NEVER DATE YOUR HEROES
#kimchay | AU, no mafia | E🔞
Porchay enters a fan competition where the prize is a date with WIꓘ. when WIꓘ is rude and dismissive during their date, though, Chay decides to stop being his fan.
WIꓘ, meanwhile, can’t seem to look away.
#kimchay | AU, no mafia | E🔞
Porchay enters a fan competition where the prize is a date with WIꓘ. when WIꓘ is rude and dismissive during their date, though, Chay decides to stop being his fan.
WIꓘ, meanwhile, can’t seem to look away.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
cws: chay/OC (temp.); boyfriend theft (no cheating though); six parts
thank you 3,000 to @specialgoto for the socmed slides consult and for helping me get this fic unstuck after my fully-formed and ambulatory morning coffee premise toddled me onto a sandbar ❤️
cws: chay/OC (temp.); boyfriend theft (no cheating though); six parts
thank you 3,000 to @specialgoto for the socmed slides consult and for helping me get this fic unstuck after my fully-formed and ambulatory morning coffee premise toddled me onto a sandbar ❤️
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
[ part one. chay ]
Chay hadn’t expected anything out of it. Really. He had seen the ad when he’d been getting ready to post the link to his most recent guitar tutorial on Chatter.
[ part one. chay ]
Chay hadn’t expected anything out of it. Really. He had seen the ad when he’d been getting ready to post the link to his most recent guitar tutorial on Chatter.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
Posts from WIꓘ’s agency tend to float toward the top of his feed most regularly, as do posts from WIꓘ himself and a handful of other big-name fan accounts.
And his friend Mako.
Posts from WIꓘ’s agency tend to float toward the top of his feed most regularly, as do posts from WIꓘ himself and a handful of other big-name fan accounts.
And his friend Mako.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
Of his five close friends at university—or six if you count his roommate, which Chay does, though Nova doesn’t really hang out with the rest of them—Mako is the only one who understands his WIꓘ fixation.
Of his five close friends at university—or six if you count his roommate, which Chay does, though Nova doesn’t really hang out with the rest of them—Mako is the only one who understands his WIꓘ fixation.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
Because he shares it, albeit for different reasons.
The ad is for a competition. The text at the top is intriguing.
Because he shares it, albeit for different reasons.
The ad is for a competition. The text at the top is intriguing.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
Chay expands the photo, reads the ad. Then he sits back in his chair.
It’s a fan competition, and the prize is a date with WIꓘ.
He checks the timestamp. It was posted less than half an hour ago. Chay has possibly never clicked a link faster in his life.
Chay expands the photo, reads the ad. Then he sits back in his chair.
It’s a fan competition, and the prize is a date with WIꓘ.
He checks the timestamp. It was posted less than half an hour ago. Chay has possibly never clicked a link faster in his life.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
The form is surprisingly detailed. It’s a little bit of a competition: participants are encouraged to set up something like a dating app profile with basic information about themselves, their interests, and what they like the most about WIꓘ’s music,
The form is surprisingly detailed. It’s a little bit of a competition: participants are encouraged to set up something like a dating app profile with basic information about themselves, their interests, and what they like the most about WIꓘ’s music,
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
setup that suggests WIꓘ is actually going to select the winner himself. Realistically, Chay knows WIꓘ will probably only see the finalists, but the thought of WIꓘ seeing his “profile” at all sends a flutter of excitement through Chay.
setup that suggests WIꓘ is actually going to select the winner himself. Realistically, Chay knows WIꓘ will probably only see the finalists, but the thought of WIꓘ seeing his “profile” at all sends a flutter of excitement through Chay.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
It takes him about half an hour to fill it out the way he wants to. As he goes to submit, there’s a warning at the bottom of the page not to send multiple entries in order to keep things fair, which Chay rolls his eyes at.
It takes him about half an hour to fill it out the way he wants to. As he goes to submit, there’s a warning at the bottom of the page not to send multiple entries in order to keep things fair, which Chay rolls his eyes at.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
𝘏𝘦 isn’t going to do multiple entries, but some people’s children just can’t help themselves.
But like Porsche used to say before he moved on from his dad joke era, you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take,
𝘏𝘦 isn’t going to do multiple entries, but some people’s children just can’t help themselves.
But like Porsche used to say before he moved on from his dad joke era, you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take,
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
Chay puts it out of his mind as soon as he sends it in.
Three weeks later, Chay finds out in a Chatter post from WIꓘ’s agency that he made the final cut.
He forces himself to breathe, not to get his hopes up too much.
Chay puts it out of his mind as soon as he sends it in.
Three weeks later, Chay finds out in a Chatter post from WIꓘ’s agency that he made the final cut.
He forces himself to breathe, not to get his hopes up too much.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
Still, the butterflies in his chest are too much to stifle, and he quickly @/s WIꓘ’s agency and Mako and responds to the mentions from a few of his pocket friends on Chatter congratulating him about making the final cut.
Still, the butterflies in his chest are too much to stifle, and he quickly @/s WIꓘ’s agency and Mako and responds to the mentions from a few of his pocket friends on Chatter congratulating him about making the final cut.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
And then, two weeks after that, he gets a call from an unknown number as he’s walking out of his music theory seminar telling him he’d won.
At first Chay stops walking. He nearly drops his phone.
And then, two weeks after that, he gets a call from an unknown number as he’s walking out of his music theory seminar telling him he’d won.
At first Chay stops walking. He nearly drops his phone.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
Has to shake his head to clear it, catching his bag before it slides off his shoulder. But the friendly and excited-sounding woman from WIꓘ’s agency thankfully keeps it brief, so Chay only has to pretend to be normal about this in public for about a minute.
Has to shake his head to clear it, catching his bag before it slides off his shoulder. But the friendly and excited-sounding woman from WIꓘ’s agency thankfully keeps it brief, so Chay only has to pretend to be normal about this in public for about a minute.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
She has Chay choose a day from three potential options, all of them about four weeks out. Tells him there will be some paperwork in his email by the time they get off the call. Sends him a calendar invite.
She has Chay choose a day from three potential options, all of them about four weeks out. Tells him there will be some paperwork in his email by the time they get off the call. Sends him a calendar invite.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
Apologizes that some of WIꓘ’s security team is going to have to be nearby, but promises that they’ll be inconspicuous.
And then that’s it. All he has to do is spend the next few weeks not losing his absolute mind.
