Zerobaseone Imagines park gunwook – smitten

park gunwook x reader
gunwook has a huge crush on you and you have a hard time believing it but don’t worry he’ll convince you.

you always found it weird that the soccer team frequented the café you worked at so often.

it was hardly a suitable hang out spot for post-game celebrations— yet after almost every practice or game, they were there. maybe you had a warped view of jocks or something but you would have never imagined the quaint café to be their go to place.

“y/n, can you bring their drinks over for me?” xiaoting asked hopefully.

she didn’t seem to be doing anything particularly important. her manicured hands carefully added one final lemonade to the large accumulation of drinks.

you inhaled sharply and clenched your teeth for a second. “why can’t you do it?”

“they always tip the most when you serve them.” xiaoting went on with her pleads.

you knew it was true but what you didn’t get was why they did it. you knew them all from school and weren’t particularly fond of interacting with them. it’s not like you had anything against the athletes, just a deep disdain for the awkward small talk you had to endure.

a soft groan escaped your lips and you pointed a finger at xiaoting before lifting up the tray of drinks. “you owe me.”

she smiled, blowing you a kiss as you walked towards the packed area.

it wasn’t just jocks but cheerleaders there too that day, spread across two tables as they chatted excitedly amongst themselves probably about the match coming up. you had heard it was important.

“here are your drinks.” you said, placing the metal onto the table. your hands felt sore and you scrunched your nose up briefly at xiaoting’s disregard for your poor arms when placing every single drink ordered onto one tray.

then again she saved you two trips.

you almost sighed in relief at how little notice they actually took of you. everyone just reached over to grab for their respective drinks, while chatting amongst themselves.

“if you’d like anything else, we’ll be at the counter.”
you didn’t think anyone was really listening but you felt obligated to say it anyway.

“thanks y/n.”

your eyes flitted over to the boy sitting by the window, squished against it due to the fact that too many people had forced themselves around the table.

a soft smile rested on his lips as he nodded at you.

park gunwook, captain of the soccer team and the debate team and the dance team..

he was the type of guy whose achievements made you feel bad for any relatives he had and all the comparisons they had to endure.

he always made sure to say something to you whenever you served them and you always never said anything in reply. you would just give him your best customer service smile in return and head back to your safe haven behind the counter.

you tried to ignore the boyish hoots and hollers after gunwook spoke to you and the way seok matthew ruffled up his friend’s hair.

gunwook shrugged him off embarrassed and his cheeks grew rosy.

clearing your throat, you smiled once more and left.

the huff you let out when you returned to your station behind the counter has xiaoting’s eyes darting up to you. “went well i presume.”

you grabbed a dirty rag to wack her with and she yelped in turn but couldn’t help but giggle.

“nothing even happened.” your nose wrinkled as you replay the situation.

you sighed and your fingertips began to drum against the edge of the counter. “they act like middle school boys. why do they make such a scene whenever he speaks to me?”

the café isn’t too packed, bar the rambunctious crowd, so xiaoting has busied herself with making drinks for the pair of you. as she topped off her own milkshake with an extra helping of whipped cream, her chocolate brown eyes squinted at you. “you’re kidding right?”

“what?” you take your own milkshake after thanking her and she sighed exasperatedly as if whatever was going on was clear as day.

“mr. soccer captain over there,” she nodded her head towards him and you can’t help but look over.

you tried to ignore the way your breath caught in your throat when you realised he was already looking your way. you coughed and whipped your head back to xiaoting before she continues.

“—obviously likes you.”

“highly doubt that.” you mumbled, lips wrapping around the straw to take a sip of your milkshake.

xiaoting tossed the can of whipped cream out and when you asked her how she managed to finish the whole thing she tutted at you and said, “don’t try and change the topic.”

“he doesn’t like me.” you refuted but you were playing with your straw now as you contemplated it.

the idea of gunwook liking you seemed completely outrageous. it had to be the team messing with you. you couldn’t even recall ever speaking to him outside of at work.

you had given the star player notes he had missed out on once due to an extra practice.. but only because a teacher had asked you to. that’s all you could think of.

