tuwam

[tuwam]

@urianius

things can change in an instant.

these will become the moments that dahee remembers for the rest of her life. these will become the moments in that - in each instance, no matter what she'd done. fate had already set into motion what was to be. and in every instance she had been hit face to face with the powerlessness of one person and the overwhelming strength - one man and his quest for power.

a question of humanity

she'd heard stories.

but she'd only seen the aftermath.

she'd heard stories of the fire nation's trample across the outer villages of the earth kingdom, their cowardice in attacking those who were barely trained to attack back. she'd heard of the overwhelming force of their army's and of the sheer power of fire even when met with a villager and his desire to protect his family.

since she'd become a rebel she'd only seen the villages overtaken and the villages untouched. her village was on such village. a peaceful place. she can count every hut and every family she knows by name. she knows what their daughters wish to be, what their sons always get caught doing before curfew. she knows where to get the best fish, who makes the best rice, and who has the best tea concoction.

she knows which family has known hers for generations and which has always had things to say when they'd seen her running up and down when she should've been studying. her parents had dreams for her, send her to the inner walls, raise money for her studies and let her become a nice and well-kept wife, maybe the lady of a tea-shop owner or even better - a general.

dongchen always laughs at that one.

but he always lets her take a peek when they're passing her village, just to check on everyone. see who hasn't fixed their home even though rain is coming, see if the kids are keeping to curfew in these new times of oncoming war. she liked to stop by when their missions bring her close to home. she doesn't regret her decision to become a rebel, but she missed them.

so when she'd taken her little detour, careful not to be seen - she'd fallen to silence at the sight of a fire nation army approaching, early in the morning to her unsuspecting home. there were too many - too many to run back and warn their small party, too many to risk their small party of rebels against and too many for her village to stand a chance.

she wanted to warn someone - tell someone but her feet had remained frozen. they were armed, they were menacing, and she'd never seen such an amassed army up close. the metal of their uniforms shone like a foreign object among the green and brown of the trees leading to her village and the calm oranges of the morning sky. she couldn't move. she couldn't open her mouth as their general ascended the same cliff she'd spent hours on, watching, wishing she could be home and hug her parents. the cliff she'd spent sharing fruits and grilled fish and skipping lessons to go watch the earthbenders practice.

now he stood ready to make the order to take them away from her.

earth kingdoms were becoming colonies, all fallen villages being amassed by the fire nation and paying tribute in the form of supplies and soldiers for the army that was amassing. it was easy to prey on outer villages, and its one of the reasons most rebels consisted mostly of outer villagers, they'd seen for sure what the fire nation was capable of. it had yet to meet the inner walls in any other form other than a telegram, a tale as far as the king was concerned.

she couldn't fight them. she knew she couldn't. she couldn't run down and save her family and risk exposing them as being related to a rebel and then exposing her team to discovery. she couldn't. but she could remember this man - watch him carry out the order and have an image and a tactic to take back to her team afterwards.

she remembers liveliness of her people, even as the soldiers slowed, obviously waiting for the order to strike. she watches him, this man with all the power in his hand to abuse those unsuspecting. she watched and remembered as he stopped, and turned around and ordered the rest to do the same. she remembers the hesitation in those around him, but she remembers one last thing.

it was a glimpse of his face, set into hard lines, and the battle she'd seen in his face as he'd marched by. she remembers humanity she doesn't think she'd ever seen in those wearing the stripes of their oppressor.

she remembers when she'd ran back to the party, they couldn't believe her.

humanity? in the fire nation. dongchen had told her he's just glad everything was okay.

but it wasn't.

because there's two sides to humanity.

2. an instance of conviction

the stories could not compare to the real thing.

what does she remember?

there's yelling. but there's always yelling, there's always been yelling and people running and screaming. that was how they did things, that's how she knew things to be and that's what she prepared for. this time - she'd seen nothing. she'd heard nothing.

it was near midnight when dongchen had awoken her. she remembers the sound of the cicadas, the sounds of the rustles of the trees that she's learned to read for intruders versus allies. very rarely do they camp overground, but they were just a mile away from her village and dahee wanted a peek, just another before she resigned herself to the tucked away life that rebels had adopted. deep underground, or underbrush, where the fire nation didn't have the tact or the familiarity to know how to traverse. just a moment, before they continued gathering forces and teaching them how to evade and fight before they could teach them to liberate. a grueling task, even more grueling to be away from her family, but she managed. once she took up the mantle, there was no seeing them.

she'd had a spot - a little tree above the cliff that overlooked the shallow canyon where her village rested. the same crest she'd watched that commander stand on before he turned his back to them and spared them.

how could she have know back then what it meant.

she remembers dongchen speaking but she can't remember what he'd said because she'd smelled the smoke. it had already made its way tot heir encampment, hidden by layers of earth as it already.

she'd sprung into action, into unnecessary and dangerous movement to lead her where she needed to go. she remembers rubble, beating across the side of her face as she ran, earth carrying her every step of the way, meeting her feet with each step she took. she'd forgotten her training, her stealth, and if dongchen hadn't caught up to her, tackled her into the brush before she'd reached the canyon, they might've seen her.

but they were rolling their machinery out and it'd manage to block the sound of her coming. he'd used every strength he had in him to keep her down, to tell her to stay quiet, to calm her down. but dahee remembers. she remembers peeking past his hands - and blearing her eyes through the smoke that indicated the fate of her home.

the fire nation - they can leave survivors. she's seen it. she's seen them take prisoners, slaves, workers - she's seen them make colonies. she's seen them tear down an entire people adn overwhelm them - incapacitate their benders. she's seen what marks the beginning of a war, what they have to go up against.

she'd never seen this.

when her eyes fell upon the wasteland that once belonged to her town, dongchen no longer had to use force to keep her still. her body went numb, her eyes stung from smoke and grief alike as she took in the sight of the village. ash. not a soul, not a body, not a remnant except for pieces of huts that were nothing but char waiting to fall and mix with the earth.

dahee doesn't come from a village that fights.

they wouldn't have fought. they would've submitted.

there were no rebels, no earthbenders. just people. just citizens living.

everyone was gone.

she doesn't remember if she screamed, she remembers being held, she remembers holding herself, holding him. she remembers the earth around her as her nails dug into the ground, the ash that now clung to her nails and her skin.

she remembers thinking - she has to do something.

she remembers thinking - this isn't humanity. this is carnage.

and yet, humans have both in them, mercy and compassion, carnage and selfishness. she can't let the latter spread. she can't sit and be idle again.

3. a moment of decision

there's a plan. albeit a very loose one - a dangerous one. and it's based off an assumption of humanity rather than cruelty.

'are you sure you'll be able to keep yourself composed?' dongchen speaks with a softness she's not allowed and she's almost offended but knows she should be grateful. he's trying. all they ever do is try their best. and this is just another indication of that.

"he's not the one who killed my family."

dahee was raised on gentle hands. in a gentle village with gentler people. people who'd known each other for generations. people who'd helped each other and raised each other on the priorities and values of a kingdom that looked the other way and ignored them. she wouldn't betray those values. not in the face of this man.

in front of the other, the one who'd carried out the order, she wasn't sure. but for now - she wouldn't. she'd remember who they were, honor who they were for the man who had a little bit of it in him.

or so she hoped.

the stronghold came into view the closer they rode, and she tries to remember who she is so she doesn't sacrifice it for her anger. she won't. she has a mission now, and a people that live on with her.

there are two sides to humanity.

it's important how one chooses to use each.

and she'll remember which to use with who.

[tuwam]

@urianius

meixi is bouncing on her toes. she's practically got magic spilling over from he fingertips. but she doesn't. because she knows better and her uncle would kill her if he found yet another instance of her not being able to control her powers. she's fine! she's nervous yes. but she's fine!

soonyi and yichen are glancing from her, to the object of her nerves. it's a big bowl, a crockpot to be exact. her uncle had given her the same look when she'd asked to borrow it - and his kitchen - and his vegetables from his garden. she's his ward! she's entitled to those things at the very least. he'd expressed a bit of concern and enjoyment at her interest in cooking and though he insisted he be part of the process, meixi assured him she could handle it. it was a gift! she had to be able to handle it.

so she'd pulled up at the recipes, all the cookbooks and all the ingredients and got to work. her uncle still hadn't taught her healing spells ( the old fart ) and she'd decided she should be careful not to cut her hand cutting the squash. but it was fall! it was the time of her people - according to the humans. fall and witchy season went hand in hand and for her - harvest moons and such were on the horizon. she was excited and she was ushering it in with her friends, her first real friends who knew who and what she was without judgement.

it was important to her to celebrate it. and what better than the soup she'd seen advertised on so many autumn and fall recipe sites. she didn't know much about what fall entailed for humans, but she saw pumpkins and squash and lots of earthy inspired things. she'd gone out of her way to pick things from the woods to decorate on her own.

it was important! it had to be perfect! people that you entered the harvest moon with were people you treasured and boy does meixi treasure these two. boy does she.

so she'd spent the entirety of yesterday afternoon decorating and this morning cooking, cooking and trials and errors and taste testing to get it right. she wasn't sure exactly how it should taste but she just wanted it to be good, to be memorable and be enjoyed. she was so nervous, she's sure little white dandelions are peeking their way out her hair and she's blowing them away so they don't fall on the table and by the food. she'd fastened some pumpkins, cored out and labeled the soup into them. the table decorated with multicolored leaves and pinecones, probably a little too fresh and some with the soil of the earth still dusting off them.

but that's the point! right?

she'd begged her uncle for his tablecloth but now she's glad he didn't give it to her, ladling the soup properly had caused a bit of a mess. but it looks good, homey and steam is still coming from the two pumpkin bowls.

"dig in!"

soonyi and iychen both look back and forth from each other, to the bowls on the table. apprehension is to be expected - the only thing meixi had ever cooked for them were things frozen to be put in the oven. cooking had been her uncle's job so she could focus on her studies. they all knew that, in fact, when it came to cooking yichen was the one the two girls turned to. he always had a new dish that he'd learned from his childhood - ready to whip up for them. she wanted to return the favor.

'meixi...' "it tastes good i promise!" 'we believe you!'

yichen is always the first to try and placate her, knowing the young witch is prone to tears at any moment.

"please try it? i wanted to share the beginning of fall with you both. i promise i didn't use any magic to make it! look - i even have the bandaids from times i knicked my finger with the knife!"

she's showing her fingers as a form of conviction but the two are quick to rise from their seats and be at her side. yichen is inspecting her hands and soonyi is searching for a first aid kit.

"guys i'm fine!!!! please just eat!"

both friends stop. the dandelions in her hair definitely start to blossom now, even popping off her in bunches and falling on the table. yichen coughs a bit and soonyi starts laughing and dusts them from the table and meixi's apron.

'okay okay, don't sprout an entire tree silly.'

meixi's signature chipmunk face has taken hold as she watches her friends return to their seats. it doesn't move until they take hold of the ladles and after a quick look to one another - take their first bites. meixi thinks she'll die from anticipation, she's leaning so close over the table, the dandelion flecks also make their way into the bigger pots she'd made.

"well? well?!"

'it's...' 'delicious.'

the admission from both of them at the same time had her beaming and this time in the place of the white dandelion wisps, is the actual yellow flower, bursting across the crown of her head.

"really?!"

she doesn't get a response though because the two are effectively digging into the soup. meixi's heart swells.

"you really liked it?"

even after they'd devoured their bowl, asked for seconds, and stolen a loaf out her uncle's pantry to toast and eat another helping of soup with - she's still nervous.

'it was great.' 'yichne would lie to help your feelings but i wouldn't.' 'i wouldn't lie!' 'to make her happy you would.' 'so would you!!!!'

the two begin bickering and meixi can't help the laughter that spills, and the flowers that begin to fill the room, vines crawling under the floorboards to sprout more and more buds. yichen is laughing as his hand comes to tousle what he can from her hair, an affectionate rub against her head and soonyi is effectively blowing the petals away before they cause a storm. she does take quite a few in her hand to place on the table, by the nearly empty pot.

'happy harvest?' she starts. "happy harvest!" meixi adds. 'happy harvest!' yichen finishes.

happy harvest indeed.

[tuwam]

@urianius

ahyeon fully realizes this is strange. in fact, she didn't need the the looks from hyuck's members, followed by the double takes after they realized it was her walking up to greet minjae. minjae! her nemesis.

okay not her nemesis but definitely not someone she enjoys being around unless there's a reason or an order. the reason is more often than not - her spending time with hyuck. the strangeness of the situation is that even hyuck looks surprised to see her - coupled by him scrambling over the dorm couch and into his room to become more presentable. ahyeon wants to laugh - to tease him, to run over and say she doesn't care because she's back and she's missed him.

but she's here for other reasons and she's pissed off about them.

"kwon minjae." 'listen i know-'

any words are cut off by ahyeon throwing the nearest pillow at him with a force that startles even the other members. minjae doesn't even dodge it.

"i don't wanna hear it. i don't care. fucking fix it." 'don't you think i'm trying - she won't answer my calls.'

it's that admission that has the other members responding in kind, with ahh's and oh no's and suddenly finding other things to busy themselves with that's not in ahyeon's line of sight. hyuck however, has settled right behind her, arms around her waist and chin on her shoulder. he's trying to placate her because she's sure she looks ready to kill minjae. it wouldn't be the first time.

it won't be the last.

"call her again. text her again. if i have to see her cry again i'm going to drag you by your ear to the steps of the company and make you do it publicly." she knows - she knows hyuck can feel her shoulders tense with the clench of her fists, and it prompts him to squeeze a little more.

'hey. hey what's - what's going on?' "yeah minjae why don't you tell him?" 'like i said - i didn't do anything.'

ahyeon lifts to throw the only thing in her hand - her phone and hyuck immediately moves to intervene.

