constellations.

That’s the secret to performance: conviction.The right note played tentatively still misses its mark, but play boldly and no one will question you. If one believes there is truth in art – and I do – then it’s troubling how similar the skill of performing is to lying. Maybe lying is itself a kind of art. I think about that more than I should.

[for-gugudan]

200301 - kny_951123: @photomatic_seoul

[x-wearethefuture-x]

{ityasaarii} 🍽️ In which Lina asks Chloe to go to dinner with her and is far more awkward the whole evening than she has any right to be :)

@ityasaarii

There was no doubt that Chloe’s heart had practically leapt out of her chest when Lina had asked her out to dinner. She’d been quietly waiting for it for a while, hoping that the other girl would ask her out. Sometimes, Chloe thought that Lina wasn’t interested, or that maybe she was trying to keep a distance because she was afraid of forming a relationship with her. Other times, she thought that maybe Lina was just a bit shy about the whole thing. Then again, Chloe wasn’t much better, really- every time she thought she had gotten up the nerve to ask Lina out, she backed down at the last second and “We should go on a date to the movies” turned into and awkward “Should we go see a movie? Or, like, we don’t have to. It’s fine.” It didn’t matter how much they had done together already, Chloe still wasn’t used to this, and she was still worried about messing up whatever it was that they had currently- somewhere between friends and more than friends? but maybe not quite dating? Ah, she didn’t know.

But tonight, she knew what she wanted it to be. She wanted it to be eating dinner in soft lighting, and holding hands as the snow fell on them both, and stealing a kiss in a parked car, not wanting to be apart just yet. She wanted Lina to know that she wanted her, that even amidst awkward moments and shy silences, she thought Lina was breathtaking, incredible, beautiful. It didn’t matter that they spent part of dinner tripping over words and blushing in embarrassment over stupid things. Hell, she hardly even noticed when a bit of wine splashed onto the table and soaked the edges of her white, linen, gloves (which she promptly took off despite her usual concerns). She was having fun with the conversation. She was having fun holding her fork out so Lina could try her food when she asked if it was good. And she was having fun letting her foot brush against Lina’s leg under the table- accidentally the first time, then intentionally the two times after that. it didn’t matter if things were going perfectly or not- what mattered is that she was spending the evening with someone she adored, someone whose smile lit up the whole room, and whose laugh was sweeter and richer than the decadent slice of chocolate cake they shared for dessert. 

She reached her hand across the table, found Lina’s fingers with her own and laced them together- it was subtle, a quiet affection, but she hoped it got her point across, “I’ve had a lot of fun tonight.” She told the other woman. Then, more shyly, she added, “It doesn’t have to stop now though, if you don’t want it to.” She realized, too late, the implications of her words, but it didn’t have to mean that- she’d never been intimate to that degree with someone before, anyway. But what she did mean was that she didn’t want the night to end. Maybe they could go back to her place and snuggle up on the couch to watch a movie? Or share a bottle of champagne under the stars? Or find somewhere to go dancing? Or even just put on some music and dance around her apartment in their pajamas? It didn’t matter what they did- all that mattered was that they spent as much of the night together as possible. And maybe, just maybe, they could wake up together in the morning, too. And Chloe could steal a kiss and 

[ityasaarii]

Oh how frequently she felt torn between two realities. It seemed Lina was destined to take her torn, unspeakable past and patch it on to every second of the present. But then, it still was her present. It hung over her like a drab cloud, so dull she sometimes wondered whether Chloe noticed the lack of brightness in her sometimes. It was for that very reason that she so often hesitated when it came to Chloe. Every thing about her was restrained when Lina was around the other woman, uncertain of even the smallest moment. It had been that way for so long. She wanted to take Chloe’s hand without the fear that she would drop it a second later. She wanted to look at her, really look at her, let her eyes wander and drink her in...

Tonight, she did. All longing that lingered for as long as hers had was bound to break at some point. If she wasn’t careful, the flood gates would open. But how could she be careful when Chloe was being more open with her than she ever been before. In the few intimate moments that had shared in the years they’d known each other, she learnt small, beautiful truths about Chloe. But never had they felt so assured. Lina let her smile grow as she leaned over to take a bite of food straight from Chloe’s fork, her eyes never leaving Chloe’s. Small truths. Tiny admissions. “Please be careful,” Lina said, licking her lips, “I might have to come over there and finish all your food.”

