#but i think at this point he knows there's something between him and hyuk.....

[ofgentleresolve]

@jeoseungsaja sent in: Word of advice for Patrick: Maybe you should ask your best friend Hyuk to help you with the buttons of your shirt cuffs more often, that way he can find more excuses to touch and kiss your hands, I mean, I'm just sayING

Well, that’s an unusual piece of advice to hear. But perhaps it matches this rather unorthodox situation to begin- at least it’s unorthodox for him ( and Hyuk too, he hopes ). After all, how many people fall for their best friend of at least half of their lives?

( There’s probably a handful, Patrick notes- but none of them are in his vicinity, are they? And if they are, he highly doubts they’ll be all that…helpful to say the least. )

Still, his shirt cuffs? In comparison to all the other things he can ( barely ) fantom his dear friend finding appealing, it’s a rather mundane thing to comment. Sure, a good number of Patrick’s shirts come with such a feature, but that’s his preference. Formalities to him are what armor to a knight is.

He frowns. “Buttoning my…shirt cuffs? Why would he want to help me with that?”

“That way he can find more excuses to touch and kiss your hands.”

Wait, what? Since when did his dear friend want to do- cheeks suddenly warm, he covers his mouth at the image. Hyuk knows, doesn’t he, how much Patrick adores the works of Jane Au*sten. Whereas nowadays gestures of affection such as kissing on the lips and even outright sexual intercourse ( not that Patrick has actively sought out these books…he wouldn’t be surprised if his students have, however ), the Regency was a tad more…RESTRAINED and thereby the authors of the romance genre needed to get creative with displaying romance and the tension that came with it.

The friends-to-lovers trope is one such method. Hand kisses are another.

But then again, they’ve always been more on the understated side too, haven’t they? Between the two of them, one might say by modern standards, they’re both quite the…turtles when it comes to acknowledging such emotions and acting on said emotions. After all, it’s Hyuk who is always so careful with who to trust and Patrick who is content to sit on the sidelines rather than face these…complicated thoughts head-on.

And besides, they’re friends first. Always BEST FRIENDS before anything else.

The stranger with said advice peters off though as Patrick keeps a steady eye on them. He scratches his cheek. If an outsider can see the signs between them, then it really must be obvious at this point, no? “I suppose I’ll…keep that in mind. Thank you.”

That and get cuffs with bigger button holes. For Hyuk’s convenience.

[hyunjinners]

✧:･ﾟOur Promise → Lee Eunhy-uk x reader ˚₊· ꒰🎀꒱

꒰ 命 𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐘 ꒱┊Sometimes bringing up happy memories can lift moods.

꒰ 命 𝐏𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆 ꒱┊Lee Eun-hyuk x Fem¡reader

꒰ 命 𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐑𝐄 ꒱┊Angst (a little), cute ending.

꒰ 命 𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒 ꒱┊slight trigger, racial differences, Eun-hyuk being a complete cutie ^°^

꒰ 命 𝐖.𝐂 ꒱┊1,2k

꒰ 命 𝐀/𝐍 ꒱┊One more chapter for you! Remembering that English is not my first language, so I apologize if it is in old-fashioned writing or any spelling errors.

⊹₊˚ʚ❛Masterlist❜ɞ

Bored, Eun-hyuk walks through the corridors of the green building, looking at how the residents are getting along with each other. He carries an imperceptible smile on his face from the little memory of his sister proposing between the lines to Hyun-su.

Crossing the hall, his eyes fall directly on her figure sitting absently. Beautiful. He couldn't help thinking. He watches as he crosses his arms, attentive to her details. The pencil in her hand, tracing perfect lines on the notebook in her lap, your foot tapping frantically to the music playing in your headphones and even the way you would unnoticedly tuck the lock of hair that fell across your face behind your ear.

For anyone this would be a cute or ordinary scene. But Eun-hyuk knew you. He loved you. Which of course guaranteed the fact that he knew you very well, and he knew something was wrong. You were nervous, anxious - worried to say the least. You always do that when you're worried, nervous or even scared. Art always called his attention and, from Eun-hyuk's point of view, he found an interesting way of escape. But still his worries did not diminish.

He really noticed how restless and distant you were for a while during the days. He is really distant because of his role as leader of the group, so it's common for 𝗵𝗶𝗺 not to see you. But strangely 𝘆𝗼𝘂 didn't go see him, which sincerely worried him, but he just thought you were thinking that you didn't want to bother him - which wasn't very unusual for you to think, as you always gave him space when needed.

He walks slowly and silently towards you. He watches intently as his fingers scratch the edge of the notebook nervously. Her head hangs down as she hums softly, wanting to concentrate on the music - anything but her problems.

Sitting down next to him, Eun-hyuk gently removes the headphones from his ears, which results in a slight fright on his part by the sudden act. You sigh as soon as you realize who it was and put on your face the widest smile you could manage - which wasn't particularly much.

"Oppa! How are you?" Through her eyes he could confirm with all certainty that something was not right. In response he just smiled, holding your hand, making you let go of the pencil, thus resting it on the notebook.

"how are you? I haven't heard from you lately, so I was worried."

"I'm fine, don't worry." lie. This was clearly a lie. You could even lie very well, but not when it comes to Eun-hyuk. His heart ached when he realized you weren't going to tell him anything, maybe to keep him from worrying.

"something happened, didn't it? You are restless. Besides listening to music, it's something you do when you're really nervous or sad. You can count, y/n. It's okay." You watch him with lost eyes, wondering if you should speak or not. Leaning back against the wall, you sigh as you stare at the ceiling above.

"it's something silly, Eun-hyuk."

"but it's still something. Tell me."

"It's just… today would be my test. The most important of the semester. The proof that I spent weeks studying because I wanted something for my future but, with all this monster business, I wonder if it even really has a future." you let out a sad laugh. You didn't want to tell because it seemed silly, but only you know what happened. a foreigner, who left her family behind to be able to make her proud and become the most studied in the family, being able to bring the life she wanted so much. Only you knew how hard you and your parents worked for you to be here today.

"I know it sounds silly but…I've been waiting for this since I was 14. I struggled, studied and even worked for it. Which in the end became nothing." a silent tear rolls down her cheek. "sorry…it's stupid, I know."

"No…it's not stupid." he guides you to sit between his legs, thus leaning on his chest. He cuddles in her arms while resting his chin on her head, not before leaving a seal in place. "I know it's important to you and I understand more than anyone what it's like to be forced to drop out of school for a bigger reason."

"but the worst of it is that I won't be able to keep our promise."

The promisse. He remembers clearly.

You were in your small apartment for an afternoon of study together. Eun-hyuk was sitting in her swivel chair while you were sitting on her bed, leaning against the wall. You let out a sigh, dropping the book onto the bed with a low grunt.

"Oppa! Why is studying so tiring?" he turns his chair towards her, looking into her eyes with a small smile. He adjusts his glasses as he gets up to sit beside her. You intertwine your hands, looking into his face in awe.

"want to know something? When all this studying, tests and simulations are over, I'm going to marry you." You said suddenly, making Eun-hyuk surprised.

"Marry?" he asks, a little desperate due to the impact of the fright.

"Of course you do, you silly! Or would you rather I marry some college freshman?"

"What? No no! Of course not… I agree to marry you."

"then…" you intertwine your pinkies, joining your thumbs together like a seal. "…it's a promise."

He loves that memory, but it grew sadder and sadder when he stopped to think about their predicament, how their futures were compromised. You bite your lower lip remembering every effort you made to finish college. It was all down the drain.

"Do not think like that. The world could go up in flames, but that's no reason to part with you. I love you. Of course it's hard but, at least for me, if we're together it's just something we'll get through. Together. No matter what happens."

You are silent, absorbing his words. You couldn't disagree, he was definitely your everything, and you couldn't let the situation stop you from thinking about a better future. He also knew that maybe things would never really get better, but he loves you. Very. And I wanted to get through it all with him.

"…Thank you, Eun-hyuk. I don't know how I would be without you. I love you so much and I want more than ever to be with you until the end."

"I love you too, so I'm going to make it happen. I will keep the promise, my love. Don't worry."

꒷꒦ ⊹ ๑ ❛original by: @hyunjinners ¡ Like × reblog❜ =͟͟͞♡ ‧ ˚ ₊

[bengiyo]

Love Class 2 Eps 9 & 10 (Finale) Stray Thoughts

Last week, in keeping with the theme, I can barely remember what happened in the K-BLs. I know that the younger couples all basically came out to each other, and all three couples gave some decent kissing. I continue to enjoy J-min. I also am glad we resolved the situation with Kim An’s orphanage friend, because that was kinda fucked. The TA and artist are dealing with a misunderstanding that feels a little meaty, so I hope we have a good resolution moment for it. I’m glad Maru and Minwoo finally kissed about their problems.

Episode 9

I’m okay starting with Minwoo and Maru spooning.

Okay, it’s very sweet of Maru to recognize that Minwoo has loved him for a long time and stood by him through all the things Maru went through. I love him promising to be there with Minwoo now.

Kim An is shirtless in bed? How now brown cow.

Never mind, they’re handling business and getting it in.

Oh shit. Joo Hyuk’s friend read him on this park date goddamn.

Oh, was Joo Hyuk with the teacher that Sungmin often does chores for?

Looks like Maru’s tormenting of the manager worked.

Look at my girl finally finding a straight man to flirt with.

The professor was Joo Hyuk’s uncle? LOL

My man Sungmin is so resilient. He realized he’d embarrassed himself, cleared up the matter, and then asked for a date. That’s what I’m talking about!

Kim An and Lee Hyun are frolicking!!

I’m okay with everyone getting cute dates this episode.

I will never get tired of people expressing their feelings for each other clearly and directly, and then making out.

“You are obedient at important moments,” and  “Let’s have many important moments. I promise I’ll be a good boy,” what actually so hot.

I appreciate that there was probably a limit to how physically intimate they could get an idol like J-min to be in this show, and so they fed us with the sides. It’s something Thailand relied upon a lot for a while. J-min served well by being so talented in the early parts when I was struggling a bit. This show has struck a really nice balance after I settled into it.

I see you boys rolling around with each other and I know what that means. Nicely done, sirs.

I love that the tag is giving us the backstory for how Joo Hyuk fell for Sungmin. Unsurprisingly, Joo Hyuk was kind of a whiny drunk.

Episode 10

Now we’re on a Gays Only Camping Trip? Incredible.

This looks like so much fun omg.

These people have immaculate vibes. This is way better than whatever the fuck was going on in Our Skyy 2: Star in My Mind.

This supermarket trip is so cute holy shit.

You mean the tell me this is a gay bbq and they didn’t know they was all paired off? Gay people are so dumb.

I love this conversation between Minwoo and Lee Hyun about how Minwoo used to be jealous of Lee Hyun’s feelings.

This show is doing a really good job showing couples settling into each other in its finale.

Okay, deciding to no longer kiss in the shadows is such a baller gay thing to say that this show just earned half a point.

Okay this photo is really good.

Final Verdict: 8.5, This Was Cute as Hell. I want to thank @he-is-lightning-in-a-bottle for getting me to keep going with this show. I think it was a little hard to follow at first, but I had really satisfying outings with all of the characters here. It was kind of a grab bag of plots, but once I locked in I had a fantastic time. This was really fun, and a worthwhile watch. J-min has real talent and I was impressed by him.

[themthistles]

we talk about how juwon is both smart AND stupid somehow but i think a better way to say this is that he is book smart but street stupid.

hyuk directly calls him out on it when he tells juwon that dongsik will always run circles around him because unlike our boy dongsik didn't learn about the world from a textbook, he has firsthand experience dealing with people. and hyuk is so right because then juwon goes and tries to emulate dongsik and fucks up tremendously.

he graduated top of his class and that is completely in line with his character. single minded, obsessive memorization of text to the point that he knows it by heart, he is known to do that. but past the point of graduation we have no indication that juwon was a particularly outstanding detective. like he is a big time crime solving cop in seoul city, sure but he's also a nepo baby and his father definitely influenced his position. i don't even mean directly, just people trying to get on han kihwan's good side by treating his son well (i imagine they kept a lot of what they thought about juwon and his shining personality to themselves too)

so juwon is fresh out of the academy, he's top student, he's never been told off much, if at all. he has a very high opinion of himself. thing is: he knows the law well, he's quick thinking and determined but he's also extremely stubborn, unsociable and impulsive, so frankly i don't think he was a very fun person to work with and therefore not a very good employee. i can imagine heated fights and frustration of his colleagues whenever they disagreed on something. i think he was hyper aware and fed up with people's opinion of him in that 'i'm not a bad detective, everyone just gets in my way and if only they listened to me, we wouldn't be having these problems' type of way. he then proceeds to get obsessed with a certain case, goes completely rogue with no oversight and supervision, no doubt thinking that he's going to nail this and he'll show them and they're all gonna be sooo impressed and well.. we all know how that one ends.

he's so set on being right that he sees no alternative. and even when he turns out to be wrong again and again, it takes a painful amount of time for him to have an epiphany. his belief that he's the smartest person in the room comes from arrogance and entitlement and his arrogance and entitlement come from his rigid belief that if he's such a smart boy with good grades then he cannot be wrong because then what does that degree even mean, what does it all mean, who am i -> identity crisis. that's why he can't admit at first that his father is a criminal who doesn't play by the rules because then juwon's an idiot who's followed them for no reason expecting entire world to do the same. that's why he keeps running to dongsik with clues and flimsy proof expecting him to turn himself in like they're in scooby doo and dongsik's gonna go 'ahh you got me' as juwon takes off his mask. when you solve a mathematical problem you don't expect the numbers to suddenly leap up and change around or tell you to fuck off. juwon's main arc is seeing the grey between the black and white but it's also realising that humans are much more complex than a theoretical exercise and sometimes the solution is to set the textbook on fire.

