Sup bitch, I'm Areum.

[nightprompts]

&. 𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐬 (𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬?) 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬.

(  various  dialogue  prompts  to  send  to  your  worst  enemy  (affectionate).  feel  free  to  change  how  you  seem  fit.  )

❛ oh great, it's you again. ❜

❛ you? kill me? that's funny. ❜

❛ for being someone you hate, i'm sure on your mind a lot. ❜

❛ you're the last person i wanted to see, actually. ❜

❛ do us both a favor. stay away from me. ❜

❛ you really are an asshole, you know that? ❜

❛ i'm the asshole? what does that make you then? ❜

❛ sometimes i think you must hate me. ❜

❛ i thought you said you never wanted to see me again. ❜

❛ if you want me to go, then you have to tell me to leave. ❜

❛ well, someone's cranky today. ❜

❛ well, someone needs to shut the fuck up. ❜

❛ just stay out of my way. ❜

❛ of all the idiots in the world, i'm stuck with you. ❜

❛ what is it you want this time? ❜

❛ sometimes i wonder if you're in love with me. ❜

❛ do you honestly think this is easy for me? ❜

❛ why would i ever want to be friends with you? ❜

❛ can we please just talk? ❜

❛ there is nothing for us to talk about. ❜

❛ you can yell at me later. just let me help you. ❜

❛ touch me, and you're dead. ❜

❛ oh, so now you care? ❜

❛ there is something deeply wrong with you. ❜

❛ i know i'm the last person you probably want to see, but... ❜

❛ you don't think we could be friends, do you? ❜

❛ i'm tired of fighting against you. ❜

❛ don't pretend you give a shit about me. ❜

❛ you're an idiot, but... i trust you. ❜

❛ oh, don't be cute. ❜

❛ wait, did you just say that i'm cute? ❜

❛ we're not good for each other. ❜

❛ if i say yes, will you shut up? ❜

❛ don't you have to be stupid somewhere else? ❜

❛ maybe we should kiss just to break the tension. ❜

❛ i'm sorry i can't turn off my feelings as easily as you. ❜

❛ maybe there's a universe out there where we're friends. ❜

❛ how can you be so smart yet so dumb at the same time? ❜

❛ don't think this changes anything between us. ❜

❛ you look ridiculous in that outfit, by the way. ❜

❛ if you die, i'll kill you. ❜

❛ is that a challenge? ❜

❛ ah, so you're not heartless after all. ❜

❛ i don't think i've ever seen you smile. ❜

❛ you never cared about me, so why now? ❜

❛ why didn't you kill me when you had the chance? ❜

❛ i don't even remember why we started fighting. ❜

❛ i don't have time for distractions right now. ❜

❛ you're not as bad as everyone says you are. ❜

❛ enemies make the best lovers, you know. ❜

[areumxmp]

So many workers had come and gone during Areum's time of working at Vision and to be honest the revolving door that is the service industry has started to kinda make him sad so he stopped checking the schedule for new people every week. He knew his own schedule and he just stuck to it, showing up on time as always and staying later than he needs to in order to help clean up. Needless to say, Areum wasn't at all prepared for the new face behind his bar tonight. Areum had been at the club for a while now and had enough positive feedback that he tends to work nights where they are understaffed, so not all the time does he have a buddy to be working with. Of course though, when he does? Like now? His smile cannot be contained as it cuts his face in half. The circular tattoo on his jaw that has been circulated all throughout Korea, moves with him as he talks, the lines coming off of it kiss at the corners of his lips that part for such a friendly voice, even if it was deep in resonance. "What a dope name, dog!" The ex con speaks as he ties his apron and clocks in, letting his warm hand extend out for a handshake the moment it was free from use. "Areum~ Sorry in advance if I gotta like slide past you I promise I ain't tryna be weird." He chuckles and it is funny, and true. Areum is a big man, there is no doubt in his mind he's gonna end up bumping this guy with his dump truck in the narrow area behind the bar so he may as well apologize about it now! Coz this Itotia guy seems pretty chill and he don't wanna start off on the wrong foot. He's donw that enough in his life. "But I will say I'm pretty stellar at some team work." He grins, "I think we will kill it tonight!"

[mpitotia]

If Itotia noticed the other's astonishment at his presence behind the bar, he kept it to himself. He had been told that Vision was often short in staff so he truly could understand how a new face would be a surprise. Good or bad, he wasn't sure yet.

All he knew is that he was ready to do the best job possible and not be a nuisance for his new colleagues. 

"Oh thank you ! It's a Mayan name, it means 'dance' because it's my other job. I'm a dancer and choreographer." And to illustrate his words, the young man executed a perfect pirouette. He chuckled when he was done, carefully tying his own apron around his thin waist. "It's nice meeting you, Areum !" 

The young man grinned but he couldn't help his gaze to travel to Areum's lips then his jaw, fixing his eyes on the tattoo nestled just there. He had seen it before but he was unable to remember where and when. He did shake the other's hand though, appreciating the warmth now spreading through him.

"Don't worry" Itotia reassured, his smile not leaving his face. "I've worked in several Busan's bars so I'm pretty good at teamwork."

[areumxmp]

Normally it would take him a moment to find common ground with someone he just met but right from the start this guy seems to have so many things in common! Already he was a little less and a little more worried at the same time that this one might leave too. Keeping his thoughts light was the perfectly executed pirouette that had Areum clapping mutedly since the strings of his apron had still been in his hand. "Oh man I dunno if that name fits you... your toe wasn't entirely pointed..." Areum knows nothing about dance it's obvious in his teasing response that's also given away by a playful smile and a stifled chuckle. "Highkey you're probably super good but I know jack shit about it! What I do know is that we are both Mayan! We must live near each other too, right?" He goes on about getting the bar ready before they open up, brightly interacting with Itotia as he cuts up the limes and lemons into half inch slices, keeping them on ice as he does so he doesn't wilt the fruit with his hands. But it is also then that he realizes what another one of their similarities is. He had followed that gaze from his tattoo, which doesn't always mean anything since it is quite abrasive on his face. But then the admission of Busan bars really hit him. The hulking bartender may not have shown it, but he tenses a bit. Wondering for a moment if this guy is being nice because he knows who Areum was... or if the niceness will go away if Itotia remembers. Either way, he was getting niceness now and... he was enjoying Itotia. If the other Mayan decided he didn't want to be around Areum later, they would cross that bride when they get there. For now, Areum takes a deep breath and tries not to stress about it. Especially because the smile he was being offered looked all too genuine for his overthinking brain to stress just yet. "I went to a lot of Busan bars growing up~ Never worked one before this so maybe you could teach me a thing or two!" He offers up a smile while he restocks napkins at the bar now, "Well not the team work I'm pretty banging at team work.." Another deep chuckle cascades through the still lit up room. He was excited.

[areumxmp]

"Yeah man I never thought I'd have any siblings. Real siblings at least. Growing up with all these people around me that I was supposed to call my family... it never felt like this, man." To be fair the situation is a little rocky for Areum, but he's sure in some way many of the people on this island that have found their family feel this way. It's like certain cogs that never seemed to get the rust out were starting to shine and move along with the others, creating this... well oiled machine called a life. Areum had well demolished his food since he had always been so used to having to eat so quickly, he was already getting up and using this kitchen like his own to wash the plate. What are brother's for right? "It really is a lot of shit to be happy about through. And the relationship stuff isn't even bad.. it honestly is because I'm a big dumb idiot." He chuckles even though behind that chuckle he really is convinced that he is. Especially about this. Setting the plate to the side to dry, he leans over the counter without asking and nabs Mingi's empty plate to wash as well, still as he rambles on. "When you start dating, be upfront about your damn life and issues and shit that's all my advice for you~ Anything else might fuck up your chances~" Playfully along with the joke he flicks water at his brother. In reality though, Areum had wonderful advice when it came to relationships, shit the man is as much of a devoted simp as anyone can be, if anyone knows how to give some pointers it would be Areum! And he'd love to talk... people... with Mingi! "You know what we should do?" Setting the next plate to dry he teeters on his heels as if the idea he's got brewing is only the best one every created in the history of life ever. Or something like that. "We should do pottery." Areum's eyes are so serious, big and if it's a revelation. "Think about it bro... We are the kiln" He was kidding. Right?

