Visual Novel Mode from our RP group - Saeran & MC - This links to a full tumblr of RPs where I play Ray/Saeran, a couple of hours reading in here that explores MC’s time in Mint Eye before the RFA arrive
Warnings: enemies to lovers, eventual smut, eventual happy ending, multichap, hawks acting like a bird, dabi being a shit, hawks being a shit, hawks has a spring season, smut 18+ minors dni, eventual spoilers, hurt/comfort, the commission is evil
Summary: Hawks' new mission is to join the LOV. Dabi's not an idiot. Until he is.
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Hawks settles on a rooftop, the spot giving him a perfect vantage point into the alley below. In this part of town everything's grimy, and the half moon does nothing to better visibility. The refuse and the residents are barely distinguishable from eachother and it's making his job harder.
It's the second week of this. Fourteen hour patrols followed by three more running down leads from headquarters. Every one of them fruitless. The villain they call Dabi is a leaf in the wind, impossible to find. And usually things in the wind are Hawks' specialty.
His wings spread automatically for balance as he peers over the edge of the building and into the alleyway below. It's just like the dozens of others he'd flown over to get here. Nothing special. No movement to be seen.
Hawks sighs. Another bust. He should get back to his apartment and eat. Patrol starts early in the morning and he wants to catch at least a few hours of sleep. He's just about ready to go when a figure peels away from the dimly lit wall below.
Dabi had always had a keen eye when it came to people. He prided himself on his ability to read them like an open book and pinpoint the root of their intentions and their potential with terrifying accuracy. People were predictable. Especially the desperate lowlifes he came into contact with on a regular basis. He was a damn good recruiter. The best.
Didn't change the fact that he fuckin' hated them.
Being burdened with recruiting most of the new League members was a curse. He wasn't built for socializing this much, answering so many stupid questions all fucking day. On top of it all, he couldn't even sit down somewhere comfortable and well-lit for a smoke break. Heroes were crawling everywhere, and after the League's stunt at the summer camp... Well, Dabi stuck out like a sore thumb, even with a mask and a hood pulled over his head to hide the majority of his easily identifiable scars.
He spent a lot of time slinking in the shadows nowadays. He didn't mind it, for the most part. But fuck if he wouldn't kill to enjoy a smoke somewhere that wasn't behind a dumpster in a dark alley.
Why was the ground always sticky in these places?
Ugh.
The villain blinks slowly, unlit cigarette hanging from the corner of his mouth, as if suddenly coming back to reality after zoning out and recuperating from the idiot he had been dealing with for the last couple of hours.
Bringing a hand to his mouth, he sticks his thumb out, sparking a tiny blue flame just long enough for the cigarette to light. Yeah. He needed this.
Dabi pushes himself off of the wall he had been leaning against like a lazy cat, and shifts from foot to foot, allowing himself space to stretch his legs. He inhales, taking the time to enjoy it before pulling the cigarette away from his lips and exhaling slowly, smoke swirling into the air as it wafted up, up, until it was gone and dispersed into the cool, night air.
-
The hooded figure below him could be anyone really.
Hawks pulls his wings in silently, squinting down at the shadowy form. He's about the right height, lean and almost scruffy. The hood makes it hard to tell. Hawks bides his time, watching and waiting until his gaze catches the flicker of a blue flame. He smirks into the darkness. Bingo. Target acquired. About time one of the commission's leads paid off.
The wing hero land completely silently, just out of range of the villain they call Dabi. He doesn't fancy getting too close to this man. They know what he's capable of. Well, mostly. The reports are spotty. And kind of burned around the edges.
He briefly considers sending a feather to flick out the glowing cherry of the villain's cigarette but ultimately decides against it. He'd kind of like to live through first contact with the League. It's his mission afterall. Instead, he sends a scarlet plume to tap the taller man on the shoulder. Very politely he might add.
Hawks clears his throat and holds his hands up in the most non threatening gesture he can manage. It takes conscious effort to tuck his wings in, making himself appear small. "Hiya Dabi."
-
The villain jumps slightly at the unexpected tap to his shoulder, craning his head to try and glimpse what the fuck just touched him.
His eyes widen in immediate recognition of the chart's own Number 2 hero, the golden boy, standing on the opposite end of his dingy alley.
