hdcarmine

[hdcarmine]

he's simply making his way through, deciding that he wanted to sit by the pool. at least, just for a little bit. he's not paying much attention to anything around him, really; the kind of thing that junmyeon usually did. he just stayed in his business, never one to fully pay attention to what other people are doing. perhaps, it was always better that one; though, it probably just played up that mysterious, prince vibe he had going on. but, he wasn't sure he necessarily cared so much about how he was perceived.

just as he's on his way, a voice peaks up in his ears. making him stop where he was going. a sigh leaves his lips upon hearing the words, some kind of designer pair of sunglasses being pushed up from his eyes to the top of his head now. "seriously?" he says, before turning from where he was faced. "i just wanted some down time by the pool before doing more practice," he says. "but, i guess that's out the window, eh?" he states, before taking the towel from his shoulder and folding it back up; pristine and clean.

xoxo, @hdcarmine

nayoung looks up from her phone, sunglasses still on indoors, and watches him with that bored kind of interest she saves for things she already knows she'll like. he's pretty. pretty enough to be dangerous. the kind of boy who knows which side is his best, who probably grew up in a penthouse with a private tutor and a housekeeper who called him 'sir' before he hit puberty.

she doesn't say anything. she never does, not first. but her gaze lingers. she likes boys like this, all boys, really; pretty boys, rich boys, smart boys, dumb boys. she crosses one leg over the other and lets her phone drop to the seat beside her. "i wouldn't go that way," she says, dry, she's only half-interested. "super awkward. the staff are hovering by the outdoor and pool like their lives depend on it. honestly? it does."

[hdcarmine]

i've decided to make this post as a potential discussion for positions in varsity for the newest event ! since i didn't want to just write the solo and put down my decision without a potential discussion because i didn't want to step on anyone's toes if it's something they wanted !! for junmyeon, i was potentially thinking main dancer & center? i think it makes the most center for junmyeon and what he wants, with his background in ballet translating to becoming a dancer and etc. (his lines as yeonjun and dongyeon are also feeding into my decision here!) i was also thinking center because of his kind of reputation as the pretty guy who's good at everything he does? i hope that makes sense! though, i'm willing to give him lead dancer & center if the center position on top of main dancer is too much!

[hdcarmine]

[hdcarmine]

if anyone would like to partake in a collab thread for the event, you can slap that like button to discuss something !

[hdcarmine]

he chuckled again, another sip of his drink to cover it up happening any longer. "ah, you'll let me?" he says, head shaking a bit with the amused smirk. "what if it continues past you letting me?" he asked, eyes looking at the other for a moment once again. there's another chuckle, "what? something wrong with my choice?" he asked, looking down at his own outfit. "this is just a usual outing outfit, having it unbuttoned, no?" he asked.

eyes take a look upon riyan once more, head tilted once again. "i'm not worried about it," he says, another smirk upon his lips. "we're all bound to take center at some point, aren't we?" he suggested, looking out to the crowd once again. his smirk stays upon his lips, hidden behind another sip of wine.

junmyeon nods his head in agreement toward the other. "we were bound to get something real finally, weren't we?" he says, his head nodding a bit softer now. "we're finally doing this."

he follows the same, clinking the glass against the other's. "to the beginning of interesting." he reiterates.

Riyan hums thoughtfully, tilting his head as he swirls the liquid in his glass, watching how it catches the low light before glancing back at Junmyeon with a flicker of amusement. "Mm, maybe I'll let you keep that prince thing going a little longer," Riyan says, eyes sliding down to the half-buttoned shirt. "But don't think I didn't notice the wardrobe choice. You're working really hard for that attention tonight."

Riyan leans in a little, his smirk playful - teasing, flirtatious, but still just out of reach. "Sharing the spotlight's cute and all, but are you sure you're ready for what happens when I take center stage?" His voice is light, airy with mock innocence, but there's weight under it — that quiet kind of confidence that doesn't need permission to exist.

His gaze flicks across the room again, to the warm blur of movement, laughter, and clinking glasses. The softest smile touches his lips. "It's a good look, though. All of this," he says, motioning with his glass now. "Feels like something real. Finally."

Then, with a shrug and a lazy kind of toast, Riyan lifts his drink. "To the beginning of interesting."

