#so that leads me to wonder: what were the circumstances that led kim to actually lend harry his handkerchief???

[shegoesbyjoy]

the quiet show of support from kim despite his own nerves... the playful ribbing between the two of them... the image of kim lending a crying harry his handkerchief, doing what he can to dry this broken man's tears....... these moments are really making me feel some type of way alright

[kimberlyannharts]

ok.. Lame question... So.. we are supposed to feel sorry for Cook because He feels like he was extra , the team didn't make him a member, he wasn't sure Aisha liked him.. Yadda yadda yadda... Ahh.. So I did a re read of most of the comics (digital comics are a wonderful thing).. and from my understanding.. Our Boy Oliver was ALWAYS destined to be the white ranger... him being green was pure manipulation on the part of Rita. If she could make this kid meant to be the embodiment of good turn evil she'd win. Which leads me to believe that everyone who's a ranger was meant to be one. So where is this Flake getting the idea that he was "extra?" He IS a ranger.. So by the logic of the WHOEL rest of the series, clearly He's a ranger cus it was meant to be... Did rita rip his brain appart so hard that he ACTUALLY believes that? SHEESH... I'm starting to like Cook LESS and LESS as this goes along, And I didn't like him that much to begin with!

Yes, we are absolutely supposed to feel sorry for M/tt. It's practically being shoved in our faces every issue since #101 that he's just the most tragic sad boy ever and we need to cry over how tragic his circumstances are, and understand that all led to his fall. It's reflected by how the rangers are absolutely devastated by his kidnapping, and how this has been the main emotional arc for the books for a whole YEAR. They want us to be invested in him and his circumstances.

The problem with that is, besides it being so unbearably over the top at this point that it's hard to take seriously, these so-called tragic circumstances aren't true, and were never supported in the text. The team DOESN'T consider M/tt expendable; they always include him in their missions and love him to the point where they'll choose to save him over saving the Morphin Grid. Aisha DOES return M/tt's feelings and would have said yes if he had asked her out. Grace sees him as a valuable member of Promethea and apparently chose him for "his heart" (ignore that her first choice for Green was DRAKKON). The so-called turning point for M/tt succumbing to evil was Kim, Trini, and Zack leaving him to carry all of the snacks at the movies, which........is frankly pathetic lol. And then of course there's just the fact that his origins as a ranger were pretty much perfect - he's a public celebrity, he adapted to the ranger powers flawlessly, he beat Zedd in his first ever mission with no negative repercussions. There is literally nothing wrong with M/tt's life that he would realistically have angst over at this point; and therefore there's little to empathize with. But now suddenly he's just SOOOOOOOO sad and you should feel SOOOOOOO sorry for him - I don't even know if Grace is legit dead because I just have such a hard time believing they'd pin such a horrible deed on him, evil spell or not, because heaven forbid anything ACTUALLY goes wrong in his life that he's not immediately excused for.

(Also for what it's worth him being an "extra, expendable" ranger was his angst at the beginning of the arc. Now his angst is that he's a "replacement," which I would assume is what they intended this whole time as it's supposedly the reason he likes Aisha as he says they have that in common, but that isn't the same thing and isn't even true in his case. He didn't replace Tommy, Tommy replaced himself. Hell, Tommy was arguably M/TT'S replacement in the first place. But again, everyone else obviously doesn't consider him as anything but a valued member of the team, so it's moot anyway.)

It sucks! And it just cements him as Boom's pet character that does nothing but take up development and screentime from the characters we actually care about and have gotten nothing in comparison (ADAM!!!!!!!!!!!!)

[hoodoo12]

Festival (30/30)

@beejiesbitch @turtlepated @clairjohnson @memedemonhours @monsterlovinghours @yankyo @edosunshine @go-commander-kim @saucymangos @beetlebitchywitch

Everyone departs, in various ways. Some go away further than others (and may have further adventures . . . wink) Thank you to everyone who took a chance reading this very self-indulgent rp scenario. Thanks especially to @pinkbeej for being such a fun amazing partner, and more importantly, a fun amazing human being.