The reaction is instant, Dabi twists around to face him, planting his feet firmly on the ground. One hand snakes into his coat pocket, the other forming a lazy claw as he holds it up.
A threatening flame flares to life in the palm of his hand, flicking and lapping around his fingers as he illuminates the alley in a faint blue.
Dabi is nothing if not confident that the raw power of his flames could outmatch an oversized, over glorified pigeon, considering how flammable those feathers look, but he isn't about to let his guard down either, even if the hero was currently approaching him with his hands up like he was some kinda wild fuckin' animal to be coaxed into feeling safe.
"Not in the mood for a fight, hero, so I'll tell ya what. If you fly your little ass away now, maybe I won't turn you into fried chicken on the way out."
-
His reaction is no surprise, the offer of an out is though. He'd expected to be dodging fireballs pretty much immediately. The fact that the villain bothers to talk must just be his good luck. Or maybe it's his winning smile.
The blonde grins. "Now now, is that any way to greet your shiny new ally?" He keeps his hands up at chin height, his wings tucked away to look small. He stops fast though, not approaching in case it gets taken for aggression.
"I've been looking for you for weeks now, and you're just gonna roast me when we finally get to meet?" He's playing for time here. Obviously. But he needs to get a read on the villain to figure out how to approach this. The mission briefing was, well, brief in this area. 'Gain his trust.' Like That's gonna be so easy.
-
Ally? Dabi sneers, laughing humorlessly at the thought. "'Roasted' might be a good look for you."
He's not dumb enough to believe whatever bullshit Hawks was about to feed him, but... Well, the hero certainly has his attention.
The flames flicker for a moment until they're suddenly snuffed out completely, steam curling around his fingers before he waves it away.
A tense, uncomfortable silence lingers a bit too long before Dabi gives him an answer.
He reaches for the cigarette again, plucking it from his lips, blowing the remaining smoke out, and dropping it onto the ground. It was hardly close to finished, but he needed a free hand in the likely case that this escalated.
He silently laments the wasted cigarette as he clamps a boot down on it. What a waste.
"Alright, I'll bite. What do you want?"
-
"I prefer sunkissed!" Hawks quips back without thinking. Maybe he shouldn't be barbing the villain, but there's something about the distrust glinting back at him in, turquoise? that has him wanting to tease. What kind of villain has eyes like that?
He lets his hands drop, wings sagging when the flames snuff out. It's not like he can't call them back in a second, but it feels like Dabi's at least put down the gun. Hawks keeps his trademark grin in place. Won't do to look nervous in front of a villain. He stuffs his gloved hands deep into his pockets.
"Straight to the point? No, hiiiiii how are you Hawks? No, what you been up to number two hero?" His voice comes out a singsong. The blonde is proud of the fact that his tone is solid and strong. Definitely not nervous here. "Do you know how hard it is to find you? The person supposedly recruiting for the League? I was gonna put up wanted signs but I thought that might give you the wrong idea." His mouth is running away with him. His handlers have corrected him for that before. But shoot him, he's nervous and the man in front of him looks about as volatile as angry chemicals.
-
Dabi narrows his eyes, watching the hero’s every little movement.
It’s hard to get a read on him. It was apparent that Hawks had played this game before; At least one that involved a steady poker face. It doesn’t surprise Dabi one bit. Pro Heroes are in a whole career of deception. He doesn’t like that he can’t immediately determine Hawks’ motive, though one thing’s for certain: It’ll most certainly be a lie.
Dabi effortlessly maintains his own poker face, giving no twitch of the lips, no furrowed brow, to indicate whatever he might be thinking about.
“I don’t give a shit about your day, Number Two. You always this obnoxious?”
He takes a few long steps forward until he’s face to face with the hero. A grin breaks on his face like a crack in a glass surface, cold and unkind. Steam seeps out of the corners of his mouth in a show of how quickly he can call upon his quirk if Hawks makes any sudden movements.
This close up, Dabi is at an advantage. It’s not meant to be an equal exchange. The villain is sure to take all of the control he can get. And if he can make that pretty little bird squirm uncomfortably in the process? That would just be a bonus.
“Or are you just nervous? Get to your point.”
-
Did he just-? Hawks squints at the other man. No, he didn't just call the hero poop. Must be his imagination.