[hdcarmine]

INTERNAL THOUGHTS BEFORE GOING TO LA WHILST PACKING, HYDRA DORMS, WORD COUNT: 746.

he had dragged his suitcases out of the area that he had last put them. he hadn't had the time to have previously put them away like he usually would have; considering he had gotten a bit busy after returning from that ski trip that they had all gone on. though, he guesses it was better that he didn't actually really put them away because he ended up needing them to go off to los angeles. something that was really feeling a bit surreal right now. the fact that this was leading to debut, something that could only sit in his mind, almost felt like it wasn't real. like he was in a dream and he should probably try to wake up from it. though, it really was a reality, something that he was coming to learn.

he brings one suitcase up onto his bed, opening it up. he tries to figure out just how much he should pack, after all. he knows he's going to need clothes to wear to training sessions. though, there was also the everyday clothes that he had to pack to; considering he was going to have to be filmed doing the everyday things. he thinks about calling his parents now, as he's packing, to tell them he was off to los angeles. though, he also thinks about texting - considering the fact that they most likely wouldn't answer because they were always busy with their lives. it was just how it was, something that he came to accept.

he sends the text as he rolls a few clothing items up, just to see. he packs the things in, picking a few other things from his closet. he lets the time pass by, as he continues to put a few different things in; deciding what exactly he wanted to bring with him. he picks up his phone again to look.

READ.

he feels a bit annoyed. but, it was something to be expected, he thinks. it was just the usual thing, it was how his parents usually were. but, another ten minutes fast, and he gets a "okay, be safe" from his mom, that he can only assume is cosigned by his father. another usual thing. he knows that when it comes to the "being filmed talking to loved ones" throughout the thing was something that wasn't going to be happening to him. something he's come to accept, they'd be too busy. as they usually were. he hopes he can get away with such a thing, though he believes it's possible. nonetheless, he doesn't focus on that. that's not important right now.

that road to debut was important, the thing that he had seemingly always craved; that wanting to perform.

he's curious as to what he's going to end up being; the role he'd probably take on in the group, the things that they'd do. maybe the things that he'd get up to in los angeles. he was a bit excited that they were seeming being mentored by choi minho of shinee of all people. considering the fact that shinee are icons in the industry - perhaps, it would help to lead to them being icons themselves. what kind of events would they find themselves going to whilst in the city? what kind of concept were they going to carve out in their paths? he just hoped for something cool, something that would potentially fit him, and what he's been placed into. and oddly enough, junmyeon isn't nervous about any of it. what would he be nervous about? he's good at what he does, so he knows it'll most likely go well for him. maybe he's optimistic; but, when you're good at things, there's nothing to worry about, right?

he moves to zip his suitcases up; getting everything that he needed in them for their little trip to los angeles. he rolls them out of the way, placing them by the door of his room; ready for when everyone leaves to go to los angeles. his toiletries would be the very last thing, but he goes to the bathroom anyways, just to put them together. he's got his whole skincare routine; which he does in the bathroom while he's there. products that were all top of the line, which it was obvious that junmyeon would have those products. he keeps them together for right before they're called to leave. they'll get their own bags and things.

he's ready to crave out his path.

[hdcarmine]

there's that usual chuckle that he gives living his lips as the glasses clink together. his head shaking a bit, "ah, is that what it is?" he says, nodding his head a bit. really, it was just a joke, a bit of a banter that they'd do about shining. though, everyone always seemed quite serious with junmyeon about just how good he is; he's sure it's serious, but it really almost seemed to inflate some type of an ego, almost. but, he was never one to be egoistic or anything of that nature.

he chuckles again, taking a sip of his wine to sort of mask the chuckle. "hm?" he says. though, he nodded his head towards the words, understanding. "ah, i have to give everyone the spotlight too, right? i'm okay with sharing," he says, another smirk against his lips. "does it? i don't think i've seen it, so i can't say," he teases. another smirk against his lips, another sip of his beverage.

his eyes seemingly looking around himself once more, looking upon the others enjoying themselves; having conversations, and everything like that. his free hand fixing his button up a bit, which happens to really only be buttoned up about halfway. it almost feeds into that prince thing he always had going on; though, a bit hotter considering you could see his chest, after all.

his smirks again, nodding his head. "ah, you think?" he says, head tilted just a bit. "thought it was the right thing to considering i'm one of the beginning hydra labels trainees," he says, another smirk. "least my parents could do was paying for the drinks, food, music, and decor, and getting my aunt to let us have the space for the evening" he says, a firm nod.