[mpmingi]

"I kinda get what you mean, not gonna lie. I was an only kid before but... yeah, wouldn't have been much chance to get a sibling." Mingi returned, scowling slightly at the thought of his momma's situation before everything literally imploded. And then he got a little sad with all that springing back to mind before he pushed it back. He shook his head a bit to clear it.

He should tell Areum more about that at some point, he didn't think he'd gotten the chance to give the older male his whole story yet but it might be nice to share with him one day...

"Hey, bro, it's cool! I'm sure you probably got reasoning! Right?" He asked, shifting forward a bit and reaching to pat the older's arm a bit in an attempt at reassurance. He can't let his big bro be mean to himself!

He nodded a bit though once the older continued after grabbing his plate and listening before pausing and coughing slightly. What the other said kinda had him flashing back to a few or so years ago... ahh.

"...I'd laugh at that but I gotta be honest-" He started after a moment of debate. "Might have had a dumbass moment with something like that? S'not like it was dating dating but..." Maybe he should tell his big bro a few things he hasn't yet sooner rather than later, actually.

He blinked at the flick of water, laughing after that and shaking his head a little before humming again.

"Oh, dude, no wait-- You're right." Mingi stated, straightening again as Areum's comment lit up the utterly ridiculous side of his mind. He had a point, they technically were. It probably wasn't much different than working with metal either! Just different temperature outputs maybe.

"Like, no, I use my shit whenever I'm crafting and shit at Dagger & Roses, I make my hands like... the furnace so like--!"

[areumxmp]

Areum is intuitive even if he is up and washing dishes, eyes flickering up to his brother when he hears the softness added to his tone when talking about siblings. It seemed they both had some stories to share whenever they delved into it, “Luckily we both have a chance now, yeah?” He offers a smile with to teeth from across the counter, all his warmth swirling in his eyes because he wishes he could say more. Help more. One day he will be able to, with how well it’s been going he’s sure they will open up soon; but it makes his heart even more warm that all while he’s thinking of ways to cheer Mingi up, his brother ends up doing the same to him about his stresses. The warm hand that’s just like his on his arm sends the comfort Mingi was offering through his skin and straight into any muscle that may have been tense. “Yeah I do, but sometimes reason’s ain’t good enough. Still need to say it. Coz watch, see??” He points to Mingi dramatically after he hears about his Brother’s…. Fling? See! He knew he was right! For some reason he felt so good-not because he was right-because he felt he was actually able to help his brother. In a real way someone should help their brother.. Talking about girls/boys, helping with a shitty haircut, or keeping him out of too much trouble. The kiln shit was funny, and he commented on the fact that he thinks it’s mad smart Mingi uses his fire for the weapons he forges which is so incredibly cool, but now? Nah nah he’s circling back. This is important! They can go fuck around later! “Nah okay we going back to this lil not dating dating person. What happened?” Areum’s eyes held so much care as he gave every ounce of his attention to his brother, more than willing to hear whatever detail he may want to offer.

[areumxmp]

Areum was on the verge of completely combusting, having not had an accident without his meds in so long it would have broken him to have hurt anybody or anything; because there is a piece of him that is always still in there that knows what he sees is wrong. That the emotions he's feeling are from another time. But everything else is just too fucking strong and the as his world had almost crumbled to the last morsel- SLAP.

Seemingly everything in the son of Tohil stopped. The bulking body that still felt too many degrees too hot could be mistaken for not breathing if Yanluo wasn't currently feeling his pulse through his hands. Even his eyes that weren't quite as hollow anymore were instead opened round and unwavering. In a way, the choice Yanluo made had been good for Areum. It brought him back to where he was, truly seeing the man that was in front of him for the God he was rather than the ghosts that haunt the backs of his eyelids. In other ways though, it had pushed Areum right into the idea that if he didn't do what Yanluo said, there would be consequences. Just like before. Especially with the way the God's voice ripped through the air at the passerby's, causing the hulking man to flinch. So just like when he was young, that slap had allowed the silver tongue living withing his mind to break free. To curl around the recess' of each idea and thought. Preying into the mind of a fearful child. A malleable child. One that doesn't want to hurt anyone but can be promised of the torment that will happen if he doesn't end it before it starts. He hears those words hiss through him, doing their best to try and drown out the voice of the God before him. A few tears fall from the corners of his eyes. Sizzling up on his skin the salty things don't stand a chance as he has to force himself to nod. He knows he needs his meds. He knows he needs help. He wants to trust this Wang Yanluo but he's so fucking terrified. "Okay." The word is barely above a whisper, offered up as if the word itself were his hands guarding his face from impact.

[mpyanluo-deactivated20240512]

yanluo watched the changes in the demigod as they unfolded and it was quite alarming to see. the god wasn't aware of just the extend of emotional trauma the young man was going through but he was able to grasp the issue at surface level. he didn't know this young man, had only just met him minutes ago, but the heart-wrenching sight of pure unadulterated fear in widened eyes was enough to make his gut clench painfully in sympathy.

and then the tears fell and yanluo was helpless to witness them. this bulky, tall man was falling apart right in front of him and while the god had managed to spare the demigod the embarrassment of having his breakdown be witnessed by others in the street, the fact remained that the breakdown had still been imminent and was being witnessed by someone. yanluo fought the urge to wrap the young man in his arms in fear of causing a violent reaction that he could not prevent or contain.

so, the only thing yanluo could do was listen to the other whisper the affirmation that he'd heard yanluo and consented to being taken care of for now. yanluo nodded and gently rubbed his thumbs over the back of the demigod's hands which were still cocooned within the blood prison. "i'll let go of your hands now, okay?" yanluo whispered, his voice only slightly louder than the demigod's had been. "nothing bad is going to happen." he added quickly to reassure the young man.

yanluo watched the tears sizzle on the other's face while the solidified blood around their hands slowly liquified and slithered back within yanluo's palms. the god let go of the demigod's hands, the gashes in his palms instantly healing and yanluo reached up with both his hands to gently cup areum's face. he wiped away the tears that were still falling and ignored the way the demigod's heated skin burned through his own flesh. yanluo's own abilities of scorching touch meant his hands were quick to heal as well. and so, as the flesh burned it also healed in an endless cycle. it didn't bother yanluo. there were more pressing matters at hand.

"what is your name?" yanluo asked. "where is your home? i will take you home.. let's find your medication alright?" the smell of burning flesh was now quite noticeable but there was nothing in yanluo's facial expression that could indicate to areum that he was in pain. in fact, the god barely felt his own skin melting and mending. he was used to this. he was the lord of hell, god of death - and one of the most ancient ones in his own pantheon. he was a force to be reckoned with; someone with strong divine energies and he was perhaps the only fitting person to handle inferno personified.

[areumxmp]

The gentle tone Yanluo returned to Areum with, and the way his hands brave the ex con's scalding skin, is the only thing tethering the only capable part of his mind to trusting the God of death. Even as the silent voice he knows too well pierces into his skull, stabbing the fleshy parts of his memories and cognate abilities with each word. Trying it's best to confuse him, to keep him from allowing Yanluo to truly help him. To get him home. As sad as it is, the fear he felt from the slap previously was what kept him most docile. The way Yanluo seemed to cradle his face was simply the blanket that kept him from completely crumbling into himself, right here in the grass. Right here in front of this God who is trying so hard to help him and- Inhale. Exhale. Areum opens his glossy eyes, the smell of burnt flesh finally hitting his sense's. Which is nostalgic as well as shocking. The bulking, shaking, man couldn't remember the last time he could even notice that scent. It used to fill his nose so much that it smelt of nothing anymore. If someone had started burning next to him, likely he wouldn't have noticed if he didn't hear it. But now... the smell fills his nose like it had the first time and then those big round eyes that were still trained on the God's, glossed over with a sheen of emptiness yet again as he falls into his brain. (TW: Death, ptsd, manipulation)