The grin gives way to a flicker of a frown when the villain they call Dabi saunters on over. He'd really rather keep some space between then. Close quarters fights aren't the wing hero's thing, especially not with such an explosive quirk. Not for the first time Hawks wonders why the commission chose him. They really are a bad matchup.
The grin is quickly back in place, forced forward when Dabi breathes the word nervous.
"Gee I thought I was being pretty clear, crispy." he purrs jovially. "You're the recruiter, I'm the recruit. I wanna join your League." He flashes a toothy expression. "I wanna be a villain."
-
“No.”
The answer is quick. Dabi doesn’t have time for stupid games. He takes a step back, grin vanishing as if it had never been there to begin with.
And then he hesitates.
If Hawks, one of the most powerful and influential heroes in the country, was serious about this, Dabi would have to be the biggest idiot on the planet to turn it down.
Besides… What was that saying about keeping your enemies close?
His eyes dart off to the side in careful consideration before they lock with gold again, flickering with something unreadable.
“You’re in over your head, pigeon. Even if I believed you, you look like you haven’t had to rough it out a single day in your life. This lifestyle ain’t a glamorous one. And the way you’re trying to charm me with a fake smile and a bad sense of humor? Proof that you wouldn’t last a day without hearing praises and getting attention. That shit doesn’t work here.”
-
He expected to hear no. No surprise there. He just has to convince the other man.
But something seems to stop Dabi, and he actually looks like he's considering it. Maybe that's not a surprise. He is a powerful hero afterall. He'd be an asset to any organization.
Hawks' feathers fluff up unconsciously at the accusation. Pigeon? Roughing it? Pah. He doesn't know anything.
"Praises come naturally when you're this good." he smirks. "Even a villain could see my value." He bounces on his toes, hating that Dabi is taller. But then, most people are. "Maybe you guys wouldn't have to rough it so much if you had a better image." he adds in a singsong. "A handsome guy like me on your team, your popularity'll go through the roof. You'll get all the attention you could ever want."
-
Dabi hums in response, not offering any words to indicate whether or not he’s actually considering his offer.
Hawks wasn’t wrong. Truth be told, the League had been planning for their image to improve when they set their plans in motion and revealed how disgustingly hypocritical hero society is behind closed doors. Career aside, Hawks wasn’t only skilled; He was adored by the public. Having him around would only ensure that more people flocked to their cause, if only because of their blind trust for the hero.
But this was all too good to be true. What idiot would give up their cushy, silver-platter lifestyle for one like his?
Dabi narrows his eyes again, looking the hero up and down as if he would find some sort of answer if he picked him apart with his gaze alone.
“Why? Don’t give me some bullshit that you ‘agree with our views’ when your lifestyle is the exact opposite of everything we stand for. Give me a good reason and I’ll consider it.”
-
His smirk deepens when the villain looks him up and down, scarlet feathers puffing up like there's a camera on him. Dabi seems to like what he sees because the villain doesn't turn him down out of hand. Which is still a surprise to Hawks. Is he desperate? Maybe he just can't pass up the opportunity. Them trusting him always seemed like the biggest flaw in the commission's plans.
He's talking his way into the viper's nest though. Dabi hasn't kicked him to the curb yet. Why did he want to be here again? Oh yeah, because they told him to.
"My story's my business." He's gone over the reasoning the commission gave him in his head over and over. It doesn't sit right with him. It's not authentic and he's pretty sure Mister Crispy'll smell bullshit a mile away. He may be a villain but he doesn't come across as stupid to Hawks. And besides, it's not like Dabi would tell the hero why he's in the league if he asked.
"You know, there's other villains I could be talking to. You're not the only crew around." He pretends a little disinterest for good measure. "If the number two hero isn't good enough for the league, I can just be on my way." He takes a casual step back, flexing his wings as if to prepare for flight.
-
“Tch, did I say I was done?”
Heat burns underneath his skin, threatening to ignite at any moment. Dabi had never been very good at containing his temper.
But this fucking bastard was good. He didn’t want to share his reasoning with him. Didn’t want to give him anything to work with.
This whole exchange reeked of red flags.
And yet…
He couldn’t just turn Hawks away. He couldn’t pass up what the hero could offer him. Or the League for that matter.
“Fine. I can respect secrets. If you don’t want to give me your reasoning, then we’ll find other ways to test your dedication. Would have to be a fucking idiot to let you in right now.”
