aged,” you jested as the man you knew to be the admirable Third Hokage let out a laugh.

“And you are just as beautiful as ever, Lady Y/N.” You gave him a gentle smile before turning to regard the man with the blonde hair and the blue eyes. He was new, a man you did not recognize, and yet you could see the trustworthiness in his eyes. He was a good man, you could tell. Not an ounce of malevolence in his Chakra at all.

“I apologize, but I do not recognize you.” You gave him the room to introduce himself.

“Ah!” The man exclaimed before turning around and pointing to the letters on his coat, “I am the Fourth Hokage, Lady Y/N. My name is Namikaze Minato, an honor to meet the Queen of the Uchiha clan in person.” He was a gentle soul. You smiled at him, giving him a gentle bow of your head to show you respected him. He seems like he made an honorable Hokage.

“Eh?!” You all turned your head to see a woman with bright red hair looking at you in shock. A woman of the Uzumaki clan, you assumed from her red-hot hair and her large levels of Chakra. “What do you mean the ‘Queen of the Uchiha clan’?!”

“She’s the legendary Kunoichi, Uchiha Y/N! How can you not tell, Karin?” It was another boy with white hair and sharp teeth that spoke. From Kirigakure, you could tell by his unique features.

“Suigestu is correct, Karin. And another very important fact: She is Uchiha Madara’s wife. Hence the title of Queen.” The Uchiha boy spoke.

“Wait, if you’re the Fourth,” Hashirama started, “then who’s the Fifth Hokage?”

“It’s your granddaughter, Princess Tsunade,” the pale one replied, making you huff out a laugh as Hashirama started sweating. You had good memories of that sweet girl. She was still extremely young at the time of yours and Tobirama’s passing, - far too young to probably have any recollection of you. However, you still appreciated the Senju brothers for treating you like family, and you’ve never forgotten the first moment you held Tsunade as Hashirama asked you to be her godmother. It was a title you took great pride in.

“Tsuna, huh?” Hashirama looked at you sheepishly as you chuckled. “She was my first grandchild, and she was Y/N’s goddaughter. So we both spoiled her rotten. She even picked up my gambling habit, hahahahaha!” You and Tobirama shook your head at the older Senju.

“Alright,” you called out, “enough for now. I have only two things to ask of you.” You took another step forward before pointing to the Uchiha in front of you. “Firstly, who is this boy?” You then dropped your hand back down before addressing everyone. “And secondly, why have you resurrected us?”

“I am Orochimaru, I am the one who resurrected all of you. This boy,” the pale one spoke as he referred to the Uchiha in front of you, “is Uchiha Sasuke. And he has a few questions for all of you.”

“Is that you, Sasuke?” Hiruzen took a step forward. So he’s from Hiruzen’s time, you figured it was during his second time as Hokage as he had quickly filled you in. He seemed extremely young, this Sasuke. You didn’t dwell on it too long when the boy started to ask you and the others questions about being a Shinobi, about being a part of a clan, a part of a village.

You narrowed your eyes at him. He’s seen a lot, and he’s been troubled by a lot. It’s obvious in not only the exhaustion in his eyes but also in the Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan you see glowing, - this boy has suffered his whole life. You knew he wanted answers from not just the Hokages but also from you, because as he spoke he maintained clear eye contact with you the entire time. His gaze pleaded for reason, something to hear that would just make sense. For now though, you would let the past leaders of Konoha speak their pieces, - nobody can doubt their experience in these matters.

“Can we please hurry this up? The Fourth Shinobi War is going on and we do not have a lot of time. The sooner you answer Sasuke’s questions the sooner we can be on the move,” Orochimaru stepped up, making Tobirama lose his calm. As quick as always to anger…

“Why are we here answering meaningless questions when we are needed on the battlefield?!” He always needed Hashirama to keep him in check. And he still does, you mused as you watched him finally step away from the wall after a word from his older brother.

“Always conflict no matter what the era,” Hashirama sighed as you gave him an understanding smile. You gave a look back to the group.

“Which nations are fighting this war?” Everyone knew that you and Tobirama perished in the First Shinobi War, and while you were still reeling from the fact that three more happened after it, you also wanted to know the seriousness of it as well as its threat to the Land of Fire and Konohagakure.

“Actually, Lady Y/N…” Orochimaru seemed to hesitate, and he absolutely refused to look you in the eyes. You narrowed your eyes at him before moving them to the young Uchiha who held your gaze instead of cowering.

“Sasuke, tell me what is going on. Now,” you demanded. Sasuke let out a sigh before staring at you for a moment. He spoke calmly, but the news that he delivered was enough to make anyone cower in fear. Not you, though.

“Uchiha Madara,” Sasuke started, “has been revived by the Reanimation Jutsu, and he is currently trying to place the entire world under a Genjutsu of unimaginable magnitude.”

“Why?” Your question was a simple one. “Why is he trying to do this?”

“Uchiha Madara did not, in fact, die during his battle with Lord First.” Orochimaru spoke again. “Instead, he was seriously injured, and lived till the end of his days in hiding. He has had years to plan this battle.”

You looked at him in shock. All this time, he had been alive? Living in hiding? He was alone all this time. You looked down in sadness. We were supposed to grow old and grey together, and yet I die soon and he spends all his years by himself. All your time alive you were grieving what you thought to be the loss of your husband, lashing out and destroying, when instead you could have spent your time with him had you known.

You felt a hand on your shoulder, it was Hiruzen, a man who knew how your mind worked. “There was no way you could have known, my Lady.”

“He has waged a war against all five of the nations. They have come together to form the Shinobi Alliance and now try to fight together against Madara as we speak. He does all of this, for you, my Lady.” You looked at Orochimaru again before looking to Sasuke as if asking if it was true. Sasuke gave you a nod.

“Madara says that he wants to end all wars and all bloodshed. He calls his Genjutsu the Infinite Tsukuyomi, - to put the entire world in a permanent dream state. He is a man that grows angrier and more desperate. He misses you,” Orochimaru said. “And he’s willing to destroy the world for it.”

“His rage is from Y/N’s death in the First Shinobi War,” Hashirama figured out. “Since then, there have been two more that he has observed and so, this fourth one will be Madara’s supposed war to end all wars.”

“The Infinite Tsukuyomi is Madara’s plan to create a world of his own with only love and peace and happiness, as he explained it. He feels rage at the thought of a war being the reason that he lost his brother and then his wife. He believes he can create a better world this way, where everybody can have their own world within consisting of what makes them happiest.” Orochimaru’s explanation was brief and to the point. “His turning point was hearing of your death while he was in hiding, my Lady.”

You put a hand on each of the Senju brothers’ shoulders as you looked back at the boy you’ve come to know as Sasuke. “Alright, let’s tell him what he wants to know. I believe the sooner we explain, the sooner we can help in the frontlines,” you urged the Hokages to sit down beside you. “And the sooner I can see my husband,” you finished off with a smile, making everyone give you an exhausted look. You and Madara were always a love-sick couple, known by those who lived in your time and those who read about you in scrolls and records.

“Alright, we understand what it is you ask us of, young one.” Hashirama always made people feel open to speak their mind. “You want to know about what it means to be a Shinobi? A part of a clan? A part of a village? We’ll tell you.”

You listened quietly as Hiruzen and the two Senjus explained the village’s history to Sasuke, and you watched the changes in Sasuke’s expressions. It also gave you a chance to listen to what has happened since your own passing as well. The stories you heard made you sad. Uchiha Itachi, the man who sacrificed his family and his life for Konohagakure. For Konohagakure and for his little brother. An admirable Shinobi, you agreed. As was the Fourth Hokage and his own wife, giving their lives for the village.

It hurt to know that the boy you saw in front of you was the last of your clan, - an entire bloodline just wiped out. But you respected Itachi for doing the work nobody else was willing to do. He took the fall for the Elders of the village that were too cowardly to even admit to their own actions and decisions. In a way, Itachi reminded you of Madara, willing to sacrifice for his younger brother. Always protecting him, making sure he was safe within the village, helping him grow stronger, trying to lead him on the right path.

You continued to simply listen as Hashirama and Tobirama told Sasuke of the history between the Uchiha and the Senju. He spoke of your husband with the same fondness in his heart that he held for him all those years ago. But when the Hokages were finished, Sasuke sat in silence. He then slowly stood, letting out a sigh before looking at you.

