#chan imagine

wow I really love Chan and I can’t believe I haven’t written anything for him yet

You woke up on the couch with a stiff neck and pins and needles in your right arm, which had been wedged uncomfortably under your body during your impromptu nap. You groaned, sat up, and stretched out every part of your body. You then checked your phone and saw that it was 10:36 pm - an hour after your boyfriend Chan promised he’d come by your apartment to watch a movie and spend the night. Then it dawned on you that you must have fallen asleep waiting for him to get home. You sighed, it’s not like you could blame him, because he and the rest of Stray Kids had a comeback coming up and had a lot of work to get done for it. Still, the two of you had been planning this movie night for two weeks, and you couldn’t help but be upset that it looked like it wasn’t happening as planned.

Then an idea popped into your head; you hurried around your apartment to gather all of the things you needed, threw them kind of haphazardly in your bag, slipped on your shoes, and ran out the door. You made it to the bus stop just in time to catch the 10:50 bus that let you off just one block away from the JYP Entertainment building. The receptionist recognized you and let you in, so you made your way to the recording studio Chan liked to work in. Sure enough, there he was, tapping away at the different controls and listening to the results through is headphones. You decided to play a little prank on him since you realized he hadn’t noticed you entering the room.

You placed your bag gently on the floor by the door and then slowly walked to the other side of the room until you were right behind Chan’s chair. You paused for a moment, and then suddenly grabbed his shoulders. As expected, he let out a loud scream and jumped out of his chair (and nearly out of his skin). He ripped off his headphones and spun around to face you. You were immediately doubled over in laughter - the expression on his face was priceless.

“Y/N! What - what just happened? What are you doing here?” Chan questioned. It took you a moment to get your laughter under enough control that you could respond, and you had to wipe a few tears away from your face.

“You never came over to my place, so I figured I’d come by here. You never noticed me come in and I just couldn’t pass up the perfect opportunity to scare you,” you managed to get out before another fit of giggles came over you. He rolled his eyes and tried to suppress a smile, but you knew he wasn’t mad at you.

“Never came over? What do you mean, it’s only like nine o’clock. We weren’t gonna meet up until 9:30,” he said.

“Chan, it’s like, quarter after eleven.”

“What? It can’t be!” He took out his phone and checked the time, eyes widening when he saw you were right. “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry Y/N! I swear I didn’t mean to blow you off like that,” he exclaimed. You waved your hands dismissively.

“Don’t worry about it, I fell asleep anyway, and only came over here once I woke up,” you explained.

“Still, I feel bad. How about we head back now? It’s not too late for a movie, right? Tomorrow’s my day off so we can stay up as late as we want and sleep in to make up for it,” he suggested. You shrugged in response.

“Nah, it’s okay, I’m already here. Besides, I’ve already planned out a new way for us to spend the night.”

“Oh?” You lead him back towards the door where you left your bag. You crouched down and gently poured everything from your bag on to the carpeted floor. Out came your laptop, two notebooks, three black pen, several colored pens held together with a rubber band, a clear pencil case full of various highlighters and markers, a bag of pretzels, and two water bottles. Chan just stared at you, a look of confusion on his face. You stood back up before explaining, first handing him one of the water bottles. You knew that if he lost track of time that easily then he probably wasn’t paying attention to staying hydrated, either.

“I figured what with your comeback date being so soon and all, you could use as much time as possible to work. And you know I’ve always got a million different story ideas I could work on. So, I figured I’d bring my work here and we could just spend our time together being productive with our respective projects.”

“Are you sure you want to do that? We could do something else, something where I actually pay some attention to you,” Chan said.

“No, no, this is fine. Just being in the same room as you is enough for me,” you said, making him blush.

“Okay, well, if you’re sure. But we’re not staying here all night. I just want to finish this one song and then we’re gonna head back to your place, okay?” You nodded, that seemed like a good idea to you. He leaned in to kiss your forehead before shuffling back to his desk and getting back into producing music.

You took a seat on the floor and spread out all of your writing supplies around you. You then laid out across the floor after decided it would be more comfortable and got to work. Every now and then you would look up and admire your boyfriend hard at work. After the two of you worked like that for while, you looked up to see Chan slumped over the desk, sleeping like a rock. You chuckled, knowing this was inevitable. You got up and quietly packed away your things before going over to your boyfriend. You gently shook his shoulder until he started to get up.

“I think it’s time to head out, Channie. You can sleep at my place,” you said. He opened his mouth to respond but instead yawned. Seeing him yawn made you feel like you had to yawn as well.

“Yeah, I think you’re right,” he said, making you both chuckle. He then followed suit and and cleaned up all of his things. “What time is it?” he asked.

“Uh, 1:21 in the morning,” you responded after checking your phone. “We’re gonna have to walk back, the busses stop running at one.”

“Well, that’s alright. I don’t mind as long as I’m with you,” Chan said. You scrunched your nose at his cheesiness, but he just laughed at your reaction. You made your way out of the building and headed in the direction of your apartment.

“So how’d the song come out?” you asked after a few blocks of walking in silence.

“Well, I was actually kinda stuck on the transition into the second verse for a while before you came to visit and it was so frustrating. Honestly, I think you being there helped me because I’m a lot happier with where it’s at now. It’s almost like you got my creativity flowing again. I have to show it to Jisung and Changbin when I get back to the dorms, I really think they’ll like how it turned out too,” he answered.

“Aw, I guess I’m just your muse,” you joked. He grabbed your hand and pulled you close to him as you walked.

“Yeah, you really are.” He kissed your temple before letting you walk not pressed up next to him, but kept your hand in his.

“Well if I’m your muse then you most definitely are mine, too. I finally figured out wording I don’t hate for the one line of that poem I wrote last month, and I was able to get an outline down for two and a half chapters of a new story I’ve had floating around my head recently. If I had stayed home I know I would have just watched Netflix or something, and instead I got a lot done and I’m super happy about it,” you ranted. Chan laughed.

“So, in a way, me losing track of time and forgetting to come over was a good thing,” he said. You rolled your eyes and laughed with him.

“I mean, I guess it all turned out okay, but you still owe me that movie night,” you insisted.

“And I fully intend to deliver on that,” he promised.

After what seemed like forever, you finally made it back to your apartment and couldn’t wait to get some sleep. After you both put your pajamas on and did everything else you needed to do, you got into your bed. Chan, being the clingy, touchy boyfriend he is, pulled you over so that you were cuddling. You kissed his cheek.

“Good night, Channie.”

“Sweet dreams, my muse.”

as with the last one, I probably should proofread this, but it’s currently 11 pm and I have work in the morning so I’m not going to

Safe Haven.

Sub!Chan x reader | fluff, the tiniest bit of angst (if any)

Warnings: Chan goes into subspace and calls you mommy, that’s about it

Word count: 1 091

A/N: So, uh, yeah. I’m getting tired of reading the same sub!idol pwp smut fics, so I decided to make something of my own. I’m not really proud of it, but it’s been sitting in my drafts for so long that I just need to get it out, lol. Anyways, thank you all for your patience and support, and I hope you enjoy! ♥

I feel like Chan would often go into subspace when really stressed. A place where he could feel small, safe, and warm. Where his mind grew fuzzy, all worries escaping him at once and being replaced with nothing but you. You, his biggest support, who always helped him relax and be the vulnerable one for once. 

He very much deserved it, after all. With the long, tiring days filled with work and leading others, you knew he needed someone to help him destress as well. And you, being the perfect partner, were very willing to do so.

This wasn’t an immediate thing in your relationship, though. It took a long time for Chan to trust you completely and to talk about his problems. And it took even longer for him to start voicing his own needs and wants without feeling guilty, weak, or incompetent.

But you were patient and waited. And so, slowly, you could see Chan’s walls finally begin to break down around you.

He felt uneasy about it at first. It felt strangely wrong to be so emotionally open with someone else. But eventually, as he grew more comfortable in your relationship, Chan realized just good opening up made him feel. It was as if his heart became lighter, finally spared of carrying all of his secrets and worries on its own.

Obviously, this dynamic between you two was kept well hidden at all times. In public, you let Chan assume the usual leading role, allowing him to slip into the position he was most comfortable in around people.