~”You know what to do, Bull. You have to do this for us, you know that. Otherwise they will hunt us down one by one. Taking away your only family and where would you go?” His ‘brother’s’ voice is paired with hands that sit heavy on his 13 year old shoulders. Not yet developed and without the power they’ve learned to harness from Areum, would crumple under too much pressure. The poor boy only needed a few more words to manipulate his brain into thinking what he was doing was for the better. A few words and a shove in the right direction. “They’re the same breed as that bitch of a mother you had. You can’t let them hurt anyone like she hurt you right? You have to do this.” They had always used the right words to toy with the young ‘bull’s’ mind, pushing him to do their dirty work, all while convincing him they were helping people. They were not. They were not helping anyone but themselves when they had Areum scorch his way through the tattered house on the outskirts of town. Pushing flames through the broken glass windows until the screams were mixing dreadfully with the crackling of flames. Only when he boldly walked the hot embers of rubble did that nauseatingly sweet smell fill his nostrils. It felt like it seeped down into his mouth; coating all his taste buds, only to drip down his throat and coat the inside of his stomach in bile. The bile rose up his throat as he looked at the now… faceless bodies. Two women, in their equally as charred bed. The smell even burnt at his eyes but he couldn’t stop looking at what he had done. What little they had in this small house.. What little he had taken from them. Yet it had been absolutely everything to them. Not even his ‘brother’s’ heavy hands ripping him from what was left of the burning house kept the rising bile from feeling like he was being eviscerated. Later that evening, his doubts of the women’s harmfulness had escaped from those lips as well. Only to have been beaten back out of him until only spit and blood poured from now shattered lips. He was awarded the family ring the next day for ‘saving’ his family, proving his loyalty, but that smell still stung his eyes and throat.~ The God’s words were cloudy but they pushed past the dam’s of Areum’s flashback, carefully picking him right back out of it. Twice he blinks for his eyes to have color returning, his mouth working to form words while his throat contracts to hold down the taste of vomit he thinks he still feels. “A-Areum..” His words are just as shaky as the hand that fumbles to fish his keys out. His movements were delayed almost and it almost looked as if he forgot what he had been doing before his scalding hand held out his keys. A little Sanrio wrist strap lanyard connected to an O ring with a teenie tiny print out of his boyfriend, Bes with floral washi tape around the edges, and a key to the Huay Chivo apartments. “Door t-two?” The hulking man was still coming to, and as he did, his heat calmed down at least a few degrees. This man would help him. He needed to believe it. He will trust him.

[mpitotia]

do I know you ? - closed

for the friendly giant @areumxmp

It didn't take long for Itotia to fall in love with Vision / Ilusion. He had worked in a few upscales bars and night clubs before but nothing like that. He liked the ambiance, the great music played by the talented DJ and his new coworkers.

There was someone new behind the bar with him that night, one he hadn't met so far. A handsome man, tall and seemingly strong. There was something familiar about him though and Itotia was raking his brain to remember if or where he had seen him before. Maybe it was just an impression or maybe the dancer had seen him around the island.

For the time being, Itotia chose to ignore anything that wasn't related to work. The man felt safe and it was the most important for him.  So he just smiled as he came to stand next to the other.

"Hi, I'm Itotia ! I hope we'll do a good job together tonight !"

[areumxmp]

So many workers had come and gone during Areum's time of working at Vision and to be honest the revolving door that is the service industry has started to kinda make him sad so he stopped checking the schedule for new people every week. He knew his own schedule and he just stuck to it, showing up on time as always and staying later than he needs to in order to help clean up. Needless to say, Areum wasn't at all prepared for the new face behind his bar tonight. Areum had been at the club for a while now and had enough positive feedback that he tends to work nights where they are understaffed, so not all the time does he have a buddy to be working with. Of course though, when he does? Like now? His smile cannot be contained as it cuts his face in half. The circular tattoo on his jaw that has been circulated all throughout Korea, moves with him as he talks, the lines coming off of it kiss at the corners of his lips that part for such a friendly voice, even if it was deep in resonance. "What a dope name, dog!" The ex con speaks as he ties his apron and clocks in, letting his warm hand extend out for a handshake the moment it was free from use. "Areum~ Sorry in advance if I gotta like slide past you I promise I ain't tryna be weird." He chuckles and it is funny, and true. Areum is a big man, there is no doubt in his mind he's gonna end up bumping this guy with his dump truck in the narrow area behind the bar so he may as well apologize about it now! Coz this Itotia guy seems pretty chill and he don't wanna start off on the wrong foot. He's donw that enough in his life. "But I will say I'm pretty stellar at some team work." He grins, "I think we will kill it tonight!"

[areumxmp]

Little Shit Territory

Continued from here for @mphaoyu because we love some anger

It's his place of work, which he takes pride in, so he tries his fucking hardest not to let his smile waver when the man at his bar keeps talking. It's not that Areum doesn't get flirted with, shit he gets flirted with quite often especially when serving the drunk masses but this wasn't flirting like that. There wasn't a drunk undertone from someone who just looking at face value finds him hot, no this was something else. It was tinged with something... something Areum couldn't pinpoint but it wasn't the normal lust feeling that comes off someone with flirtation.

And the way Haoyu words it makes it all the more worse. There's no way in hell for him to know anything about Areum's past and how that way of wording things about someone bringing Areum to him could affect the ex con's brain. That doesn't stop the blood from literally boiling in his skin as his smile borders on unsettling again as he refills the soda. "Ah you're right. How could I have mistaken it for anything else other than drinking soda at my bar to stare at my chest? My fault, g." To someone that didn't know him, his tone bordered on still being playful, really because he refuses to possibly get fired. But if you are aware of his normal tone, it was obvious he wasn't fucking with it. Though, that doesn't seem to bother this one. Areum leans over the bar, shirt struggling to keep buttoned as he speaks in a low voice for only Haoyu to hear. "There'd be no amount of reward that could encourage anyone to go through me and my man to get to me. Even then, you wouldn't have a chance with me in any way that you'd like." It' not that Haoyu wasn't attractive, to anyone that much was easy, but Areum has been so head over heels with Bes for so long that even when he was gone all those years the only people he fucked? He imagined was Bes. Even if Bes was gone, Areum wouldn't even think about being with anyone else. So this fact just adds on to the fire brewing under his skin because of this guy. But he sits up straight and pops the little bar towel over his shoulder so he can make another drink for someone yelling their order across the bar.

[mphaoyu-deactivated20240319]

he definitely hit a nerve, haoyu thought - not at all fooled by the playful tone of voice the bartender sent his way. in fact, all attempts at hiding his true feelings were rendered redundant when the man had leaned in to whisper to haoyu, who had once again rested his elbow on the bar counter, his head in his open palm.

"atta boy~" haoyu sing songed, twinkling eyes following the other's movements. "so feisty~ for absolutely no reason." he mumbled the last in mandarin chinese, lips curling into a cheshire grin. haoyu waited until the man was done serving another customer before he spoke again. "look at all that negative qi you're exuding." haoyu tsk'ed disapprovingly and shook his head. "like a raging bull, you're about to ruin the feng shui of this place." the pretty demigod tutted and the grin fell from his face, a warning glint in his eyes.

then with a twist of the hand still resting atop the counter next to his glass, the bar towel that hung over the man's shoulder was thrown off with a gust of wind before it unfolded and elevated, smacking the bartender in the face with a second gust of wind that held the towel there.

"there." haoyu hummed, pleased with his work. "much better. learn how to control that unnecessary anger of yours, sir. i don't want to have to pay a visit to your betters to tell them you threatened a guest, now would i?" and just like that, haoyu's gaze melted again, allowing the same teasing twinkle to reappear. he giggled softly as he took a sip from his newly filled glass of cola, averting his gaze.

he wasn't afraid of this meat sack of a man. the guy clearly knew not how to control himself, and had anger issues for sure. how he even managed to take on a job servicing customers was a mystery to haoyu but this type of demigod was better left locked in a cage somewhere. where they couldn't do any real harm. haoyu despised these types of men. quick to anger, quick to insult without any regard for who they are dealing with. arrogant men who think they can take on everyone because they're strong and probably have been through some shit.

but this man met the wrong person today. because the bartender could try. he really could but haoyu would be forced to teach him a lesson if he had to. the monkey boy was not averse to resorting to his baser instincts if it came to it. frail-looking as he was, haoyu possessed a hidden strength that would go berserk if anyone were to slightly tip the balance of power he held and nurtured.

