junipcrs

[junipcrs]

         laughter  expels  past  her  lips  as  she  fondly  shakes  her  head  .  “  i  think  she’s  convinced  that  something  will  happen  .  a  friends  to  lovers  situation  as  she’d  probably  call  it  .  but  i  appreciate  the  intention  .  ”  she  gratefully  accepts  the  glass  of  wine  and  takes  a  hefty  chug  .  “  i  mean  we’ve  been  friends  for  forever  now  so  there  shouldn’t  be  anything  complicated  ,  ”  juno  sighs  ,  swirling  the  liquid  in  her  wine  glass  .  “  so  we  kissed  …  twice  .  the  first  time  it  happened  ,  it  took  me  by  surprise  and  i  needed  time  to  process  it  but  she  thought  ––  still  thinks  i  ghosted  her  .  ”  rolls  her  eyes  at  the  comment  .  “  it  was  only  three  days  !  and  then  she  goes  and  gets  herself  a  GIRLFRIEND  after  that  .  and  that’s  not  even  the  complicated  part  ,  jo  .  we  kissed  again  on  new  year’s  eve  and  i  don’t  know  ––  i  just  feel  like  a  shitty  person  now  .  ”

                    josie’s   seen   most   of   jia’s   matchmaking   attempts   result   in   friendships   .       it’s   really   no   surprise   that   juno   and   eight   ended   up   as   just   friends   .       “   ha   .       does   jia   even   realize   that   ?       she   put   serious   effort   into   making   that   happen   .   ”       says   ,   settling   onto   the   couch   ,   extending   a   glass   of   wine   to   her   cousin   .       “   oh   ?       oh   !       nia   ?       the   hot   ballerina   ?       i   mean   ,   good   for   you   ,   she’s   …       definitely   gorgeous   .       but   where’s   the   complication   ?       what   happened   ?   ”

[junipcrs]

240508 JOY

[junipcrs]

          had  it  been  anyone  else  ,  juno  wouldn’t  bother  engaging  in  this  game  of  cat  and  mouse  .  it’s  dysfunctional  .  she  thinks  she’s  grown  from  it  .  and  honestly  ,  she  has  .  but  when  it  comes  to  nia  ,  her  actions  as  of  late  hardly  make  sense  .  could  it  be  all  these  feelings  for  the  ballerina  resurfacing  after  all  these  years  ?  she’s  worked  hard  to  bury  them  but  it’s  the  biggest  culprit  .  and  despite  her  insistence  ,  juno  feels  like  she’s  fighting  a  losing  battle  .  what’s  the  point  ?  nia  is  hellbent  on  believing  that  she  did  ghost  them  .  and  what  ?  she  expected  for  her  to  reach  out  first  when  they  could’ve  easily  done  the  same  ?  and  why  does  it  even  matter  anymore  ?  they’ve  got  a  girlfriend  and  all  she  can  do  is  move  on  .  but  no  .  she  finds  herself  sucked  in  .

                      juno  can’t  keep  doing  this  .

“  what  i  threw  away  ?  oh  that’s  rich  ,  ”  she’ll  snort  .  “  i’m  not  the  one  who  got  a  girlfriend  three  days  later  because  i  couldn’t  handle  three  days  of  silence  .  ”  it’s  a  low  blow  but  it’s  out  and  she  won’t  backtrack  .  backtracking  is  always  worse  .  “  but  by  all  means  .  if  you  want  to  waste  your  time  then  you  already  have  my  location  ,  babe  .  ”

she  doesn’t  miss  the  way  nia’s  gaze  lands  on  her  lips  and  tamps  down  the  smirk  that  threatens  to  reveal  itself  .  good  to  know  she  has  that  kind  of  effect  on  her  .  “  do  i  know  who  would  be  a  much  better  match  ?  ”  she  challenges  ,  taking  a  step  closer  to  the  raven-haired  ballerina  .  “  i’m  not  sure  i  know  that  anymore  .  ”  

lips  are  hovering  dangerously  close  to  hers  before  she  finally  tears  her  eyes  away  from  her  .  it’d  be  so  easy  to  give  in  and  kiss  her  .  but  nia  has  a  girlfriend  .  she  wants  to  be  selfish  .  but  it  wouldn’t  be  right  .  although  ,  it  doesn’t  seem  like  a  problem  to  them  .  