Once behind closed doors, however, it was a completely different story. Almost like the flick of a switch, Chan’s demeanor flipped around, and now he was the one relying on you to soothe him after a long day, to hold him close and shush his cries after the particularly bad ones.

This eventually led to your apartment becoming a trigger of sorts. A good trigger, of course. Something that immediately put his mind at ease and slowed down all the thoughts running through his head the whole day.

But every once in a while, even that wouldn’t be enough.

The stress, the bottled-up emotions, the pressure from all sides, it just became too much for him. With the last bits of his energy, he kept up the facade just long enough to make it home, where he would finally let himself crumble into your arms, even more so than usual.

Just like now, when he finally arrived at the door to your shared apartment. It was an unusually long and tiring day today where nothing seemed to go right and took ten times longer than usual. And once he thought things couldn’t get any worse, he managed to get himself into a petty fight with Jisung over basically nothing, making him feel horrible for the rest of the day.

Frankly, at this point, he just couldn’t wait to run into your arms and melt into you. And so, with a sigh and a hint of a smile on his lips, he unlocked the door, stepping inside.

Already, as he placed his shoes next to yours on the shoe rack, his head started to feel fuzzy. Fuzzy at the idea of you waiting home for him, his very own safe haven. 

He quietly trudged down the hall, letting his feet pat on the linoleum floor as he went to wash his hands in the bathroom. While there, he stopped to look at the reflection of himself in the mirror, noticing the exhaustion and stress written all over his face. He frowned to himself, silently promising to go to bed earlier today (a promise he probably won’t be able to keep, unfortunately).

He was brought out of his thoughts by a small shuffling noise outside, feeling his heart thump in his chest as he realized it must have been you.

You.

He was looking forward to seeing you somuch, practically dying to be in your arms once again and bask in all the love and attention you liked to shower him in.

As he gently dried his hands, he could feel himself quickly slipping into subspace. His mind clouded over even more, and each of his touches and movements became softer and slower.

Carefully, he opened the door, peaking out slightly.

“Mommy?” He called out weakly, gripping onto the sleeve of his hoodie with his free hand to keep himself grounded just a little while longer.

Getting no response, he hesitantly stepped out of the bathroom to search the apartment. As he walked around, he let both of his hands slip inside of his hoodie, making little paws for himself to warm his fingers.

But after checking the bedroom, the kitchen, the guest room, and even the bathroom again just to be sure, he still couldn’t find you.

Feeling lost, he stood in the living room, fumbling with his hands as he was unsure of what to do.

“M-mommy? Where are you?” He called out again, feeling a strange, uncomfortable feeling twisting in his chest from your unexpected absence.

You had to be home, right? He clearly saw your shoes when he was taking off his. He even saw your coat hanging by the door, didn’t he?

Maybe he should go check the entrance again, maybe-

A sudden giggle from behind startled him out of his thoughts, making him jump a bit.

He quickly turned around to look for the source of the sound, an adorable look of confusion and surprise on his face as he did so. Just then, he noticed your figure on the couch, comfortably lying under a big, fluffy blanket. When his eyes finally met yours, you gave him a small grin, chuckling lightly at his expression.

“O-oh,” was all he managed to say, turning beet red as he realized you were in plain sight the whole time, watching him wander around the apartment as he searched for you. He was already so far away in his mind, he somehow managed to completely miss you laying on the couch.

“There you go, Channie,” you smiled fondly before lifting the blanket off of you and opening your arms to him.

He didn’t need to be told anything else after that, already on his way to dive head-first into your embrace. You let out a small huff as his weight dropped onto you, but wrapped your arms around him nonetheless, letting your baby finally relax after the long day.

Thank you for reading! And remember, any feedback is always appreciated! ♥

이건 전체 과정입니다. It’s a whole process.

Description: Working in a well known dance studio, you’re used to idols filming things. But Seventeen’s Dino is different and you find him rather adorable. Don’t worry, he thinks the same of you.
Warnings: None?
Genre: Fluff, Idol!Dino x Fem!Reader
Word Count: 2.5k 

SeventeenMasterlist|Masterlists

“Hey, (y/n), do you need anything from the cafe?” Lia walked over with Ben, one of the male staff members. “We’re taking a mass order since it’s probably going to be a long night.”

I diverted my eyes away from the computer screen and puckered my lips, “Mmm. Just an Americano.” I said and Ben quickly added my order to the list on his phone.

“You got it.” Ben said before he zoomed out of the studio.

“Are you sure you want to stay here?” Lia asked for the second time that night, “You really don’t have to.”

I shook my head, “It’s fine. I want to stay.” My words were true. I was always curious about the making of choreographies and that side of the dance world so whenever Lia stayed late, I usually did too, just watching from the sidelines. I dabbled in the dancing side but not the making side. That I could never figure out how to do.

She nodded her head and walked back into the studio where they were setting up, awaiting the arrival of our guests for the night.

Turning back to the computer, I resumed my task of adding new sign ups to their preferred classes. A few minutes later, four boisterous men walked in behind a calm, exhausted older male. They stop at my front desk; the male leading greeting me with a small smile while the other four have wide smiles painted on their face.

“Hi, which studio?” The lead male asked.

“Studio 6.” I told him and pointed to the room where Lia had disappeared not too long ago.

“Thank you.” He nodded and walked away.

The other four behind him smiled and thanked me but the shortest one kept his eyes on me a few seconds longer than the rest. With a small smirk, I gave him a small nod and he quickly turned around before I could catch the blush fully take over his cheeks.

I lowered my gaze and a rush of ‘what did I just do’ washed over me. I knew who they were before they even showed up. This filming had been in the schedule for WEEKS. It was Seventeen’s Performance Unit filming a dance thing here. Yeah, I knew who they were, and I knew Dino was the one looking at me. So what possessed me to be so bold like that? Well, probably the small ounce of 'fuck it’ that comes and goes with the wind. And boy, did it leave after they walked into the studio. Luckily, embarrassment was quick to fill it’s spot.

I ruffled my hair to try and ignore the impending tsunami of anxious thoughts before attempting to refocus on my screen.

I had just finished compiling the list of participants for the classes in two days when I noticed someone approaching.

“Hello.” I looked up at greeted Dino with a welcoming smile.

“Hey,” He said, a bit nervous, then cleared his throat. “Where’s the bathroom here?”

I pointed to the hallway behind me, “Down there. It’ll be the 3rd door on your left.”

Dino smiled in thanks, “Alright, cool. Thanks.” He said before shuffling down the hallway.

My head followed him slightly as he walked away and a small laugh bubbled in my chest. There was no denying that he was cute.

“Hey, hey.” Minghao rushed up to my desk, “Have you seen Dino?”

With wide eyes, I pointed behind me at the bathrooms. “Bathroom.”

Minghao tapped the ledge once before quickly walking off to the bathrooms. Not 1 minute later, he walked back out with Dino in tow.

“I told you, you should’ve gone before we got here.” Minghao scolded the youngest.

“Blah, blah, blah.” Dino playfully imitated Minghao.

I covered my mouth with my fist before lowering my head to cover up the laugh I could barely hold back. As I regained control of my composure, Ben struggled through the doors with one too many drink carriers balanced in his arms. I shot around the desk and grabbed a couple carriers full of Americanos so a disaster didn’t occur.

“Remind me never to go get drinks alone.” Ben joked when he’s made it inside.

“I really don’t know why you tried it in the first place.” I told him as we walked towards the studio to deliver the drinks.

As we passed my desk, I pulled one of the Americanos out and placed it on my desk so I wouldn’t forget it later.

“I really thought I could do it.” Ben explains, “14 drinks doesn’t seem like a lot… But then you think about it.” He finishes, his whole body emphasizing the panic he felt when he 'thought’ about it.

I giggled, “I think we may need to set a limit for how many you’re allowed to carry.”

“I will carry as many as my heart desires.” Ben puffed out his chest.

I tried to respond with a quip but the music started blasting, effectively drowning and ending our conversation. We waited at the doorway as the four male idols did a soft run through of their routine. I’d watched their practices online before but there was something different about watching them in person. Like something in the air changed. If I thought about it, it almost felt like the air was buzzing with electricity and the only thing I could do was stand there and let the goosebumps take over.