Apologizes that some of WIꓘ’s security team is going to have to be nearby, but promises that they’ll be inconspicuous.
And then that’s it. All he has to do is spend the next few weeks not losing his absolute mind.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
Which is a tall order, to be honest! Especially because Chay isn’t allowed to talk about it before the date actually comes—to protect WIꓘ’s privacy, the lady from the agency says, but also to protect Chay’s, since fans could get kind of crazy sometimes
Which is a tall order, to be honest! Especially because Chay isn’t allowed to talk about it before the date actually comes—to protect WIꓘ’s privacy, the lady from the agency says, but also to protect Chay’s, since fans could get kind of crazy sometimes
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
and they don’t want Chay to be harassed by people who are jealous that Chay won.
Which makes sense. It also makes Chay a little nervous at first, a reminder of the kind of thing only famous people have to deal with that makes Chay understand and sympathize
and they don’t want Chay to be harassed by people who are jealous that Chay won.
Which makes sense. It also makes Chay a little nervous at first, a reminder of the kind of thing only famous people have to deal with that makes Chay understand and sympathize
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
with celebrities’ need for privacy in a way he never has before. Though the nerves start to ebb after a couple of days when no one comes after him, either online or otherwise.
So Chay finds himself increasingly lost to daydreams the closer the date gets.
with celebrities’ need for privacy in a way he never has before. Though the nerves start to ebb after a couple of days when no one comes after him, either online or otherwise.
So Chay finds himself increasingly lost to daydreams the closer the date gets.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
He knows there are fans who do things like run fan accounts and write self-insert fanfiction. While he’s not a huge social media user himself—most of his online time and presence is taken up by the guitar tutorial videos he posts every week,
He knows there are fans who do things like run fan accounts and write self-insert fanfiction. While he’s not a huge social media user himself—most of his online time and presence is taken up by the guitar tutorial videos he posts every week,
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
a suggestion from his second-year jazz professor when she’d found out about Chay’s stage fright as a way to build his confidence—he finds himself reading a little bit of it as the days tick down, searching for ideas about what to do and how to act.
a suggestion from his second-year jazz professor when she’d found out about Chay’s stage fright as a way to build his confidence—he finds himself reading a little bit of it as the days tick down, searching for ideas about what to do and how to act.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
Dozens of scenarios play out in his mind. The reason he’d fallen so hard for WIꓘ in the first place was his music, his clear, crystal voice and the way his melodies make Chay feel like he is being swept downriver of whatever WIꓘ is feeling as he sings.
Dozens of scenarios play out in his mind. The reason he’d fallen so hard for WIꓘ in the first place was his music, his clear, crystal voice and the way his melodies make Chay feel like he is being swept downriver of whatever WIꓘ is feeling as he sings.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
Chay spends the intervening weeks thinking about what it would be like to have WIꓘ play just for him.
It doesn’t stop there, though. The more he daydreams, the more Chay realizes that WIꓘ has the kind of social media presence that,
Chay spends the intervening weeks thinking about what it would be like to have WIꓘ play just for him.
It doesn’t stop there, though. The more he daydreams, the more Chay realizes that WIꓘ has the kind of social media presence that,
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
between the ads and other sponsored agency content, looks like it’s close and intimate while also revealing almost nothing about him. What foods does he like? Chay wonders. Where does he like to go when he can go anywhere he wants?
between the ads and other sponsored agency content, looks like it’s close and intimate while also revealing almost nothing about him. What foods does he like? Chay wonders. Where does he like to go when he can go anywhere he wants?
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
Does he listen to the same kind of music he makes, or is he into stuff that’s completely different?
These are the kinds of things Chay wonders about as he fights the urge to dig up old articles and interviews about WIꓘ to try and answer his own questions.
Does he listen to the same kind of music he makes, or is he into stuff that’s completely different?
These are the kinds of things Chay wonders about as he fights the urge to dig up old articles and interviews about WIꓘ to try and answer his own questions.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
It’ll be way more fun if he can get the answers from WIꓘ himself. Plus, that’ll give Chay ideas for things to talk about if their conversation ever gets awkward or slow.
So the days tick by.
It’ll be way more fun if he can get the answers from WIꓘ himself. Plus, that’ll give Chay ideas for things to talk about if their conversation ever gets awkward or slow.
So the days tick by.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
Chay does his homework, turns in assignments, pieces together the beginnings of a proposal for his senior thesis next year. The proposal isn’t due for a couple more months, but thinking about WIꓘ and what inspires him is giving Chay a lot of ideas.
Chay does his homework, turns in assignments, pieces together the beginnings of a proposal for his senior thesis next year. The proposal isn’t due for a couple more months, but thinking about WIꓘ and what inspires him is giving Chay a lot of ideas.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
A few days out, Chay receives another email from WIꓘ’s agency with information about where they’ll be meeting. It’s kind of an outdoor mall, one close to a lot of shops and places to eat and things to do.
A few days out, Chay receives another email from WIꓘ’s agency with information about where they’ll be meeting. It’s kind of an outdoor mall, one close to a lot of shops and places to eat and things to do.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
Other than that, though, there isn’t a schedule, just a reminder that they’ll have between two and three hours and to choose activities accordingly.
The day before, Chay spends the entire afternoon after his classes end for the day cleaning his room,
Other than that, though, there isn’t a schedule, just a reminder that they’ll have between two and three hours and to choose activities accordingly.
The day before, Chay spends the entire afternoon after his classes end for the day cleaning his room,
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
doing laundry, and making sure everything in order. To the point that his roommate Nova arcs a pierced brow at Chay’s sudden burst of domesticity and takes up a post against the wall opposite, chatting with Chay in a way that makes it obvious
doing laundry, and making sure everything in order. To the point that his roommate Nova arcs a pierced brow at Chay’s sudden burst of domesticity and takes up a post against the wall opposite, chatting with Chay in a way that makes it obvious
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
he’s trying to find the cause of Chay’s nervous excitement. Even so, Chay is so caught up that he doesn’t even think to chide Nova for his nosiness.
He puts a lot of thought into his clothes. He wants to look good, but also not like he’s trying too hard.
he’s trying to find the cause of Chay’s nervous excitement. Even so, Chay is so caught up that he doesn’t even think to chide Nova for his nosiness.