[yaoi-yaoieverywhere]

Cale Henituse (nee Kim Roksoo- god that is so funny to say it like that) and his experience with love is undeniably Queer.

I mean that in an extremely positive way as part of the Queer community. LGBTIA+, if you use that acronym. I'm not going to specifically assign a specific gender, sexuality, or romantic leaning to Cale during this conversation either. As a character in a novel he is made by and of the author and the reader's meshed experiences.

So let's visit the beginning of his story. (Spoilers for the novel, if you haven't read it.)

Kim Roksoo was a (so far unnamed) kid whose body was stolen as a very young child by The White Star and 'infected' with his curse which was maintained by the God of Death. His mother, clearly depicted as loving him, is not enough to save him. His soul then traverses into another universe and is born again. His parents love him there too. They die too.

Kim Roksoo grows up in a world where everything he loves falls away. Something about his being is unexplainably repelling those he thinks of with love in whatever way it can manage. Simple job opportunities as seen with his social workers all the way up to stripping others of joys until they abuse Roksoo as seen with his uncle. If nothing else works, death is their end instead. Similarly, it can be read further that even things he loves are taken from him via a deliberate lack of worldly possessions and later marveling at the taste of food once he transmigrates. This is not just Beacrox being an excellent chef- even a simple fruit he picks has him drooling at the taste. But, we're getting ahead of ourselves. Roksoo has yet to become Cale.

The apocalypse happens. This doesn't appear to be Roksoo's fault, exactly, but it certainly trails all the damage it can after his specific place in it. By the age of twenty, whether he admits it or not, Roksoo is clearly under the impression that this lack of love is his fault. Something about him has made this happen. His love. His thoughts are shaped by this guess, and for some reason, it works. It works until he can't help but feel safer and settled with Lee Soo Hyuk and Choi Jung Soo.

And then the curse sees he has loved again, that he has BEEN loved for so long, and decides they have to die. At this point, GoD has noticed and decided to nip the problem in the bud. Not by removing the curse from a child long abused by it. Not in fixing the system when it would cost him something he doesn't want to spend.

Instead, he offers Choi Jungsoo and Lee Soohyuk a chance to live... If they let Roksoo die. But, of course, they love him. You don't just let death come for someone you love if you have a say. They say no. And they both die for it. Roksoo carries that weight without crying but is unable to ever forget. To forgive himself. Not even as Cale. Not even when he knows they chose it.

Team One is the team that has never had a single death under Kim Roksoo's watch, isn't it?

At this point, you may be asking what in the fresh hell any of this has to do with being Queer. Being Queer is to have society put a crowbar between you and everything you love. Especially those that love you regardless. It can feel like loving yourself is a stigma that follows you your whole life. If left alone, without support? It shapes the very way you think about yourself and others. Love comes at an unbearable cost unless you throw yourself through three different hoops of obscurity and try not to look too hard at it. And fixing that way of thinking takes years and miles and each kind touch you could ever give.

Any reader would at least eventually agree that the way Cale thinks is intentionally contradictory and even deceitful... but to who? He is absolutely certain that Choi Han is the protagonist. There is no one who should be reading his thoughts at any point. He doesn't know yet that there was a curse, especially not that it's gone now. But subconsciously, it protects him.

(He has, in some way, just lost his whole world again. And he is convinced if he can't bury the love deep enough, it's just going to keep happening.)

But this is where the change that makes this far from a doomed gay narrative kicks in. Also, the real beginning of the novel. Roksoo wakes up as Cale. He wakes up healthy, well-off, and beautiful. Loved, as well, not that it is communicated well by any party at that point.

"It's worth a try."

To Cale though this is clearly more than 'worth a try'. This is his new Life. He loves being here. While burying his love under the layers of contradiction in his mind he grabs every opportunity at friends and family with both hands.

His story is a long one full of ups and downs as he tries to heal. Slacking, I believe he calls it, undisturbed peace where he can pretend to coalesce. But his heart only mends when he is surrounded by people who have grown to trust and love this frankly pitiful man who works himself to the bone for peace. And love. And acceptance for all. And pixie dust.

There is so MUCH about Cale that can reflect anyone in the queer community that has nothing or little to do with his misery. The transition from a body that made him viscerally uncomfortable even though many would view it as peak manhood to a body he quickly and gladly labeled as Making Anything Look Good (even himself) and promptly losing all muscle mass to maintain this idea of his ideal presentation to the world? That's body euphoria gang. It's also bucking gender roles.

The ability to categorize so many people as beautiful and lovely and good while not once hitting on or thinking of them sexually or romantically gets him in the aro and the ace community's back pocket. Hell, it can also slip him right into the bi and pan groups too. And of course, many people love the idea of him being in love with Lee Soohyuk and Choi Jungsoo at the same time, happily adding Polyamorous to that list of possible roles. (Especially considering Gender Anarchy Polyamory, which is invested in the idea that you love how you love and live with who makes you happy even if it's never more than a strong platonic bond. Even if you don't ship the three sexually, they were planning to spend the rest of their lives together on a farm. Without anyone else. That's love too.)

He just... His experiences are so lived by the community once you remove the dragons and the demonic army. Especially the way he has held on for so long in a world that just seems to hate his love. Even when clearly the people in it, individually, want him to stay and be loved back. And the fact that one day he finds himself waking up to a world that while still full of hate and vitriol in places, clearly loves him back? Learning how to trust that. Isn't that what we all want?

So yeah, I said at the start of this I wasn't assigning Cale an identity, but you know what? Cale is Queer. Even if you believe or the author believes he is straight and cis and romance inclined, he has lived this experience of love being punished, so he is ours.

[trashlie]

You are SOOOO right about the unspoken feelings and yearning and the pining -- This is an essential stage, we cannot skip it!!!! Nol needs to marinate in his feelings and thoughts and wants and doubts and desires a little more. Sorry but it needs to happen, he hasn't been pathetic enough yet!! I guess people thought if Nol tells Shin-ae how she feels, it'll all click for her immediately, she'll reciprocate his feelings on the spot, and they'll live happily ever after. The end. But it's so much more complicated. She isn't ready. Nol is right. She needs to leave. She needs some rest and then time and space to calmly reflect on it all. Poisonheart said Shin-ae sometimes needs things spelled out for her, and maybe this applies here as well. But it's still not Nol's place to tell her. Perhaps she'll talk to Min-hyuk or Dieter, personally I'd love it if she spoke with a female character: Rika, Maya, or potentially Ms Park. It simply feels like a conversation that should happen with a woman (and I would love for her to bond with the female characters more). Maybe the "because you love him" will make a comeback and tie it all together, and the narrative will give her this neat little package labeled "WHY YOU CARE" that she gets to unpack. But either way I NEED Shin-ae to go through it all slowly, step by step. I need all those moments with Nol to haunt her, those feelings she tries to deny to not give her rest until she understands what it all really means. What she feels and why she feels it and oh no oh fuck this cannot be happening what am I gonna do now? Does he also like me like that? What if he doesn't? She is the MC this is important, give it to us we need it!!!!!

And RIGHT the realization IS scary and overwhelming! Especially when the stakes are so high! Dieter's confession is like a safety net for her. She knows that if she at some point falls for him and decides to date him, he will be there with open arms. No risks taken. It'd be so easy, so convenient, so safe. With Nol, however, she doesn't have that kind of safety. Even worse, he unintentionally sends her mixed signals, he keeps slipping through her fingers -- they have these intense moments, then he puts up his walls and pushes her away again, and she doesn't get why. He still calls her "Yoo" and won't even let her say his real name!! Is she ready for this? He will be gone in three days AND there is all the stuff with the Hiraharas and his past and so much more she doesn't know yet. It's a lot (and he knows this). Which means she can NOT be wishy-washy about it. In a way, she has already made up her mind when he decided to fight for their friendship. But this is different, this is new territory -- She needs to choose him again, consciously, fully aware of what it means! And THEN she can face him again, with an answer. It's just SCREECHES we're in for such a ride why would anyone want to skip this????

By the way you describing Dieter's POV really got to me. "because he sees the things Shinae doesn't know how to identify" THIS THOUGH. Listen. Shin-ae is so stuck in her own POV -- but if she could switch her perspective from actor to observer, she would see it for what it is and immediately get why this is not "friends". Now I also have this one fear that Shin-ae will chase after Dieter to "fix" this, and, still in her denial, blurt out something like "what makes you even think there's something between me and Yeong-gi" and hoo boy ouch yikes where would he even start.....

We are gathered here together, unified by our common need to watch a man be TOTALLY PATHETIC about the girl he has feelings for, unified by our most ardent desires to watch him bask and wallow in a bath of regret and want and desire, united in our need to watch Shinae go through the 5 stages of realizing you're in love with one of your most important friends lfkjakjfakfjaflkjafkafjaf But YEAH YEAH that's it!!!! THIS is the stuff that makes romance plots so good and worthy. Like, you ship because you want to see them together, want to shove them in each others' spaces yeah but like the most crucial part to me is watching them BE A MESS about each other. Nol in agony - because Shinae can't see it because he LITERALLY PUT THE MOVES ON HER and she's just like :)? because she denies there being anything and what if he's wrong what if she DOESN'T feel the way he thinks she does what if it's him all alone out on this limb agony because he keeps pushing her away and he doesn't know when and how to stop fighting and she's fighting for him to show himself and he can't bare himself but he's also fighting for her to understand why he matters so much to her and to use the words anD AKLFAFKAFJKAFJKJAFJKAFKJAFJA ROARS

But YES YES YES I would LOVE to see her go to Rika and Maya about it. I don't know if she would, just because I don't know if she'd feel like it's something she needs to (or should) talk out BUT. I still want it! I want her to bond with them and open up to them! There's that whole thing about how she didn't want to be a burden and it upset Maya that she never reached out or asked for help and instead relied on strangers so it would be SO satisfying for Shinae to, embarrassed shy flustered go to them. Actually, no, now that I'm thinking about it, I think it could be a by product? Like she'd go to them talking about Dieter because maybe an outsider view will give her the perspective will convince her what she's telling herself (lying about) that yeah it sounds like Dieter just needs sleep. But to talk about Dieter she has to address what he oversaw and imagining her just.... venting at them about how she doesn't get it, what does Yeonggi/Nol even MEAN? It's not like they did anything weird or secret! And in that way she tends to, just go off on the tangent, the snowball is rolling down the hill and it can't be stopped. She's talking about how it was just a dance that doesn't mean anything it's not weird to goof around finger dancing is totally normal and Rika and Maya are just.... looking at each other. ALSO IT WOULD BE SO GOOD because Maya was always trying to set Shinae up with people and saddle her with someone else lmao but for her to be showing actual concern about a boy, actual FEELINGS, for her to start off talking about Dieter but end up venting about Nol and so consumed with how annoyed she is with him and how much she cares about him and what does he mean convince me? how is friendship not enough to care about him what does he even WANT FROM ME? and the thought of Maya telling her "you LIKE this guy!" and Shinae recoiling because NO! YOU ALWAYS WANT TO SHOVE ME OFF ON PEOPLE but Rika isn't denying it either, Rika who always calls Maya off when she's being too pushy, Rika who is more level headed

GOD.

I want Shinae to figure it out on her own but if it does have to be spelled out for her, that would be SUCH a fun way for it to play out lmao just like.... Maya shocked that Shinae ACTUALLY likes someone, Shinae unable to even take her seriously because she's Always Doing This, but Rika averting her gaze and chewing her lip thoughtfully aljafkafkjafj AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH Shinae just like no, no way you don't understand of course i don't of course i can't why would i? But THE FLUSTERS THE INTENSITY OF HIS GAZE THE THINGS HE MAKES HER FEEL THE WAY HER HEART RACED IN THE DARK WHEN HE GOT SO CLOSE TO HER SHE CAN'T HOLD HIS GAZE THAT SMILE /THAT SMILE/ WHEN HE WAS HUGGING THE BOYS AND HE SMILED OVER AT HER

scuttling up the walls yodeling ALFJAKFJAFKJAFKAJFLAFKAFJAF

We've been so pointedly kept outside of Shinae's mind all this time - which is so clever to deny us the gears turning in her head because the gears are NOT turning. She's exhausted, she's tired, she's been through hell, the sheer tensions of the night have drained her. I'm right there with @poisonheart too on Shinae needing to step away, eat some food, get some sleep - we keep talking about Shinae having the kind of dream that would make her face her feelings lmao something more direct than her own thoughts can be (the unhinged stalkyoo fans can has a dream kiss as a treat?) that makes her wake up and go "fuck what was that?!" but I am SO looking forward to when we DO get to see her thoughts, when we get to watch her work through it, agonize and fight through it. Frustrated because she doesn't get it, what does he mean how is "because we're friends" not good enough?! In fact, poison reblogged one of the other asks and her response is just SO good about how Shinae keeps trying to fit Nol into a Minhyuk-sized box that Nol just does NOT fit. And that's where Shinae keeps going in circles - unable to get to the real reason unable to see what Dieter saw. If I were better with words or more eloquent I'd say that there's something so fantastically similar about how Nol wore that blindfold deliberately and here is Shinae, unable to see Nol for what he is and instead try to see him through a best friend lens. She's so blind to it!

Also YES I love the dilemma of "what does this MEAN?" and the "DOES HE FEEL THE SAME WAY?" and remembering the way he looks at her and the way they interacted when they thought everyone was asleep, the way he's insistent that Dieter saw something that hurt him and how indirectly it's his way of saying it meant something to him AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH the shyness because how do you go see him after that?! how do you look at him talk to him when you now have this extra awareness when you realize it wasn't all the ramen you eat that's just your heart getting giddy about him aaaAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH

pls I need to watch her unpack it and then throw it all around and then try to pack it all again and realize that it's all out of the bag it's never going back in!!!!!

