#seventeen chan

Lee Chan icons

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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.