He puts a lot of thought into his clothes. He wants to look good, but also not like he’s trying too hard.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
In the end, he goes with classic, but comfortable: sand-colored jeans, white t-shirt, and his nicest white trainers, pulled together with a couple of simple chains around his neck and a longline, dove-grey sport coat to elevate the look.
In the end, he goes with classic, but comfortable: sand-colored jeans, white t-shirt, and his nicest white trainers, pulled together with a couple of simple chains around his neck and a longline, dove-grey sport coat to elevate the look.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
WIꓘ is doing something on his phone when Chay shows up. Which means he’s looking down, not at Chay, and giving Chay a much-needed few beats for his heart to stop galloping in his chest at the sight of his idol standing in front of a concrete bench
WIꓘ is doing something on his phone when Chay shows up. Which means he’s looking down, not at Chay, and giving Chay a much-needed few beats for his heart to stop galloping in his chest at the sight of his idol standing in front of a concrete bench
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
backed by birds of paradise and other bright plants, one foot kicked up on the seat behind him.
As usual—even just in grey joggers and a black, acid-washed hoodie that, based on the label Chay sees as he gets closer,
backed by birds of paradise and other bright plants, one foot kicked up on the seat behind him.
As usual—even just in grey joggers and a black, acid-washed hoodie that, based on the label Chay sees as he gets closer,
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
probably costs more than Chay’s seven-string PRS, his nicest guitar—WIꓘ looks effortlessly cool, totally indifferent to the world around him.
Chay is suddenly reminded of the agency lady’s warning that WIꓘ’s security team would be nearby
probably costs more than Chay’s seven-string PRS, his nicest guitar—WIꓘ looks effortlessly cool, totally indifferent to the world around him.
Chay is suddenly reminded of the agency lady’s warning that WIꓘ’s security team would be nearby
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
when he feels the prickling feeling of someone watching him. Probably twenty meters to WIꓘ’s left, an angry-looking man in a suit with an undercut on both sides of his face is looking at Chay like he’s a fly in his drink.
when he feels the prickling feeling of someone watching him. Probably twenty meters to WIꓘ’s left, an angry-looking man in a suit with an undercut on both sides of his face is looking at Chay like he’s a fly in his drink.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
And he isn’t the only one. There’s another suit on the other side of the bench WIꓘ is standing near, though he’s on the phone and his back is to Chay.
𝘕𝘰 𝘸𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘞𝘐ꓘ 𝘪𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴, Chay thinks—
And he isn’t the only one. There’s another suit on the other side of the bench WIꓘ is standing near, though he’s on the phone and his back is to Chay.
𝘕𝘰 𝘸𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘞𝘐ꓘ 𝘪𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴, Chay thinks—
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
suddenly not sure whether he feels overdressed compared to WIꓘ or underdressed compared to the two suits. Probably the former.
When he’s still far enough away that he can pass for a random bystander, probably, Chay quickly pulls his phone out,
suddenly not sure whether he feels overdressed compared to WIꓘ or underdressed compared to the two suits. Probably the former.
When he’s still far enough away that he can pass for a random bystander, probably, Chay quickly pulls his phone out,
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
checking the most recent email he’d gotten from WIꓘ’s agency again for some indication of how he’s supposed to announce his presence. There isn’t one, though he’d had to submit a recent photo of himself once he’d found out he’d won,
checking the most recent email he’d gotten from WIꓘ’s agency again for some indication of how he’s supposed to announce his presence. There isn’t one, though he’d had to submit a recent photo of himself once he’d found out he’d won,
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
presumably so both WIꓘ and his security would know who he was.
Still, undercut watches with what looks like annoyance as Chay hesitates, feeling unsure about this whole thing for the first time since he’d entered the competition.
presumably so both WIꓘ and his security would know who he was.
Still, undercut watches with what looks like annoyance as Chay hesitates, feeling unsure about this whole thing for the first time since he’d entered the competition.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
When the man looks like he’s about to stand up out of the chair he’s been watching Chay in, though, Chay pockets his phone again, takes a breath, and walks up to his idol.
“WIꓘ?”
When the man looks like he’s about to stand up out of the chair he’s been watching Chay in, though, Chay pockets his phone again, takes a breath, and walks up to his idol.
“WIꓘ?”
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
Chay’s roommate is a stand-up comic with a background in theatre. A couple of months ago, Nova had caught Chay singing in the kitchen while he was cooking and had immediately stopped him, then proceeded to give him an impromptu lesson on vocal projection.
Chay’s roommate is a stand-up comic with a background in theatre. A couple of months ago, Nova had caught Chay singing in the kitchen while he was cooking and had immediately stopped him, then proceeded to give him an impromptu lesson on vocal projection.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
Chay remembers that lesson now as he tries to affect a confidence he absolutely does not feel.
He’s not sure if it works, but WIꓘ looks up at him for a beat, then back down.
“Give me a minute.”
Chay remembers that lesson now as he tries to affect a confidence he absolutely does not feel.
He’s not sure if it works, but WIꓘ looks up at him for a beat, then back down.
“Give me a minute.”
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
Chay is actually grateful for the pause. WIꓘ’s eyes are even more intense in person than they are in his photos, and even for that single second, there was something in them that made Chay feel like he was being x-rayed when WIꓘ looked at him.
Chay is actually grateful for the pause. WIꓘ’s eyes are even more intense in person than they are in his photos, and even for that single second, there was something in them that made Chay feel like he was being x-rayed when WIꓘ looked at him.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
It’s a little more than a minute before WIꓘ looks up again, though.
“It’s fine,” Chay answers when he does. He hadn’t wanted to interrupt. “Work stuff?”
Chay winces as soon as the question leaves his lips.
It’s a little more than a minute before WIꓘ looks up again, though.
“It’s fine,” Chay answers when he does. He hadn’t wanted to interrupt. “Work stuff?”
Chay winces as soon as the question leaves his lips.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
“Tracking an album,” WIꓘ answers, then looks up toward where undercut is sitting. A beat later, he glances at Chay. “Don’t talk about that with anyone.”
WIꓘ’s voice is both quieter and rougher than what Chay has heard in previous interviews.
“Tracking an album,” WIꓘ answers, then looks up toward where undercut is sitting. A beat later, he glances at Chay. “Don’t talk about that with anyone.”
WIꓘ’s voice is both quieter and rougher than what Chay has heard in previous interviews.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
Almost like he hasn’t been sleeping.