“and how do you know that?” xiaoting pressed, she didn’t even allow time for a reply though.

“you’re cute what’s so hard to believe. he’s just some high school boy.”

xiaoting, being a few years older than you was well into college by now and had long outgrown the views she held in her late teens. all that high school hierarchy shit was so silly to her.

you didn’t want to believe in all that either but your school was just so cliquey, you found it hard to see yourself mixing in with his crowd.

“i don’t know..” you trailed off.

“i just don’t really see that being the case. they’re probably just boys being boys.” you said.

you had practically guzzled the entire milkshake and were already down to the bottom of the glass. your straw made dramatic suction sounds now and you frowned. “wanna make me another milkshake?”

you wiggle the glass around enticingly and xiaoting points an accusatory finger at you. “okay, but don’t think for a second that this conversation is over.”

she heads to the backroom to grab another can of whipped cream, leaving you alone at the counter.

you’re staring down at your notepad doodling in it when the bell by the cash register rings.

you blinked and looked up in surprise as gunwook stood there. you fixed your slouching position unconsciously and cleared your throat.

“hey, want anything else?” you asked.

gunwook looked like he was about to say something but when you held his gaze, the boy lost his nerve and the ‘yeah, you’ line he had planned to woo you with died on his tongue.

his eyes drifted down to the few baked goods still on display and he tapped at the glass. “one of those please.” gunwook almost sounded nervous but that could have just been xiaoting’s nonsense making you delusional.

you opened up the display, using a pair of tongs to place the chocolate pie he had pointed at on a plate for him. “there. is that all?” you said.

“um no actually.” gunwook paused for a moment.

“are you working tomorrow?” he finally got the question out and your heartbeat stuttered in your chest.

you shook your head, your hands fidgeted with the bow tied at the back of your apron.

he grinned. “you don’t really seem into soccer but it’d be cool if you could come watch our game tomorrow.”

it was true, you hadn’t been to one soccer game throughout your 3 years at the school so far. the sport didn’t particularly interest you plus you worked a lot.

gunwook’s eyes were filled with hope as he anticipated your answer.

“well.. sure.” you tried to sound as enthusiastic as you could but there was a lilt of uncertainty in your tone.

his adorable gummy smile was on display upon hearing your answer.

“but can i ask why?”

gunwook thought you were so cute and your bashfulness had his confidence propelling.

it’s like a switch had been flipped. he was all suave again, the charismatic guy you knew from school.

“motivation.” he shrugged, finally picking up the plate.

“motivation?” you repeated, your eyebrows knitting together in confusion.

gunwook tapped his card against the machine. he hummed. “coach says i need to make sure i play better than i ever have before. i think the girl i like watching me play would definitely take us to the finals.”

you aren’t sure you heard him properly at first.

you’re certain you look like a fool just staring at him, barely able to get a word out because gunwook chuckled heartily. 

moments later he’s gesturing for his friends to scooch down and then he’s sat beside them, conversing as if he hasn’t just made you a jumbled mess.

xiaoting returned from the backroom shaking the new can of whipped cream. “why are you standing there frozen.”

she waved a hand in front of your face and you cleared your throat embarrassed, forcing yourself to look away from park gunwook and his friends.

“nothing, nothing.” you yanked at the collar of your uniform as if it was really hot in there and xiaoting grabbed your cup, deciding not to question further as she began making you a refill.

you let your eyes drift back to gunwook. he was quiet, no longer so deeply involved in the conversation as he smiled to himself.

you nibbled at the inside of your cheek, pressing your back against the wall closest to the vent in hopes your warm face would cool down.

“back to your loverboy—” xiaoting started.

“you’ve convinced me.”

she’s unable to hide her shock. “maybe he might have a thing for me.” you admitted.