“And what of you, Lady Y/N? You are the only one who has not yet spoken a word to me. I want to hear your opinion.” Sasuke spoke plainly.

“I have seen you listen intently to the opinions of honorable Hokages through the generations.” You spoke as you also started to stand, “What would you do with mine? I was a Kunoichi of Konoha, and I was a wife to a loving man,” you stated with pride making the two you now knew by the names of Karin and Suigetsu in the back of the room look at you with shock. “My experiences are limited to my life, not to the ones of others. I do not see what you would benefit from hearing my thoughts in this situation.”

“You are an Uchiha from legend, from stories that I would hear from my brother very often. You understand love, happiness, the feeling of contentment. You understand desperation, anger, grief, the loss of a loved one. You must have felt pain like mine when you heard of your husband’s death, especially when it came at the hands of Lord First. I want to know what made you stay. Like my brother, you’ve given for the village in blood, and yet you stayed loyal to the very same village until your dying breath. You are drastically stronger than me. You could beat me even without using either of your hands, which means you had the ability to bring the village down if you really wanted to, but you didn’t do it.” You looked at him with a gentle smile before walking up to him and placing a hand on his cheek. He simply stayed staring into your eyes, now black as his without the Sharingan.

“My husband is angry, - broken, hurt. He has lost much in his life. This village has brought me happiness. Hashirama and Tobirama are people I consider my closest friends, and Sarutobi was a brilliant student. All of these make up a village and a Shinobi. Love, bonds, sacrifice, dedication. My husband felt all of these up until he felt like he was cast away by them.” You gently spoke. “I felt the support of my bonds when I was at my lowest, grieving and in rage at Madara being gone.” You turned to look at your friends. “Hashirama and Tobirama may have fought against my husband, but they stood by me when I was alone. I have fought for this village and given it everything that I have. I am nothing without it. But even if I could go back, I would not change that. I found the love of my life in Konoha, and I was able to marry him and lead a happy life until his death. Or rather, what I thought to be his death. I also remember thinking about how I was protecting him with every mission I would take on, no matter how little. Madara has always watched over me, always kept me safe, and it made me happy that by keeping Konoha safe, I was keeping my beloved safe as well, whether or not he ever really needed my protection,” you finished off with a nostalgic laugh.

Sasuke stared at you for a few moments, before suddenly, for the first time since seeing him a couple of hours ago, you saw him give you a small smile. It was heartwarming to see, especially when he looked like the kind of person who rarely smiles. It showed you he understood your words. He could relate. He understood keeping someone’s legacy alive in your heart. He could see it. You knew he could.

“I won’t let what Itachi stood for go to waste. I won’t let Konoha waste away. We’re going to the battlefield.” Sasuke’s eyes shone with determination. A determined and motivated Uchiha is as dangerous to his opponent as he is unstoppable, you knew, and you were proud of this young boy who has learned to work through his conflicts. Your clan was known for burying their emotions deep down as an act of what they thought to be concealing their weaknesses. However in reality, they only make themselves weaker, instead. They forget that their Sharingans are a window into their heart. It reflects the soul and that is how it is not only awakened, but also grown into higher levels, - even the Eternal Mangekyou. They forget what their eyes represent once they awaken their full potential.

“Now we’re talking!” Hashirama was excited. And as you all jumped through the air, you heard him again. “It may sound odd, but I am excited to see my old friend!” Tobirama sighed at his older brothers words while you smiled back at him.

“I understand. It has been decades since I’ve seen my love. I miss him,” you said with a fond smile while the one you’ve come to know as Suigetsu looked at you like you were crazy.

“Forgive me, Lady Y/N, but you talk about him like you guys are love-sick puppies at the Ninja Academy!” Suigetsu let out a breath in absolute disbelief while Tobirama chuckled.

“Madara may be dangerous, and he may be frightening to most. However, seeing him interact with Y/N puts him in a rare perspective that not many have witnessed first hand. This is something even I cannot deny.” Suigetsu shook his head at the Second Hokage’s words and decided that he wouldn’t get it, ever.

Meanwhile, Naruto was letting Sakura heal him when he saw two people land right in front of him. He let out a gasp as he saw his father and a woman. He couldn’t help but stare at her. She was gorgeous, - black hair, black eyes, dressed like a true warrior, proudly wearing the Uchiha symbol- wait what?

He stared in shock as she shared a laugh with his father. “Not bad, Lord Fourth, but I think I beat you by just that little second!” And he couldn’t believe his eyes at his father poking fun back at her.

“Ah, I must be getting old, my Lady.” What?! ‘My Lady?!’ Naruto stayed looking back and forth at the two interacting until his father turned around to regard him. “Naruto! Hope we’re not too late!”

“Nevermind that, Dad! Who is this? Why is she wearing the Uchiha symbol? Is there another Uchiha person alive?! Again?! Why’re you being so formal with her!?!” Naruto’s mind was going faster than his mouth could keep up and it took Sakura giving him a solid knock on the head to make him stop.

“Geez, Naruto! That’s Uchiha Y/N,” she explained as she continued healing him. “She’s known as the Queen of the Uchiha clan, she’s from way before your dad was Hokage. She’s Uchiha Madara’s wife!” That made Naruto freak out again. Why was Sakura so calm about this? Wasn’t Madara’s wife a bad factor to add to this war? Madara was bad enough as it is, and he didn’t want to know what fighting the woman called the Queen of the Uchiha clan would also entail.

“This is why you pay attention during Iruka Sensei’s lectures,” Sakura sighed out before explaining yours and Madara’s past to Naruto as quickly as she could.

As Naruto listened to the end of Sakura’s explanation, he saw the Third Hokage land carefully on his feet. “You’re both as fast as ever, Minato, Lady Y/N.” He then saw who he knew to be the Senju brothers Hashirama and Tobirama also land.

“We never could beat you, Y/N!” Hashirama laughed out as he stood next to his younger brother. Naruto then froze as Y/N turned to regard him, giving him one of the kindest smiles he’s ever seen directed at him in his life, and he knew that that kind of genuineness cannot be faked. You were trustworthy.

“Don’t worry,” you spoke, “your friend is also on his way.” And Naruto closed his eyes. Sasuke. He must have something to do with your reanimation, he knew.

“Hey, um, big sister Y/N?” Naruto called out, making you look at him in shock, a familiar warmth curling into your chest. Nobody had called you that since Izuna, and it brought an involuntary smile to your lips. You gave a nod to encourage him to continue. “Not that I’m doubting you or anything, big sister, but uh, how exactly do you plan on stopping your extremely crazy and concerningly bloodthirsty husband?” You let out a loud laugh at his words while his father panicked at the way he was addressing Madara in front of you. This kid has no filter - doesn’t even know what a filter is - , and you absolutely loved it. He spoke to you as honestly as if you were really his big sister and it made you adore him. If this was Sasuke’s closest friend, then he has chosen well, they are both perfectly balanced halves, like Yin and Yang.

“You have a lovely son, Lord Fourth.” You told a worried Minato before turning back to the blond kid in front of you. “And Naruto, your father told me you wanted to become Hokage. I think- No, I know you will succeed. You have good friends,” you said as you looked around, “and you have a good heart. Not even the sky is your limit, Ninja of Konoha.”

You can tell this kid wears his heart on his sleeve, and so you could have anticipated the hug. What you couldn’t have anticipated was for him to run forward and squeeze whatever temporary life was flowing through you out of your lungs in his hug. Now this was one life-changing hug.

“What on earth did I miss?” You turned to see Sasuke staring at you in amazement. It seems you were a bit of a crowd favourite already, - all of his past comrades from Konoha were gathered around you, looking at you in awe or wonder, sometimes both. He assumes someone, most probably Sakura, must have explained your past and your goals. The initial reaction to hearing your lengthy title and name is always fear, until they have a conversation with you.

“Sasuke!” Sakura shouting out his name had you a little surprised, but as you watched their exchange you could see that the Kunoichi was enamored with him. You left Sasuke and Naruto to their conversation with their friends while you walked over to your own, quickly gauging the battlefield and all of the warriors, - it was an absolute mess. A man by the name of Hatake Kakashi was quick to bring you and the Hokages up to speed on everything that’s happened, including the involvement of another Uchiha by the name of Obito, Lord Fourth’s student.