I also kind of have that fear/expectation about Shinae and Dieter - it just.... feels like her, right? To be so bull-headed that she ignores Nol because he doesn't know what he's talking about why is he making such a big deal just so determined to fix t even though as readers we know it will absolutely!!!! make it worse! Especially because HE KNOWS WHAT HE SAW!!!!! She can blurt that out all she wants but he can call her out on her bluff, tell her that's not what he saw. Ngl a part of me WANTS it to happen because the narrative impact would be so delicious! Dieter, the character who always keeps it together who always comforts people who sees things but holds his tongue breaking and snapping and his hurt seeping out a little because what does Shinae take him for? For her to tell him it means nothing would hurt even more because he knows better. Even if she can't see it in that moment even if she hasn't grasped it in that moment he knows and for her to pretend otherwise hurts AND is insulting.

Also in that vein, for Dieter, it's not even that he oversaw that tender intimacy, the way they laughed together, the way Nol's gazes would fluster her. The dance? The dance with all her bright radiant joy having so much fun, laughing after such a harrowing night but the HURT that followed! That whole painful conversation of Nol pushing her away and how much it hurts her and how much she wants to see him for him to open up and he can't and why that hurts her so much that she left and Nol, standing there all alone taking off the headband admitting he doesn't want her to see him like this. It's not just the tenderness he saw - it's how strong those feelings are, the extent to which it affects both of them. It's not that Nol pushed her away for fun - Dieter could see that Nol was disappointed he actually drove her away, hurt that he managed to make himself hurt her again OH THE AGONYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

For Shinae to try to insist that she doesn't like Yeonggi like that when Dieter already knows. When he can see what Shina means to Nol - and what he means to her. Why it hurts her so much. The day he and Soushi found her crying in the rain, why she was so torn up. The "Because you love him" just hanging like a banner between them, still flapping in the wind. He has seen how much she's been torn up over him this whole time.

This?

This is just overkill.

But yeah I have this fear/worry/expectation that she may try to chase after Dieter - because in her head that's the easy fix that one is much better to deal with. Nol being hot and cold? That's typical. Fix this first and then she can focus on the bigger issue but yes only making it a more painful mess ;____________;

In a way, she has already made up her mind when he decided to fight for their friendship. But this is different, this is new territory -- She needs to choose him again, consciously, fully aware of what it means! And THEN she can face him again, with an answer.

GOD I AM HOWLING I AM BARKING UP A TREE I'M CLIMBING THE WALLS AND SWINGING FROM THE RAFTERS YES YES YES /YESSSSSS/

Shinae deciding that no matter what, she'll be persistent like him, she'll find a new way to reach him, she won't give up and she'll keep fighting for him because that's how important he is was such a resolute choice grounded in her feelings and her wants. Wanting him to show himself!!! Wanting to see what he hides from everyone. Wanting him to be true with her, to be honest and real. What Shinae wants is so much deeper than merely friendship, so much deeper than just caring about a person. She wants all of him, every ugly part of him every vulnerable part of him everything that makes him who he is. She wants to be privy to all of it, and she doesn't see it!!!!! That she is acting on that love on those feelings on that need for ALL of him. GOD. But also yes, how he's so hot and cold and slips through her fingers and it confuses her!!!! He's so volatile, the stakes ARE so high! It's not just the danger by association, it's the way he hurts her when he doesn't want to/like it. It's the way he can't be as open and real and honest as she wants. But you are right, she has to choose him again, CONSCIOUSLY, knowing what it entails. GOD THAT WILL BE SO GOOD SOOOOO SATISFYING ;_____; AAAAAAHHHHHHH to make that choice knowing the stakes, knowing the feelings. To choose him.

Anon I am going to perish

[ofgentleresolve-a]

👍 😉 💯 👠 for Patrick! (Is someone going to take notes...pERHAPS IWUHEDUEHD, ALSO I hope this didn't get send more than once, dumblr's glitching on me IUWHEIDHWDE but if it did, I apologize! HOPE THESE ASKS ARE OK BUT PLS FEEL FREE TO SKIP ANY YOU'D LIKE! Have a great day, Ferre! :D)

time to put my muses on blast ( ft. sex+romance headcanons meme w/ @jeoseungsaja )

👍 Does my muse prefer to be asked on a date, or would they rather do the asking?

mmmm considering that he did the asking when it came to felicity, i do think he's more than comfortable with taking the initiative with starting a relationship if he has SOME INKLING that his feelings are reprociated. that being said if we're talking with regards to hyuk though, he would a hundred percent not mind if hyuk does the asking as well considering that a. by then these feelings have gone unspoken for so long, by the time they get to that point, everyone else is probably like 'it's about f-ing time' JFKLSJDFKLJ and b. well it's his best friend, how can he be upset about the way it unfolds?

😉 was answered, but lemme embarrass him some more ( for hyuk :D ) 😉 What are my muse’s fetishes/kinks?

JFKSLDJFLJ ALRIGHTY THEN ALEX, so you know he probably likes teasing and edging his partner, has great patience(tm) and would love to see how much he can get away with before they snap and drag him somewhere ( all consensual tho- if they're not comfortable with the teasing he'll stop no questions asked ) but for the most part, he is rather more on the vanilla side, less likely to be pushing for him and his partner to explore new forms of intimacy....he does like the idea of body worshipping his partner though, kissing all the parts he thinks need the most affection ( ie. the scars- yes, this applies to both verses :D )....and considering that he is a literary professor i feel like?? he'd be really good at sending dirty texts? but like classy raunchy texts and best part is that it can be done in public and no one would know for the better...JFKSLDJFL

okay, i just realized i talked about what he would like to do to his partner, but not necessarily what he would want done to him 😂 does this surprise me? no not at all considering that patrick tends to be the kind of person to think more about what can he do for his partner first than what can his partner do for him in bed, but honestly, if you make him feel wanted, loved, and safe ( esp. in black knight verse- he might get teary if you do that bc he hasn't felt that way in YEARS, it's really all about the emotional vulnerability here :'D ), that's all he needs to be content....also let him hold you in the aftermath, he's all for cuddling ( and cuddle him too he would like that even if he's not the best at asking for it PLEASE )

💯 What is my muse’s ideal date?

hmmmmm, as much as he does like books, i wouldn't say necessarily going to a bookstore simply bc?? he can already do that in his freetime and plus i think he would want to do something that's more interactive with his partner...i feel like he'd be big on window shopping simply because there's always something to comment on while looking around....he also likes the idea of going to the beach even if it is on a cloudy cold day. perhaps a good balance between these two would be walking on the boardwalk then??

in black knight verse, patrick's a lot quieter and exhausted so i feel like any activity that doesn't involve too much moving around or too much convo would be ideal for him....feed the pigeons with him. or take him somewhere where he can forget about his worries for a little bit ( the beach is a great starting point ) 🥲

👠 What was my muse’s last serious relationship like?

it was with felicity!! it was incredibly loving and sweet and not mention playful too...the two of them were always bantering/playing some kind of prank on each other...it was a bit like a competition in that manner too 🥲 that's probably the most openly playful patrick's ever been through out his life as felicity really opened him up and not to mention, helped him loosen up too. so when she passed away, he shut that side down real quick....got ten times more serious in the immediate aftermath 🥲

and because i feel like exposing patrick some more:

🍬 Is my muse a sub, dom, or switch?

in this house we switch or die- just kidding! although seriously, i do think he is a switch in that he's more than happy to go with whatever his partner wants to do ( for example, felicity tends to be more vocal and gungho about what she wants in bed and therefore he tended to be more submissive/a service top ) BUT also i do think once he gets familiar with his partner, once he knows what he wants, he will go for it :D it's really up to his partner though ( basically hyuk what r ur preferences, patrick would like to kno so he can make them happen- jskldfjsl )

[stormyoceans]

[VICE VERSA episode 1 part 2]

Okay but seriously I assume Puen went with such a flirty line because he’s lonely and doesn’t know how to make real friends and when Talay was being nice to him he opted for what he knows which is cheesy dialogue from his field of work, HE TRIED HIS BEST

One last thing @ part 1: who the hell goes that deep into the ocean with their glasses on, this is spectacle suicide, T a l a y

ALRIGHT PART TWO

Talay fleeing in the most conspicuous way possible

Nurse is just like “ah yes here’s another one”

Love how you learn so much about Tess just from the way his friends talk to Talay

“Are you okay, man?” I mean he did get beaten literally to death

Nurse, why are you politely asking them if the patient can have an X-ray, just kick them out

“You seem to be having fun with your friends” HOW EXACTLY

I don’t know about you but I don’t particularly mind that the whole universe-swapping is never explained (to my knowledge); because it’s /not important/, it’s just the set-up so the story can unfold, just a thing that happens in the world these charas live in and that’s fine

I appreciated that the Nurse didn’t make any shitty “hyuk hyuk I have titties now” or whatever the hell remarks but I seem to recall they said something about chasing women in another episode so nevermind, they suck

Poor Talay, no one knows what a colorist is

“will you tell me how we can go home?” “I will but it’s very contrived”

Loooove the switching shots between Ohm and Sea, they’re so good!!!

And I love how they don’t get a forced musical cue or anything, they’re just there

Talay, what are you doing on the bed…….

Imagine Puen seeing that

And instantly falling further in love

I didn’t recognise the couple in the car but a friend told me they’re from Enchanté, I think?

Look man the cameo’s cute but when someone drives far too slow in front of me I lose my mind, I DON’T CARE IF YOU’RE FRESH OFF THE ALTAR, MIND THE FUCKING SPEED LIMIT

What is that damn password, is this another reference that’s flying over my head

SFJKSGFKSGDKSG I MEAN. the last time i went to the beach i also did go pretty far into the sea with my glasses on BUT IN MY DEFENSE!!!!!!! i can't see anything without them and can't wear contact lenses ;;;;;;;;;; i guess talay and i just share the same braincell because i, too, would jump on any new bed i see and am ridiculously in love with puen

all the passwords for the association are actually references to 2gether and theory of love!! these two BLs and vice versa (and fish upon the sky) are all adaptations of novels from the same author, jittirain, which is kinda hilarious to me because i have wildly different feelings for each one of them, from mild dislike to THIS IS THE BEST THING I’VE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE I LOVE IT SO MUCH IT HAS BECOME MY WHOLE PERSONALITY. you don't really need to have watched them all, though, just know that vice versa has tons of references and easter eggs and cameos that work as call-backs to other BL shows, like the two grooms in the car who are, indeed, the same actors as akk and theo in enchanté

THE SWITCHING SHOTS BETWEEN OHM AND SEA ARE ONE OF THE BEST THINGS IN THE FIRST TWO EPISODES i understand why would some people get confused with the entire switching bodies concept, but i really think they did a great job with showing that we, as viewers, still see talay because we’re following his soul but the other characters in the alternate universe keep seeing tess’ body

also i agree with you, i love that there’s just enough exposition to make you understand what’s happening and to make the alternate universe feel REAL, but that they didn’t try to explain everything, because 1) that would have been impossible to do in the first place, and 2) like you said it’s not the point of the show, the body switching and the alternate universe are just narrative tools for talay’s and puen’s personal journey

SORRY THIS WAS KINDA SERIOUS BUT I JUST. I GENUINELY LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS SHOW

[translations-dark-matter]

Living as an Extra in an Omegaverse novel

Side story Chapter 17

They were having a conversation without even knowing that Ha Jin-seong was approaching. When he noticed, it seemed like he had already heard the whole conversation between the two people, so he couldn't say anything anymore.

“Since when have you been here?”

Se-hyeon first pointed Ha Jin-seong to an empty chair. Ha Jin-seong obediently pulled out a chair and sat down when Se-hyeon gave him a look telling him to sit down.

“I have a bad habit in eavesdropping on other people’s conversations.”

Shin Tae-oh immediately showed his displeasure towards Ha Jin-seong.

“What’s your fault for making so much noise without knowing who was approaching?”

At that time, Ha Jin-seong responded with a formidable response and the two started another tense fight.

“Just try it.”

A warning rang from Se-hyeon, who did not know who it was addressed to. When Ha Jin-seong and Shin Tae-oh turned around at the same time, Se-hyeon slowly raised his head and made eye contact with them one by one.

“If you’re going to keep fighting, I’m leaving.”

Shin Tae-oh and Ha Jin-seong fell silent at the same time. Only then did Se-hyeon soften his sharp eyes.

“First of all, it’s not a Kkulnyang (honey cat), it’s a Kkultteok (honey rice cake).”

Se-hyeon, who saw Ha Jin-seong's face crumpled, looked at Shin Tae-oh. When Se-hyeon asked if he could tell the truth, Shin-tae turned his head away as if it didn't matter. Rather than saying it really doesn't matter, I'd like to reveal it...

Anyway, having heard Shin Tae-oh's opinion, Se-hyeon pointed to his stomach.

“I’m pregnant.”

“I helped.”

Shin Tae-oh added something that didn’t need to be said. Since it wasn't a mistake, Se-hyeon stayed still and started speaking again.

“I happen to be speaking to you for the first time.”

Perhaps it would be better to announce it after it enters a stable period. Se-hyeon waited for Ha Jin-seong's reaction, wondering when it would be a good time to speak. I guess you'll say congratulations because we're friends, right?

“Am I the only one who needs to know this?”

Ha Jin-seong had serious eyes, and instead of congratulating him, he asked a question. Se-hyeon tilted his head, wondering who Ha Jin-seong was thinking of, but Shin Tae-oh snorted.

“Why did you ask such a question...”

Shin Tae-oh soon saw familiar faces walking towards the cafe and added. Se-hyeon followed him and turned his head.

“Ha Min-hyuk, Yoo Jin-ha.”

Ha Jin-seong and Ha Min-hyuk are brothers, so it was not strange for them to meet. Considering Ha Min-hyuk's personality of always wanting to be with Yoo Jin-ha, it's not strange that the two are together.