Even though it was only a soft run, Dino made sure to hit all the points with power and nothing about his soft run was soft. It was all done with precision except the motions weren’t as big. My head tilted to the side in admiration and I was still staring when the song ended. So zoned out that Ben had to nudge me with his elbow.

I righted myself and began handing out the drinks. With all the drinks handed out, I retreat to my little cove in the front. The sight of my Americano sitting on my desk was a nice surprise considering I had indeed forgot that it was there. I sat in my chair, stabbed the straw into the lid, and casually sipped it while leaning back. I let myself relax for a few minutes before returning back to my unfinished tasks.

Click, click. Drag. Type. Drag. Click. The same boring tasks but the music seeping out of Studio 6 was my accompaniment so I was never really bored.

“MOVE!” Hoshi’s screamed, slightly startling me, as he rushed out of the studio, making a beeline for the bathroom. “I HAVE TO PEE!”

I chuckled at him urgency and peered at my phone.

“Hey.” Dino announced himself as he approached my desk.

“Hey.” I said back, “How’s it going in there?”

He shrugged, “Well… I think. We keep changing the choreography and then have to rerecord and it’s a whole process.”

I giggled, “I bet. The speakers seem to be working over time.”

“They can handle it.” Dino scoffed playfully, “So what are you doing here this late?” He asks.

“Well, I usually stay…” I trailed off as Hoshi’s screams get closer.

“Alright! Let’s do this!” Hoshi reached his hands up to the ceiling, “Come on, Dino!”

“Good luck.” I said quietly to Dino as he hesitated to walk away but ended up following his leader.

I watched him until he fully disappeared into the studio and even then I stared at the empty door frame a little longer.

“Is there a ghost there?” Ben asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.

He stood on the other side of the desk behind me. When I turned to look at him, he was leaning his forearms on the desk with a smug look on his face.

I rolled my eyes at him, “I was just zoning out.” I explained.

“Zoning out on a guy you think is cute.” Ben countered, his smugness growing.

“Like you haven’t thought any of the idols that pass through here weren’t cute.” I scrunched my nose at him, teasingly.

“I have.” Ben admitted, “But you haven’t. Until now.”

I scoffed out a laugh, “That’s not true.”

I could tell he wanted to banter more about the topic but a different staff member called for him and he had to answer the call.

After 20 minutes, they called for a break and immediately, Dino reappeared at my desk.

“I realized…” He took a few breaths, still winded from the dancing, “That earlier my question may have seemed… a little crude.” I watched in amusement as he continued to catch his breath while simultaneously patting away the beads of sweat. “I was asking out of pure curiosity because when we go to other places, the front desk person usually isn’t there.”

I pulled out a couple tissues from the box near me and handed them over. He took the tissues with a smile and started ridding his face of the sweat.

“Well, for the record,” I told him, “I thought it was pure curiosity. And I like staying late to watch and listen to these filming schedules. It’s very interesting to me how it all works.” I leaned closer and Dino instinctively does the same, “Plus, it gives me an excuse to come into work late tomorrow.”

Dino nodded his head with his mouth slightly agape like I’d just told him the biggest life hack and he’s impressed.

“Has anyone seen Dino?” Jun’s voice yelled from inside Studio 6 and I laughed as Dino’s eyes grew wide.

“Gotta go!” He whispered and dashed back into the studio with the tissues still in his hand.

I chuckled and shook my head. It was cute the way he kept trying to strike up a conversation with me only to be immediately called back in. It was also nice that someone wanted to talk to me that badly. It didn’t happen very often. Most idols ignored me when they came to film. Only ever asking me where the bathroom is. The trivial questions.

Another 15 minutes and Dino ran out of the studio, screeching to a halt in front of my desk.

“Don’t have much time.” He exhaled, “What’s your name?”

I was not expecting him to ask that so I paused for a split second before answering him. “Uh, (y/n).”

“(y/n). Pretty.” Dino smiled up to his eyes and I only have a moment to put it to memory before he ran back.

I slumped back into my chair, not believing what had just occurred. He’d asked for my name and called it pretty. I pressed my lips together and tried to control the warmth rising to my cheeks.

“Are you, are you BLUSHING?” Ben exclaimed and stopped at my desk. He leaned over close to my face and I instinctively backed away, trying to play innocent.

“No.” I covered my cheeks with my hands and pouted.

“BEN!” Lia screamed, “I swear to god if you’re not back here in 5 seconds!!” She didn’t have to finish the threat as her tone was enough of a threat.

Without another word, Ben rushed away and I bursted into laughter. I guess there was something in the air that day that made men decide to leave their positions and nearly get in trouble for it.

After 30 minutes of scrolling through the emails and listening to Lia bark out instructions over the blaring music, they finally recorded the perfect run through. I knew because the four Seventeen members all yelled in excitement and accomplishment. Also, the staff members in the room applauded their success.

My own smile of pride grew on my face as i listen to the relieved sighs and words of congrats echo through the place. Knowing that I’ll be booted out as soon as everyone else is ready (which is freakishly fast), I quickly started to save and log off of the computer. The empty coffee cup went straight into the trash and I doubled checked the computer to make sure it’s successfully turned off.

I was picking up my bag when the Seventeen members walked past with their manager. Hoshi and Jun snickered and pushed Dino towards the desk.

“Hey.” I said with a smile, “From what I heard, you guys were successful.”

Dino nodded, nervous under the watchful eyes of his hyungs. “Took a bit, but we got it.”

“I can’t wait to watch it when it gets released.” I told him.

“Ask her.” Minghao whispered to Dino but I could still hear him.

I glanced at the other three and scrunched my eyebrows in slightly confusion.

“Uh, uhm.” Dino stuttered and cleared his throat, “If we exchanged numbers, I could send it to you before it’s released?” He suggested.

“Is that even allowed?” I questioned, unsure if we’d be breaking any rules by me seeing the video before it’s released.

“I can ask whoever I want for their number.” Dino said confidently, misunderstanding my question, “It’s my phone and my company can’t decide who I talk to on my own time.”

I pressed my lips together, trying real hard to hold back a laugh because damn, that was cute. His sudden defense to wanting my phone number was quite attractive. Behind Dino, Jun, Hoshi, and Minghao mirrored me but they were unable to keep their laughter in.

It caused Dino to pause and glance around. Then the realization hits him and I saw him mentally face palm himself so hard.

“I’m an idiot.” He muttered and I reached into my desk for a notecard.

While Dino still reveled in his embarrassment, I grabbed a pen from the holder near him and quickly wrote down my name and number. Along with my social media user, just because.

“I would love it if you talked to me.” I told Dino and handed the note over.

Dino took it in his hands and gave me a small smile of confidence. “I’ll text you then.”

“Car’s here.” Their manager called from the door.

“Well, see you around, (y/n).” Dino waved goodbye as they turned to the door.

“See you around Dino.” I waved back and my heart fluttered in my chest.

Hoshi clapped Dino on the back and Minghao and Jun give him proud high fives.

“Our maknae!” I heard Hoshi exclaim before the door shuts firmly behind them.

I finished packing up my stuff and made my way around the desk. I waited a few minutes until Lia walked out behind all the other staff members leaving for the night.

“You’re all set?” Lia asked, eyeing the bag over my shoulder.

“Yeah. I’ll see you tomorrow?” I said.

“You don’t have to back here until 1.” Lia told me and I inwardly scream 'yes1’

But outwardly, I calmly said, “I’ll see you then.” And then I walked to the front door.

I stepped outside and made it a couple steps before my phone rang with a notification.

It was from an unknown number but the message instantly told me who it was from.

It read, “It’s Dino. Hope you get home okay.”

Please read this (W.C.Hotel) if this is the first post of this series that you see.
Warnings: Swearing, Mentions of death
Genre: Angst, Hotel Del Luna AU, Choose your own adventure, SVT x Fem! Reader
Staff: Yong (Spirit General Manager) / Jiwoo (Human General Manager) / Soon Bok (Room Manager) / Mun Hee (Front Desk Receptionist) / Shin (Grim Reaper assigned to Waning Crescent)
Word Count: Ending A - 5.3k / Ending B - 5.2k

W.C.Hotel | Seventeen Masterlist|Masterlists

“Wait for me!” Mun Hee yells after me, his footsteps echoing off of the walls.

