interxstitial

[interxstitial]

julien averts his gaze, sheepish for all of a couple seconds before focusing on morgan once more. the unusual details of the request don't surprise him too much. he knows how oddly picky and self-important these people can be.

"actually, i was wondering if you could help me get in touch with that client." his gaze flutters elsewhere again, equal parts shy and nervous. it's not often that julien makes requests like this. "i've tried all my circles and connections, but none of them are close enough. i'm embarrassed to say it, but i'm stuck."

Morgan is glad the other doesn't seem too put out by the whole thing. He'd hate for the other to feel alienated by this whole experience.

The question, though, has him raising an eyebrow. "You've been doing your research." He muses - interesting, given how Morgan tried to keep the earlier part of his life under wraps. "Looking for a pair of your own? I made a mould of her feet, so that I could shape the glass perfectly. They'll only ever fit her."

Not that they were wearable. Purely decorative - but Morgan supposed it was the prestige of abeing able to say you had something like that.

[interxstitial]

"i wanted to move to the city, travel the world." his confession comes with the same wistfulness as when he'd been swooning over evelyn's tales. jiwon still dreams of that, sometimes. but his body will never be the same. determined to keep the air light, he continues in a playful tone, "most of my friends were okay with staying in our town forever, and.. and i don't blame them. it's a great place, but i was a little different in that way."

Evelyn lets out a laugh at Jiwon's theatrics. She's never met anyone quite like him before, and she counts herself lucky to have met him at all.

"I will hold you to that."

She doesn't bother mentioning the rebellion wasn't in eating the sweets, but in going out on her own - by those parameters, this isn't rebellion at all, but she's still going to enjoy it.

"What were your little rebellions, then? As a teenager. I'm sure you had some?"

[interxstitial]

even before the confessions and spur-of-the-moment kisses, flynn has had a certain effect on jiwon. he brings out a special kind of courage that only blooms under careful attention and patient consideration. like spring and sunshine, or the moon and the tides, jiwon comes alive with flynn.

in a burst of bravery, he slips one leg over to straddle flynn, and petal pink fingertips trace a path down the center of his chest. they settle just atop the other's abdomen, acting as an anchor when jiwon rocks his hips, slow and experimental. the warmth of the most intimate parts of their bodies meeting makes him shiver.

"i want you, love," jiwon whispers, hardly able to get the words out as another shudder skips down his spine. "need you."

@interxstitial sent [ ride ] Jiwon pushes Flynn down and climbs on top, holding eye contact the entire time

Fuck.

Not that this wasn't where Flynn thought this was headed, but at the same time, it also wasn't. They'd been kissing and stroking each other softly and working Jiwon open, and Flynn assumed that they'd have sex in a similar way to how they had previously.

He's glad to be wrong when Jiwon pushes him gently down by the shoulder and climbs on top.

"Fuck, baby." Flynn murmurs, his cock twitching against the curve of Jiwon's ass where the smaller straddles him. "You look so good on top of me like this."

[interxstitial]

where there's croaking, there will be frogs. moving carefully, jiwon follows rion to the log and eager accepts the paper and spare pencil. he's not much of an artist, but even he can't deny how fun this outing could be. twirling the pencil between his fingers, he gently nudges a shoulder against rion's and leans forward. keen eyes comb through the scene for any sign of frogs, and within a minute he spots one half-hidden in the mud.

"right there!" jiwon whispers, pointing in the right direction. "it's brown, with a couple dark spots."

The power of Rion's grin could probably light a city. There's a pep in their step as they walk with Jiwon, crawling towards the pond once he does.

"I can hear them." They whisper back, spotting a log just nearby that they move to sit on so they can pull out a sketchbook and something to draw with. They only have the one, but they tear out a piece of paper (as quietly as they possibly can, which is not very quietly at all) to offer Jiwon, along with their spare pencil.

"Hopefully we get to see some soon."

[interxstitial]

[ text -> my honey bunches of oats 💛] okay.. OKAY [ text -> my honey bunches of oats 💛] OKAY! 🥺 [ text -> my honey bunches of oats 💛] i'm keeping it together for the kids [ text -> my honey bunches of oats 💛] they'll be so worried if they see me crying [ text -> my honey bunches of oats 💛] i love you so so so much [ text -> my honey bunches of oats 💛] i'll see you soon ❤️

[ text; Jiwon ] Yeah babe. [ text; Jiwon ] We can talk about it properly when you're here. [ text; Jiwon ] Don't cry! [ text; Jiwon ] Those kids can sense it if you waver!

