*ೃ༄songs Neteyam Would Put On Your Playlist˚◞♡ ⃗

You are everything to me, you know?

|Go Hyuntak (Gotak) x Fem!Reader

|Slow burn, Friends to lovers, jealousy, Declaration

English is not my first language.

You had known Gotak forever. Since the days he wore sneakers too big for his feet and turned red whenever the teacher asked him to read out loud. He grew up — and so did you — but something between you two never changed: he was always there. Like a silent rock. A safe harbor.

It was the kind of friendship no one dared question, even though many whispered behind your backs:

— "Are they sure they're just friends?" — they'd whisper in the hallways.

And you’d answer with an awkward smile. Because deep down… not even you were sure anymore.

Gotak never talked about it either. He just stayed by your side, holding your backpack when you were tired, waiting for you in silence after class, protecting you from anyone who crossed the line.

But things started to change.

Especially after a new student — Jinwoo — joined your class. He was kind, funny, and started chatting with you every day. Harmless... until Gotak began clenching his jaw every time he got near.

— "Gotak?" — you called out one day after class, feeling the strange tension in the air.He barely looked at you.

— "Hm?"

— "Are you okay?"

He finally looked straight at you. His gaze was intense, heavy, like it carried a bunch of words he’d never dared to say.

— "You've been spending a lot of time with that guy from your class. The idiot who keeps trying to make you laugh."

You blinked.

— "He's just a friend."

— "I don’t like him." — His voice was quieter. Almost hoarse. — "I don’t like how he looks at you."

Your heart skipped a beat.

You tried to play it cool, but the silence between you already said everything.

That day, Gotak didn’t walk you home. And you watched his back disappear around the corner, feeling like something was missing from your chest.

Two days later, he showed up in front of your house. Backpack slung over his shoulder, hair tousled by the wind.

— "Can you come down?" — he asked, straight to the point.You came down. He looked more nervous than you’d ever seen him.

— "Did something happen?"He looked away for a second. Then looked back at you, this time with force.

— "I like you."

Simple. Raw. Real.

You felt the air leave your lungs.

— "I’ve liked you for a long time. Way before this Jinwoo guy. Since... way before. But I stayed quiet because I thought you deserved someone better. Someone gentler, who knew how to say beautiful things." — He paused, jaw tense. — "But seeing another guy trying to win you over... it hurt. And I’m an idiot for waiting this long, I know. But if there’s still time..."

Gotak took a deep breath. Closed his eyes for a second, like he was gathering courage.

— "I want to be that someone. I want to see you smile and know I’m the reason. I want to hold your hand, protect you from the world, not just as a friend. As... your boyfriend."

The silence felt like it froze time for a few seconds.

You smiled. Slowly, but with your heart full.

— "You’re an idiot... but you’re my idiot. And yes, I want that."

The relief in his eyes was so pure it made you want to cry. But instead, he stepped closer and pulled you into a tight hug. The kind of hug that said everything he didn’t know how to express in words. His forehead resting against yours. Eyes closed. Heart racing.

Gotak whispered:

— "You’re everything to me, you know?"

You smiled, heart pounding in your chest. You raised a hand to his face, gently caressing his warm cheek.

— "Then stop talking and kiss me already."

He froze for a second — surprised, almost laughing nervously — then leaned in, slowly, like he was afraid to ruin the moment. But once his lips touched yours, all the nervousness vanished.

The kiss was soft at first, shy, like you were both still getting used to the idea that this was really happening. But then came the certainty, the surrender. It was like years of friendship, care, affection, and hidden feelings finally found a place to explode.

He held your face in both hands, keeping you close, like you were the most precious thing in the world. And deep down, that’s exactly what you were to him.

When you pulled apart, both of you were still smiling, breathless.

— "Is it official now?" — you asked softly.

Gotak nodded.

— "Now it’s forever."

And that night, the silence between you was sealed with a kiss — and a new story was finally beginning.

Thank you to everyone who read this far. ⁠♡

scenario 21 with thanos please? it doesn’t matter which is x or which is y!

SLEEPY GIRL

scenario 21: x falling asleep on y

parings: thanos/choi su bong x f!reader

warnings: none (insane for me i know)

The train was packed.

Not just crowded—packed.

Bodies pressed together, people swaying with the movement of the train, the air thick with the scent of sweat, coffee, and city life. You barely had the energy to care.

Twelve hours.

Twelve fucking hours on your feet, running from patient to patient, drowning in paperwork, barely a second to breathe. Your scrubs smelled like antiseptic, your feet ached, and the weight of exhaustion sat heavy on your bones.

You didn’t even remember finding a seat.

Didn’t remember lowering yourself onto the worn-out cushion, letting the rocking of the train lull you.

But you did remember the warmth beside you.

A firm shoulder, broad and steady.

You didn’t mean to lean into it.

Didn’t mean to let your head fall, cheek pressing against the soft fabric of a hoodie that smelled faintly of cigarette smoke and cologne.

But you did.

And whoever was sitting next to you…

Didn’t move.

Didn’t nudge you off, didn’t clear their throat in irritation, didn’t even shift uncomfortably.

They just let you sleep.

—

Thanos exhaled through his nose, staring blankly at the train doors as they rattled along the tracks.

It had been a long fucking day.

He barely wanted to go to his friend’s place in the first place, but Nam-Gyu had insisted. “Just come by, have a drink, chill for a bit,” he’d said. “You never go out anymore.”

And fine. He went. Smoked a bit, laughed a bit, but by the time he was on his way home, all he wanted was his bed.

Then you happened.

He wasn’t even paying attention at first. The train was loud, crowded, his music was playing low in his headphones—background noise against the chaos.

And then he felt it.

A weight.

Warm. Light.

Your head, resting against his shoulder.

He glanced down, taking in the way your eyelashes fluttered slightly in your sleep, the soft rise and fall of your chest, the way you looked like you’d hit your limit and just crashed.

He could’ve moved you.

He should’ve moved you.

But he didn’t.

Instead, he let you stay there, let you use him as your pillow, let the train rock you deeper into sleep.

And maybe he was going fucking soft, but something about it…

Felt nice.

The train slowed.

Thanos sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. His stop.

He turned his head slightly, glancing at you. You were still out, lips parted slightly, head heavy against him.

Carefully, gently, he shifted, sliding his arm between your head and his shoulder, easing you away from him. Your head lolled slightly, and then—

You blinked awake.

Your eyes, hazy and confused, met his.

“Oh my god.” Your voice was hoarse, thick with sleep as you shot upright, realization dawning. “I—Did I—Was I just—”

Thanos smirked. “Yeah.”

Your face burned. “Shit, I’m so sorry—”

“Don’t worry about it.” He stood up, shoving his hands in his hoodie pocket. “Looked like you needed it.”

You blinked up at him, still dazed.

And then you noticed—he was getting off at the same stop as you.

You scrambled to your feet, slinging your bag over your shoulder. “Still. That’s—I mean, thanks, I guess.”

He chuckled, shaking his head. “You always fall asleep on random men?”

You rolled your eyes, stepping off the train beside him. “Only the ones with nice shoulders.”

Thanos huffed a laugh, glancing over at you. “Lucky me.”

You walked in silence for a moment, both of you heading towards the exit, the cool night air creeping in through the station.

When you reached the stairs, you hesitated.

He hesitated too.

You were going in different directions.