“As far as I know, however, Obito’s actions are influenced by Madara,” Kakashi explained as he recalled to you and the others what Obito had told him of his survival in a past accident.

“I’m going to go towards the back, I want a larger view of this mess. Just give me a few moments,” you said as you jumped away. Hashirama gave you a quick thumbs up to acknowledge your words as they continued to listen to Kakashi’s information, - the Senju brothers have seen you do this often.

You could see well from your initial spot, but the terrain was uneven and you always worked better once you got a full view of your surroundings with your Sharingan. It gave you better mobility and helped you avoid any hesitation during combat. If you always knew where to step and what direction to move in, you didn’t even have to take your eyes off of the enemy.

This was actually a tactic that you also showed your husband during one of your sparring sessions together. You both would always choose new locations and alternate in memorizing the location. If it was Madara’s turn, you wouldn’t memorize that day’s terrain choice, and vice versa. This helped you both see the difference in combat efficiency. Perhaps that has been far too effective against the Shinobi Alliance, you thought sheepishly as you recalled Kakashi’s words of always seeing Madara have the higher ground in confrontations, looking down on everyone.

As you were letting your eyes memorize the terrain, your heart stopped at a yell you heard. It’s been decades since you’ve heard that voice. And to hear it again in person instead of in your dreams was a breathtaking feeling that you simply could not define, even if it wasn’t directed at you, specifically.

“I’ve been waiting for you, Hashirama!” He called out, and you heard the excitement in his voice. It brought a smile to your face, - those two were always inseparable, it’s nice to see even that cannot change.

Meanwhile, Hashirama looked up to see Madara staring down at him with anticipation. He let out a sigh, is this the time she chooses to disappear? Tobirama, as if reading his brother’s mind, also sighed out. Your timing is impeccable, Y/N.

Where is that woman when you need her? The Senju brothers were really trying to avoid a full out battle with Madara at this point when it was so unnecessary.

Hashirama pointed his finger at Madara as he called out, “I’ll deal with you later!” And the older Senju brother watched as Madara visibly deflated a little in disappointment before patiently sitting down, shaking his head as he did. Some things never change. Hashirama then turned around, pointing his finger at the Ten-Tailed Beast, “First, I have to stop the Ten-Tails, because it’s charging right at us!”

“Where the hell did big sister go?!” Naruto was absolutely stressed knowing the one person who could help stop this now was not here for some godforsaken reason. “She’s the only person who’s going to have any actual effect on Uchiha Madara and she’s just gone?!”

“Stay calm, Naruto,” Minato spoke calmly, “we just have to keep the Ten-Tails occupied. Once she returns we’ll have the extra power and also the weapon to reason with Madara.” He then turned and gave a smile to his son and his son’s friends. “Don’t worry. If she is anything like what I’ve read about her, then Uchiha Madara will listen. So far, she has more than proven herself, and I have faith that she can help. I have also heard from the First and Second Hokages that she is the only human whose opinion and emotions Madara genuinely values.”

“Now, everyone!” Tobirama spoke, “Just hold off until she returns! Keep the Ten-Tails at bay, and do not risk yourself in attempting to counter any of its moves. We simply hold it off for as long as needed!”

Sasuke and Naruto were already off atop their summonings as Sakura stayed behind with her own summoning to heal those that were injured in the area. The rest of their comrades also dispersed to help contain the situation while Madara simply sat atop the cliff, observing their movements. He didn’t bother listening to whatever they discussed, dismissing it as futile attempts to strategize. Naturally, it would fail against me, Madara scoffed out a quiet laugh.

Hashirama thought this would be a good time for him and his fellow Hokages to go and have some semblance of a civil conversation with his old friend while they kept the situation at bay. “Madara!” He called out as him and his comrades landed on the cliff top behind the seated Uchiha.

“Oh? Ready to face me now, Hashirama?” Madara could feel his blood pumping. He’s been dying for a rematch with the Senju man.

“Actually, I wanted to talk. My friend, there is nothing to gain from this.” Hashirama hoped he’d see reason.

“There is everything to gain from this.” Madara countered his friend easily. “In the Infinite Tsukuyomi, there will be happiness. There will be peace. Everyone can love and be loved. How is this reality better than what I am offering?” Madara’s mind was clear.

“It would all still be a fake reality, Madara. None of your experiences would be real. The peace wouldn’t be real. The love wouldn’t be genuine. The happiness? It would be fake!” Hashirama wanted to get through somehow.

Madara was getting frustrated. “At least there would be happiness! At least there would be something worth living for within the Tsukuyomi.”

“There are reasons worth living for in the real world. You fight for them, and you hold on to it. That’s what makes it worth the suffering. There is happiness and love awaiting everyone in this world, Madara, and I thought you would understand that better than anyone else! Everyone that has walked this earth was given something worth living for, and it kept them going till the end of their days. Everyone deserves to experience the real world as it is with all of its ups and downs. That’s what makes it genuine. That’s what gives life value.” Hashirama hoped his friend would understand.

“I had a reason. I had love, happiness. I had it…” Madara looked down for a moment before looking back up again, eyes full of red-hot rage. “And she was taken from me!” He began shouting. “You took her from me! All of you!” He pointed at them, “You took my one happiness and my one love! First, I was separated from her and then you made sure she wasn’t even in the same plane of existence as me! She died fighting for these real experiences of yours. Anything in this world, including these values you preach about, Hashirama, are absolutely worthless without her. She was my only reason. The only one!” The Uchiha took a deep breath, “I refuse to live in any world or any reality without my wife, never again. And any world that has hurt my wife should simply not exist.” He activated his Susano’o, getting ready to fight, - he wouldn’t hear another word of this. He would not listen to another word defending this monstrosity of a world that took his beloved wife from him. His soulmate.

“Are you happy, elder brother?” Tobirama took a few steps back, “Now you’ve made him angry. The whole point of this was to stall him!”

“I know, Tobirama!” Hashirama let out a quiet curse as he prepared his hands for a countering Jutsu.

“Clearly you don’t know. He doesn’t seem to be very stalled from your tactics, elder brother!” Tobirama couldn’t stop the sarcasm that came flying out of his mouth in his current stress.

“Tobirama, now is absolutely not the time for this!” Hashirama backed away some more as Madara’s Susano’o pulled its sword out of the sheath and got into an offensive stance.

They didn’t think a conversation about love and happiness could go so bad so quickly. But then again, they should have anticipated it considering who it was they were having this conversation with.

Nobody loves as intensely as an Uchiha, Hashirama remembered saying to Sasuke. And no Uchiha has loved or will love as intensely as Uchiha Madara loves his wife. He’ll burn the world and bring her the ashes.

The Hokages braced themselves as Madara’s Susano’o charged forward, sword raised and about to come down for the strike, when suddenly, their surroundings went deathly quiet.

The Hokages breathed out a sigh of quick relief. Tobirama huffed, “By the Gods, Y/N! You couldn’t have cut it any closer if you tried!”

You don’t spare a glance back at the Hokages, though, simply keeping your eyes in front of you. You couldn’t help the smile building on your lips as you saw your husband. He was just as handsome as the last day you saw him, - with his Sharingan and his long hair and his eyes full of love for you. He always managed to make you feel loved. He was doing all of this, for you. Of course, it was questionable, but he was doing it for you. “My love,” you started, hearing yourself choking up. You couldn’t finish your sentence as you saw the shock finally leave your husband.

Madara couldn’t believe his eyes. His wife was here, in front of him, reanimated. He never thought he would see her again, and if he was ever reunited with her in the afterlife, it’s not like they would have any recollection of that in the present living moment, either. And so to see her now, he could do nothing but thank every entity he could think of that she created this Jutsu, regardless of the circumstances in which she did. He was not by her side in her dying breath and she wasn’t there with him as he grew old and frail, - the biggest regrets that Madara can think of from his time alive. “Y/N.” He released his Susano’o, taking long strides towards his wife.

You simply stood in place, still taking him in. You watched his large frame as he walked towards you, and you felt your breath leave you at the intensity with which he grabbed you. He held you close, a hand around your shoulders and another over the back of your head, as if trying to make sure you couldn’t go anywhere. You reached and wrapped arms around his neck, burying your face in his chest and letting a sob finally wrack through your body, finally feeling safe and like you belonged. You finally felt like you could let go and the one person your trusted would be there to catch you, - the only person you’ve ever trusted with your soul, and the only person you will ever trust.