[interxstitial]

jiwon's heart flutters and skips a beat when flynn responds to him so sweetly—but he's not falling for it this time. they're both up well past their bedtime, and jiwon knows how moody he can be when he doesn't sleep well. arms crossed, he stays rooted in his spot by the door and stomps one of his fluffy-slipper-clad feet.

"you said that hours ago! you said just ten more minutes, but you're still here." pouting with all the strength he can muster, jiwon averts his gaze to the floor. nervous fingers tug at the sleeve of the sweater he'd plucked from flynn's side of the closet. "i can't... i don't sleep as well when you're not there."

@interxstitial said "Flynn Richard Hunter!"

Uh oh.

"Yes, darling, light of my life?"

Flynn offers Jiwon his most charming grin - he has a feeling he knows why the other is here anyway. It's well into the early hours of the morning, and truthfully he should have been in bed hours ago.

Had certainly promised to be in bed hours ago.

"I'm sorry, baby, I just got so caught up-"

[interxstitial]

"that's exactly how i feel now!" lamenting, jiwon tosses a laundry pod into the machine and shuts the door with a dramatic sigh. he's been following the show religiously since the season premiere, and book club meetings have been buzzing more than usual as a result. one by one, he convinced the other members to start watching it with him. now they spend just as much time discussing reactions and predictions for the show as they do on their book of the month. but now that his viewing of the latest episode was so thoroughly ruined...

after getting the machine started, jiwon takes a couple steps closer to his neighbour and pouts like a toddler denied ice cream after dinner. as disappointed as he is, there is some comfort in knowing someone else shares his suffering. "i guess we'll see if i still feel the same this time next week. i mean, i don't want to give it up, but i need some time to recover from the tragedy. you know what i mean?"

"Yes, oh my gosh." Billie groans - this truly was where her run of bad luck had started. "I was on the edge of my seat and then a black screen!"

She slumps over the metal table - probably she shouldn't, because of germs and the like, but whatever. That's the least of her worries.

Having spent a couple of hours in the dark not only meant that she missed her show, but the dinner she'd been making was ruined. Billie had responded in the only logical way - which had been to pull a full bottle of wine out of the fridge and polish it off.

"I kind of don't want to watch the next one because it feels ruined."

[interxstitial]

[ text -> tater tottie hottie boo 🙂‍↕️] yessss!!! [ text -> tater tottie hottie boo 🙂‍↕️] he loves all sweet things 🥰 [ text -> tater tottie hottie boo 🙂‍↕️] my honey has a sweet tooth, go figure 🥺 [ text -> tater tottie hottie boo 🙂‍↕️] but you'd make a good impression no matter what! [ text -> tater tottie hottie boo 🙂‍↕️] i'm putting in all the good words about you to him

[ text; jiwonnie ] ok ok ok [ text; jiwonnie ] i'll bring some popcorn [ text; jiwonnie ] are there any other snacks he likes? [ text; jiwonnie ] i wanna make a good impression

[interxstitial]

BESTOWEDWORLD: an independent private & selective CARL GRIMES from The Walking Dead Series, canon' divergent. please beware of mature, triggering & violent themes ahead. 21+only.

LET'S pretend it's not the end of the world, that there, in the outskirts of trees, the dead leaves, the houses boarded up, is still a fragment of the life before, a life before killing-before blood, before the stench of DECAY. do you remember a time like that?

I WASN'T born this way, i was created, made, years and years of piled on TRAUMA, it made a home inside of me. better than i remember going to school, eating dinner around a table. maybe candle light is better anyways.

I GUESS THERE IS NO GOD TO ASK FORGIVENESS OF, TO FIND A TEATHER TO THIS BORNING HUMANITY.

