Illusions [Ateez x Reader]

Chapter 17

*Hongjoong's POV*

Today was my get to know you day with Y/N and I feel like I'm about to freak out. Seonghwa has a great day with Y/N yesterday and I don't want to mess it up. All of us have been working really hard to gain his/her/their trust back, and these days are crucial for that.

The boys and I were in the practice room waiting for Y/N to get here so we can leave.

"I'm gonna die," I mutter under my breath. "I'm seriously going to die."

"You'll be fine," Seonghwa assures me.

Yunho nods. "Just breath hyung."

I nod and try to breath.

I hear the door to the practice room open and in comes Y/N, looking gorgeous as always. He/she/they had on an oversized white button up that had the front tucked into a pair of black jeans. He/she/they also had on black combat boots and a black belt on with a silver buckle.

I gulp. He/she/they look amazing.

*Y/N POV*

     I walk into the room to see all eyes have landed on me. Hongjoong is sitting down on the ground, looking slightly nervous. I almost laugh. Is he nervous about today?

    "Hi boys," I wave as I enter.

     Hongjoong shakes his head, like he is trying to wake up from a daze.

    He stands up and walks over to me. "Hey Y/N. Are you ready to go?"

    I nod. "Yep."

    Hongjoong gives me a soft smile and gestures for me to follow him. "Okay then, let's go."

I follow Hongjoong out the door and we head out of the practice room. As we leave, I see Lukas working so I wave over at him. He smiles and waves back, but Hongjoong grabs my wrist and pulls me towards the door.

"What was that for?"

Hongjoong looks at me innocently. "I just have things planned that I want to get to."

"Yeah sure," I hum with a smirk.

We walk along the sidewalk, weaving through people. Hongjoong stays a bit in front of me, but looks back every once and a while to make sure I'm there. We grabs my wrist as we leave the side walk and head into a cute little cafe.

"A cafe?"

Hongjoong nods. "Well, it's not the only thing, but I thought it would be a good place to start."

I nod. "Okay then."

We go up and order what we want then go and find a place to sit. Surprisingly enough, it's not extremely uncomfortable.

   "So," I hum. "Where are we going after this?"

    Hongjoong just smirks. "Not gonna say."

    "Please?"

    "Nope."

   I sigh but nod my head okay. Our drinks come and we take a few sips of them, conversing in light conversation.

    "Favorite movie?" Hongjoong asks.

    "Y/F/M"

     "Favorite book?"

     "Y/F/B"

    "Favorite food?"

     "I don't think I have one."

     Hongjoong looks at me with a surprised face. "Everyone has a favorite food. You have to have a favorite food."

    I take a second to think. "Um, probably y/f/f I guess."

    "Okay then."

    We had finished our drinks at this point, so Hongjoong pulled me up and we headed to the next stop. It took us about ten more minutes to get there, but once we stopped my eyes lit up.

   "A book store?!"

    He just chuckles at my reaction. "I take it you like book stores."

    I nod rapidly. "That are calm and welcoming. Not to mention I'm running low on tasing material at my house right now."

   "Well then, let's go," Hongjoong chuckles, pulling me into the bookstore behind him.

    I immediately smile at how large, but cozy, the book store seems. I turn to Hongjoong, happiness radiating on my face. His smile grows when he sees my face.

I grab his hand and pull him to one of the shelves of books. Letting go of his hand, I begin picking up interesting books to read the back. We wander around, Hongjoong sometimes wandering away from me, but he normally stays near me. I look around the book shop slowly, making sure not to miss any books.

"Hongjoong's POV*

His/her/their eyes lit up when we reached the book store. I was kind of worried that he/she/they wouldn't like the book store idea, but here I am. Following Y/N around the book store as he/she/they wandered through the books.

I just enjoy Y/N's facial expressions. His/her/their smile widens when a good book appears and his/her/their eyes crinkle slightly when something funny is read.

I don't know how we stayed away from Y/N years ago. But that is never happening again.

*Y/N's POV*

By the time we decided to leave, I had about six books in my hand. I headed up to the register with Hongjoong beside me and went to pay, when he stopped me. Hongjoong quickly payed for my books before I could stop him.

"Why'd you pay for me?" I ask, lightly smacking his arm.

Hongjoong just shrugs. "Cause I wanted to."

I pout. "Let me pay you back then."

"Nope." And with that, he walks off.

"Hongjoong!" I huff, but follow him anyways.

"Look," Hongjoong starts with a smile. "We asked you to these get to know you things, so we are paying."

"But they are my books," I whine softly. "I should pay for them."

Hongjoong shakes his head. "No way. Sorry."

"Hmpf."

We continue heading back to KQ in a comfortable silence. I stay close to Hongjoong as we walk, trying to make sure I don't lose him on the street. We reach KQ soon and head back into the practice room. The other boys were lounging around, the younger ones goofing off.

"Well then," I hum. "I really need to get going. I have a video to record."

Hongjoong waved goodbye to me, along with the others, and I headed home. When I reached my apartment, I went up to my little studio room and grabbed my camera and my guitar. I actually have a happier song to record now.