“Yoo Jin-hyeon...”

Yoo Jin-hyeon is Yoo Jin-ha’s brother, and he also knows Shin Tae-oh and Ha Jin-seong. It's not strange if Yoo Jin-hyeon is also with us.

“Park Ha-seong?”

I started to get a little confused when a person who had naturally commented on Ha Jin-seong's scentless pheromones and said that the artificial pheromones were pleasant appeared.

What kind of combination is this?

Even the man following behind seemed to be part of the group, and it was my first time seeing him.

“Choi Han-byeol...”

Lastly, Shin Tae-oh mumbled his name as if he was someone he knew.

So, five men gathered together and walked to the cafe. Handsome men were walking together like models walking down a runway, so all the people around looked at the group.

“Well… what kind of meeting did you have?”

When Se-hyeon looked at his face and asked him a question, Ha Jin-seong clicked his tongue and shook his head.

“We just happened to get together.”

While Ha Jin-seong was muttering as if he didn't know why he was like this, five men entered the cafe.

“If you want to hide it from them, hide it. Also congratulations."

Ha Jin-seong made it clear that he didn't have to say anything to Se-hyeon, and only then did he offer congratulations.

***

Three of these tables were put together and eight men sat around them. If you look clockwise from Se-hyeon, there are Shin Tae-oh, Park Ha-seong, Ha Jin-seong, Ha Min-hyuk, Yoo Jin-ha, Yoo Jin-hyeon, and Choi Han-byeol.

To be honest, Se-hyeon didn't want to be involved in this situation. He wanted to do it because he didn't mind if we just said hello and parted ways.

However, although no one else knows, Yoo Jin-ha was so happy to see Se-hyeon, and when Ha Min-hyuk asked to go to a different place, he was upset and begged if he could sit with them, so everyone got involved one by one.

“Se-hyeon is weak to Jin-ha.”

Shin Tae-oh, who naturally followed Se-hyeon because he could not refuse Yoo Jin-ha's offer, muttered. Since he knows that Yoo Jin-ha likes Se-hyeon, he isn't particularly dissatisfied, but he doesn't hide his annoyance.

“I met Se-hyeon hyung, and it would be easy to break up like this.”

Knowing why Yoo Jin-ha followed Se-hyeon, Shin Tae-oh just sat next to Se-hyeon in silence.

The eight men who took up space in the cafe still attracted people's attention.

He didn't just look at it that way from the outside. Se-hyeon felt very burdened by Choi Han-byeol's gaze, which was staring at his face without erasing the smile in his eyes for even a moment.

“Don’t look.”

Shin Tae-oh, who keenly sensed Se-hyeon's mood, put his hand right in front of Choi Han-byeol's eyes and blocked them.

“What? I want to see your lover...”

“It’s worn out.”

“Is it that much?”

Choi Han-byeol was not at all taken aback by Shin Tae-oh's words and showed interest beyond that.

This guy isn't normal either.

Se-hyeon, who had seen a part of the personality of Choi Han-byeol in just a few words, quickly hid his expression.

“Hello. My name is Choi Han-byeol.”

“I am Ahn Se-hyeon.”

“I heard a lot about you.”

“The boss won’t talk about me.”

Se-hyeon immediately changed the flow of conversation led by Choi Han-byeol. No, I didn't do it on purpose.

“I’m trying not to say anything because I’m afraid someone might be interested in me.”

“Ah... that’s right.”

Choi Han-byeol nodded obediently. At the same time, he seemed quite surprised to learn that Se-hyeon was seeing through Shin Tae-oh.

“You have a formidable personality.”

From what I heard from Ha Jin-seong about Se-hyeon, he was just a handsome and good-natured man.

“I didn’t hear anything from the boss, but...”

In fact, Shin Tae-oh never said a word about having a friend named Choi Han-byeol.

“I will take a good look at it.”

Choi Han-byeol showed a burdensome level of liking for Se-hyeon's neat arrangement, saying that it didn't matter if Shin Tae-oh didn't say anything.

“Is it good for each other to keep a certain distance?”

“I want to become friends from now on, right?”

“Where is the line drawn?”

“As far as not asking personal questions.”

When Se-hyeon told him exactly where the line was, a faint look of disappointment appeared on Choi Han-byeol's face. I knew he had a tough personality, but I was worried that I might get caught up in it if I did something wrong.

As soon as Se-hyeon closed his mouth after greeting Choi Han-byeol, someone else came out.

“I wondered if there was a need to gather in one place like this... but now there are two more people.”

It was Yoo Jin-hyeon.

He thought it was bad that Choi Han-byeol made a place for everyone to gather. Moreover, since Shin Tae-oh and Se-hyeon were added to the table, he couldn't help but be displeased.

“What are we going to do by gathering people like this?”

We didn't meet to have any kind of party. This is a place created for conversation.

“You might as well come to my studio and crack open a bottle.”

"No."

No one else but Shin Tae-oh cut off Yoo Jin-hyeon's complaints. Is it because I don't like the place or because I'm not allowed to drink alcohol...

“Se-hyeon can’t drink.”

Yoo Jin-hyeon looked at Se-hyeon as if wondering what that meant, and the eyes of other men also fell on Se-hyeon.

Suddenly, Se-hyeon, who was about to explain why, heard Ha Jin-seong mumbling in his ears.

“Why are you dating Shin Tae-oh?”

I know.

The pregnancy hasn't stabilized yet, but I can't believe we're opening it again like this.

Se-hyeon sighed and opened his mouth as if he had no choice.

“I am...”

“Se-hyeon becomes cute when he drinks.”

Se-hyeon frowned at Shin Tae-oh's excuse as he cut him off.

Cute? Who?

When Se-hyeon looked at Shin Tae-oh, 'Did I do well?' He narrowed one of his eyes with a frown.

“Se-hyeon, you drink a lot?”

While Se-hyeon was so embarrassed that she couldn't say anything, Yoo Jin-ha intervened as if it was strange.

“Just because you drink a lot doesn’t mean you will get drunk.”

“That’s true, but wouldn’t other people get drunk first?”

Yoo Jin-ha’s opinion was that then, whether it was cute or not, you wouldn't even see it.

“Jin-ha is cute when he’s drunk too.”

I ignored Ha Min-hyuk's salting that was digging into the gap.

“No way.”

“I’m suspicious because they say it doesn’t work like that, right? It seems like there must be another reason why you can’t drink.”

“...”

When Yoo Jin-ha gives him a suspicious look, Shin Tae-oh clamps his mouth shut with his stricken face.

“I guess Tae-oh is trying to hide something.”

Since he hadn't seen Shin Tae-oh for a day or two, Yoo Jin-ha quickly caught up with him. Ha Jin-seong's pitiful look in his eyes was a bonus.

In addition, Park Ha-seong, who had never once participated in all of this conversation, looked at Se-hyeon with interest and silently muttered, “Congratulations”.

There was no one as quick-witted as Park Ha-seong.

Se-hyeon touched his forehead, which was burning with embarrassment.

“Se-hyeon, why are you like this? Are you okay?"

Oh, Shin Tae-oh is making a fuss about it again.

“There really is something there.”

Yoo Jin-ha still couldn't shake off his doubts.

“Jin-ha, do you want to drink?”

Yoo Jin-ha, I hope Ha Min-hyuk…

“I did a good job making this place today.”

Even though it is the first time we see each other, Choi Han-byeol is as frantic as Shin Tae-oh.

“Aren’t you going to the studio?”

Yoo Jin-hyeon and...

“Just go home.”

Even Ha Jin-seong knows that the best thing to do is to get out of here...

Just being alone with Shin Tae-oh cancels out what he thought was crazy. The more people there are, the more frantic they become.

Se-hyeon answered in a voice that was neither loud nor soft to sort out this mess.

“Everyone be quiet.”

Everyone closed their mouths as if they had made a promise, and Se-hyeon smiled with a much better look on his face.

“Ggultteok (Honey rice cake) doesn’t like alcohol.”

Prev / Next

[ofgentleresolve]

@jeoseungsaja​​ sent:

"It's you, isn't it."  At this point, it's no longer surprising to catch a shadow plastered on the dilapidated wall. At this point, he can recognize said shadow; take note of the outline of unmistakable hat. There's a long pause after something that might sound like a revelation; his back facing the vigilante as fingers carefully graze long leafs of Lily of the Valley. A little, saddened smile tugs at his lips, before letting out an elongated sigh. "The one who puts water in this plant once in a while." Touch releases itself from the damp green, turning about so he can address the Black Knight.

He doesn't understand. Doesn't understand why the masked vigilante does these things: comes around whenever he pleases, for as long as the door remains with that shabby lock (a lock Hyuk himself hasn't even changed due to a million penurious excuses; it almost feels like the detective welcomes him through actions, even if his stubborn words might say otherwise) and, on top of that, is observant enough to tell when this plant needs water.

Hyuk knows Nakamura uses the watering can to give the Lily of the Valley much needed showers whenever he forgets to do so, but it's almost impossible for the plant to remain this damp after hours of its last round of water. Plus, he doesn't think it's a coincidence that the leaves have fresh droplets of liquid on occasions he's found the Black Knight inside his office. Truly? He could question him about it, be relentless and ask why he's doing this, why does he even care; continue with worded brawls until one of them lurches forward.

But he doesn't. Instead, he looks down, pretends that he's busying himself with something else as he walks to his desk and takes a paper crane that wasn't there earlier. Suki must've folded some papers around here. Again. He's too tired to mind tonight.

"Thank you." He finally says, in the shape of a whisper more than anything else. "That plant...the--flower---" What is he doing? Is he about to tell him what it symbolizes? God, he must be losing his mind now. Head lifts, looking at the Black Knight and those eyes that unnerve him.

 A hand waves in dismissal.  He can't. He'll be too vulnerable.

 "Nothing. Just...thank you."

(IDK WHAT THIS IS BUT KASHDIUWEDH PLS TAKE IT, I HOPE IT'S OKAY; AS ALWAYS PLS FEEL FREE TO DISMISS IF YOU'D LIKE, HAVE A FANTASTIC DAY FERRE C:!!!) || flowers!! + pain ( unprompted. )

For once, he does not flinch when the detective calls to him. How strange it has become, this ritual between the two of them to convene in Hyuk’s rundown office when the city trades its certainty for the illusion of peace. They both know better; a single lock, even one sturdier than the one Hyuk still has not replaced ( perhaps Patrick should nag him on it although most things roll off his dear friend’s back like water, irritants included. Inspector Im would know; Miss Nakamura would too ) doesn’t guarantee any safety. The best mechanism against danger is AWARENESS.

And yet, here the Black Knight is again, slipping through a window into the office awaiting one exhausted, bitter detective who has lost the plot according to his former co-workers, maybe even the public in general. He winces, a twinge of pain shooting up from his back, where the sutures he received the last time they spoke haven’t quite dissolved, the thread, pulling the skin there taut.

And yet, the Black Knight knows this tenderness isn’t only a physical sensation. Sometimes when he looks at his dear friend, it makes Patrick ache. The source of the pain is never clear in those instances and while he can pinpoint his back as one of the sources this time around, the whole picture remains blurry. The line between tangible and intangible blurs.

Sometimes, Hyuk reminds Patrick of an old wound, crusted from the passage of time. And yet still raw even after all these years: the way phantom limbs will ache even when the said ligament has been severed years ago.

Patrick remains leaning against the wall, the shadows obscuring half of his face, where his hat will not. His gloves are slightly damp from handling the watering can. If Hyuk were to check, there would be reminiscences of warmth wrapped around the handle in turn. The soil seemed on the dry side when he had slipped in through the window. Winters are never kind of flowers such as these. Patrick follows Hyuk’s gaze.

He hadn’t noticed it the first time around, that pot of flowers. He had been too busy, too focused on taking that USB Drive to pinpoint the source of that scent in the office. But it made sense the second time around, that coy scent of spring, lemons, and REBIRTH. A fragrance brave enough to make its presence known, but humble enough to avoid saccharinity. Coy, but not cloying. It settles over the office the same way the grief has settled over Hyuk in a heavy coat.

The Black Knight should be practical. He should tell Hyuk to get rid of that pot- doesn’t he realize it gives him away? Not everyone smells like a lily of the valley, this mute flower that not even the deftest of perfumiers can replicate. To keep such a plant in the vicinity will only invite more danger to Hyuk. And his colleagues.

And yet.

And yet.

“If you’re going to take care of it, do it right, or don’t try at all,” he says, half-heartedly. Perhaps in their earlier days, there would be more bite behind those words. And besides, Hyuk would most likely know better than anyone else how difficult it is to protect someone.

The flower jostles gently under Hyuk’s coaxing. The buddings rustle the way bells might and for once, he imagines something pleasant to accompany it- something like her laughter. Or maybe Hyuk thinks of him. Not the Black Knight, but of a Patrick Grace long since buried.

Patrick hasn’t seen one in years; his favorite flower- a native wildflower to the English countryside that signal the start of spring, a symbol of starting anew. And yet there is one more reason, in a box of memories he stashed away, he can recall for adoring this meek blossom-

“…Do you know you what it’s supposed to represent?” He pushes off the wall and approaches the pot as Hyuk takes his usual seat at his desk. A light scent washes over the smell of smoke and burning for the briefest of moments as his thumb grazes the top of a leaf. “The coming of spring. Humility. Purity of heart. A return to happiness.”

In other words, starting over. Coming to terms after mourning.

Moving on.

( That’s not something Patrick deserves, but he knew that when he put the mask on. The greatest mercy he can ask for is sweet oblivion in the end. )

Hyuk gives something akin to a smile and something in Patrick clenches. ( If it feels something like guilt or regret even, he won’t acknowledge it. ) He lets his hand drop and turns away from his beloved friend, sharply.