And yet…

Something lingered.

A strange pull, something you couldn’t name.

An invisible string, tying you together for just a moment longer.

You looked at him.

He looked at you.

“Well,” you exhaled, adjusting your bag strap. “Goodnight, Shoulder Man.”

His lips quirked. “Goodnight, Sleepy Girl.”

And then you both walked away.

In opposite directions.

But neither of you could shake the feeling that somehow, somewhere—

You’d see each other again.

'cause i don't wanna be in love with another / even in another life

pairing: arisu ryohei x gn!reader (no pronouns used) genre: fluff word count: 965

notes: need s3 to be released immediately, mandatory apology for my inconsistent posting, uni is killing me, only one bed trope, established relationship, arisu is touch starved a little bit, awkward loser arisu my beloved <33, not proofread !! pls forgive any mistakes, title from the maria's - heavy

the twin sized mattress is far too small for two people - easily evidenced by the cramped way ARISU RYOHEI’S shoulder awkwardly brushes against your own. his entire body feels stiff; he feels more like a corpse than a man when he shuffles slightly, still overly close to you. 

the beach is never quiet. even within the confines of a hotel room you had chosen at random, you can vaguely hear the music blasting throughout the hotel. chatter fills the otherwise quiet night. if you’re not careful enough, you can sometimes walk in on a session of drunken sex or a drug deal in progress. neon lights dance across the sky, drowning out the stars that are visible near the eerily empty shopping centers and traffic lights. 

arisu freezes when you roll onto your side, moving even close to him in the process. it feels like the entire world shifts when you do. despite all of his effort, you’re impossible to ignore. “arisu,” you whisper. your voice cuts through the darkness, stealing his attention away from the intricate patterns engraved into the ceiling. the man twists just enough to face you, overly conscious of every movement he makes. “are you alright?”

arisu swallows. hard. he sends a silent prayer that the shake in his voice will disappear by the time he quietly murmurs, “i’m fine.”

the butterflies swarming throughout his stomach only seem to increase when you chuckle quietly. you smile softly. sweetly. “you don’t have to be so nervous, you know.” you reach up, gingerly resting a hand against his cheek. arisu’s skin feels hot against your palm as you trace your thumb against his cheekbone. “if you’re not ready to share a bed i can go find somewhere else to sleep. i’m sure kuina wouldn’t mind.”

“no! no- i-” arisu stutters. his face flushes an embarrassingly deep shade of red and his mind races. he desperately tries to remember whatever advice karube had drunkenly told him over rounds of cheap beer and ramen noodles. “please don’t go. i want this.” 

there’s a pause. arisu squeezes his eyes shut, waiting for you to say something. an apology lingers on the tip of his tongue, about to escape from his lips when you murmur- “good,” you smile. “i want this, too.” 

outside of your window, glass shatters. loud cheers fill the night as the party rages on with no regard for the time of night. arisu has never been a fan of parties, preferring to stand in the corner and watch as karube flirted with anyone who seemed interested or slipping outside under the guise of a “smoke break” with chota for some fresh air. 

you don’t seem to mind, however, as you shuffle ever so closer. your hand slips away from his face, leaving goosebumps in its wake. arisu frowns softly at the loss of warmth before you wrap your arm around his waist instead. 

beneath the cheap hotel blankets, you further entangle your body with arisu’s. he can’t seem to pull away. or, maybe he doesn’t want to. he hasn’t quite figured it out yet. 

but when you curl your body further against him, now leaning your head against his shoulder, he lets out a quiet breath. slowly, the tension in his body begins to slip away. his anxiety lessens with each passing moment until his heartbeat has calmed to a slow, rhythmic beating in his chest.

this time when he turns to face you, your eyes are closed. soft breaths occasionally leave your parted lips. tentatively, arisu brushes a shaky hand through your hair. he tucks a few stray strands behind your ear. 

with your features now exposed, he can see the way neon light streaming in despite the closed curtains dances across your cheeks. before arisu knows it, his lips have curled upwards into a soft smile. he lowers his hand until it rests against the curve of your waist, just below your rib cage. 

now finally comfortable, arisu allows himself to relax against the pillows. his own eyes flutter shut as the incessant pounding of the dj’s music begins to lull him to sleep. maybe he could get used to this.

if you enjoyed this fic, please consider leaving a like, comment, feedback, or rebloging !! and if you want to support me, check out my aib masterlist <33

Just seen the new beta squad x amp trailer 😈😈

I'm so excited bro I already have fic ideas for it

I've been waiting for that trailer ever since they announced they were in Atlanta Georgia

I've only seen like 2 seconds of agent but he looks so 😍

we need more niko x reader. in general beta squad x reader !! im craving it

𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞

୨୧ ⋆ ˚｡ summary: you’re dating college athlete chad meeks-martin, and everyone assumes that you’d be under his spell. turns out he’s more mesmerized with you instead.

⇝ pairing: chad meeks-martin x fem!reader

⇝ cw’s: partying, alcohol, absolute simp chad, cowboy!chad, suggestiveness, and cursing. 

⇝ notes: i heart cowboy!chad..

masterlist  |  rules

Lees verder

underwater fairy

NYE Kiss | Trent Alexander-Arnold

Pairing: Trent Alexander-Arnold x Female Reader

Summary: At Trent's New Year's Eve party, he confesses to the reader, his childhood bestfriend, that he's lonely.

Word Count: 4.8k

Warnings: mention of alcohol, angst, miscommuncation, childhood friends, kiss

Note: Happy New Year!

With twenty minutes left until the clock struck midnight, Trent’s brothers, Tyler and Marcel were already setting off fireworks. A couple of Trent’s teammates were also in attendance, and some of the friends you and he shared, but there were still a few valuable ones missing.

Despite Liverpool playing a match the next day, Trent still wanted to do something for New Year's Eve, even if it was a bit risky. But he promised Virgil he would kick everyone out by one in the morning so that they had time to be well-rested for the match, luckily it wasn’t a noon match. Even though he had his brothers, parents, and best mates surrounding him, the night still felt—empty. A bitter taste was left in his mouth as he took a swig of his drink, searching for a solution to his ache.

Trent makes his way over to you, a brown bottle pinched between his fingertips. It’s too dark for you to notice if he’s looking at you, but the pause in his step once his eyes land on you gives you everything you need to know. He stops at the pillar of the canopy, face lighting up with the blast of a firework, “Did the fireworks get too much for you already?”

You purse your lips, shaking your head, “No. I just keep having the recurring thought of one of the ashes falling on my hair and it going up in flames.”

The corner of his lip barely tugged up, “That’s quite an image.”

“It’s very rational,” you defend, tugging the sleeve of your knitted sweater over your hands. Trent was dressed way more casual than you, a black pair of sweatpants and a dark gray hoodie. Had you known him and his brothers would dress like that, then maybe you wouldn’t have nearly lost a finger trying to put yourself into your tight jeans tonight.

A beat of silence washes between the two of you as he decides to stay quiet. He wasn’t usually this quiet when the two of you were with his family, but when he was, he was thinking. So in his head that everything else was irrelevant. It could be a battle trying to ground him back to the present sometimes.

“So, how are you?” you break the silence, sparing a weary glance at him.

“Lonely,” he mumbles. He stays facing the alleyway of Tyler’s home where they light another firework and then scramble away from it.