Beej and his clone locked eyes as Eve explained the circumstance. Initially there was hesitation on his part for losing a piece of himself permanently, a sort of damage he had never sustained before; on her part, for losing her home, her lover . . . the two of them felt so certain that the curse would bring her back into him the moment he was put away. If that wasn't the case, though . . .

"It'll be fine. I think she's shown she's got enough drive to be . . . the me I could never quite be," he said softly, giving a nervous grin to the manifestation of his self-hatred and femininity. She was made from powerful feelings, and had much more potential than he'd previously thought.

Pink swallowed thickly and nodded, biting at her lips as tears lined her lower lid. Beej floated closer to her so that she'd have no cause to release Carmen's hand or leave Kadus' grasp. Two additional arms sprouted from her, reaching for him as he leaned in to embrace her. The hair of both forms gleamed brightly, and when he pulled back he looked surprised for a moment, until understanding and a wider smile set in.

"Go. If you end up staying . . . you'll be all right."

He backed up a step as Pink scooped Carmen up into arms that stretched to comfortably hold her even with her distended stomach.

"I'll see you at home, sugar." she murmured, kissing her cheek and neck. "Or I'll find a way to come see you again."

She turned timidly to Kadus and blushed. "You . . . you sure you don't mind me coming along?"

⁂

Jessie perked her brow a little, but noted that it didn't seem like Eve would help them find out more about Andy . . . now that she was familiar with his face, she supposed that didn't matter much. Perhaps she'd talk some sense into him, but . . . well, there was always her way of dealing with things to fall back on. She shook off the initial irritation at having no further leads into finding the asshole and turned her focus back to the brownie and Ollie.

"What do you think honey? He's been helpful and sweet. If he would like to, would you mind us offering to bring him home?" she asked. It relieved her to think that there would be another being to keep Ollie company if she wanted some alone time with BJ. She had to admit, the furry little thing was so ugly it was cute.

"Does that interest you?" Her last question was asked directly to the brownie.

She mindfully continued to touch BJ through the questioning, allowing a steady stream of her thoughts to pass to him in flashes. The man being gutted if he appeared again-- Ollie and the brownie being occupied together while she took his hand and pulled him to Harold's porch--a little burst of excitement and pleasure at the recollection of the taste and effect of the jelly cakes.

With a pink tint to her cheeks, she allowed her mind to wander down other avenues as well. His thumb in her mouth--hands held above her head--the sharp, repetitive slap of hard thrusts--her pinned and bent beneath him, thighs nearly at her sides with his tongue in her mouth . . .

She looked a little dazed as the fantasy ran away with her and she stopped herself before she could go so far as to tease him with the orgasm he wasn't yet allowed to have. Gods, she hoped it'd make him ravenous. She felt delightfully attractive and sensual, reveling in the pleasure she'd been able to share that night. She ached in her womb with the desire to be claimed by him, to give back every piece of her she'd shared for his pleasure.

The flow of thought and emotion shut down as she found herself spurred even further into her needy daydreams by the realization that he had access to her little mental spiral. She tried hard to focus instead on the responses to her questions.

⁂

Watching her lover and his clone quietly make the decision for her to go, Carmen chewed on the inside of her lip. She wanted him whole but wanted him happy, and she was only just beginning to understand which fractured parts of his souls each clone manifested. It seemed like this decision was edging more towards the happy side of his equation. She enjoyed getting to know this clone, but if it was best for Beej, she supported it.

What worried her most is not calling his name. He’d been out all night, and despite not using much of his energy he did use some, and she had no idea how much he actually had, or if he was leaving a trail that was going to lead his monster of a mother back to them. She hated that keeping him safe meant keeping him cocooned away from the world.