'okay okay. everyone calm down.' "i'm calm."

she's not. and she's a little embarrassed - because since when did she get so riled up about things like this? about things regarding her own members. seoyoung though - in the absence of areum who ahyeon doesn't get to see that often. seoyoung has become something of that role - older and a little more easy-going. wise only because of how long she'd been a trainee and how much she's been through, strict only because she wants the best for them. seoyoung who seemed to understand ahyeon's position more than she did and tried to give her grace - ahyeon's attitude be damned.

to see her crying, or rather - to hear her crying but smiling with them every chance they get. to still keep the girls together and function when ahyeon can see the red around the rims of her eyes. seoyoung is strong and she always acts like she doesn't care - but if there's anyone who has urged them to show their emotions - she's the perfect one to learn from.

ahyeon usually keeps away from whatever goes on between minjae and seoyoung. she usually keeps away from the affairs of most of her members - seeing as recently - it's been a sore spot since she'd been dropped off by hyuck's manager. the girls hadn't been too happy and ahyeon's been dealing with the brunt of their attitude since the tour ended. but - it's also prompted meetings from seoyoung - insisting they do something - say something about what was going on. and someone had said it - made a comment about why ahyeon couldn't be like minjae and seoyoung - where they know there's nothing serious because another girl group was gushing about having his number.

seoyoung is smart, she's careful in how she presents herself because she's one of the eldest. but she's still a woman and things still hurt and despite how things have been with the girls ahyeon couldn't bear seeing her hurt like that.

'what do you want me to do? how is this any of your business?' "if you're not going to have intentions with her - leave her alone." 'didn't know you were suddenly her mouthpiece, does she know you're here?' "no because she's busy practicing to get her mind off it. she's been in the studio since six."

minjae doesn't look at the time but he grimaces.

'oh so suddenly you care about your band members?' "it's causing trouble for us. for her." 'oh, i'm sure you think you and hyuck's stunt doesn't cause trouble for us?' 'dude.'

ahyeon doesn't even care, she brushes it off but she can feel hyuck tense - hear it in his words. a warning not to cross a line. but she's prepared. minjae gets especially volatile when he's called out and she came knowing she'd face a bull. all she has to do is dodge until he hits a wall and it crashes down on him.

"oh i'm sorry? was hyuck working himself to the bone? was hyuck getting embarrassed by me flirting with other guys? was he in bed crying to where you guys had to drag him to practice?" minjae ignores her, doesn't spare her so much of a glance, but his ears are red and she knows the words do their job. 'you know what i mean.' "i don't! i don't know why you won't take responsibility! i don't know why you find so much joy in toying with her!" 'who said i'm toying with her?! you don't even talk to your members how would you know!'

"i don't need to talk to her to see how every rumor makes her feel." 'it's just a rumor.' "you don't think girls talk? she was bragging about texting you to everyone. everyone? you thought it wouldn't make its way to seoyoung? are you stupid or dumb?"

at this point hyuck does actually move her aside. he blocks minjae's stupid face from her vision and makes sure she can only see him and the obvious concern - shock in his face. his hands are warm and ahyeon can feel her shoulders ease even if she hates it.

'...i know you're mad but...maybe...' "lee donghyuck if you tell me to calm down." 'i'm not. i'm just saying - why let minjae get you this worked up? that isn't like you.' "because it's -" and she pauses, really pauses because she's at a loss for words. why is she so worked up? why did she march over here after texting minjae they needed to talk? why is she hurling insults and almost red in the face. it's unlike her. so unlike her.

"because he likes her. and i know he likes her. and this isn't how you treat someone you like." despite their banter, despite what they'd been through before they admitted their feelings for one another - hyuck had never put ahyeon on this rollercoaster, never once made her cry, never made her question or dance about her feelings. she's seeing firsthand how lucky she is to have had him. 'you don't know anything.' minjae is petulant, his words coming out through pursed lip but the bite still in them. 'dude. shut up. for one second.' hyuck's attempt to be the buffer isn't working because now they're talking over his shoulder. "then if you don't like her, tell her and leave her alone." 'ahyeon. please, let's go to the room yeah? or go for a walk?' 'didn't know you came here to be my mother ahyeon. if that's what she wants she can tell me herself.'

"you're the worst you're literally awful. she likes you and she thinks you like her so she won't do that. she puts up with you which is something i can't fathom anyone doing because you're such a prick."

'what a mouth. do you kiss hyuck with that same one? can't imagine anyone putting up with you.'

ahyeon lunges this time and hyuck has to physically move her out the door and upstairs to the rooftop. she's not kicking and screaming, in fact she's quiet by the time they make it out the dorm door, and flushed with embarrassment when they make it to the roof.

"i hate him." 'i know.' "it is too my business!" 'is it?'

she knows. she knows seoyoung is gonna tear her a new one when she gets back because it isn't her place it isn't her business and it'd been the same thing she'd told her members when they asked about hyuck. but she - she had to.

"he's making her look like an idiot."

idols talk. they all talk - regardless of if fans know, they know whose dating who - who is caught up with one another even if it's against the rules. and minjae's fine with her looking like a fool - gushing about minjae just to have another girl doing the same.

"it's different if the company is pairing them or whatever. he's making her look - like a joke." 'and you coming to fight the battle for her?' "i know!!!"

there's no anger or malice this time. it's just ahyeon's hands on her face and covering herself from the reality of what she's done.

"i just - i got so upset. i'm - i'm sorry." 'well - it's cute that you're sticking up for your members.' "she's going to kill me. she's so going to kill me." 'well - maybe you got through to him.'

ahyeon fixes him with a look and hyuck's back to getting her in his arms and letting her hide her embarrassment in his shirt.

'i didn't think you could get that riled up about anything other than me.' "shut up." 'would you have fought this hard for me?' "lee donghyuck." 'it's kinda cute.' "do you value your life?" 'more than minjae apparently.'

that gets her laughing, laughing through tears she hadn't seen coming but apparently he had and that's why he'd let her bury her face in the first place.

"are you sure your group needs him?" 'positive.' "......i think you're the cuter one." 'yes thank you girlfriend i appreciate it.' ".....i take it back." 'you're still my girlfriend so that means nothing.'

ahyeon groans, but she doesn't move. she's calm now. she's prepared to check her phone because she can feel it blowing up. she doesn't look yet but after the night passes and she doesn't get any calls from seoyoung she sees it and is pleasantly surprised.

[ from: satan ] she hasn't unblocked me yet, tell her to call me. please or whatever. i don't care if you do or don't.

she thinks a little of the embarrassment might be worth it.

[tuwam]

@urianius

daniel, is a relatively calm guy. really. it takes very little to agitate him. there’s just something to be said about his - stature. his demeanor. when new recruits get onto the ship, they meet hwan and jongho as those are usually the ones granting access. they’re caught off guard by their dynamic, by hwan’s easygoing nature and jongho’s scalding tone. but it’s too late to turn back so they allow themselves to be greeted and then they’re sent to daniel.

every single crew member can recount three things.

watching hwan angry for the first time

watching jongho punish someone

getting reprimanded by daniel

each of these things don't happen often. but its when they do happen that a crew member never wants to be on the opposite end of it. they can all recount when they met daniel for the first time, as he’s the one who gives out assignments, evaluates and typically is on your ass first if you mess something up. where jongho is a shark sniffing blood, daniel is a hound on the trail. 

and when he sniffs anything out of place, anything out of order he’s usually the first line of defense before it get to jongho or - and less often enough - he doesn’t catch it and someone’s being sent to him. the latter he detests more than anything. he hates thinking that he didn’t catch something or that the system isn’t running how it should - because someone could die. 

he has a lot of pride, despite his nature, and he acutely recalls the look on kihyun's face as he calls him down to watch him bandage the wounded, to watch as seung's face can barely meet his own, and the other - more seasoned who had caught sight of the accident waiting to happen and sprung into action to prevent further damage. he'd watched it all - had grimaced as the rope tore through them both, thrashing and reminding everyone around them why they were never fully in control of the sea - it did as it wished and they had to be on their guard always.

it's something he's drilled into their heads countless times. kihyun had treated them with a number of expletives leaving his mouth every second.

‘negligence. if there’s one thing i hate treating.’

‘I know.’

the cabin is silent. despite the crashing of the waves and the bustling of feet, the cabin is silent and all eyes are on him. they’re on daniel - awaiting what he’ll do - what he’ll say. he knows - hwan has already given them a mouthful, and jongho has abstained in favor of watching what daniel will do. he hates that too. being put on the spot - making a spectacle of things. that’s the forte of the other two. but everyone’s on edge - everyone’s been on edge and no wonder it’s been able to make its way all the way to the top. he can't help but feel like he'd slipped up.

this was serious. and he needs to respond accordingly. 

“seung. when you came on this ship do you know what you told me?"

daniel is usually quiet - but he’s not soft spoken. so when his voice cuts into everything - it cuts. everyone stops. everyone listens. nobody moves. the boy in question is still shaking - the fear hasn't left him, the shock and probably the weight of the threat placed on his back, eyes watching his every move lest it be carried out. he knows his manners, and keeps his head bowed.

daniel remembers how he'd begged to be on the ship - how it was his final decision as to whether he was valuable or not. despite the severity of their - living - hwan sometimes had a bleeding heart that the others would have to work around.

he'd watch the kid - well built for his age, but naive in a way that worried them. the crew had seen it before - half of them had been in his spot, searching for a life to make them forget their own. searching for a purpose - or for freedom. they could all relate to it and somehow daniel always let them cross the threshold into pirate life. he's never regretted it - but then again the stakes have never been this high.

'i---i don't - i don't remember sir - i-' "you swore that you would do your duty."

they all do. they're never lying - but they often don't realize the gravity of what they agree to. some of them had been sailors before this - had been in the military even - but others like seung had never stepped foot on a ship. it's always a gamble. the entire life they live is a gamble. but they'd all sworn; they have to in order to be considered a member of the crew. very rarely do they face that dire promise while they live out their duties. regardless, they're supposed to feel the weight of that promise everyday on the ship.

"that duty - if i remember correctly - was to be apart of the crew that manages sails. a task that i told you was as important as any. a task that puts many of the lives on this ship in your hands." 's-sir i - please-' "do you know what my duty is?"

he can see others flinch around them, some even look in pity. they think they know what's coming and daniel weighs his options.

"my job - is to make sure that the man who stands atop this deck - has nothing to worry about. that the crew that keeps this very ship afloat, can keep each other alive."

he lets the weight of those words sit in. sometimes people think only of jongho - who delivers swift and quick orders in crises, who comes up with plans that lead them to fortune. who makes weighs judgement and risk with hwan on a daily basis. they fear him - because he has no mercy, but he has to be that way. it causes them to forget the shadow they often turn to and rely on. that's daniel.

"that man - laying in his bunk with the entire of his right side immobilized until it heals - that man was one of the best handlers we had. just last week i had to watch you tie down the rope five times before it was secure. watch you - like a mother, when there were twelve hundred other things i should be doing."

the boy shrinks in on himself. daniel knows what the words must be doing to his mind - to his ego and his shame. but he's making a point. they're alone and yet he can still sense jongho's presence, near but not seen. ready to step in if needed.

"oh and you two - i had to have someone relieve you or your duties because as i hear it - you spent too much time yapping to notice a change in the wind that indicated a storm was coming. jongho had to tell me that."

he starts moving about the crew - eyes locking on each and every one of them.

"patching a leak takes what - two people. you four huddled around the same spot for more than an hour to fix a leak that just returned the next day and could've caused us to sink. four of you and the job was shit."

"if i were to ask some of you to show me your palms - i'd see blistering and bruises from how many times you'd had to catch the ropes because some of your mates - have other things on your mind and your crew members are taking the fall."

daniel sees everything - hears everything, because it's his job. because they would be dead if not. or at least have a smaller crew.

"so let's have it. who wants to go first."

it's definitely quiet now. he's sure no one wants to move first - no one wants to talk. but daniel is relentless and they know better than to keep him waiting, they know better than to disobey an order. one of the crew members steps forward - an apprentice under their carpenter.

'this...the ship she - she took so much damage to get this damned princess...we worked for hours to repair it and we can't possibly sail back into that. we won't make it - we barely made it.'

"ask your master. a ship can weather anything with the right crew. we made it and that should be a lessen in how to make sure we make it every time. this isn't the first time she's taken damage and it won't be the last. if you can't do the job leave."

silence.

"next."

'the - the princess! we're walking around with target on our backs. we should've dumped her the minute we had her!!! she's more trouble than she's worth!'

"do you know what she's worth?"

'i------'

"you don't. because that's not your job. that's hwan's. and you're a pirate mate. you've had a target on your back since you stepped foot on this ship. or did you forget? you thought you'd sail the seas high and mighty?"

'we have the navy on us!'

daniel's head whips to catch who'd spoken up but in the same second, choruses and choruses start adding in agreements, huffs and yells. 'an extra mouth to feed!' 'longer watches because of her!' 'three-fourths a crew while some recover!' 'who even asked us if we wanted this?!' 'we should get rid of her!' 'yeah!' 'yeah!'

"quiet."

daniel doesn't have to raise his voice much - due to how he normally speaks - just a bit of force in his tone causes them all to stop. he doesn't need to look to know - that the ones mostly speaking are newer additions - younger additions. ones who know no better. and its why this doesn't phase him in the slightest. they've all been at these crossroads before - the veterans on the ship. and with men - sometimes you need to let them get it out once before you strike.

"some of you - seem to forget where you are or what you've signed up for. so you've taken to bitchin' and whinin' when you should be doin' your job. and a disappointing amount of you - seem to think you can do this job better than the man who sits above you all."

"anyone who thinks what they're doing is a hassle - or doesn't align with them. we can let you off this ship - let the navy handle you."

"but let me be very clear. to sit around - and gossip about what we should do and what we aren't doing - is to deny and demean the choices of the person that granted you your life here. i don't need that on my crew and i will - let the sea have you."

when daniel stands up - the sound of his boots against the silence has some of the crew members falling back - huddling into each other but giving him space. the air of his authority is back almost immediately, as if the outbursts never even happened.