as  she  wages  this  inner  turmoil  ,  the  sound  of  the  crowd  chanting  fades  into  the  background  until  nia  is  her  sole  focus  .  and  despite  her  efforts  to  avert  her  gaze  to  anywhere  but  the  demi-woman  standing  in  front  of  her  ,  she  finally  looks  over  .  fuck  it  .  they  both  clearly  want  this  .  

juno’s  arms  snake  around  nia’s  neck  to  rest  on  their  shoulders  and  pulls  them  close  .  lips  are  pressed  against  hers  and  this  kiss  anything  but  chaste  .  it’s  a  culmination  of  her  feelings  towards  everything  that’s  happened  between  them  since  their  first  kiss  .  attraction  .  uncertainty  .  angst  .  regret  ?  (  she’ll  come  back  to  that  later  )  .

                    in   any   normal   friendship   ,       (   and   juno   and   nia’s   too   ,   before   the   kiss   )   ,       a   three - day   break   in   communication   is   really   not   a   big   deal   at   all   .       logically   ,   nia   shouldn’t   be   this   upset   .       there’s   literally   no   substantial   reason   for   them   to   be   this   upset   .       without   ,   of   course   ,   the   fear   of   actually   never   hearing   from   juno   again   .       that   kiss   …       it   meant   so   much   .       so   loaded   with   feelings   they’d   barely   touched   before   …       which   ,   really   ,   is   all   that   fuels   this   pressing   on   the   same   goddamn   key   —   that   juno   ghosted   them   .       no   ,   juno   didn’t   ghost   them   .       but   yes   ,   nia   still   thinks   she   did   .       and   no   ,   they   won’t   let   it   go   .       they   won’t   let   it   go   because   it   hurt   ,   because   they   expected   juno   to   call   ,   to   text   ,   to   take   her   out       (   not   even   necessarily   a   date   ,   really   !   )   .       nia   simply   expected   more   .

                    and   it’s   nia’s   own   goddamn   fault   .

                    for   putting   too   much   weight   on   something   meant   to   be   simple   .       for   jumping   into   a   fake   relationship   after   just   three   days   of   silence   from   the   girl   she’s   liked   since   high   school   .       and   even   now   ,   nia   blames   juno   ,   thinking   things   would   be   different   if   only   she   had   reached   out   sooner   ,   thinking   maybe   they’d   be   together   right   now   .

                    but   nia   is   proud   ,   and   stubbornly   refuses   to   admit   she’s   in   the   wrong   here   .

                    “   oh   ,   are   we   doing   threats   now   ?       because   two   can   play   that   game   ,   ju - ju   ,   and   remember   —   you   started   this   .       don’t   be   surprised   if   i   get   a   little   …       stalker - ish   .       maybe   i’ll   start   popping   up   unexpectedly   ,   being   a   total   pest   .       a   constant   ,   annoying   reminder   of   what   you   threw   away   .       who   knows   ?       i   get   a   little   obsessed   sometimes   .   ”

                    god   ,   nia   notices   how   juno’s   gaze   briefly   flickers   to   their   lips   .       it   sends   a   wave   of   thirst   through   them   .       makes   their   tongue   trace   their   own   lips   ,   the   line   of   their   mouth   ,   unconsciously   readying   them   for   a   kiss   that   never   comes   .       desperate   for   something   more   .       and   their   eyes   mirror   juno’s   movement   ,   drawn   to   her   mouth   ,   fixating   on   those   lips   .       they   can’t   tear   their   eyes   away   .       seriously   ,   when   did   nia   yontararak   become   this   consumed   by   someone   ?       “   yeah   ,   i   seriously   doubt   i’d   ever   get   that   answer   .   ”