“Walk faster.” I call out behind me continuing on my purposeful walk out of the garden.

“Did, did you want me to send up your unfinished champagne to your office?” Mun Hee asks when he catches up to me.

I wave a hand, giving nearly zero thought, “Whatever.”

“Is that a yes?” Mun Hee steps in front of me, stopping me from continuing forward.

I roll my eyes and remind myself to put a stopper on his growing confidence, “Send it up.”

Mun Hee nods, happy that he got an answer and steps aside. As we bust into the lobby, the regular day to day sounds of the Waning Crescent Hotel fill my ears: the faint piano music playing, the dings of the elevators, and the sounds of guests milling around. I spot Jiwoo standing across the lobby from me and make a bee line for him. But in my haste, I fail to notice another guest walking in a different direction until…

“Ooomf.” I grunt when I collide with another body. The guest wobbles and I reach out my hands to steady them. I don’t need a guest falling in my lobby.

“Oh, are you alright?” The guest, female, asks in a very familiar voice.

I look at the guest’s face and nearly choke on air.

“Ch-Chaewon?” I stutter, not believing what my eyes are seeing.

Chaewon smiles warmly at me, “(y/n).”

“Chaewon.” I repeat her name, a small degree of happiness creeping into my voice. Pulling her into a hug, she sighs over my shoulder and wraps her arms around my waist. With the moment of happiness passed, I pull away realizing that she’s in my hotel but I keep ahold of her hands. “Why are you here?”

Laughing, Chaewon waves her hand at me, palm where I can see. “My lives are up. Lived a solid 9 of them and been here a whole nine days.” My eyes widen in surprise and Chaewon smirks. “And you failed to notice me.”

I glare at Mun Hee and he slowly backs away. “I didn’t even know you had checked in.”

Chaewon nods, “It’s understandable. Your hotel has been pretty busy while I’ve been here.” She looks around the lobby with a love filled gaze, “It’s much busier than when I was around.”

“Not that much has changed, has it?” I wonder, looking around in the opposite direction.

“Actually a lot has changed.” Chaewon corrects me, “Especially you.”

“Me?” I scoff, letting go of her hands, “I haven’t changed.”

“Oh yes you have.” Chaewon points a finger at me.

“Name one thing that has changed.” I challenge her and rest my hands on my waist while popping a hip with sass.

“Well, for starters, your style has greatly improved.” She looks me up and down with a smirk. All I can do is roll my eyes. “And you didn’t let me fall over when you ran into me when you used to let guests just fall without a second thought. Thirdly, your face has the warm glow of a woman loved by 13 perfect men.”

I lick my lips, contemplating how I’m going to combat this one but Yong’s voice beats me to the punch.

“Chaewon. There you are.” Yong walks towards us from the doorway where all departures exit. “Are you- (y/n).”

I look between Yong and Chaewon then the hurt floods through my body. “You were going to leave without seeing me?” I ask.

“Of course not.” Chaewon shakes her hands towards me, “I was going to wait outside and have you come see me off. But this way, you can walk me out too.”

The hurt subsides almost immediately and I immediately link my arm with hers. “After the nine lives you lived, and the one when you were with me, I will be honored to walk with you.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Jiwoo standing with a guest but his gaze occasionally glances over.

I lean close to Chaewon’s ear and whisper, “You did introduce yourself to your family line, right?”

Chaewon smiles and nods, “I did. Actually Mun Hee was the one who made that meeting happen a couple days ago.”

Jiwoo respectfully bows to the guest then shuffles over to where we are still, somehow, standing.

“You’re leaving already?” Jiwoo asks.

Chaewon smiles warmly at him, “What’s with the ‘already’? I asked to be the last departure for the night. It’s more like 'finally.’”

Jiwoo chuckles lightly, “Well, if I say finally, then it might sound like I really want you to leave. But that’s just simply not true.”

Chaewon releases my arm and opens both of her arms for Jiwoo, “I know it’s not true.”

Jiwoo walks into her arms and they hug each other.

“Seeing how you carried out your duties at the hotel, I want you to know that you’re doing our whole family proud.” Chaewon says quietly, “I’m so proud of you.” She says and emphasizes the 'I’m.’

Seeing the two together, and hearing Jiwoo sniffle, my stupid heart realizes something.

Even though I was the one she worked closest with and even though I’m the one who actually knew her, I’m not the one who should walk her to the car.

Jiwoo pulls away and takes in a breath to steady himself to say good bye. But I place a hand on his shoulders, bringing the attention to me. I turn to Chaewon and straighten my shoulders.

“Chaewon, I know you wanted to have me escort you,” I say, looking at her and memorizing her face one last time, “But there’s someone who deserves it more.”

“(y/n)…” Jiwoo whispers my name and I turn to him.

“Walk her out. I want you too.” I tell him with a nod.

“But she… she knew you.” Jiwoo says in awe.

The side of my mouth twitches in a memory filled smile, “I know. But I still think you deserve to walk her out.” I shrug, “But I can make it an order if that’ll prove how serious I am.”

Jiwoo quickly shakes his head.

Chaewon wraps me up in a tight hug, “You really have changed.” She whispers in my ear, “Thank you, (y/n).”

I give her waist a small squeeze, “No, thank you, Chae.”

We pull away and Chaewon takes Jiwoo’s offered hand. Yong and I stand side by side as they walk away. Just before they reach the door, Chaewon turns around.

“Don’t feel bad about not coming to my funeral, (y/n).” She calls out, “I know why you didn’t and I’ll give the Gods a good earful for it.”

A smile grows on my face as I wave and then Chaewon turns back around. Jiwoo opens the door for her and she’s gone.

I stare the closed door for a few moments longer while the hotel continues about its day around me.

“Dino?” I remember the reason why i was in search of Jiwoo or Yong in the first place.

“Room 112.” Yong responds and we turn away from the door.

“How long?” I ask.

“Seven.” Mun Hee answers from my other side.

I breathe in and out, resetting my mentality for the day. “What’s on the agenda for the rest of the day?” I ask and Yong holds an open file in front of me.

“First, the chefs have asked you taste some new dishes they concocted.” Yong lists off the first item. Half of my stomach twists in fear of what they made while the other half wonders what delicious tastes they’ve melded together.

~The Seventh Day~  

I’m standing in front of Dino’s glass shop but the whole world seems to have a sepia filter over it. The door is closed but the open blinds and the sign on the door say the store is open for business. In the windows, glass vases and glass sculptures sit on shelves and glisten under the sun.

In the rear of the shop, and just barely in my view, someone shuffles around. I find myself walking towards the door and just before my hand touches the door handle, I hesitate.

What if it isn’t Dino? I wonder.

Before I can find the answer for myself, the door swings open and a young male, probably in high school, stands in front of me, holding the door open with a smile. He looks familiar but I can’t remember his name.

“(y/n).” He greets me with my name. “Dino said you would be coming around today. He’s in the back.” He gestures for me to follow him inside and my body does.

Walking in, I look around the shop and take in all the delicate glass works colored with streaks, spots, and tints of all the colors of the rainbow.

“So, this is your first time here?” The employee asks me.

“Yeah, it is.” I answer.

“Dino’s working on a project but let me go get him for you.” He says, “Feel free to look around, I’ll be right back.” He mentions before disappearing through a veiled doorway.

I walk through the isles, admiring every single piece and their curves and delicate parts. The shelves are filled with everything from simple vases to plump little animals to sturdy glasses made for wine and other drinks.

In the back corner of the shop, standing alone in a protected shelf, sits an intricate dragon. It’s snout is raised to the sky as its stream of fire is frozen in time. It’s tail wraps around a leafless tree acting as a protective barrier.

“Took me forever to get the tree right.” Dino says, creeping up next to me, “And I still don’t think it’s 100% correct. There’s not enough life in it.”

I smile, “I think it’s correct.” I glance over the tree again, “It never had any life anyway.”