“Lonely at the top,” you sing, referencing his team’s position at the top of the table. Trent gives you a hard look immediately and you quiet down, averting your eyes from his. “Sorry.” There’s a heavy plate of tension that fills the air between the two of you and despite you both being outside, it feels suffocating. “What’s wrong?”

He shrugs, “Everyone is moving.”

“What do you mean?”

“Everyone moved, I feel like I’m the only one who stayed,” he says. His voice is soft but aloof, still not giving you a glance. “I just thought you would stay. Was a slap in the face to see that your house was for sale.”

It was your parent’s house, the one you grew up in. You lived on the same street where Trent grew up, only three houses separating your families. After riding your bike down the street and dramatically tripping over the rock that you saw at the last minute, Trent came running out of his house and helped you up. Him and his brothers were playing football in the street, the three of them had just gone inside, but he noticed your sparkling pink bike and got distracted looking back at you. Once he realized a kiss to your scarred knee wasn’t going to make the bleeding stop, he called out for his mom and the three of you walked you and your bike back to that house after she cleaned your knee. Trent had stayed by your side the entire time, assuring you that your knee would be okay in the next couple of days.

The sound of a firework exploding shutters you out of the past, forcing yourself to look at a sullen Trent. His bottom lip is tucked through his teeth as his eyes follow the firework’s path. 

“Trent, can you look at me?” Trent slowly looks in your direction and his eyes seem more hurt than he lets on. Much different than the bright eyes that welcomed you two hours ago. You swallow, “Did you think we would live here forever? I mean Jude, Alana, Kai….” You list off the friends and neighbors you both shared who had since then moved away. 

He shakes his head, “Obviously not, but you could’ve told me you were moving.”

“I know, we’ve just both been so busy. We barely put up the house for sale a couple of days ago.”

Trent blinks his eyes a couple of times and doesn’t speak immediately.

“I am lonely though,” he confesses and it stabs you right in the heart. “The season has felt really long, haven’t seen you or the lads that much. I know you go to some of my games, but we don’t speak afterward, and I miss you. I miss having people around that aren’t my family.”

“Trent,” you sigh. “I’m sorry for not being there.”

“It’s okay,” he shrugs. “I mean, it’s not like I’ve tried to be there for you either.”

“Trent—”

He cuts you off, “I haven’t had much time either but I dunno…the time I do have at home, it’s so quiet. I’ve been staying at my parents house actually, for the past couple of days because I’ve been sick of the silence. Sure, I could’ve walked to your house but I never did…”

He swallows another swig of his drink, the bitter taste in his mouth had yet to leave. And after chewing on the inside of his cheek for so long, he also tasted copper. He couldn’t blame you for being busy. He knew you had just landed the job you had been working so hard for, at a company that treated you well and respected your work, and with the way Liverpool’s hectic season has been going, he didn’t have much time off either.

You're left with your thoughts screaming at you to say something, but what could you say that would heal his loneliness? That you two could schedule a meet up soon? But it wasn’t concrete, ‘soon’ could be tomorrow, could be a week or before the month ended.

“We should hang out sometime,” you decide. “I’ve missed you too. My schedule is clear for whenever, just let me know.”

He downs the rest of his drink, before tossing it in the bin that Tyler usually has next to the side of the canopy but it’s not there. The bottle goes crashing to the ground but doesn’t break, it rolls off some steps away from him and he ignores it.

“Are you drunk?” you ask, eyebrows raised. You knew he shouldn’t have been drinking the day before his game, even if it was New Year’s Eve.

Trent looks back at you, a tsk leaves his lips, “I’ve only had one.”

“One case?”

“Funny,” he grits, any humor in his tone is gone. “I’m being honest.”

You cross your arms, not realizing you pointing out him drinking would upset him. Yeah, maybe you wouldn’t want to be caught doing something you shouldn't be doing, but Trent had been acting out of character the moment he admitted his loneliness. He was never one to talk about his feelings, always shoving it somewhere down deep that you had given up trying to pry out of him a long time ago because it always upset him more than helped.

“Tell me what’s really wrong,” you demand.

He looks away but you watch his Adam’s apple bob as he glances down to the pavement. The door to the house suddenly bursts open behind you, his mother weaving through you both as if you aren’t standing there.

“Fifteen minutes until midnight!” She announces, and then marches back inside but stops once she notices the two of you, “Oh, you two look so cute. Please, you both can stay in the upstairs bedroom if you get too tired to drive home. I’m sure Tyler won’t mind.”

Her presence seems to break off the tension because Trent lets out a low chuckle, “You know, she always thought it’d be us.”

“Us…what?” You bite the annoyance of him switching the topic away.

“It’d be us,” he shrugs nonchalantly. “That we’d be married and have a kid by now.”

Your eyes bulge at his words. He had to be drunk.

His voice rumbles as he kicks an imaginary rock, “What? Does the idea of starting a family with me repulse you that much?”

“No,” you shake your head frantically, hoping you didn't make him feel more bad than what he was already feeling. If Trent was going to be vulnerable for the last fifteen minutes of the year, then fine, you weren’t going to be petty and let your own feelings get in the way of him being open. You choose your words carefully, “I just—” Screw sparing his feelings. “You’re drunk.”

He rolls his eyes, words spitting out of his mouth in irritation, “It was one drink. One drink does nothing to me other than make me honest. Even then, it wasn’t a high percentage of alcohol.”

Your eyes dance between his dark brown ones. They seem more watery than before, the glow of the light from the inside of the house and fireworks glaring off of them. You look away briefly, “Honest? Like I can ask you any question and you’ll tell the truth?”

“Well,” he shrugs, “I don’t need a drink in me to be honest. I’m always honest to you.”

“That’s a lie,” you remark. “You lied to me when you said I could take your car for a drive.”

He rolls his eyes, “That’s because I value my life.”

You huff, “You didn’t have to be in the car with me, but fine, whatever.” You needed to control any impulsive comment you had. Trent was opening up, this was unchartered territory, and maybe he needed a clean conscience for the New Year more than you did. “I wasn’t repulsed by the idea of starting a family with you, I was just shocked to hear you say that.”

Nothing could’ve prepared you to hear him utter those words. Sure, the two of you shared your first kiss together and took each other’s virginities on the night of your twentieth birthday, but the two of you were never anything more. Never went on a date, never received flowers from him—minus the single daisy he plucked out of the grass one day as an apology for leaving the rock in the middle of the sidewalk—but nothing the two of you did was glaringly romantic. He held your hand for a total of two minutes and fifteen seconds one day underneath the table at a shared family dinner, but nothing came of it either.

He was off focusing on the academy, while you were busy studying in school. Once he did make his first team debut, you were in the stands cheering him on. He felt like the happiest man—boy—that day, having both of your families witness his debut. But still, the bone-crushing hug he pulled you into after you all met in the car park, it meant—nothing.

Even the night you lost your virginity, him as well, it was haste. He was in your bedroom, flipping through the birthday cards you received when you confessed to him that it was comical being a virgin at twenty, feeling the weight of society’s judgment on your shoulders for whatever reason, while he didn’t laugh at all. The liquor you both were sipping on gave you both the courage as you went on, sneakily closing your bedroom door and turning a page. After the both of you came down from your high, he cuddled you for an hour before slipping out of your bedroom window and going home.