Still, she accepted the the final decision and burst into a surprised little laugh as his female clone pulled her against her, even as tears wet her face. “Have fun,” she whispered into her ear, “be careful.” She took a deep breath, locking the light floral scent from the delicate flowers into her memory. She pulled back a little and brushed her pink hair back just to keep the contact for a moment more, then kissed her gently on the mouth. “I can’t wait to hear about everything,” Carmen told her, then let her go. Once Pink was released, Kadus gathered her up. “Yes, ροζ θεά μου. I wouldn’t have invited you otherwise. What the witch says is true, however. I don’t know the way back that isn’t ordained by set laws between the worlds.”

“The door, centaur,” a low voice near the dying bonfire called. Carmen and Beej looked over Kadus’s haunches to the minotaur who’d spoken. At some point he’d put on his thin loincloth again, and in the brightening dawn, Carmen saw the true color of his horns under the gilding: verigated white and black. In respect to the somberness of the moment she had to bite her tongue and not giggle; she must be automatically drawn to black and white now. She could feel Beej’s fingers tightening on her and his quizzical glance at her as she shook slightly in the effort not to laugh, and knew she’d have to tell him why sooner or later.

“I’ll take care of her,” Kadus assured Beej and Carmen. It was easy to see they were torn between letting her go, worry, and fear. It pleased him, however, that his offer was accepted; he hadn’t lied when telling Pink he wanted to show her his homeland.

With a final nod to the two of them, he led Pink away towards the faint shimmer passed the bonfire. A satyr slipped through, and a few fauns lingered as if to see if Eve was going to follow. She didn’t. They skipped into the doorway, visible one second and not the next, and then the minotaur lowered his head to step through as well. When it was Kadus’s turn, Carmen lifted her hand to wave and then wiped away more tears that fell.

⁂

Jessie had asked him a question, but before he could answer dirty fantasies flooded his mind’s eye. As much sex as she’d had over the past night she was still horny and it showed; it should be embarrassing to get a hard-on with a breather who was a essentially a stranger standing right in front of him, but after this orgy he supposed it didn’t matter.

BJ reached up to cup Jessie in what he hoped looked to be a protective way, although it was mostly to keep his hand off his cock for the moment. He did manage to muzzle a moan at the images she fed him too, and briefly he wondered if she was going to be sore, when they could find some time for themselves, and--oh shit, when did she need to feed again?

They really did need to go.

It was in the back of his mind that he had no real reason to refuse to let another fey take up residence in his place, and Jessie was already asking the little creature its opinion. It was answering positively without his blessing anyway. The witch’s pointed directive at least gave him a chance to turn and move to pick up his suit. “Leaving the clearing is exiting,” she called after him, making him pause. Should he say something to anyone else? The specter who seemed so similar to him but different in fundamental ways hadn’t yet turned back to them. He had no idea if he’d ever see him and his scarred lover again, so it would probably be polite--

“We’re going,” BJ called in their general direction. When the two of them turned, he lifted a hand. “Thanks for . . .”

Stupid, but he didn’t know how to end that sentence. A one time blow job and fuck fueled by fairy magic didn’t mean anything, but being approached and accepted did. In the end, paralyzed by indecision, he simply nodded to them, made sure everyone he carried had a handhold on him to not be dislodged, and stepped into the treeline. His suit reclothed him with a thought, like a second skin, and despite Ollie’s earlier declaration he’d have to find his own way home, the leprechaun twittered in his ear a route. Arriving with two housemate but leaving with three, BJ shook his head and glanced back for a final look at the clearing.

As Pink returned Carmen's kiss with a sweet smile in her eyes, Beej watched the exchange with mixed feelings. There was still the large amount of certainty that his clone would be pulled back into him by the curse, but the tears on his lover's face made him almost regret the decision to let a piece of himself travel to another world. The potential for what they could learn from it, though . . .

As Pink floated alongside Kadus, having waved to Carmen, Beej and even smiling in farewell toward Eve and the specter who had indulged with them all earlier . . . it dawned on her that perhaps it was his interaction that gave her the courage to try to branch out and caused her to make Kadus' acquaintance.