[interxstitial]

"a small one should be okay," juniper answers in that same mousey tone. his bare feet hardly make a noise, too, as he pads around the counter for a bag. one short moment of quiet rustling later, juniper toddles his way towards the break room with his bag of soggy clothes in hand.

lior claims that he lacks paternal instinct, but juniper (politely) disagrees. fathers take care of the young, protect the pack. if fishing a pathetic soul out of the sea and lending them shelter from the storm don't qualify as paternal, there are no fathers remaining on this earth. carefully, juniper settles into a seat across from lior and tucks his bag underneath the chair. bare toes wiggle nervously on the floor, mirroring the silent fidgeting of fingers atop his lap.

"what kind of tea is it..?"

Here he is, debating on what sort of tea to steep when a pathetically quiet small voice peeps up. Lior stalls where he lingers in the breakroom. Glances at the chrome of his wristwatch and purses his lips. That took hardly any time at all.

"What kind would you prefer? We have three sizes behind the counter, or those trash bags— which are over here." Industrial size, heavy weight — still extremely pricy given what their intended use. Though they do a good job containing paper waste and body parts alike.

"I'll think about lending you an umbrella after the storm passes. I know I lack paternal instincts, but I'm not that heartless. So choose whichever bag you want and sit. We'll be having tea until things die down outside."

[interxstitial]

layla. jiwon may not know their entire history, but he does understand how much she meant to poppy. he can't imagine losing a close friend at such a young age. then, on top of that, learning through tragedy about such a shocking ability? if their lives were swapped, jiwon doesn't think he would ever speak again either.

still hugging poppy's arm tightly, he continues to breathe evenly and reaches down to give her hand a brief squeeze. jiwon tries not to occupy her hands too much, especially since she needs them to write and sign.

"i get it.. i mean— i get why you'd be afraid. i would be, too. you don't ever have to talk out loud with me if you don't feel like it. i'd never judge you for that, and.. thank you for telling me."

Poppy shakes her head, leaning into Jiwon's side.

First happened when I was fifteen. When Layla died.

In retrospect, she probably had the ability her whole life, but she'd never been close enough to anyone who was dying until that moment.

That's why I don't speak anymore. I'm terrified that if I open my mouth-

Poppy doesn't finish her sentence. Jiwon will know what she means, but Poppy also knows how ridiculous it is. She screams anyway through her self-imposed silence. It clearly doesn't make a difference - but she can't take the chance.

[interxstitial]

"anything you want!" jiwon confirms, proudly waving his metaphorical best future brother-in-law flag. (because that's surely what they'll be, eventually, right?) the further they traverse into the city, the heavier the crowds get. it's a slow but sure shift, and jiwon makes sure rion stays right beside him the whole trip. "they should! i mean, there are tons of drinks that need milk and ice cream. even chocolate and caramel syrup. so surely they have the makings of a good milkshake!"

Rion allows themself to be curled into Jiwon's side, a grin of their own starting to spread across their face - because it was hard to play indifferent in the face of Jiwon's enthusiasm.

"Anything I want?" Rion asks, as if their conscience (and Elara's good parenting) would allow them to take advantage of an offer like that. "Do you think they'll make me a milkshake at the bar?"

[interxstitial]

"oh—"

it only takes a single word, and suddenly jiwon forgets entirely what he'd been upset about. hyung. blinking once, then twice, jiwon stares at rion with wide eyes and parted lips. never mind that rion is clearly in the middle of something they were expressly told not to do. never mind that they're pulling out the puppy dog eyes and sentiment card. jiwon falls for it all—hook, line, and sinker. sniffling softly, he brushes away a stray tear and gathers rion into a bone-crushing hug.

"just— be careful, okay? what can i do to help? do you need a snack?"

@interxstitial said "Orion Hunter!"

Rion's shoulders immediately hunch up by their ears. They've only been on Earth a short while, but even they know the peril of being full-name'd.

(How does Jiwon even know their full first name?)

"Yes, Jiwon hyung?" Rion flutters their lashes, trying to escape trouble by trying the honorific, even though they kind of know they're doing the wrong thing. Or, not the wrong thing, but certainly not what they're supposed to be doing.

[interxstitial]

[ text -> c ] gross [ text -> c ] spare me the details [ text -> c ] they're in the safe behind the painting from his wife [ text -> c ] 72-18-05-31-69. don't forget the thumbprint.

to @interxstitial ( for julien )

[ to: j ] got into his bed finally jfc

[ to: j ] clingy bastard

[ to: j ] he's asleep but i think i'll be able to wiggle out of his arms soon

[ to: j ] you said the files you need should be in his office, yeah?