Unprompted, Chay feels a flash of concern. Something some fans seem to forget sometimes is that their idols are real people. Chay tries to catch WIꓘ’s eye, but he’s looking at his phone again.
Almost like he hasn’t been sleeping.
Unprompted, Chay feels a flash of concern. Something some fans seem to forget sometimes is that their idols are real people. Chay tries to catch WIꓘ’s eye, but he’s looking at his phone again.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
WIꓘ lets out a breath through his nose, one that Chay hears even through the background noise of the square they’re in. He does his best not to take it personally.
WIꓘ lets out a breath through his nose, one that Chay hears even through the background noise of the square they’re in. He does his best not to take it personally.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
WIꓘ starts walking, and Chay has to jog to catch up even though he’s slightly taller than WIꓘ, which had actually surprised him. Not by a lot, but enough that he catches him easily, and Chay glances over his shoulder to see undercut following behind them.
WIꓘ starts walking, and Chay has to jog to catch up even though he’s slightly taller than WIꓘ, which had actually surprised him. Not by a lot, but enough that he catches him easily, and Chay glances over his shoulder to see undercut following behind them.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
“You’re working on an album right now?” Chay asks, mostly just to say something. “What’s it about?”
WIꓘ looks at him with a look that’s flat and unreadable. “You’re going to have to wait and find that out when everyone else does.”
“You’re working on an album right now?” Chay asks, mostly just to say something. “What’s it about?”
WIꓘ looks at him with a look that’s flat and unreadable. “You’re going to have to wait and find that out when everyone else does.”
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
Chay tries not to flinch.
Already, this isn’t going the way he’d hoped it would. He’s not sure what exactly he was hoping for—conversation, at least? Definitely learning about WIꓘ as an artist rather than just a public figure.
Chay tries not to flinch.
Already, this isn’t going the way he’d hoped it would. He’s not sure what exactly he was hoping for—conversation, at least? Definitely learning about WIꓘ as an artist rather than just a public figure.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
That’s probably safe territory. He reworks his line of questioning away from anything WIꓘ might construe as an attempt to gain inside information. He put on his form that he plays guitar, which also seems like safe territory to Chay—one musician to another.
That’s probably safe territory. He reworks his line of questioning away from anything WIꓘ might construe as an attempt to gain inside information. He put on his form that he plays guitar, which also seems like safe territory to Chay—one musician to another.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
“So, I’ve been so curious about the effects on—”
“Look,” WIꓘ says, stopping Chay in his tracks, literally and figuratively. He’s stopped walking. “I don’t want to be here. My agent did this without my permission. I have too much to do to be wasting time.”
“So, I’ve been so curious about the effects on—”
“Look,” WIꓘ says, stopping Chay in his tracks, literally and figuratively. He’s stopped walking. “I don’t want to be here. My agent did this without my permission. I have too much to do to be wasting time.”
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
And that’s all he says. No further explanation, though over the course of the next couple of hours, Chay can piece together some of the story WIꓘ isn’t saying as he makes a valiant effort not to take WIꓘ’s attitude personally.
And that’s all he says. No further explanation, though over the course of the next couple of hours, Chay can piece together some of the story WIꓘ isn’t saying as he makes a valiant effort not to take WIꓘ’s attitude personally.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
His guards must be surveillance as well as protection. That has to be why undercut hasn’t looked away for more than a few seconds over the course of the last ten minutes. They’re in a coffee shop now, one Chay has never been to, and Chay makes his selection
His guards must be surveillance as well as protection. That has to be why undercut hasn’t looked away for more than a few seconds over the course of the last ten minutes. They’re in a coffee shop now, one Chay has never been to, and Chay makes his selection
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
long before they ever get to the counter.
He pays for his own drink. He considers paying for WIꓘ’s, too, to hopefully get him in a better mood, but WIꓘ has his card out and covers his own before Chay has the chance.
long before they ever get to the counter.
He pays for his own drink. He considers paying for WIꓘ’s, too, to hopefully get him in a better mood, but WIꓘ has his card out and covers his own before Chay has the chance.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
They barely talk. Most of Chay’s attempts to say anything are met either with silence or that same flat look as before, though the outright hostility is at least gone.
At two hours on the dot, WIꓘ gets up and leaves without a glance or a goodbye.
They barely talk. Most of Chay’s attempts to say anything are met either with silence or that same flat look as before, though the outright hostility is at least gone.
At two hours on the dot, WIꓘ gets up and leaves without a glance or a goodbye.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
Undercut follows him.
Chay doesn’t even wait until he gets home to unfollow all of WIꓘ’s accounts. After all, the best way to get over someone is to remove them from your vocabulary.
Once upon a time, he’d become a WIꓘ fan. Now it’s time to unbecome one.
Undercut follows him.
Chay doesn’t even wait until he gets home to unfollow all of WIꓘ’s accounts. After all, the best way to get over someone is to remove them from your vocabulary.
Once upon a time, he’d become a WIꓘ fan. Now it’s time to unbecome one.
[ end of part one. ]
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that's all for today, more tomorrow! this thread is fully written and has 6 parts, and is sfw/non-explicit until🔞appears in the header.
top of thread:
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that's all for today, more tomorrow! this thread is fully written and has 6 parts, and is sfw/non-explicit until🔞appears in the header.
top of thread:
https://twitter.com/_venagrey/status/1615084526367113221?s=20&t=IWeiewDXVnhB34BXltXddw
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
- [ part two. kim ] -
A week passes. Kim’s schedule is no less insane, especially because he’s halfway through recording his next album.
In the middle of the process like this, he basically lives at his studio.
- [ part two. kim ] -
A week passes. Kim’s schedule is no less insane, especially because he’s halfway through recording his next album.
In the middle of the process like this, he basically lives at his studio.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
There’s a futon in the mixing room that he’s slept on more than once this week. His agent and manager know to keep bookings to an absolute minimum, which is why it had been so annoying that they’d pulled him out for what ended up being half a day,
There’s a futon in the mixing room that he’s slept on more than once this week. His agent and manager know to keep bookings to an absolute minimum, which is why it had been so annoying that they’d pulled him out for what ended up being half a day,
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
between travel time and the ridiculous date itself, when they’ve known for 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘩𝘴 that he would be tracking this week—as well as the six weeks before and at least the next four after this.
between travel time and the ridiculous date itself, when they’ve known for 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘩𝘴 that he would be tracking this week—as well as the six weeks before and at least the next four after this.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
It wasn’t the kid’s fault. Porchay. Kim 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘴 it’s his agent and manager he should be annoyed with, not an unassuming fan who’d just entered a competition.