She hugged close to him, eyeing the door between their worlds with excitement, wonder and curiosity. Her arms tightened around his arm as she watched the other beings vanish in passing through. As Kadus prepared to pass through, she turned and saw Carmen waving to her. With a brilliant smile, she raised her arm and waved back, though her wave was bouncy, happy and enthusiastic.

Before she could change her mind, she turned and met Kadus' eyes with a warm smile and nodded, floating alongside him as he stepped through.

Beej turned to Carmen and gathered her to him, wiping the tears from her cheeks and bending to kiss her lips softly. Multiple hands fussed over her, drying her tears and brushing back her hair from her forehead, stroking her back and cupping her ass to pull her in.

"'S alright babes, I'm right here." he murmured softly, hoping to comfort her.

He nudged her forehead with her own, kissing her cheeks and the tip of her nose sweetly. The call of BJ's voice snagged his attention, and even as he held her close he turned to listen to the other ghost.

The half-finished sentence made him smile, the guy did seem like the type to not know what to say after a positive experience with strangers . . . and truth be told, he could remember the time when he wouldn't have had words either.

"Thank you!" he called back with a grin, "'N remember, it's all right ta be happy."

One of his many hands held up BJ's card, displaying that he'd held onto it purposefully, not wanting to lose the memento of this strange other.

Jessie listened to the exchange with a grin, cocking her head a little as Beej held up a somewhat familiar looking card. It'd been ages since she'd seen any of those, back before they'd replaced the bed! She didn't have much to say, but she raised her tiny arm and waved at Beej and Carmen and Eve as BJ stepped away, clothing himself and taking his leave with her and both tiny fey clinging to him securely. As they vanished from view, Beej looked back down to Carmen with a smile.

"How're ya feelin' babes?" he asked, brushing her hair behind her ear again. "'m surprised yer still standing."

His lighthearted tease was followed up by a soft kiss to her lips.

Carmen watched as Beej’s clone floated to the doorway on the arm of the centaur, excitement plastering a wide smile on her face. It occurred to her, in a rush of panic, that she was nude, but just before she could call out after her to put on some clothes, Beej was holding her and kissing her, and the other specter’s voice was telling them he was leaving.

She turned just her head in response to the call, and by the time she looked back to the doorway between planes, Beej’s clone was gone.

She held onto Beej a little tighter then, even as she managed a good bye to the ghost almost at the tree line. His striped suit reappeared on him and although she should have been able to see him for a longer period in the trees, after only a step or two he was gone from sight as well.

Her throat hurt, and she took in a shaky breath. Beej still cuddled her, soothing her; it occurred to Carmen she should be doing that for him, not the other way round. Still, his query made her laugh a little. Luckily Eve had given them a little privacy, returning to the side of a few other witches tamping out the remaining coals of the fire, so she didn’t feel embarrassed to answer him.

“I’m not sure either,” she admitted, slipping a hand between her legs to cup herself lightly. “I don’t know how well I’ll be able to walk once all the adrenaline wears off.

“Thanks for last night. I’m glad we attended.” Carmen kissed him and was interrupted with her cousin telling them to get their clothes; it was past time to go. Hand in hand, they crossed the clearing to where they’d entered. Carmen slipped her cotton shift over her head and let Eve and Beej lead her through the forest again.

fin

[floofsta-x]

The Art of Running Away, and Straight to You

genre;; realistic, civilian!AU

pairing;; Kim Myungjun, MJ and Park Jinwoo, Jinjin [Myungjin]

plot;;

@astroisk said to @floofsta-x: things you interrupted me to say !!