"it's going to be interesting."

Riyan lets out an airy, almost disbelieving laugh as he clinks his glass lightly against Junmyeon's. "Oh, please, you’ve always outshone me. I'm just the glitter trail that makes you look good," he says with a smirk, eyes flicking sideways. The words land somewhere between playful and deflective, like he's not quite ready to show all his cards.

His gaze lifts toward the ceiling, letting the moment settle in his chest. The bass of the music pulses faintly through him. "I might be ready," he teases, dragging out the word just enough to sound unserious. "But don't get too cocky - I'm not about to let you take the spotlight every time." He raises a brow, a knowing glint in his eye. "And for the record? My stage wink still wins. hands down."

He adjusted the fall of his sapphire mesh top, sheer enough to catch the low light in waves, tucked just carelessly enough into low-rise trousers that hung from his hips like a statement. Silver hardware glinted at his belt loops and from the chain linking his ear to a cuff. Riyan looked every bit the enigma he wanted to be - alluring but just out of reach.

He takes a slow sip from his drink, his voice softening just slightly. "You did alright, though. This?" he gestures vaguely around them. "It’s a solid sendoff."

His smile lingers - a touch crooked, not quite revealing how much he means it. "Guess we’ll see what happens when the curtain goes up."

[hdcarmine]

blast off! with @hdriyan. ┈

it's really something that kind of felt surreal. celebrating heading off to debut essentially was almost unexpected, in a sort of way. but, junmyeon did seemingly have a good feeling that it was something that was coming, after all. it really was just nice to be announced as part of the lineup of sorts; considering he was really ready to take it on, to go after what he wanted. he felt this sudden rush in his veins, ready to take on the upcoming life and challenge. he's no longer stuck in some constant stillness.

but, first, obviously, a celebration was needed. so, junmyeon had put together a bit of a shindig, so to speak. he didn't even have to rent out a place because it was a place that his mom's sister owned, so she had given him the ability to have it for free; of course, his parents didn't care about paying for all the food and drinks - so, junmyeon was sure to spoil the others with meats and whatever else they could desire. it was just how junmyeon's parents were; buying his love, instead of actually spending any time to get to fully get to know him. but, that's not something to ever get into.

his eyes look upon the others, taking a sip from his glass. he smirks a bit, making his way over to riyan, whom he nudges with his elbow. "are you ready to take on the world?" he asked the other. "promise i won't outshine ya this time," he says teasingly.

[hdcarmine]

junmyeon stands in his spot, awaiting an answer from the other. junmyeon always managed to seemingly be rather nonchalant about just about everything. perhaps, maybe, it was just the way that he grew up. but, there was something in him that was almost nonchalant, that wanted to be less like that. but, it was something that seemingly was never going to break, in some way. probably because he was always just rather good at the things that he does, he comes off in such a manner.

the water moves to his lips once again. does it just so happen to look like he's in an ad for water every time he manages to drink? maybe, but that was neither here nor there. he seemingly smirks a bit as he brings the bottle back down. "just cause i'm looking out for ya? do you use those apps too much?" junmyeon teases, head shaking just a bit.

he couldn't help but to chuckle a bit, head shaking a bit. "ah, is that what it is?" he says, shrugging his shoulders. "i guess i'm overtly a perfectionist? or maybe it just comes naturally?" he says. it wasn't cocky, no. maybe confident in a way, but it wasn't said out of some form of cockiness. he knew better than that. "you're really good at things too, ya know. don't look down on yourself."

Seungho doesn't answer right away.

He stays sprawled on the floor, blinking up at the rafters like they might offer him divine intervention. Or at least a breeze. His lungs still ache, not in a sharp way, but they're totally emptied out, he gave more than he realized just trying to keep up. Just trying to get seen. Of course Junmyeon thought ahead. Of course he looked good doing it. Seungho's pretty sure if he died right now, Junmyeon would just nod solemnly, say 'hydrate,' and move on.