“Y/N,” you closed your eyes as you heard your name fall from his lips, “my Y/N.” His words felt like velvet on your skin and like a melody through your ears.

“Madara,” you breathed out, making the Uchiha man let out a hum. He had been aching to hear your voice for decades. It had been so long since he’d heard you call out his name and to hear it again made him want to break down right there. “You left me,” he heard you whisper. You sounded so upset, and he felt his heart ache and fall apart all over again. Such simple words, but so strong in their meaning. “You left me alone.”

“My darling wife,” he gripped you tighter. “I am so, so sorry. I have no excuse for my actions. I was blind and a fool to have ever thought to leave you, because that is all one must be to ever think to let go of you,” he stated honestly. These were words from his core, ones he has never spoken aloud until now but has always had running in his head. He meant every bit of it. “I was… blinded. Blinded by the hate I felt, the need to avenge Izuna… All of it came to head at some point that I struggle to even remember now. And when I heard of your death, I lost all reason. All I could think of was the ways in which I could’ve kept you safe. I thought the only way to do so now would be to create a new world. A world in which we could be together again, a world in which you couldn’t get hurt. And you would never be hurt because this world would be ours to command as we so wished.” You sighed out gently before pulling away to cup his face in your hands. You gave your husband a smile, leaning to kiss his lips for a moment before resting your forehead against his.

“You never let your soul rest, even in death.” You sighed and you pressed your lips to his cheek. “My husband, my love.” You heard him hum gently. “All I ever needed was you. I don’t need the world because that is what you are to me. You are my world- No, my universe.”

Madara pulled away to look into your eyes, and you saw a vulnerable man right then, - the same one that had always bore his emotions freely to you and only you. He always let you see into his heart. And now, you saw a man who had mourned for his wife for decades. “You never did find peace, even in death. And it was my fault. If it weren’t for that, we could’ve been together all this time. I’m so sorry,” you said softly as you planted another kiss on his lips, “I’m so sorry for causing you so much pain,” you continued apologizing as Madara shook his head at you, a tear of his own falling.

“No,” he stopped you, grabbing your head with both hands to place a kiss on your forehead. “Never tell me it is your fault. I will not accept it. I chose this path, Y/N. I chose to stay in this world. I was blinded by rage and did not see what could have been - you and me, finally together, in eternity. Without restraints.” He held you close again, wrapping his arms around you as he tight as he could, and you did the same.

Naruto watched from a little further away, jaw on the floor, - not too different from the rest of the Shinobi that were present. He turned to Sasuke who was also unable to look away from the scene that seemed to come straight from a fever dream.

“Oi, Sasuke,” he nudged his friend, “Is this all we needed to do? We assembled the entire Shinobi world, formed an alliance, and suffered an unimaginable amount of casualties. All we needed to do,” he paused again, “this whole time, was get her?!” Sasuke’s eyes flashed at his extremely oblivious and extremely loud friend at both the noise level of his sentence and his way of addressing the Queen of the Uchiha clan. He tried to get him to stop when he saw Madara’s head whip around to regard the person who had addressed his wife so brazenly. Too late, Sasuke clenched his jaw.

It took Sasuke every bit of Chakra, - and the full extent of his Sharingan’s abilities, - to move as fast as he did in that moment, stepping in front of Naruto and summoning an arm of his Susano’o to block Madara’s fast approach towards the Uzumaki boy. Naruto let out a small scream as he stumbled back a bit, watching with fear in his eyes as Madara’s raging Sharingan stared into his very soul.

“Idiot,” Sasuke quietly bit out, “is there a single day where you paid attention at the Academy?”

“H-huh?” Naruto turned his head towards Sasuke but his eyes stayed watching the past head of the Uchiha clan that hasn’t backed down just yet. Or gotten far enough away for me to feel comfortable, Naruto thought to himself as he watched warily.

“You will address her, with the amount of respect that she deserves,” Madara ground out. “That woman is Uchiha Y/N. She is Queen of the Uchiha Clan, the Strongest Kunoichi in the Land of Fire, and my wife.”

“He did not know,” Sasuke ground out. The young Uchiha was at his wit’s end. Uchiha Madara was strict when it came to people respecting the Queen of the Uchiha clan. He demanded respect of everyone whether they were directly or indirectly addressing or mentioning her. It irked him that even Tobirama was as casual as he was with her. As far as Madara was concerned, the only person who could address Uchiha Y/N lovingly and without titles was him. “Everyone else would slander her name for they do not understand her worth,” Madara had once said. “They do not see the diamond that she is and I will make sure that they at least recognize that she is a treasure.”

“Madara,” you chastised as you walked towards him. “He’s a sweet boy, he means no harm. He doesn’t need to call me by my title because of who I once was. There are only two titles that have come with me past my life - Kunoichi of Konohagakure, and wife to an honorable man. That is all. Just a Kunoichi, and just a wife.” You spoke as wrapped your arms around his waist and placed your head on his chest. You felt your husband wrap his arms around you again and felt as he began to slowly relax. “There will be those stronger than me.”

“Not in my heart. I know you are the strongest there will ever be.” You let out a little laugh as you heard the stubbornness in your husband’s voice.

“I adore you,” you spoke to him with a smile, “But I am not too upset by what future awaits our clan.” You placed a hand on his cheek before turning to look at Sasuke. “He is a strong boy, with an honorable heart. Named after Hiruzen’s father. And while I believe you to always be the head of the clan in my heart,” you heard your husband let out a light laugh, “Sasuke will be a good leader.” The young boy gently bowed his head at you. “And I believe it will not be long before there are new heirs to the Uchiha clan, and the bloodline is restored,” you spoke with a grin.

Sasuke’s eyes slightly widened at you, before he quickly turned his head away and to the side. “Hn.” The noise he made caused you to let out a small laugh. A typical response from an Uchiha in a moment of speechlessness. And no matter how hard he tried, Sasuke would never be able to hide the pink in his cheeks from you.

“The clan is in capable hands,” you spoke as you turned and found Tsunade standing next to her grandfather and great uncle, “and so is the village, it seems.” Tsunade smiled at you, and you saw vague recognition in her eyes.

“I don’t remember you well, but I grew up hearing stories of you and how you were always by my side while you were alive. I’m proud to have such an amazing Kunoichi as my godmother.” You smiled at her and laid your head on your husband’s chest, feeling him bring a hand up to hold the back of your neck.

“Indeed, I must admit that the village is in respectable hands. She is… a strong woman.” Tsunade seemed shocked to hear words of praise coming from Madara’s mouth, but she was happy to hear it, regardless. She has certainly inherited Hashirama’s Will of Fire, Madara has only seen it so strong in his wife’s eyes until now. And she probably did inherit it from her godmother, Madara’s pride would not allow him to give Hashirama credit for something over his beloved.

You turned back to your husband, taking in a deep breath. “Well, my love? Shall we?” You saw Madara let out a long sigh before tightening his arms around you.

“Perhaps we are done here. I trust you lot can handle Obito?” Hatake Kakashi and his team nodded at Madara’s question. “Good,” your husband hummed. “I think I have some catching up to do with my wife. So much time lost… ” He ran a hand across your cheek.

You smiled, “Luckily, we have eternity to make it up.” You reached up and he met you halfway as he bent his neck, both of you joining your lips together in a kiss. The Senju brothers looked over at Orochimaru and gave him a nod to go ahead with releasing the Reanimation, and he did so quietly.

You could vaguely hear Naruto saying goodbye to his father. You could also make out the voices of the other Hokages talking to their own loved ones, giving them parting words of advice, confidence, pride, and love, - all of which you let fade into the background, focusing solely on your husband in front of you. You had him now, and you absolutely will not let go. You pressed your lips harder against his and felt as he let out a small moan, gripping you tighter to him. You would make sure that this next time you woke again in the after-life, he would be right beside you. You both can finally move on, together and in peace, having nothing to concern yourself with except each other. No war, no conflict, no clans, no rivalry, just a husband and wife finally being able to reach paradise together.

“Together, this time,” you spoke against his lips, feeling your body starting to fade.

“Together,” Madara whispered back to you.