Nothing was ever really mentioned after that, the both of you deciding it was best to scrape it under the rug so that it wasn’t awkward at combined family dinners, but there was a feeling. A tingling feeling that made your voice hitch whenever he looked at you or texted you. Any visit you made from uni, your heart did flips when he pulled you into a hug and welcomed you home for that weekend.

He snorts, making your eyes dart to him, “We’re being honest, yeah?”

“I’m telling you the truth,” you say.

He nods, “Okay, I believe you.”

Another moment of silence passes between the two of you and he sighs, stuffing his hands into his pockets.

“Can I ask you another question?” you mumble and he nods. “Why did your mom think that?”

Trent shrugs for the hundredth time that night, leaning against the pillar as his head rests against it, “Because I told her that I liked you. She said to go for it, I told her I would, but I never did.”

Oh.

Oh.

“When was this?” you muster up the courage and power to ask, feeling breathless.

He blows a raspberry, “Maybe ten years ago?”

You're glad that Marcel misfires a firework that goes flying towards a tree to the left of the house, earning a commotion from Trent’s family and teammates, so that you have time to wipe off the shock before Trent looks at you.

Trent looks at the tree and holds his breath, hoping it erupts into flames. Perhaps he needed a break in the conversation as well. He felt exposed, too vulnerable at the expense of your curiosity and even though he said he would be honest, he wasn’t sure how much more truth he could give out when you weren’t exchanging much back.

“Why are you leaving?” he blurts out.

“You know I don’t live there right?” your eyebrow rises. Surely you told him you moved. “I moved out when I was twenty-two. I live almost ten minutes away, but my parents are moving because they need the money. After I left, they started spending on stuff that they shouldn’t have, putting us into a lot more debt than we should be. So, I say ‘we’ decided to sell because the only reason they were keeping the house was for me. For what it represented.”

Your childhood. A part of you was heartbroken for what it meant, but the other part of you knew it was the right thing to do. You knew it would serve you and your family well.

Trent eyebrows furrow, “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because I knew you would’ve wanted to help.”

Trent averts his gaze, “I can. I can buy it.”

“Trent,” you gawk. “Seriously, I’m going to accuse you of being drunk again—”

“It’s your childhood home.”

“Yeah, and I made a choice. It was my choice to make.”

His shoulders deflate, “So you did want to leave?”

You nod, “It was time for a change. They lived there for the past twenty years. A home isn’t a single house anyway.”

“Do they have a place for after it sells?”

The quick glance at the floor reveals the almost lie you would’ve told him, but the two of you agreed to be honest, so you shake your head, “No. They haven’t left the house entirely. They still live there and whatever they make from the sale, they’ll use it to purchase their next.”

“I can buy it,” he states again and you shake your head.

“Trent, you aren’t going to buy my childhood home, drop it,” you spit, voice unwavering as he looks back at you. His jaw is clenched.

“Fine,” he agrees. “But if you have any doubts, I can buy it. I’ll give them whatever double the asking price is—”

“Trent.” You knew he wasn’t going to drop it, he’d most likely ask your parents first thing tomorrow and you didn’t even want to think about what their response would be.

He sighs, “Okay.”

Instead of letting the conversation simmer into silence, you take a deep breath and ask him another question. Here goes nothing: “Why didn’t you ever pursue your feelings?”

Trent rotates his body towards yours, leaning against the column with his shoulder. His hands are still stuffed into the pockets of his sweats. “I was fifteen, I was scared.”

At fifteen, the two of you would’ve already shared your first kiss and held hands underneath the table. You were so giddy, but you weren’t sure if you were giddy at the idea of getting caught or because you had a crush on Trent. The two of you spent so much time growing up together, playing footy, exploring the neighborhood, everything. Tyler would often tag along, and then Marcel as well once he got older, but still you knew you were closer to Trent more.

“And they’ve just gone away?” you ask without a second thought. Your heart lurches as he looks away. What a stupid thing to say!

He coughs, clearing out his throat and your cheeks burn. He looks down at the hem of your sweater, “Would my mother still be trying to play matchmaker if not?”

A squeezing feeling encompasses your chest that you wince. The shock was gone, you were upset now. It had been ten years, you could excuse the first five years because they were hectic with you at uni and him training, but the both of you had sex knowing the feelings were there.

Because no matter how much you tried to convince yourself you didn’t have feelings for Trent, they were always still going to be there. He was the first boy you were really exposed to. The boy you followed throughout the neighborhood despite not knowing anything about him. You wanted to be brave and follow him into the woods. Doing all sorts of things you would’ve never done had he not been by your side. The sweet boy who kissed your knee in hopes of getting you to stop crying held your heart the moment he ran to you.

He watches the way your eyes dart from the fireworks to his family members cheering as they drink a champagne flute. The crease in your eyebrow and nose, he knew you were in deep thought. On a night of too many truths, he was exhausted.

“Just say it,” he whispers. “We’re being honest.”

“You watched me,” you start, voice trembling but teeth grinding, “you watched me get my heartbroken not once, but twice. Gave me all this advice on boys, broke my heart in the process because I thought you didn’t like me back, and then I went on to have two relationships where they were both shit. And you just watched? Knowing you felt something?”

Trent can’t stand to hear the shake in your voice, it itching his ear in a way that makes him tilt his head away from you.

You continue, “I liked you too, a lot. So much that I would sometimes scare myself because I would see my exes as you, even though sometimes it would be months since we last talked. You were always on my mind, and had you said something earlier, all of it,” you wave your arms around to symbolize the time and heartache lapsed. “All of it could’ve been avoided.”

Trent glances down, “I was a coward.”

“No shit,” you yell. Trent abruptly looks at the crowd of people and hopes you don’t catch their attention.

“I wasn’t ready,” he says, truthfully. “I wasn’t ready to give you my all if we had gotten together. I was still finding my footing on the team, all of my focus was on that and wouldn’t have been on you if we were together. Okay,” he relents, “maybe I could’ve spared your heartache had you known, but it just—it wasn’t worth all the drama—”

“Drama?”

He shuts his eyes closed. Think! “It wouldn’t have been worth you getting hurt because I had training. Or I had a game and had to miss something important of yours. I would’ve been physically there but not emotionally present—”

“Do you think I would’ve cared, Trent?” you gape.

He shakes his head, “You wouldn’t, and that’s the problem. You wouldn’t have deserved that. You wouldn’t have deserved me not being present, it would’ve driven us both away. The only times I saw my family were because they came to my game and I met them at their suite. That would’ve been the only time you and I interacted, do you seriously think you would’ve been okay with that?”

No. But you would’ve been content knowing he felt the same. The small moments you saw him would’ve made up for any multi-hour-long day spent with him.

“Like you needed to find yourself at uni and focus on what you were passionate about, I did too,” he says. His voice is much softer and less urgent, knowing that you were understanding and on the same page as him. “But I’m ready now. I’m not saying you have to be ready right now—or maybe you won’t ever be because you don’t have the same feelings you once had—but, I’m here now. I’m as present as I’ll ever be. The season started off fast and will continue to be difficult, but I’ve learned how to be present at home. How to not focus on football and be with my family and pets during my spare time.”

On cue, the rest of Trent’s family—and yours—burst through the back door. There are only a couple of minutes until midnight, those fifteen minutes blew right past the both of you. Tyler and Marcel had stopped popping fireworks as they compiled a bunch together to be ignited exactly at twelve.