He huffs out a laugh that scrapes at the back of his throat. "You sound like an app notification." He takes a slow sip, obedient, maybe just a little bitter about it, before wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. He glances over at Junmyeon again, this time letting himself look.

"Dunno what's more annoying. That you're good at everything or that you make it look so easy." There's no accusation in his tone. Maybe a little envy. Maybe a little wanting.

[hdcarmine]

[hdcarmine]

there's a soft chuckle that seemingly leaves junmyeon's lips. he had moved around to grab the water that he had. opening it up and taking a long, slow sip. he was sure to pace himself, not making himself sick from drinking too much water at once after the psychical activity. he placed it down, before grabbing another.

he had moved across the room, before leaning down to place it next to seungho, before coming back up. his head tilted just a bit as he looked upon the other.

"are ya?" he teased, a soft laugh leaving his lips. really, junmyeon wasn't one who minded losing in any sort of way. he was seemingly just lucky, a bit good at the things that he does and put his mind to. perhaps it was the discipline that he's always had that got him here. "i'll believe it when i finally see it," he says, chuckling once more. "you're gonna have to try harder next time." he states. "hydrate. take slow sips."

𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒆𝒈𝒐 —

written for 𝐥𝐞𝐞 𝐣𝐮𝐧𝐦𝐲𝐞𝐨𝐧 ( @hdcarmine ) ♡

Seungho's lungs are still burning when he drops to the gym floor, palms flat against the cool wood, sweat dripping off his chin in quiet betrayal. He basically chased Junmyeon around like a golden retriever for approval so he thought a game of ball would give him some street cred.

He flops onto his back, chest heaving, eyes fixed on the rafters. The gym lights blurred at the edges, like stars about to flicker out.

"I was close that time," he says, mostly to himself. He knew Junmyeon heard. He always did. He just didn't always respond. He presses the back of his wrist to his forehead, letting out a quiet laugh. "I'm gonna beat you someday," he murmurs. Not because he needed to win. Not really. He just wants to see what Junmyeon looks like when he loses, when something cracked through that perfect good looks and face. The puppy in him can't help it!

[hdcarmine]

you can tell a friend to tell a friend that the dark-haired bombshell prince is back™️ ! you can find his intro here, since nothing's changed about him ! if you're interesting in doing any plotting or plotting out a thread, you can leave a like <3

[hdcarmine]

Night Flower — for @yeonbins

[hdcarmine]

JIWOONG ⭑ DEVIL GAME (250302)

[hdcarmine]

all seemed quiet. no whispers through the halls of the possibility of things that could be happening. maybe, simply, that's how it was supposed to be? he's been a trainee for over a year now, yet this was the only time he's had experience as a trainee. of course, outside of him being a ballet dancer; but, it's something that was fairly difference. guess they were always meant to be in for surprises, right?

he nodded his head in agreement. "the warm, ocean summer breeze would be really nice right about now," he says. "and before a debut would be quite nice too," he says, another nod of his head. even if they didn't end up getting such a trip, that would okay too. as long as anything led to accomplishing goals, right? he'll make the sacrifices that are needed.

junmyeon leans back a bit more in his seat, eyes looking out once again. "i wonder if this is just what it's like," he says. "stuck in a constant stillness until something finally happens, finally gives," junmyeon shrugs muscular shoulders once more. "i guess, here's to hoping."

truthfully, miru had no clue what hydra had up their sleeves. a summer debut sounded way too early, especially since she hasn't heard any rumors around the company building. having been around for a while, she felt like she'd know if they were planning a debut, but all she's been hearing is crickets.

"that would be a dream," she comments with a chuckle. "can you imagine it? a last trip to the beach right before our debut. that sounds like the ideal trip to me." with how many failures she's gone through, miru was determined to make sure that this time worked out for her, even if it meant sacrificing regular activities like going to the beach.

letting out a sigh, she looked out the grand window to take a peek at the slopes behind them. "i wish we'd get word of something. i feel like i'm hitting a point where everything feels so still. i need something new." that could mean a lot of different things for miru. a new type of dance lesson or a special evaluation.

[hdcarmine]