Dabi fishes his box of cigarettes out of his pocket, mindlessly plucking one out and placing it, unlit, between his lips. He tears the lid off effortlessly and begins to rip the corners, effectively flattening it into one very thick, lopsided piece of paper.
“Give me your number and I’ll be in touch, once we’re ready for you.”
-
And this is it isn't it? The non event. His number. Somehow he'd expected more. Like having to stab someone, or get a tattoo. He's authorized to do either. You gotta break some eggs yadda yadda. Not that he's been looking forward to it, but this is a bit of a letdown. A little more normal than he expected.
The blonde smirks, dipping in to his jacket. "You're not the first person to ask for my number hotstuff." He slips a card out of an inside pocket, fancy, embossed. One with his actual cell. He doesn't really know why he carries them. He doesn't hand them out to anyone. But all the heroes do. And he's nothing if not obedient.
Hawks offers the card to the villain. "Texts only. No dick pics." His smirk turns genuine as he tries to get a rise out of the other. Commission never said he couldn't piss them off.
-
Dabi raises an eyebrow before crumpling his makeshift paper and reaching for the card. He examines it, turning it over in his fingers, before pocketing it along with the box.
The dick pics comment earns a snort out of him. The corners of his mouth tug into an almost normal smirk. Hawks was annoying as shit, that much was obvious. But he had to admit, that was a little funny.
“Your loss.”
He lights the new cigarette with his thumb, taking a drag from it and exhaling.
“We’re done here. Unless you were hoping to become BFFs over a smoke.”
-
The smile on Dabi's face is a surprise. It almost looks genuine. The expression makes the other man look younger. Hawks peers at him, really examining him for the first time. Now that he's not afraid for his life and all. Dabi looks young, maybe close to the hero's age. Huh. Commission's got zilch on him. Guess that's his first bit of intel.
He wrinkles his nose. "Not really my thing." He gestures to his chest with a thumb. "Lung capacity, kinda important for flying." People never seem to realize just how physical the activity is. He watches the villain a moment longer, still not quite believing this has gone as well as it has. Shouldn't he be just a little bit burnt?
He takes a step back, wings cocking. "I'll ah, see you around then?" It comes out a question. He hadn't meant it that way. But oh well. Hawks gives a jaunty gesture, half wave, half salute and takes off, leaving the villain behind in a whirlwind of trash and alley crap.
-
Dabi braces himself as trash blows around from the sheer force of Hawks' wings taking flight.
Rude asshole.
He shoots a piercing glare at the red wings that are already far off into the sky. Hawks was trouble.
Kicking a wadded up wrapper to the side, he stuffs one hand into his pocket and slinks out of the alley to trek back to headquarters.
Dabi had a lot to think about, a lot to scheme. Even if Hawks was planning something, Dabi would have to make sure he was a step ahead. He could make this work out for him, no matter how it turned out.
- Seven loves dragging Jumin out on 'commoner dates'
- down to a festival to play games and go on rides
- Jumin *hates* the rides. Rusty, badly maintained, deathtrap contraptions
- Seven uses the kitty eyes on him to get him on them. He's had no success with the rollercoasters but he did get Jumin on a ferris wheel!
- turns out Jumin doesn't like heights
- In return for humoring him, Seven wants to win a prize for Jumin from one of the sideshow games
- Jumin lowkey thinks they're a ripoff. He's standing in the back eyeing the games trying to figure out how each one is rigged.
- Seven has a weird talent for them though, maybe because he's rigged a few games himself in his time. Plus he's a whiz with a pellet gun.
- Seven's not satisfied till he's won Jumin one of the B I G stuffed animals
- Leaving the festival, Jumin carrying a stuffed cat almost as big as he is and Seven strutting along with a different colored cotton candy in each hand
Luciel lets out a breath. It feels like the first one of the night. His chest is tight, stomach like a brick and cheeks tired from smiling. Inside the building, people mingle. Spend. Network. Outside, where he is, the streets bite with a miserable chill of rain.
Even so, he'd rather be outside.
"This is where you were, Luciel."
He looks up at the familiar timbre of Jumin Han's voice. The heir is impeccable as always. Suit neatly pressed, not a hair out of place. How is he not covered in cat hair? How does he never look mussed?