When Chloe’s hand reached out to her, Lina found her gaze dropping to it. She’d been looking at Chloe all night and only this had managed to divert her attention enough. She took her hand in return without so much as a falter, casting caution to the wind. Chloe’s hand was warm, so warm and soft. Without thinking, Lina ran her thumb along the skin of Chloe’s hand ever so gently. If she could keep doing this, not letting go, looking back up at the other in silent question.

Chloe’s answer was more than Lina had hoped for. She’d barely acknowledged to herself that she had been hoping for the night to continue, but now that it was there, the offer right in front of her, she’d be lying if she said she’d hadn’t considered it. A thousand thoughts rushed through her mind at once, some far more vivid than they had any right to be. Was she blushing? Gods, she hoped it wasn’t too obvious if she was. Despite the sudden slight embarrassment, Lina kept looking at Chloe. She smiled.

“It’s Valentine’s day. I want to spend the day with you. The whole day. And since we’ve only had this evening so far, I’d like to make up some time.” 

When they’d paid, splitting the bill of course because Lina was nothing if not instant on fairness, she stood up to leave, swinging her long coat around her shoulders before slipping her arms through. As soon as she had, she made sure Chloe was ready to go, then laced their fingers together again without a word. It would be cold outside.

“So...” Lina began, a playful grin spreading across her face, “Your place or mine?

[ofpearlsxgods]

"Iseul? I'm sorry I'm calling so late. I- I didn't know who else to call. Can I... ask you a favour?" [ Haeseul to iseul~ ]

sent by ( @lxtent ) // ( @ityasaarii )

It has been a while since Iseul last put his phone on silent mode. Now that he was part of the fire department team, he could be called and should be ready to answer the call at any time. Even on his days off, like tonight, when he was at home, he made sure to always have his phone around. One never knows when an emergency may come in. So when his phone rang and woke him up from his sleep, he was quick to answer the call with a sleepy ‘this is Kang Iseul speaking’. However, the voice on the other side of the line was not like his chief’s.

“Haeseul?” Sleepiness gave place to surprise and surprise then gave place to concern. He checked the time on his watch by the nightstand, rubbing his eyes with his free hand. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?” A favor? Iseul knitted his brows together. Jumping out of bed and getting his stuff, the demigod started to make his way to the door. “What is it?”

[ityasaarii]

ofpearlsxgods·:

When he stepped outside, right after he dodged an incoming neighbour, Iseul remembered why he slept with a pile of blankets on top of him. Though it is beyond me how he forgot it was winter, he kept the phone close to his ear and started making his way towards Haeseul’s place. Perhaps he should’ve brought his coat with him but he was not going back home now.

“Haeseul? Are you still there? Is everything alright?” The demigod of Demeter knitted his brows together, confused and yet suspicious. He was starting to wonder if something else was happening at her place that she didn’t want to tell him about. The amount of time she took to answer his question, a simple one for all that mattered, worried him. And when Iseul is worried he tends to quicken his pace. When her voice was heard, however, instead of easing down his concerns, it did the opposite. He didn’t like the sound of it.

“I’m almost there.” He said curtly. They could call someone else after Iseul got there, but until then he’d like to know what the problem was. Perhaps it was an easy solving one and Haeseul would’ve no need to call someone and spend money on something that didn’t need spending. “Come downstairs and I’ll meet you there. But bring a jacket with you. It’s cold outside.”

Standing there in her cardigan, fingers curled into the fabric to avoid the chill of the night air, Haeseul felt absurdly like laughing at herself. Trust her to make a mountain out of a molehill as always. And now Iseul was climbing that mountain on her request.

At least it would seem trivial to him in the end. Though perhaps that would end up being for the worst.

She should have bought a coat with her. At that though, she did give a laugh. “Sorry,” she said quickly down the phone, only just remembering that he was still on the end of the call. “I just... I forgot the jacket. But I think I can see you up ahead.”