And when you both opened your eyes again in the afterlife, you were still holding on to each other. Nothing would separate you two anymore, you wouldn’t let the forces of the universe get between the two of you anymore. Never again…

————————————————————

Hello and welcome to my blog, everyone! I’m so excited to finally get this first post out. I can’t wait to get more stories out, and I hope you guys enjoy this and any more that’ll come in the future! Thank you guys for reading all of it!

Any similarities to any other posts are purely coincidental and not intentional. Thank you all so very much~

HOTD ♱ TATBILB! ℳASTERLIST

⋆ ˚｡⋆౨ৎ˚ YEARS AFTER THE DANCE OF THE DRAGONS you found an old box buried in the farthest corner underneath your bed containing all the love letters that you’ve written but never dared to sent. which only leaves you wondering for what could have been . . .

𝒫AIRING. . . multi!hotd!characters x fem!targ!reader

𝒢ENRE. . . romance, fluff, angst, series

𝒲ARNINGS. . . profanity, further warnings will be added to each chapter

ℐOAEZZ. . . i hope i'll have enough energy + motivation to finish this one day but i doubt it. these stories can be read as a standalone but i suggest reading it in the order that is published bc it’ll make more sense. note: this is only very vaguely based on to all the boys i’ve loved before so it won’t follow the story line of the movies. i also wanted to mention that there’ll be two story lines; one where reader is rhaenyra’s sister and another where she’s daemon’s daughter so i can include more characters.

001 ℒETTERS ℒEFT 𝒮EALED prologue

002 𝒮CREAMS 𝒜ND 𝒟REAMS gwayne h.

003 𝒩O 𝒪THER ℒOVE harwin s.

004 ℳIDNIGHT ℒOVE alicent h.

005 𝒜 𝒮UNDAY 𝒦IND 𝒪F ℒOVE end part one

006 ℐ ℒOVE ℋOW 𝒴OU ℒOVE ℳE cregan s.

007 𝒩EVERMORE helaena t.

008 ℐ 𝒻ALL ℐN ℒOVE 𝒯OO ℰASILY lucerys v.

009 𝒪PERA ℋOUSE jacaerys v.

010 𝒜LWAYS 𝒻OREVER benjicot b.

011 𝒫OETRY ℳOTION end part two

to all the boys i’ve loved before © ioaezz, 2024.

saudade | as12

funny how you can miss someone you never met, right? my heart was aching today a lot and i cried even more while writing this so yes, it is long and it is sad, so you decide if you wanna read this or not. if you do, please enjoy if its even possible to enjoy bawling your eyes out lol

oh ayrton, you will always be missed

summary: during senna's funeral y/n has flashes of their shared past and what they could have together

warnings: for sure its intense, 5.6k words of pure sadness, thats it basically

pairing: fem!mclaren!driver x ayrton senna

It was a warm, pleasant day. The beginning of may didn't disappoint with the weather at all. A light, warm breeze swayed the flexible branches, on which fresh leaves were green. The sun was pleasantly warm, but it wasn't unbearable heat. Birdsong could be heard, but so could crying. On this day, mourners outnumbered the blossoming buds on the trees.

A crowd of people had gathered in front of the church, but it was nothing compared to the crowds still on their way. Everyone was dressed in black, and the only point of color in the black mass was a yellow dot, which from a bird's eye view resembled a sunflower petal, thrown onto the black, fertile soil. It was a helmet, a yellow racing helmet, which no one gathered there needed to be introduced to. In trembling hands, a young girl held it, never once moving it away from her chest. She held it against herself so tightly, as if she wanted to feel the warmth emanating from it, but it radiated coldness, like the inside of the church she was about to enter, barely able to keep herself on her feet.

Inside the chapel, it hadn't yet become crowded; the military made sure that the family and friends entered the church first. Inside, there was a grave silence, broken only by the occasional blowing of noses into tissues or a stifled sob.

The girl was aware of what was happening, she knew where she was and why she was there. However, her brain stubbornly avoided connecting the dots and completely pushed the facts out of her consciousness. If it had, she would probably have thrown the held helmet deep into the church, and it would have stopped only when it hit the wooden, solid coffin. The girl's gaze never once lifted towards her.

"Y/N, can you hear me?," the girl flinched when Ron's words reached her for the umpteenth time, "You know you don't have to be here, we can be outside."

The girl blinked several times, and at that very moment, her brain stopped pushing away the facts. Ron held her arm, his eyes swollen, his face even redder than usual. She herself pressed the helmet to her chest, so tightly that only when she moved it away from herself a little was she able to fully breathe. She raised her eyes and looked around. She stood in the front row of benches, where at the very top, just in front of the altar steps, stood the coffin. A large, carefully ironed Brazilian flag lay on it, its freely hanging ends touching the fresh flowers lying beneath it.

"Y/N…," the man began again, this time quieter. He saw tears in the girl's eyes, and he was about to continue, but she pressed the helmet tighter to her chest and started walking forward. She only moved the helmet away from herself when she placed it on the coffin. Y/N fell to her knees and began to sob, pressing her forehead against the hard lid. However, the lid of the coffin wasn't the only thing that separated her from her friend. The worst was death.

It was a brisk february morning. Silverstone Circuit had not yet woken up, there was no deafening roar of engines in the background, and the smell of burnt rubber didn't hang in the air.

Although it wasn't a race day and only a handful of people were milling around the facility, unlike the tens of thousands who usually flooded in for the weekend races, this day was expected to be exciting and full of emotions too.

Certainly, it was so for the 23-year-old Theodore Racing driver, who, sitting in the passenger seat on her way to the circuit, nervously picked at her nails. However, she should now be referred to as the "former Theodore Racing driver" because on this day, she had a test day at McLaren, with whom she signed a contract two weeks ago. In the past two months, the girl's life had changed dramatically. A few days after her birthday, she became the European Formula 3 World Champion, winning the title by just one point. One! The fact that she was so young and the only woman to rise so high meant that many people had their eyes on her and followed her every move. However, most people who hadn't seen her driving at over 200 kilometers per hour thought that being a woman automatically disqualified her from the sport. Ron Dennis, the head of McLaren, was familiar with her skills, though, and seeing how well she performed in the lower levels, he decided to take a risk and give her a chance. One of his proteges, however, wasn't so sure about this decision.

"Girl? You want to replace Prost with a girl?"

Senna, upon hearing the candidate to replace Alain, who, after five years of dealing with him, decided to quit and move away from McLaren, only shook his head.

"Yes, that's exactly what I plan to do," Ron lit a cigarette and shifted his gaze from the car to the disgusted face of the Brazilian, "Maybe she'll calm you down a bit. It's a miracle I found anyone to take Prost's place, no one wants to work with you!"

Ayrton snorted and shook his head again, unable to believe that his boss wanted to do something so idiotic. Silence fell in the garage, none of the mechanics intended to interrupt their conversation. Just like everyone else in the team agreed with Ron that it was a miracle to find anyone willing to take Prost's place, the same majority couldn't imagine a woman starting to race in Formula 1. Especially alongside a driver like Senna.

"A few races, and she'll quit on her own," the Brazilian muttered, "You'll see."

"Pray that she likes you and wants to race for us."

When the car stopped in the gravel parking lot, the girl got out and put on her sunglasses. Tom, her manager and a close friend of her father, just glanced at her and rubbed her back. He knew perfectly well how stressed she was. No one would be prepared for so much in such a short time.

"Everything will be fine."

"You don't have to say that."

He sighed and just pointed with his hand towards the entrance to the facility, letting her through the glass doors. He didn't convince himself too much. Shortly after, after receiving the appropriate instructions, they reached the paddock. Here, the sun didn't glare in her eyes, so the girl took off her glasses, looking around. An empty Silverstone was something unheard of.

"Good morning, welcome, good to see you,"

Ron, standing in front of the garage, as soon as he noticed the girl, broke off from the conversation with one of the mechanics and smiled at her, shaking her hand. She showed up for the tests, so he thought she deserved a shot. Maybe this would work.

The girl made an effort to smile and nodded at him. Fortunately, she didn't have to engage in a conversation with him because he was immediately engaged by her manager. She was glad that in moments like this, someone else could spare her from meaningless chatter.

"Good morning."