[areumxmp]

Sure years ago just looking at him for mere moments proved his anger wasn't a force to be reckoned with; but that anger had never been his. Everything he had done, every drop of blood that stained his tanned skin, every hair follicle winding up beneath his fingernails, had all been from rage that was built into him. Forged from just a child to harbor anger he had never learned to feel or understand before. Literally being referred to as 'The Bull' when he was in the fits of the streets of Korea, the more this stranger speaks the more they are digging up the rage that was never Areum's. Learning to let go of that forceful emotion had taken so many years and Areum had worked so hard every day to get there. Unlearning a childhood was borderline impossible, though, and even though the ex con has made leaps and bounds into his self help journey, Haoyu seems to poke every single trigger this meat sack of a man has. It is not that he ever wants to start a fight, especially not now that he has his first real job, a boyfriend who he adores with every piece of him, friends he cherishes, and a life that is worth living. He doesn't even want to start the fight when he's slapped with his own towel. Not even when he hears the audacity this kid has to threaten going to his bosses. If anything that comment actually is the only part of it that keeps Areum from hopping over that counter. It grounds him at least until his tippy toes are on the floor. He's a damn good bartender, and much to this person's probable dismay, the ex con hadn't had a single issue with his temperament since he started, and it's highly doubtful he would get termed for a one off offence when fists hadn't flown. "I think you're the only one not enjoying the atmosphere. Might be a you problem." The bartender motions to the crowd of happy people while he chooses to ignore the slap to his face with the rag(only because of his job if he's being real.) and he also chooses to take a few deep breaths and not allow himself to fall back into the past. He can do this. Breathe in. Breathe out. Areum opens his eyes and rests a heavy yet pleasant gaze on Haoyu. "Doubt you'll need my advice since you seem to know so much but lemme tell you somethin," Areum rests his palms on the back of the bar, head cocked in a faint display of innocence, "If you don't want the horns? Don't fuck with the bull." Using that same towel to wipe up the bar, Areum genuinely uses these moments to try and calm down. If this kid wanted an issue, he was gonna have to wait until Areum walks out of that door in an hour when his shift is up.

[areumxmp]

Backing up had been something Areum learned to do when he started to feel his current reality fray at the edges, greying into the background of muffled words that sound like they are trying to travel into his ears through the weight of water. If he backed away, he couldn't hurt anyone. If he got enough distance between the person and himself, he wouldn't see a face there that doesn't exist anymore. That's hard to do when the person you're trying to save from yourself is walking towards you. Areum freezes as the cold fingers he can't feel touch his searing hot skin. The son of Tohil's body emits heat that could boil a glass of water if he held it. Unable to feel the temperature of the God's fingers his eyes fall down to where they rest on his arm, listening to words that barely break the surface of his ear drums. He barely hears them. Though, moments are like hours and in the moment that he was looking down at Yanluo's hand, the face in front of him wasn't the one the God owned when Areum looked back up. Instead a ghost of a smile that haunted his mind every time he closed his eyes. The ghost of a touch that went from the hands of a long lived God to the brittle digits of a man three times Areum's age. Even though back then, he would have been looking up at the man, and now he looks almost at eye level yet he can't understand that this isn't real. He can't feel the difference in deft fingers. He can't feel the difference in the ground he stands on right now. The only difference is what the God across from him can see; eyes that held fear and anger swirl into pits that seem to hold a thousand oblivions. The man that stands before Yan is barely visible behind those voids. The only thing bringing him back to being a real being is the way his scorching hands flicker and crack with flames the singular sliver of humanity left in him is trying his hardest to keep in check even though the man in front of him looks like his biggest fear. "Get away from me." In truth, Areum needed help. He needs to get back to his apartment, and he needs his meds. The ex Con was a generally really sweet guy, but right now the man in front of him- whoever he was, whether it be the God he had mistaken to be making fun of him, or the man that used his silver tongue and rough hands to create the finest weapon in his arsenal; needs to back away before Areum makes a grave mistake for the both of them.

[mpyanluo-deactivated20240512]

at first, yanluo didn't notice just how close the demigod was teetering to the edge of insanity. he was too focused on trying to assess what was wrong with him, and frowning when he realised that the other wasn't at all cold but instead a walking furnace. which technically was alarming in and of itself, but yanluo knew of a fire god and who knows - maybe this guy was their offspring?

the god didn't have much time to mull over that though, as he'd felt the demigod stiffen and yanluo glanced up into the man's face. what he saw there displeased the god greatly. there was fear; so much fear but also anger and an unhealthy dose of pain. complete and total anguish that made the god suck in a silent breath. he hadn't expected to see such a look in any demigod's eyes, let alone this one. not here on mount phoenix where they were supposed to be safe.

but something was happening to this young man, and yanluo wasn't sure he could stop it. the god narrowed his eyes slightly, noticing how the other wasn't exactly there; his eyes now almost unseeing. a mental breakdown, yanluo suddenly thought alarmingly and just as that occurred to him, the demigod spoke.

the god felt indignation rise within him as an almost automatic response but he smothered that emotion quickly. gritting his teeth, jawline sharp, yanluo did indeed let go of the demigod but as he did so, he also noticed the tiny fiery sparks igniting within the demigod's hands. so yanluo's assumption may have been correct after all, in which case, the demigod and everyone around them was now in immediate danger. a tiny spark could ignite an inferno and now yanluo was thrown for a choice - to let it burn or turn it into dying embers.

so, yanluo did the first thing that came to mind. he raised his hand and slapped the demigod across the face - hard.

subsequently, yanluo let his divine energies burst forth and the palms of his hands split open as blood rushed out. quickly, the god stepped even closer to the demigod, grasping their hands into his tightly. the blood rushed to form two identical, solid cocoons around both their hands - snuffing out the fires that had started in the demigod's hands. yanluo dipped his head a little as he kept watching the demigod's face. they could now see yanluo's crimson eyes peek over the enchanted glasses he was wearing.

"calm down or you'll kill someone." yanluo warned in a drawn out hiss before he snapped his head up and looked around them in alarm. some demigods who were observing them were now moving away, while others gawked - annoying yanluo immensely. "leave!" he roared, the divine order clear in his booming voice. soon, all who were left were the two of them, standing in the middle of the street as snow fell gently around them.

looking back at the son of some fire god, yanluo squeezed their hands. "breathe.. we'll get your meds together. nothing can happen as long as i'm here, i promise you that." he spoke calmly, now looking at the demigod through his magic glasses and thus hiding his red eyes. "i'm wang yanluo and i cannot be killed. nor will i hurt you. i promise you that as well."

[areumxmp]

Areum was on the verge of completely combusting, having not had an accident without his meds in so long it would have broken him to have hurt anybody or anything; because there is a piece of him that is always still in there that knows what he sees is wrong. That the emotions he's feeling are from another time. But everything else is just too fucking strong and the as his world had almost crumbled to the last morsel- SLAP.

Seemingly everything in the son of Tohil stopped. The bulking body that still felt too many degrees too hot could be mistaken for not breathing if Yanluo wasn't currently feeling his pulse through his hands. Even his eyes that weren't quite as hollow anymore were instead opened round and unwavering. In a way, the choice Yanluo made had been good for Areum. It brought him back to where he was, truly seeing the man that was in front of him for the God he was rather than the ghosts that haunt the backs of his eyelids. In other ways though, it had pushed Areum right into the idea that if he didn't do what Yanluo said, there would be consequences. Just like before. Especially with the way the God's voice ripped through the air at the passerby's, causing the hulking man to flinch. So just like when he was young, that slap had allowed the silver tongue living withing his mind to break free. To curl around the recess' of each idea and thought. Preying into the mind of a fearful child. A malleable child. One that doesn't want to hurt anyone but can be promised of the torment that will happen if he doesn't end it before it starts. He hears those words hiss through him, doing their best to try and drown out the voice of the God before him. A few tears fall from the corners of his eyes. Sizzling up on his skin the salty things don't stand a chance as he has to force himself to nod. He knows he needs his meds. He knows he needs help. He wants to trust this Wang Yanluo but he's so fucking terrified. "Okay." The word is barely above a whisper, offered up as if the word itself were his hands guarding his face from impact.