        Send me a prompt and a ship! (✻Ask Box)

Myungjun is stuck in an arranged marriage and a terrible job, but keeps faith and hope. He still has the love of his life, Park Jinwoo. It’s the little moments they have with each other that are important, and coveted, when they need to hide from the eyes of the public and Myungjun’s husband. 

warnings;; fluff and angst, oh all the angst......

words;; 3,166 (3.2k)

Kim Myungjun’s feet pounded on pavement, far faster than a walk, and yet not quite a run. Thankfully, no one tried to stop him as he booked it away from the office building that was one-half of his hell. Normally, his breathing was level and deep, not shallow and heaving, like now. It was all too clear that he looked and acted like a frightened animal. The thought tickled at the back of his brain that it might attract attention he didn't want, and his nerves instantly multiplied. He wore a black mask, stretched full-width over his mouth and nose, and glasses rims to distract from the rest of his visible facial features, but it didn’t matter. Fear still had him in its cold clutches. His shifty eyes scanned everything, and he prayed nothing would be out of place. Please, please don’t let anyone recognize me.

It hadn't happened, yet. However, Myungjun's imagination couldn't help but come up with worst-case scenarios. Fantasy and reality had him trapped between them. There wasn’t much to live for anymore in his pitiful excuse of a life. Yet, he was deadly protective of this one freedom, the single thing that brought him joy. The thought that one day it might be gone nearly brought him to tears. If that happened, he wasn't sure how he’d be able to go on.

Soon, a small café and coffee shop he visited every other noon (“Socky’s Coffee”, on the corner) was in sight. Yes, the food and drinks were the best, but that wasn’t quite the reason he stopped here. Rather, he knew that a honey-brown haired boy with a wide, white smile was waiting: Park Jinwoo. Handsome, precious Park Jinwoo. The adorable trumpet player haunted his dreams. Unfortunately, by day, Myungjun wore someone else’s wedding ring, and by night, slept in their bed.

That was why he was so afraid, and rushed here so desperately. How would he explain any of this to his husband, especially if it was him who walked in and saw everything? The other man would, without a doubt, get angry, and someone would suffer. Worst case scenario, Jinwoo would walk away with bruises; that thought was the singular most terrifying thing. Myungjun could take some verbal and physical abuse, but he wouldn’t be able to live with himself if the love of his life got hurt.It might sound harsh, true, but it was the sad but cold truth. Myungjun’s first marriage, to a man named Jihyun, had certainly not been for love. Instead, his parents pressed him into it. To them, it was a means to an end: the unification of two companies. That mindset should have died in the feudal ages, but it lived on in the Kim family. No matter how loudly Myungjun spoke out against the arrangement, they ignored him and pushed him aside. At first, his future husband-to-be had voiced a strong distaste, too. In the end, though, neither of them had a choice. The day came and went, both of them speaking a vow to be with each other through sickness and health.

Nearby, in a white suit, stood Jinwoo. He was the only thing that kept Myungjun sane through the ceremony. The two of them had been friends since the age of ten, and remained very close through their schooling years. Neither could pinpoint when they became something more than partners in crime. At a New Year’s celebration, under red and orange fireworks, Jinwoo kissed Myungjun for the first time. They started dating three weeks later; they were both in their third year in high school. Soon after, in a warm bed and at an early hour, had been their first “I love you”. They had known they were soulmates far before that, though, almost from the beginning.

Very few people were in on their romantic relationship. If Myungjun’s parents knew, they would rip them apart. Not telling anyone had prevented heartbreak, but it had also brought around far more. Sometimes Myungjun wondered what his life would be like if they had just come out right away. Maybe he wouldn’t be wrongfully married.

However, scarier than that was what had come to light recently. After a strangely tender "date", Jihyun had admitted that he might be falling in love with Myungjun. That was news that the younger wasn’t quite sure how to handle, and so he had been avoiding it like the plague since.

At least his financial situation might not be any different. Before, Myungjun had whatever resources he could dream of at his fingertips. Being the son of a very rich businessman had its perks. However, it also made him very uncomfortable. For the longest time he had dreamed of a self-sustained life, not reliant on his parents. Six months ago, he finally took his chance and cut all ties except for communication. It was hard, but he had gathered up the courage to have a very serious talk with his family, and made sure they listened as he talked about how he wanted out. Then came the documents, proving he was ready and about to take the step. Even if they had protested, they wouldn’t have had a say.