She greeted, approaching the car where a few men were working on the wheels, wing, and cockpit. Some of them spoke up, while the rest just nodded at her. She immediately felt unwelcome, and barely a minute had passed since she appeared in the garage. However, this was nothing new to her, she would lie if she said she was surprised. But the most important thing for her was that Ron treated her as an equal, or at least didn't make her feel like she didn't belong here. That gave her a sense of comfort. She didn't need a crowd standing behind her; she only needed two people who had her back.

The girl slowly walked around the car. The new, ready-for-the-season MP4/4 looked very good. Next to the car marked with her number stood another, practically identical, differing only in the number painted in red on the front.

However, the owner of the car was nowhere to be seen, at least not in sight. Y/N hadn't had the opportunity to meet Ayrton personally. The drivers' presentation with the car was scheduled for the end of the month, so it was quite likely that until then, she would have time to mentally prepare herself. She knew Ayrton from stories; she could watch his battles both on and off the track on television, the domestic war he waged with Alain Prost which ended with the Frenchman's departure to Ferrari.

Y/N knew she would have to face many things, one of which was Senna.

"Ready?"

Ron's voice snapped her out of her thoughts, he held a helmet and jumpsuit for her in his hand. She nodded and took the items from him, going to change. When she returned, she took her place in the cockpit, and after some time, when everything was ready, she followed the instructions and took her place on the track. She took a deep breath and clenched her hands on the steering wheel, staring at the start lights. When they went out, the girl sped off with squealing tires and the roar of the engine.

Ron and Tom stood next to each other, watching her movements on small monitors. After some time, the mechanics also began to glance at the monitors, seemingly more interested in whether she hadn't crashed yet than in her results. What surprised them was the sight on one of the displays showing her current lap time, which now stood at 1.38.412 seconds. Ron smiled and shook his head in amazement. The young girl was incredible.

The car itself wasn't handling badly. Besides feeling like a huge boat, to which she was definitely too small, it was actually a well-engineered machine. A few more laps, and she should be able to tame it completely. Although this fact was reassuring. When the girl spotted the checkered flag, she obediently pulled into the garage. She turned off the engine and unfastened her seatbelts, but she didn't get out of the car or take off her helmet because Ron was already beside her, hugging her tightly.

"Young lady, you flew in that car!" The man helped her out of the car, and she took off her helmet and balaclava, taking out the earplugs. "I told you, you did amazingly. Unbelievable lap time, great driving."

The girl wiped her forehead with the back of her hand and blew a strand of wet hair from her forehead.

"It's a really good car, sir."

"A good car without a good driver is just a good car, and a good car with a great driver is a masterful car," Ron shook her hand again, "Brilliant job."

The girl returned his smile, and when she glanced at Tom standing a few steps away, he was also smiling, his smile was the kind of "I told you so."

Y/N gave appropriate feedback to the mechanics and strategists, who now seemed to pay attention to her significantly more than when she first appeared in the garage that morning. Their faces still tried to remain impassive, but nevertheless, they noted everything she had to say. When it was all over, the girl went to change. She washed her face with cold water and looked at herself in the mirror, clenching her hands on the cold sink. She did it.

When she managed to cool down and calm herself down a bit, clutching her helmet under her arm and holding her jumpsuit in the other hand, shortly after she left the bathroom. Suddenly, she bumped into someone, and that someone turned out to be someone she sincerely didn't want to meet that day.

"Watch where you're going."

Senna muttered, holding a lit cigarette between his lips. He gave her a quick glance and disappeared through the doorway, his jumpsuit rustling as he walked away.

The girl squeezed her helmet tighter under her arm and returned to the garage, putting things back in place. After receiving the last praise and handshake from Ron, she said goodbye and left the paddock with Tom. Ayrton pretended to be too busy preparing for the start, so he didn't honor her with even a single glance. When he heard Ron praising her driving, he only snorted under his breath and shook his head. When the garage fell silent again, Ayrton took his place in the car, getting ready to drive.

"1.38.412"

Senna looked up when Ron spoke above his head.

"1.38.412," he repeated calmly, "The lap time of a twenty-three-year-old after her first drive in a Formula 1 car."

The Brazilian snorted and lowered his gaze, putting earplugs in his ears.

"I hope you'll be better than the girl."

Ayrton didn't hear his words anymore because he put on his balaclava and helmet. He didn't believe the girl had achieved such a lap time. And even if she did, it only spoke of the car's capabilities, not her skills. Senna hoped he would be faster by at least a few seconds. He had been racing in Formula 1 for almost five years; he was incredibly fast, and above all, he was a man!

When the tests ended, and he returned to the garage, satisfied with himself and his driving, the first thing he did was to look for Ron's reaction, wanting to see his expression when he rubbed his nose in it. However, the Brit looked at him indulgently, and Senna, not knowing what he meant, quickly tried to free himself from the seat belts. The Brit simply turned the monitor towards him and pointed with his finger at something that, according to Ayrton, was a big mistake.

Between him and the girl, there was a difference of a few seconds, indeed. But Ayrton was slower.

When Senna freed himself from the car, hastily took off his helmet and balaclava, and removed the earplugs, he was about to say something when Ron stopped him, pressing a cassette to his chest.

"Here, watch it tonight and see how the twenty-three-year-old beat you."

Ayrton squeezed the cassette in his hand and only watched him leave, unable to utter a word. It was some kind of absurdity!

Absurd or not, Senna spent the evening in front of the TV. He sat on the couch, leaning forward, resting his elbows on his knees. He frowned and carefully watched the recording from the camera placed in her cockpit. He saw how she aggressively entered corners, braking as late as possible, and how quickly she stepped on the gas when the centrifugal forces stopped working. He took a drag and blew smoke from his mouth, rewinding the tape from the beginning, just as it ended. The recording lasted twenty minutes, and he watched it for the seventh time, counting each lap on his stopwatch. Every time, the result was the same.

He couldn't wrap his head around what she had done, but he decided to consider it just a stroke of luck. She had a better day; he had a slightly worse one. Moreover, it wasn't the testing session or even the qualifying rounds that determined the winner, but the race itself. Driving on an empty track without rivals wanting to take your position was one thing, but racing in a competition where everyone wanted to beat you was a completely different matter. If someone had told Ayrton then that four years later, that girl would shed tears at his funeral, he would have told them to fuck themselves.

Y/N felt a strong arm around her waist, trying to lift her. Ron's heart broke seeing her in such a state. However, he couldn't help her even if he wanted to.

"Y/N, please…," he began, but she shook her head, overcome with tears. Wet stains of tears were visible on the flag covering the coffin. The girl was trembling all over, it was a miracle she could breathe. Since the accident, it seemed like Y/N was handling the tragedy very well, just being sad and quiet. No one had any idea what was yet to come. Everyone who saw Y/N by the coffin, this sight of a broken girl, felt nothing but sympathy. The bond she had formed with Ayrton seemed stronger and much richer in emotions than any he had with any of his partners. Ayrton wasn't just her teammate, he wasn't just a friend or sometimes her biggest enemy. From the very beginning, Y/N mattered to him, and if he said otherwise, he was simply lying.

The official skills assessment test for the girl was scheduled to take place less than three weeks after her first visit to the McLaren garage. Now, however, an official presentation awaited her at the reception hosted by the team. One evening at the company headquarters, a banquet was held, attended by far more people than initially anticipated. Most of them were journalists who had to announce to the world the phenomenon that was a woman at the top level of motor racing.

"It's more crowded here than I thought," the girl admitted when she entered the team headquarters with Tom by her side.

"Everyone is curious about you. There are even a couple of journalists from Australia, believe it or not," Tom said.

She looked at him in shock. "And they flew here specifically for this presentation?"

He smiled and nodded. "They'll be talking to kangaroos and kiwi birds about you," he joked, trying to lighten the mood. And it worked because she giggled at his words. However, her smile faded when she noticed Ron talking to Ayrton and two other men in suits.

"Everything will be fine. You did well on the tests, so you'll do well here too," he said softly, rubbing her arm when he noticed her expression.

"There weren't any sharks in suits and piranhas with cameras there," Tom was about to add some words of encouragement when Ron spotted them and raised his hand with a glass in it, trying to get their attention. They approached him, and he greeted them, introducing them to the directors. Ayrton, standing aside, was mindful of how many people were now watching him and wondering if his new teammate would share Prost's fate. However, the Brazilian had no intention of making an effort for gestures he didn't intend. Nevertheless, courtesy demanded it, so he extended his hand, which she hesitantly shook.