“That tree wasn’t the one I was trying to emulate.” Dino counters before turning and walking towards the counter. “I wanna show you this.”

I turn away from the tree and follow Dino, “Show me what?”

Dino smiles and reaches under the counter then brings out a black box. “These.” He states and lifts the cover of the box.

He removes the tissues laid across the top to reveal two beautiful glass champagne flutes. I take in a sharp breath and gaze over the two glasses.

The base is perfectly flat. The stem encases a braid of three tinier braids. The bowl’s glass smooth with the tiny braids from the stem spreading out like the branches of a tree. The entire flute is tinted with streaks of dark blue and white. It reminds me of the nights at the hotel.

“What do you think?” Dino asks, never taking his eyes off of my reaction.

“They’re amazing.” I answer him, glancing up in time to see his smile.

“Good, cause I made them for you.” Dino says, “Since you enjoy champagne and all.” He explains.

“They’re for me?” I question, part of me not believing it to be true.

Dino nods quickly, “Of course.” He picks up one of the glasses, “Hold it, see how it feels in your hand.”

I hold out my hand and Dino sets the glass down.

But the second my hand meets the cool glass, the flute cracks and then explodes.

I startle awake and nearly roll off the couch but my hand reacts and catches me before I can fully register anything. Blinking a couple times, I look around my office.

The dark night has successfully chased away all traces of the sun. In front of me, an open champagne bottle sits next to an empty champagne flute. But it’s different from the one in my dream. This one is simple glass with simple straight lines and no character. It probably only cost a mere $10 in any store.

Running my hands over my face, I begin to wonder why the glass would’ve shattered in my dream. Maybe it represented Dino’s heart and how I completely and utterly shattered it when I left.

“I hate dreaming.” I groan when the thought crosses my mind.

Picking up the boring champagne flute, I turn it over in my hand and a frown grows on my face.

“I hate all of this!” I yell and throw the champagne glass to the side without looking. I close my eyes and listen to it crash against the wall. I listen as the pieces fall to the floor and shatter some more.

Pushing my hands against my thighs, I rise to my feet and stretch. I take in a deep breath and head to my upstairs room to change out of yesterday’s clothes.

2 hours later, I’m freshly showered, changed, and made up for the day. Opening my bedroom doors with flourish, I walk back down the stairs to find Jiwoo waiting for me with a couple files in his hands.

“Late morning?” He greets me when I reach the bottom step.

I shrug, “More like late night.” I correct him and make my way over to my desk.

“My roommate had the same thing, though I figure for different reasons.” Jiwoo says as I sit down in my chair, “These are the guests who checked in during the day.” He sets down the opened file in front of me. One of the many differences between Yong and him. Yong leaves the files closed until I open them. Jiwoo opens them for me whether I want to look at them or not.

“We had 6 check in?” I look over the list quickly.

“There was a…” Jiwoo pauses, “a terrible accident.” I look up and his eyes are clouded over with immense sadness.

I decide not to press the situation as I can tell from him that the whole human world must be hurting from it. And if the whole world is hurting from it, then it was a massive tragedy.

“How many departures do we have tonight?” I continue on our usual daily info session.

“Just 3.” Jiwoo says after some of the sadness is erased and places another open file on my desk.

I nod and glance over the short list.

“Ah, Shin’s outside the doors and he wanted to talk with you.” Jiwoo remembers and points a thumb towards the closed doors.

I sigh, “Alright, send him in.”

Jiwoo bows. “Then I’ll leave you be.”

I wave him off and he walks to the doors. Just after he steps out of my office, Shin steps in, dressed in his usual black robes.

“(y/n).” He greets me and stiffly walks to stand in front of my desk.

“Shin.” I greet him in the same manner, “What did you want to talk about?”

Shin shrugs, “I was kind of hoping you would tell me.”

I scrunch my face in confusion, “I don’t have anything to talk to you about?” I say as more of a question.

“I was guided to come see you this morning.” Shin explains.

“Guided?” I repeat his word, “Guided by who?”

Shin nods his head upwards towards the sky and I understand his answer.

I sigh. The Gods love messing with my head and my heart.

“My dream last night.” I start, giving into the Gods schemes.

“Was something odd?” Shin wonders.

“It started out as a memory, but then it quite literally exploded.” I explain while standing and walking to the cabinet where I keep the specific champagne flutes hidden. Rummaging around, I finally find and pull out the dusty black box.

“It exploded…” Shin repeats my words. His eyes watch me as I walk back to my desk with the box.

I open the box and peel back the tissue paper so Shin can see them. “The memory was of the day Dino gave these to me.” I continue, “It was also the first day I had ever visited his store front.” Shin gingerly picks one of the flutes up and examines it closely, “Dino handed me one and the moment it touched my skin, it cracked and exploded.”

“This is amazing work.” Shin comments, his eyes fixed on the stem. Probably wondering how Dino was able to intertwine and insert the braids so perfectly. I always have.

After a few moments, Shin returns the glass to it’s cushioned box. “So it shattered.”

I nod.

“And you’re worried because you don’t know what it means.” Shin continues spewing information I already know.

“Yes, I’m worried.” I stare at him, “Memories don’t just change like that. Especially not mine.”

“You were sleeping though.” Shin points out.

I let out a puff of air, “Even in my dreams, my memories don’t change.”

As Shin opens his mouth to answer, a knock sounds at the door.

“(y/n).” Mun Hee sing songs through the door.

“What Mun Hee?” I call back and Shin closes his mouth, placing his hands behind his back.

The door opens and Mun Hee pokes his head in, “Oh, hey Shin.” He greets the Grim Reaper with a smile before looking at me, “Yong is bringing Dino down now.”

I nod and wave him away. Mun Hee silently closes the door.

“We can continue this after?” Shin suggests carefully.

“No, I’m sure I’ll figure it out by the end of the day.” I shake my head and stand up.

“Mmm.” Shin hums in understanding and walks next to me as we exit my office.

Once the doors are closed behind us, Shin takes his leave.

“I will see you at the forest, later.” He bows and walks down the hall before turning the corner and disappearing from my sight.

I chew on the inside of my lip in thought and make my way to the elevators. The entire way to my garden, the image of the champagne flute exploding in my hand replays over and over. Like the one part of a song that always gets stuck in the mind.

When I do reach the garden, the memory vanishes and is replaced with Dino inspecting every inch of the bare tree.

He lowers his gaze from a branch and meets mine with a wide smile. I return the smile and immediately cover the distance to him. Dino’s arms instinctively wrap around me and he sighs contently.

“Hey.” He whispers in my ear.

“Hi.” I say, squeezing him tighter.

When we pull away and I pause to take in Dino’s appearance. His clothing is simple enough but comfortable and looks great on him. Though when has he ever looked bad in an outfit…

He has a warm smile on his face and his eyes are full of life, or at least the memory of lives lived to the fullest.

“What?” Dino asks when I’ve stared a few seconds too long, “Is there something on my face?”

I shake my head, “No, no. I just, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you.”

“Ah, so you were in awe of my good looks.” Dino strikes an exaggerated model pose then raises an eyebrow at me.

Laughing, I shake my hands in a visceral answer of 'no.’ Dino laughs at my reaction and returns to a normal standing position. When our laughter dies down, his gaze is again captured by the tree that looms above us.

“So the metaphorical tree actually exists.” Dino guesses, following one of the branches to the trunk.

I clasp my hands behind my back, “It does.”

Dino reaches out to touch the trunk and a shiver runs down my spine when his fingers meet the rough, old bark. “I always thought it was just a metaphor for yourself. It’s why I was never satisfied with the way the glass tree looked. I always saw you with so much life but the glass trees I made always looked so lifeless…” He trails off and pulls his hand back to his side.

“The tree is as dead as I am.” I state, “For every day it doesn’t age, neither do I.”

“You, my dear, have much more life than this tree would ever have in a million years.” Dino compliments me and I half smile.

“I thought you created the glass tree just right.” I inform him. “With just the right amount of death and the perfect sliver of life.”

“You don’t see what I see.” Dino leans in and whispers before walking over to the bench. He lets out a breath as he lowers himself onto the bench, much like an old man.

“And what do you see?” I question and cross my arms over my chest.