Except Kim can’t seem to stop thinking about him.
It wasn’t the kid’s fault. Porchay. Kim 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘴 it’s his agent and manager he should be annoyed with, not an unassuming fan who’d just entered a competition.
Except Kim can’t seem to stop thinking about him.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
First it was just that he felt kind of bad for being a dick on their date. But even after that dust had settled, other little things from that day would pop into his mind.
Yes, Porchay–or Chay, as he’d introduced himself while in line for drinks–is a fan.
First it was just that he felt kind of bad for being a dick on their date. But even after that dust had settled, other little things from that day would pop into his mind.
Yes, Porchay–or Chay, as he’d introduced himself while in line for drinks–is a fan.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
But he isn’t a weird fan. He’s a fan the way he is about everything he likes, like he’s the kind of person who doesn’t do things in half-measures.
Most of the questions he’d asked Kim had been about his music.
But he isn’t a weird fan. He’s a fan the way he is about everything he likes, like he’s the kind of person who doesn’t do things in half-measures.
Most of the questions he’d asked Kim had been about his music.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
What inspired him, what he liked to write about, what the easiest and hardest songs he’s written were. A few things that gave him away as a musician—which he’d probably written on his entry form, not that Kim had read it beforehand.
What inspired him, what he liked to write about, what the easiest and hardest songs he’s written were. A few things that gave him away as a musician—which he’d probably written on his entry form, not that Kim had read it beforehand.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
Another thing he feels kind of bad about in retrospect. He’s read it now.
And it’s refreshing, honestly. The music industry is full of sharks and plastics who always want something from you and will do anything for clout.
Another thing he feels kind of bad about in retrospect. He’s read it now.
And it’s refreshing, honestly. The music industry is full of sharks and plastics who always want something from you and will do anything for clout.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
Spend as much time in the limelight as Kim has and it hardens you, makes it impossible to be normal around anyone you don’t already know and trust.
But Chay is so normal. He likes to sing, Kim has learned, in addition to being a guitarist—
Spend as much time in the limelight as Kim has and it hardens you, makes it impossible to be normal around anyone you don’t already know and trust.
But Chay is so normal. He likes to sing, Kim has learned, in addition to being a guitarist—
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
which was the first crack in Kim’s armor, because Chay hadn’t talked about his own music even 𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦 that day. Kim hadn’t even known about it until he’d seen Chay’s Mediagram story with a couple of reposted videos from one of Chay’s own gigs.
which was the first crack in Kim’s armor, because Chay hadn’t talked about his own music even 𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦 that day. Kim hadn’t even known about it until he’d seen Chay’s Mediagram story with a couple of reposted videos from one of Chay’s own gigs.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
The venue made him pause, though. A certain bar with a decades-long open mic night tradition that was legendary in certain circles—which Kim would know, because he’s played it, as have many other people and bands who went on to become famous.
The venue made him pause, though. A certain bar with a decades-long open mic night tradition that was legendary in certain circles—which Kim would know, because he’s played it, as have many other people and bands who went on to become famous.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
He’d been given Chay’s name and whatever socials he’d put on the form as part of the competition, and he scrolls through Chay’s page for a few minutes, careful not to double tap anything.
He’d been given Chay’s name and whatever socials he’d put on the form as part of the competition, and he scrolls through Chay’s page for a few minutes, careful not to double tap anything.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
Ten minutes later, he puts in one of his earphones and plays Chay’s story again, this time with the volume on.
𝘏𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘷𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦, Kim thinks. Warm. Like a fire in the wintertime, and not just because of Local 650’s famous orange lighting.
Ten minutes later, he puts in one of his earphones and plays Chay’s story again, this time with the volume on.
𝘏𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘷𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦, Kim thinks. Warm. Like a fire in the wintertime, and not just because of Local 650’s famous orange lighting.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
It’s definitely untrained, but it has serious potential and a lot of heart.
His playing, though.
Chay 𝘩𝘢𝘴 to be a music student. You don’t play like that unless you’ve either been holding a guitar since you were three and are single-mindedly obsessed
It’s definitely untrained, but it has serious potential and a lot of heart.
His playing, though.
Chay 𝘩𝘢𝘴 to be a music student. You don’t play like that unless you’ve either been holding a guitar since you were three and are single-mindedly obsessed
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
or you’ve had formal training. Or both, in his own case. Though Chay is better than him, and Kim isn’t too proud to admit that.
Twenty minutes and three re-watches later, Kim decides it’s the former.
or you’ve had formal training. Or both, in his own case. Though Chay is better than him, and Kim isn’t too proud to admit that.
Twenty minutes and three re-watches later, Kim decides it’s the former.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
Chay’s music is still too raw, in a good way, for him to have grown up with training, though it’s clear he’s had it now. And his reels tab reveals something else: that Chay apparently makes guitar tutorials, a couple of which have views in the mid-5 figures.
Chay’s music is still too raw, in a good way, for him to have grown up with training, though it’s clear he’s had it now. And his reels tab reveals something else: that Chay apparently makes guitar tutorials, a couple of which have views in the mid-5 figures.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
He closes out of the app when his producer finally calls him back in.
Chay has a couple thousand followers, Kim thinks as he puts the studio headphones on in the recording room. Enough to tell Kim he’s not one of those people who only adds their friends.
He closes out of the app when his producer finally calls him back in.
Chay has a couple thousand followers, Kim thinks as he puts the studio headphones on in the recording room. Enough to tell Kim he’s not one of those people who only adds their friends.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
So Kim follows him.
On his personal account, not his WIꓘ account. Chay unfollowed WIꓘ. And Kim can’t blame him for that, not after the way he’d treated Chay that day.
So Kim follows him.
On his personal account, not his WIꓘ account. Chay unfollowed WIꓘ. And Kim can’t blame him for that, not after the way he’d treated Chay that day.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
His life is 𝘴𝘰 fucking normal. He goes to class, hangs out with friends, gets meals with someone Kim’s age who looks enough like Chay that Kim assumes they’re brothers. He plays shows, posts photos of projects he’s working on. Complains about schoolwork.