"let me spell out exactly what my job is. it's to gather and run a tight crew - a loyal crew and a crew that can support hwan. it's to weed out who isn't tough enough for this. the troublemakers, the naysayers, the disloyal ones and deal with them. i've dealt with many, and i'll be happy to deal with more."

some of them avoid his gaze but he doesn't stop, he walks around, looking them all in the eye, making sure the words reach. making sure he can see who has the resolve and who doesn't and filling it for later.

"do not make the mistake of thinking we need you if you can't do the job you chose."

the silence is almost staggeringly different to the riffraff that'd started earlier. you can hear awkward shifts, grunts, swallows as the weight of his words reach everyone, and the gravity hits one by one.

"i am not stupid to believe you all feel this way. and i won't ask you to give up who started these little seeds of nonsense. because i know."

if someone were to ask daniel what makes him think he's qualified to speak to these men in the way he does without fear of mutiny of his life his next actions would answer that.

without so much as a glance, his dagger flies through the air - across the cabin and lodges in the wood beside a crew member. a troublemaker for sure and a loudmouth but certainly the one whose complaints that normally causes a rolled eye or two - have gone way too far. the dagger gets close, close enough to scrape the side of his neck, blood dripping starting to drip onto the knife and the floor.

"hyunwoo!" daniel's smile is as off-putting as his words. "you have infirmary duty for the next week with kihyun - and our little prisoner. and remember - that's just enough blood for the sharks to thank us as they tear you apart."

"seung!" 's-sir!' "you're off sails for this week. i want you in the lookout."

there's some groans of disapproval but it's only from the lookout team who are dreading teaching a newbie. daniel doesn't mind them - if anything it means the order is back.

"you're all men who signed up for this job. so do your damn job - or -" he makes a glance towards the knife still lodged in the wall - hyunwoo's shaking frame beside it and the wound now covering the side of his neck in red. "don't."

"now get on that deck - and get it spotless!"

'sir yes sir!'

they scramble - tumble out the door and to the deck. daniel's sure hwan's going to come to him laughing with just how spotless the deck is. daniel isn't going to find it funny, but at least the job is done and the crew is back in order. kihyun will kill him later for sure and he owes an extra round of ale to some of the veterans for all the greenhorn's they've picked recently. he can handle that. it's his job after all.

[tuwam]

@urianius

'what are you doing?'

Yoojun smelled him before he spoke, sensed him before he entered. his confusion at the sight, his worry when he'd first woken up and didn't see yoojun beside him. his worry that's just been around him for the past few days.

it's been a few days since soyeon's left. yoojun hasn't smelled her, and after the first day he's stopped trying to. because it hurt, because it scared him, and because wonwoo gets this look in his eye whenever he sees the pained look on his face. yoojun does his best, but he can't help it.

he's taken to scooting closer than necessary to the male during these nights and wonwoo's taken to allowing him without much of a fuss. yoojun's grateful, he knows he's pretty big, he knows he takes up space and likes to drape himself over everyone. wonwoo doesn't like - any of those things especially in his sleep and hasn't complained once. yoojun has tried to sleep alone just to give the male some space but has ended up trailing behind wonwoo when he wakes up.

that's led them to today, with wonwoo finding yoojun gone and in the kitchen. there's - a mess everywhere, it's on the cabinets, on the counters, on his nose, his apron, his hands, the floor. the mess - is yoojun's attempt at -

"scallion pancakes." 'scallion pancakes.'

wonwoo repeats the word, a sigh leaving his lips and just as it leaves, he leaves no room for yoojun to react - a smile comes next. it's small - a little tired but it's not tired of him or because of him. and yoojun knows, he can feel that and despite that he still feels himself shrinking a bit. he knows he looks silly, he knows the burning might have woken the other up, he knows he's made a mess.

"you usually make breakfast for soyeon and me." 'soyeon and i.' "right, you and soyeon would make breakfast for me." 'no - come here.'

and yoojun - yoojun doesn't really stop talking there. he's sure the words don't make the most sense, because he's mumbling them and parts of them get lost when wonwoo makes to wipe any traces of batter off his face while he talks. he's talking nonsense - about how he knows wonwoo likes to make this often and how it's something they always do after sleepless nights. how he knows they haven't been getting sleep and -

"i wanted to help."

wonwoo's hand does stop then, pauses as he's about to toss the rag somewhere the clean later. he'd been humming for the most part - indicating that he's listening even though he doesn't have to. they're always acutely tuned into one another - part of it is just a habit of their nature - vampires and werewlves and their otherworldly abilities. the other part is because - they like to be as aware of one another as possible. it's how they remain calm - it's how yoojun feels safe.

'why didn't you just ask me?' "i wanted to surprise you."

'you didn't cut your finger cutting any veggies did you?' "nope! i cut them nice and clean! did i do a good job?" 'if i tell you yes, can you promise your tail won't pop out and knock everything off the counter?' yoojun pauses at that - because even if that did happen it was because he was happy and he was told he should always express it. he struggles with answering because he knows that's exactly what will happen and he'll make a bigger mess.

'you did good, i'll finish them for you, can you make the sauce?' "mhm!"

and yoojun gets to work, cleaning and wiping down all the areas wonwoo had forgotten, rummaging through the cabinets and putting aside any dishes once he's cleaned them. a clean home is a happy home and soyeon is going to be mad if she comes back to a pigsty.

'she better start cleaning it when she gets back then - she leaves her dishes everywhere.'

yoojun is laughing, the first laugh that doesn't feel forced. the first laugh that isn't as bittersweet, with them talking about her or saying her name like its taboo. it's open and it's full and he swears he hears a little of it come from wonwoo as well.

"i'm gonna perfect the recipe so that next time i can make it for all of us!" wonwoo is mischievous and yoojun almost hears the words before they leave the elder's lips. 'oh yeah? you're gonna treat her to a feast before I get one?' "you'll both get it at the same time!"

he's so fond it them. sometimes he's not sure how much or what he can do to show it - how much of it he can keep to himself so it doesn't overwhelm them. yoojun wants to do so much for them - wants to give as much warmth as they do. he's almost desperate to find a way to match how they make him feel. he always feels a little short - and wonwoo - wonwoo always seems to know when he's stuck up in his head.

'did you make rice for this?' "mhmm!! it should be done!" 'oh - you remembered to hit start this time.' "hyung!"

more laughter. more warmth. yoojun thinks it'll be okay. he thinks it's a sign of hope. if they can laugh like this there's nothing dreadful hanging in the air. they haven't moved on - they haven't forgotten - they're waiting. waiting to share the same laughter and make more with her.

wonwoo adds a couple more side dishes to the table because 'scallion pancakes is not a complete meal yoojun' and they're ready to eat. yoojun tries - tries not to focus on how they've rearranged their seating back to before soyeon was with them. he tries not to focus and ends up staring down at his food.

'hey, good job making the batter.'

it's not the words that snap him out first, it's the feeling of a hand on his head. it's gentle - almost a little hesitant, but he feels the rub - the gentle pat of his friend's fingers in his hair and he perks up.

'i'll show you how to fry it porperly tomorrow.' "really?" 'really, gotta get it perfect for the big surprise breakfast yeah?'

yoojun thinks he's the luckiest.

"yeah!"

[tuwam]

@urianius

lee donhyuck is a lucky boy. a really lucky boy.

for one thing, ahyeon's realized that there are many things that irk her, cause the little twitch in her eyebrow that her members often tease her for. she's not a difficult person but she's got pretty - picky standards. that's at least what her sister says. she's got high standards and it's quite hard for her to settle for things that don't meet those standards. for instance, when her members take breaks when they've still got so much to cover, when they talk a little too much about hyuck, when they forget to wash their hands before eating the food she's cooked after practice - that irks her.

when interviewers ask her about what she's wearing or what idol boy groups she's freaking out about instead of the hours her leader put into their recent song or the new level of choreography they'd had to learn from foundations. that irks her.

when people act like they know her when they see a curated version.

and above all, when minjae has that shit-eating grin on his face. the one that makes her fists curl, her lips pull in and her teeth almost bare like she's an animal. she hates that he always has something coming out of that smart-mouth of his and even more than her face starts to look like a fox when she can't hold back what she says back.

donghyuck is a lucky man because he's not slick enough for her to miss the same grin crossing his face - but she decides she hates minjae's much much more. he's lucky because she happens to find that damn grin on his face cute, even when it's burying in the pillow. even when it's hard from him to hide as he pushes - shoves minjae out the bus and he's turning to her.

and really - really, ahyeon should've expected this. it's her own damn fault. sleeping over in their tour bus - has she lost her mind? of course he has that look on her face.

because despite the look on his face, how she tries so hard not to grin, with his hair sticking in different directions and looking like a fool in that old cartoon t-shirt she'd bought for him as a joke souvenir ( the same one matching the one she's wearing and oh god - minjae is going to have something to say about that later ).

ahyeon scowls at the very thought and that's when hyuck actually lets a little chuckle leave his lips.

"shut up."

there's no malice in it honestly when did she get so soft.

'i didn't say anything.' he's making his way over to her and ahyeon knows better than to let the distance close because it'll mean she can't get out what she needs to.

"i'm going to kill your bandmate, better find another fan favorite." 'you wouldn't kill minjae.' "you're right. i'd hire a sasaeng to do it for me. string him up by his little toes."

hyuck gives her a moment - maybe because he's processing what she'd said. he blinks and ahyeon considers that he's just letting residual sleep leave him so he can respond properly - not end up on the end of whatever this is. whatever emotions have her face still screwed up and folding her arms.

'did he really get under your skin?' "he did not." ahyeon's tongue pokes into her cheek because how dare he. hyuck is unfazed, dare she say he looks intrigued by the words leaving her mouth and she can't help but add - "he's always in our space." but it's small and comes out more like the pout that's making its way to her lips.

a pout.

she doesn't pout.

it's ahyeon being lost in her own disbelief that allows hyuck to step closer, this time expertly hiding the laugh he wants to let out and seamlessly laying his hands on the edge of her knees.

'he's always what?' "nothing." 'didn't sound like nothing.' "let him back in i'll show you what it sounds like. god - can't a girl get some alone time with her boyfriend!"

lee donghyuck has the nerve to smirk.

'you're angry.' "i am not angry." 'then...?' "i just want time with my boyfriend." 'you've got all the time now.'

she lets her eyes finally rest on him - lets herself process how close to her he's gotten, how wide awake he looks and how she walks to fix the parts of his hair that are starting to fall over his eyes. especially because when it gets that low and covers his face and he's this close - ahyeon loses her breath. but she's angry and she has a point to make and he has no right to look this handsome.

'you look like you want to punch me.' "you look like you're enjoying this." 'i just think there's other ways you can use this energy.'

now ahyeon starts to come to her senses. now she starts to take the moment for all that it is. hyuck and where he is, how close he is - how close they'd been all night, where they are and where they should be. how scandalous they've been and his words - minjae's words be damned. ignoring how red she's sure her face is getting, she has the nerve to let her eyes narrow - like a challenge.

"you are enjoying this." 'you're kind cute when you're mad.' "so you want to die first i see." 'only if you do it personally.' "lee donghyuck-----"

she doesn't even get the words out - not really. because he's still got that grin on his face and she's been disarmed - enough for his hands to reach her waist and his lips to reach hers and ahyeon decides -

she'll kill him later.

maybe she'll thank minjae.

[tuwam]

@urianius

“having second thoughts?”

kihyun doesn’t have a reason for his words, most of the time he never does. they’re usually just to get a reaction and from that reaction he will find a reason. however, there’s really only one person that he both chooses and doesn’t choose to pick his words around. ahyeon is that certified person. he chooses because she makes it so that he needs to be careful - as well as care to be careful. for most of his life he’s known that words come with consequences, and he hasn’t cared much for those consequences, whatever consequences kihyun can always face head on and come out on top. 

not to mention the only people to ever stand against him with said consequences - and not just with fists were ahyeon and daniel. though technically speaking - kihyun went out of his way to make sure he didn’t face physical consequences with daniel, he’s smart not suicidal. he does get kicks out of teasing the older though, just as he gets kicks out of teasing ahyeon. she however, always provided a challenge, a fun to the entire game, and he never found himself being able to anticipate what she would say or do.

it was stupid, but it’s how they became friends. and now when he knows he should be serious, despite his best judgement, he’s approaching the situation as unserious as he can. so, he’d said the words with a smile, with another slide of his blades against the needles sticking from his pores. they’ve been on stakeout duty, one of the more - boring aspects of the job they’ve set out to do. although, the versatility of the task they’ve taken on, makes for quite an exciting set of events.

‘no. i’m just assessing the situation.’ 

watching a human - half-human at that, is not exactly his idea of an exciting time. but ahyeon had been sure about this one and if kihyun trusted anyone’s judgement it was hers. the person in question, was their prince candidate for the spring court, who was desperately trying to cover up the fatal illness befalling their current leader. their queen, the damned woman had so much hubris, she waited until there was a timeline on her last breath before giving them the whereabouts of the only one who could ascend the throne. not after kihyun and ahyeon accosted every sentry, advisor and aide in the court from years past about the rumored information. everyone knew once they set their minds on a set of information - though they had different methods of getting it, they got it.

a bastard heir - but a legitimate one. she held onto the secret until they’d assured her the winter court would be at their steps the very second she shut her eyes. that and - the sound of kihyun scraping blades against his own needles - was persuasive enough. an heir she hoped to protect by keeping him in the human world - kihyun had scoffed that his royal blood was enough to never fully separate him from his duty. upon observation the prince to be was - a strange one but when had the spring court been anything but strange. one look at him and kihyun could see the heavily applied glamour as well as the foolhardy spring court sentries trying to keep their distance and keep an eye on him.

“if you ask me,” he begins. ‘i didn’t.’ ahyeon stops him. “because you will - i think he’d be happier with us.” ‘but i didn’t ask you, because i knew you’d say that.’

kihyun’s wings are unruly, excited at whatever prospect they have in this half-breed and how much ahyeon seems to be thinking of a decision he’d thought they were sure about. 