Myungjun took a job at a office highrise, and though he liked the work, it was grueling. He should have others doing his job along with him, but the company couldn’t keep anyone hired, and his boss tended to heap work on him anyway. So he was severely spread thin. He’d applied for higher jobs, but there were always more qualified candidates. It didn’t irk him much; after all, it wasn't entirely unexpected. Still, feeling stuck was frustrating.

All those unfortunate circumstances and carefully-guarded secrets was what led up to today. Myungjun finally had the cold metal of the door in hand. Scanning the area casually one more time, he pulled it open and stepped inside. The familiar scent of good brew made him sigh in relief, and the familiarity was comforting. Marble counter, aluminum tables and chairs. Shiny pressing and steaming machines. He’d made it. His friends wouldn’t let anything or anyone hurt him here.

Last, but not least, he saw the screen set up in the corner, which could only mean one thing. As he jogged over to it, a familiar face poked out and lit up at the sight of him. In seconds, Myungjun found himself in a strong pair of arms, breath mingling with none other than Park Jinwoo’s. “You’re eager today,” he gave his boyfriend a shy, bright smile and squeezed his forearm.

“Of course I am. It’s like, the worst form of torture to not see you for five days.”

Right. They had missed their last two meetings because Jihyun had butted in. Sometimes he showed up right before lunch break and insisted on going out. It had never been as often as lately, though, which made Myungjun worried. He was also keeping a similar schedule to Jinwoo’s meetings--raising concerns that he had found out about the tryst.

Jinwoo’s eyes scanned Myungjun like he was the most precious thing on Earth. The older boy couldn’t help but melt under the gaze, and all his worries suddenly seemed small. The hand that wasn’t on his waist held his own. At least the handsome boy had the tact to lead them both out of sight before doing anything more. As soon as they were behind the screen, Jinwoo reached across to gently pull down Myungjun's mask. The older chuckled as he was attacked by kisses. His eyes fluttered closed as he returned the passion and initiated a deeper, more tender lip lock.

He really had missed Jinwoo. When he was here, nothing out of this café mattered. Nothing out of this embrace, either.

But even good things had to come to an end. “Our coffee’s going to get cold,” Myungjun chuckled, and Jinwoo reluctantly let go. Indeed, there were two cups of steaming caramel latte waiting for them. They sat down at their respective places, and got comfy. Their knees touching under the table was warming and familiar. Also, the fantastic brew melted whatever worries their hearts still carried.

“Hey, guys.” A smiling, silver-haired boy appeared at their side: Park Minhyuk, but better known as Rocky. He was originally a friend of Jinwoo’s, and one-half of the coffee shop ownership. “Good to see you here together, at last.”

“It’s nice to be back,” Myungjun admitted, chuckling and rubbing a hand through the hair on the back of his head. “I miss you guys a lot, too, when I can’t come.”

“Even me?” A youthful tone cut in, making the three of them jump a bit. Promptly, a baby-faced kid popped up beside Rocky, wiggling his eyebrows and smiling widely.

“Yes, even you, silly beagle,” Myungjun chuckled. That was typical of the other half of Socky’s: Yoon Sanha. He was young and tender at seventeen years old, and still in high school. Sometimes (well, actually, most of the time), he acted like it too. Everyone knew he was super smart and capable, though, and pulled his weight in running the shop.

Rocky shoved his younger business partner aside, muttering something about cleaning the counters. He complied, but not without a quick eye roll and quiet grumble. Finally, the former let out a sigh and turned to address Myungjun and Jinwoo again. “So, either of you hungry today? I know I am after having to deal with Sanha,”

The dig was just loud enough for the younger to hear. From where he was standing, leaning across the counter, he turned his head toward his friends and stuck out his tongue.