Luciel runs a hand through his hair self consciously. He feels messier than usual standing next to the older man. "Yeah. Here I am." He forces that smile back into place, pasting the mask over his exhaustion. He hasn't slept in days. Has barely eaten. The Agency's latest mission was a grueling one, and he'd only just made it back in time for the party.
Jumin eyes him in that infuriating way he has, like Luciel is small and transparent and of little consequence. "You do not have to stay."
It sounds like a condemnation. "I'm part of the RFA Catmom. I'm not gonna miss a party!" He forces a scoffing laugh as if the older man is being preposterous.
"You are a part of the RFA." Jumin agrees. "That means that we have your back." His full attention is on the Choi now, slate piercing. It makes Luciel uncomfortable but he forces eye contact anyway, defensiveness crawling along his shoulders.
"So you don't want me here." he tosses back, the smile fading. Defiance colors his tone. "M'not good enough for your fancy party? Is that it?"
Jumin frowns, appearing for just a moment to be taken aback. The Choi feels a spark of triumph. He has cracked the facade, put a chip in the heir's steely exterior.
"I did not say that, Luciel." He is still frowning. Points for the God Seven. "You are always welcome. These parties are as much yours as anyone else's." Jumin studies him. "But you look tired this evening. I am concerned."
The Choi blinks, surprised a moment before he shakes his head. "I don't know what you're talking about catmom. God Seven is his regular cheerful self!"
The heir sighs. "Very well." He straightens his suit, adjusting his tie. "Have it your way. When you're ready to talk, you may contact me."
Jumin is gone as quickly as he appeared, rejoining the bright, shining people inside. Where he belongs. Luciel feels himself deflate. If Jumin is noticing then it must be bad.
He rubs at his eyes, golden dulled with weariness. He needs to try harder. He needs to put in more effort. He can't let them down. Not when the RFA are the only good thing left.
With one last longing look at the rain soaked streets, the red head forces his mask back into place. He can do this. Just a few more hours. Then maybe he can sleep.
Tag a quality blog, You’re it! Quality doesn’t mean that you have a lot of followers, or a lot of messages. It means that you’re nice to other people, and you deserve to be happy. If you get this message, someone is telling you that they love you as you are, and they don’t care how many followers you have. Send this to 15 blogs who deserve it. If you break the chain, nothing will happen. But it’s just good to let someone know that you love them. ♥️❤️💛
I love yall too!!! ^^ its always been a joy and my respite to talk and interact with you lovely and talented people!! 😭😭😭😳😳
@anise05 @chervill @eirasummers @rozengrotto @twstdaydreamer @pancaketachi @chibichibisha @kirayamidemon @missbonekitty @tisafinedayforsimping @thewitchofbooks @hamster-damn and to all my lovely followers ehehehehe <33
Omg, this is my first time to be tagged!! Thank you so much!! Especially @thewitchofbooks ✨
@hotaru987 @samurailoveballadhistory @sandayuswife @tsubaki3192 @wtf-0w0 @dark-frosted-heart @night-circus-madness @aeesthetiic @masasei @alchemivich and to my all fellow tumblr user! I Love You all!!
@anischa22 Thank you so much dear, same goes back to you! :D <3
Oh god 15 quality blogs, there are honestly too many I’d like to tag on this because they all deserve appreciation, I don’t even know where to start xd
@samurailoveballadhistory @platonic-prompts @sailor-pocky @pseudofaux @ladybyakko @voltage-vixen @dear-mrs-otome @silhouette-of-a-dream @bmp-slbp-matchup @buddy-anon @dangodaifuku @otomediary @wingcinna @saizoswifey @hotanekooo and sooo on
Thank you so much for the tags @tsubaki3192, @sandayuswife, & @ladybyakko!
Being included in such nice posts like this one really put a smile on my face. It means the world to me, and I appreciate it more than I can even fathom how use words to express how I feel! 🥺 THANK YOU!!!!! 💞💞💞💞
As for the tagging, there are so many great great ones out there! A special shout out to all the blogs I follow, and another one to all the content creators out there, regardless of whether or not we share a fandom! Thanks for all that you do to help keep these fandoms alive and thriving!