“You should take a lesson from it.”

[sanhabbu]

→ astro reaction to an argument with you

listening to "the other side of the door" by taylor swift (taylor's version) and somehow this happened. another shitty imagine, folks

KIM MYUNG JUN (MJ) ｡*♡

the one who avoids it at all costs and when it does happen, he'll try to talk it out like adults instead of getting mad and leaving but he'll give you space if that's what you want. not for a long time though because he's feels guilty about fighting.

PARK JIN WOO (JINJIN) ｡*♡

he's used to being the rational one as he's the leader but of course, everyone has a limit. i feel like he'll probably walk out of the room and get some fresh air before coming back and talk about happened. he'll do his best to understand your point of view, no matter how much he disagrees with it.

LEE DONG MIN (EUNWOO) ｡*♡

the calmest out of them all; what is anger??? but for real, he always makes sure to listen to everything you say first and then, explain his point of view. i think fights with him are very rare; he has this calm aura that we all love.

MOON BIN (BIN) ｡*♡

i see him also trying to talk it out but getting worked up easily so he'll probably leave and come back when he's truly taken the time to think about the situation and knows what to say exactly. he doesn't want to say things in the heat of the moment and hurt you.

PARK MIN HYUK (ROCKY) ｡*♡

he will try everything in his power to explain how he feels and what he thinks before it can even become a fight between you two; and he'll gladly hear you if you disagree with something he said. second calmest after eunwoo.

YOON SAN HA (SANHA) ｡*♡

like bin, he probably gets worked up easily so he needs some time before he gets back to you and talk but i also think fights with him can get heated quickly so it's better if you think things through until you can be sure nothing will happen.

[honest-kdrama-reviews]

Review #3: Twenty-Five Twenty One

WARNING: THIS POST DEF CONTAINS SPOILERS. PLEASE READ AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION IF YOU HAVE NOT WATCHED THE DRAMA. (I will do my best to label spoilers, but I’m not perfect.)

Unless you've been living under a rock and aren't on the Netflix K-Drama train, you have definitely heard something or another about this drama. As I'm writing this review, the last episode came out like a month ago. So, it's all pretty fresh! I put off watching it for a while because I just couldn't get into it. Of course, I love my boy NJH (Nam Joo-hyuk), but the plot takes a bit to get into. So, lets get right into it.

As I said before, the male lead is none other than the boyfriend of our dreams, Nam Joo-hyuk.

I've loved him in every single drama I've seen him in. Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo (my fave of his roles so far), Bride of the Water God, and Start Up. And this role was definitely no exception. I always find myself envious of female leads with him (lol). It seemed like his trope in this drama was a cute older boy next door type vibe. Was giving friendly neighborhood oppa that your mom wanted you to marry. In comparison to Strong Woman, he seems older and more mature. It has been five+ years, so that makes sense. Anyway, I could talk about him all day so let's move on.

The plot was such a cool original idea. I really liked how Hee Do's daughter got a front row seat to her mom's peak years of youth. (Small note, most of this drama takes place in the late 90's and I found that a lot of the fashion trends are on trend for today. So that's kinda cool.) The plot was relatively easy to follow, aside from me being confused by my own predictions not coming true for some reason (lol). I knew absolutely nothing about fencing going into this drama, but now I think I could watch a fencing match and at least somewhat understand what's happening there.

- The female lead definitely took time to grow on me. However, as she matured (and as I learned more about her), I found myself connecting with her. Hee Do is definitely the sweetest they get, full of grit and never willing to back down. I had never seen the actress before (Kim Tae-ri), but she did well.

- The supporting cast was absolutely wonderful. I found myself longing to be their friends, to go for late night snack runs with them, or to just be a part of the beautiful connection they had.

- The age gap between Hee Do and Yi Jin confused me a little. I know Korean age makes it even more confusing, but Yi Jin had been out of high school for four years and was hanging out pretty much exclusively with seniors in high school. I've been out of high school for a hot minute and wouldn't even consider hanging with high schoolers. Or even being my age and dating a high school senior. But no one else seemed to have a problem with that, so? And I guess they technically didn't actually date until she was basically done with high school? Still feels weird.

- (MANY SPOILERS HERE)I definitely hated Yu-Rim at first. However, I think they were going for that? Like, she was supposed to be a hateful bitch? So, when her attitude totally changes when she finds out that Hee-Do is Ryder37, it kinda gave me whiplash. OH LETS TALK ABOUT THE CHAT ROOM. I SWORE it was Yi Jin and was like "THATS SO CUTE I LOVE THAT" just for it be the bitch she hated the most? I mean, that obviously brought them together and yes I definitely cried when they hugged after their match in Madrid but STILL.

- (ALSO SPOILERS HERE!!!) THE ENDING WAS ASS. THERE, I SAID IT. I hate realistic endings idc. While I do understand the point they were going for, I didn't want it. I had spent 14 episodes convincing myself that Yi Jin was the father, just for their relationship to end like nothing. And that end credit scene with Yi Jin typing that Hee Do was his first love? So what? Is that a consolation prize? I finished this drama annoyed more than anything. I want to feel the warm fuzzies I usually feel when a drama is well done. We didn't even get to see Ji Woong and Yu-Rim get married. (Quick rant here) I hate how people are begging for more "realistic" dramas (like Nevertheless). I'm not watching a drama because I want something real. If that were the case, I would watch literally anything else. If it's not broken, don't fix it. I find comfort in the cliches, when I can tell exactly what a male lead is going to say after the female lead says the sunset is beautiful (looks at her and says "yes, it is."). Obviously, I want the industry to improve and find creative ways to tell stories, but a LaLaLand type ending is not it chief.

-The character that impressed me the most was most definitely Moon Ji-Woong. Even though he only had small windows to show his story, we were able to even see his growth through it. I really enjoyed his character growth and watching him realize that (SPOILER) he doesn't need the whole world to pay attention to him. He has people who love him for who he is.

-Like many of the Netflix dramas, this drama has a pretty dope OST. There were a few songs I wasn't like ecstatic over, but the vibes were there.

Rating for this drama: 8/10

Reminder that these are simply my opinions. If this is your favorite drama, I don’t mean to offend you. Feel free to put what you loved/didn’t love in the comments. Just be kind and remember that everyone like different dramas. Also please be nice to me, I am but a normal person. :)

[sophieoverett]

Disruptions of Ritual and Inciting Incidents

I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of a creative development series lately which has come with a lot of great advice and guidance on storytelling, from the extremely specific to the really broad and sweeping. It’s covered everything from character motivations to specific genre structures to audience expectation to interpersonal conflict, but one of the things that has come up over and over again has been the idea of disruption of ritual as pivotal to the establishment of a story.

It’s been interesting to hear it articulated this way, because when I’ve taught creative writing in the past, and when I’ve thought about my own writing, I’ve always talked about this concept as the world we leave behind. It’s the pre-inciting incident stuff – the introductory grounding stuff – whether that be Harry’s life before Hogwarts, or the Bennet’s home before Mr. Bingley moves in next door.

You establish a world – or a ritual – and then you break it open.

It’s in the schism, in the disruption, where your story finds it’s legs and starts to move.

It’s had me thinking a lot about the relationship between the disruption of ritual and the inciting incident of a story, because in a lot of ways, that disruption of ritual directly sets up the latter. A story like Bridgerton has the disruption of ritual in Phoebe making her debut – a change for the whole family – but the inciting incident is really her collision with Simon Hastings and their mutual decision to fake a courtship. Similarly (but differently), Harry Potter has the disruption of ritual when the owls start descending on the Dursley home in the lead up to Harry’s birthday, but the true inciting incident is when Hagrid tells Harry he’s a wizard. Neither of these inciting incidents could’ve happened without the disruption to the character’s lives that got us there.

When we talk about inciting incidents, we’re ultimately talking about the point of no return for your protagonist. Where they either make a choice, or have a choice thrust upon them, it’s one they can never go back from.

How the disruption of ritual lays the groundwork for the inciting incident though is important. It’s not just creating the first bubbles of conflict to pop, but it’s a key part of establishing who your character is and what world they exist in.

But what does that look like? Generally speaking, I find it’s useful to think of this sort of pre-inciting incident (or disruption of ritual world) in three categories:

Change of Circumstance

Change of Environment

Change of Information

So let’s break that down a little!

Change of Circumstance

I think this one is probably the most common.

I’ve watched a lot of new movies lately and I think change of circumstance is at the heart of all of them – in Nomadland, Fern’s husband has passed away and she’s had to move into a caravan out of financial necessity; in The Father, Anthony’s daughter is moving to Italy and so she tells him he’s being moved into an aged care facility for his dementia; in Those Who Wish Me Dead, Hannah, a firefighter, has been benched after freezing during a fire which lead to the death of two teenage boys.

While all these changes are environmental too (which I’ll come back to in a second), they’re more punctuated by the impact these circumstances have on these characters – Fern is grieving, Anthony is losing his agency and independence, Hannah’s role in a job she loves has been diminished.

These changes to circumstance create the context for which the inciting incidents begin and ground the characters within their own emotional arcs. The inciting incident in Those Who Wish Me Dead is when Hannah finds another teenage boy in the woods who’s being chased by assassins; in The Father, the inciting incident comes when Anthony’s daughter hires a new nurse that reminds him of his other, dead daughter, in Nomadland, Fern connects with a seasonal worker at an Amazon factory who in turn connects her to the nomad lifestyle.

In this sense, the disruption of ritual starts a conversation that the inciting incident can either build off or interrupt or both. The examples above are all pretty big, but these sorts of circumstantial disruptions can be anything. They can be as simple as a promotion at work, a pregnancy, a new neighbour; or hell, you can go the other way, and get even bigger – start a war, go on the run, discover a new planet! What’s important though is that initial change of circumstance creates context for your protagonist and builds towards your inciting incident.

Change of Environment

This one is still pretty common, but I’d say it’s often used most efficiently and effectively in horror and fantasy.

Moving house or exploring new territory, whether that be campsites or cave dives or new planets or planes, is a natural way of putting your characters off-kilter and building environmental tension. This tension is really steeped in the unknown of the space your protagonist is interacting with, and in the promise of conflict within it. Movies like The Descent, Hush, Lord of the Rings and Star Wars are all fundamentally steeped in their opening acts involving drastic shifts to their environments that build conflict, whether that be because an environment becomes something to protect (Hobbiton in Lord of the Rings), or something that the protagonist needs to be protected from (The Descent), or that environment being invaded (Hush) are all factors that are essential to the story overall.

In these stories, these environments aren’t just a stage for the character to move across, they’re deeply interactive and often allegorical to the character’s circumstances.

My Neighbor Totoro is one of my favourite examples of this – Satsuki and Mei’s move to a new home whisks them into a magical world with soot spirits and forest creatures, but these spirits and creatures are an escape from the reality that they moved because their mother is sick in a hospital nearby. The environment they’ve moved to is them clinging to a child’s world as they live ever closer to their trauma.

The most important thing to think about with environmental change is to ask why? Environmental change isn’t about simply presenting a stage for your characters – all stories have that – but that that environment be a motivator in your character’s overall arc. After all, Nomadland might deeply love the American landscape, but Fern’s story is driven by circumstance, not environment, as I mentioned above.

Change of Information

Probably the least used of these three, an information disruption is often reserved for stories about whistleblowers or journalists. Spotlight, Bombshell, All the President’s Men, hell, even The Bourne Identity all rely on a transfer of knowledge as pivotal to creating the conflict that the story builds on.

Change of Information involves a character learning something that they didn’t know before, and the information could seem incidental in the first act (the journalist in Citizen Kane for instance learning that Kane’s final word was ‘rosebud’, or Adrian Toomes realizing there’s alien tech in what he’s been assigned to clean up in Spiderman: Homecoming), or it could be left as a landmine for our protagonists to discover (Spotlight did this by opening with the cops in the 1970s talking about the child molestation charge that our protagonists would start investigating in 2001), or be the overall driver for the film (Min-hyuk telling Ki-woo about the Park family in Parasite).

I think Change of Information set-ups though can also be broadened out to tie pretty closely with Change of Circumstances set-ups to the point that I actually almost considered condensing the two, but I do think they’re different enough to be untangled. Parasite of course straddles all three in its brilliance as the information Min-hyuk gives Ki-woo of the Park family creates both a change in circumstance and environment too, and Midsommar is a movie I’d consider to be all three too – knowledge changing hands is essential to that film overall, and the focus in the first act of Dani finding out that her sister’s commit suicide is pivotal to everything that follows. Her change of circumstances and environment hinges on her grieving her sister, yes, but the weight of the opening act is on the discovery of that more so than it is on Dani’s circumstances changing. Life goes on is, in many ways, pivotal to that first act.

Change of information, to me, is about a character’s awareness of something creating that initial disruption overall, and that new knowledge being the ultimate plot and character driver for the rest of the story. It’s the new knowledge or awareness that creates story mobility, environment and circumstance can just come along with it.

What are you talking about, Sophie?

Right, sorry, haha.

Disruption of ritual is ultimately the shift in the story that allows for the inciting incident to happen. It’s what creates the perfect storm of circumstance, environment and information which fuels your characters, but what you choose to prioritise and emphasise is going to impact the direction of your story and provide your readers or audience with the context that shapes their experience overall.

What drives your characters is what determines their path throughout the story you’re telling, and considering circumstances, environment, and the information they do or don’t possess is an important part of shaping that. You don’t have to pick one, of course – as I mentioned above, a lot of great stories embrace two or all three! – but thinking about each and asking yourself why and working out what’s the priority for your protagonist might just help you articulate the crux of your story and give you an opening act that resonates.