His life is 𝘴𝘰 fucking normal. He goes to class, hangs out with friends, gets meals with someone Kim’s age who looks enough like Chay that Kim assumes they’re brothers. He plays shows, posts photos of projects he’s working on. Complains about schoolwork.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
Normal things.
After a few weeks, Kim starts to recognize the characters in his life. He has a group of close friends from university: Tea, Pax, Lyra, Mako, and Van, though only Tea and Pax are music students.
Normal things.
After a few weeks, Kim starts to recognize the characters in his life. He has a group of close friends from university: Tea, Pax, Lyra, Mako, and Van, though only Tea and Pax are music students.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
He’s also friends with his roommate, who hosts an open mic night that’s apparently a bit of an institution among the university’s artsier students. Chay has played that too.
He’s also friends with his roommate, who hosts an open mic night that’s apparently a bit of an institution among the university’s artsier students. Chay has played that too.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
His brother is Porsche, and the fact Porsche tends to show up in close series of photos and videos and then disappear from Chay’s feed for weeks tells Kim the two of them don’t live close.
And Chay was a third-year when they met, apparently, because after
His brother is Porsche, and the fact Porsche tends to show up in close series of photos and videos and then disappear from Chay’s feed for weeks tells Kim the two of them don’t live close.
And Chay was a third-year when they met, apparently, because after
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
a long series of photos with Porsche that were taken from what looks to be New York City, summer winds down and Chay announces his senior thesis project—which will be a full, studio-quality record—with a very well-made promotional video
a long series of photos with Porsche that were taken from what looks to be New York City, summer winds down and Chay announces his senior thesis project—which will be a full, studio-quality record—with a very well-made promotional video
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
that was apparently the work of Mako, a film student.
So, months pass. Kim finishes his record and the revisions before he gets the final masters. Chay’s life continues to be relentlessly normal. Kim envies it.
that was apparently the work of Mako, a film student.
So, months pass. Kim finishes his record and the revisions before he gets the final masters. Chay’s life continues to be relentlessly normal. Kim envies it.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
And then, out of nowhere, at his family’s annual harvest party for his father’s overseas vineyards, Kim glances offhand at the entryway to see none other than Chay standing in front of the attendant in charge of the guest list.
And then, out of nowhere, at his family’s annual harvest party for his father’s overseas vineyards, Kim glances offhand at the entryway to see none other than Chay standing in front of the attendant in charge of the guest list.
[ author note: don't skip the music, put this on in the background and thank me later. <3 ]
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
With his fitted beige blazer over a white turtleneck with a thick silver chain at the nape of his neck, he looks like he stepped straight out of a high-end menswear ad. He has a new haircut, too, one Kim hasn’t seen on his Mediagram yet:
With his fitted beige blazer over a white turtleneck with a thick silver chain at the nape of his neck, he looks like he stepped straight out of a high-end menswear ad. He has a new haircut, too, one Kim hasn’t seen on his Mediagram yet:
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
cropped close at the sides, his black curls left longer on top and accentuated by a close fade down his neck that draws attention to his strong jawline.
And he’s with someone.
For a moment, Kim is too stunned to move.
cropped close at the sides, his black curls left longer on top and accentuated by a close fade down his neck that draws attention to his strong jawline.
And he’s with someone.
For a moment, Kim is too stunned to move.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
For a split second, the thing he feels is 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘺𝘢𝘭—not because he has any right to Chay, he knows he doesn’t, but because he’s been following Chay for months now and there has been 𝘯𝘰 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 that he was seeing someone.
For a split second, the thing he feels is 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘺𝘢𝘭—not because he has any right to Chay, he knows he doesn’t, but because he’s been following Chay for months now and there has been 𝘯𝘰 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 that he was seeing someone.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
As another person moves out of the way, though, Kim sees that the person with Chay is Mako. Mako has curly hair too, though his is light brown, since his mother is Argentinian. And with his chiseled features and freckled face, Mako stands out in this room.
As another person moves out of the way, though, Kim sees that the person with Chay is Mako. Mako has curly hair too, though his is light brown, since his mother is Argentinian. And with his chiseled features and freckled face, Mako stands out in this room.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
Kim had never realized how much taller than Chay Mako is, either. At least half a head, and Chay isn’t short. When Chay smiles at the attendant, Mako slides an arm around Chay’s lower back and leans down as though Chay is whispering something in his ear
Kim had never realized how much taller than Chay Mako is, either. At least half a head, and Chay isn’t short. When Chay smiles at the attendant, Mako slides an arm around Chay’s lower back and leans down as though Chay is whispering something in his ear
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
before they make for the other side of the room.
They didn’t see him. Of course they didn’t. There are hundreds of people at this party. They’ve reserved an entire hotel for it.
Suddenly, that thought—Chay and Mako sharing a room
before they make for the other side of the room.
They didn’t see him. Of course they didn’t. There are hundreds of people at this party. They’ve reserved an entire hotel for it.
Suddenly, that thought—Chay and Mako sharing a room
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
in the crown jewel of his family’s hotels—sends a hot flash of jealousy through Kim. Kim knows by now that Chay doesn’t come from money, that he’s attending university on full scholarship. This might well be the fanciest place Chay has ever been.
in the crown jewel of his family’s hotels—sends a hot flash of jealousy through Kim. Kim knows by now that Chay doesn’t come from money, that he’s attending university on full scholarship. This might well be the fanciest place Chay has ever been.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
Kim watches, making as much polite small talk as is required of him, especially once his father shoots him a look from across the room. Watches Mako step away and make for the bar.
Kim watches, making as much polite small talk as is required of him, especially once his father shoots him a look from across the room. Watches Mako step away and make for the bar.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
Watches Chay immediately look right Kim, arcing a brow.
Fuck. He thought he’d been subtle.
There’s nothing for it, though. They both know Kim has been watching him.
Watches Chay immediately look right Kim, arcing a brow.
Fuck. He thought he’d been subtle.
There’s nothing for it, though. They both know Kim has been watching him.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
As soon as he’s able, Kim exits the conversation with one of his father’s business associates and makes for Chay, fighting the desire to snatch him away before his date gets back.
As soon as he’s able, Kim exits the conversation with one of his father’s business associates and makes for Chay, fighting the desire to snatch him away before his date gets back.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
Except Kim was too slow, because before Kim can even open his mouth to say hello, Mako is kissing Chay’s cheek as he presses a drink into Chay’s hand.