@toloveawarlord, @op-peccatori, @lordsister, @xxsycamore, @lin-ful, @rierru, @eikouxd, @rikumorimachisgirl, @lxvescramble, @redheadkittys, @neerons, @cupidocherie, @mrs-scm-wife, @jxstaokiparadise, @leonlixir, @little-butterfly-writes, @kazuyaasai-serenaspencerli, @nad-zeta, @meowlayn-art, @purple-cat-demon, @alerialumina, @lemmelynn, @asmos-pet, @loligurl701, @agent-bee, @quirky-and-kind, @sofihatter545, @lucienism, @otomefoxystar, @maeko-kun, @sinful-liesel, @tadokorojin, @maladaptivedaydreamsx, @paradisekissmoon, @leoamber66 ,@bunnydango, @shatteredcrimsondreams and to everyone else that’s currently reading this because my list could go on forever. 🥰🤗
Thank you so much @voltage-vixen 🥰 You are absolutely amazing and this tag melted me heart! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! Please know the tag is mutual 💞
I am also going to tag a few writers that I love and appreciate deeply. You have made my time in this space fun, welcoming, and safe. I am so thankful to those in this fandom that make the effort to be kind to everyone while also producing incredible content!
@gureishi - literally the reason I joined the Mysme fandom. I fell in love with your work in an instant and have been hooked every since. The way your strong words together is so beautiful, melodic in many ways. You are one of the most creative and versatile writers out there!
@quirky-and-kind - I have never read work as passionate and heart-wrenching as yours. You pour your emotions into every word, and your writing is such a joy to read. I literally cannot think of Zen without thinking of you too. You two are inseperable in my eyes.
@welookateachotherandlaugh - reading your writing is like being in a dream. The imagery you craft is so fantastical and beautiful. Your angsty pieces are also gut-wrenching. Your work is absolutely captivating, and you are the best Jihyun wife.
@little-butterfly-writes - I have not had the chance to indulge in your work as much as I would like, but of those pieces I have read, my heart has absolutely melted. Your work is so sweet and tender (gives me butterflies!!)
@marshmallowprotection - I am always astounded at the sheer amount of content, and the quality of the content, you produce. Your love and passion for Saeran is unparelleled, and you are truly a Mysme fandom staple.
@amysteriousmessenger - The way you convey darker concepts within Mysme is absolutely astounding. I fell in love with your vampire Saerans, but the Savior Saeran story really just…my gosh. It is incredible.
@mammonprotectionsquad - No one writes Vanderwood like you do! I was not convinced until I found you that Vandy could be a big softie, but your work is so soft and sensitively-crafted, you’ve won me over.
Srzcij omg thank you so much 🥺 I’m sorry to inform you that you now own my heart! 💕
And there are so many people I admire (some I even became mutuals with and the thought alone is still so wild to me!) I’m sure my goldfish brain will forget to tag a few now, but just know I love all of you dearly and seeing your art and reading your writings or thoughts on things just like all interactions are what makes all the fandom experiences even better 💖
❤️️ BEAUTIFUL PERSON AWARD! ONCE YOU ARE GIVEN THIS AWARD YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO PASTE IT IN THE ASKS OF 8 PEOPLE WHO DESERVE IT. IF YOU BREAK THE CHAIN NOTHING HAPPENS, BUT IT'S SWEET TO KNOW SOMEONE THINKS YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL INSIDE AND OUT ❤️️ 💖💖
❤️️ BEAUTIFUL PERSON AWARD! ONCE YOU ARE GIVEN THIS AWARD YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO PASTE IT IN THE ASKS OF 8 PEOPLE WHO DESERVE IT. IF YOU BREAK THE CHAIN NOTHING HAPPENS, BUT IT'S SWEET TO KNOW SOMEONE THINKS YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL INSIDE AND OUT ❤️️ 💖💖
@teenyturtle i see you and im calling you out woman hfzjfxkgxkg
Also -- Juciel hcs cause we need more juciel dammit!!
