#anyways supposed to reflect their weird experiences w the ring a little bit

[themyscirah]

It was there, before it was there.

For Hal, it was dreams. Awake and asleep, he would finally fly. There he went farther and faster than his father ever did. Tinged in green, he would touch the stars. But it always ended the same. He was a Jordan, after all. At least the end was warm, like sunlight.

Guy got knocked down a lot. Picked himself back up a lot too. Sometimes went down again right after. Each time though, for a second after, he could only see green.

John heard voices. Sometimes just a few, a council, old and wise-- sometimes more: a town, a city, a planet. They all wanted something. Wanted him to do- to be- ..... something. Well, they could just get in line.

Kyle would know things sometimes. But only sometimes. Moments in between moments. In his dreams, he always knew his father's face. They would smile, and talk, and share a drink. Then his eyes would open, and the blurry photo would return.

Once Simon saw an injured squirrel on the ground. It looked almost dead. He touched it, and it rose up and scurried away. His arm ached. His mother scolded him for using the markers (what markers?) again. He took it as a sign. Courage.

Jessica knew whispers well. They told her that she was a mess. That she was weak, or scared. Sometimes it was her own voice. Sometimes it wasn't. Sometimes, it even told her she was strong. Brave.She always liked those ones the best.

Jo's phone never died. Or rather, never stayed dead. On nights she would stumble in, tired from work, friends, or if she was lucky, the cute girl at the bar, she would leave her nearly-dead phone on her desk, cord forgotten. In the morning though, it would always be ready for her, battery life pulsing green.

It was there, before it was there.

[starlight-drive-in]

All My Life, for You - Ch. 2

This chapter: Saeyoung Choi/MC (named), Saeyoung Choi/OC Saeran Choi/OC

Fic Description: Mi-Cha and Saeyoung have been happily married for 5 years and their lives have never been happier. The same could be said for Saeran who is now in a much healthier place than he was a few years ago. The twins are close once again, their lives are healthy and normal for the most part. It would seem the picture perfect happily ever after, if it weren’t for the fact that someone who has been looking for them for a long time is about to make an unwelcome appearance.

Saeyoung has two things in this world he has sworn to protect, and nothing is going to stop him from keeping his promise this time.

Chapter Description: Saeran takes a little alone time, which subsequently gets interrupted. He may or may not be happy about this.Mi-Cha and Saeyoung attempt to be sneaky.

AO3 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/19773562/chapters/46928929

Saeran sits cross-legged on a large rock that marks the summit of the mountain trail he's been working his way up for the past 40 minutes. Slightly winded, he takes deep breaths and focuses on recovering himself. "Whew, I need to work out." He tells himself.

He takes another deep breath of fresh mountain air and savors the way it fills his lungs. It's been years since Mint Eye, even longer since he was trapped in that God-forsaken excuse for a house. Even still, the feeling of freedom manages to take him by surprise. The sheer fact that he's allowed to do this, allowed to do what he wants when he wants. It still feels foreign.  Some things will haunt him forever, he knows that. But being able to have a life is more than he ever hoped for.

He pointedly takes a moment to fully absorb his surroundings. To his left, he can see the hotels, restaurants, and shops that line the edge of the beach below him. The beach has mostly cleared out by now although he can spot a few couples taking sunset strolls along the water’s edge. He scans the length of the beach, searching for his brother’s telltale red hair, wondering if one of the couples on the beach might be his brother and sister-in-law.

Ahead of him lies the reason he made this hike to begin with - a beautiful sunset painted in reds and purples, quickly taking over the blue that was there before. Long strings of clouds run the length of the horizon as sun meets ocean, light dancing on the waves. He takes another deep breath and smiles. He’s always loved the sky. When he had nothing else he still had the sky. Even when all he had was one small window to look at it through, the sky was always there. Always beautiful and always breathtaking, a faithful companion when all else was lost.

He remains for the next hour or so until the sun has all but finished its decline below the horizon. Taking the flashlight out of the small pack on his back he begins decent back down the mountain to the hotel. On the way down he contemplates what to do when he gets back to his room. He’s pretty hungry, grabbing dinner himself seems to be a good place to start.