[areumxmp]

Mingi was a nice guy overall and the man was mad easy to hang out with, so just sitting here chatting it at least making Areum's mood better and honestly that's all he can ask for. "Yo water is good! Thanks bro." Areum smiles at his brother and listens raptly to all the shit he's been getting up to and shit it seams like all good things! "Making friends, enjoying your coworkers? That's sick bro it's always good to have people you work with fuck with you. Making money is all the better that way!" Areum loves being a bartender for that reason. Not only his coworkers but the customers are so fun to interact with as well. Having a good time and making the space fun and comfortable is what he does! Kinda makes him feel proud in a very dramatic older brother way as if he raised him to be this way or something. Even finding himself laying a hand on his shoulder even with a mouthful of eggs. "That's my lil bro, getting out there n shit look at you. growing up so fast~" He playfully wipes a tear and laughs, knocking back the water and some more food in... enormous bites. "Shit my grown up ass been too busy, yeah. Got some shit I uh.. don't have entirely settled back home and some shit I also don't have settled here... so I've been hella busy tackling some life shit. And still navigating my relationship as well you feel me?" Areum keeps himself mostly vague with that as he honestly does not need to get into it, but he does let his tone lighten up in regards to his relationship, which is, perfect. Even if it is part of the stress big time. And not because of his partner. "But honestly chillin with you today has already got me feeling good. So it ain't no thing~" It certainly is something, but he can overthink about it later.

[mpmingi]

"For sure! It's like... I don't even know! S' just cool as fuck. This place is amazing though, I got cool coworkers, friends, and a brother! Like even if we're just half bros, it's just epic." He passed the water over once he'd finished fixing it, taking a seat with his coffee so they could chat more easily.

He busted out laughing with the dramatic gestures too, shaking his head and digging into the eggs himself. As Areum had admitted, they weren't the best but sticking true to his earlier declaration-- Mingi ate them anyways. Plus, the rest of the meal was fine and the eggs weren't that bad. The effort his brother had put into all of it was more than enough to make the meal a decent one.

He couldn't help marveling for a second at how the older ate the food in such huge bites. That's just... weirdly impressive.

He listened as the other explained what he had going on too, nodding lightly with each remark and making little hums to show he's listening. "Yeah, I feel you! Sounds like a lot, but hey you're making it through it all, right? That's a good thing!" He smiled a little too as the other seemed a little brighter at mentioning his relationship. "You sound happy but yeah I can get it. I might not really know a lot with relationships and stuff but I can understand all the other stuff. Just a big pile of stuff."

He smiled wider when the other remarked how hanging out was already helping him too. "Well, I'm glad I can help you out there at least! We should like... do somethin' but I'm not sure on what you might like doin'!"

[areumxmp]

"Yeah man I never thought I'd have any siblings. Real siblings at least. Growing up with all these people around me that I was supposed to call my family... it never felt like this, man." To be fair the situation is a little rocky for Areum, but he's sure in some way many of the people on this island that have found their family feel this way. It's like certain cogs that never seemed to get the rust out were starting to shine and move along with the others, creating this... well oiled machine called a life. Areum had well demolished his food since he had always been so used to having to eat so quickly, he was already getting up and using this kitchen like his own to wash the plate. What are brother's for right? "It really is a lot of shit to be happy about through. And the relationship stuff isn't even bad.. it honestly is because I'm a big dumb idiot." He chuckles even though behind that chuckle he really is convinced that he is. Especially about this. Setting the plate to the side to dry, he leans over the counter without asking and nabs Mingi's empty plate to wash as well, still as he rambles on. "When you start dating, be upfront about your damn life and issues and shit that's all my advice for you~ Anything else might fuck up your chances~" Playfully along with the joke he flicks water at his brother. In reality though, Areum had wonderful advice when it came to relationships, shit the man is as much of a devoted simp as anyone can be, if anyone knows how to give some pointers it would be Areum! And he'd love to talk... people... with Mingi! "You know what we should do?" Setting the next plate to dry he teeters on his heels as if the idea he's got brewing is only the best one every created in the history of life ever. Or something like that. "We should do pottery." Areum's eyes are so serious, big and if it's a revelation. "Think about it bro... We are the kiln" He was kidding. Right?

[areumxmp]

Little Shit Territory

Continued from here for @mphaoyu because we love some anger

It's his place of work, which he takes pride in, so he tries his fucking hardest not to let his smile waver when the man at his bar keeps talking. It's not that Areum doesn't get flirted with, shit he gets flirted with quite often especially when serving the drunk masses but this wasn't flirting like that. There wasn't a drunk undertone from someone who just looking at face value finds him hot, no this was something else. It was tinged with something... something Areum couldn't pinpoint but it wasn't the normal lust feeling that comes off someone with flirtation.

And the way Haoyu words it makes it all the more worse. There's no way in hell for him to know anything about Areum's past and how that way of wording things about someone bringing Areum to him could affect the ex con's brain. That doesn't stop the blood from literally boiling in his skin as his smile borders on unsettling again as he refills the soda. "Ah you're right. How could I have mistaken it for anything else other than drinking soda at my bar to stare at my chest? My fault, g." To someone that didn't know him, his tone bordered on still being playful, really because he refuses to possibly get fired. But if you are aware of his normal tone, it was obvious he wasn't fucking with it. Though, that doesn't seem to bother this one. Areum leans over the bar, shirt struggling to keep buttoned as he speaks in a low voice for only Haoyu to hear. "There'd be no amount of reward that could encourage anyone to go through me and my man to get to me. Even then, you wouldn't have a chance with me in any way that you'd like." It' not that Haoyu wasn't attractive, to anyone that much was easy, but Areum has been so head over heels with Bes for so long that even when he was gone all those years the only people he fucked? He imagined was Bes. Even if Bes was gone, Areum wouldn't even think about being with anyone else. So this fact just adds on to the fire brewing under his skin because of this guy. But he sits up straight and pops the little bar towel over his shoulder so he can make another drink for someone yelling their order across the bar.

[areumxmp]

❛ is every day gonna be this crazy with you? ❜

"Possibly, yes. Depending. Maybe." Areum chuckles as he's picking up the one hundred and fifty miniature pokeballs that have now fell from his pocket and rolled all over the pavement and street. Listen, it's not his fault he was practicing reading by trying to read signs he already knows when he noticed Ayden around the corner at the last second and had to do a.... not very graceful half fall where he caught himself with his hand but ended up in partial splits with his pockets of pokeballs bulging until they all fell out... ..okay maybe it is his fault. "I swear I don't always carry them on me~! I was just showing a homie." But he does have them way more than he should. And when he doesn't have the whole first gen in pokeballs in his pokcets, it might be his turtle Leroy. You never know with the Himbo.

[areumxmp]

My fault, I'm sober

continued from hereeee, with @mpyanluo

None of this was Yanluo's fault. For many reasons including the fact that Areum is... a behemoth thats COVERED in tattoos and not knowing he's the son of Tohil it could be very confusing as to why he's still just wearing... a t shirt... and ripped jeans? No sweater? no hat? Ears and limbs bracing the cold with ease? It's worth a stare. It's also not the God's fault that Areum forgot his medication at the house this morning and had become panic level aware of that fact about twenty minutes ago. So when he's walking through downtown to get back home and see's Yanluo, it's almost wrong place wrong time. In Areum's unmedicated brain, his thoughts run wild, so wild they don't ever feel like his own, and each nerve he could possibly have is sparking within his skin. At least it feels like it. Thoughts that the sparks can control him and bring him back to his brutal reality life had been so fucking determined to make for Areum. Without a way to suppress them, he struggles to know where his reality is, who he's talking to, who's talking for him. Luckily for Yanluo (and himself because he would get his ass wooped) his medication is wearing off, yes, but he's still got enough ahold of himself to see the genuine confusion on the God's face. The large demi god takes a few steps back, taking a few deep breaths along with them. "My fault, G. I left my meds at home and I'm not feeling too hot. That's my fault." He keeps backing up and repeating the phrase as if to make himself look smaller because of the distance. He doesn't like being this way. It scares him.