Indeed she could. Even in the dark, she could recognise his silhouette. She dropped her phone to her side, ending the call as she did so. He was about to receive an over abundance of thanks and apologies. But first, as dark as her apartment was, all she wanted was to be back in it’s warmth.

“Hi, Iseul.”

[ityasaarii]

 - Of sweetness and sunsets

Haeseul had always hated the dark.

Those first days she could recall at the orphanage, young, vague, snapshots of memories, all of them were too dark. The nights were long in the winter, and the sun relatively sparse. It was not quite the cartoonishly evil establishment some representations would have people believe, but it was not a happy place.

The older kids took her under their wings then dropped her just as easily. Nobody else feared the time when the lights went out and everyone was ushered to sleep. How could anyone sleep in the great expanse of unknown? It was nothingness. It was also everything all at once. Cries of tiny ones who would not settle. Creaks of beds under the weight of children who didn’t quite know how they got there. In the never ending hum of Parisian life just outside the door.

When her parents came - her true parents, not those she had never met - they had to coax her out of the protective shell she had formed. Inside that shell, she tried to create light. But they were always feeble attempts. They knelt down before her, both of them, making sure she could come to them before they advanced upon her. They were like all the other adults. They had to be. All gentle commands and distant affection.

“Would you like to go on trip with this nice man and lady, Haeseul?” One of the day assistants asked. Haeseul nodded, not certain she could say no.

They took her to a park first, and pointed out all the birds they could see. They could name them all by song alone. They walked along the Seine, where Haeseul took their hands to get closer to the water. And when they day was nearly done, they asked where you would like to go for dinner.

“I’d like...” She stopped to ponder the incredibly important decision for a while. “Cake! I think I want to eat cake.”

A bakery is never too far away on the streets of Paris. Her new parents, for that was what they were even then, let her pick too slices of the best cakes Haeseul had ever seen; strawberry and cream, red velvet.

The sky was golden as they ate they cake, Haeseul smiling and laughing when her father pulled a funny face after getting ream on his nose. In that moment, she didn’t fear the dark that was coming. It all suddenly felt like light.

[ofpearlsxgods]

"Iseul? I'm sorry I'm calling so late. I- I didn't know who else to call. Can I... ask you a favour?" [ Haeseul to iseul~ ]

sent by ( @lxtent ) // ( @ityasaarii )

It has been a while since Iseul last put his phone on silent mode. Now that he was part of the fire department team, he could be called and should be ready to answer the call at any time. Even on his days off, like tonight, when he was at home, he made sure to always have his phone around. One never knows when an emergency may come in. So when his phone rang and woke him up from his sleep, he was quick to answer the call with a sleepy ‘this is Kang Iseul speaking’. However, the voice on the other side of the line was not like his chief’s.

“Haeseul?” Sleepiness gave place to surprise and surprise then gave place to concern. He checked the time on his watch by the nightstand, rubbing his eyes with his free hand. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?” A favor? Iseul knitted his brows together. Jumping out of bed and getting his stuff, the demigod started to make his way to the door. “What is it?”

[ityasaarii]

ofpearlsxgods​:

Already reaching out for the door, the son of Demeter stopped in his tracks for a second. For someone who claimed to be okay, Haeseul did not sound like she was okay. She sounded…scared? Iseul could not be sure. Among the many flaws that he had, here it was another one to add to the pile: he could not read people. Scratch that. He was bad at reading people. Sometimes he was lucky.

He relaxed a little when she explained that the power went out in her apartment. What he couldn’t seem to wrap his head around was why was she calling him out of all people? She should be calling an electrician, or someone from the mayor’s office, especially if her street was dark. But he was glad that she called him. He was glad that she was well; as well as someone can be after the power went out for half an hour.

“I’m on my way.” He put his shoes one and checked for his keys and wallet. Haru was still at his mum’s place, so he’d explain it to him later. Iseul agreed to go over to her place and check on her, so there was no more reason to keep the call going. As he was about to hang up, he hesitated.

Keeping the phone close to his ear, Iseul rushed down the stairs, almost crashing against one of his neighbors. He mouthed a quick ‘sorry’ before taking advantage of the open door and getting out into the cold. “Did, uh, call someone else already?”