[katierosefun]

Are you normal or do you think about the canon fact that Han Kiwan's nickname for Kwon Hyuk is 'puppy' over and over

Tell me your thoughts, what. are. your. headcanons. for them. I have some brainrot about it (about them) and about Kwon Hyuk in general, but mostly the messed up Han family?? I think you get it

oh god anon . . . okay, this got long. give me a second.

i am so glad that you think i get it, because i've so quietly thought about the eternally fucked up dynamic that is the han family. while i'm not entirely sure if puppy is the same as we would use in english ("똥개새끼" is probably closer to son of a bitch, although the 똥개 part does mean "puppy". (ie. i have fond memories of my mom teasing my brothers and me by calling us "똥강아지", which roughly translates to puppy.) in any case, i still find it interesting that han ki hwan chooses the "똥개새끼" term instead of the more typical "개새끼", which is probably closer to son of a bitch--except "똥개" is funny because he really did choose to refer to hyuk as even a puppy in his son of a bitch-ness. i don't know how coherent this brief etymology lesson was, but it's funny!)

(i mean, i also don't know if maybe i'm just totally reading too much into this because i'm speaking from a very korean-american perspective, so who knows, maybe it really is more common to call people "똥개새끼" instead of "개새끼" these days.)

but anyways. anyways. i suppose to get back to your question: what the fuck is it with han ki hwan and kwon hyuk? good question! to be honest, whenever i think about them . . . as anything more than a weird employee-employer situation, my skin crawls, but there's so many . . . weird interactions between those two, and also? if i'm being honest? i kinda also see hyuk and ki hwan as an interesting . . . mirror to whatever is going on with joo won and dong sik. (i don't really want to say foil, but there's enough parallels: the fact that both are very much older man/younger man pairings, dong sik seeming bent on feeding joo won, while ki hwan only kinda pretends to feed hyuk as a way to get information . . . only where dong sik is genuine, ki hwan is cold and insincere and all the awful things.)

but of course, that's only the tip of the iceberg. the han family in itself is strange--a mother locked up in an institution, a son who's sent away to boarding school immediately, a man who calls himself a husband and father only when it's convenient for him . . . it kinda wouldn't surprise me if han ki hwan really did get his way with hyuk--and hyuk, i mean. i love him so much (and i'm so glad about the fate of his character), but also, he's smart. he's an opportunist. he's willing to lose his dignity a little bit if it means he might get ahead.

of course, this gets all the more complicated when i think about joo won and hyuk's relationship--because the thing is, even for all his standoffishness, i think joo won actually kinda . . . likes hyuk? or at least recognizes that hyuk is smarter than he lets on, and so he's even more disgusted about why a smart guy like him is working for an asshole like han ki hwan.

i imagine at some point, joo won actually semi-getting along with hyuk--at least, enough to call him hyung, something that makes hyuk beam because he knows that this young princeling would rather die than refer to anyone like that, but then one day coming back to the house (never a home, always a house), joo won finds something that makes him realize that his father's nabbed one more thing from himself. again.

(maybe the office door is partially open? maybe joo won finds a shirt that he knows isn't han ki hwan's? maybe he hears a low conversation behind a closed door and recognizes two voices. maybe it's just as simple and subtle as joo won eating dinner with hyuk and ki hwan (on one of the few times they actually eat dinner together), and then joo won notices a shift in the conversation between the three of them, and he notices that hyuk's collar is just slightly undone, and joo won looks at his father and he just knows.

joo won excuses himself from the table and promptly vomits up his food in the bathroom. hyuk comes close, but joo won slams the door in his face.)

and i think hyuk would feel bad about it, privately. i think he would note joo won immediately drawing away (which makes me think a lot about hyuk's gentle "let hyung take care of it" in the beginning of the show), and i think he would try to make joo won understand that it's not all that bad (because besides. hyuk thinks he can at least minimize whatever storms brew between joo won and ki hwan).

(joo won hates it anyways. he despises it. he's never liked touching people, but now he really can't stand hyuk putting his hand on his arm. he can't stand thinking about how he might have actually dared to think hyuk might be a person he could at least somewhat trust, especially after ten years--but now his skin crawls when he sees hyuk standing in han ki hwan's office.)

(and hyuk. it's all partially a game to him--he knows it, and he knows that han ki hwan knows it. maybe that makes things more exciting, but maybe that actually makes things worse, because i think hyuk knows that this knife's blade of a game will forever be unbalanced.)

(it's a relief when it all ends. hyuk does away with han ki hwan for good. he talks to joo won more these days. no one mentions han ki hwan for a long time.)

[kpopimaginings]

Drunken FWB (NSFW)- Donghae + Eunhyuk

A/N: For my lovely @muselin​ who requested a D&E smut. Thank you for the idea, this was really fun to write :)

You and your friends Donghae and Eunhyuk were enjoying a relaxing evening with each other and some alcohol. Given your history of getting drunk with Eunhyuk, you should have guessed where the evening was going to go and warned Donghae, but that didn't occur to you until it was too late.

The two of you had never actually discussed the situation but seemed to have accidentally become friends with benefits when alcohol got involved. Tonight was no different.

It started as innocent conversation and laughs, but Eunhyuk slowly creeped closer and closer to you on the sofa until your legs were touching. Your hand instantly came to rest on his thigh, inching higher and higher. His hand then snaked around your waist before coming to rest on your hip, pulling you tight into him and tracing circles there with his thumb.

If Donghae noticed something odd at this point, he certainly didn't voice it. It wasn't until Eunhyuk started kissing along your neck and shoulder that Donghae raised an eyebrow.

"Am I missing something?" he asked.

"What do you mean?" you replied.

He simply gestured between you and Eunhyuk who was busy leaving a hickey at the crook of your neck.

"Oh," you exclaimed realising why Donghae was confused. "It's just something that happens if we're drunk and horny."

"You should join us," Eunhyuk suggested suddenly.

"What?" Donghae replied in utter shock.

"Oh, that could be fun," you chimed in, perfectly happy to go along with Eunhyuk's plan.

Donghae let out a chuckle of disbelief over the fact that he was having this conversation with two of his closest friends. "You're kidding right?"

"Come on, she's good I promise," Eunhyuk continued to try and persuade him.

"How would you know if you are always drunk?"

"Yah, I'm never so drunk I can't get it up, so I think I'm sober enough to remember. If you join in, I'll let you choose where you go."

Donghae looked at you quizzically.

"It doesn't make a difference to me who's at what end," you shrugged.

For a moment, Donghae just sat staring between the two of you.

"You're actually serious about this, aren't you?" he asked finally.

"Completely," you confirmed.

"Won't it make our friendships weird?"

"Hasn't done with me and Hyuk," you pointed out.

"And there is an offer of a blow job?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"If that's what you want, sure."

Donghae still wasn't 100% but you could tell he was now seriously considering the idea.

"You can either stay in here and drink by yourself while we get busy, or you can join in," Eunhyuk said.

"OK, I'm in," he agreed eventually.

"If you are ever unsure or change your mind, just say," you said, gesturing for him to join you on the sofa.

Following your lead, he walked towards you. As he sat down, you reached out and began to palm him through his trousers, Eunhyuk now readjusting his position to do the same to you.

When Eunhyuk pulled away from you and stood to begin unfastening his trousers, you started to play with the button on Donghae's jeans. He showed no signs of unease at the gesture and so you continued, fully freeing him from the confines of his clothing.

Eunhyuk repositioned you so that you were on all fours of the sofa, before pulling your underwear down and grabbing a condom from his wallet to roll down his length. While he was preparing, you ducked down to lick Donghae from base to tip. His head fell back against the sofa as you finally took him in your mouth.

Grabbing your your hips Eunhyuk adjusted you both so that he could slide into you. His movements were slow at first, making sure that you were comfortable with the intrusion. You hardly reacted to him as you focused on pleasuring Donghae. It wasn't until he then pulled out of you and snapped his hips harshly back into you that you back to moan around the younger man.

The three of you quickly fell into a rhythm together, Eunhyuk's thrusts pushing you onto Donghae at a steady pace. As Donghae got more comfortable and lost himself in the moment, one of his hands came to rest on the back of your head, his breaths growing shallower as his neared his end.

You pulled off him for a moment to speak. "Hyuk, more," you moaned, before resuming your actions.

Luckily, Eunhyuk caught your meaning, one hand moving from your hip to between your legs, his hips never slowing. As you started to feel you climax building, you started to hollow out your cheeks, intensifying the feeling for Donghae and encouraging him to reach his high too.

Donghae was the first to fall apart and you'd barely swallowed him down, when Eunhyuk pushed you over the edge. He wasn't far behind you, pulling out before long and allowing you to redress.

You you sat back down and leant on Donghae's shoulder, while Eunhyuk disposed of the condom before collapsing on the other side of you.

"So, Hae, are you pleased we talked you into that?" asked Eunhyuk.

"Very," Donghae replied. "And if it happens again, maybe we can swap places."

You chuckled and Eunhyuk agreed.

"Plenty more drunken nights in our futures then," you chimed in, smiling at your friends, and the perfect arrangement you'd accidentally fallen into.

NAVIGATION  |  SUPER JUNIOR MASTERLIST

[sorryimananti-romantic]

Mist | Choi San | Chapter 4

Pairing: Choi San x OC (Seohyun)

Genre: supernatural (ghost), romance, high school

Trigger Warnings: paranormal, death mentions, violence

Words: 6.6k

Disclaimer: I do not own anything except my original character and the story. I do not own any gifs or pictures used.

Full story on Wattpad (don’t spoil here if you read there too)

chapter directory

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Seohyun was waiting for Jiwoo for quite a while now, sitting on the desk in her room, doodling in her notebook. She sighed as she shut it, a bit frustrated. It was not like Jiwoo to leave her hanging.

Seohyun considered going out; it was highly likely that Jiwoo was at their usual spot- the park near the school, her home, or the accident site. It was about 10 pm. Wasn't that late, was it? She got up, but stopped.

Maybe Jiwoo needed space.

It was probably this, but Seohyun couldn't help fearing that she had just moved on. If she'd gotten her memories back, that could mean that she was a whole different person now. She might not be the Jiwoo she knew anymore.

Seohyun fell on her bed, staring at the wall, and suddenly felt goosebumps.

"Took you long enough," Seohyun said, not bothering to look at Jiwoo, who had just entered the room.

"Don't tell me you were waiting for me," Jiwoo smirked.

"Oh, why would I?" Seohyun smirked back, and made space for Jiwoo, who sat on the bed with her. "So?"

"So, my dear friend," Jiwoo began, clearly excited to tell her her life story.

And she did. She was Ahn Jiwoo, daughter to two loving parents and a sister to a 16 year old brother. She'd had a pretty normal life; her father was a finance manager and her mother a housewife, and she had a lot of friends during her school years too. The rumours about her father being some sort of criminal were wrong; she had to face those rumours in her life too. They had her confused with another Jiwoo in her class.

"So we were a group of four friends; 2 boys and 2 girls. I was kind of a rebel in my last few months of life, because I just found life boring. I wanted an adventure. Something new. I wanted to travel too. So I was suggesting to my friends that we should do something. They were all busy in their own ways, and I didn't understand. I kept bugging them. So when we were in that restaurant, we had an argument. I knew it was my fault. I stormed off, and I was just about to go back when I got hit by a car."

"Oh... so then you went to the hospital, and they found out you lost your memories?"

"Right," she said, "But I was already in a critical condition. Brain damage led me to death."

"Ah..." Seohyun stared at her. Jiwoo's eyes were sad as she told her this, but she looked content. "So the reason you stayed..."

"The reason I stayed was not one, but two. I wanted to make sure my friends didn't blame themselves and my parents had moved on. And I spent the whole day making sure that was the case."

"And the other reason?"

"I want an adventure," she said and smiled brightly.

"Ugh, you ghosts! You stay for the most stupid reasons!" Seohyun mocked and dramatically threw her head in her hands, which made Jiwoo hit her with a pillow until she was laughing.

"That's my last wish, Seohyun. You think you could do that for me? Go on an adventure with me?"

"Haven't you had enough of adventure though? I mean, living with me is an adventure in itself-"

"I already talked to San," Jiwoo said, catching her attention. "He actually thought it was a nice idea. So we're going on an adventure this week. He said he'll make it a surprise for me."

"Hey, hey, that's not fair? You didn't even ask me!"

"I didn't have to," Jiwoo flipped her red hair.

------------

"I don't know why I ever agreed to this," Seohyun sighed, handing her bag to Wooyoung who put it with the other few bags.

"Stop being a boomer and get in," Wooyoung said, and Seohyun did, muttering how she should have never suggested this.

"Should've thought before you planned all of it," Jongho snickered and Seohyun shot a glare.

"Everybody's in?" Hongjoong asked and they looked at each other, shouting a yes. Hongjoong gave a thumbs up and took the front seat of the van after shutting the door.

Everyone, including Jiwoo, who couldn't stop smiling, were seated. Seohyun had asked her mom to lend her a van that could fit 10 people, and though her mom had raised her brows in question, she had agreed when Seohyun said it was a trip with friends. She had just been surprised she had friends that were not ghosts, so without further questions (quite conveniently) she agreed, on the condition that the driver would be someone from the company.

She did raise a question when she found out that she was the only girl in the whole group, and there were only 9 people. Seohyun finally told her she was doing a favour for a ghost who had saved her life, and her mother made her promise she'd tell her the story someday.

They were going to Muchangpo Beach. They decided they'd see the sunset there. It was close to Seoul and the only place they could afford to travel and have an 'adventure'. They'd have a fun time, the boys promised, saying everything was fun when they were together.

Jiwoo was sitting between San and Wooyoung, and the three of them were chatting. Seohyun smiled when she saw that San was her voice; he'd say whatever she had to say.

She herself was in the middle row with Seonghwa and Yeosang by her sides. The two of them were also half bent backwards, listening to whatever the three of them were talking about. Seohyun had plugged her earphones in but she wasn't playing any music yet. She just listened to them talk.