***

you swore gunwook had spent more time looking up at you in the stands then with his eyes on the field, you wondered how he had scored so many goals already.

“he keeps looking over.” your friend danielle beamed as she linked her arm with yours.

you blushed, swallowing a little harshly as you shook your head. “uh.” before you can even get another word out though danielle points.

“there he goes again.”

gunwook is dribbling the ball between his feet after stealing from the opposing team. if he scores this it’ll be his 3rd goal and it’s only the first half.

it’s not obvious this time— him looking at you i mean. there’s too many people on him, the other team had sent all their defense to surround the boy and he has no room for silly mistakes. however he only needed one quick glimpse at the stands.

you and danielle along with the rest of the crowd at the edge of your seats as he closed in.

he made a clearing and he shot with all his might.

it was no surprise that gunwook scored and everyone from your school jumped to their feet, screaming.

as he celebrated the goal and his teammates patted his back and tousled up his hair he pointed at you.

“i’m gonna die.” you said, embarrassed as multiple eyes flit over to you and danielle giggled.

you swear you can hear people murmuring about when you even started talking to gunwook and you want to cut your cheers short and melt into your seat.

gunwook was too cute though, you couldn’t bring yourself to hide away. you smile back at him and he grins giddily, turning back to his teammates as they pull him back onto the field.

the game draws to a close with the score 5-2. kim gyuvin and shen ricky being the other two scorers.

everyone was elated and you didn’t really realise how big of deal this all was until danielle shook at your shoulders. “our school’s team hasn’t gotten this far since 1978.”

your eyes practically bulge out of your head. “1978?” you echo.

“that’s like what? nearly 50 years?”

the sound of your name pulled you out of your conversation with danielle. you didn’t need to turn around to know who it was. danielle smiled mischievously at you before migrating with the rest of the crowd who had headed down to congratulate the rest of the team.

you turn around and gunwook is there in all his glory. his hair is damp from sweat and from the water bottle he had splashed over himself when the game ended.

he’s not facing you for a moment as people recognise him and pat him on the back singing praises into his ear.

you hate how handsome he looks because just that is enough to make you feel all giddy, or maybe you love it. there’s a thin line as they say.

then he’s finally in front of you.

“you came.” he smirked.

“i said i would didn’t i?”

he nodded laughing a little and his eyes were shining as he looked at you expectantly, like a puppy waiting to be praised.

you caved of course.

“i’m no soccer expert but i’d say you we’re definitely the star of the match.” you compliment.

gunwook is practically bouncing with excitement on the inside when you compliment him but he looks off to the side bashfully scratching at his neck. “it was a team effort.”

you giggled at his antics and the athlete met your gaze again.

he tentatively takes a hold of your left hand swinging it before giving it a gentle squeeze. “could this star player maybe.. take you somewhere special. y’know to celebrate.”

you blink in surprise. “what about the team?”

he shakes his head dismissively. “what about them?”

you chuckled softly and then nodded finally. “sure you can.”

gunwook has to will himself not to pump his fist in the air. “alright, i’m gonna go get showered and all that but don’t disappear on me..” he’s almost seems reluctant to let go of your hand, as if you really would poof into thin air.

gunwook is still trying not to pinch himself, he’s been pining over you from afar for so long. he figured he wasn’t your type— what with the way you barely spared the team a glance the hundreds of times he had forced them to celebrate at the café you worked at.

the way you never replied to him, never came to any games until today. he was convinced you wanted nothing to do with him, but that still didn’t stop him from trying.

“i’ll be waiting here for you.” you assure him and gunwook shoots you a charming smile that has your stomach erupting in butterflies.

he winks. “see you.”

the butterflies in your stomach doubling in their flapping. “see you.” you repeat but softer.

it’s only a couple minutes into your wait for gunwook when you’re approached by someone. a girl with pin straight brown hair and in a cheerleading uniform sits beside you and rests her chin in her palm as she observes you closely.

you move your head back, confused by her proximity and your eyes flicker down to the initials on the oversized windbreaker draped over her shoulders. PGW.