Kim hears Chay clear his throat softly. “Babe, behind you.”
Mako turns. His eyes go wide.
Except Kim was too slow, because before Kim can even open his mouth to say hello, Mako is kissing Chay’s cheek as he presses a drink into Chay’s hand.
Kim hears Chay clear his throat softly. “Babe, behind you.”
Mako turns. His eyes go wide.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
Mako’s suit is deep blue, almost navy, and has a faint sheen to it. Kim recognizes bespoke tailoring when he sees it, and his confirmation about the kind of family Mako comes from is instantly reinforced when he sees the heavy platinum aviator watch
Mako’s suit is deep blue, almost navy, and has a faint sheen to it. Kim recognizes bespoke tailoring when he sees it, and his confirmation about the kind of family Mako comes from is instantly reinforced when he sees the heavy platinum aviator watch
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
peek out from under his sleeve. The suit’s color—𝘒𝘪𝘮'𝘴 color—makes Kim viscerally angry for a split second until he pushes it aside, shaking Mako’s hand when offered.
peek out from under his sleeve. The suit’s color—𝘒𝘪𝘮'𝘴 color—makes Kim viscerally angry for a split second until he pushes it aside, shaking Mako’s hand when offered.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
He 𝘢𝘣𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 notices the way Porchay had looked away by looking down at the open neckline of Mako’s pale pink shirt, which is gapping open in a way Kinn would be proud of and revealing a long leather cord
He 𝘢𝘣𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 notices the way Porchay had looked away by looking down at the open neckline of Mako’s pale pink shirt, which is gapping open in a way Kinn would be proud of and revealing a long leather cord
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
that holds an honest-to-god 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘵𝘰𝘰𝘵𝘩, albeit one that looks to be set with stones.
Kim 𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴 Mako, he has decided. This feeling only intensifies when Kim sees the expression on his face.
“WIꓘ,” Mako says, clearly starstruck.
that holds an honest-to-god 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘵𝘰𝘰𝘵𝘩, albeit one that looks to be set with stones.
Kim 𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴 Mako, he has decided. This feeling only intensifies when Kim sees the expression on his face.
“WIꓘ,” Mako says, clearly starstruck.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
He drops Kim’s hand, then steps back half a step until he’s closer to Chay. “Chay said you were here and I didn’t believe him.”
𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘮, Kim thinks. But Mako is still talking.
He drops Kim’s hand, then steps back half a step until he’s closer to Chay. “Chay said you were here and I didn’t believe him.”
𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘮, Kim thinks. But Mako is still talking.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
“I kind of can’t believe this right now? You’ve probably guessed from the way I can’t string sentences together at the moment but I’m a huge fan!”
Kim glances at Chay.
“I kind of can’t believe this right now? You’ve probably guessed from the way I can’t string sentences together at the moment but I’m a huge fan!”
Kim glances at Chay.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
Chay is blushing, the back of his hand not holding a drink brushing the back of Mako’s until Mako interlaces their fingers without even looking.
Which gives Kim an idea.
“Then you probably already know that I’m playing an album pre-release show tomorrow.”
Chay is blushing, the back of his hand not holding a drink brushing the back of Mako’s until Mako interlaces their fingers without even looking.
Which gives Kim an idea.
“Then you probably already know that I’m playing an album pre-release show tomorrow.”
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
“Oh my god, I’ve had tickets for three months. Aaannnd I just admitted that to you out loud.” Mako is blushing now, and he turns away for a second—toward Chay—before turning back, his nervous smile sliding back into genuine happiness.
“Oh my god, I’ve had tickets for three months. Aaannnd I just admitted that to you out loud.” Mako is blushing now, and he turns away for a second—toward Chay—before turning back, his nervous smile sliding back into genuine happiness.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
“I’ve even convinced this guy to come with me, even though he suddenly stopped being your fan a few months ago.”
“𝘔𝘢𝘬𝘰,” Chay says in a tone Kim doesn’t like, his blush deeper now.
“Aiy—sorry babe, I’m a little starstruck.”
“I’ve even convinced this guy to come with me, even though he suddenly stopped being your fan a few months ago.”
“𝘔𝘢𝘬𝘰,” Chay says in a tone Kim doesn’t like, his blush deeper now.
“Aiy—sorry babe, I’m a little starstruck.”
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
This guy is the human embodiment of a golden retriever. Kim’s hatred redoubles.
“What would you say to backstage passes?”
Chay’s and Mako’s eyes both fly open at the same time, though for different reasons.
This guy is the human embodiment of a golden retriever. Kim’s hatred redoubles.
“What would you say to backstage passes?”
Chay’s and Mako’s eyes both fly open at the same time, though for different reasons.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
Chay makes a soft huh? of surprise that Kim wants to bottle and keep on his desk.
Or maybe his bedside table.
Kim stops that thought in his tracks, scanning quickly across the crowd for his agent.
Chay makes a soft huh? of surprise that Kim wants to bottle and keep on his desk.
Or maybe his bedside table.
Kim stops that thought in his tracks, scanning quickly across the crowd for his agent.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
He nods toward her when he finds her, directing Chay and Mako’s eyes toward her.
“That’s my agent. Her name is Deja. Find her after the show tomorrow, or ask venue staff for her if you can’t find her.”
He nods toward her when he finds her, directing Chay and Mako’s eyes toward her.
“That’s my agent. Her name is Deja. Find her after the show tomorrow, or ask venue staff for her if you can’t find her.”
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
Mako’s face lights up. He turns to Chay for a second, only deflating by a couple of degrees.
“Holy shit. See you tomorrow?? I can’t believe I’m saying that. I mean, we already were, but—anyway, we’re going to go now before I embarrass myself any further,
Mako’s face lights up. He turns to Chay for a second, only deflating by a couple of degrees.
“Holy shit. See you tomorrow?? I can’t believe I’m saying that. I mean, we already were, but—anyway, we’re going to go now before I embarrass myself any further,
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
but thank you so much.”
As Mako leads Chay away, Chay meets Kim’s eyes with a questioning look.
Kim smiles and nods toward Mako.
Game on.
—
—
—
—
but thank you so much.”
As Mako leads Chay away, Chay meets Kim’s eyes with a questioning look.
Kim smiles and nods toward Mako.
Game on.
—
—
—
—
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
- [ chay ] -
Mako is so excited as he drives Chay home. Chay feels terrible about it. He knows he’s a wet blanket right now, but Mako is maybe—hopefully—too amped to notice.