"Senna," he said, his Brazilian accent strongly evident in his last name. "Welcome to the team."

The girl introduced herself as well, but it was hard for her to maintain eye contact. Not because he was almost half a head taller, but because of the confidence emanating from him. It was his team, his place, and his time, and she was just a guest. There was no room for discussion.

Fortunately, the awkward situation was soon interrupted as the drivers and management were invited onstage. Ayrton gestured for the girl to go ahead, and she began to walk in front of him.

"I hope you don't grip the wheel as weakly as you do hands," he murmured behind her, quietly enough so no one else would hear, but loud enough for her to hear his words.

Y/N lowered her gaze, feeling a wave of heat wash over her. Even if she wanted to respond, she couldn't. He caught her completely off guard.

As they stepped onto the small stage, they stood behind one of the cars prepared for this season. The girl intertwined her fingers behind her back and straightened up, standing next to Ayrton. He might play his stupid games on her, but she had no intention of showing that she would easily give in. He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye and almost believed that his comment had gone unnoticed, but her cheeks were flushed. Normally, he would probably snort under his breath, but now he kept his composure.

After a few words from Ron and the board members, the floor was given to the drivers. The two of them remained on stage, each with a microphone in hand. Now it was time for the media, for their pressing questions and burning issues.

Ayrton sat relaxed, almost bored. His legs were bent at the knees, slightly apart. One hand was around his waist, resting his elbow on it, holding the microphone in the other hand. He answered questions briefly and to the point, not dwelling more than necessary. His attire alone indicated that today's banquet was just a formality; he wore a suit, but instead of a shirt, he had a white T-shirt, and on his feet were sports shoes.

Despite her best efforts not to stress out, Y/N was far from as calm as Ayrton. She sat up straight, one leg crossed over the other. Although her red dress practically touched the floor, she glanced occasionally to make sure nothing was out of place. She felt like every move, even the smallest one, was being watched and analyzed. She felt she wasn't focusing on the content of the questions but on how she appeared.

The girl blinked several times, trying to find a sensible answer to the question that had been directed at her a few seconds ago.

"Could you repeat that?" she asked, feeling a bit embarrassed about her inattention. Ayrton, however, heard the question well.

"I asked if you think you're good enough to compete with men or if you're just here for publicity? Racing is still a male-dominated sport, and it seems like you're just trying to prove something rather than compete," the man in glasses squeezed the voice recorder in his hand and looked at her expectantly. Seeing her confusion, he sighed, "I see you're not too bright, so let me ask directly - do you really think you belong here? Do you have what it takes to keep up with the boys on the track?"

The girl panicked a little; this question completely threw her off guard. Emotions overwhelmed her, and she couldn't utter a word. But there was someone who could speak and had an exceptionally sharp tongue.

"I see that, Mr. - again, for whom are you writing?" Ayrton spoke up, furrowing his brows.

"John Ruffleck, Guardian."

"Ah, of course, the Guardian," the man clicked his tongue indulgently. "Clearly, you are the one that didn't shine with intelligence, asking last year's Formula 3 world champion if she fits in here." Y/N was shocked to hear that Ayrton stood up for her. She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. Despite still sitting calmly, the Brazilian was ready for a verbal battle. "If I fit in here, then the 23-year-old who set a better lap time than me during the tests also fits."

Ayrton bluntly silenced the journalist, who merely muttered a quiet "Thank you" and lowered his head.

Several more questions were thrown in by Ayrton, steering the conversation away from sexist undertones. By the end of the conference, there were no more questions about sexist issues. The drivers got up from their seats, and Y/N turned off her microphone, placing it on the sound table as Senna did the same.

"Thank you," she said, looking at him. He also looked at her, but this time his expression didn't express annoyance or boredom, as it did two times before when their eyes met.

"Don't thank me," he said, taking two glasses of champagne from the waitress. "You are allow to drink, right?" he asked before handing her one of them. She nodded and took the glass from him. "Don't thank me, just learn to counter such nonsense. If they're rude, we can be rude too."

Y/N took a big sip of champagne. Her mouth was dry from nerves.

"I don't want to be rude, it's not proper," she said.

"Not proper?" Senna scoffed. "Because you're a girl?"

"Because they'll think poorly of me"

"Do you really care what that bunch of idiots thinks?"

The girl lowered her gaze. Ayrton was right.

Did she really care? She was a driver; she was supposed to deliver good results. She wasn't supposed to please the audience.

She was about to reply when Ron approached them, cursing the Guardian journalist's stupidity. He was so caught up that he didn't even notice Ayrton sending the girl a final glance and then finishing his champagne, taking out cigarettes from his back pocket, and walking away towards the exit. Y/N only watched him go. At that moment, neither of them had any idea how much she would learn from Ayrton, or that he would gladly take on the role of a teacher himself. No one would have even thought of it then.

When Ron managed to lift the shaken girl, she reached for her helmet again and pressed it to her chest. When she looked up, across from her, on the other side of the coffin, she saw a man in a wheelchair. Frank Williams looked at her in silence, but his gaze was apologetic, his face sad, and his eyes looked like he hadn't slept for days.

"Why?" Y/N whispered, but she wasn't sure if anything managed to leave her lips. Williams didn't need to hear her; her eyes said it all. Even if he couldn't hear her question or look into her swollen, tear-filled eyes, he would know perfectly well that she blamed him for his death. "Why, Frank? Why?" Maybe even more than she blamed God.

"If you can hold on to me for longer than five seconds, I'll let you pass," Ayrton said, exhaling smoke. He sat on one of the crates outside McLaren's garage, wearing sunglasses. The weather for the upcoming race looked exceptionally good, but Senna wouldn't mind rain.

"Are you challenging me?" the girl asked, squinting and looking at him against the light. They were sitting outside, where it was quieter, as the mechanics worked inside the garage.

"Why would I?" the man chuckled, taking another drag. Seeing her uncertainty, he offered her a cigarette, trying to reassure her with his gesture.

Y/N took the cigarette and inhaled the smoke, which tickled her throat, making her cough. She wrinkled her nose and after a moment handed him back the cigarette.

"Don't you want to test my braking skills and eliminate me from the race?"

Ayrton laughed and shook his head. "So, I do have a bad reputation after all."

"Definitely not the best," the girl said softly, smiling uncertainly. Ayrton playfully nudged the crate she was sitting on with his foot. He genuinely liked this girl; in fact, he could and wanted to work with her. Now he was even willing to let her win the race if she showed that she could keep up with him. She had demonstrated many times that she could drive at an exceptionally high level, so Senna was willing to show some humanity and let her achieve her first victory, especially on home turf. He stubbed out the cigarette and stood up, taking off his cap and placing it on her head, pulling it down over her eyes.

"Five seconds," he repeated, walking away as she adjusted the cap on her head.

The girl decided to take up the challenge, realizing that such an opportunity might never come again. Ayrton and collaboration? They were complete opposites after all. Y/N, who started the next day from the last place on the podium, managed to fight her way up to second place at the beginning of the race. She spent the next forty laps chasing after Ayrton, wondering if there was any point in chasing him if she couldn't overtake him. Seeing his familiar helmet in the side mirror, Ayrton smiled. He added a bit more throttle and began counting to five, but the girl's car didn't seem to be falling back. When the agreed time was up, much to everyone's disbelief, both on the track and in front of the TVs, Senna slowed down and obediently let her pass. Unable to believe her own eyes, the girl pressed the gas and took the lead, crossing the finish line with him.

She only believed in her victory when Ayrton offered her his hand and helped her onto the podium.

"Five seconds," he said, smiling at her.

"Five seconds," she replied, returning the smile.

How much she would give to see Ayrton again, even for five seconds. To be able to hug him for five seconds, see his smile. Five seconds now would last like an eternity, for which she would pay any price.

The church was filled with people, mostly family and friends, individuals directly connected to Ayrton. The remaining people were outside, surrounding the church, also gathering along the main road. There were talks of crowds, thousands who came to bid farewell to their hero. They too would give much to see Ayrton even for five seconds. Whole, alive, before the Imola accident.

Y/N held the helmet on her knees, looking at it with vacant eyes. She ran her fingers along the edges, tracing the stickers and sponsor names. She squeezed the soft padding inside. She closed her eyelids. Five seconds.