“y/n isn’t it? hana.” she introduced herself hastily.

her tone was somewhat condescending like she was speaking to a child. you try not to scrunch your nose up and just nod.

“since when do you know gunwook?” she chirped, tilting her head.

“doesn’t everybody know gunwook?” you couldn’t stop the smart aleck response from popping out even if you tried.

she let out a breathy laugh. “yeah, but when did you two get so close?”

you look to your left hoping gunwook would get out of the locker rooms and run back up to you soon.

your eyes return to her prying ones.

“only recently.” you decide to say, although you wouldn’t consider the pair of you close.

not yet anyway.

hana hums in response. “it’s just weird y’know. gunwook doesn’t really hang out with girls who aren’t cheerleaders.” she says, the same smile
plastered on her face.

she points to herself when she says cheerleaders, making sure you notice the jacket.

you shrugged not really knowing what to say in reply. you had only barely begun to wrap your head around the fact that gunwook was interested in you.

hana finally leans back in her seat. “are you guys like dating or something? did he invite you here? i don’t think i’ve ever seen you at a game.”

you feel like you’re being interrogated as she fires even more questions at you.

“we’re not dating, but yeah he invited me.”

if you weren’t so perceptive you would have missed the way her eyes narrowed ever so slightly. “oh?”

you nod. this whole thing was giving you a headache, you never stopped to think how many people probably had their eyes on the star player.

his fangirls and boys were sure to start cursing you or something.

“i just never thought you would be his type—”

“sorry for the hold up, i tried to be as fast as i could.” you don’t think you’ve ever been so relieved in your life to hear a voice.

gunwook appears from the other side of you. his hair is still damp. this time due to the shower and it looks like he’s at least attempted to towel dry it a little. he draws his bottom lip in with his teeth in confusion as he assesses the situation.

just from a glance he can tell how uncomfortable you are and he holds his hand out. “c’mon, let’s get going.”

you take his hand and gunwook pulls you gently to stand beside him. his thumb brushes over the back of your hand in little circles. hana blinks.

“are you guys heading to the party at ricky’s? can i catch a ride?” the cheerleader says standing up so quick that she stumbles slightly.

“nah, we have other plans.” gunwook let’s go of your hand to wrap and arm around your shoulders and you feel heat creep up your cheeks.

hana shuffles where she’s standing. “you hardly ever miss out on partying with us, is it because she didn’t want to.”

gunwook clicks his tongue in slight annoyance. “y/n didn’t even know about that. i’m the one who wants to spend time with her. hundred times better than any party.”

the air is so tense and hana scoffs softly.

gunwook’s brows furrowed, an unamused expression on his face. “by the way, where did you get that?” he gestures towards his windbreaker with the hand hanging off your shoulder by lifting a finger.

growing embarrassed hana shakes her head a bit. “it was just left lying around and i was cold. matthew said you wouldn’t mind…” she trailed off.

it was quite cold, gunwook began to realise as the adrenaline from the match faded. he looked down at you. “are you cold?” his voice significantly softer.

you shook your head, the sweatshirt you had on did a pretty good job of keeping you warm. gunwook’s eyes on you and arm around your shoulders helped too.

hana cleared her throat.

gunwook was snapped out of the trance you weren’t even aware you had put him under.

“just leave it in the locker room before you go.” gunwook says dismissively, he turns and you follow.

you’re not even able to catch a glimpse of the expression on hana’s face because gunwook’s arm is blocking your view. he notices you trying to look over his arm and taps your cheek softly.

he smiles when your eyes meet his. “ever been down by the docks?”

you shake your head and gunwook grins. “great, i’ll be the first to take you then.”

little by little your doubts were starting to be washed away.