He stops at one of the many restaurants on the way back, opting for a bar seat instead of a whole booth with him being only one person. He orders and then takes his phone out while he waits, seeing he has a few new messages.

Saeyoung: Don't get up to too much trouble without me now, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do ;)

He scoffs. What exactly is that supposed to mean anyway? He thinks, not bothering to actually respond

Mi-Cha: Sorry about leaving you on your own tonight, if you need us to come back just say the word!

Mi-Cha is way to considerate. She always has been, always. Everyone knows this about her- it’s immediately obvious to most upon meeting her for the first time. Ah. but he’s known that about her longer than any of their friends, or even his own brother. It was specifically the reason he had chosen back her then. He shudders then, slightly embarrassed at his past behavior. In the end, it would seem that he inadvertently played matchmaker for Saeyoung. He’d have to remember to give his brother shit about owing him one later. Thinking about how much things have changed, he smiles.

He’s so absorbed in his own self-reflection that he doesn't even notice a woman sit down next to him.

“You must like her a lot.” She says, grabbing his attention finally.

He’s caught off-guard for a moment and stares blankly at her blue eyes.

“W-who?” he stutters embarrassed.

“Your girlfriend, or whoever's making you smile like that.” She giggles.

“Oh, I wasn’t. I don’t. Uh, I don't have a girlfriend.”

“Oh?” She asks.“A boyfriend, perhaps?”

“Oh, no - uh- not that either, I’m single.” He clarifies.

Her face brightens visibly. “Is that so? Well in that case, whatcha drinking? Vodka soda?” She motions exaggeratedly to his glass.

Am I being hit on right now? He thinks to himself Probably not right? She just wants someone to talk to he’s sure of it.

He chuckles.“Seltzer, I- uh don't really drink.”

“Damn, I’m not doing too good here tonight” She giggles. “I guess it’s true what they say about making assumptions.”

“It’s fine.” He says, not really knowing how to respond but smiling politely.

She twists a finger around a lock of dark hair nervously, the boost of confidence she inspired in herself a moment before coming over here quickly wearing off. “So - uh, you here on vacation?”

“Yea, with my brother and sister-in-law. Family bonding ya know?” This conversation isn't the most comfortable thing for him, but it’s not entirely unwelcome either. “How about you?”

“Girls weekend out.” She says, a slightly sarcastic tone in her voice. “Which apparently turned into ‘Let's all get drunk and pass out and leave Jisun on her own’ weekend.”

“Ah. Yea that doesn't exactly sound like what you signed up for.” He responds empathetically. His food arrives and he thanks the server quickly, then turns his attention back to her.

She scoffs. “You've got that right. Eh, it’s whatever. Kinda needed a break anyway. Not that I don't love them. It’s just sometimes their energy is a little much for me. I’m sorry that probably doesn't make any sense.”

He understands completely though. “It does. I feel like that a lot with my own friends, especially my brother. Too much energy for his own good. Sometimes I just need to get away from him.”

“Yes! Exactly! Ugh, feels nice to talk to someone who gets it.” She smiles earnestly, feeling a lot more comfortable than before.

He returns her smile also feeling a tad more relaxed and truly takes in her image for the first time. Her hair is actually a very dark violet and comes just to her shoulders, her eyes a deep blue. A swath of freckles dots her nose and upper cheeks. She’s wearing a simple dress with a large floral pattern - Hibiscus - he recognizes them as, how ironic. He takes a sip of his drink and decides he agrees with the sentiment.

His phone beeps with a new notification, Mi-Cha checking up on him, of course. He takes a moment to reply before setting it back down.

She shifts slightly in her seat, “Anyway, I didn't mean to interrupt your meal-”

“You’re not interrupting” He interjects, feeling slightly rude for being on his phone. “I-It’s nice to talk to someone new.”

“Yea? Yea, I agree” She says.

“You said your name was Jisun?” She nods affirmatively. “I’m Saeran.”

“It’s very nice to meet you Saeran.”

Just then her own phone begins to ring in her clutch purse. She answers it and immediately her eyes go wide at whatever the person on the other end has said. "Yea, yea ok I'll be right there." She ends the call and looks over at him looking a bit disappointed.