* mealtimes aren't easy in the household. Seven's never been very good at eating properly and taking care of himself. Chef's approach to nutritionally balanced meals is hardly to his liking. Childish as it is, there's sometimes a standoff at the dinner table, forbidden from leaving until he eats his vegetables
*the driver in the family is obviously Saeyoung. Jumin's skills are rusty at best. Although he'd never question the Choi's talent behind the wheel, Jumin often wishes it came with less... velocity
* holidays are hard in the household. Seven hasn't got any good memories of birthdays or Christmases, and Jumin hasn't particularly cared to celebrate them. Until now. Now that Saeyoung is in his life, every holiday is an excuse to spoil the Choi with extravagant gifts and experiences. And ofc Saeran is invited, because his brother means the world to Seven, and Jumin knows he could never truly celebrate without the younger twin
* speaking of Saeran. That took some getting used to, the fact that Jumin's lover has someone who means more to him than the heir ever could. It's a battle he lost by default many moons before he met the Choi. And it's something Jumin is at peace with. Saeran will always be included in their holidays, will always be invited to their special moments. Even if, deep down, the heir feels some dark jealousy stir when his lover's attention is fixed on his brother instead of Jumin. Watch out for a petty Han- hands all over Seven when he's on the phone with Saeran
I've never thought about it. I really love rarepairs though, and these two would be pretty interesting together. Like-
* Zen given Yoosung a makeover, taking him shopping for an outfit, something someone 'cool' would wear. Having his set stylist do the Kim's hair and makeup for glamor shots. All to build his confidence.
* completely cannon, but Zen taking care of Yoosung when he's drunk. Yoosung getting all weepy and clingy and Zen just accepting it with a sigh. "You're so cute Yoosung, even when you're crying."
* Yoosung learning to cook healthy food for Zen, stuff he can eat while he's working. Packing him the cutest lunchboxes ever
* Yoosung curious as hell about Zen's skin care routine. How does he maintain his beauty?
* Zen teaching Yoosung how to ride a motorcycle. Seven does Not Approve:tm:. Its rare that he's accused of being the sensible one
I'm so excited to bring all of you our contribution to the @mysme-rbb
I was partnered up with the amazing, talented and creative @yeleleow! I can't get over how well she brought the concept to life in the art above. Seriously, go check out her art and give her a follow, she's amazing!
My contribution to the piece is (of course) some angst. I hope you enjoy ^^
----
Laughter surrounds him, bright and beautiful. Their expressions full of the joy of a successful party. But this is no party, this is his ex-Chief Assistant's cafe. A waste of talent in Jumin's educated opinion.
Beside him, Luciel reaches for a confectionery. The red head still refuses to speak to him, angry over a vehicle that Jumin has repeatedly offered to replace. He does not understand the Choi's attachment to materials things, nor the emotion the other chooses to invest in them.
Across the table, Zen meets his eyes. The thespian's gaze slips away to things more interesting than a brooding heir, his expression lighting when Yoosung flushes on his other side, the blonde the victim of good hearted teasing.
The group's joy is in such contrast to his own mood that it is almost painful. It tugs at his tangles viciously, reminding him that, as always, he does not belong.
Usually, V would be sitting beside him. The photographer, in that way of his, would deflect the worst of it. He would calm the hyperactivity of the group and smooth the edges of Jumin's blunt nature. He would act as the bridge between the heir and the others, bright and straightforward. V has been his interpreter for as long as the Han can remember.
But he is not here. On the contrary, Jumin has not spoken with him since their argument. The argument in which he finally cast light on his best friend's lies.
Jumin's gaze flicks to MC as she offers a tray toward him. The platter is full of dainties so sticky sweet that they turn his stomach. Her expression matches them. Sticky sweet and full of promise. Another lie. Another deceit. Not so long ago that smile had been for him. Kind words and understanding tones. They had talked late into the night. But that had only been more dishonesty. The tiny blossom of something soft and sweet stomped out when her fickle attentions turned.
Jumin refuses the tray, returns his attention to his cup of bitter black coffee. Even knowing what he does, he still came today. Because she invited him. Because he cannot shake the soft spot that he has for MC. Foolishly he still looks forward to her smiles. Foolishly he still wishes for her happiness. Even if she, like V, has only taken from him. Because without her encouragement, his Chief Assistant would never have left him. He wonders if it occurred to her, as she turned her attentions on his Chief Assistant, that she has the potential to so irrevocably impact his life.
Why had he come? What possessed him to peel himself away from the endless task of picking up the slack of her departure to be here? Certainly he has better things to do. Back at C&R his large desk practically sags under the piles of reports that await his approval. His new Chief Assistant is less than adequate, struggling under the responsibilities expected of him. And, as expected, it is Jumin's responsibility to fulfil those duties that fall by the wayside. A responsibility in the form of the heir spending late nights and weekends at the office, away from his last true joy. Elizabeth the Third pouts at his absence, refusing his steadfast attempts to tempt her back into his arms.