Trent looks at you, pulling your hand so that you’re closer to him near the pillar as your family members stampede outside, settling in lawn chairs and anywhere on the floor. Trent hasn’t dropped your hand yet. He caresses the backside of your hand with his thumb as his fingers squeeze tighter around yours.

“I know I was a coward, I know I could’ve said it anytime you were around, but it was never the right time,” he whispers in your ear. “We were busy, our lives never aligned perfectly, and maybe they don’t align right now either, but I’m willing to take the risk.”

A breathy sigh escapes you as you soak in his words. You close your eyes as you lean the side of your head against his chest. You needed to be grounded as you thought, and he was always someone stable. His hands don’t wrap you into a hug because he knows exactly what you’re doing.

“I still like you,” you acknowledge. “I’m a little upset you kept this a secret.” He snorts. “But, if I’m being honest, I’m not sure when I would’ve bursted and confessed the same thing. I wanted to tell you that we were moving, especially whenever we were thinking about it when it was first brought up, but I stopped myself. I was scared, because I knew my first instinct to reach out to you meant that it was something more, that I saw you as someone more than just my friend. That I always have. Every failed relationship was a reminder of it.”

Trent chuckles, finally being able to breathe. The tightening feeling in his chest had dissipated, replaced with jittery nerves as he restrained himself from pulling you into a hug.

You drop Trent’s hand and face him. If he was confused, he hid it well.

“I’m willing to take the risk too,” you state, the heavy weight on your shoulders dissolving. “I’m trusting you, just like I trusted you the day I followed you into the woods.”

“We ended up getting lost,” he recalls. He isn’t sure how much longer he can keep his hands off of you.

“I know,” you smile. “But I trusted you still, despite being so scared. I knew you would keep your promise and get us out of there before the moon rose. I’m willing to get lost with you, wherever you are, I want to be there.”

“You trust me?” he cheeses, his lips breaking out further into a grin. A chorus of a ten-second countdown breaks out in the background.

“Of course, stupid,” you smack his bicep and the brief contact makes the both of you hold a breath.

Trent knew he couldn’t get the smile off of his face no matter how hard he tried. He didn’t expect to have this conversation with you tonight, but after seeing you underneath the canopy, your clothes and figure lighting up from the colorful lights of the fireworks, he knew he couldn’t let you walk away from him again. You didn’t even hold his heart in the palm of your hands, you held it in your gaze. One look at him from you and he was floored, a weak and desperate man on his knees begging for your attention.

“…three, two, one, Happy New Year!”

Your blissful eyes combined with his gleeful ones don’t look away as you both lean closer. Your hands stay tucked by your side, his suddenly not wanting to move either as he leans down. The moment your nose grazes his, you close your eyes and let him kiss you. You press your lips further into his as the sound of fireworks go off behind you.

The kiss feels like the first one you shared together, tentative but passionate. It feels like a new promise, one full of commitment for the year to come. A promise from him that he’ll be there for every second of the day, and you a promise to be present as well. To not make him feel like he needs to bottle up his emotions and wait until the last minute to confess them.

His hands find your cheeks at the same time you wrap your arms around his waist. He pulls away and sighs against your lips, resting his forehead against yours. “Happy New Year, sweetheart.”

“Happy New Year,” you smile, pecking his lips one more time before burying your head into his chest. He pulls you in for a bone-crushing hug, squeezing your shoulders tightly against him and then resting his head on top of yours.

Instead of letting you close your eyes to soak in the feelings of him being this close in your arms, he shuffles the both of you and points up, “Look up.”

His careful gaze looks down at you as he double checks that you’re actually looking up at the fireworks, but he bursts into a nervous laugh when he sees you looking back at him. You can feel his heart quicken its pace as he stutters, “No, not me. The sky!”

“You’re so happy,” you whisper. Earlier his eyes were on the verge of breaking down, but now, they seem so full of light and hope.

“Yeah,” he slips his hand back around your waist. “I got the girl of my dreams in my arms, my girl.” He enunciates the last two words like they’re a testimony.

Your cheeks rush with heat that you’re glad he can’t feel them. He leaves a chaste kiss on your temple before looking back up at the fireworks. And then he glances down suddenly, “Do you remember when we made that fort in my living room?”

You burst into a laugh, pulling away from his chest, “What?”

“The fort,” he repeats, “it ended up crumbling because Marcel rolled too far and pulled the blankets down—you remember?”

You nod, bewildered by his sudden excitement.

“Well, the spare bedroom of Tyler’s only has a mattress on the floor, but there are some chairs and sofas we can combine to you know,” he lets his voice fade away.

“You have a game tomorrow, maybe you shouldn’t be sleeping on the floor.”

“It’s a new mattress! That’s why it has nothing else,” he laughs. His laugh is intoxicating that all your logic and usual bickering dies out. He could build the fort, you’d be right there helping him either way.

Your heart swells as his eyes go wide, his face glowing red. He taps your waist, “Look, look look.”

The red firework that just popped erupts into the shape of a heart. You smile, standing on your tippy toes to give him a kiss. To think you’ve been missing this for the past twenty years that you’ve known him. What a fool the both of you were.

That night, Trent holds his promise as you help him build the fort around the mattress. You steal a lantern from Tyler’s shed outside while Trent found blankets to use and old moving boxes. It isn’t an exact replica like the two of you first shared, but it’s quite close, only this time you two are wrapped in each other’s arms.

Echoes of You

Pairing: Ahn Su-ho X !Femreader

Requested: No

Summary: Memories of Ahn Su-ho and the others stay close after everything changes. While dealing with Su-ho’s coma and Si-eun’s move, bonds are tested and new friendships form. Even surrounded by new people, the past remains a constant, shaping every step forward.

Length: 4921

Genre: Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Drama, Friendship, Light Romance.

Warning’s: Spoilers! Weak Hero Class 2. Violence Mentions, Hospitalization, Emotional Distress, Grief/Loss Themes, Past Trauma, Mild Angst.

Status: Complete!

A/N: This is the first time I wrote something in a long time! It isnt proof read, hopefully you all enjoy<3

My feet pounded against the pavement, the world blurring at the edges. I didn’t know if I was chasing something or running from it, maybe both. Every breath burned. Every step dragged pieces of the past out of hiding, raw and stubborn.

Si-eun’s voice still echoed faintly in my ears, but everything else started to slip away. The noise around me, the ground beneath my feet, the weight of the moment. The present faded until all that was left was the past, unfolding around me.

The tires hummed beneath me as I pedaled toward Eunjang High, the path so familiar I could have ridden it blind if I truly wanted to. I was supposed to meet Su-ho, like always. As i approached the street right Infront of the school entrance the sudden buzz of an engine snapped me out of my thoughts, and I barely had time to react before a white motorbike streaked past.

I recognized it instantly, the big black box strapped to the back, covered in a mess of peeling stickers he never bothered to take off. Su-ho was in the front, his posture relaxed like he didn’t have a care in the world.

Behind him sat someone I didn’t know, a boy with a cautious grip on Su-ho’s shoulders. For a moment, I thought maybe Su-ho hadn’t seen me. Maybe he was distracted, in a hurry.

But then he turned his head just enough to catch my eye, a smirk tugging at his mouth, and kept going without slowing down. The boy riding with him glanced back at me, his expression confused. I called out for Su-ho, the words sharp and desperate but they were already too far.