                    “   well   ,   you’re   not   wrong   …       i’ve   never   been   one   to   play   fair   .   ”       there’s   movement   around   them   .       the   buzz   of   the   crowd   rises   .       people   prepare   for   the   new   year’s   countdown   ,   but   nia’s   eyes   never   leave   juno’s   .       more   specifically   ,   they   never   leave   juno’s   lips   .

                       and   the   game   has   been   forgotten   ,   really   .        they   aren’t   looking   for   couples   ;        they   aren’t   drinking   .        no   ,   they   just   stare   ,   eyes   locked   .        lost   in   each   other’s   pace   ,   breathing   the   same   air   .        “   annoyed   ?        yes   .        he’s   a   manchild   ,   he’s   rude   ,   and   completely   wrong   for   you   .        you   know   who   would   be   a   much   better   match   .   ”

[junipcrs]

          her  relaxed  expression  nearly  falters  before  she  catches  herself  .  it’s  not  juliette’s  fault  that  she  beat  her  to  the  punch  and  started  dating  nia  !  and  she  really  holds  no  ill-will  towards  the  other  .  “  i  seriously  cannot  recommend  it  enough  .  ”  she’ll  smile  at  juliette  .  “  well  …  i  only  got  full  body  massage  so  everything  else  is  up  for  grabs  !  there’s  this  cold  plunge  pool  that  looks  pretty  interesting  .  but  if  that’s  a  little  too  adventurous  we  could  even  do  a  simple  mani-pedi  ?  ”

        "i haven't gotten a chance yet."  she's not whining  -  really !  nia's busy and  ...  well,  she's not brave enough to casually drop a  'hey, wanna go to the sauna together?'  towards ace,  and if she goes with anyone else or even by herself,  there's going to be rumors and juliette's  not  trying to be paige yoon here,  okay ?  she has standards.  "is there anything you haven't done that we can still do?"  

[junipcrs]

240313 JOY

[junipcrs]

         she  grimaces  at  his  reaction  .  “  i  am  really  sorry  about  that  .  i  know  she  can  be  protective  but  i  didn’t  expect  such  a  …  reaction  from  her  .  the  last  thing  i  want  you  to  think  is  that  you’re  collateral  damage  in  all  of  this  .  because  you’re  not  ,  ”  she  pauses  ,  teeth  grazing  her  lower  lip  .  “  and  i’m  in  no  way  excusing  her  behavior  but  she  has  this  weird  preconceived  notion  that  we’re  dating  .  which  i  clarified  that  we’re  not  ,  ”  she  adds  the  last  part  hastily  .  laughter  expels  past  her  lips  at  his  comparisons  .  “  that’s  probably  for  the  best  .  i’m  gonna  be  honest  ,  i’ve  been  avoiding  the  kissing  booth  because  god  forbid  she  sees  and  gets  the  wrong  idea  and  starts  to  go  after  you  again  .  ”  a  fond  smile  touches  her  lips  .  part  of  her  wishes  that  she  didn’t  hold  such  strong  feelings  for  nia  .  it’ll  spare  her  the  heartache  .  it’s  nice  with  peter  .  not  to  mention  ,  easy  to  talk  to  .  and  it  feels  natural  .  “  well  …  ”  she  starts  ,  tongue  clicking  against  the  roof  of  her  mouth  .  “  i  think  the  food’s  the  highlight  .  but  if  you’re  down  ,  i’m  sure  we  can  squeeze  in  a  ride  or  two  and  still  have  time  for  lunch  ?  ”