If it were Assistant Kang the work would be no issue. It would be neatly filed and alphabetized precisely how he likes it. He would be home on time each evening and his princess would have no need to mope.
But then, that is why he is here. To celebrate, with the rest of the RFA, his ex-Chief Assistant's new happiness. To toast her cafe. To share her pride.
And she glows with it. A radiant smile on her face. She is pretty like this, he notes, detached. Elated in her newfound passion. A pity it comes at the cost of his own happiness.
MC notices his stare, offers Jumin a tentative smile. A smile that encourages him to join them, to share in their celebration. But he is in no mood to do so. He has been tempted by her before. Opened his heart to her, developed a fondness for her. Believed himself to have found someone special, a uniquity among women.
When did those feelings sour?
He knows when. He knows precisely how. Those feelings soured as part of a chain of events that has led him to this very moment. Assistant Kang taking her leave. Luciel's car. V's betrayal. Lies. All of them. How could he have been so naive to think that things were changing for the better? That his best friend was returning to him, a presence in his life again. That he had perhaps found someone who understood him, someone to share the things that he adores. All of it a lead up to today, a deception to this moment. Sitting with the RFA in Assistant Kang's new cafè. Together with the RFA but so clearly apart.
He has always been separate from the others. Always standing behind an invisible wall. But now, watching as MC slips her hand into Jaehee's, he has never felt that distance more acutely.
Yooran - I don't think I've ever written for these two. Let's see...
^ At first Yoosung's energy is intimidating to Saeran. He's too much like Saeyoung. Bouncing around and cheerful. Full of emotions that change at the drop of a hat
^ But unlike Saeyoung, Yoosung doesn't smother him. The blonde has a way of being able to bounce along all on his own, chattering away, amusing himself. Of all the RFA, he's the one that asks the least of Saeran. He lacks the intimidation of Jumin. The tiresome narcissism of Zen, the awkward examination like he's a dangerous animal of Jaehee, and the overwhelming closeness his brother insists on. He's happy to yammer along about whatever his latest interest is. All Saeran has to do is sit there. Even better, he's the only one his twin will let sit between them
^ Yoosung's energy becomes a bit of a shield for the younger twin. It feels like he's the only one that doesn't expect anything from him
^ Saeyoung notices and actually lets Yoosung stay with him when he has to go out and doesn't want to leave Saeran alone
^ Which of course results in Yoosung having first hand experience with one of his breakdowns. It's still just the small things that set him off. And this time it's as simple as breaking a cup. The sound of shattering glass and the sight of blood where he's cut himself has Saeran curled in a corner like a panicked, wounded animal. Yoosung somehow takes it in stride though, staying calm and cleaning up the glass and then sitting down quietly beside Saeran, just being there until he can breathe again. Like he knows. He's never thought of Yoosung as strong before, but in that moment, it feels like he is. It's not like his twin, Saeyoung would've been all over him fussing in that high pitched voice Saeran hates
^ After that, things start to get easier. He knows what to expect around Yoosung, even starts to respond to his chatter a bit. Which delights the blonde. Saeran can't help noticing that his cheeks get rosy the first time he asks Yoosung a question about the game he's been yammering on about.
^ Jumin is an early riser - this man thrives on habit. If he doesn't properly finish his routine, he'll feel like his entire day is thrown off
^ Luciel likes to sleep in though, if he went to sleep the night before
^ It's not unusual for Jumin to find him passed out on the couch. Despite the work he's put into it, the red head's sleeping habits are slow to improve
^ His chiropractor has informed Jumin that sleeping on the couch is very bad for one's back, so the heir will often carry his sleepy hacker back to the master bedroom to tuck him in before leaving for work
^ leaves a glass of water, his glasses and his phone on the nightstand so Luciel can find them when he wakes up
^ He'll then return to his routine of grooming and getting ready for work. Shower. Shave. Aftershave. Style his hair. Choose a suit and tie for the day. Select his cufflinks and watch.
^ Before he leaves, he always stops to tuck the Choi back in. Luciel's a restless sleeper and tends to kick off his blankets
^ Sends the hacker a morning message, usually with a blurry picture of him asleep on the couch
^ Seven usually wakes up closer to midday. First thing he does is reach for his phone. Blinks at it blearily and reads Jumin's message