My hands tightened around the handlebars, the metal digging into my palms and before I could think better of it, I pushed hard on the peddles of my bike making a quick U-turn to trail them at a distance. Something was strange. Not wrong exactly, not enough to set off alarms but it prickled at the edges of my mind stubborn and persistent. Su-ho wasn’t the type to ignore me, Not without a reason atleast.

As I followed them, it wasn’t long before they came to a sudden halt. I skidded my bike to a stop a few good feet away, just in time to see Su-ho swing off the motorbike and dart down a narrow alleyway without a word. He was obviously in a rush.

The stranger followed him, not as quick but fast enough to disappear with Su-ho into the shadows. I didn’t know what was going on down there, and honestly, I wasn’t sure I wanted to. That wasn’t my business.

So, I pulled my bike up next to his motorbike and moved to sit on it, planting myself stubbornly on the seat. The big black box on the back wobbled slightly under my weight. I settled in, watching the cars blur past on the street, counting them without really seeing them.

It didn’t take too long before I heard footsteps, slow and uneven, followed by a loud yawn. "I'm hungry after doing all that. Let's go eat. I know an awesome place we can go. Time to pay your bill..." His voice trailed off as I twisted my body to face the direction it came from.

Three boys stood in front of me all with different facial expressions. I stayed where I was, resting casually against my childhood friend's bike. The boy riding behind Su-ho earlier blinked in surprise, like he hadn’t expected anyone to be waiting.

He hung back a little, shifting awkwardly on his feet, glancing between me and Su-ho like he wasn’t sure what he was supposed to do. The other one, standing a few steps farther away, Shorter then the others, didn’t move at all. He just watched all calm and quiet, with a sharp kind of look that made it clear he was taking everything in, saying nothing. There was something different about him. something harder to read.

Su-ho didn't seem bothered at all by the way I was sitting on his bike. If anything, the grin on his face widened like he found it funny. He walked up casually, swinging his helmet off and tossing it onto the seat next to me with a careless thud.

"You know," he said, leaning a little too close like he was letting me in on a secret, "most people ask before they hijack my ride."

I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms, not moving an inch. He chuckled under his breath, like he knew I wasn’t actually mad.

Straightening up, he turned to the two boys still standing a few feet away. He jerked a thumb toward me, casual and proud.

"This little pest is mine," he said, almost affectionately. "Been stuck with me since we were kids." I moved my hand up to slap him in the arm for calling me a 'pest' before turning my glace at the new boys once again, "Y/N" I said plainly before glaring at Su-ho once more.

The boy who had been riding behind him looked even more confused now, shifting his weight like he wasn’t sure if he was supposed to introduce himself too. The shorter boy stayed quiet, still watching me with those sharp eyes.

Su-ho didn't seem to notice the awkwardness, or maybe he just didn’t care. He grinned at me again, wide and boyish as always. "Come on. If you’re gonna lurk, you might as well come with us."

At first, I try to distract myself. I pull out my textbooks, sit at my desk, and tell myself I will just study for a little while until they answer. It is fine. Everything is fine. Su-ho always takes a while to text back. Si-eun too. Beom-seok is skittish, but that is nothing new.

The words on the page blur together. I keep checking my phone every few minutes. Still no messages. Still no calls. The pit in my stomach grows heavier, gnawing at my ribs.

I text them again. Nothing. I call. Still nothing.

When Si-eun finally picks up, it is rushed and cold. "I'm busy," he mutters before hanging up without another word.

That is when the studying stops. That is when the panic really starts sinking in, slow and suffocating like someone has thrown a weighted blanket over me. I cannot sit still anymore. I pace my room. I stare at my phone. I jump every time it buzzes, even when it is just spam.

Then finally, the call comes. A number I do not recognize flashes across my screen. My heart jumps to my throat as I answer. "Hello?"

"Y/n?" a voice says, softer than I expect. It is Su-ho’s grandmother. "I just wanted to let you know... Su-ho is in the hospital, but he’s okay. Nothing to panic about, sweetheart. Just come when you can."

Her words are gentle, careful, but I can still hear the worry tucked under them, hidden like a frayed seam.

I do not even remember moving. One second I am in my room, and the next I am flying down the streets on my bike, pedaling so hard it hurts. I can barely see through the tears stinging my eyes and the panic clouding my head.

When I get to the hospital, there are two people waiting in the chairs near the front. Si-eun is hunched forward, elbows digging into his knees, staring at the floor like he is trying to disappear. Sitting next to him is a girl I have never seen before. She has neat dark hair, simple jeans, and a jacket that looks way too big on her. Her face is pretty but serious, completely guarded.

"What happened? Where’s Beom-seok? Is he okay? What is going on with you three? Don't lie to me." My voice is raw, panting from running more then i ever have. I wanted to cut the the chance, i was done the the lying in this friend group.

Si-eun looks up slowly. He does not say anything right away. He just stares at me with that same exhausted, hollow look that makes my skin crawl. For once, he does not try to dodge the truth. He tells me everything. About the fights. About Yeong-bin. About Beom-seok’s fear. About Su-ho trying to fix things himself before it all went wrong.

It is too much. I stand there for a long minute, feeling like I have stepped into someone else’s nightmare. My eyes snap toward the girl next to him. "And who are you?" I demand, sharper than I mean to be.

She stands, calm and steady, like she is ready for me to ask. "I’m Yeong-i," she says quietly. "I am... part of it."

I do not have time to unpack what that means. My focus is already on the hallway leading to Su-ho. As I start walking, Si-eun's voice follows after me. "He threatened us if we involved you in this." He says it so plainly, like he knew he didn't mind the earful he was going to get from his bestfriend.

I do not answer. I just keep moving, following the sterile scent of the hospital until I find the right room. Inside, lying still beneath the white hospital sheets, is Su-ho. He looks so small, his breathing steady and slow. He looks fragile in a way I have never seen before, so unlike the boy who used to grin at me like he had the world in his hands.

I stand in the doorway for a moment, just staring at him. His face is relaxed, the lines of tension gone, but it doesn’t comfort me. I wish I could hear him talk, see his smile again. But instead, I just watch him sleep, my chest tight with worry I can't shake.

Su-ho looked a little beaten up, but he was okay. His face had a few bruises, his cheek was bandaged, but there was no mistaking the relief I felt seeing him awake. As I stood there, staring at him, he stirred slightly and blinked his eyes open. When his gaze met mine, my chest tightened, the tears I had been holding back threatening to spill over.

I couldn’t help it. I sighed in relief, watching his eyes, knowing he was alright. But the worry didn’t leave me yet. It lingered, heavy in the pit of my stomach.

Su-ho’s lips curved into a small smile, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Well, well, if it isn’t my personal stalker," he teased, his voice rough from sleep. "Didn’t think you’d be the type to break into hospitals just to check on me."

I rolled my eyes and made my way to his bed. Sitting down next to his legs, I reached out without thinking, gently touching the bandage on his cheek. He winced slightly but kept up his usual cocky attitude.

"Seriously, you’re unbelievable," I muttered, my fingers brushing the bandage carefully. "You really worried me, you know that?" My voice softened as I looked at him, feeling the weight of everything that had happened the unknowns, the fears, the secrets.

He just smirked, his usual charm somehow intact even after everything. "Hey, I’m fine. Nothing you need to worry about," he said with a shrug. "It’s all just a scratch. It’s nothing."