***

gunwook can’t remember when he started liking you because to be honest he didn’t know what it was at first.

he can remember when he first saw you though. freshman year, orientation day.

gunwook was nervous and he wasn’t doing a good job at hiding it, which was weird because usually he could put on a mask of confidence quite well.

not then though, he had moved to such a big city suddenly due to his dad’s promotion. he felt out of place and like everyone else knew he was too.

the black haired boy stuffed his hands in his pockets as an older student showed the little group of freshman he was in around the school.

when he looked around he saw you for the first time. the sun hit you just right. you squinted a bit and giggled as your friend laughed at your misfortune.

gunwook didn’t think of it that way though, you really did look like an angel to him in that moment. despite the fact the sun was blinding you.

and your laugh.. he wanted nothing more than to imprint it into his brain and replay it 2000 times.

he was pulled out of his daydream when you turned to look at him, sensing his eyes on you.

gunwook could have looked away but he didn’t. you smiled, it was small smile but he short circuits nonetheless and then you turned back to your friend.

gunwook thinks it’s stupid how a moment that was probably pretty insignificant to you is stuck in his head to this day.

he doesn’t talk to you properly till junior year. at that point he had made a name for himself at the school. he excelled in countless extracurriculars and in gunwook’s own humble opinion he was pretty well liked.

you came walking up to him when he was alone at his locker with a little bundle of paper stapled together.

“hi gunwook.”

he keeps his cool, a smile graced his lips as he fiddled with his bag strap over his left shoulder.

“y/n.”

to this day he still cringed by how his voice sounded when he said it, all dreamy like.

your eyes widened a little as if you were surprised he knew your name. while his own flickered down to the sheets of paper in your hand.

“the notes from the other day, since you missed class. um mr. choi told me to.” you said hurriedly handing him the notes.

you seemed… shy after he had called you by your name. he took the notes gratefully smiling at you. “oh you’re a lifesaver, thank you y/n.”

there it was again. that expression. and then a soft chuckle similar to the one he had heard leave your lips the first time he saw you and he was hooked.

he needed to be the reason for your laughter 24/7, he yearned to see that flustered look on your face again.

when he found out you worked at ‘honeycomb café’ it became his new favourite spot and he dragged the team there at least twice a week.

he never heard the end of it from then and was teased relentlessly for how smitten he was but he couldn’t care less.

you didn’t know it but everytime you barely reacted to gunwook’s ‘thank you y/n’ his heart broke a teensy bit.

now sitting beside you at the docks gunwook had to pinch himself once, then a second time just to be sure this was all actually happening.

“so what do people usually do here?” you asked curiously. you’re standing up and gunwook doesn’t know when you left his side or how long he had been reminiscing while having a staring contest with the calm waves beneath his feet.

he twisted slightly to watch you as you try peer into a boat nosily.

“everyone just kinda hangs out here, but i knew there’d be no one here today because of ricky’s.” he explained.

he stands up to see what you’re looking at. surprised by his sudden appearance you quite literally nearly fall off the wooden dock into the stranger’s boat.

gunwook is quick to catch you, his hand making it’s way to the small of your back. “woah.”

you laugh nervously. “okay that’s enough wandering around for me. back to sitting.”

the boy in front of you smiled down at you. “i like where we are now though.”

you rolled your eyes playfully to hide how much his words affected you and how you were hyperaware of his fingers dancing along your spine.

gunwook finally pulls you up to stand straight on your feet, the same playful grin on his lips as he basks in the diffident look on your face.

“i have a question.” you move away from the embrace to return to your seat at the edge of the wooden deck, feet dangling back and forth as you wait for gunwook to join you.

he stood there frozen just for a millisecond missing the feeling of you with him but he snaps out of that daze just as quick as it came. shuffling onto his knees before swinging his legs in front of him to sit beside you. “shoot.”

you inhale, looking almost shy before the words leave your mouth. “you like me…”

gunwook chuckles as you start off your sentence and nods. “that i do.” he agreed, cheeks turning pink as he brushed his hair out of his face.

“would it be too nosy to ask how long?” you asked.

a laugh leaves gunwook’s lips and he cranes his neck down slightly to catch your eyes. “how long?”