"Necessity is the mother of invention," Ayrton said, loud enough to make the girl jump. She was barefoot, wearing shorts and a bikini top, with his helmet on her head, visor down. She waved a piece of cardboard towards the grill, trying to ignite it better and not wanting the smoke to get in her eyes, deciding to use whatever she had at hand. And hoping Ayrton wouldn't get mad that she used his helmet for this.

The man smiled and shook his head, placing the wood he held in his hands next to the grill. Standing next to the girl, he lifted the visor and looked into her eyes. She looked at him apologetically.

"I'm sorry, I-"

"It suits you," Senna interrupted, smiling. "Possibly even more than me."

"Do you think so?"

The man nodded. His hair, damp from swimming in the lake, fell onto his forehead, and his brown eyes sparkled. Ayrton had been looking at Y/N like this for some time, in a way that many would describe as tender. Certainly, the girl wasn't just a teammate to him, as who would invite a teammate to their hometown to meet their closest family. Certainly not Ayrton.

"I love you, Y/N,"

He confessed as he lay on the jetty, gazing at the starry sky, where there was no trace of the hot Brazilian sun anymore.

The girl laughed and took a sip of beer, lying next to him and leaning on his arm. Both were drunk, so she was sure Ayrton was joking. However, when his confession was met with silence and he turned to look at her, his face was deadly serious.

"I mean it, Y/N. I love you,"

"You can't love me, you have a girlfriend," she replied, still laughing. There was no way he was serious.

Ayrton got up and without a word, kissed her, wanting to prove his words. When he pulled away after a moment, there was no smile on the girl's face. He was about to say something again, but she touched his cheek and returned the kiss, and he pulled her closer, holding her tightly in his arms. That night, they would find out how much they meant to each other.

Senna meant a lot to the girl, there was no doubt about it. He also meant unimaginable things to all those who took part in the funeral ceremonies, not only in Brazil itself but worldwide. It might have seemed like the world had lost an incredible man, someone who in life had already become a legend. Who would have thought that this living, almost mystical legend was just a man? A man who is mortal. Surely no one looked at Senna that way. Certainly not Frank Williams, who eventually decided to agree and accept Ayrton into his team, bearing an incredible burden now. Senna was supposed to lift his team to great heights, and his tragic death dealt a blow, not so much personal as it was business-related. However, at that moment, that mattered least.

Y/N and Ayrton sat at the kitchen table, eating a late dinner in silence. They were in their shared home in Europe, but for the past few months, the walls of the house seemed to be becoming more alien with each passing day. The atmosphere was as thick as it is now, when none of the people sitting at the table even bothered to steal a glance.

"Why didn't you tell me you wanted to go to Williams?"

The girl asked, stirring the contents of her plate with her fork. Ayrton tightened his grip on the glass and took a few sips from it.

"Ayrton-", "Why did I have to tell you?" he entered her words and looked at her, "Just to make you try to stop me?

Y/N blinked several times. She was shocked. She had the impression that the man sitting opposite was a complete stranger and someone she had never known before.

"To stop you? I'm your girlfriend, I should be the first to know about your plans, not hear from strangers."

"Did it change anything? Did something happen that you didn't find out from me?"

"Yes!" she shouted, slamming her hand on the table. She was so done with all of this. "I'm fed up with you treating me like an enemy for several weeks!"

"Don't you dare raise your voice at me!" he stood up, leaning over and pointing his finger at her. "You have no idea how much I had to do to get that offer, how much it cost me!"

"I have no idea, because you don't tell me anything!" she also stood up, pushing his hand away, which he was aiming at her face, "Fame has gone to your head, you're acting like a complete idi-" She didn't get to finish because Ayrton slapped her across the face. He didn't realize when his open hand met her cheek. Y/N grabbed her cheek and looked at him in shock. At the moment of the strike, he also seemed to snap out of it, as if he had been hit himself.

"Y/N, I'm sorry," he said calmly, trying to approach her, but she backed away a few steps, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do that."

"But you did," she said with a trembling voice, tears welling up in her eyes, "I don't recognize you anymore, Ayrton".

As the funeral rites began, the last thing on Y/N's mind was their recent arguments, of which there had been plenty lately. Nonetheless, since the incident when he raised his hand to her, Senna understood he had crossed a line. The only upside of the whole situation was that they had started talking again, and Ayrton had come to realize that Y/N was not his enemy. Yes, on the track, the girl might be someone he now had to defeat even more than usual, but she was still his friend, his girlfriend, his partner. Speaking of partners, many women appeared at the funeral, but four of them spent exceptionally long periods by the coffin. They had a lot in common, yet none of them deigned to exchange glances. Each of Ayrton's partners, even today, on such a dramatic day, looked at her as if she were an enemy. Viviane made sure none of them sat on the bench where the family was seated. Y/N belonged to the family. She didn't intrude, Ayrton invited her himself.

"Maybe you should take a break?" Sid Watkins persistently tried to persuade Ayrton and Y/N to withdraw from the upcoming race. "Two weeks, you'll come back to Monaco in better shape, with lighter minds."

Senna sat on one of the crates behind the Williams garage, elbows resting on his knees. Y/N repeatedly wiped her tear-streaked cheeks, trembling hand holding a cigarette. An hour ago, the qualifying session for tomorrow's race was interrupted by Roland Ratzerberger's serious accident. The man was taken to the hospital, but many said he was taken from the track already dead.

"This shouldn't have happened, there shouldn't have been talk of such an accident," the girl repeated, almost hysterical. She was in tremendous shock, having witnessed the accident herself as she was the one who followed Ratzerberger's car.

"They need to cancel the race," Senna said dryly, his gaze fixed on a point in front of him. "We can't race here, not after something like this."

"And if they don't cancel?" Sid looked from Ayrton to Y/N. "Will you race in such a state? You won't sleep over this until tomorrow."

"If they don't cancel, we'll race for him. I'll drive the best I can to honor him with a victory," Ayrton decided, raising his gaze and looking the doctor in the eyes.

"You like fishing, right? Why don't you go back to Brazil, catch some fish, relax. If you want, I'll come with you, I could use it too."

Senna rubbed his face with his hands, intertwining his fingers and pressing them against his lips. Again, he fell silent. He knew they couldn't not race; he certainly couldn't afford to tell Frank after months of effort that he wouldn't start tomorrow. He couldn't do that.

"I don't want to race," Y/N admitted, shaking her head, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Ayrton, he, Roland-" the man rose without a word and hugged her tightly. He enveloped her in a strong embrace, stroking her hair. Watkins saw that Senna was thinking intensely. And no matter what he said or did to convince him to skip the race, he would do it his own way.

"Think about it, Ayrton. Just think about it," he said one last time. Senna looked him in the eyes and nodded in silence.

Late in the afternoon, Ayrton and Y/N returned to the hotel. They didn't talk much; Y/N occasionally wiped her eyes with a tissue. Ayrton held her hand a lot. When they lay in bed, Senna laid on her stomach, wrapping his arm around her waist. The girl began to run her fingers through his damp hair.

"I don't want to start tomorrow, Y/N," he said softly. He was facing away from her, she couldn't see that he was crying too. "I have a bad feeling."

"You know nobody can force you to do it," she said calmly, her other hand stroking his cheek. "Maybe Watkins is right? Let's fly to your parents, spend time with the kids. It's been two months since you've seen them."

"I can't," he said, wiping his face with his hand. "I can't, nobody needs a driver who doesn't race."

"Ayrton—" "Just hold me," he interrupted, sitting up. The girl obeyed his command, sitting between his legs and hugging him tightly. Both were silent; Y/N tenderly stroked his head and tense back.

"This will be my last season," he said, not moving an inch from her. "I've done enough; I don't need more. I want to focus on something else, on more important things."

"On what, my love?" she asked gently, still stroking his hair.

"I want to be a dad,"

Senna surprised her with this confession. The girl smiled.

"Would you like to have a son or a daughter?"

"A daughter, oh, how I'd love a daughter," he said, pulling away to look at her face. "Would you like to have a child with me? And become my wife?"

Y/N smiled and nodded. "You know I would."

Ayrton returned her smile and cupped her face in his hands, kissing her deeply.

"Te amo, querido,"

"I love you too, Ayrton. And i will always do."

"And i will always do," Y/N said qiuetly, watching as the coffin slowly descends into the ground. Nothing can destroy such love, certainly not death.