“does he look happy to you?” ‘you’re concerned about his happiness?’ “aren’t you? isn’t that why you’ve been standing there?”

they’d agreed to approach him faster than planned, what with the summer king already announcing marriage plans of his daughter to their very own court monarch, ahead of schedule. they’d been forced to forfeit their initial plan of engaging with the soon-to-be spring prince delicately due to their timetable getting ripped from underneath them. following the trail of faerie dust spring fae always forget to clean up, they’d found the routine of this - haneul between going to a fae-owned coffee shop, to meeting with his singular heavily glamoured fae friend. it was hilarious how the boy seemed to already only keep company of fae creatures, even in his ignorance. kihyun had wondered if the shop owner would be a problem and why he seemed so familiar but declined to think about it. 

they had bigger issues.

‘i’m not standing here i’m waiting.’ “for what...” kihyun’s questions are answered when one of the sentries who’d been following haneul around changes course and heads right for them. he doesn’t have time to react because he can clearly see the remnants of the winter court’s own dust circling under his eyes. a pale white that looks like tiny snowflakes circling around the sentry’s nose. kihyun snorts a laugh as the male sentry makes him way to ahyeon, determination in his step.

‘did you deliver the note?’ the man can’t form words, but he nods so hard at ahyeon’s question - they get their answer. ahyeon’s smile is easy, and with a curl of her hands, the dust starts to drift, and the sentry stops, blinks, turns, and walks back to his group as if he’d never left. kihyun blinks, watching the group continue to leave, no sign that they’d seen their friend gone or that they’re intent on following haneul for the remainder of the day. 

“you used dust...you?” ‘we don’t have time.’

he blinks, tool not frozen in his palm as he watches his friend. most people - if not anyone who knows of their reputation, knows that they’ve had to do unsavory things under the command of the winter court, things that yielded very specific to who they were. they don’t talk about it but between everyone they know, kihyun and ahyeon know each other’s tactics the most. still. he’s not blinking out of anything like surprise, or disgust. in fact, he’s blinking because he sees the red that starts to collect around her nose and around her cheeks. 

“oh i’m so telling daniel.” ‘not if you die you won’t-’

‘hey? did you write this?’ for the moment kihyun is surprised at the speed of the events around them because standing before them - is haneul. haneul - looking right at them with kihyun’s needles still sticking out his pores and him wings on full display. he hadn’t even noticed ahyeon had started to don her glamour, too engrossed in teasing her. haneul however, doesn’t bat an eye, kihyun for the moment decides that he doesn’t care when the boy’s eyes run over him, from his wings down to his combat shoes.

‘yes, haneul right?’ ‘yeah, do i know you?’

there’s an awkward kind of silence in the air and well - seeing as the boy hasn’t asked the normal questions that any human would - and seeing as ahyeon said they have no time. kihyun jumps at the opportunity like a shark after blood.

“your mother, the spring queen, is on her deathbed. and we need you to come with us.”

ahyeon actually smacks him at that. like literally, hand across his head, wing across his head, smacks him. she even made a point to forsake her glamour just to make sure to smack him with her wing.

“i thought you said we didn’t have time?!” ‘we have time to ease him into it you idiot.’ “like you eased that sentry into giving the note.” ‘like i’m going to ease my foot up your-’

‘do i need to come now? i’m meeting a friend.’

both fae stop in their tracks, ahyeon’s hands seconds from yanking kihyun’s hair out his scalp. they stop mainly because - they can’t believe what they’re hearing. kihyun takes the moment, to detangle his hair from ahyeon’s hand and take a look at the kid that’s supposed to take over the spring court. he’s taller them him ( duh ), taller than both of them actually but when he looks at them kihyun wants to snap in his face because the boy looks like he’s going to fall asleep. like he’s bored! even when his eyes have scanned the wings, the needles, the lack of glamour, he looks - unfazed. 

‘you - you what?’ ‘i can come by after, i don’t want her to wait up.’ ‘did you hear what he said? do you see his wings?’ ‘it won’t take long.’

ahyeon is floored. kihyun has the nerve to cackle, suddenly thoroughly interested in whatever this kid has to say.

‘uh. yeah sure - can you meet us at the coffee shop?’ ‘yeah of course. um - will your -’ the kid - haneul - is addressing kihyun directly now. more importantly, looking and trying to gesture at the wings that are moving freely about him. “will my...” ‘will you be comfortable - we can just meet here.’

kihyun cackles again allowing the needles to retreat back into freckles  that don his skin in response to the boy’s question. spring fae are always overly concerned with the wrong things. but somehow - it always tends to be endearing. 

“i’ll be fine.” ‘okay! i’ll be - i’ll see you there.’

he scurries off, both of them unable to tell what kind of expression is on his face and even if they could, kihyun’s sure they’d both be stumped by what it means. it’s silent for the moment, ahyeon getting her glamour ready properly and kihyun doing the same. 

“this’ll be fun.” ‘kihyun----’ “i’m still telling daniel you know.” ‘i hope you’re allergic to the pastries.’

[tuwam]

@urianius

june and jules represent dynamic ends of the summer court.

it’s something that everyone says, something that everyone recognizes, something that was just natural given how far apart they were born. because of that, they both embody the dynamic ends of the summer court, as most royal heirs tend to do. though, there’s something to be said that their particular lineage is - exceptional in embodying their court, jules thinks they’re just lying.

regardless, it’s almost impossible to not be able to guess what court they hail from, what with the way the sun bounces off their skin everywhere they go. even among court meetings - which aren’t rare occasions, even with all the light and shine that the entire court can amass in the main square - the prince and princess of the summer court seem to outdo everyone.

it’s just the nature of their blood. jules has long gotten used to the attention, to the gawks of admiration from summer fae who admire her for just being - what summer is meant to be. sometimes, she finds her body falls stiff from trying to adhere to the sculpture they liken her to. in the main square, amongst many other things, is a fountain, with which her mother’s likeness is adorned in a marble statue. it was their father’s tribute to her, and now it just serves as a reminder of jules’ lineage, and of her duty.

though, despite the same patterns adorning her wings, and the petals blooming in her hair, her mother is more like the other sibling. one who has yet to arrive to the occasion everyone had been summoned to.

‘you’ll lock up standing like that.’ seojun’s voice is - gentle. gentle in the way that only autumn fae can manage. it’s not as cheery, or chirpy as spring or summer and it’s not quite as heavy as winter, but it’s gentle, calm. despite that there’s always a touch of tease in it, one that with her title as princess, she rarely gets from other - even in the carefree nature of the summer court. despite how gentle it rolls out, jules still finds herself tensing even more at his sudden presence beside her.

her eyes roll at the way a chuckle finds its way past his lips. she squares her shoulder and for good measure decides that he is right, she will lock up at this rate. not to mention the dress paired with the headpiece her maidens have insisted she wear to a court meeting - is enough to root her to the floor. 

“june’s late.”  ‘it’s june.’ he says it with a fondness, and its one that helps remind her for a moment that he’s right. jules’ brother, quite the opposite of her, is the one always bouncing about the court, from the palace to the outskirts. her brother is the one that learns of their people by talking and seeing, while jules has reserved to learn through the tales and the teachings. he’s always had guards running about keeping up with his antics and their father letting out a sigh or two with how he galivants about the court. jules loves it, has always taken a fondness to how much life her brother has.

where jules was born towards the middle and end of the summer season, june was born towards the beginning, the end of spring and the full blossom of flowers. he’s got life and energy and he shines so bright, so carefree in their court that the people can’t help but love him for it. jules was born when summer began to wane, getting cooler and calmer, no longer a blazing heat of emotion and energy. still as bright and beautiful, but relaxing, on its way to the near sleepiness of autumn. she has been the pinnacle of poise for her people and for the court, to which her father has endlessly praised her commitment to her duty as princess.

she does so, just because it makes sense. nothing else.

‘you’re nervous.’ it’s almost said as a question but - she knows seojun better. one glance in his direction shows his eyes haven’t left a flower that’s fell from her hair. jules makes to speak, to deny, but she’s still found herself frozen with the entire court mussing about before them. seojun, ever the daredevil, takes it upon himself to move first, blocking her view from the myriad of stares and starting to fix the flower arrangement in her hair. ‘see.’ he holds up a pale pink flower, already beginning to wilt in his palm.

she knows why. she always sheds pale pink flower petals when she’s nervous - and yet she can’t explain why she’s nervous. seojun knows though, he knows almost all the different ways the flowers that sprout from her skin represent her, and instead of making her anxious - in the way that all the stares and whispers usually do, she’s smiling and passing the first laugh of the day.

“i’m just curious. do you know why father called a meeting?” ‘your guess is as good as mine.’ ‘i hope it’s not to announce another festival, i hate babysitting.’

with seoyun’s appearance beside her, seojun steps aside to put some space between him and jules. jules lets out the first natural smile of the day, happy that seoyun has joined them in the wait. seojun is the first to accost his sister, mirth spreading across his lips immediately.

‘you sure took your time.’ ‘i knew a certain prince would.’ ‘if he knew you’d come he’d fly here.’ ‘which is why i took my time.’

jules giggles at the banter, at the joke they refuse to let die about their prince’s young infatuation for the autumn princess, their dear friend.

“well - we’d finally be sisters.” ‘i’d think of twelve other ways for that to happen.’

jules cackles - actually cackles, and it wouldn’t have gone unnoticed if it weren’t for how the giggles and the cheers amongst the crowd drowns her out. everyone knows the sound though, it’s always what follows the view of her brother. sure enough, june is coming through the crowd, parting it as if the tail end of his ponytail was lashing out for others to move. he’s running, he’s smiling loud and proud and jules can’t help but keep laughing at the look on her father’s face at how carefree the younger is.

‘you’re late.’

all three say it at once, when the summer court prince finally stands before them. june just grins at them, wiping sweat from his brow and dusting whatever residue from whatever he’d been messing around in, off his armor. julee can’t help the fondness that finds its way to her face watching him. summer court fae are bright yes, but not quite as big as her younger brother, and it's definitely something she feels a swell of pride for. it helps curve the unwavering feeling to protect him. sometimes.

‘i made it didn’t i?’ that he did. ‘what’s the meeting about?’ “we’ve been waiting on you to find out silly.” 

‘nice of you to join us, prince junhyeok.’

their father’s voice cuts through everything. if there’s one thing the summer court king can do, despite how relaxed and jovial his court is - is command attention. they all turn to where he stands, quite a few steps far from where they are, but enough to tower over everyone that has come forth to the meeting. he doesn’t have to speak loud for them to listen, with jules’ father, he just has to speak. there’s a certain intensity to his words, his poise, that only rivals that of the winter court, and the entire court is rapt with attention.

'as you all know - there have been talks about alliances among other kingdoms. i always elect to put the safety of my court above all.’ it’s a tense subject, and its nothing something jules would think her father would discuss publicly like this. but then his gaze meets them, and she freezes. ‘my daughter, has always been a treasure of our court, and the symbol of devotion to her people. needless to say, such a position and beauty of hers has taken the heart of another.’

jules feels her blood run cold even among the layers and layers of fabric.

‘she has caught the eye of the winter court king himself, and by the beginning of next first snow this coming winter, they are to be wed as our courts join in alliance.’

summer court fae are not necessarily a rowdy bunch, they like to keep their wits about them. but at the news there’s enough whispers and talks and confusion for it to erupt into something of a mass of chaos and confusion. jules doesn’t move, doesn’t speak, her eyes don’t leave her father. she feels it, almost immediately, the flowers that begin to fall from her headdress, and seojun is quick to wrap his cloak around her to hide the color they turn to when they touch the ground. she knows them, knows them to be wilted, black and blue.

“father...” ‘you’re not serious - father.’ june cuts her off before she can ask the question herself. he has taken steps forward, past her and seoyun and towards their father, something unreadable in his gaze. ‘this is a joke - jules, to be married to the southern king? the southern king?’

‘june.’ it’s seojun who holds her brother back, jules holding tight to the flowers that are bunching at her feet.  ‘how could you...’ “june be quiet.”

the hush that falls over the court when julee speaks is palatable. she draws a breath as her brother’s eyes meet her own. she shuffles, if only to move past seoyun and her brother, and then past june himself to face her father, so far above all of them, eyes now resting on her rather than her brother. 

“i am honored father. i will do the summer court proud.” she holds her head still as she bows towards him, wills the petals to stay in just for a bit longer, wills them not to turn colors while they still rest in her hair. the gift is a bit of a curse, but she knows her father, he cares nothing for whatever emotions reveal themselves in the petals that fall past her skin. he cares for the bow, the words, for what she will do despite that. 

‘i trust that you will. we will celebrate soon.’ he leaves with those words and jules finds her strength leaves as his footsteps retreat but she holds her pose, holds her head. she hears her brother, calling after her father in a rage, a mismatch of their language and his anger, and seojun’s own words cutting it, she’s sure if she were to look up seojun would be holding him back.  her maidens are at her first, but it is seoyun who helps her stand. the crackle of wilted flowers sounds at her feet.

‘hold your head high julee.' is all that seoyun tells her, a comfort of her hand at the small of her back. julee knows why, winter fae must be watching, observing, messengers to the king about his betrothed. so she stands, holds her head amongst the fae that are waiting for her to speak, who have not left even though their king dismissed them. 

“we will celebrate as our court does. and we will shine as our court does.”

and the people move, and the people rejoice in the only way they know how. 

[tuwam]

it had been a weird day.