“Ah, I’ll have a sandwich. Do you have any of your heavenly chicken salad?” Jinwoo piped up hopefully,

“You’re in luck. We do. How about you, MJ-hyung?”

“No, I’m fine, thanks.”

As Rocky walked away, Jinwoo’s eyes filled with worry. He reached across the table to take his boyfriend’s warm hand. “Baby, are you sure? I’ll get you something if you need it.”

“I had a big breakfast, don’t worry.” Myungjun fibbed, patting his tummy. Even before the stress of all this, he often skipped meals. It wasn’t quite healthy, yeah, but he didn’t see a reason to eat if he wasn't hungry.

Much to the older’s relief, Jinwoo relaxed. A conversation kicked up in no time at all, and settled into a comfortable rhythm. That was another thing about being together. Though they were from different social classes, and always had been, their relationship was effortless. Of course there had been disagreements and differences, but what couple lacked those? What was important was that they could communicate. Both of them held that ability above everything.

If only I could just talk with my family and husband, I wouldn’t be in this mess, and the wedding band on my hand might be Jinwoo’s…

The bitter thought must have been too much to take, and so escaped between sips of latte. “Ah--I’m sorry it has to be like this. We shouldn’t have to meet in secret, hide behind--”

“Whoa, whoa, no,” The younger boy cut in, interrupting. He tightened his grip on the hand he was holding, and reached out for the other. “Myungjun, look at me.” MJ obeyed, hesitantly, flashing slightly wet eyes. “If I didn’t believe this was worth my time, do you think I would be here?”

Quickly, Myungjun understood what he was getting at, and shook his head slowly. “No, you’d probably be in some practice room, playing around on your piccolo trumpet.” A laugh cracked from his throat.

“Exactly.” Jinwoo scooted his chair around the table and pulled his boyfriend into his lap. He wiped a stray tear that had streaked down his soft cheek, and gave him a peck on the lips. “I love you, Kim Myungjun. That hasn’t changed in the years we’ve been together, and you being stuck in that terrible marriage hasn’t swayed me. I really wish that the gold ring you're wearing was mine, but…I’m willing to wait however long it takes, and support you. All I need is to know that you love me, too.”

“Until the end,” Myungjun whispered and smiled brightly. It broke through his sad countenance and tears, and the two of them leaned in to kiss passionately again. They moved slowly, unhurried, defying the cruel flow of the minutes.

Soon, though, Rocky was back with Jinwoo’s sandwich. He cleared his throat as he stepped near and set it down. Blushing wildly, the two lovers broke apart and separated, except for their hands. The younger boy scooted back around the table to start to eat. Myungjin could only stare lovingly at him for a while. “I’m so excited for this next weekend, baby…”

Jinwoo wiped his mouth with a napkin, and gave a grin as he sat up. “Me too, so much, you have no idea. Are you clear to go?”

“Yeah. Bin has agreed help me, and is taking care of making sure Jihyun doesn't suspect anything. He's even faking some posts on my social media.”

“I’m glad. That’s really cool, hopefully your husband won’t call around, asking questions, that way.” Jinwoo took a bite of sandwich and sip of coffee. “Didn’t you say Moon Bin might not help even if you asked, though? How’d you end up roping him in?”

At this, Myungjun smiled slyly. “It actually wasn’t too bad. I just had to find his weakness.”

“Oh,” the younger retorted, raising his eyebrows. “I didn’t know you had that kind of thing in you. What’d you do? Buy him some cufflinks? Slide over a hundred bucks? Five hundred?”

“What? Oh my God, Jinwoo, no, nothing like that.” Myungjun’s eyes went wide. “No, all I needed was a soft voice and a little bit of empathy.”

“Ok, I’m intrigued. Go on.”