Perhaps she should have someone else to call.

It occurred to her only now, her phone still gripped tightly to her ear, that she really didn’t have many people she could reach out to. No one who would answer at an ungodly hour and ask if she was alright. No one she felt she could burden with a seemingly innocuous little problem.

No one except Iseul apparently. The thought was rather sobering. Haeseul sat up straighter, eyes gazing out to the starless skies blanketing Seoul. If the moon were there, she wouldn’t have been so hasty.

But Iseul... he agreed to come. “I, um... if it’s too much trouble, please don’t worry about it,” she said, tripping over her words in a fashion most unlike her, “I haven’t called anyone else-” Who would I call? “Since it’s so late, I didn’t think anyone would answer. I can wait until morning if the power is still out.” Haeseul stood up, pulling her biggest cardigan around her shoulder with one hand, the slipping into it, one arm at a time. “I can come downstairs, wait for you. That’s the least I can do. This is all a bit...”

Ridiculous. And yet it wasn’t. Really, a small part of her mind wondered whether she’d just been searching for the right reason to call him all along.

[ityasaarii]

To all of your muses in relationships, what is your favorite thing about your significant other?

Jaehwan

Jaehwan smiled, his gaze dropping. There was no shame or shyness in the gesture, only a feeling that he might keep these favourite things to himself, like a small handful of daylight that he knew he could look at whenever he wished. “I don’t have any favourites when it comes to Kyungri. Everything about her is magical. The way she smiles. How she teases me. The way she knows how much power she has over me but always uses it in the best way. I love her uncertainties and fears. I love how she trusts me - how she trusts me to stay by her side and also how she trusts me with myself. My favourite being, my favourite everything is Kyungri. And people can call me sappy all they want. I’ll never care. I will forever tell anyone who will listen how wonderful she is.”

Nayoung

“Think he already knows all this...” Nayoung said, “As much as I wouldn’t have wanted him to know a while back, turns out I’m actually not very good at holding back my emotions. Who knew? I’m the opposite of what I’m meant to be. Hyuk was too.” Well, different from what I had him pegged as. First impressions did count, but his was... different. “My favourite things about him are probably those he doesn’t notice. Like the face he pulls when he’s work and thinking too hard. Or how crazy beautiful his mind his.” Nayoung flushed a little. “Point is, my favourite things about him could be near endless. But my absolute favourite thing? How he’s never given me a reason to hide. He’s fearless in a way I don’t think he realises.

[moonaetics]

♡*。 𝖆𝖛𝖆𝖙𝖆𝖗𝖘

kim nayoung ☽ gugudan, semina, produce 101.

[ofpearlsxgods]

"Iseul? I'm sorry I'm calling so late. I- I didn't know who else to call. Can I... ask you a favour?" [ Haeseul to iseul~ ]

sent by ( @lxtent ) // ( @ityasaarii )

It has been a while since Iseul last put his phone on silent mode. Now that he was part of the fire department team, he could be called and should be ready to answer the call at any time. Even on his days off, like tonight, when he was at home, he made sure to always have his phone around. One never knows when an emergency may come in. So when his phone rang and woke him up from his sleep, he was quick to answer the call with a sleepy ‘this is Kang Iseul speaking’. However, the voice on the other side of the line was not like his chief’s.

"Haeseul?” Sleepiness gave place to surprise and surprise then gave place to concern. He checked the time on his watch by the nightstand, rubbing his eyes with his free hand. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?” A favor? Iseul knitted his brows together. Jumping out of bed and getting his stuff, the demigod started to make his way to the door. “What is it?”

[ityasaarii]

Haeseul’s grip tightened on her phone. A part of her couldn’t actually believe he’d picked up. It had been so long since she’d reached out to him, quietly terrified of pushing him away. Another part of her couldn’t ever imagine Iseul ignoring a call. He was obviously expecting something important - a call out to a fire perhaps? Ha. This would hardly seem as big of an emergency.