Frustration built up inside me. "Cut the crap, Su-ho," I snapped, my voice rising slightly. "I know everything. Don’t pretend like this is all nothing. I’m not stupid."

His smile faltered. His eyes grew more serious as he leaned back, clearly trying to find the right words. "You don’t get it," he said, his voice quieter now. "I just didn’t want you getting involved. It’s too dangerous for you."

I blinked, caught off guard. "What do you mean? We aren’t kids anymore. I’m not some helpless little—" "I know we aren’t kids anymore," he cut in, his tone soft but firm. "That’s not what I mean."

He hesitated, like he was gathering courage. Slowly, a smug smile started to pull at his lips. I frowned, confused. "Come on," he said, teasing again but with something deeper behind it. "You really didn’t know? I’m in love with you."

The words hit me hard. My face heated instantly, my heart racing so fast it made my head spin. I stuttered, unable to form a coherent sentence. "Y-you... what?"

His smile only grew wider as he leaned in a little closer, his hand reaching out to gently touch mine. "Yeah," he said, his voice low and almost playful. "Thought maybe you would've figured it out by now—you being the smart one and all."

I was too flustered to respond. Before I could even think, he was pulling me toward him. His lips met mine, soft at first, then deepening as he held me close. For a second, I froze, completely overwhelmed, before I melted into him, my hands finding their way to grip his shirt.

The world slowed, everything else fading away...until a throat clearing broke the moment.

I jerked back, my face burning hotter than ever, and looked over to see Si-eun standing awkwardly in the doorway, clearly trying not to laugh. The girl next to him, Yeong-i, was grinning like she had just witnessed the cutest thing in the world.

I shot her a look, but even that couldn’t erase the warm, fluttering feeling in my chest.

Su-ho just chuckled and pulled me back against him casually, like he didn’t have a care in the world. "Guess we have an audience," he said, smirking.

When I pushed the door open, the first thing I noticed was how quiet it was. The room still carried the faint smell of pizza and frosting. The table was filled with a few boxes of half-eaten pizza, some plates stacked neatly nearby. Sodas sat opened but unfinished. Balloons floated lazily near the ceiling, and a "Happy Birthday" banner hung across the wall, a little crooked but still holding strong.

And there on the couch, Su-ho was fast asleep. He was sprawled out comfortably, one arm draped over his stomach, his head resting against the couch cushion. His breathing was slow and even, the quiet room making it sound louder than usual.

I stepped inside carefully, closing the door behind me without a sound. For a moment, I just stood there watching him. The sight of him like this relaxed and safe made my chest ache a little.

Quietly, I made my way over and crouched beside the couch, resting my arms on the cushion and my chin on top of them. I stayed like that for a while, just studying his face. Without the teasing grin he always wore, he looked softer, almost boyish.

Without thinking, I reached out and brushed a bit of hair from his forehead. The slight touch made him stir. His eyes fluttered open, confused and sleepy at first, until they landed on me.

When he saw me, a slow, lazy smile spread across his face.

"Hey," he mumbled, voice rough with sleep.

"Hey, birthday boy," I said softly, smiling back.

Still heavy with sleep, he reached out and tugged at my arm, pulling me gently onto the couch with him. I let out a breathy laugh as I shifted, ending up half lying against his chest, fitting easily into the space beside him. His arm wrapped around me securely, his chin resting lightly against the top of my head.

"You came," he whispered, sounding happy.

"Of course I did," I said quietly, settling into him. "Like I'd ever miss your birthday."

We stayed like that, tangled together on the couch, the world outside the room feeling miles away. His hand moved slowly up and down my arm in a soothing motion, and after a few moments, he spoke again, his voice even softer this time.

"I love you," he murmured, the words barely above a whisper.

My heart skipped, then raced, but I didn’t pull away. I tightened my arms around him instead, closing my eyes and letting the warmth of him sink into me.

A few seconds later, I felt him smile against my hair. "Best birthday," he mumbled, sounding completely content.

I let out a small, quiet laugh and lifted my head just enough to look up at him. "You’re so dramatic," I whispered back, but my voice was thick with emotion.

Everything had been weird lately. Si-eun barely talked to us anymore. Beom-seok was hanging out with the wrong people, and Su-ho... he just seemed off. It was worrying. He’d still tell me everything was okay, kiss me like nothing was wrong, but I could see it in his eyes — he was planning something. I knew it. But deep down, I believed that if it was truly bad, he would tell me.

I tried texting Si-eun, but he only ever insisted he was fine, just busy. Beom-seok didn’t talk to me at all. Once, he sent me a message asking to meet somewhere, but I had a horrible feeling about it and didn’t go. That pit in my chest was back — like something bad was happening, and I was the only one still in the dark.

I pushed the feeling away and forced myself back into studying. That was until my phone rang. It was Si-eun. His contact photo popped up — a picture of him and Su-ho smiling together.

I answered quickly. “Is Su-ho with you?” was the first thing he said, his voice tight, panicked.

“No... he hasn’t answered my calls either. Si-eun, what’s going on?" Beep. Beep. Beep. The call ended.

My heart dropped. I immediately started freaking out, calling him back, then calling Su-ho, then anyone I could think of — no one picked up. Desperate, I scrolled to Beom-seok’s contact and called. It rang once. Twice. Three times. Finally, someone picked up.

"Beom-seok?... I’m really worried about Su-ho, is he with you?" I asked, my voice trembling.

All I heard was a loud "Hey! Eat shit!" from somewhere in the background. That pit in my stomach grew bigger, swallowing everything else.

"Where are you... Beom-seok, where are you, you son of a— WHERE IS SU-HO?!"

He tried to say something, but I wasn’t listening. He must’ve realized, because he hung up. I called Si-eun again, my heart pounding in my chest, before running out of the house without even thinking. My feet carried me blindly down the streets, to anywhere I thought they might be. Anywhere Su-ho might be.

No answer. No answers anywhere. Everything was hurting by the time I finally couldn’t run anymore. I collapsed onto a bench, trying to catch my breath, when my phone buzzed. A text.

It was from Su-ho’s number. "Working out." That made it worse. It was late. What could he be "working out" at this hour?

I didn’t sleep that night And the next day at school, just as I tried to keep my mind from spiraling, I got a call.

Yeong-i. Confused, I answered. The moment I heard her sobbing voice, I knew it was about Su-ho. it didnt take long for her to tell me, Told me what Beom-seok and his gang had done. That Su-ho was in the hospital.

I didn’t think. I just stood up from my desk and quickly left my class, ignoring the calls of my teacher.

By the time I got there, Yeong-i was sitting outside the hospital room, crying into her hands. I sprinted up to her, panic exploding in my chest.

“Is he— Is he okay?” I asked desperately. She couldn’t answer. She just looked up at me with those tearful, broken eyes.

I moved to the hospital door in a panic. my legs moving on their own. Inside the room, I saw Si-eun first, he was crying, shoulders shaking. Su-ho’s grandmother was sitting next to the hospital bed, her face buried in her hands.

And there he was. Su-ho. Lying on the bed, a breathing mask over his face. Still. So still. His eyes weren’t opening like last time.

I covered my mouth with my hand, a muffled sob breaking free from my chest. I heard Si-eun cry, My eyes burned with tears as I forced myself forward, my hand instinctively resting on Si-eun’s shaking shoulder in hopes to comfort my friend.