( @urianius )

typically when it came to haneul, things weren’t so easily summed up with words like odd and strange, because for the majority of his life he was quite used to them. so, it became hard to define them. people would use it to describe the things he did or the things he said, garments he wore and colors he’d dye his hair, they’d use it especially for his eyes and their color. but haneul had always done these things, always wore those colors, always had these eyes so he couldn’t find it in him to use the same words.

because weird didn’t always carry the same mundane-ness he’d adopted when other people said it. their brows would furrow, their lips would curl and sometimes, when he was much younger, his stomach would turn at the expressions. it didn’t take him long to understand that they weren’t pointing it out because it was a good thing, but because they didn’t understand him. and they thought he was weird. 

but today had been a weird day. in a way that has his nose scrunching up as he thinks about it, his brows furrowing and his lips turning while he tries to recall the events. mainly because these same events had caused him to be late to meet up with miyoung. miyoung who - given his massive array of friends, he tries to never be late to meet up with her. usually they’d meet up at his favorite cafe, ran by a man with the softest looking black hair that haneul had ever seen and a voice as sweet as the coffee he’d given them. miyoung had told haneul he had a crush, haneul had said he couldn’t describe what he had, but it was immense calm going to the shop.

if anyone knew anything about haneul, it was that he craved calm and warmth in every aspect of his life, because it always seemed so fleeting, like it never wanted to stick to him. the shop had appeared almost out of nowhere and immediately business boomed with tales of the owner who could guess anyone’s favorite dessert and specialty drink, and haneul was intrigued. the owner who seems even more intrigued by him, saying that his drink is quite hard to make but he’ll try his best. just another reason why haneul thinks the word weird always seems to follow him, but when that shop owner - sanghee is his name - had told him that, he had said it was a fondness. so he’d kept going back. 

he’d taken miyoung once and though she’d tried to hide it, he nose had scrunched up and he didn’t ask, he just offered to pick up their drinks and meet her elsewhere. he still frequents the shop, almost everyday to engage in conversation with the owner, to settle in the sense of gravity that seems to fall over him each time he steps inside. it smells of jasmine and something deeper, familiar, perhaps something from his childhood, he can never pinpoint - mainly because he childhood is a mess of dots and misconnections. 

regardless, the routine has always been to grab some cake, two drinks and meet miyoung at their favorite bookstore. haneul will draw, scrapbook, take photos and miyoung will read - people watch as she calls it. however, on this particular day, the conversation with sanghee at the coffee shop had taken a turn. the man - gorgeous as he is, had allowed that look of furrowed brows and curled lips to cross his face when he handed haneul his drinks. 

‘did you want drinks for your friends? they always wait for you outside but never come in.’ initially haneul had been confused, because he’d turned around to follow the owner’s eyes and had seen no one outside the door, other than people walking by the shop, eyes locked on something else.

“my friends?” he almost though it’d been a joke, because sanghee should know the only friend he’d shown up with had been miyoung. that hadn’t been because he didn’t want to bring anyone else here, but because she’s the only one he could bring.

‘yes they - oh.’ that’s when sanghee’s eyes took on a different turn and he’d held the drinks a little longer, before haneul could look back he’d cleared his throat. ‘i’m sorry, i meant miyoung. she never comes here anymore.’ haneul most definitely knew that the man hadn’t said miyoung, he remembers it but at the same time he doesn’t. he’d taken one look at sanghee and forgotten it for a moment. he remembers it as he tells miyoung but in the moment he remembers nodding and assuring sanghee that miyoung doesn’t like crowded cafes much.

‘i see, give her my regards. oh and take this, on the house.’

“that’s how i got the extra tin of pastries. he said they were a family recipe.” haneul’s holding up the tin he’d waved around to miyoung when he’d entered the bookstore. she’d been listening so intently he almost feels bad that the story isn’t captivating.

‘he thought you had friends waiting for you outside?’ “i guess? he sounded so sure and - hyung’s too sincere to joke.” ‘you don’t know him haneul.’ “yeah but i feel like he knows me. like he knows a lot.”

miyoung sighs at the comment, and he knows its because he admiration for sanghee is a topic they can never really breach. haneul’s got a lot of wonder for the beautiful man and his otherworldly ability to guess people’s favorites and make their day just by doing so.

‘did you see anyone?’

haneul blinks. because for the entirety of the story, he thinks he’s meant to say no. he’s sure that the point of the story was that no - he hadn’t seen anybody. but when he closes his eyes, he sees the scene a little differently. when he blinks and his eyes close and the memory repeats he finds there were faces. no, not just faces. there were - figures waiting outside, almost blended in with the distortion of the glass windows, but they’d been there? somehow. clustered together and hidden right underneath the shop’s canopy. eyes were on him and as the feeling comes back he starts to think.

miyoung doesn’t say anything because she’s quite used to him going off into his world. but haneul, haneul’s drawing again - he’s recalling a bit of the story he didn’t remember until now. his finger’s flit around the paper, the scent of lavender and shortbread crumbs getting everywhere as he continues to draw - and draw - and draw.

“them.” he’s almost breathless when he finishes and his head hurts, aches like he’d run a mile to get here without breathing. miyoung finally peeks over, but pauses at the array of sketches.

‘what is this?’ “they asked me my name.” ‘who asked you your name?’ “them. i met them before i got the drinks.” ‘before you got the drinks?’ “yes and they asked me my name.”

‘haneul. are you sure?’

miyoung’s not looking at him right now and he’s not sure why but her eyes are focused on the images. of - figures. figures is the better term because there are certain things, scratched out around them, where ears and where shoulders are, things that don’t make sense but for some reason they do and he doesn’t find it weird or odd.

“yeah. they were outside the shop.” i remember is what he wants to say but he doesn’t think he needs to. not right now. almost on instinct he turns his head, checks around his shoulder for that same familiar feeling of eyes on him, eyes in the shape of slits, almonds and cats from corners he can’t see far enough into. suddenly he feels like he’s being doing this for longer than just this moment, checking around, feeling for eyes that he can’t quite see and when he does, the image blinks away, slips far.

‘what happened after you told them your name?’ “they just - laughed. and said it’s nice to meet you.”

there’s silence after that, miyoung’s eyes haven’t left the image and haneul finds himself shivering, briefly and takes a sip of his drink even if it’s not warm and it’s boiling outside. he needs the comfort, something. when he takes a look back at the image he’d drawn it’s only for a moment, before miyoung is placing the tin of cookies on top of it without another word.

‘the cookies are good.’ “aren’t they! and they were free! sanghee hyung is the best.”

miyoung groans and so haneul starts another story about the things sanghee has told him and the drawings and the eyes are forgotten in favor of the tale and their same old routine.

[tuwam]

traces

@urianius

very rarely does the winter court offer time to breathe. there’s something about the air there, tense, like they’re always on the brink of something. like there’s something ready to snap, similar to the way the weight of icicles and snow can pile atop a branch for years or seconds before it gives. the winter court for all it’s beauty in snows and whites, is always shrouded in a quiet silence that leaves other son its edge. it’s why daniel had kept his distance, he doesn’t mind the cold but he minds always being on edge. he likes to relax these days, and he likes to be lax in how he approaches things.

as a captain he’d been quite the hard ass, not to the point of making it hard for his men to follow him but the respect he’d garnered came form his tactical ruthlessness and efficiency. he was still quite lax on any other day opting to kick back when they didn’t have practice sessions and ordering his men to take breaks on watch when they needed. but - still, like any other person in the winter court, he checks his back more than he’d like to admit.

so. for reasons that shouldn’t be hard for anyone to guess, his extended vacation to the spring court had been expected. he trusted those who led the winter guar din his stead and though daniel worries about how they get along with that pompous of a leader, he’s got faith in them and he’d rather his orders come from afar than from the siphoning hell the winter court has turned into. 

the autumn court, in all its occasional muddiness and fog, has a heaviness that’s allowed him peace of mind. they’re a proud race, the autumn fae, political to a fault, but they are peaceful, not as mischievous and wishy-washy as the summer and spring courts. they’ve allowed his presence for what he can teach their sentries and for his own diplomatic prowess. not to mention daniel has it rather good with the royal family here, having spent time making sure he made more friends than enemies during his king’s own tyrannical path. he’s here on diplomacy, but really this extended vacation became cemented when he realized much of the winter court would rather not venture out to find him, what with how strict the autumn court could be about their borders. 

there is some residual of the winter court found in the autumn court and that’s probably why he finds more peace of mind because it’s not home but it’s close enough. it’s not as big a scenery change and he doesn’t have to check every corner for a spy, the autumn fae now just scurry when they lock eyes with him, laughing, giggling rather than out of spite or mistrust. in the winter court, he would get the giggles, the fear, and a bit of mistrust from those he didn’t trust on his guard, those who followed his king too close and he worried he would have to expunge at his own hand. he grew tired of that.

it’s because of the peace of mind here, that daniel thinks he’s become quite soft. not because kihyun hasn’t stopped letting the comment slip each time they run into each other, but because he can feel it. because - despite knowing the presence of kihyun meant his peace was disrupted he acknowledges it was a form of peace. because he finds himself slipping into habits that would’ve never crossed his mind back home.

habits like - getting lost in a romance he’d have previously denied himself. not just him but - back home, with the positions he held and the positions of the one who held his heart, he wouldn’t have dared. and now he dares. peace makes him dare. he dares to sneak in moments like this - despite knowing ahyeon has come to rip him from his haven and into another conspiracy - he’s stealing her from her chaos for a second. 

he’s not sure how long they’ve rested here, the autumn court has quite a few groves full of branches and stumps covered in moss, little caves they like to carve into rotted trees and underbrush. it’s quite homey, sometimes covered with a morning dew that’s either a cold fog or a warm dew. today it’s warm, and daniel has taken it upon himself to drag ahyeon towards it under pretense of showing her something that will help win over the autumn court to their cause. they had that in the bag, once they sweet talked the summer court’s prince, the autumn court would follow them.

that is a situation for another day. right now, ahyeon isn’t fussing against him, she’s talking he’s sure but somehow it’s lulled into nonsese as they sit in one of the mossy groves. she’s going to notice that he isn’t listening much, probably call him out on it, threaten to leave, but daniel still feels the press of her wings against his chest and he knows that latter isn’t the closest option. ahyeon prefers keeping her wings low and tucked down, so when she’s allowed to rest them on someone who won’t mind the weight - she always chooses too. plus, a lot of autumn court clothes allow for a more comfortable material, so when they rest against his vest, he knows they’re cushioned and less of a burden. 

he never minds the weight.

‘you’re not listening are you?’

he laughs, something he’s found is quite easier in the autumn court. their jokes are a bit dry, dark even but it’s still easier to laugh and he quite likes it. he likes how ahyeon’s brows furrow the first time she hears it and then watches as they soften. here - he has more time to study the subtleties in her expression and if he won’t call her out on it, he’ll still do something about it. like hold her closer, try to kiss her.

“i’m listening.”

‘daniel.’ “your hair’s getting longer.”

she stops whatever she was going to say - but it’s probably because his hands are flitting through the strands. most winter court keep their hair long but because of her travels, he’s assumed she’s allowed it to grow out a bit more. he’s grown used to seeing past the fringes that stop at her shoulders and the wires that take up most of the space. now, because of the length, they’re getting caught and fed through the wires that make up most of her. as his hands find the wires he’s struck with a sense of familiarity. they’re cold to the touch, as most things from their court tend to be but daniel finds a strange calm whenever he touches them.

there’s some newer ones. 

“did the pattern change?” he asks without really expecting an answer. ‘what- what are you talking about.’ daniel snorts, she always finds a way to sound so defensive. but - that’s a very winter nature. daniel can always find the breaks, and shakes in her words that affirm why she even allows him to touch them. he’s sitting up among the moss, ahyeon shifting as well with the movement, and its so he can lean closer, press a kiss to her shoulder that she doesn’t shake off.

“this one right here, used to be shaped like a spiral.” he doesn’t need to point out which one, because he’s hands have been tracing that same spiral for years. it’s his favorite, because it looks like the shape of her eyes, though he’s sure he’s never told her that. the heaviness of the autumn dew almost makes him want to. he bites the words instead by keeping his lips to the cool wires that circle atop her shoulder blades. there are quite a few spirals on her back but the one in the middle is his favorite by far, it falls right where her wings meet and it would be dwarfed and hidden by them on almost every meeting. when he’d seen it - it was when they’d both stopped lying about the way they fell for one another, and well - more intimate circumstances had led to him discovering it.

‘what....what is it now?’

ahyeon’s voice is lower, strained and daniel tries to make sure she doesn’t feel his smile when he places another kiss to her shoulder. instead he sits back to get a look at it, fingers still tracing the lines that lead to it, being careful not to agitate her wings.

“can’t really tell.” ‘what do you mean?’

now she’s irritated, but maybe it’s more out of fear. daniel does know what the symbol is, it’s almost identical to the tattoo that wraps around his wrists and starts the slew of tattoos up his arms, but, ahyeon is stressed, they’ve got quite the mess of meetings today and he doesn’t want to burden her with that. not now. so he presses another kiss to the collection of jagged diamonds, the spiral still visible between it all, and feels her shiver between him.

‘daniel.’ she only uses his winter name, and winter fae language under specific circumstances. daniel smiles, feeling a bit wicked at his sole ability to get this reaction. instead his arms wrap around her, allowing enough space for her to fall back again as his chin hooks onto her shoulder.

“found the spiral.” ‘you’re insufferable.’ “you choose to suffer.”

she makes no comment but he can see the smile curve around her cheek.

‘we have to get back.’ “five more minutes.” ‘daniel...they’ll look for us.’ “just five ahyeon. i promise.” 

he’s being wicked again, using the same language and her own winter name to get her to fall pliant against him, with a sigh she makes sure he hears. they’ll hear it form kihyun, boy will they hear it. but he’ll put up with it for the way the warmth starts to settle around them.

[tuwam]

missing you

@urianius

In hindsight, there might’ve been other ways to express herself. Ahyeon is not usually so – insistent, nor is she usually so reckless. If this could be considered reckless. As far as her track record went, both in the group and within the space of her family, this was out of character. Still – there were many things about her life that had become unorthodox since she’d met – the very man she was barreling through to see right now.  

She hadn’t planned it out, not really. All she knew ( vaguely ) was she had a good chance of spotting him if she coordinated right and if she begged – begged their manager to let her spend her free time in the city away from the girls. She’d get an earful for it later; they’d ask if she wanted to spend any quality time with them and that pictures posted by herself would look suspicious if all the other girls were together. Ahyeon knew for sure that they weren’t all spending time in the city together, what she did know was that a certain male was less than excited to spending his night in this city, in a waiting room going over details.