          and  he'll  scoff  ,   roll  his  EYES   :  silvered  ringing  laughter  as  he  shakes  his  head  ,   letting  flush  CRAWL  up  his  cheeks  at  the  COMMENT  of  his  ...  not  greatest  moment  .   "  look  i  ---  "   eight  holds  his  hands  up  in  a  kind  of  SURRENDER  towards  juno  ,  "  i'm  okay  ,  but  ...  i'd  really  rather  be  left  out  of  whatever  ...  you  two  have  going  on  if  it  ends  up  with  me  like  ,  "   an  awkward  laugh  ,  grimace  ,  "   like  that  ?  i  mean  ,  really  ,  i  didn't  know  hanging  with  YOU  was  gonna  invoke  a  little  oompaloompa's  WRATH  ,  "   he  finishes  with  an  incredulous  laugh  .  "   i  was  going  to  say  i  should  have  been  doing  the  SILENT  AUCTION  with  you  ;  seems  a  lot  less  precarious  ,  but  ...  you  apparently  have  your  own  little  joe  goldberg  ,  so  maybe  it's  better  that  i'm  working  here  .  "   raps  on  wood  with  his  knuckles  ,  "  although  ,  i  will  say  ,   the  last  few  people  should  have  worn  CHAPSTICK  or  taken  a  mint  .   and  i'm  here  until  my  REPLACEMENT  comes  and  takes  my  spot  ---  what's  GOOD  to  do  here  ?   i'll  have  an  hour  to  kill  on  my  lunch  break  ,  and  i  have  NO  intention  of  spending  it  sitting  in  the  back  .  "

[junipcrs]

         “  not  the  entire  city  .  only  just  enough  to  feed  the  entire  upper  east  side  ,  y’know  ?  gotta  spread  some  culture  around  ,  ”  she  jokes  .  “  either  way  i’m  insisting  that  EVERYONE  takes  some  leftovers  home  .  because  who  doesn’t  want  a  decent  home  cooked  meal  in  the  form  of  tteokguk  ?  ”  it’s  one  of  the  few  times  juno  is  in  the  kitchen  with  the  chefs  and  they  actively  let  her  help  .  “  i  mean  not  too  long  .  it’s  only  a  small  gathering  .  ”  of  around  thirty  of  her  closest  friends  .  and  for  juno  ,  that’s  pretty  small  .  “  started  setting  up  last  night  and  finished  this  morning  .  nothing  too  crazy  .  why  do  you  ask  ?  ”

" uhhh ..... i hate to the one to break it to you , juno , but i think you're gonna be stuck eating this for the rest of the week either way . " yea , myles was something of a bottomless pit , but this was a fuck ton of food . " did you think you were feeding the entire city ? jeez . " he supposes he might as well get a head start on clearing some more plates and snags a snack for himself . " how long did all of this take you to set up anyways ? "

[junipcrs]

         “  no  .  it’s  not  about  eight  .  we’re  just  friends  .  i’m  pretty  sure  he’s  not  even  trying  to  date  right  now  .  i’ll  give  props  to  jia  for  trying  .  but  ––  ”  resits  the  urge  to  heave  a  sigh  .  since  when  did  her  love  life  get  so  unnecessarily  complicated  ?  “  it’s  about  nia  .  and  jo  ,  i  am  SPIRALING  here  .  ”

                    “   oh   ?       do   tell   ,   ju - ju   .       is   this   about   eight   ?       jia   mentioned   she   was   playing   cupid   ,   and   i’ve   been   meaning   to   ask   you   how   that’s   going   .   ”

[junipcrs]

[junipcrs]

         “  yeah  .  and  it’s  going  great  .  ”  she’s  getting  paid  to  drift  in  a  controlled  environment  .  which  is  more  than  she  can  say  for  her  street  racing  but  that’s  an  entirely  different  thing  that  not  many  knew  about  .  “  what  about  you  ?  still  doing  …  ”  pauses  to  think  .  because  honestly  ?  juno  hasn’t  really  given  a  thought  about  logan  since  their  breakup  .  “  whatever  it  is  you  do  nowadays  ?  ”

closed starter for @junipcrs ! ↪ at some sort of event for rich ppl idk a charity gala , let's say ...