“mhm.”

you’re still avoiding looking at him and he’s still smiling like a mad man.

“let me think.”

you turn your head and your chin is rested just slightly on your shoulder as you squint at him. “you sound sarcastic already.”

gunwook tsked. “i’ll have you know this is my most sincere and genuine voice.”

you hum, unconvinced.

“it is, now listen. you’re the one who asked.” he cleared his throat.

“you’re not gonna believe me but i’ve had a thing for you since freshman year.”

he was right. you didn’t believe him. you burst out laughing as you pulled your legs up underneath you to sit cross legged. gunwook mimics your actions and the pair of you were facing each other.

“you.. have liked me.. since freshman year?” you’re pointing back and forth between you and gunwook as you speak and half way through you throw your head back with laughter again.

gunwook is grinning like crazy. he’s a little offended you don’t believe him but he’s also kinda happy you find it so humorous because he gets to see you laugh like this.

“hey, why is that so hard to believe?”

you calm down and push his shoulder back lightly. “did we even know each other back then. you’re seriously making stuff up.”

gunwook rests his hands behind him and shrugs. “okay we didn’t know each other properly till you gave me notes that one time but you smiled at me orientation day.” he drags out the end of the sentence a tad, his voice comes out a bit whiney.

“you know i’m wounded that you don’t remember.” gunwook makes an attempt at pouting but the slight upturn of his lips is still there.

you try to recall the moment. all of high school seriously seemed like a blur, life had been so boring you could barely differentiate what happened in what year.

suddenly you snap your fingers and gasp pointing at him. “i remember.”

“you do?” now gunwook’s the one who sounds unconvinced but you’ve come with proof of your formidable memory.

“you wore those cute glasses. i remember now. yes i did smile at you.”

his heart swells. “i stand corrected.” the athlete says in a soft tone.

you lean forward slightly. “you don’t wear your glasses anymore?”

he shakes his head. “i got contacts like 2 months into freshman year ’cause of soccer.. you thought they were cute huh?”

“very.”

gunwook doesn’t know when you got so close but you have and his heart is going crazy, you looked perfect. you always did but there was something about you today especially. maybe because he finally had you all to himself.

he didn’t plan on letting go of you anytime soon.

“you make me more nervous than anyone else ever has.” he blurts out suddenly, his eyes focus on your lips but before you can even reply he’s speaking again.

“i really want you to like me.”

his voice sounds so quiet and vulnerable and he’s gravitating even closer to you without even realising it.

“well i do so.. no need to be nervous anymore.” you lower your voice too because it feels right.

“you what?”

you roll your eyes. “you heard me:”

“i wanna hear you actually say it.”

there’s a twinkle of his pretty eyes and quirk of his lip. you sigh and smile back.

“i like you. very much park gunwook. you have successfully wooed me.”

gunwook grinned, his pearly whites on full display and you wished you could take a screenshot with your brain somehow to capture how pretty he looked.

“i’m gonna kiss you now.” he mused.

as soon as you nod a little in affirmation he’s swooping in ever so slowly to kiss you softly.

it’s like two puzzle pieces coming together and for a split second a crazy part of your brain thinks maybe gunwook was made for you, especially as he leans in further deepening the kiss.

it’s much too passionate for a first kiss you think. you also think you could stay there for hours with him but eventually, to your dismay, he pulls away.

when the pair of you had first arrived the sun was only beginning to set and now it was dark and everything was almost completely still apart from the sounds of you and gunwook breathing mingled with the soft movement of the sea.

his large palm is rested on your neck and his thumb traces the line of your jaw. “i should probably get you home.”

“probably.” your reply comes out a little shaky, as you maintain eye contact.

gunwook chuckled lightly, he tilted his head. “but maybe we could stay here a little longer.”

“i think we’ve got time.”

***

thank you all so much for the love on these!! sorry for the lack of updates.

let me know what you guys think about this one, i hope you enjoyed reading <3