[ sms from: ʕ •ᴥ•ʔ ] I don’t see why we have to be here when we could be exploring the city, we’ve just been sitting through briefs

[ sms from:   ʕ •ᴥ•ʔ ] is the stage made of air? are we dancing on water?

[ sms to: ʕ •ᴥ•ʔ ] ʕ •ᴥ•ʔ ʕ •ᴥ•ʔ ʕ •ᴥ•ʔ ʕ •ᴥ•ʔ

There were so many groups in the city tonight, on account of a weekend long concert that hosted several different groups. Her group had been chosen as a surprise guest for Sunday, but Hyuck’s group had been here since Friday, and he’d given texting her all the updates on how tired and annoyed he was. Nothing unusual.  

She’d enjoyed how often they’d been texting each other throughout the entirety of the tour she’d been on. Due to the tour, the company almost thought they’d have to decline the invitation to perform but decided at the last minute that the girls could make it. It involved quite a lot of rushing and flights, and a shit ton of jet lag to deal with during practice but they were prepared for the concert tomorrow and Ahyeon was sure Hyuck was thoroughly unprepared to see her. 

Especially with how he’d been slyly adding in messages how he’d rather the two of them be home, on their favorite rooftop spot. Ahyeon is really playing with her luck, it’s late and she’d taken that as her advantage, but she had nothing to prove that the boys were still at the arena they were scheduled to perform at. She would also risk – well any cameras that'd still hung around hoping to catch a glimpse of them but at least there was little chance of fans that could sneak back here.  

Given that she was another artist, it wasn’t hard to flash a badge, one that the girls had been given prior, and get access backstage, where the waiting rooms were and where soundcheck and stage entrances were. The girls would have their rehearsal tomorrow, but they’d also been allowed backstage to view today’s concert if they managed to make it on time. The concert was far from over, the cleaning crew busy getting things clean and then allowing groups with hectic schedules to practice and run through what they needed to. Hyuck’s group was one such group, their schedule even more packed recently than Ahyeon’s own.  

She’s well bundled regardless – and no one should suspect it’s her even if they suspect a girl. Her group was supposed to be in another country. Her knuckles wrapped against the door, thanking her luck that the weather in this country favored colder winds in the nighttime so her being bundled wouldn’t be quite as conspicuous. From the last message they were still holed up in the waiting room, waiting for further instructions. He’d said it’d be quite some time before they could go anywhere. So Ahyeon is praying, silently, that she’d gotten the timing right, or else this would be a rather awkward meeting.

‘Ahyeon?’ She blinks, unaware she’d even had her eyes closed. It’s not – unwelcome person but she’s sure she’d rather come face to face with any other member of the group than the demon spawn of hell Minjae himself. The male looks at her, like he’s fresh from a photoshoot as always and the grin that finds its way on his face makes her want to curse. Though – there isn’t a look that could cross Minjae’s face that wouldn’t make Ahyeon want to punch him anyway. She’s got a lot of opinions pent up about him, so really, he should count himself lucky that she’s on a time crunch.

“Is - is Hyuck here?” Even as the words leave her lips, even though she knows there’s really no other reason she would be here, her face heats up.   ‘Oh? You’re looking for Hyuck?’ Minjae is so damn smug, the way he puts emphasis on Hyuck’s name, the way he has no reason to really repeat it except to embarrass her. Ahyeon understand her sister’s compulsion for liking to get her point across with her fists.

“Yes Minjae, is Hyuck there?” ‘Whatever would a lady need with my friend this late at night? You wouldn’t be sneaking him out to do—unsavory things-’

‘The only unsavory thing will be what I’m going to do to your face.’ Minjae’s words are cut off by Hyuck appearing, not from behind Minjae in the room, but from behind Ahyeon, a soda in his hand and annoyance on his features. He makes a show of pushing Minjae so far into the room that the door frame and his body block Ahyeon from seeing, and really hearing anything the male has to say.

She’s almost missed the way his eyebrow twitches when he’s clearly annoyed with his best friend. But that’s quickly overshadowed by how much she’s missed him in full. Even when he looks like he’d rather be anywhere but here and the sleeplessness in his eyes shows more than she thought. Hyuck’s yelling something inaudible toward Minjae that results in laughter and howls from the rest of the members, but Ahyeon’s too focused on him. They haven’t seen each other in well over six months – and once his eyes fall on her – really fall on her, she’s at a loss of words.

Hyuck too – seems to have forgotten that leaving the members to face her meant he was facing Ahyeon and not just another friend. Ahyeon – and all that her name carries in its meaning to him, and their relationship. The way she’s sure her heartbeat triples when he smiles, shy and a surprised.

‘You’re here...’ “Bad time?”  

‘No! No, I was -’ Hyuck pauses as if he needs to take a moment to come back to earth and remember what was happening. As if Ahyeon’s presence makes him forget everything around him, it makes her stomach flutter. ‘I was getting an energy drink.’ The said drink sits rather awkwardly in his hands, Hyuck’s so caught off guard that he thinks he should hold it out to her.

‘You’re not gonna invite your girl in?!’ Whatever move Hyuck was going to do, is overshadowed by his reaction to Minjae’s words. That is, effectively throwing the energy drink in the room, slamming the door and grabbing Ahyeon to drag her far, far away from Minjae and whatever he likes to insinuate. Ahyeon lets her laughter glide through the breeze that passes her as Hyuck pulls her wherever he wants. She didn’t have a plan for where they would go, what they would do, hell she didn’t even know how much time they had. Just the fact that his hand is in hers, she lets him pull her anywhere.

It turns out to be rather far up on the arena, past the higher bleachers where no one would be able to spot them unless they’re looking. Hyuck didn’t let go of her hand, except to pull some hot chocolate from a vending machine even though she insisted she was fine.

“Tour diet – I have to watch the sweets.” ‘Gonna be hard to do if you’re with me isn’t it?’

Her brain short circuits at this and Ahyeon’s struck with the fact that this might be a very, very bad idea. There’s something about how she gets when she’s around him, how silly and calmly she lets her say things that aren’t characteristically her. How easily she becomes someone less shy, bold in what she wants and how she responds and even more bold in how she lets these things show on her face. Because she’s sure her face is warming up when the implications of the words settle in, and she’s grabbing the hot chocolate from him, diet be damned. It’s still useful in hiding the way she flushes at every damn thing this boy does.  

“You’re still annoying six months later.” ‘I’ve gotta remain the same guy you fell for right?’ “I - what - who said I fell for – Lee Donghyuck.” ‘I hope you don’t sneak out to see just any boy.’

That effectively shuts her up. For a moment. He’s right though, she wouldn’t even offer to speak out with her own members when the option came. She would barely entertain Areum’s many messages to ditch practice and spend time – yet here she is. She’d been so quick on her feet after their practice ended, everyone had thought she’d just been excited to explore the city. Ahyeon truly wouldn’t sneak out for just anyone. She’s sure though, that she doesn’t need to confirm it for him to know, especially with how easily he smiles and says it. There’s a surety to that, it makes her glad that she’s been able to express herself in such a way that he can have that, and she knows she has it as well.

“You’d sneak out for just about anyone?” ‘Yeah, but I wouldn't ditch my members for just anyone.’

They’ve perched against the backs of two arena seats, with all of the stadium spread out before them. Hyuck’s presence is a warmth she knew she missed but didn’t know she missed this much. Ahyeon’s fairly certain she doesn’t need to be bundled in such a heavy jacket if she could just spend her coldest days with Hyuck by her side.  

“You’re awfully cheeky tonight.” ‘I’m just making up for lost time.’ “That’s a cute way to say you missed me.” ‘You sneaking out is your way of saying it right?’

There’s a small amount of his cheeky responses she can take in person. It’s easy over the phone, when she has time to think, to recover and give a good comeback. It’s not the same right now, when she’s bare and she doesn’t have enough time to both hide her face and formulate a quick response, things she used to pride herself on. She wants to shove him away with how his shoulder is bearing against her own and how she can practically hear his smile in his words. She’s struck with a reminder then. A reminder that – as they’re standing overlooking the stadium, both putting themselves at the mercy of their members or managers if they’re found out – they risk these things because they don’t have to hide.

Hyuck’s long since been able to tell Ahyeon’s mood from whatever shape her mouth forms when he sees her, and now even more so by how she responds to his messages. All because he’s determined and she’s allowed it. She’s put herself in these situations where she feels vulnerable and warm all over with nowhere to hide and nothing to deflect it on because she wants to. Because she feels safe.

She’d nearly ran here at the prospect of seeing him because she wants to. There are very few things these days that she’d wanted to do. But she had wanted to see him and she figures that should be something she stands proud on.

“I did miss you.” ‘Yeah yeah, say you didn’t all you w- want...’ “I did miss you. A lot.” This time when she says it she faces him fully despite how she knows the burn in her cheeks is escaping the cover of her scarf. Hyuck’s face is blank for a moment, in that dumb face he makes when he processes things and Ahyeon has to will herself to look away or she’ll do something stupid. What’s so wrong with her being bold all of a sudden - god he makes it seem like she’s declared her love or something.

‘Hey.’ 

Stupid things like kissing him when she turns to the sound of his voice. And she does anyway, because Hyuck’s voice is always holds a promise of something that’ll leave her smiling or with butterflies at the end of it. Always. Something sweet and gentle follows it and it continuously has a way of disarming Ahyeon in a way that feels more like a hug, a hand in her own. She sighs into the kiss and is immediately overwhelmed with how warm she is all over. She’s struck by the fact that his hands are no longer pressed against the chair but one is pulling her closer, the other is against her cheek and that – that is enough to consume her completely. 

Lucky for Ahyeon, she’s always sure in the fact that whatever she feels, Hyuck despite all his show always feels it tenfold. So to make matters worse, she doesn’t shy into the kiss, she leans in, lets her hand rest by the collar of his jacket. That - short circuits him for sure because when he pulls away his eyes are wide and his cheeks are red.

Payback.

‘Didn’t know you missed me that much.’ “I’m leaving -” She’s not, and even if she was - she can’t go anywhere with how quickly Hyuck’s arms move to wrap around her. Her back pressed against his chest and his chin on her shoulder.

‘Who knows the next time I’ll get to annoy you in person.’

She can’t argue with that, and she also won’t admit how much she’s missed being this close to him. On their rooftop, in their little own bubble that they can magically create within moments. Tomorrow, they’ll be back to their obligations and their dreams but right now the only future they’re thinking about is one where they can remain this warm and this at ease.

“Give Minjae a punch or two for me.” ‘Anything for my girlfriend.’

Ahyeon makes to jab him in the side, and even though he dodges, even though she chases him through the seats and the top floor - she doesn’t deny that she is and her smile shows just how happy she is that it’s true.

[tuwam]

hehehe

@urianius

daniel doesn’t say anything. kihyun is often a ball of chaos so he doesn’t need to. in all the time they’ve lived together daniel can pick up on cues, on motions and definitely on the sound of scrambled steps and slammed doors. put kihyun and ahyeon together, and ahyeon’s typically collected state also becomes chaos. he’d barely had a word spoken to him since he’d walked in because they were flying across the apartment they all shared.

‘i’m gonna kil you.’ ‘if you kill me you won’t make it on time.’ ‘i’m gonna kill you because i won’t make it on time.’ ‘newsflash no one cares about attendance.’ ‘let’s see if your mother feels the same way.’

daniel’s sigh puts a noticeable ripple on the surface of his coffee. he’d arrived early enough from tour to set his things down and make coffee but not quite to introduce himself. he knew ahyeon would be up and about, but he didn’t expect the chaos to unfold as they awoke and ran out their rooms. then again, what really should he expect from the two of them anymore. she hasn’t quite noticed him yet, and he’s too amused to be hurt about it. he hasn’t been gone too long, but khiyun’s grown out his hair, and his suit’s are starting to fit better. and ahyeon, well, she doesn’t have to do much to take his breath away anyway.

“babe, your work bag and everything is on the counter, it was still on the coffee table. kihyun, your briefcase is by the shoe rack, you keep throwing it there when you get home.”

both culprits stop in their tracks, seconds from the other’s throat, and that’s when ahyeon graces him with a smile.

‘you’re home.’ “i’m home.”

she doesn’t however, get to him first because kihyun is launching himself at daniel’s frame. these days daniel swears he’s getting taller - or something, then he realizes midway into kihyun throwing arms around him:

“you’re wearing my boots - to work?” daniel knows kihyun’s mom has been more than thrilled that he’s taken over the curating at one of their bigger galleries in seoul, but kihyun’s still kihyun at the end of the day. that had been the trade off. so he goes with questionable fashion and fashionably late as his directing style.  ‘thanks for leaving them for me to borrow.’ even as they’ve grown kihyun is still as unashamed as ever. and daniel isn’t phased by it, instead he’s pulling the younger from his body so he can give the hug and kiss to the person he’d be waiting to. ahyeon falls into his arms with an audible sigh, and he can feel the smile against his t-shirt when his kisses fall to the top of her head. she’d just finished showering and clearly was in too much of a rush to fully dry her hair. nevertheless.

“stop wearing my cologne.” ‘as if---’ “not you, the one trying to sneak out with my coffee.” ‘not enough sugar and cream but thanks anyway, you’re the best!’ kihyun is out before daniel can grab him by the suit jacket. ahyeon’s giggle follows the sound of steps tumbling down the stairs of their flat.

‘hard to tell who’s happier you’re home.’ “your mug and lunchbox is already done.”

ahyeon’s eyes light up, though she often tries not to show how daniel’s home habits have translated into their relationship he can still catch a glimpse of the butterflies he knows are tickling inside her. it’s worth moments like this. and having kihyun around is also a way to see her light up and animate in ways she might not be so inclined if it were the two of them. but now it is and daniel’s been gone for quite a few months touring with a newer band and doing festivals. he’s home for a bit and really, truly:

‘don’t you take a step closer, you’re going to make me late.’ “aren’t you already late though? what no kiss or anything?’ ‘if you make me late you’ll be kissing your grave.’

she’s always so much fun like this. that’s why daniel hasn’t stopped moving closer, hasn’t stopped from resting his hands on her waist and lifting her right beside the lunchbox he’d prepared for her leave. 