- [ chay ] -
Mako is so excited as he drives Chay home. Chay feels terrible about it. He knows he’s a wet blanket right now, but Mako is maybe—hopefully—too amped to notice.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
“I cannot believe that just happened,” Mako says at the first light, the hand not on the gearshift tight over the steering wheel of his BMW. “I’m sorry to go completely fanboy on you—”
“I get it, it’s fine,” Chay says.
“I cannot believe that just happened,” Mako says at the first light, the hand not on the gearshift tight over the steering wheel of his BMW. “I’m sorry to go completely fanboy on you—”
“I get it, it’s fine,” Chay says.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
“You’re sure? It’s not at all personal, I promise—”
“Mako.” Chay reaches for Mako’s neck, running his fingers down the shorter hair at the back once before pulling his hand back. “I get it. I was a WIꓘ fan for years.”
“You’re sure? It’s not at all personal, I promise—”
“Mako.” Chay reaches for Mako’s neck, running his fingers down the shorter hair at the back once before pulling his hand back. “I get it. I was a WIꓘ fan for years.”
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
“Wait. You won that competition last year, right? You’ve been on a date with him?”
Chay huffs a laugh. Mako already knows the answer—though they’ve only been dating a couple of weeks, he and Mako have been friends basically since first year orientation,
“Wait. You won that competition last year, right? You’ve been on a date with him?”
Chay huffs a laugh. Mako already knows the answer—though they’ve only been dating a couple of weeks, he and Mako have been friends basically since first year orientation,
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
and WIꓘ had been one of their first common interests.
“Yeah. He wasn’t as nice to me as he was to you just now. I guess he’s changed.”
When they arrive at Chay’s apartment, Mako kisses Chay goodnight over the center console.
and WIꓘ had been one of their first common interests.
“Yeah. He wasn’t as nice to me as he was to you just now. I guess he’s changed.”
When they arrive at Chay’s apartment, Mako kisses Chay goodnight over the center console.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
“He’s not a replacement for you.”
“𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸.” Chay smiles, and he means it.
Mako is still vibrating with excitement at the show the next day, though. They’re both tall enough that even near the edge of the middle of the crowd—
“He’s not a replacement for you.”
“𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸.” Chay smiles, and he means it.
Mako is still vibrating with excitement at the show the next day, though. They’re both tall enough that even near the edge of the middle of the crowd—
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
so positioned because Chay didn’t want to block anyone—they can still see and hear fine.
Once WIꓘ tunes his guitar and goes through sound check, though, Chay doesn’t miss the way he looks up through the crowd as though he's looking for someone,
so positioned because Chay didn’t want to block anyone—they can still see and hear fine.
Once WIꓘ tunes his guitar and goes through sound check, though, Chay doesn’t miss the way he looks up through the crowd as though he's looking for someone,
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
then smiles that same oblique smile once he finds Chay and Mako.
Mako turns to Chay, beaming, and squeezes his hand.
They find Deja after the show. She leads them backstage, chatting with Mako as she does. But as soon as she leads them to WIꓘ, she’s gone.
then smiles that same oblique smile once he finds Chay and Mako.
Mako turns to Chay, beaming, and squeezes his hand.
They find Deja after the show. She leads them backstage, chatting with Mako as she does. But as soon as she leads them to WIꓘ, she’s gone.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
It’s less awkward this time. He’s sitting on an amp as he packs his acoustic guitars into hard-shelled cases and his electric into a gig bag, even turning toward them and listening once he’s done packing up. He smiles at all the right times,
It’s less awkward this time. He’s sitting on an amp as he packs his acoustic guitars into hard-shelled cases and his electric into a gig bag, even turning toward them and listening once he’s done packing up. He smiles at all the right times,
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
even laughs a bit at a couple of Mako’s weird jokes.
“He’s playing a show, actually, if you want to come?”
Chay had zoned out a bit, more than happy to let Mako carry the conversation, but he snaps back to attention at this.
even laughs a bit at a couple of Mako’s weird jokes.
“He’s playing a show, actually, if you want to come?”
Chay had zoned out a bit, more than happy to let Mako carry the conversation, but he snaps back to attention at this.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
“Mako, seriously, you don’t have to—”
“Where? When?”
...if Chay isn’t hallucinating, WIꓘ’s eyes just flashed.
“Local 650,” Chay says, not hiding the skepticism in his tone. “Next week. Really, though, you don’t have to.”
“Mako, seriously, you don’t have to—”
“Where? When?”
...if Chay isn’t hallucinating, WIꓘ’s eyes just flashed.
“Local 650,” Chay says, not hiding the skepticism in his tone. “Next week. Really, though, you don’t have to.”
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
WIꓘ stands, then, and Chay is 𝘥𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 not hallucinating when WIꓘ holds his eyes as he says,
“I’ll see you then.”
Then he leaves, and Chay also doesn’t miss the way Mako looks at him for a second, his look questioning.
WIꓘ stands, then, and Chay is 𝘥𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 not hallucinating when WIꓘ holds his eyes as he says,
“I’ll see you then.”
Then he leaves, and Chay also doesn’t miss the way Mako looks at him for a second, his look questioning.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
Just as quickly, though, Mako closes his eyes, shakes his head to clear it, and smiles.
“Wild,” Mako says.
Chay can’t blame him. He remembers being this over the moon about WIꓘ.
Just as quickly, though, Mako closes his eyes, shakes his head to clear it, and smiles.
“Wild,” Mako says.
Chay can’t blame him. He remembers being this over the moon about WIꓘ.
[ #kimchay #ndyh ]
Still, as a certain English dramatist once wrote, there’s something rotten in the state of Denmark, and Chay intends to find out what.
[ end of part two. ]
—
—
—
—
Still, as a certain English dramatist once wrote, there’s something rotten in the state of Denmark, and Chay intends to find out what.
[ end of part two. ]
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—
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[ that's all for today, part three drops tomorrow! and thank you all for the support on this, I'm honestly so floored by the response to this thread so far 😭 ]
top of thread:
top of thread:
https://twitter.com/_venagrey/status/1615084526367113221?s=20&t=IWeiewDXVnhB34BXltXddw
start of part two:
https://twitter.com/_venagrey/status/1615457722626891778?s=20&t=Tp443a6oTwzj9k9hic9jyw
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