Multifandom X Reader Stories

I think I love you - Aunong

The night was lively, the soft glow of lanterns reflecting off the water as music and laughter filled the air. I walked alongside Tsireya, excitement bubbling within me. The Metkayina held gatherings often, but this one felt special. Maybe because Aonung would be there.

The thought made my chest tighten, but I shoved it aside. He was my best friend—nothing more, nothing less. Right?

As soon as we arrived, my eyes immediately sought him out. When I found him, standing with a group of warriors, his piercing blue gaze already locked onto mine. A slow smile tugged at his lips, one that I shyly returned before Tsireya pulled me toward a smaller group of girls sitting near the shore.

I sat among them, half-listening to their conversations about the boys they admired. It was lighthearted, filled with giggles and hushed whispers, until Neyeri—the daughter of an elder and a girl who was obsessed with Aonung—spoke up.

"Aonung has been trying to court me," she announced smugly, twirling a strand of hair between her fingers. "He even gave me a shell the other day. A rare one."

My stomach twisted painfully. I hadn't even realized I was gripping the woven mat beneath me until my knuckles turned white. I had never really given much thought to my feelings for Aonung, but hearing someone else talk about him—claim him—made something inside me ache.

I barely heard anything else until my name was mentioned.

I blinked, looking up as Neyeri smirked at me. "What about you, Y/N? Anyone caught your eye?"

The air felt thick as everyone turned to me expectantly. My heart pounded, but I forced a neutral expression. "No," I said smoothly, shaking my head.

Neyeri's eyes glinted with something wicked before she turned to one of her friends. "Didn't Y/N tell Tsireya about a boy she liked?"

My stomach dropped. The friend giggled, smirking. "Oh, yes, she did."

My throat went dry.

As if on cue, the boys arrived. Aonung's presence made my already tense shoulders stiffen. Neyeri wasted no time, patting the spot beside her. "Aonung, sit with me."

He barely spared her a glance before settling beside me instead. My lips curled in satisfaction as Neyeri's face darkened.

One of the boys grinned. "What are you all talking about?"

"Oh, just Y/N's secret admirer," Neyeri's friend piped up, voice dripping with amusement.

I rolled my eyes and grabbed the cup from Aonung's hand, downing the rest of his juice in one gulp. The warmth of his gaze on me didn't go unnoticed.

"Oh yes, what did she say again?" Neyeri prodded.

The girl who knew the truth giggled and began describing Aonung—his strong build, his striking blue eyes, his infuriating confidence.

I felt him tense beside me. His expression changed—his brows furrowed, lips pressing into a thin line. My heart sank, mistaking his reaction as frustration. Frustration that I liked someone who wasn't him.

The hurt was unbearable. I couldn't sit there any longer. Without a word, I stood and walked away.

Tsireya caught my wrist. "Are you okay?"

I smiled tightly. "I'm fine."

But Aonung wasn't fine. He needed an answer. He pushed to his feet, following me.

"Where are you going?" Neyeri whined.

He didn't even look at her. "None of your business."

I was standing by the water when he reached me, grabbing my wrist and pulling me into his chest. I inhaled sharply, heart hammering against my ribs as we stared at each other. His expression was unreadable, but his grip was firm, almost desperate.

"Who is he?" Aonung asked, voice rough with something I couldn't name. "Who is this guy that's so much better than me? What does he have that I don't?"

I blinked. Then, I laughed.

He looked at me like I had grown another head. "What's so funny?"

"You," I chuckled, shaking my head. "Aonung, you idiot. The guy I was talking about is you."

His lips parted slightly, the weight of my words sinking in. But then, realization struck me, and my smile faltered. "Wait," I whispered. "You like me?"

His stunned silence was answer enough. Then, ever so slowly, he grinned.

"I think I love you," he corrected.

And before I could respond, he pulled me in, pressing his lips against mine. The world faded away, the sound of waves crashing against the shore nothing compared to the way he kissed me.

It was messy, desperate, full of years of unspoken words and emotions we had been too blind to see. When we finally pulled away, I was breathless, my forehead resting against his.

"Took us long enough," I murmured.

He laughed, wrapping his arms tightly around me. "Yeah, but we got there in the end."

And that was all that mattered.