“yeah? i can still get a few more in before i die.” their noses are inches apart, she smells fresh from her shampoo, and the blush across her nose is starting to become more noticeable. daniel’s smile is immediate, and wide, enough that he’s sure if he were closer his cheeks would brush hers. but he holds himself steady, hands now resting on the counter instead of her.

‘you two better not be doing anything in there!’ the front door bursts back open and daniel sees the two options fly past her face. one, tuck her face in his shirt all embarrassed and cute like - or and thank god for his reflexes. her eyes land on her mug full of steaming hot tea and he grabs it before she can hurl it at their flatmate. 'gasp, daniel you never lift me on the counter like that!’

"sleep with one eye open kihyun.” ‘i’ll leave my door cracked tonight!’

ahyeon’s groan echoes through the entire room. daniel laughs and moves back to allow her to slide down and grab her mug. 

“i’ll drive you to work how’s that?” ‘on your motorcycle?’ “no, i brought the company car - hanna - has the motorcycle...” ‘your sister has the ----’ “she told me some boy was offering to pick her up for dates on one - so i taught her to ride it a while back, and lent her mine.” ‘you lent your sister the motorcycle!’ “we’re going to be late babe!” ‘you lent her the motorcycle and not me?!’ kihyun’s voice comes ricocheting from the batroom. “keep talking and i won’t drop you off either kihyun.”

like clockwork, daniel’s the last to leave, his cup of coffee now lukewarm and grabbing the very briefcase and lunchbox he knows his flatmates will leave since they’re at each other’s throats again. it’s really a good thing he knows them so well and brought the company car instead. it’s a bit of a hassle but - this is the morning he’s been missing. 

[tuwam]

hah

@urianius

“you know you don’t have to check up on me always.” minsoo’s training has been upgraded, since security measures and procedures at the institute have increased. they’ve reasoned with him that, since hanna is in constant danger he needs to make sure his endurance is prepared for whatever she faces and that it in turn, may help her draw on strength to survive. 

minsoo’s argued they can heal him or toughen him all they want, he’s not actually there facing it, helping her. but in between frequent trips to the infirmary, and one-on-one sessions with kae, he’s grown tired of being treated like an in-house patient. when the sparring pushes him to the limit, or hanna’s got a visit from someone particularly unpleasant, he’s kept longer. for as long as daniel is here, they monitory and run necessary tests to track their bond, that keeps him in the infirmary ward even longer.

he’s cooped up and irritable almost everyday. other than that he’s tired, hungry, fed up with the world and wishing this process would speed itself up.

yeonhee, has been nothing but accommodating. so much so that he doesn’t mean to direct his anger at her, but she’s the closest proximity, and mina will have his head if he snaps at a superior like daniel one more time. he can’t help it, the man looks at him like snapping his neck would be easier than keeping him alive. minsoo can’t relate to that sibling love, on the upside, anytime anyone comes in it’s to relay news of the sibling developments at the institute, all which he misses out on while they run these stupid spells and activations on him.

he’s sore and he feels like a lab rat. when yeonhee isn’t studying, she tidies up the room, checks in on him, brings food. she doesn’t need to, he’s perfectly fine being miserable and irritable, he’s been working on matching the very glare daniel gives him when he enters. the girl’s just so damn hard to keep a rugged face around. she’s always smiling when he snaps, getting different food to ease his stomach, headache.

‘i’m not going to die, you don’t have to coddle me.’ maybe it strikes a nerve, quite a few warriors have been brought under her and hanbyul’s care from recent attacks, and not made it. yeonhee halts her cleaning and he thinks he sees her lips twitch from the corner of her mouth.

‘i’m not coddling you, i’m doing my part.’ “what, did they put you on babysitting duty?”

perhaps he’s irritated, minsoo’s always been a bit of a busybody, often gave minjae a run for his money when it came to who could cause mina headaches or be seen sprinting down the corridors with any of the girls brandishing a steele after them. it’s just how he’s lived his life, he’s quick, he’s cunning and he does what he needs to in order to get by, the adrenaline is what he enjoys.

so sue him if being studied and cooped up like this is making him a little stir-crazy. after the announcement he gets to see everyone run off to lessons and classes, to lunch, but with daniel here it’s tests, private lessons and check ups every other day. he hasn’t been permitted on missions just yet, just sparring and training in class, but they keep an eye on him, nervous for any news, any reports that could lead them to hanna. he gets it, he does, but he’d rather be out searching for the damned thing that took her.

he brought that up to mina and got one look and decided he never would again.

‘sometimes, doing your part is fighting in other ways.’ “easy for you to say, you like it in here.”

minsoo is a brat, he knows this as well. he knows he likes to judge people on the minute things he’s observed, and make them self-conscious and nervous. he likes reading them too. but perhaps, and this is only judging on the look yeonhee practically shoots him after he speaks, perhaps he was wrong. only one other person has proved to strike him with that kind of look before, and she’s the one they’re fighting to rescue.

‘where i am useful, is where i’d like to be. i can be useful here, or on the field if i wish, that is my strength, you - seem to lack the versatility to make the best of any situation - because you’re spoiled.’

minsoo is stunned. granted, it’s the most he’s ever seen the well-mannered girl speak. her voice is still even, tight by the way her mouth curls, but it isn’t raised, she isn’t yelling, or frowning really but somehow he feels as if this hits worse. 

“i’m not spoiled---” ‘someone wants to help you find your partner, your parabatai, most places would send you into the field as bait. mina cares about you all. and you would willingly throw yourself into danger, what about hanna then?’ “....i can’t just sit here.”

yeonhee huffs, and minsoo feels it as if she’s called him spoiled again.

‘you’re not just - sitting here, you’re training, you’re learning. kae is taking time to train you when he’s got classes to worry about, squads to track. they’re making you stronger because you’re not fodder to them and you’re whining that you’re not out in the field coming back only to be put in a coma?!’ 

she was mad, she was definitely mad that despite their efforts, more and more warriors were brought in with extensive injuries that they’ve never had to handle in such bulk. it means something’s coming, something’s changing with the demons and everyone’s limits are pushed. it’s why minsoo would rather be out there in the field.

‘imagine what we could do if we track yeonhee, save her, find what is holding her? you think you going out there and dying is the better option?!’ it isn’t, but he’s just- he’s so restless. yeonhee’s words resonate, deeper than he’d thought they would for when he first made his comment. perhaps it was needed, perhaps he’s underestimated how much the new change in events at the institute has pushed everyone’s patience. he’s not the only one who’s restless. 

“i’m - i’m sorry.” ‘here. it should help with your headaches, i think daniel and hanbyul are coming for some tests later so make sure you eat.’ the food doesn’t need to slam on the tray for him to feel her anger. minsoo flinches and before he can get out another word, she’s out the infirmary.

[tuwam]

dear god

@urianius​

silence fell over the institute. things have been splendidly morbid since the recent growth in attacks and mina’s silent but hovering presence. between all that’s happened, squad being overly quipped with higher trained warriors and the increase in classes and training, seoyoung can’t keep up. as if she didn’t have her own issues to deal with in their friend group. it’s not crumbling it’s - evolving, at the worst possible time. she feels trapped in the mess of emotions and the world around them - like some shitty coming of age movie that included angels and demons. 

on top of it all, amongst the foreboding silence, mina has an announcement today. there’s more shadowhunters than she could have ever thought gathered in the main hall, but of course. something hangs in the air now, people are antsy for the right reasons, and though masters of emotions, there’s always the mocking sense of fear everyone knows they hide deep in their minds. fear of unknown is what plague shadowhunters, as they pride themselves on knowledge above all. where’s that pride when there’s something so easy threatening it. 

seoyoung’s managed to get lexie well acquainted to the institute but she’s found herself hovering and making sure the girl eats when she doesn’t show up to lunch, or check on her after rough sparring. she can’t explain why, but the smile she gets out of kae when he notices her checking on the recruit - she must be doing the right thing. kae never lefts anyone see a smile. regardless, in the time she’s spent making she minjae doesn’t get roughed up doesn’t match how often he tries to leave for missions and how much lexie would rather be out of sight than seen.

it’s difficult.

she knows they need to be in the main hall and she’s half a mind to let their tardiness be on them, but now she’s going to be late. she’s given up searching for either, and after popping by to see if yeonhee would like to come with her, she’s alone in sprinting down the corridors to the main hall.

it seems she doesn’t need to look far for minjae. she sees him, shoulders square, angry bruise on his cheek that is definitely new, and eyes trained on the massive staircase in the main hall. seoyoung’s had hesitates as she nears him, and her eyes follow everyone else’s - to mina’s frame at the top of the stairs and the male beside her, minjae’s brother, or so she’s heard. news travels fast in the institute. it’s not fair, the genes must run in the family. he’s rugged, but seoyoung muses it must be a direct relation to his job, and his reason for appearing.

the stranger on the doorstep, it’s what everyone called him.  he’d shown up bloodied and given everyone quite the scare, can’t be any different from the scare minsoo gave when he woke up screaming in pain. seoyoung’s been on enough missions to know the cries of tortures. minjae doesn’t shrug off her touch this time, but she follows his gaze, from his brother, smug faced and next to mina, and minsoo between them, looked even more haggard and tired than before. seoyun and kae on the opposite end, and teachers lining down the staircase after them.

“now that everyone’s here...” seoyoung shrinks as mina’s voice echoes over. “i’m sure you’ve noticed. i pride myself in raising capable hunters. we’ve been stacking missions, we’ve been adding supervised and veteran hunters to simple squads and intel missions.”

mina takes a breath, as if all the time she’s taken to make these choices, hold this meeting, hasn’t been enough.

“i’m sure you’re all aware of my brother, the stranger as he’s been dubbed...kwon minjun, and of his status as a fellow warrior. the attack that brought him to our doorstep, has also been claiming the lives of several warriors. just this month, we’ve lost more than i’m sure you’d all like to admit or recount.”

there’s no murmurs, no gasps, just solemn stares and heads that fall in memory of what the infirmary walls have seen lately. seoyoung grabs tight of her steele, and finds minjae’s hand there to meet it. 

“there are many ways for a demon to disarm us, immobilize us, because it is in their nature to wreak havoc and blood, these attacks....are concentrated. something, is trying very hard to put an end to us. one by one institutes are being crippled.”

the war between angels and demons, shadowhunters and those who seek to claim and drown the world in blood and death - it’s not unknown to them. but demons are unpredictable, dumb at times minus the few higher ones that for the most part watch their underlings wreak havoc. things were too calculated, too coordinated, it could mean a war. seoyoung knew it without mina having to say it, and she knows her comrades think the same. 

“i’ve kept quiet about this because i wanted to see when the right moves would be made. but i’m sure you know - one of our own is missing. we’ve lost too many. your training will be kicked up, your squads will be padded and everyone here will be monitored accordingly. if this scares you - if you’re not up for it, you tell us now, tell me in private and i will arrange for you. my brother...will be aiding, you are not to question orders given by your trainers nor by seoyun in my stead.”

seoyoung ignores how minjae’s hand tightens around hers at the mention of his sibling. instead her eyes drift from how kwon minjun, hasn’t taken his off the two of them. she wants to shake his hand, to tell him his insistence of showing affection is foreign and inappropriate at times like this. but her eyes follow his, and takes them to a direct line to his brother. it’s a staredown, and there’s heat in it that proves this isn’t her fight to wage. so she holds his hand, red as her cheeks go.

"kae, the security procedures?”

‘classes and training schedules to go as planned. everyone is to travel in pairs or threes, you will log when you leave and your destination and when you return. if you see someone leave alone, you do not follow, you report. take your studies and your training as if they apply now. any failure to report actions noticed will be handled accordingly. it’s not my place, but a veteran squad in west city was cleaned out. evaluate what that means for you and your current level. nobody here is a recruit anymore, or a trainee, now, you should all think of yourselves as targets, as fair game. the demons will not discriminate.’

seoyoung’s trained closely with kae since she came to the institute, more than those who simply pass his exams and are deemed worthy for missions and scouts. he has trainers under him, specialists, recommended after they past trainee days, but somehow she’s always preferred his teaching. he doesn’t go easy on her, doesn’t underestimate her. she’s seen the many sides of him, has even seen a few laughs and relaxation and prides herself in knowing the man better than others. 

now, is a side of him she’s never seen, only heard of. the reason some of the veteran warriors still bow heads in respect and rooms quiet when he enters. it’s more than the way he carries himself, a taller dude, broad shouldered and stone faced, the gravity of the words, the shiver is felt throughout the room.

‘there are some runes and basic skills we want to make sure every person knows before the end of this week, teachers will double efforts and classes and exams will double to ensure proficiency of everyone in the institute.’ seoyun’s reveal gathers groans and moans of a similar, lighter nature. seoyoung cracks her first smile when she catches minjae rolling his eyes.

‘if no other questions, dismissed.’ she wants to speak, take a look at who might be heading to mina’s office after the talk. everyone doesn’t disperse immediately, all in favor of catching up. before she can get to him, minsoo is escorted away by yeonhee. it’s for the best.

minjae still hasn’t let go of her hand, for that reason lexie looks hesitant to approach them, caught in the movement of all the warriors and recruits she’s never met before. some approach her, some that have a good rap sheet with seoyoung and she relaxes for the movement. 

‘you gonna tell me where that shiner came from?’ minjae’s hand tightens and she has half a mind to tell him her opinion on his reckless activities when she notices minjun, his brother, heading in their direction.

‘seoyoung, i presume? i’ve heard good things about you from kae.’ ‘how surprising, you’re concerning yourself with someone other than you?’ minjae’s words are so immediate seoyoung barely had time to process minjun’s.

‘i could say the same for you little brother, rare to see you so -affectionate.’ seoyoung feels her cheeks burn for the second time and would very much like to get swallowed in whatever pointless conversation she knows lexie is caught up in.