[mpyanluo-deactivated20240512]

something wasn't right, that much yanluo knew. he didn't know this guy nor had he ever heard of him before, but the god could sense that something was off - what kind of 'off', he wasn't sure yet. the demigod was bulky, and tall. not that much taller yanluo guessed but certainly bigger.. broader.. insane muscle mass covered with black, inky art which yanluo had forgotten the name of but he knew was popular. the demigod wasn't exactly appropriately dressed for the weather - another concerning factor - and the way he suddenly spoke alarmed yanluo.

standing up abruptly, the god let his gaze take in the apparent uncertainty bordering on fear in the stranger's face. he had started to walk backwards, increasing the distance between them which wouldn't normally have been a strange reaction upon finding out he'd wrongly assessed a stranger, but coupled with the guy's repeated words did nothing to calm yanluo's senses.

what the demigod was saying exactly didn't make that much sense to yanluo. the man spoke very colloqiually but the god filtered through that and focused on the words meds and fault. "stop, please." yanluo finally barked out, his voice a bit sharper than he'd meant it to be. he suppressed a wince and reached out towards the demigod. "i don't understand you. can i help?" he added and dared to lightly touch the demigod's bare arm. yanluo's slim fingers were cold but they warmed rapidly as yanluo's blood powers activated, raising his own body temperature and thereby warming up his touch.

he could technically raise the demigod's body temperature if he wanted to but yanluo didn't want to startle or scare the other man right now, who seemed strong but who yanluo suspected was quite fragile at the moment.

[areumxmp]

Backing up had been something Areum learned to do when he started to feel his current reality fray at the edges, greying into the background of muffled words that sound like they are trying to travel into his ears through the weight of water. If he backed away, he couldn't hurt anyone. If he got enough distance between the person and himself, he wouldn't see a face there that doesn't exist anymore. That's hard to do when the person you're trying to save from yourself is walking towards you. Areum freezes as the cold fingers he can't feel touch his searing hot skin. The son of Tohil's body emits heat that could boil a glass of water if he held it. Unable to feel the temperature of the God's fingers his eyes fall down to where they rest on his arm, listening to words that barely break the surface of his ear drums. He barely hears them. Though, moments are like hours and in the moment that he was looking down at Yanluo's hand, the face in front of him wasn't the one the God owned when Areum looked back up. Instead a ghost of a smile that haunted his mind every time he closed his eyes. The ghost of a touch that went from the hands of a long lived God to the brittle digits of a man three times Areum's age. Even though back then, he would have been looking up at the man, and now he looks almost at eye level yet he can't understand that this isn't real. He can't feel the difference in deft fingers. He can't feel the difference in the ground he stands on right now. The only difference is what the God across from him can see; eyes that held fear and anger swirl into pits that seem to hold a thousand oblivions. The man that stands before Yan is barely visible behind those voids. The only thing bringing him back to being a real being is the way his scorching hands flicker and crack with flames the singular sliver of humanity left in him is trying his hardest to keep in check even though the man in front of him looks like his biggest fear. "Get away from me." In truth, Areum needed help. He needs to get back to his apartment, and he needs his meds. The ex Con was a generally really sweet guy, but right now the man in front of him- whoever he was, whether it be the God he had mistaken to be making fun of him, or the man that used his silver tongue and rough hands to create the finest weapon in his arsenal; needs to back away before Areum makes a grave mistake for the both of them.

[areumxmp]

Songs on repeat for this- Mac Miller; Ladders/Self Care

So many thoughts ran through Areum's head when he was in his worst state back in Korea. Ranging from, breaking awake in a cold sweat he didn't even think was possible over being dragged to a place in his induced slumber where he was never getting out, that each person around him looked down on him with eyes filled with gold and silver script, promising his destiny was nothing more than the pain he inflicts and takes; to swallowing things given to him that was promised to take the pain away from at least him as he lost control and ran through body upon body. Only to wake with the only memory being the blood covering every inch of his own body he could see. It was the thought of being alone when he awoke hosed off and naked on the hard concrete floor. It was the thought of never having a place that felt safe even to the weapon that was created to feel nothing but the teeth digging into his palms as he spreads a skull in half. He will never be free of these thoughts even now that he's not there. So many pieces of him died behind his own eyes, the eyes that still manage to hold so much brightness for the people who have helped him learn that wasn't all he was. Invidia might never know how much of a good impact his friendship had on Areum. How would he know how much he helps Areum simply by normalizing his interests? Interests Areum has only just become to get to enjoy in a life that has never been his. Without Invidia, Areum's world would not be as bright. He would leave a much bigger sized hole than he will ever allow himself to see. And as painful as that is, Areum can see it plain as day even though Invidia doesn't speak the exact words, because Areum is the same way. He's sure the world would simply blink if he was gone, and that's why they need friends like each other to prove there are people who choose to live in this world for their friends. Areum chooses to live for the ones he loves. Invidia included. "Of course I do whatchu mean? Don't tell anyone you get special treatment or anything but you're one of the only people I let see them all." He smiles warmly at his friend that he still helps hold up comfortably while he takes the water away to set it aside. "Today I brought all original 150 and then i kinda ordered the entire set of shiny eveelutions..." He wiggles a little in excitement, not allowing the situation to cause for any uncomfortableness, instead he treats Invidia the same as he would if he had walked in and everything was fine. Because there's not a single amount of judgement coming from the ex con. Only love and care for his friend.

[mpxinvidia]

TW; Post drug-use realizations, the heaviness of being

♮

   It helps.

     The warm feeling that wakes up in the center of his chest at hearing the way that Areum tries to make everything okay again- it helps. Invidia feels funny. The high is gone away and replaced by the shock of surviving again but what’s funny about living after a relapse like that is.. that everything is so sharp.

   Even the love from those that are happy you’re still around. The hands that help you up are soft but just beyond them are the edges of reality. That you pulled through again and you’ll have to face what you’ve done to yourself again.

   Invidia’s eyes close and he swallows thickly around a lump in his throat. He’s awake again and the burden of being is there again, pressuring him to breathe. He has got to do this, he’s got to try and keep trying. Those eyes open again and they’re a little glossy but he’s behind them again as he says, “All that, and you didn’t bring me one to keep?”

   It’s a weak joke but the statement behind it is strong. I want something to keep to remember you saved me.

[areumxmp]

Invidia may have to face what he's done to himself again, but he doesn't have to face it alone. Not this time, not ever if he allows. Areum knows there's a good handful of other people that would do anything for the man sitting up in the bed next to him, and not because they want anything from him; but because they just love him for all of who Invidia is. His relapses included. The large tatted man with pokeballs in his pocket was one of those people who just loved Invidia as a dear friend, and the world wouldn't be near as bright without him. So, he easily fishes out a few pokeballs, literally having to look through every single one while he speaks, laying them all out on the bed one by one. "Okay but only if I get to choose I just gotta find it~" Breaking open pokeball after pokeball with a little tip of a concentrating tongue dipping from between pursed lips, he finally gasps and smiles, shutting the pokeball and handing it to Invidia. The little ball is so extra small in the palm of Areum's hand, and inside of it an even smaller Butterfree. Because Areum will be Invidia's friend and be by his side until he's finally free from his own self. "For you~!" Things would be okay.

[areumxmp]

My fault, I'm sober

continued from hereeee, with @mpyanluo

None of this was Yanluo's fault. For many reasons including the fact that Areum is... a behemoth thats COVERED in tattoos and not knowing he's the son of Tohil it could be very confusing as to why he's still just wearing... a t shirt... and ripped jeans? No sweater? no hat? Ears and limbs bracing the cold with ease? It's worth a stare. It's also not the God's fault that Areum forgot his medication at the house this morning and had become panic level aware of that fact about twenty minutes ago. So when he's walking through downtown to get back home and see's Yanluo, it's almost wrong place wrong time. In Areum's unmedicated brain, his thoughts run wild, so wild they don't ever feel like his own, and each nerve he could possibly have is sparking within his skin. At least it feels like it. Thoughts that the sparks can control him and bring him back to his brutal reality life had been so fucking determined to make for Areum. Without a way to suppress them, he struggles to know where his reality is, who he's talking to, who's talking for him. Luckily for Yanluo (and himself because he would get his ass wooped) his medication is wearing off, yes, but he's still got enough ahold of himself to see the genuine confusion on the God's face. The large demi god takes a few steps back, taking a few deep breaths along with them. "My fault, G. I left my meds at home and I'm not feeling too hot. That's my fault." He keeps backing up and repeating the phrase as if to make himself look smaller because of the distance. He doesn't like being this way. It scares him.

