Illusions [Ateez x Reader]

Chapter 25

———Y'all, I need a significant other and lots of love like right now! please 🥺——

*Third Person POV*

Ateez was sitting in their practice room the about two hours before Y/N was scheduled to show up. Excitement filled each of the eight boys as they waited on their co producer to arrive.

    "The mark is darker," Hongjoong repeats what everyone already knows. "But that doesn't mean we are completely forgiven."

     "We know," Jongho assures him.

    All the boys keep the excitement on their faces, but nerves also begin to show.

    San speaks up. "What if he/she/they are not actually starting to forgive us? What if it was just a trick from our mind or something?"

    Seonghwa moves over and wraps his arm around San's shoulders. "I highly doubt that's what that was."

    "Yeah, cause we all felt it," Yunho finishes Seonghwa's statement.

     "Okay so," Mingi starts. "What do we do today?"

    "What do you mean?" Wooyoung asks, cocking his head to side in confusion.

    "Like do we ask him/her/them about what happened last night? Or do we leave it?" Mingi responds, speaking softly.

     "I don't think it would be a good idea," Yeosang contributes hesitantly. "I mean, unless Y/N wants to bring it up."

     "But why?" Jongho questions.

    "Well," Yeosang begins. "What if we scare Y/N even further away because we press the tattoo thing so much? Or what if he/she/they is/are not completely sure if he/she/they is/are actually forgiving us?"

    Hongjoong comes up to Yeosang and wraps his arms around his waist, effectively shutting Yeosang up. "I get that you are worried, but calm down a second okay?"

    Yeosang nods and leans down a bit, resting his head on Hongjoong's shoulder.

     "How about we just try to go on like it's a normal day?" Mingi suggests.

    "Yeah," Yunho agrees with him. "No reason in making a huge deal about this?"

    "It kinda is a huge deal though," Wooyoung reasons.

     "True," Yunho nods. "But, let's act like we aren't freaking out about it. Just try to be calm today alright?"

    The other boys nod, so Yunho smiles a bit. "Good."

      "Do you think we are actually going to win Y/N back?" Seonghwa asks quietly, causing San to pull him closer to him.

    San nods immediately. "We definitely will."

    "We have grown up," Hongjoong hums. "We learned."

     "And we aren't scared anymore," Yeosang finishes for Hongjoong.

      "There's no way we can't win Y/N back," Jongho finishes with a confident smile.

     "Unfortunately guys," Mingi interrupts. "It's time to head to the recording room."

   The boys all get up, seeming to be in a happy mood.

   *Y/N's POV*

    "Morning Lukas!" I call once I enter KQ. "Can I have one y/c/o please?"

     He nods with a bright smile. "Yeah! Coming right up!"

     I sit down at one of the cafe tables, waiting on my coffee. I had actually woken up a little early, so I decided to get a coffee. Why not ya know?

"Here yah go," Lukas hums, setting my coffee down in front of me. "You look great today, by the way."

I look down at my outfit, a simple crimson t-shirt tucked into black skinny jeans along with black and white checkered Vans. "Um thanks?"

    "No problem," he exclaims with a cheery attitude. "Hey, did you get home okay last night?"

     "Um yes?" I respond, confusion taking over my expression. "Why?"

     He scratches behind the back of his neck. "Oh, um, I saw you leaving late last night and just wanted to make sure you got home okay."

    "Oh," I sigh with a chuckle. "Sorry, I just didn't remember you being here last night when I left."

    "Yeah I was in the back," Lukas hums.

"Well," I get up from my chair. "I have to get going."

Lukas stops me before I can leave. "Can I ask you something?"

I nod. "Yeah sure, go ahead."

Lukas takes a deep breath. "Would you um, like to go out some time?"

I freeze, shocked. "Like as friends?"

"No," he shakes his head. "Like on an actual date?"

I look away, any where but Lukas. I feel bad turning him down, but I don't want to date him. "I'm really sorry, but no."

"But why?" He asks, a new tone in his voice. "It's not like you have soulmates?"

My head shoots up. "What?"

"Your tattoo is really faded," he points out, looking down at it. "Although it looks a bit darker today. Why is that?"

I pull my wrist up to my chest and cuddle it there. "I don't-don't think that is rea-really your business. I really need to go now. Excuse me."

     I push past Lukas with my coffee and head up to the recording room as fast as possible. I get in and look around, not seeing Eden.

     "Is Eden not here?" I ask as I sit down in a chair.

    Hongjoong shakes his head. "No, he'll be here a bit later though."

   I nod.

    "Y/N?" Yeosang calls out, so I turn to face him. "Are you okay?"

   "Oh um yeah," I respond, not confidently.

      Wooyoung comes forward and wraps his arms around my waist in a hug, then lets go and steps back a bit. "You're lying, what happened?"

      I shrug. "Someone asked me out."

    All of the boys' faces harden.

     I raise my hands quickly in defense. "I said no though!" Their faces soften. "The person has kinda been creeping me out lately anyways."

     "Creeping you out how?" Jongho asks, his attention fully on me, along with the other boys.

     "I don't really know," I sigh, quietly. "I've just been uncomfortable around him lately. There's just been something off I guess."

"Well if he creeps you out anymore," Mingi begins. "Tell us who it is and what's happening. We will help as much as we can."

I smile towards him. "Thank you so much for that. I really appreciate it."

We all share a small moment of comfortable silence before I break it by clapping my hands. "Alright you guys, let's get to work!"

Seonghwa is the first one up so we begin to get to work.