Su-ho’s grandmother looked up at me, her face pale and worn. She shook her head slowly and explained through broken words he was in a coma.

My breath hitched violently as the reality hit me, slamming into my heart. He wasn’t just hurt this time. He was gone somewhere I couldn’t reach.

Without thinking, I stepped forward, taking my hand off Si-eun. My knees hit the cold hospital floor as I collapsed beside Su-ho’s bed. Grabbing his hand tightly in both of mine, I lowered my forehead onto it, whispering his name, willing him to wake up as cry's escaped my lips.

One afternoon, after another brutal day where everything felt too loud, too heavy, I found myself at the hospital again. The hallways smelled like bleach and cold air, but it was the only place that felt even remotely right anymore.

Si-eun was already there, sitting quietly next to Su-ho’s bed, his shoulders hunched forward like the weight of everything was pressing down on him too. He didn’t even look up when I walked in.

I quietly slid into the chair beside him, the scrape of metal legs against the floor the only sound between us. For a while, neither of us said anything.We didn’t need to.

The low beep of the heart monitor filled the room, steady and soft, a cruel reminder that Su-ho was alive... but not really here. My throat tightened as I stared at Su-ho's peaceful face. I hugged my arms around myself, feeling so small, so helpless.

"I miss him too," I whispered, the words breaking free before I could stop them. Si-eun stiffened slightly beside me, like he hadn’t expected me to say it out loud. I bit my lip hard, trying to keep the tears from falling, but it was no use. They slid down my cheeks, warm and painful.

"I don’t know how to do this without him," I said, voice cracking, eyes never leaving Su-ho. "You’re doing it," Si-eun said quietly, almost like he didn’t believe it himself. "You’re still here."

"But I’m not me anymore," I choked out. "I feel like I’m just... surviving. Like I'm stuck in some nightmare and everything’s wrong." Si-eun finally turned his head to look at me. His eyes were glossy too, raw from the same grief I was drowning in. "That's all any of us are doing," he said quietly.

The room felt heavier than ever. The weight of everything we were too young to carry sinking deeper into our bones. Unable to hold it in anymore, I leaned forward, pressing my forehead gently against Su-ho’s hand. His skin was warm under mine, but it wasn’t the same.

For a long moment, there was only the sound of the heart monitor, and my own broken breathing. Then I felt a hand on my shoulder, Si-eun’s. Steady and grounding.

I let myself cry, Really cry. Not just quiet tears, but the kind that shook my whole body And Si-eun stayed right there. Silent, Hurting too.

We sat there like that for what felt like forever. Two people who loved him so much, just trying to survive the wreckage he left behind.

Months had slipped by. I was getting better at surviving the days not really happy, not really sad. Just... waiting.

I still visited Su-ho every chance I could, sitting by his side, telling him about everything and nothing, even when the room felt too big and too quiet.

Si-eun and I had gotten closer too, finding time for each other even after he moved. It wasn’t perfect, but it helped.

One day, we were supposed to hang out, but he canceled last minute, claiming he was busy. I didn’t believe him. Not this time.

So I went to his mom’s apartment, where she casually mentioned he was volunteering at a youth cultural center for the weekend. I asked for the address and went straight there.

The building was huge older, with tall windows and the kind of floors that echoed your footsteps no matter how quietly you walked. Kids’ voices bounced around the halls, laughter and shouting bleeding through the open doors.

It smelled faintly like cafeteria food and something cleaner, more sterile. I wandered for about fifteen minutes before I heard it: a loud burst of muffled laughter coming from deeper inside. I followed the noise until I found the cafeteria.

It wasn’t packed, just scattered groups here and there. The light overhead flickered slightly, and the tables were old, the kind you could still find gum stuck underneath if you checked.

Near the back, four boys sat gathered around a table.

One had messy black hair and sharp, narrow eyes that flickered up as soon as I got close. Next to him was a lankier boy with glasses, his frame thin and awkward. Across from them sat a broader guy, shoulders hunched slightly as he focused on his food. And finally, there was Si-eun sitting quietly among them, not laughing, not talking, just eating with that same stoic expression he always wore lately.

I stepped closer until I was standing right beside the boy with the messy hair — the one who had noticed me first.

He looked up at me properly now, giving me a bold once-over before flashing a cheeky grin. "Lost, pretty girl?" he said, voice teasing but not unkind. "Or were you looking for someone?"

He leaned back casually in his seat, one arm draped over the back of his chair, looking way too pleased with himself. I give him a unamused look.

Across the table, Si-eun finally glanced up at me, his eyes meeting mine. He didn’t say anything, just stared, frozen mid-bite, his face impossible to read. "Since when do you volunteer?" My question was directed towards Si-eun, the three strangers around him looked surprised that I knew him, or that I actually spoke to him. "Y/N...What are you doing here?" His voice was calm as he set his chopsticks down. I shrugged walking past the other boys to lean on the table next to him. "I came all the way here to hang out with you this day, as always and you say 'I'm busy" I mock his calm tone, trying my best to make a bored expression like he does. That caused a snicker from the loud boy at the end of the table.

"I am." is the only thing he says before taking another bit of his food. I roll my eyes looking around before grabbing another chair and pulling it up sitting next to him. "well then I'll be busy with you. Y/N. Nice to meet you all" i give a kind smile to the three boys who look utterly confused.

The world blurred around me as I ran, my feet pounding against the pavement and my lungs burning with every desperate breath. I didn’t know exactly what I was running toward only that I had to get there. Had to see it for myself.

I stumbled onto the hospital property, my heart racing faster than my legs could carry me. Just ahead, standing outside the entrance, were four figures. Park Hu-Min, Go Hyun-Tak, Seo Jun-Tae, and Si-eun. I didn’t even think. I just kept moving, the ground beneath me almost nonexistent.

The three of them stood with their backs to me, facing something or... someone that I couldn’t see. I pushed my way between Hu-Min and Hyun-Tak, desperate to get through. As I brushed past Hu-Min, I caught a glimpse of his face, and for the briefest moment, I saw the sadness lingering in his eyes.

My eyes locked forward. There, just beyond them, was a wheelchair. And Si-eun, speaking softly to someone I couldn’t quite see yet.

My ears were ringing from the adrenaline, the noise of the world around me dulled to almost nothing. My heartbeat drowned everything else out. Each step closer felt like I was moving through thick water, like time had slowed just for this moment.

"Si-eun..." I whispered, my voice cracking under the weight of my fear. "Is that...?"

He turned at the sound of my voice, and when he moved, I finally saw him. Su-ho. There he was, awake.

His hair was a little longer, and he looked thinner, paler than I remembered, but none of that mattered. Nothing mattered except that it was him. My childhood best friend. My boyfriend, The person I thought I had lost forever.

When his eyes met mine, I saw the light return a tired but unmistakable smile slowly growing across his face, the same crooked grin that had once made me fall so hopelessly in love.

I stumbled forward, tears already spilling over. My hand lifted, shaking, reaching out to him like I needed proof that he was really there, that this wasn’t another cruel dream I would wake up from.

Before I could touch him, he reached up first, his hand finding mine and holding it tightly, like he was grounding me back to the earth.

"There you are, stalker." Su-ho said, his voice rough but teasing, full of more life than I could have ever hoped for. "I thought you gave up."

Taglist: @kn1fes0b

Header’s Creator: @firefly-graphics

I actually need more hyuntak fics rn pls where is it