"Ugh, I'm sorry. Duty calls looks like I've gotta go babysit some sick drunks."

He'd be lying if he said he wasn't also feeling disappointed. "Ah well, I wish you good luck then. You might wanna pick up some cleaning supplies, and maybe some painkillers on your way back?" He offers.

"Looks like someone has experience." She notes.

"Ha, yes, unfortunately."

"Well, I hope you have a good night, Saeran."

He smiles. "I'd say the same but."

She laughs at that and begins to retreat toward the door.

"And lots of water!" He adds over the din of the restaurant.

She gives him a thumbs up on her way out the door. She was going to have to give her friends a long, loud talking to in the morning about how they inadvertently pulled her away from a very cute guy.

Saeran watches wistfully out the window as she proceeds down the sidewalk. He dares to hope they’ll meet again, however unlikely that may be.

-

"It’s the hottest planet in our Solar System, which is a little weird when you think about it because it's not the closest to the sun. Mercury is, but guess what?" Saeyoung explains excitedly, holding Mi-Cha's hand while the two of them walk back to the hotel.

Mi-Cha smiles thoughtfully, enchanted at how enthusiastic he gets over things he's passionate about. Suddenly a familiar shock of red hair catches her eye through a nearby restaurant window.

"Saeyoung." She says, releasing his hand as she peers through the window, trying to stay close to the side as not to be noticed by the current object of her attention.

"Mercury has no atmosphere to regulate its temperature. So. Its temperature fluctuation is all over the place and you know what else?."

"Saeyoung!" She says louder this time.

"Ya?"

"I-is that Saeran?" She says in a hushed tone, pointing to a man at the far corner of the restaurant's bar.

Saeyoung's mouth falls open when he spots his brother.

"Yea but who is that?" He ducks around her to try to get a better look but she pulls him back.

"Don't! He'll see you!" She scolds in a whisper. "We’ve got to be sneaky!.

"Why are you whispering?" He whispers.

"Why are you?" She retorts.

"Just following your lead, boss." He answers.

"Don't you forget it." She mumbles. "Ok, ok but seriously who is she?"

"The girl reading this" Saeyoung says dramatically. Before laughing at his own joke.

Mi-Cha snickers "Saeyoung!"

"Hehe." Is his only response as the two of them sneakily peek through the window again.

"She's pretty." The pair say in unison.

"Like really pretty! Has he said anything to you about a girl?" Mi-Cha inquires.

"No, you?"

"Mm-mm" she shakes her head back and forth.

"I'm calling him." Saeyoung says pulling his phone from his pants pocket.

Mi-Cha quickly plucks his phone from his hand. "Wait, don't."

"But MCeeee he could be in danger!" He begs.

Mi-Cha looks again at the two of them through the window. The girl says something and Saeran smiles brightly, seemingly at ease. "Oh, yea he looks like he's in a lot of danger."

"That's just how they get you."

"Sae, come on. Let him have a little fun. He's not a kid, he can take care of himself."

"It's my sworn duty to protect him as an older brother!"

"You know you're twins right? You're only like 3 minutes older or something like that." She says, taking her own phone out and quickly typing a message. She watches through the window as Saeran’s phone lights up. He looks down at it and picks it up, eyeing the girl apologetically before taping a couple times and setting it back down.

Her own phone vibrates confirming what she already knew was true.

Mi-Cha: Heading back to hotel, you all good?

Sae2: All good, out getting food.

"See? You worry too much!"

"I can't help it!"

"I know Babe" she responds, taping him lightly on the nose before offering him her hand. "Come on, let's go! Your brother left us alone on our date, let's leave him alone on his!"

"Do you really think it's a date?!" He asks, wide eyed taking her outstretched hand.

"I have no idea," she laughs. "But If it is, he deserves some privacy. Plus I have other plans for you.” She gives him a devilish smile.

“Oh?” Saeyoung replies, completely forgetting his prior mission. “In that case, lead the way!”

---

The Victorian Flower Language meaning for Hibiscus is 'delicate beauty', :) (Or at least that's what google told me so that's what i'm going with.)