[areumxmp]

❛ i've no doubt your mug will be on a wanted poster one day. ❜

Areum thought they were kinda fuckin' around, that like maybe the dude was just making a joke based off of Areum's looks-because let's face it, he looks the part of the criminal he was-so the big meat sack was just gonna brush it off and laugh with him because he's aware of his look but then the guy spits out that comment. Which sounds way too serious for it not to itch the perfect wrong spot in Areum's head. Those normally bright eyes now blister with voids of black as his smile calms to something more eerie. "Oh you haven't seen it already?" He's already been on one. Probably more than one. And it's his way of saying not to fuck with him. Because as nice as Areum is, and he's worked really hard for it to be his default.... he still doesn't take shit either. Areum would never bring up why he shouldn't be fucked with, because he fucking hates reliving it when flashes of his life back in Korea take over his eyes every time rage starts seeping into his body. He fucking hates that he hears that little voice telling him to just take care of the problem. He doesn't want to snap. This is the kid's first time. Maybe Areum is looking into it. In he breathes a nice deep breath with his eyes closed, his years of therapy in prison working their magic, opening them to a much calmer gaze. "Hopefully I don't end up on another one, though, aye?" He'll keep his eye on this one though.

[areumxmp]

(you were) Clearly (meant for more than a life lost in the war)

Starter with @mpxbes for some sweetness mixed with trauma yay we love a treat (sparkle sparkle) It was only a glint, nothing more than light refracting off of the silver of a tattered metal that came into view when Bes turned fully towards the larger man who had just let himself into the apartment. But that simple glint took over every ounce of his attention. For too many reasons than he could currently process, so the first pick is the fact that Bes has had it... this whole time. That ring was given to Areum when he turned 14. Crafted to sit perfectly on his thumb, what once was a sparkling piece of silver, numbers etched into the side, had become dull with years of connecting with nasal bones and sliding across pavement. By the time Areum had forgotten it in Bes' hands, the ring was so worn the numbers and letters could barely be seen on it. Areum had forgotten all about it until the moment the sun caught it. All this time, it had been with.. Bes..? On a chain around his neck, unable to be worn because of the size difference, and for now, that fact alone has Areum's brain putting a hold on all the bad memories attached to that small piece of jewelry. Because like everything, Bes has this perfect way of making a new meaning to something that always felt negative. It was like a superpower at this point areum was convinced. Mind moving separately from his body, he suddenly pulls himself out of his thoughts to find he's standing right in front of Bes, the ring in his hand. As the chain it sits on dangles in the air, Areum realizes he blacked out for a moment, "I'm sorry I haven't seen this ring in so long I.. I got lost for a second there." He lays it back down against Bes' chest, resting his warm palm over it. "How have I not noticed you had this.. the.. whole time?" He's exasperated to say the least, and sweetness drips thick like honey off of his tongue. He never forgets how much Bes loves him, too, but he sometimes has trouble truly resting with the fact that Bes had been missing him just as much when they were apart. Even if it had been in a different way.

[mpxbes]

Maybe he had found the ring after Areum took it off at one of their sleepovers, or maybe it had fallen as they playfully wrestled, bouncing under the couch in the apartment bes has lived his entire life. The tiny details of their time together back then were blurred together in a fog of fondness. Or trauma. Somewhere distantly there was the memory of taking the ring from Areum's palm and trying it on each finger as they laughed over the way it was too big. He did that sometimes after it was just him, reliving the past distantly. All Bes knew was that one day, he had been holding the jewelry in his hand with care so strong it bordered on obsessive, looking over a hundred different chains under the glass. Every week, he brought the money he saved to the island's pawn shop, searching for the perfect thing; something sturdy to make sure he didn't lose this tiny important piece of his friend, but something thin enough to stay hidden and close. Then, one day, just the right thing came along. Ever since then, the ring has hung around the feline's neck, safe and sound. Comforting. To the point that it hadn't even occured to him that Areum may have noticed, or been looking for it after all this time.

That thought doesn't come to him until the other man has crossed the room silently. By now Bes can recognize the brief lapses in his boyfriend, when he's more in his head than outside it. The look of it isn't bizarre or worrying anymore. Most of the time it passes quickly and Bes has easily become used to waiting patiently for that. Just like now as he looks, waiting patiently for Areum to *see* him.

"Yeah... I've been wearing it so long I guess I didn't even think about bringing it up. Have you been looking for it?"

Laying his own hand over Areum's, the librarian looks down at the spot for a moment as he thinks about how it had just... slipped his mind. It seems weird now, but the ring has just become. ... a constant variable.

"You're usually so observant. I dont know how you missed it." Lazily teasing his boyfriend with the comment, Bes slips his fingers into the gaps of the other man's and lifts it to brush his lips against Areum's palm. "I've had it on since..... not long after you left, I suppose. Do you... want it back?"

[areumxmp]

The truth was, it wasn't even him who noticed the ring was gone at first. When he went back to Korea he had no knowledge or care about his ring being missing because he gained so much more while he was gone at Mount Phoenix, that the loss of that ring was more miniscule than anything to him. But that ring was important to his 'family' at the time and no matter how bashed it was when it landed in Bes' hands forever, the loss of that ring is what had him deciding to tear the whole thing down. To burn down everything around him until each bash to his own body over that fucking ring will have meaning in each notch he put in charred flesh and- His fingers are white with how hard he holds the ring now. So easily his mind had slipped away from Bes again as he remembered why he never looked for this ring. As he remembered what the numbers on that ring meant. And it isn't until as he finally goes back to the memory of being free because of that ring, that the smile he had previously slowly comes back to his face as his free arm wraps gentle around Bes' waist with their proximity. Not a day goes by that he isn't thankful for Bes patience and understanding when it comes to his head. "I think I may have blocked out this ring for so long maybe my brain didn't let me notice." the words are spoken small, and he knows it was a teasing statement, but the ex con believes its worth the explanation, especially because.... if Bes is going to wear that ring around his neck like that.... Areum needs to tell him what it means. Or at least needs to try. Even though even sparking that conversation has sat heavy on Areum's shoulders for weeks. Truth is he should have done it already so Bes had the chance to turn him down before it hurt Bes to do it too. It's been so long since then, but Areum knows deep down he is not a good man. And Bes deserves truth. At some point. If Areum can get the words out. No one else would be able to notice the nerves that trickle through Areum's body except for Bes, but at the same time he hopes he's hiding his stiffened body well. "No, I don't need it back~ It's sweet you've kept it all this time. I remember how big it used to look on your thumb~" Thinking about the same little memory, Areum finds in him a chuckle, because no matter how anxious he is, his love for Bes will always trump any other emotion.

[mpxbes]

There was so much about Areum's past Bes didn't know. He knew more about that than he did about where the other demigod had been in the time they had been apart, though. In fact he doesn't even KNOW how much he doesn't know. Like the meaning of the ring that's been around his neck all this time, or the numbers on it, or where that far away look comes from- that he knows he doesn't like, at least. And like he always does, Bes works to draw the lost man's attention back to himself with another brush of his lips and a gentle squeeze to the hand he holds.

Yet it is the feline's attention that is quickly focused, drawn immediately by those small, heavy words.

Bes is always attentive when it comes to what Areum says and he reads deeply into every word. Sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. Having first met young, they had learned each other in that sort of interim, between, not children but not quite adult, time. The sort of time when hiding a reaction wasn't yet mastered, emotions showing a little too clearly in expressions and feelings not yet hidden in sleeves sat there at the wrist. Bes could recall crying in Areum's arms, confessions over bottles of cheap alcohol they were too young to buy, and nights of staying up late like little kids with whispered secrets in poorly pitched forts made out of pillows and blankets.

Growing up changes a lot of things, but it can't change all the little ticks that make up the man in front of him. Hiding those things came with practice and time and dealing with the real world- they had both gotten better at it, sharing the experience despite the distance -but once you really see someone in all their candidness... it was impossible not to see through pretense. They know each other in that unfiltered way. So he knows the weight of those words, and he can feel the nervousness and the way Areum is drawing tight like string, wordlessly telling of their being on the cusp of something.

"I haven't tried it on in years, it's probably still too big. I doubt I'm going to grow into it."

Using their connected hands the feline begins to pull his boyfriend along with him from the open kitchen to the living room, walking backwards, gaze not leaving Areum's as he guides the space heater of a man towards the couch, sitting and tugging him down too. There is something that needs to be said, but Bes wants to help ease some of the tension he can sense building in the other's chest. Its like charge in the air- static that would have soft fur on end if it were tangible.

"I found it under the couch when I was brought back home. I couldn't find you... so it was something to hang onto. It's not as good as the real thing. Obviously. It was proof that you had been here, though."