Dino smirks and motions me closer with a single finger.

I take three steps closer then stop.

Dino just shakes his head and does the same 'come closer’ motion.

Four more steps and I’m standing right in front of him.

“Closer.” Dino says and I lower myself so my face is just in front of his.

“I see a woman, who pulls on the optimism of every situation, a woman who showed no fear even in the face of a burning furnace.” Dino stares into my eyes, “I see a woman who loved every part of me.” He wraps a hand around the back of my neck and collides his lips with mine, shocking me for only a second before my body responds from memory.

When we pull apart, Dino has a mischievous spark in his eyes and I just laugh as I sit next to him on the bench. Once I’m seated, I lean my head on his shoulder and he wraps an arm around my shoulders.

“Did you keep the shop?” I ask, suddenly hating the silence that surrounds us.

Dino nods, “I did. Tae Oh took over the shop when I retired but I still visited.” Dino’s apprentice’s face flashes in my mind.

“Your kids didn’t take over?” I wonder because he’d often talked about his dream to pass the shop down to his kids.

“I never had kids of my own.” Dino tells me, “I never even married.”

I sit up straight and look at him in disbelief. “You didn’t marry?”

He nods while avoiding my eyes.

“Why not?” I ask though i’m slightly afraid of the answer.

“I just never found anyone that matched with me.” Dino shrugs.

My shoulders slump as I hear the unsaid ending to the sentence bounce around my head.

'After you left.’

“After you left,” Dino says, “I wondered if people were really meant to only love one person in their lifetime. Maybe that’s why I never found anyone else. Maybe I was too engrossed in that thought that I couldn’t see the others in front of me.” Dino grabs my hand and looks over at me, “But I don’t regret it.”

“You don’t?” I ask, trying to understand.

“What do I have to regret?” Dino argues, “I lived a full life. Tae Oh essentially was my child and I somehow became a father to him. I got to watch him grow up and have a family of his own. I didn’t have anyone to come home to, but then again, I didn’t exactly want anyone to come home to.”

I frown knowing that he never found another love.

“But don’t you worry.” Dino says, booping my frown, “In my other lives, I had lots of loves. In fact, in my fifth life, I swore I was in love like 4 different times.” He tries to lighten the mood and for the most part, I let it, but a small part of me is still sad for his first life.

“Tae Oh was good to you, then?” I ask, diverting the conversation.

“The best son-not-son a man could ask for.” Dino says proudly, “He received awards for his glass work and was really famous. He always told me I could retire early and he’d support me but gosh, how could I?”

“You could’ve.” I put in my two cents.

“I could’ve, yes, but then what would I do?” Dino questions me, “He and his wife didn’t have any kids I could watch over so I’d be stuck at home watching TV like an old fart.”

I laugh out loud at his simile. “Fair point, fair point.”

“And besides, our works were selling like crazy and there was no way Tae Oh was going to be able to handle all of them by himself.” Dino continues, “So I had to stay on.”

“So caring as always.” I stroke his hair with sort of teasing smile.

Dino rolls his eyes, “Whatever.” He says and chuckles, “By the way, what did you do with those flutes I gave you? Did you use them?”

“I still have them.” I tell him, then lie, “I bring them out from time to time.”

Dino narrows his eyes at me in suspicion. “Liar.”

“I do.” I defend myself, “Though time to time usually means a few hundred years between uses.”

“(y/n).” Dino exclaims, “They’re meant to be used, not on display collecting dust.”

I smile in embarrassment and Dino gasps.

“You kept them stored away?” He realizes with wide eyes.

I press my lips together, unsure how to respond when I’m pretty sure my facial expression says the answer.

Dino places a hand over his heart and feigns pain. “Ah, my heart. All my hard work and you put it away in storage for hundreds of years at a time.”

I push his shoulder and he over dramatically falls over, “Stop it, they were too precious to use constantly.”

“But you did use them at least once?” He asks, still toppled over but looking at me with eager eyes.

I smile, “Yes, I think I’ve used them maybe 10 times?”

“Were any of them special occasions?” Dino wonders and sits up properly.

“Once.” I answer and then explain, “The day of your funeral, I sipped through 5 champagne bottles with them.”

“My funeral.” Dino repeats, “Not the special occasion I had in mind but oddly enough, I’m kind of happy that you at least had something to remind you of me on that day.” He scoffs at himself.

I blow out a breath, “Can I ask a strange question?”

Dino raises his eyebrows, “You ask that like none of your questions were ever strange.”

I giggle, “I’m serious, Dino.”

“Okay, okay.” Dino surrenders, “What’s your strange question?”

I readjust my posture like a child who is about to ask her friend for the juiciest gossip on the street. “What was the strangest thing a customer asked you to make?”

“The strangest thing?” Dino thinks out loud, “Mmmm, there’s a few that stand out.”

“What’s the first?” I push, leaning closer.

“Uh, I think it was the puffer fish.” Dino says in thought and explains the whole situation because of my nagging questions.

After the strange creations he was asked to create, we dive into Dino’s life with Tae Oh and his family. Then Dino filled the rest of the fleeting hours with stories that he kept in his memory for me. The places he visited, the people he met through his work, the fascination in people’s eyes when they saw his work- that was his favorite part.

The sun lowers itself into its western bed and I shiver as the cold night caresses my skin.

“You ever wondered where the sun leads?” Dino asks a pensive look on his face.

“What do you mean?” I ask, looking at him.

Dino leans back, sliding his hands along his thighs, “Like if you were to follow the sun, where it would lead and what you would find.”

“You would find water and then land and then more land.” I deadpan and he chuckles at my seriousness.

“I’m asking a serious metaphorical question here, (y/n).” Dino pouts and I smirk.

“Okay, okay.” I give in to his puppy eyes, “I have wondered but I never tried. The moon is my domain and that’s the one I’d follow.”

“Do you think I’ll be chasing the sun?” Dino asks glancing out the western windows.

“Depends.” I say, “Are you the night chasing the sun or are you the sun chasing the night?”

Dino looks at me in disbelief, “Now who’s the one talking in riddles.” He chuckles but then sighs in thought, “If you put it that way, I think I’d be the sun chasing the night but only if you were the moon in the night.”

I push him away and stand up. “Alright Mr. Cheesy.” I hold out both of my hands, “Your journey towards the sun is awaiting you.”

Dino holds a hand over his mouth and pretends to baby barf while standing up. I roll my eyes at his tactics but he just laughs.

“You started this.” I point a finger at him and begin to walk away.

“Awww. (y/n).” He drags out my name and wraps his arms around my shoulders from behind. “You’re no fun.”

“I am too.” I defend myself.

Dino smooshes a kiss against my cheek, “You are.”

We walk out of the garden with Dino hanging off of my shoulders and our steps teeter and totter from left to right. The hotel is silent with most guests still sleeping and/or adjusting to greeting their past lives and my staff are probably just waking up to begin their duties around the hotel.

“I like this quiet.” Dino whispers as we reach the departure door.

“It is nice, isn’t it?” I agree and open the door. “Less aggressive on your ears than the raging furnace.”

“Hey, don’t diss Bertha like that.” Dino says with serious eyes.

I burst out laughing and pull the door closed behind us. “I totally forgot you named your furnace.”

“How could you forget Bertha?” Dino gasps.

I giggle and grab his hand tightly, “Well, I won’t forget now.”

“You better not.” Dino says and swings our hands back and forth. “You’ll come there too, right? One day?” He asks, looking at the idling car Shin is standing next to.

“One day.” I nod, “I don’t know how soon but one day soon I’ll get there.”

“I’ll wait for you then.” Dino whispers.

“There will be others before I get there and you might have to share.” I inform him as we slow to a stop a few feet away from where Shin has the car door open.

“Then I’ll fight them all and win you over.” Dino says defiantly.

An airy chuckle bounces in my chest, “Don’t hurt yourself in the process.”

Dino sighs happily and there’s a twinkle in his eyes, “I love you, (y/n).” He says and presses a kiss to my forehead.

“I love you too.” I tell him and close my eyes to memorize the feeling of his lips against my skin.