“I’m okay...” she said, swallowing. “It’s nothing- I mean, it’s nothing serious. I’m fine. I just...” God, she was already regretting this. Haeseul wanted to laugh at herself, but she couldn’t bring herself to. She had to admit something instead. “The power went out in my apartment half an hour ago. Usually it comes on within a few minutes, but nothing has happened yet. I couldn’t fix it. I think the whole street might be without power. I realise I should be sleeping but... I can’t fall asleep like this.” Not in the dark. Not in the pitch black quiet, alone save for a sleeping Luna who was tucked away in the other room. “Could you come over?”

[ityasaarii]

"Kids don't usually notice time passing by." Kyungri teased, touching a kiss on the nape of his neck. It was a good thing that she kissed him when she did because the next she was seeing was him holding an egg and a grin. Oh no. This was dangerous. She chuckled at her nose being kissed and was about to close her eyes to feel his lips against hers, but he was being devilish. “Of course.” She paused, still grinning. “I can't let you ruin my cupcakes."

“But kids are the most impatient beings on earth!” Jaehhwan countered. He really was a big kid in that sense; the only thing he had the patience for was music and Kyungri. Especially her teasing. Actually, scratch that. She was only millimetres away and barely teasing him and he was already eager to have her closer. 

He moved to place a hand against his chest, saying solemnly, “I vow not to ruin your cupcakes.” And-

Splat! Oh right. That had had the egg in it. Jaehwan’s face fell almost as epically as the poor little egg. “...oops. That doesn’t count.”

[hybrid3s]

credit: hybrides

[x-wearethefuture-x]

It was almost dark aside from the soft glow of Hyuk's computer screen. Nayoung was loath to interrupt him but it was getting so late, and her hand were so cold from playing all evening. She shuffled up behind him before lifting his arm up and draping herself gently over his lap. "Are you nearly done?" she asked, placing a trail of kisses along his jaw. "I want to be selfish and have you all to myself for the rest of the night."

@ityasaarii // @lxtent

Hyuk had been working all day. Literally ALL. DAY. Maybe that wasn’t healthy, really, but he was trying to get these photos finished for his client and they’d been pretty intense about what they wanted from him.  Even so, it’s not like they needed to be finished by tomorrow. He still had the weekend to get it all done. So when Nayoung draped herself across his lap and he finally realized just how late it was, he knew there were far better things to be doing right now than sitting at his computer. He wrapped one arm around her as she started pressing kisses along his jaw, his other hand still busy with the mouse. But that was only because he was saving his project to be worked on more tomorrow. For now? She had his full attention, “That is pretty selfish.” He teased her with a soft chuckle. His lips were tilted into he beginnings of a smirk, “But... I think I can forgive you in exchange for a few more kisses.” He let the glow of the computer screen stay on, but he was clearly finished for the night. He wrapped his other arm around her now too, holding her against himself, and when he spoke this time, it was softer, sweeter, “I’d be glad to give myself to you for the rest of the night. And every night for the rest of my life, too.”

[ityasaarii]

Nayoung giggled despite herself. She knew Hyuk was serious. The very thought that he was made her so deliriously happy she thought she might pass out with it. Goddammit, what did this boy want to do to her? Never mind the fact that she was supposed to be a little hard of feeling given her genetics - Hyuk made her feel as though she had a never ending spiral of love and delirium that he just kept refilling. She surely was a freak of nature.

“Alright, don’t go making promises you intend to keep,” she whispered, giving in vehemently and kissing him fully, deeply on the lips. She could do this all day. All night, even. Perhaps she would. Nayoung doubted she’d hear any complaints. ‘Cheeseball.’ That one she sent down the little red thread that she reserved only for Hyuk. The link to him had grown so much brighter and stronger over the past few months. She had a feeling she could call him a cheeseball from just about anywhere and he still hear her voice in his mind.

In fact, she wondered whether it might be even easier now when in his own mind. Nayoung could never forget the garden he kept for her there. As little as she liked to ask the venture inside his mind with him, sometimes she silently wished for the refuge of it. For now though, his lap was more than enough refuge. She was anchored to it in fact.

Her hand came up to cup his face. “Give me every night and I’m sure I’ll get spoilt quickly. Be a bit of mess in the end.”