" you still doin' that uh ... " hand waves , " that stunt driving thing ? how's that going for you ? "

[junipcrs]

         “  i’m  sure  he  just  wants  everything  to  be  perfect  .  after  all  ,  you  can  only  do  a  new  restaurant  opening  once  ,  ”  juno  comments  with  a  fond  chuckle  .  “  but  yes  .  you  had  me  at  travel  .  alcohol  on  a  secluded  beach  sounds  so  good  right  now  .  no  work  .  no  responsibilities  .  ”  and  keeping  her  distance  from  a  certain  ballerina  .  “  just  some  much  needed  r&r  .  but  i  hate  to  say  it  ––  we  might  not  even  be  able  to  sit  on  a  secluded  beach  and  sip  alcohol  if  the  weather  doesn’t  let  up  by  then  .  should  we  have  a  plan  b  ?  are  we  trying  to  stay  within  europe  ?  or  maybe  we  should  head  south  where  we  know  it’ll  be  summer  ?  ”

“  i  think  i  might  fly  back  to  london  in  a  couple  of  weeks  ,  my  dad’s  opening  a  new  restaurant  in  westminster  and  i  swear  he’s  actually  convinced  the  king  is  planning  on  showing  up  ,  “  not  that  she’s  complaining  ,  would’ve  been  a  lie  to  say  she  hasn’t  caught  a  bout  of  homesickness  lately  .   “  if  you’re  not  busy  after  fashion  week  we  should  converge  somewhere  in  the  middle  .  .  .  i  don’t  know  ,  italy  ?  greece  ?  honestly  i’d  meet  you  in  france  if  you  wanted  ,  i  just  feel  restless  like  i  have  the  travel  bug  or  something  .  .  .  and  i’m  yearning  to be sipping alcohol on a secluded beach . “ ( @junipcrs )

[junipcrs]

          she  grabs  a  clipboard  from  the  side  table  in  efforts  to  busy  herself  .  the  sarcasm  doesn’t  go  unnoticed  but  she’d  rather  not  dwell  on  it  .  she  doesn’t  want  to  give  herself  hope  .  and  juno  mentioning  juliette  ?  more  of  a  strategic  reminder  to  herself  than  a  catty  remark  .  a  reminder  that  their  kiss  is  won't  happen  again  .  not  while  they’re  still  in  a  relationship  .  juno’s  not  that  kind  of  person  .  but  god  .  she  feels  …  shitty  .  she  knows  what  it’s  like  to  be  cheated  on  .  but  what  does  it  mean  when  the  other  person  kisses  her  back  ?  oh  god  .  does  this  make  her  a  terrible  person  ?  “  well  i  wouldn’t  want  to  be  a  third-wheel  for  you  two  lovebirds  .  ”  her  grip  tightens  on  the  clipboard  ,  knuckles  turning  white  as  she  plasters  on  a  smile  .  “  now  that  you  mention  it  ,  isn’t  it  just  the  strangest  thing  that  every  time  i  see  you  ,  your  girlfriend  is  nowhere  to  be  found  ?  i  know  not  all  couples  have  to  be  joined  to  the  hip  but  it’s  odd  that  it  keeps  happening  .  you  know  what  they  say  .  once  is  an  accident  .  twice  is  a  coincidence  .  but  three  ?  seems  like  a  PATTERN  to  me  .  ”