"Tell us something about Seohyun," Wooyoung asked, giggling. Seohyun smiled inwardly.

"Well, Seohyun," Jiwoo thought, "she's quite rude, isn't she?"

"She's quite rude, isn't she?" San did his job, and the five of them laughed.

"She's not that rude,~" Seonghwa casted a glance at her, sighing in relief when he thought she couldn't hear him. Seohyun bit her cheek from the inside to stop smiling.

"She's scared of crows, of all thing," Jiwoo revealed, and the boys laughed a little. "She'll never show it, but when more than three crows are around, she runs for her life."

"Ah, I haven't ever noticed," Yeosang said, rubbing his chin, "she can hide it really well."

"Tell us some ghost story," Wooyoung asked. He was clearly enjoying this.

"I have a good one!" Jiwoo exclaimed and everyone seemed to scoot closer. "There was once a boy about her age who had the most stupid reason to not move on."

San almost stopped as he narrowed his eyes at Jiwoo and she assured him it was not Joon Hyuk. So San told the boys, and asked them to guess.

"He wanted an adventure too?" Yeosang laughed.

Jiwoo pouted, but said it could fall in that category, but it was a different sort of adventure. She told them to let their imagination run wild.

As San told the boys, Seohyun decided this was her cue to interrupt. "We are NOT going to talk about that!"

Wooyoung screamed a little in surprise. "Weren't you listening to music?!"

Jiwoo was just laughing and Seohyun bared her teeth at her, making everyone laugh and wonder just what sort of adventure did the boy want. After a hundred pleads from the boys, Seohyun finally told them that it didn't actually happen; she just threatened the ghost in unimaginable ways, making him move on without his desire.

"I think I have an idea of what happened," Yeosang thought, amusement in his eyes, "But I am too afraid to voice it out."

"I think you got it then," Seohyun nodded in approval and Yeosang gaped at her.

"You got it tough, friend," he said, patting her shoulder to comfort her. San and Wooyoung were pouting very loudly, and Seonghwa just stared at Yeosang and Seohyun as understanding passed between them.

"You both are so weird," Seonghwa finally said.

"If I tell you, Seonghwa, you'll drown in shame. Better protect your ears and your pure mind," Seohyun grinned.

San and Wooyoung exchanged glances, frowning, but they shook their head. It couldn't be that bad. Could it?

Seohyun plugged her earphones again, deciding she'd take a nap and actually played music this time.

-----------

"We're here!"

Seonghwa shook her awake, and Seohyun slowly opened her eyes, her hand going in front of her eyes as she blocked the sunlight. She took off her earphones and the sound of waves hit her, making her smile. She adjusted her green dress that reached below her knees, and put her hat on.

She saw that Jiwoo was already out, running along the beach, and San was watching her with a smile on his face. He turned back, meeting eyes with Seohyun, who suddenly felt out of breath.

San was handsome- painfully handsome. And the plain white shirt he wore didn't help. His hair was flying due to the breeze and he ran a hand through them, cocking his head to the side as he watched her.

The sun making his skin glow didn't help either.

Seohyun cleared her throat and joined him, and they both watched Jiwoo, in her jeans and green T shirt that she had died in- her permanent outfit, running as freely as she could, her red hair flowing behind her, her laugh ringing in the air.

"I didn't know she'd be that happy to see the beach. Hasn't she been here before?" Seohyun asked.

"I think she has. She knew the way. And I'm almost suspicious she's doing this just to annoy you," San answered.

As if on cue, Jiwoo stopped, doing a weird dance, then started twerking-

"And that's our cue to look away," Seohyun grabbed San, now laughing, by his arm and went to join the others. "They didn't have to come. They can't see her."

"We figured out a way to enjoy with her even if we can't see her," San smirked.

And that was how, a few moments later, they all were assembled in a circle playing cards.

"Why do I think San and Seohyun are cheating on us with Jiwoo?" Yunho looked at them suspiciously.

"How do you think the cards are in the air?" Seohyun asked, and Yunho grinned. She had a point. To anyone who could not see Jiwoo, it would look like a bunch of cards were in the air.

"I WON!" Jiwoo smacked the final card and jumped in the air. Seohyun gaped at her.

"You cheated!" She shouted.

"I was sitting with you the whole time, don't give me that shit," Jiwoo smirked.

San told them that she had, indeed, won without cheating and everybody groaned. Mingi dragged the food basket and him and Jongho started spreading the food.

"Can she really not eat?" Jongho asked.

"I'm afraid not," Seohyun answered.

"Isn't it rude to eat in front of a ghost?" Jiwoo put her hands on her hip and Seohyun popped a cherry in her mouth, saying, "It is."

San scoffed. Jiwoo kicked Seohyun's leg lightly and said she was going to walk. The rest of them started to eat.

"I heard the sunset here is very pretty," Seonghwa said.

"I've been here before," Mingi took a bite of his sandwich, "It really is the prettiest."

After eating a little, Seohyun looked in the distance where Jiwoo was standing near the shore, the waves flowing near her. Jiwoo looked back and started walking towards them, then stopped halfway and gestured at them to come.

"She's calling us," San said, and they all got up, joining Jiwoo.

"I want to play in the water," Jiwoo said.

"What's stopping you?" Seohyun asked.

"With you all, you dumbass," Jiwoo laughed and took her hand, leading her to the shore.

"Hey, hey, easy there," Seohyun laughed and let out a little yelp as the waves hit her bare feet. "The water is so cold!"

Jiwoo bent down and sprayed the water on Seohyun, smirking.

"Oh no, you did not!" Seohyun bent down and sprayed back before she could run. And so started a battle of getting each other wet. They all forgot all their worries for a while, running around in the waves, laughing as loudly as they could, laughing even louder when one of them got Jiwoo. By the time it got darker, they were all quite wet.

Yunho and Yeosang ran back to get towels for everyone, throwing them one each, and wondering if Jiwoo should have a towel. Seohyun said there was no need, but Jiwoo snatched hers once she was done.

"The sunset's here, guys," Yeosang said.

They all stood silently, side by side, watching the sky change to brilliant shades of candy, the sun reflecting on the sea. It was breathtakingly beautiful. At some point, Jiwoo crossed her hand with Seohyun's, and she turned to look at her face. Her red hair shone brightly and her eyes were wet.

"I want it to be the last thing that I see before I go," Jiwoo almost whispered. Seohyun's heart sank in her knees. It was really happening.

Jiwoo looked at San and smiled widely, San smiled back and waved at her. Jiwoo asked him to tell everyone that she was thanking them for doing so much for her. They all assured her it was nothing, and said they were gonna miss her.

San looked at Seohyun, nodding and urged the others to come with him. Only Jiwoo and Seohyun remained now, facing the sunset.

"It's really happening," Jiwoo finally said. A cry of pain escaped Seohyun's mouth. She couldn't take it anymore. Jiwoo rubbed her hand comfortingly, making her face herself. "You've given me an adventure. The time I spent with you, that was enough. Today was for you, Seohyun."

"Are you serious?" Seohyun asked.

Jiwoo nodded. "I told everyone it was for me, but no. It was for you. A gift for helping me out so much. For being a friend. A little sister that I always wanted."

Seohyun smiled sadly, "I'm gonna miss you so, so much. I got used to you, I shouldn't have."

"I know," Jiwoo smiled, kissing her forehead and wrapping her in a hug. Seohyun closed her eyes and inhaled. "Don't cry on me right now, Seohyun."

Seohyun laughed a little. "I'm trying not to, you're making it harder by reminding me!" She opened her eyes and saw the boys, watching them from a distance.

"I hope you'll open your heart more, Seohyun. That's my last wish. You had a tough life, but you have so many people, dead and alive, who love you. I hope you remember that, always."

"Unnie..." A tear escaped Seohyun.

Jiwoo watched the sunset, Seohyun in her arms, and it was perfect.

She closed her eyes.

----------------

Seohyun felt it, felt her presence fade away. She was no longer hugging Jiwoo. She stood for a few seconds before finally collapsing on the sand and she shuddered as tears began to flow. She put her face in her hands and cried her heart out.

The boys approached her, sitting around her, rubbing her back, telling her that it was okay. She just cried and cried, and she knew she was letting go of Joon Hyuk along with Jiwoo too. The proper goodbye that she had so badly wanted, she finally got it.

San put her arms around her and brought her closer, caressing her hair. After a few minutes, she was out of tears. She let her hair cover her face as she rested her head on San's shoulder, trying to normalize her breath.

Jongho handed her a water bottle. She managed a smile and took a few sips, rubbing her eyes. The boys looked at each other. They weren't sure what they should do next.

"God damn me if I ever befriend a ghost again," Seohyun said and finally laughed, making everyone else laugh along.

"Are you okay?" Hongjoong asked.

"Yes, I am, actually," she said, wiping her eyes again. "I'm done crying for a while now." Her eyes went to San, who understood and smiled.

"Alright, let's get some dinner."

-----------

The driver had dropped Seohyun home now, and was on the way to drop the rest of them. As Seohyun entered her home, it felt strange. She felt utterly alone now that she knew Jiwoo wasn't gonna be back ever.

She tried to recall the time, only a few months ago, when she hadn't met Jiwoo yet. What did she even do in her spare time? She could not remember.

Seohyun went in her room and changed into her PJs first. After she combed her hair and scrolled a bit, she got up to turn off the light and saw something lying on her desk.

It was a painting. Of Jiwoo and her, cheek to cheek, smiling, the black cat in their arms. Seohyun gasped a little and examined it. It was really well drawn. Who made it?

She turned the page and saw something written on the back of it:

Seohyun,

I remember now that I loved painting. Since we don't have any photos, I captured us in this painting. Now you have a photo!

Love always, Jiwoo unnie ^^

Seohyun laughed a little as she read how she had addressed herself. "I guess you really liked being called unnie," she thought out loud.

She set the painting on her bookshelf. After being content with its position, she turned off the light, and slept surprisingly peacefully throughout the night.

------------

"I swear to god if you don't make fun of me when I do something stupid, I'm never gonna talk to you all again."

"Well, that's new," Yeosang commented, "You're begging for it now."

"Better that then you all being like this!" Seohyun let out a frustrated sigh.

The boys were being ridiculously sensitive with Seohyun, and she was feeling absolutely uncomfortable. She hadn't noticed it the first two days, but then she noticed in the little things; how they'd always offer her food before eating themselves, how they'd always accompany her, etc. She had enough of the special treatment.

"You're acting like someone died," Seohyun said.

"Back at it with the dead jokes are you?" San shook his head.

"Technically, Jiwoo was dead," Jongho remarked.

"So did she die twice then?" Mingi wondered.

"Oh please," Seohyun sighed again, "I just want you all to act like we used to. No more special treatment. Please, this makes it worse. I'm already at terms with Jiwoo going. It was bound to happen."

"Alright, alright," Seonghwa said and shushed her. "We didn't know what else we could do. Back to normal, okay?"

"Thank you," Seohyun truly meant it. "Also, I think I'm ready to share my drums." The boys hooted except one.

"Are you angry?" Mingi asked. Seohyun immediately turned to San, who was suddenly interested in Wooyoung's fingernails.

"Now I am," Seohyun muttered, and San smiled without meeting her eyes. The teacher came and interrupted their session, so they went back to studying.

After school was over, the boys decided to go to their warehouse, while Seohyun asked if anyone would help her bring the drums. San volunteered and they walked to her home, the black cat in San's hand.

As they walked, talking about how it looked like the cat missed Jiwoo, San stopped in his tracks. "I think you have a guest."

Seohyun looked ahead and saw a middle aged man dressed like a doctor. He was a ghost. Seohyun shared a look with San and went ahead.

"How can I help you?" Seohyun asked. The ghost got startled when he saw that San could see him too.

Jiwoo had once explained that to ghosts, Seohyun shined a little brighter than the rest of the humans, which was how they knew. Seohyun had just thought she was crazy but now she realized, now that she was with San, that it must be true.

Or maybe Jiwoo hadn't been joking that one time when she said there was a banner on top of her head and every ghost could see it, only Seohyun couldn't.

"I was told you'd help me," the doctor said. Seohyun nodded and he continued. "I made a mistake. I operated on a patient and it went wrong. It was my fault. The patient lost his vision. They were going to sue me, but when I tried to settle it, we had an argument. They gave up on suing me, saying I wasn't even worth the trouble.

"It was a few days later. I went into a slump and started drinking a lot. I was on the roof of the hospital and it wasn't my intention, but I slipped. That's how I died."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Seohyun said, "How can I help you move on then?"

"I want to let the patient know that I truly am sorry, and I want to let my family, just my family know that it wasn't a suicide. I wouldn't leave them behind on purpose."

"But... isn't it easier for your family this way? Than knowing that you are now a ghost? That it wasn't an accident?"

"I think," San began, "that he's right. It's more easier for them if they know he didn't commit suicide. They'd feel really bad if they think he left them on purpose. No one wants that from the people they love."

The doctor smiled thankfully at San. "I'll take you to the patient first," he said and asked if he should teleport the two of them.

"Do you want to come? You don't have to," Seohyun said.

San stroked the cat's head. "I want to."

"I don't know if it's safe for San to teleport. So we'll take the mundane route. Lead the way, sir."

"It's quite a distance. I hope you have money for taxi," the doctor said.

On the way to the patient's house, they had a nice chat with the doctor. He told them about his life, back when he was famous for being a good surgeon. He had never made a mistake and he had always held pride in that. But with this particular patient, he took a risk he knew he shouldn't have.

He told them he had a 10 year old daughter and he wanted her to become a doctor too. He wanted her to know that it was good to save people, and she shouldn't be afraid to take risks but also be careful at the same time and know her limits.

Seohyun was actually touched by the whole thing. It was good to have ghosts like these once in a while; nice, well-mannered ghosts.