[interxstitial]

[ text -> it's poppy! 🌻] anything's allowed in class if we can make it safe 🤩 [ text -> it's poppy! 🌻] hot outfits are MANDATORY [ text -> it's poppy! 🌻] look the part, feel the part! [ text -> it's poppy! 🌻] we're all gonna be so hot and powerful omg

[ text; ji ✨ ] ur right! I jsut thought it wouldn't be allowed in class [ text; ji ✨ ] power poses ! yes! [ text; ji ✨ ] i'm excited for this class [ text; ji ✨ ] gotta wer my hottst (most powerful) outfit

[interxstitial]

if carl weren't actually useful with his .22, julien would slash the back of his knee and leave him for dead. it would give him and jiwon time to put some distance between themselves and the walkers. he's seriously considering it, but time spent thinking is time spent not moving. with a swift roll of his eyes, julien squeezes through the slim gap in the fence with help from his twin. jiwon is covered in dirt, grass stains, and tears, undoubtedly from tumbling on his way down from the fence. in contrast, julien has earned himself several scratches and splinters from his pinch in the fence, but they don't have time to tend to their wounds. they need to run.

and one thing jiwon is good for as the world falls apart is running. he's light on his feet and quick as a rabbit. even with a backpack full of supplies, he misses not a single step through the alley. a hop over a long-dead walker; a skip between crooked dumpsters. with a look over his shoulder, jiwon confirms that julien is still close behind, but.. where is carl? he swore the third member of their makeshift party was just behind them. surely carl didn't get stuck with the walkers. maybe he's just around the corner—

"get in the store!" with a hard push, julien shepherds his brother into the shelter carl has sent them to. true to the other's word, it is clear. as annoying as it is to run into him again, julien recognises the benefit in their encounter. jiwon, on the other hand, is ecstatic to have some familiar company—underneath all the dread and fear of being chased by walkers, of course.

"no! we have to wait for carl!" jiwon protests, trying to pull himself free from where his brother has started pulling him further into the store. the world may be worse off than it's ever been, but that doesn't mean they have to shed everything that makes them human. "juli, stop! wait!"

We're dead, ripped apart, flesh torn from the bone like nothing, but a sheet and Carl has seen it again and again; it wouldn't surprise him if it happened here now to one of them, to Jiwon, for the sheer fact that it was reckless to get caught on a fence but it doesn't stop the sneer on his face when the moment is crawling too close. the sound walkers' make haven't ever become less haunting, that low gurgle, the animalistic growls of hunger and Carl hates something about understanding how it means he's prey - prey, a thing to be caught and killed, a trophy for the predator. " Get moving!" shouted over his shoulder as he places himself between Julie, a knife won't be enough here, he knows it and still the sound of a gun will call the masses, but they don't have any choices, barricaded and with only a small crack in a fence to slip between as their exit. being backed into a corner made the pulse in his blood uptick, made his heart race and he draws the sliver 22 magnum from it's holster, barrel brought up and placed underneath the walker's jaw. the sound is almost defying, closer than it should be but the corpse falls lifelessly at their feet and Carl steps back, moving closer to the fence. " Head down the alleyway, at the end make a left. there is a convenience store i cleared this morning, it's secure and hopefully can keep us covered cause more are comin' " would they be able to leave today? with the walker's feeling in the alley to their front, it was doubtful more wouldn't be around the corner, that the gunfire wouldn't have attracted more of them but Carl can't think of that as he lands another few bullets, some into the head, other's into what part of the body will knock them to the ground. Little y little he squeezes through the hole in the fence.

[interxstitial]

[ text -> my honey bunches of oats 💛] omg [ text -> my honey bunches of oats 💛] really? 🥺 [ text -> my honey bunches of oats 💛] i think i might cry for real now [ text -> my honey bunches of oats 💛] i still have one more class to teach... [ text -> my honey bunches of oats 💛] i can't wait to see my honey ❤️

[ text; Jiwon ] Of course you can. [ text; Jiwon ] You can come over whenever you like. [ text; Jiwon ] I should get you a key cut actually.