Dino pulls away, squeezes my hand briefly, and then lets go of it. I watch silently as he greets Shin with a polite nod before sliding into the car without a look back. The sure slam of the car door closing pounds against my heart like a sledge hammer.

Every inch the car drives away, my heart tears apart further and further. When the car finally disappears into the forest fog, my knees give out and I fall to the ground with my clutching my chest. A few tears manage to escape. I watch as one drops into the dirt and disappears.

And back in the hotel, in my garden, a white chrysanthemum does the same.

It takes a little bit of time but eventually the ache in my chest subsides enough for me to rise back up. With a deep breath, I pull my hair behind my shoulders and turn away from the forest. I face the hotel and prepare to face the night.

Return to the Navigation Page (Waning Crescent Hotel)to choose the next guest.

“You call yourself the moon and yet you shiver in the cold.” Dino notices me shiver against the night air.

I chuckle, “I’m not immune to everything.”

“Let’s hope that the other side is a lot warmer than here.” Dino says and stands up with dramatic flourish.

I follow suit and stand nearly chest to chest. “Shall we see if that’s true or not?”

Dino grabs my hands and smiles widely, “Hell yes.”

As we walk out of the garden, Dino does a couple skips in happiness and while I do feel a great amount of happiness that I get to leave with him, there is a seed of sadness tucked away in the shadows.

We walk hand in hand to the lobby where Yong, Mun Hee, Soon Bok, and Jiwoo stand solemnly.

“So this is it?” Mun Hee asks with tears in his eyes. “This is the day you leave us?”

I wrap him up in a hug, only a tiny bit annoyed that he’s being so sappy. “Maybe I’ll get punished again and be back here by the end of the year.” I try to joke but Mun Hee abruptly pushes back from me.

“Don’t you dare say that. You better not return here.” He says angrily through his tears.

I chuckle, “I won’t come back. I promise.”

Turning to Soon Bok, I thank her for her service and her amazing work. Something I never did and should’ve done more.

Next onto Jiwoo. I also thank him for his and his entire family’s service then I unclip the bracelet that has held him to this place.

“When you leave today, you won’t be able to find this place again.” I inform him, “I hope that you’ll be able to go and live your life happily.”

Jiwoo nods, “Thank you for letting me work with you. I won’t ever forget you.”

I smile sadly, “You will. But thank you.”

Finally I reach Yong who is sniffling and trying so very hard not cry.

“You’d think after all these years of waiting that I’d be prepared for this day.” She says through sniffles.

“Thank you, Yong.” I rests my hands on her shoulders, “For everything. Thank you.”

With lips pursed together, she leans forward and wraps me in an unexpected hug. But I soon wrap my arms around her and squeeze her tightly.

We pull apart after a couple seconds and I wipe the few tears that have escaped from her eyes.

“Keep this hotel running beautifully.” I tell her before Dino grabs my hand again.

With final waves of goodbye, Dino and I walk out to the foggy forest that will take us to our resting place.

At the edge of the forest, Shin stands next to an idling car, a somber look on his face.

“(y/n).” He says when we reach him, “It has been an honor working with you. I wish you both a peaceful rest.” Shin bows his head and I pat his arm.

“The honor was mine.” I tell him with a smile. Now the tears start to line my eyes as the realization fully sets in.

I’m free. I served my years of punishment and now I’m free to let my soul rest.

I turn back towards the hotel and look up to the top where the rooftop patio is outlined with bright string lights. Then to the mid floors where random room lights are turned on, some guests staying in while others opting to experience the hotel’s many services. Then to grand base where guests would be milling around, waiting their turns to leave this world.

“(y/n)?” Dino softly asks pulling my attention to where he sits just inside the car, “Are you ready?”

I take one last quick look at the hotel before turning away from it. “Yeah, I’m ready. Let’s go.”

I lower myself into the car and Shin securely closes the door after I am completely inside. As the car begins to drive forward, Dino securely grabs my hand and I let his warmth guide me towards our final destination.

In the garden, the final chrysanthemum withers and dies so that no more stand at the base of the bare tree.

Description: It’s finals week and you join them on a study date.
Warnings: Swearing
Genre: Fluff

SeventeenMasterlist|Masterlists

Jun

You sigh and run your hands through your hair in frustration. These ethics review notes are taking your mind on a rollercoaster through confusion, clarity, and, after a ninety-degree downwards turn, back into confusion.

“Why can’t I remember what this principle was about?” You groan frustrated at yourself but you don’t give into peeking at previous lecture notes because you’re determined to do this on your own.

Jun notices your frustration and looks up from the book he’s reading for his book report/final that’s due in three days. He procrastinates. A lot. 

“Whatcha workin’ on?” He asks and leans over the table to look at your notes and study materials.

“Just my ethics review.” You answer him, tapping your pen against your cheek.

“Ethics?” Jun repeats the subject and peers at the concept that you’re stuck on. “Huh.” 

“Yeah. So much fun.” You let the sarcasm drip from your lips and return to wracking through your brain for the one principle you’re being asked about in the current slide.

“Huh.” Jun repeats his sound and you look up to find him still leaning over the table.

“What are you doing, Jun?” You ask him with a questioning look.

“Hold on.” Jun says, straining as his body tires out from the odd position he’s in. “Andddddddddd, done. Wow, that’s a complicated question.”

You glance down at your materials and then back up at Jun, “You were reading the question this entire time?”

“Uh, yeah.” Jun scrunches his face up into a ‘duh’ expression, “I was curious. And, for your information, reading upside down is extremely difficult.”

“Did you come up with an answer?” You ask, smiling at his silliness. However, Jun just shakes his head while letting out a dramatic sigh.

Hoshi/Soonyoung

“Okay, okay. I got this. I got this.” Hoshi hypes himself up as you shuffle the flashcards and prepare to quiz him. 

“Match the person off of their description.” You tell him and his face falls.

“Ugh, that’s so much harder!” He complains.

You shrug, not really caring, before reading off the first description. “This person was the last queen of France. She was only 14 when she was married. She is famous for saying ‘let them eat cake.’” 

“Marie Antoinette!” Hoshi exclaims excitedly.

“Correct!” You start a ‘correct answer’ pile before moving onto the next person, “This person ruled in Russia and was 26 when he took the throne. Their reign saw events like Bloody Sunday of 1905 and World War I.”

“Uh, uh…” Hoshi stutters, searching his brain for the answer. “OH! Nicholas the second!”

“Nice!” You smile with pride as he aces another question. “Okay, next one. This person was a French military and political leader. He fought in the French Revolution and lost the battle at Waterloo in 1815.”

Hoshi’s face stills as he muddles over the information you’ve given him. His eyes widen and narrow repeatedly as he thinks about who the person could be. You wait patiently and hope he guesses the answer correctly and goes 3 for 3.

After a few seconds, Hoshi looks up at you with a shy smile and pokes his cheeks.

“You don’t know?” You ask him and he widens his shy smile. Laughing and shaking your head, you tell him the answer, “Napoleon Bonaparte.”

Hoshi snaps his fingers in shame, “I should’ve know. Ugh, he was even one of the ones I considered! Ugh, how could I have missed that?”

You shrug and place the card in the incorrect pile. “I don’t know, but you gotta study up.”

The8/Minghao

You’ve been at the library for hours and you’re still not done studying. The to-do list that sits next to you stares at you, sitting there and reminding you that you still have a boat load of studying to do to be prepared for finals. A groan escapes from your lips as your head lowers to rest against the stiff open spine of your textbook.

“You good?” Minghao asks, peering up from his book to eye you suspiciously.

You hold up a thumbs up and give him a short groan before dramatically lifting your head and taking in a deep breath. “I don’t think I can study anymore for the day.” You declare.

“Oh, come on. Just a little more?” Minghao coaxes you.

“Minghao.” You deadpan at him, “My brain feels like mush and I’m pretty sure I’m writing in old latin.”

“30 more minutes and then we can leave.” He bargains with you.

“You’re not even studying any more.” You state and nod towards his poetry book still in his hands. “I just wanna go ho-”

“Ah, 30 more minutes and we can go.” Minghao interrupts you.

You pout, “But-”

“No, but’s. 30 minutes.” He cuts you off and buries his head back into his book without another word.

Sighing, you pick up your pen again and refocus on the text in front of you.