                    arches   an   eyebrow   ,   the   corner   of   their   mouth   tilting   up   in   a   barely - there   smirk   .       “   awww   ,   juno   !       always   looking   out   for   me   ,   huh   ?       i   bet   juliette   would   actually   like   that   .       she’s   big   on   the   personal   touch   ,   you   know   ?       loves   crafting   her   own   bouquets   .       puts   her   heart   and   soul   into   it   ,   my   girl   .   ”       yeah   ,   you   can   practically   hear   the   sarcasm   dripping   from   nia’s   words   .       juno   is   still   clueless   about   the   fact   that   nia’s   relationship   with   juliette   is   just   for   show   ,   and   fortunately   ,   that   pretend   relationship   didn’t   get   in   the   way   of   their   kiss   at   the   new   year’s   party   .       but   getting   on   her   case   about   what   to   gift   her   fake   girlfriend   ?       playing   the   fake   concern   card   now   ?       oh   ,   the   irony   .       “   thanks   for   the   tip   ,   bff   !       wouldn’t   wanna   mess   up   my   girlfriend   duties   ,   right   ?       unless   you’re   offering   some   hands - on   help   ,   then   i’m   all   ears   .   ”       throws   in   a   bit   of   a   tease   ,   a   mix   of   joking   around   and   an   open   invitation   to   pick   up   where   they   left   off   .       they   both   know   ;       they’re   into   each   other   .       that   new   year’s   kiss   ?       total   proof   .

[junipcrs]

         “  ooooh  no  .  this  already  sounds  like  a  recipe  for  disaster  .  which  came  first  ?  sharknado  or  this  ?  .  either  way  ,  we’re  gonna  be  HAMMERED  by  the  end  of  it  .  and  please  tell  me  this  isn’t  one  of  those  movies  that  just  did  so  poorly  it  somehow  got  itself  a  sequel  .  ”

                    “   oh   ,   juno   ,   you’re   sooooo   gonna   love   this   .       ever   heard   of   birdemic   ?       it’s   got   special   effects   straight   outta   someone’s   basement   ,   acting   so   bad   it's   like   they   just   grabbed   people   off   the   street   .       aaaand   ,   i   mean   …       we   gotta   have   a   few   drinks   to   really   get   into   a   shitty   horror   movie   ,   right   ?       but   i’m   thinking   ,   you   know   —   why   not   make   it   a   game   ?       like   ,   a   shot   for   every   bird   attack   that   looks   like   a   kid's   computer   project   .   ”

[junipcrs]

JOY SMCU PALACE in TOKYO (240222)

[junipcrs]

          “  i’m  pretty  sure  i  have  an  extra  volunteer  badge  around  here  somewhere  if  you  wanna  wear  it  for  the  time  being  ,  ”  juno  offers  ,  looking  up  from  organizing  the  clipboards  on  the  table  .  “  it’ll  be  hiding  in  plain  sight  !  it’s  not  like  security  has  a  list  of  volunteers  so  what  are  they  gonna  do  ?  insist  that  you’re  lying  ?  besides  ,  not  much  happens  at  the  silent  auction  area  .  i’m  just  here  to  man  the  booth  .  ”

            "   i'm  hiding  from  security  ,  'cause  they  said  i  can't  be  behind  the  BOOTHS  with  alcohol  if  i'm  not  a  volunteer  .  "  raises  her  plastic  pink  champagne  glass  up  awkwardly  ,  swaying  on  the  seat  ,  "  but  you  can't  snitch  ,  you  can't  !  my  bottomless  valentine's  mimosas  pass  hasn't  run  out  yet  .  just  ...  keep  me  hidden  if  they  come this  way  . " ( @junipcrs ♥ )

[junipcrs]

JOY ♡ ↪ Harper’s Bazaar Korea (2023)

[junipcrs]

          “  i  understand  never  working  a  day  in  your  life  and  not  wanting  to  volunteer  .  that’s  their  choice  .  i  hate  to  say  it  but  some  of  them  really  do  act  like  we’re  forcing  them  to  do  it  like  no  …  that’s  just  peer  pressure  talking  .  and  maybe  a  little  guilt  .  ”  because  who  hasn’t  felt  it  at  some  point  ?  “  anyway  ,  are  you  planning  on  volunteering  ?  ”

           ۟. 🐻               ៶               𝐰𝒊𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐞               〉               “   what   even   would   be   the   problem   of   volunteering   ...      how   else   would   there   be   booths   in   action   for   people   to   participate   in   if   not   for   volunteers   .      not   like   anyone   will   force   them   to   do   it   themselves   .   ”