‘what do you want minjun?’ minjae often has bite to his tone but this is different, personal. ‘i just wanted to introduce myself to the little lady, and check on you, hope that cheek doesn’t sting too bad.’ 

seoyoung doesn’t get to process those words either because minjae is pulling her off with the speed of light. it’s only when they’re alone in one of the training rooms that she gets the story.

‘you fought your brother?!’ ‘it wasn’t a fight.’ he isn’t regarding her, for the sole purpose of hiding the bruised cheek from her sight. but seoyoung is resourceful if anything and holding his chin in her hands to inspect it. for the bruise to show up so visibly, it was a hard hit, and intended to show. 

‘i’m sorry - is this like a sibling’s thing...?’ she wants to tread the subject lightly, she knows boys play, boys can be boys, but the bruise is swollen and she can’t imagine - in times like this, minjun would want to bruise his younger brother in a childish squabble.

‘he talks too much, he’s so high and mighty.’ ‘god minjae you don’t have to fight everyone who insults your pride.’ ‘it wasn’t my pride he insulted...’

seoyoung pauses, and for that split moment minjae’s eyes finally rest on hers. there’s still residual anger there, no doubt from thinking of the situation, but something - softens the minute he looks at her. that’s weird. sure, there are parts of minjae that he doesn’t dare show to anyone else but her, but right now, so easily? he looks vulnerable and with all that’s going on, she can’t handle it. 

‘hey, let’s go get supper, i’m sure they’re cooking a feast for everyone gathered.’ the normalcy comes after that, or whatever look of his that doesn’t reveal much into - the parts of their relationship they never outwardly address. minjae seems to perk up after that. ‘we’ve apparently got hella lessons stacking up for the next few days.’ another groan, and seoyoung says nothing when he grabs her hand again on their way out, just smiles and trails behind him. 

‘lexie is sitting with us by the way and you can’t say anything.’

another groan and she thinks things will be okay.

for now. 

[tuwam]

cont. @urianius

haneul is - perceptive at best. well - his best for his parents includes the perception others have of him. so when he’s smiling so charming without saying much or keeping up with conversations with a few lines thrown in as fodder, people think he’s a genius. they tell him he knows what to say and when to say it, and they hang on it like gold comes out his mouth. 

quite the opposite.

haneul doesn’t speak too much because there’s a lot that he doesn’t get, and rather than just saying he doesn’t get it, he just has nothing to say. when he doesn’t get it, it’s because it hasn’t peaked his interest enough for him to dive deeper. what he can’t pick up from naturally he picks up through his lens, those make it easier to read and that’s how he’s learned to respond. that’s how people have come to call him perceptive. there’s so much to learn about someone’s eyes than there is to learn about what comes out their mouth.

and sometimes the difference between the two is even more fascinating.

but - he can only do so much, and more is pulled and expected of him with friendships. those are more complicating to navigate than critics ho are paid to hate and fans who are blinded to love. it’s tedious, but he’s come to enjoy it, confusing as it may be. and there’s nothing quite as mind-bending as kihyun. miyoung had mentioned that one time when she’d agreed to have lunch and kihyun complained about ditching but paid for their meal anyway. 

he’s strange.

haneul thinks he’s quite the opposite. it fits.

still, some moments stand out more than others, which is why miyoung is chuckling into her hand while haneul holds the phone a desperate distance away as kihyun rages. his friend has a temper, it’s not a nasty one - it’s just a passionate one, always surprising them with how much can burn inside the shorter boy.

it’s the day of the exhibit, one that his parents have spent quite a few dimes inviting specific and affluent people to. though that’s not any different from the norm, when miyoung had asked if it was okay for her to show he’d told her that’s exactly why he has to show. being perceived and being expected of is tiring to say the least. regardless of his love for the shows, they do take a considerable bit of - effort.

like him waking up earlier than usual to attend briefs with his manager and his parents about their guests, to check the exhibit and the placing and the catering. all the details. he’s in the middle of all that - hoping to get a break for him and miyoung to eat and probably meet up with kihyun and ahyeon - that’s when his phone had rang. 

“ki - i’m not sure i follow.” his eyes are busy watching them rearrange a few portraits on the wall to his right, and his friend’s yelling rages on.

‘those fucking idiots - they promised and they’re slumped pissed out of their minds.’ haneul often wonders where his friend’s vocabulary could’ve come from. 

“yes but - it wouldn’t be the first time?” soobin and minsoo are a lot of things but, they’re repeat offenders. haneul’s picked up on that pattern long ago, enough to know what to expect if they attended tonight, and what to expect if they didn’t. the rage bubbling from is friend is exactly that. “i’m sorry - are you mad because you didn’t get any sleep?” it’s a serious question. miyoung chokes on her glass of water.

‘no.’ he hears kihyun pause for the first time in what felt like half an hour. ‘i’m mad - han - because it’s your reception, and they’re fucking idiots.’

“but isn’t that - this is nothing new.” haneul’s brows furrow. ‘yes but this exhibit is important for you! and they had one job. they looked like a sack of shit.’ every exhibit is important in their own right, and haneul can always hold more, he always holds more and the invitation will still be open for the two to handle as they see fit. he’s on the cusp of saying that before miyoung’s hand rests on his shoulder. there’s some mirth in her eyes and he’s not sure once again, why his friends are displaying the emotions that they are, but she leans in to speak into the phone before he gets the chance. 'kihyun? it’s fine. you and ahyeon are coming right? haneul’s been so busy he hasn’t eaten yet.’

he hears another sigh, and thinks the worst of it might be over.

‘yeah, yeah we’re on our way, we were setting them up at the salon first.’ ‘okay that’s fine, we’ll meet you guys at the cafe down the street?’ she looks to haneul even as she says the words, as if to check if that’s alright. haneul’s only response is a blink and then a nod. kihyun’s response is drowned out by the sound of ahyeon cheering that they’re going to the cafe she likes so much and then a huff as the phone clicks off.

he takes a moment to let the interaction run through him completely. miyoung is patient, the same amused smile on her face. he doesn’t think he’s ever seen her - quite this amused on the day of an exhibit.

“i will have other exhibits - he knows that right....?” she downright laughs. ‘come on, ahyeon’s bound to be in the taxi by now.’

as far as patterns go - haneul can’t argue that.

[tuwam]

self-indulgent. in a future far away that doesn’t matter.

sometimes when he sees her he thinks back to what he’d tell his comrades around the bonfire when he’d talk about her. because myungsoo did talk about her in his academy days, he’d talked about her a lot once people found out he was a man spoken for. sometimes all he could do was talk about her to keep himself going, to keep himself sane even. 

among all the horrors and the trials they went through saving the kingdom, he thought about her so much that it’s as if she was right there. as if he never really went anywhere. 

what’s the prettiest thing about her? because that’s what boys ask, that’s what they care about. and back then it was so easy to talk about how she’d look when the sun is rising and it hits the corner of her cheeks as she smiles. it was so easy to say the sun couldn’t compare to that smile. it was so easy to go on about summer dresses, far prettier than the large, jewelry adorned ones the’d seen in castle towns. prettier just because of how they’d look on her, prettier just because it was her and that was it. it’s easy to talk about that.

but now, now when myungsoo rides haena up past the farm gates after herding the goats inside for the evening, and he’s catching a glimpse of her hunched over the garden, hair messy and pulled back, hands covered in bits of grass and weeds - he’s trying to remember why he didn’t talk about this. about shushing the town’s kids as he left his horse to them so he could sneak his way over. why he didn’t talk about the sun setting and his wife still helping out around the farm when she’s supposed to be resting. about all she did to keep him grounded and all she does now to keep him happy.

all the little things that mean more.

“you’re supposed to be off your feet today.”

the way she doesn’t jump when his ams wrap around her frame, and the way she just falls into the hold, laughs but doesn’t stop her work.

‘hush you, i’m picking vegetables for the stew.’

“you’ve been making my favorites for days now my love, is there an occasion?” ‘it’s my secret way of trapping you here.’ it could be meant as a joke, but with all the time spent apart, the time they’ve been granted since he’s been back, since it’s all been over - seems too good to be true. and myungsoo, only does what he can with that information, lets his hold tighten, and his hands wander to the roundness of her belly.

“not sure i can go anywhere with this little guy expecting me.” ‘god help me if it’s a boy ‘soo.’

he’s overjoyed, he’s so beside himself with joy that lifting her into his arms despite her protests is an easy task. smothering her in all the kisses he couldn’t give while he was out working seems just natural, and holding onto her like she might disappear is just instinct. the walk back from the garden fields is a short one but he takes his time, only to hold her longer. the town’s kids bring haena back and he relinquishes her if only to let her sit atop her favorite animal in the world, myungoso pulling the reigns and guiding them towards their home.

things have calmed down significantly, so his tales are just about the help around town and the work he’s done around their home, the occasional rides to other villages. but she smiles anyway, listens intently and he knows she cares only that she is here to listen in person. he’s so caught up in his tales that he doesn’t see the caravan posted outside their home, but he hears her words first.

‘junsu.’

myungsoo has kept in touch with the boys, he’s had to really, all they’ve been through they’re all like brothers to him. they’ve all visited in their own time and as their lives pick up or die down they see little or more of one another. still - junsu isn’t as informal as some of the youngest.

“junsu!” myungsoo greets him despite his earlier confusion, arms outstretched and all. “you should’ve sent notice, you know she’s going to want to cook a feast.”

‘that’s hardly necessary, don’t trouble yourself my lady.’ his words are kind, but myungsoo can hear the meaning behind them almost immediately. he’s helping her off the horse before any other words can be spoken, his hand going instinctively to her belly. there’s a wish in that, a prayer to any gods that still have mercy for him. he feels her fingers curl around his own before she’s heading in the house.

‘it’s no trouble, you two talk, i’ll fix something quick.’

the silence ends with the door shutting and myungsoo taking haena’s reigns to lead them to the stable - and some privacy.

‘has it been that long already?’ “yeah, just a few more months i think.” ‘myungsoo.’ “i don’t suppose knowing that will delay what you’re here to talk about?” ‘i’m afraid not.’

his sigh is heavy.

“i was afraid you’d say that.”

[tuwam]

@urianius

looking back, hyun is sure yunho had said those words with intent to spark the divide going on right now. he’s positive. there are ways to share secrets, there are ways to speak things meant for two people, meant for one ear and no one else. yunho had done such things, he’s whispered things when he sees jaehyun too close, or when he thinks the others aren’t watching, or even when they’re watching too hard. 

yunho knows how to whisper secrets, in ways that makes the currents underneath hyun’s skin dance with expectation when they feel the other’s presence close in. hyun’s often told him he doesn’t like the proximity, it makes his skin crawl, makes him clammy but the elder does it anyone, laughing and citing nerves.

‘do i make you nervous tae’ well - nervous isn’t quite the right word, but it comes close. then there’s the itch of anger whenever he hears the nickname too. anger might be too harsh a word but there’s definitely some dislike there. because he’s told yunho to stop calling him that, to no avail. 

so here hyun is, knowing full well that yunho could’ve whispered those words and chosen any other time than when everyone was gathered in his cramped living room to utter the words: 

‘i think you should leave, move in with us.’ 

a couple things happened at once, joowon who had been playing a match with him visibly stiffened, hyun could feel the muscle tense against his own shoulder, taut through the sweater separating them. jaehyun who was busy in the kitchen, talking through something with hyemi, hyun heard the clatter of the ladle, the voices over the bubbling of the soup stopping immediately. things have been - amicable. jaehyun shows himself more around hyemi and hyun thinks hyemi finds him more tolerable than joowon and yunho together. he’s glad, he’s been glad. he’s been calm and the space around the apartment hasn’t erupted into anything reminding him of who he is.

then there’s this. 

hyun hadn’t even had the chance to properly register them, what with his character immediately winning an unfair match, jaehyun hissing yunho’s name from across the apartment and hyemi’s very audible:

‘excuse me?’

yunho maintains his spot above the top of the couch, where he always resides when hyun’s playing games, so he can rest his hands on the younger’s shoulders, head, anywhere he can grasp. then to laugh when the contact makes hyun lose a match or drop his controller. its unsettling. 

just like the air after the words, to how casually yunho says it and how hyun almost knows there’s a grin on his face.

‘move in with us.’ this time the air is different. this time there’s that strange lure, the color that yunho’s voice takes on that makes huyn want to scoot over but his currents cling. they push him closer to the elder’s frame, like static clinging, like they can’t help it. when he’d first said it there was a thought, a hum like it was an idea, now when ti’s said it sounds like a command. hyun’s mouth dries up, a response sits at the edge of his lips, on his tongue and he’s got the slightest idea where it’s from.

“su-----”

‘he has school. where do you guys even live? you still haven’t confirmed if you’re his actual guardians. why should he just up and move in with you guys? why would you try to up root him like that when you know how he gets?’ hyemi’s voice is a fire, directed at yunho though she uses words to encompass them all, and instead of shrinking, hyun finds his shoulders rising at the words, finds warmth as quickly as they come and spread over him to their target. the words die on his tongue, and he tears his gaze from the floor, from joowon’s wince, to her figure at the kitchen. he moves past jaehyun’s own look, probably fixated on yunho, to hyemi, shorter than the male, smaller in build significantly but with the ladle firm in her hand and fire in her eyes.

‘it was just a suggestion.’ yunho’s response is petulant, a huff, like candy stolen from a child. ‘keep your suggestions to yourself.’ hyun keeps the snicker down, but joowon releases it for the both of them. releases it and picks the controller back up to restart their game. only then do hyemi’s eyes fall on him, and hyun shrinks, sheepish from the events but the smallest of grins on his face. 

“i--- i’d move in with hyemi fi----fi-first, her - her food ta-tastes better.” hyun nods, satisfied. ‘soup will be ready in thirty.’ is all jaehyun says while joowon practically howls in laughter. hyun doesn’t miss the smile that graces jaehyun’s face and the victory on hyemi’s before he turns back to his game. he hears yunho’s sigh, audible and annoyed but arms still slide over his shoulders, a head against the top of his head and hyun thinks he’s won something. even if he’s not sure what it is.