A few minutes later, you notice Minghao rummaging through his bag. Looking up, you see him pull out a small polaroid camera and begin to take pictures of himself.

“Wha-?” You aren’t able to finish the word because of how confused and shocked you are.

“I’m done studying.” Minghao states a-matter-of-factly, “And this library backdrop is aesthetic.” 

Dino/Chan

“They only had orange juice downstairs.” Dino says, returning to the table with a large-ish bottle of orange juice and two clear cups. 

“Well, sugar is sugar, no matter what form it comes in.” You shrug, a little tired from all the studying you’ve been doing.

Dino sits down in his chair before opening the bottle and pouring some juice out for the both of you. “Your sugar fix.” He says and slides a cup closer to you.

You nod, acknowledging the drink but your eyes are focused on the page in front of you. Dino takes a slow sip and just watches you for a couple seconds. He takes in the way your hand grips your hair in concentration and the way your lips form the silent words of your textbook.

“Hey, do you think aliens exist?” You randomly ask Dino and the question takes him by slight surprise.

“Uh…” He pauses to think of how to phrase his next thought, “Why?”

You shrug, “My mind wandered and ended up at aliens. Do you think they exist? Cause like they could, right?” You launch yourself into a mini distraction while Dino listens amused. “The Egyptian Pyramids could’ve been made by aliens but at the same time we have documented record of people making them. And, and like folklore. What if folklore were real aliens on this planet that ancient people deemed gods and what not.” You take a breath and your eyes shine with excited curiosity, “And if they’re real, what language would they speak? Would they be friendly? They’d have to be like super technologically advanced to travel through space like that. I wonder what they look like. Do you wonder what they look like?” You turn your excited gaze to Dino as he brings his drink up to his lips.

He pauses for a second then squints his eyes and gives a light chuckle while nodding his head in agreement, “It’d be interesting if they actually existed.” He sets down his cup as you pick up yours. “Curious though, what caused that tangent?”

You point down at your next and though he can’t really see it, your finger is underneath a word. “I read the phrase ‘technologically advanced’ and poof.” 

A ⇴ ATTENTION

Quite often Yuchan would give you his attention without even realising that he was doing it. His eye can’t help but look, and his ear definitely can’t help but listen for your laughter whenever he knows you’re around.

B ⇴ BICKER

When the two of you bicker, you usually use others around you in hysterics too because of how ridiculous you can get towards one another. No one can ever really believe the things that come out of your mouths when you bicker as you both have a determination to try and outlast the other when chatting.

C ⇴ COMFORT

It’s the one time that Yuchan is serious around you, when you need comforting. He knows as your best friend that he needs to be there for you, and he absolutely is. He won’t laugh or joke, he’ll give you a comfortable space to feel as if you can talk about what’s on your mind and also feel supported by him.

D ⇴ DISAGREEMENTS

On the rare occasion that the two of you argue, they never usually last for too long. Yuchan especially will make the effort to talk to you and understand where things weren’t wrong so that you both could fix it. The two of you had a pretty good understanding of one another anyway, but when a disagreement did arise you made sure to find out where things went wrong so you could learn something new about each other.

E ⇴ EARLY YEARS

Because you met in a professional capacity, the two of you found yourselves talking mainly because it was your job to. You tended to keep the conversation very strict between the two of you at the start, but that wasn’t what Yuchan wanted. The more time that he spent with you, the more time that he spent trying to get to know you better, encouraging you to relax and be friendly rather than professional.

F ⇴ FAMILY

Yuchan’s family were big fans of you, they were constantly reminding him not to let you go. They only ever wanted what was best for Yuchan and having you as a best friend was definitely one of those things. Every single time that they saw you, they made sure to remind Yuchan of just how great they thought you were, and he knew too that he was lucky, without them having to drill it into him.

G ⇴ GETTING TOGETHER

When the two of you hung out, you’d work off of impulse, neither of you ever really knew what you wanted to do. You loved to just see what took your fancy, whether it was something local, or if you fancied a drive heading further out to the outskirts of the city to see if you could find something new to get up to.

H ⇴ HABITS

The two of you had a habit of knowing exactly when the other was going through a difficult time. The lack of smiles on your faces would speak volumes straight away to one another, but even just when you were speaking to one another on the phone you could tell straight away when things weren’t alright.

I ⇴ INSIDE JOKES

His funny antics especially left you and Yuchan with many inside jokes between you both, as you never let him forget the ones where he left himself feeling embarrassed especially. You loved to use them to get Yuchan to do things for you as he never wanted anyone else to know about his humiliating moments.

J ⇴ JEALOUSY

Getting jealous wasn’t something that happened very often for Yuchan, he didn’t care about most of your other friends as he knew that he would always be your best friend and that no one else would be better than him. If someone wanted to try and get close to you, Yuchan often couldn’t help but just laugh at them as he knew that they would never get anywhere near threatening his role as your best friend.

K ⇴ KICKS

Yuchan got a kick out of making you jump, he was constantly hiding and jumping out on you to make you laugh, or scream. You were constantly on your toes as you never quite knew where Yuchan would come from as he kept finding new places to hide, spots that he knew that you’d never expect him to be too.

L ⇴ LOVE

He loved how well the two of you worked together, Yuchan always had fun whenever he was with you. Even if you weren’t at work and doing something silly like trying to win a toy at the arcade or deciding on how to organise your snacks so that they fitted in the cupboard to hide them from everyone else, the two of you were a great team, there were never any arguments or cross words at each other.

M ⇴ MEETING

The two of you first met when you were hired as a dancer for one of the group’s stages. You were shy to say the least when you first met as you’d heard several of the group’s songs, but Yuchan especially made you feel welcome and showed you the ropes which was how your friendship started.

N ⇴ NONSENSE

Most people saw Yuchan as the funny guy, but you saw that to a whole new extreme, he didn’t care what he looked like around you, he would embarrass more than he did around anyone else when he was with you.

O ⇴ OBSESSION

Yuchan was obsessed with your laughter, it was always a sound that he welcomed. Your happiness was something that Yuchan was particularly fond of and something that he always wanted to see with you too.

P ⇴ PRECIOUS MOMENTS

The moments that meant the most to Yuchan were the ones when the two of you were up on stage together. He especially loved when you danced more alongside him, being able to see your smile and your passion in dance often gave him the motivation to perform a little bit better too so that everything went perfectly.

Q ⇴ QUESTIONS

He never shied away from asking you for advice, most people knew too that Yuchan relied on you a lot. Even if it was a stupid question, Yuchan knew that you’d always try and answer it seriously for him.

R ⇴ RANDOM FACTS

Whenever he introduced you to a member of staff, he would introduce you first as his best friend, and then as a dancer. He did it mainly because he was proud to be able to call you his best friend, but also slightly as he wanted to make sure that none of the staff members tried to get too close to you.

S ⇴ SUPPORT

Your encouragement was one of Yuchan’s favourite things because you always made things sound so positive. He especially loved it if you were working with him as you could support him right before he went out on stage which was usually when the nerves started to eat away and trouble him the most.

T ⇴ TRIPS

One of the advantages of having you working with the group meant that you went on many of their group trips too. Yuchan loved nothing more than when he saw you on the list of dancers flying out with them.

U ⇴ ULTIMATE

He couldn’t wish for anyone better than you, you were the best friend that he had dreamed of having when he was younger.

V ⇴ VISITS

Quite often Yuchan would visit you at work and see what it was that you were getting up to. If you were working on something for the group, then he would never say no to a sneak preview of what that was.

W ⇴ WISDOM

He was like a box of advice for you, Yuchan always had something to say to try and make life just a tiny little bit easier for you.

X ⇴ XXXX

For the most part the two of you were quite affectionate, however if you needed not to be for some reason then you’d absolutely respect that. You knew when it was alright to joke and when to behave yourselves.

Y ⇴ YOU

You were his pride, he loved showing you off and bragging about how talented you were.

Z ⇴ ZZZ

The moment it seemed even just the tiniest bit unsafe for you to drive home, Yuchan would make you stay with him. He refused to let you put yourself in even the slightest bit of harm by driving late at night especially.

—

Masterlist