[ityasaarii]

Or not. Maybe she'll stay right where she is and watch him measure the ingredients for the cupcakes he was baking. "Haven't you been an adult for seven years now?" Kyungri tried to hold back a chuckle but it found its way out. The good thing was that she was quick to be quiet again. She didn't want him to lose his focus more than he already had.

“Have? I hadn’t noticed,” he quipped, smiling broadly. And now it was just too much to bear, being in her arms without seeing her smiling back at him. He spun around, egg still in hand, and caught her grinning. His grin only grew brighter, if such a thing was even possible.

“Ah, there you are. Right when I need you, you’re always here...” Jaehwan touched a kiss to Kyungri’s nose, then moved down, pausing just before his lips touched her own. “Will you look after me will I perform such a treacherous task?”

[ityasaarii]

Cupcakes? Nice. Surprise cupcakes? Even better! "Oh." Kyugri bit down a smile and slowly not to disturb him, she unwrapped her arms from his waist and took a step back. "I'll leave you to them, chef. If you need a helper, I'll be in the living room, erasing this moment from my mind."

“Nope. Uh uh,” Jaehwan halted in his flour pouring - two grams off, dammit - and put his hands over Kyungri’s arms, keeping them locked around his waist. “You can’t just pretend you didn’t see them. Now I’ve got you here, you should stay. Please?” He was so incredibly tempting to just turn around and forget the whole potential mess before him, look at his unbelievable girlfriend instead and steal a kiss. But he didn’t. Instead, he picked up the first of two eggs.

“I need adult supervision.”

[ityasaarii]

A not so wild Kyungri is spotted near a distracted Jaehwan. Without making a sound, she wraps her arms around his waist in a back hug and rests her chin on his shoulder. "What are you doing?"

Jaehwan frowned, not quite album to shake his concentration enough to return Kyungri’s affection. Distracted was only half the word for what he was. Fiercely focused might have been a more apt description, as much as he didn’t care for either. But then of course, there were now arms around his waist, and a chin on his shoulder, her gentle breath against his neck, the warmth of her body seeping through his shirt.

 “Shh. I’m trying to make cupcakes,” he explained, his eyebrows still pulled together as he tipped the flour into the bowl, watching the numbers tick over. This time it had to be perfect. “I wanted to surprise you.”

[ityasaarii]

(text to jaenius) I hope you're doing well today! I had an early appointment, so I had to leave while you were still asleep. (text to jaenius) But I promise to make it up to you once I get home! (text to jaenius) I love you ❣️

{ text: 귀요미 경리 ♥ } I’m doing well now that you’ve lit up my day { text: 귀요미 경리 ♥ } Wake me next time. With a kiss. With a poke. Anything. { text: 귀요미 경리 ♥ } Wake me wake me wake darling~ { text: 귀요미 경리 ♥ } I can’t wait to see you after you’ve had an even better day { text: 귀요미 경리 ♥ } Is it the end of the day yet? { text: 귀요미 경리 ♥ } How about now??? { text: 귀요미 경리 ♥ } You’ve nothing to make up for but { text: 귀요미 경리 ♥ } I’m not complaining. Nope ^_^

[dcmsonidris]

Han Seo Woo in A Piece of Your Mind (반의반) EP 02;

[ityasaarii]

❝ You’re forgetting the best part, when the two lovers are reunited and they live happily ever after. ❞ (Chloe to Lina)

Quotes from Twisted

Separation. Distance. Time. Time… So many elements that could tear apart. So many ways to be forgotten. But to find each other again, and even more so, to be remembered… Lina had lost so much to time and the stasis she found herself trapped in. Even now it hovered over her. The idea that lovers could ever be reunited was almost miraculous to her.

She kept her eyes downcast, focus on the pages of the book, and the passage that she had been reading aloud to Chloe. She’d been lost in the ebb and flow of the words until Chloe’s voice had broken the reverie. It caused a smile to gently tug at her lips. “Since when were you such the optimist?” Her hand sought out Chloe’s, sending a silent prayer out that it wouldn’t be pushed back. “Is there such a thing as happily ever after when endings are all the more common?”

Ah, this was… Lina shook her head. “Sorry,” she began, “I guess I just… wish I could believe in that.” Her eyes flickered up, uncertainly. “Lovers being together. Staying together.”