[areumxmp]

Bes deserves to know what those numbers mean, he deserves to know why Areum gets lost so often and why Bes has to bring him back to realty. Or maybe he should know that the man that holds him with every tender bone he's brutally sewn back into his body, had never been able to form even the definition of tender until he met Bes. He deserves to know the warm comforting hands, that express their love all over the feline's body, have ended more people's lives than he could even think to count. Truly, it eats Areum alive how much Bes doesn't know. That the ex convict had been keeping so much from him and not that he was... purposefully not telling him he just... there's no easy way to bring that stuff up. For numerous reasons and not just because it would put a bad light on Areum to the person he loves more than anything in this world; but it is also hard for Areum to remember. To dig into those memories to rip up all the things he's done but.. Bes deserves to know. No matter how hard it is to speak even when he's moved to a more comfortable and honestly safe and loving position; he knows Bes. The man that is looking at him with so much love in his big bright eyes has always been attentive, kind, and understanding. In the times that Areum has known him, Bes has shown it time and time again how good of a person he is. How he won't let one thing change his judgement because he is so so smart and even though it's not always obvious to everyone else, Bes is incredibly empathetic. Able to put himself in other's shoes, and Areum has seen that behaviour towards himself and others time and time again as well. No matter how many years separate them from when they met, from when they allowed themselves to be as vulnerable as they could, willingly for the first time, Bes will always be that kind and understanding boy. He knows this as he finally meets Bes' eyes again, gaining the confidence to start as naturally as possible even though he's painfully aware now that Bes knows something big is on his mind. "I uhm." His gaze returns to their hands, where Areum rubs his thumb against the back of Bes' palm in worry. "I never wanted to leave, you know?" A painful little choke of a chuckle breaks the sentence up, because none of this is easy. "And it makes me so happy knowing you had this. Because.. this ring is both the reason I left for so long, and the reason I was able to come back." Everything could come crashing down so quickly. "I don't want to hide from it anymore." Everything he worked so hard to become; could be ripped away from him again. He places his other warm palm over the hand he's already holding, not holding on too hard but definitely a hold that is... desperate. "I don't know where to start but.. I know you have questions. And I want to answer them. All of them." He just doesn't know where to start, how to start, so this is his way of starting what is possibly the scariest experience of his life. Because for once he has something to lose.

[nightprompts]

&. 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐜𝐞 (𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧) 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬.

( dialogue prompts taken from episodes 1 & 2 ( "romance dawn" & "the man in the straw hat" ) of the netflix live action one piece series. feel free to edit and change as you seem fit. )

❛ do you have any last words? ❜

❛ the sea's been calling. well, not exactly calling, because i pretty much can't swim, but you get the idea. ❜

❛ so what do you say? are you with me? ❜

❛ liar! i know zoro must be after me. who else is worthy of his pursuit? ❜

❛ who's the most powerful pirate on the seas? ❜

❛ first things first. do you have any food here? ❜

❛ you don't look like a pirate. ❜

❛ i'm not afraid of getting hurt. and i'll prove it to you. ❜

❛ i don't get it. why would anyone want to be a pirate? ❜

❛ you have the wind on your back, the salty sea air, your loyal crew by your side. you never know what's on the horizon. it's all about being... free. ❜

❛ you should never let anyone tell you what you can't do. ❜

❛ well, remember the name, 'cause i'm gonna be king of the pirates. ❜

❛ people often visit shrines to light candles for those they've lost. who are yours for? ❜

❛ you've been following me for three days. what do you want? ❜

❛ look, i've been practicing what my face is gonna look like on my wanted poster.❜

❛ i've no doubt your mug will be on a wanted poster one day. ❜

❛ all he did was spill a drink on me. ❜

❛ you should've fought back! why didn't you kick his ass? ❜

❛ not everything can be solved with violence. a man needs to be strong, but he also needs to be good. ❜

❛ you're not a real man. you're nothing but a coward. ❜

❛ you ate a devil fruit? ❜

❛ ever since i was a kid, i wanted to protect people that can't protect themselves.❜

❛ if that's what you want, i think you should do it. i'll help you out. ❜

❛ my crew was attacked by pirates. i barely managed to make it out alive. ❜

❛ rice balls. for you. ❜

❛ you shouldn't draw your blade unless you're prepared to use it. ❜

❛ don't kill me, please. my father will give you anything you want. ❜

❛ i'd say you live up to your reputation. ❜

❛ what's up with the third sword? i mean, where does it even go? ❜

❛ what do you say, puppy? do you want to do a trick for me? sit up and beg. ❜

❛ i kill your kind for a living. ❜

❛ i mean it. i don't owe you anything. ❜

❛ you are going to get us both caught if you keep stomping around this place. ❜

❛ that was amazing. admit it. we do make a pretty good team. ❜

❛ so why did you decide to become a thief? ❜

❛ i needed to eat. you do what you have to, to survive. ❜

❛ you're right. nothing is more important than food. ❜

❛ all great fighters call out their finishing moves. ❜

❛ i don't work for you. ❜

❛ i'm sensing a little bit of tension amongst the crew. ❜

❛ before we met, every choice was made for me. but now i'm gonna do what i want to do. ❜

❛ next time we meet, we might be enemies. but for now... we're friends. ❜

❛ i'm feeling so... so piratey. ❜

❛ well, you're gonna end up feeling watery if i have to throw you overboard. i told you i need absolute silence. ❜

❛ don't mess with my hat. ❜

❛ oh, i'm sorry. were we interrupting your beauty sleep? ❜

❛ don't like what you see? look away. ❜

❛ you have a lot of names. i bet everyone in the east blue knows who you are. ❜

❛ are you making fun of my nose? ❜

❛ i know your type. if there's nothing to gain, you're out. ❜

❛ truthfully? i'm kind of hungry. ❜

❛ who are you trying to impress? a lost love? an absent parent? or was it someone that you worshipped? ❜

❛ i used to know a pirate that wore a hat just like this. ❜

❛ for a time, i even thought we were friends. until he betrayed me. just like all the others. ❜

❛ he wanted to keep me out of the spotlight! he wanted to keep my star from shining too brightly! ❜

❛ is that what he did to you? did he betray you, too? ❜

❛ you can slice me and you can dice me, but i'll always put myself back together again. ❜

❛ i've been thinking about you for years. ❜

❛ i know you're upset, but you should eat something. ❜

❛ you're never not hungry. what's going on? ❜

❛ you can spill a drink on me and i'll let it slide, but don't you ever threaten my friends. ❜

❛ you can't make people love you. just like you can't make them smile. ❜

❛ you really think anyone is coming for you? they don't care. and no one is gonna miss you when you're dead. ❜

❛ get lost. ❜

❛ i'm just glad that you're okay. ❜

❛ what was that? i couldn't hear you over all the drowning. ❜

❛ you really don't fear death, do you? ❜

❛ what's the plan? you do have a plan, right? that's your thing, plans. ❜

❛ you want out? you know the price you have to pay. ❜

❛ you want a piece of me? let's see what you got. ❜

❛ i think i'll miss you most of all. ❜

❛ we're gonna be the greatest pirates the world has ever seen. even greater than your crew. ❜

❛ this hat is the most precious thing i own. it means the world to me. and i want you to take it. ❜

❛ when we meet again, you can give it back to me. ❜

❛ is every day gonna be this crazy with you? ❜

❛ if the path to what you want seems too easy, then you're on the wrong path. ❜

[areumxmp]

❛ do you need a reason to not want to lose? ❜

"mmmmmm No." He chuckles lightheartedly, "I was just trying not to let myself get too damn competitive. It's not a good look for me I get too into it." Naturally, Areum is really competitive, and some things are casual for him so he can compete at a comfortable level for everyone. Some games, though? Areum just shouldn't play. Darts are one of them. First off it's just not smart to give him something sharp when he could get pissed off and even though no one has really had to deal with his... anger problems yet, he really wouldn't want them to over something so simple. Especially because he doesn't want that to be who he is now unless it's necessary if he can help it. "The problem is that I like to think that I have every reason not to lose? So I get reaaaall intense about it. Maybe not darts unless you want one through someone's hand." He laughs it off and even the way he talks about it is so lowkey it probably seems like he's exaggerating but really--he is not. Not all the time does Areum know when not to do something, but there are certain things he just knows better. This is definitely one of them.