“Well, last week I stopped by Jihyun’s office to take something to him. As I was on the elevator up, it stopped three floors below the company’s. The doors opened, and I just caught the tail end of a kiss. One half of the couple was Bin, but the other I didn’t know. He was handsome, though, and there was so much love in his eyes. Bin blushed when he noticed that the elevator wasn’t empty, of course. The other guy laughed and pulled him in for another peck before letting him go.

“Of course I was curious. I also had a plan forming in my head...if Bin was in love, he’d understand our predicament.” Myungjun took another sip, stalling and trying to figure out how to go on. “So the next day I called the most gossipy woman on Jihyun’s floor. Of course, she knew about Moon Bin and his boyfriend. Apparently his name is Lee Dongmin and they’ve been together only a few months. But they’re head-over-heels for each other.

“It only took two more days to gather up my words and go back to the office. I chose a time I knew Jihyun would be out, and Bin would be in. I asked for his help, but I was straight with him. Told him about you and me being together for so long. The arranged marriage. How I don’t love my husband, and just want to be with you.

“As I thought he might be, he was angry and disbelieving, wondering how I could be such a double-faced person. So that’s when I brought up him and Dongmin. I begged him to put himself in my shoes. How he would feel if he had to see his lover behind everyone’s backs and go home at night to someone who meant nothing?

“That’s how he agreed to help. Ah, but Jinwoo, you should have seen him light up as he planned the fake business trip and set up some simple things to cover my tracks. He likes strategizing like that. And also I think, by the end, he truly was sympathetic. He’s even planning on giving us a few more hours together by faking a delayed flight. I never would have thought of that on my own.”

“Wow,” Jinwoo rested his chin in hand and rubbed slow circles into the back of Myungjun’s hand with his thumb.

“Yeah. I can’t believe that we’re going to have five days to ourselves.” Myungjun beamed. His heart fluttered wildly at the idea of having alone time with Jinwoo, and sleeping in a bed together. They hadn’t had a chance to since high school.

“Me neither. I’ve got pit orchestra off, the hotel room booked, and everything.” The younger boy was smiling widely back in return. If Myungjun could have stayed here forever, he would have. This was brightness, happiness, peace; all that he lacked in his crazy, unfortunate life. The thought of one week bathed in that beauty seemed to be too good to be true.

Silence reigned for a few minutes, before the older had a thought. His whisper brought some semblance of reality back. “How about...the other plan? Where are you on it?”

Sadness tinged Jinwoo’s voice. “It’s slow...but I’m making progress, and that’s better than nothing.”

“Same,” Myungjun sighed. However, he was dead set on keeping his heart buoyed, and his eyebrows furrowed in determination. “But we’ll be able to do it one day, I know. Money won’t stop us, or ties, or other people...we’ll be free to make a life together.”

In that moment, both were about to cry. Jinwoo was the first to crack, though, a wet streak coursing down his cheek. Myungjun was almost instantly in his lap again, kissing the salty tears away. Whispering promises, hopes and dreams into the younger's ear worked miracles, too. Eventually, he just leaned into Jinwoo, resting his head on his shoulder and stroking his back comfortingly.

After some time like this, Jinwoo reached up to rub a hand through Myungjun’s hair. Gently, he pulled him back so they were face to face. His palms held his boyfriend’s cheeks, thumbs feeling the soft skin. They searched each other's faces, gazes lingering on lips. Then, a long moment later, they leaned in for a tender kiss.

Again, Myungjun never wanted to leave. But when they next broke, his gaze flicked to his watch, and he gave a yelp. “Oh--shit, I have to go, I’m just gonna manage to make it back.”

Reluctantly, they let each other go. Myungjun resituated his mask, and the glasses, as well, before giving Jinwoo’s hand one last squeeze. “See you Friday...I love you so, so much.”

“Love you too. Bye for now.”

As he reached the door, Myungjun looked back one last time to see his boyfriend standing there. He was leaning against the screen, waving at him. The older man's heart filled with an indescribable warmth. God forbid the day that smile isn’t my sustenance.

I’ve perfected the art of running away and straight to your arms.