They reached the patient's house. It was in a posh area; the patient himself must be rich. The house looked more like a mansion from the outside. Upon ringing the doorbell, a woman appeared, who the doctor told them was his wife. She seemed to be past 50s.

"We're relatives of Dr. Lee, the one who operated on your husband. We're here to discuss things about the case."

The woman passed them a skeptical look, "The doctor passed away, didn't he? We gave up on the case altogether. What do you want now?"

"We just want to talk to Mr. Cho. It's important. Please."

The woman let them in, guided them to the chairs in the garden and said she'd bring her husband. San and her sat down, admiring the lush gardens. The doctor paced worriedly.

"It will be alright. I have a way with words," Seohyun assured the doctor.

The husband and wife arrived; San and Seohyun got up and greeted them respectfully. "I am Seohyun, Dr. Lee's distant relative. This is San, my cousin."

"Have a seat," he said and they all settled down, including the wife. Seohyun sighed and decided she'd get to the point.

"Dr. Lee made a mistake. You must know that," Seohyun said. The wife looked at her husband worriedly.

"So he says," Mr. Cho said, staring in the distance.

"He wants to apologize, sincerely. I'll get to the point. He's here right now. I can see ghosts, the dead who have not moved on. He had unfinished business here, because he wanted to sincerely apologize. He won't be able to move on until he hears your forgiveness."

"Is this a prank?" Mrs. Cho asked, but Mr. Cho shushed her.

"I hope you can prove he's here," Mr. Cho said.

"Dr. Lee told you about some ginseng plant right before you went under anesthesia. No one was there when he told you, right?"

"That's true," Mr. Cho smiled. His wife began to complain but he raised a hand. "That's interesting. My father had a friend. He could see ghosts too. Are you the Mediator?"

San and Seohyun looked at each other in surprise. "That's what they call me, yes."

Mr. Cho laughed a little. "I used to not believe my father and that friend of his for the longest time, until I saw something and couldn't believe my eyes. That's why I believe you too, girl. You're doing a good job."

"Thank you," Seohyun said.

"So Dr. Lee is here? I can speak directly to him?"

"Yes sir."

"Alright. Dr. Lee, it was your fault, I know. But I truly forgive you. There are things we cannot avoid. We call it fate or destiny. What's bound to happen, fortune or misfortune, happens and you cannot avoid it. That's what I believe. I want you to move on, without the burden of my accident holding you back. You didn't do it on purpose, and that is enough for me."

Tears escaped Mrs. Cho's eyes and she wiped them. Seohyun muttered to San, 'wise man', and they watched Dr. Lee's eyes shine with tears to as he said his apology and thanks. Seohyun conveyed the message.

They were offered tea, but Seohyun told them they had to get home. The man offered to help Seohyun out if she ever had trouble with this Mediator job. She accepted, saying she would pay a visit someday.

The three of them left the house, standing in the street and reflecting on what had happened.

"That went rather smoothly," Seohyun commented.

"I know!" San widened his eyes at her.

"Thank you, Seohyun. It really does feel like a burden off my shoulder."

"No problem, we should move now. What's the next job?"

"I don't think I can see them like this," the doctor said. "I love my daughter and my wife very much. Seeing them would want me to stay. Do you think I can write a letter to my wife? You can give it to her tomorrow."

"Will your wife believe that it was really written by you?"

"We had a secret code between us; we created it. If I mention it in the letter, she'll have to believe it. And she'll recognize my handwriting too."

San and Seohyun decided that was convenient, and Seohyun handed the doctor a pen and paper. He wrote a short one, muttering something about how the less he wrote the better it would be. Then he folded it and handed it to Seohyun.

"I trust you. You'll give the letter tomorrow, right? I wrote the address on the other page."

"I will deliver it personally."

"Thank you," the doctor smiled. "Do you think I'll be able to watch over my daughter?"

"Maybe you will," Seohyun said.

"Guardian angel," San added, making the doctor smile as he disappeared. He had moved on.

"Well," Seohyun said, "That was quick. I love it when ghosts are wise enough to actually know how to handle their mess."

San scoffed. "Let's go."

-------------

Grabbing some coffee from a café they passed by, they took a taxi to Seohyun's home. Seohyun insisted that they should eat before they packed the drums and go to the warehouse. San helped her set the table. She had made pasta last night, which she reheated, and had some chocolates for dessert.

"Does your mom ever come home?" San asked as he nibbled on the chocolate.

Seohyun yawned. San reflected. They both were tired and sleepy now. "She has an apartment near her office so she only comes once a week here."

San yawned again and Seohyun laughed. "Should I let you nap?"

San smiled lazily. "Let's just pack the drums while you're still angry. I don't want you to change your mind."

Seohyun threw the wrapper at him and he caught it before it hit his face, throwing it right back. She dodged it. "Come on, let's dismantle it."

It took them ten minutes to dismantle and pack the drums. But it was already night time, and the boys had locked the warehouse and gone home when San asked them.

"Well, I'll call them here tomorrow. They should take it if they want it so much."

"Good idea." San said, yawning again.

"I think if I let you go home now, you're gonna fall asleep in the middle of the road. Take a power nap, San."

"Oh no, I shouldn't. I'll just go," he said and walked past her, only to be grabbed by the arms and led to a room despite him insisting he was not THAT sleepy.

San entered the room and immediately knew it was Seohyun's. The potted plants, the books, the mess. And the painting.

"So that's the painting, eh," he said, walking towards it and looking at the detail, absolutely wowed by it.

"How do you know? I don't think I mentioned," Seohyun narrowed her eyes.

"Jiwoo told me she left a gift for you," he smiled. Seohyun went to stand with him, looking at the painting with him.

"She's really good," she said.

San looked down at her. She felt so small; he was about a head taller than her. He turned towards her, his hand going to play with her hair. "You're really okay, right?"

"I am, San," Seohyun assured him. "I do feel lonely when I'm home, but you guys make up for it everyday."

San nodded. He was still playing with her hair. Seohyun suddenly flushed; they were standing quite close to each other. San noticed her looking at him, her light brown eyes shining.

He seemed to be searching her eyes for something. And Seohyun wasn't sure what it was, but she felt her heart pumping louder every second. She was, oh god, she was so attracted to him. He made her feel so many things just by looking at her.

"What are you looking at?" Seohyun asked- almost whispered.

"You," San said, bringing his hand to cup her face, surprised when she leaned in to his touch and closed her eyes. It made him melt. He brought her in for a hug and she gladly wrapped her arms around his waist, his small waist. She could hear his heart beat just as loudly. San rested his face on her head, rocking them back and forth. He didn't want to let go, he wanted to stay like this as long as he could.

Seohyun sighed. All she could think about was how he felt. Her mind was truly blank.

San finally broke apart a little, Seohyun's arms still around his waist. He was staring at her, his hands cupping her face, putting stray hair behind her ears. Seohyun wanted to do the same to him, but at the same time she didn't want to let go of him.

"Seohyun, Seohyun," he whispered, loving the sound of her name on his lips. She bit her lip. It seemed like they just stared at each other for the longest time, afraid to say anything, until Seohyun smiled at the situation.

San kissed her forehead first, a light peck. When she didn't move away, he tilted her face a bit upwards to kiss her cheekbone, then her cheek, leaving butterfly kisses, making her tremble all over. She clenched his shirt tighter, out of breath already. Their noses brushed and she loved the feeling of it, his breath warm on her. And when their lips brushed, San finally kissed her properly.

And Seohyun's mind went blank.

San's hand went behind her neck and Seohyun finally left his waist, only to cup his face herself as she guided him along. They tasted chocolate on each other. Seohyun was deepening the kiss, she just couldn't get enough. San mirrored her movements, following along, making her bend backwards until her back hit the desk and her hand went to rest on it for support.

San broke apart to catch his breath. His eyes were glazed, and so were Seohyun's. He put his hand on Seohyun's, the one that was on the desk, and with a sultry look and half a smile, he kissed her again, so passionately that it made Seohyun curve back and back until San was half on top of her.

When they broke apart, finally short of breath, Seohyun smirked. "I thought you were sleepy."

"I still am," he said, resting her forehead against her and smiling, eyes shut.

Seohyun lead him to her bed, making him sit. She bit her lip and smirked as she positioned herself on San's lap. San held her by her waist and let her kiss him; on his cheeks, like he had done, a peck on his nose which made him laugh, and finally a kiss to the lips.

"God, the way you make me feel, Choi San!" She sighed dramatically.

"And how do I make you feel?" He questioned. Seohyun shook her head. "I'll tell you later. Now we sleep."

San set his alarm for a power nap and with Seohyun in her arms, they both slept peacefully. When the alarm did go off, Seohyun didn't budge. With a kiss on her forehead, he left the house.

----------

"There's something wrong with Seohyun," Yeosang announced and everyone turned to look at him.

"There's more?" Wooyoung asked sarcastically and Seohyun glared at him, turning to look at Yeosang, asking him what he meant by that.

"I don't know," Yeosang threw his hands in the air, clearly frustrated, "She keeps smiling to herself. It's creepy."

Seohyun and San shared a look and San, despite his struggle not to, burst out laughing. Seohyun pursed her lips, trying not to smile but failed.

"See?" Yeosang pointed at her, "Has she ever smiled like this?"

Wooyoung was looking at San and Seohyun. "You both.... Is there a secret I don't know about!?"

"I don't have secrets anymore..." Seohyun lied shamelessly, shrugging. San put his hands in the air and said, "I only laughed because of what Yeosang said."

"No, you're looking at each other with the most disgusting look in your eyes," Yeosang observed, "Don't tell me you two..."

"Ah, no, that cannot have happened!" Hongjoong waved him off as Seonghwa gasped.

"How could you even suggest such a thing?" Seonghwa shook his head, clearly disappointed in Yeosang.

"No, I didn't even say anything yet..." Yeosang looked at Seohyun to apologize but she smirked at him, making his eyes go wide.

"I am RIGHT! Something happened between these two, she smirked at me!"

Seohyun immediately put her poker face and looked at Mingi and Jongho, who were right in front of her, with the most innocent look in her eyes. "Did you see me smirk?"

Mingi and Jongho shook their heads. Yeosang shot Seohyun a glare. "I know I'm right. If this turns out to be true..."

"Stop being so dramatic," San said, shushing Yeosang, and got up to drink water.

They were all in the warehouse, having just left school, and were currently relaxing and drinking juice, chatting with each other. Yeosang had noticed Seohyun smiling more than usual, which made him think something happened. It didn't help that San and Seohyun couldn't stop exchanging glances.

Seohyun had brought the drum set with Yunho before coming to the warehouse. Seohyun motioned to Mingi and they got up, leaving the rest behind.

"Have you ever played drums before? Like, actual drums?"

"Yeah," Mingi answered, "A friend of mine had them."

"Alright, you should learn how to arrange them."

So Seohyun taught Mingi all about the components of a drum set, their various uses and how to dismantle them and put them back. Mingi listened carefully, and Seohyun smiled inwardly at how happy he looked. It made her feel guilty that she delayed it so much.

When they were done, they stood back to have a look.

"A much needed upgrade," Mingi smiled, ruffling Seohyun's hair, "Thanks."

"This drum set is my baby, okay? Use it well."

"Yes ma'am," Mingi saluted and Seohyun pointed at the drums. "Have a go."

Mingi sat on the stool, testing the weight of the drum sticks in his hand. He tested the sounds then, and played a little, freestyling, laughing as he did. The others had come to watch him, cheering and hyping him up.

"Not bad," Seohyun said when he finished, "Just go with your heart. Don't think."

"Your turn," Mingi handed her the drum sticks and she almost panicked.

"I think I'm good," she hesitated but someone pushed her forward. It was Yunho.

"I didn't go through all that trouble of coming to your house and carrying the drums to not see you play," he shook his head.

"Alright. Just a second," Seohyun said, tying her hair in a ponytail. "There you go."

Everyone hooted, clearly excited. This was the first time she was going to actually play in front of them, save for the time she had played the violin for San. San smiled at her as if he was thinking the same thing. Seohyun inhaled, testing the drums, and began.

She realized she really did enjoy playing the drums; there was just something about drums where you could express freely, and loudly, as if you wanted everyone to hear it. And it made her smile like crazy, put her brain on pause for a while and play with her heart.

She played like crazy, and when she was done, everyone was in awe.

"You're actually very good!" Hongjoong said, finally clapping. Seohyun bowed her head and got up. "I didn't expect this."

"It's like she was a different person," Jongho was looking at her with wonder.

"Teacher! you're my teacher from today," Mingi declared, and Seohyun scoffed at him.

"You don't need a teacher, teach yourself. I know you can."

"Nooo~" he wailed, "I would love you as a teacher!"

Seohyun just waved him off, going to San and smiling embarrassingly at him. He pinched her cheeks and she pouted, the two of them forgetting for a moment that everyone was still watching her.

"You two... there is something different!" Jongho laughed in disbelief. San and Seohyun started laughing. Yeosang just shook hands with Jongho, thanking him for finally noticing.

"They're not even bothering to deny it, guys," Yunho grinned.

"San is mine!" Wooyoung shouted dramatically, coming to hug San, sticking his tongue out at Seohyun. Seohyun glared at him, baring her teeth at him, and snatched San from him. Wooyoung gasped, and suddenly the two of them were in a battle, both pulling at San by his arms, who was laughing painfully, shouting for help.

"He's not even choosing!" Seohyun laughed, and winked at Wooyoung as she said, "Let's ditch him."

Wooyoung pushed San away, rather forcefully, who fell in Yeosang's arms. He put his arm in Seohyun and she flipped her hair as they walked away from him.

"No one loves me," San buried his nose in Yeosang's neck, pouting. Yeosang sighed, patting his head.

"You're right," Yeosang said, "Absolutely right."

"Hey..." San moaned like a little kid.

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