– hiding
@nhminseok:
minseok always preferred smoking in alleyways, not for the dankness or the dreariness of it, he forever refuses to be that cliche, but because the chances of being bothered are lowered substantially, the possibility of unfortunate meetings or confrontations almost infeasible. however, of course, because he has the misfortune of being himself, no plan goes unsoiled, uninterrupted. he was always quite the black hole for luck and preparation.
it went easily enough, a drag down to filter, so at least he was blessed in the regard of getting to finish what he started, when he heard the commotion. it started as the stomping of footsteps, a noise associated with either games or panic, and was well rounded by the face appearing around the corner. his foot hovered above the cigarette butt, paused in something benign to shock, eyebrows drawing together on his forehead. he squinted at the face, the darkness of the sky and shadows blocking out the features. closer, and he realized it was a woman, closer than that he started making out properties.
“joeun?” it was a question that came with a surprised tone, almost uneasy as well, as he wasn’t entirely sure if he was correct in his assessment. she seemed to be in far more than a rush, almost frantic. “are you alright?” he sounded uneasy, seemingly suitably so.
she never asked for this. maybe she should have gone to seoul, but the label doesn’t want her anywhere near her members for now. but regardless, maybe then she wouldn’t be here now, lungs feeling near collapse. they seem to be struggling to climb the fence, likely the holes of the wire being too narrow for full grown men’s toes to fit easily.
it doesn’t really register for a moment who he is. her mind rushes upon hearing her name, because he too could be paparazzi. that’s her initial panic. however.. he isn’t just anyone, and far too calm to be. a voice deeper than when she once knew him, she almost doesn’t remember. when his face registers, memories reel through of her girlish formative years. classmates whispering among each other about how good-looking and unattainable the seniors were. truly out of reach, the age gap made those crushes meaningless banter. that doesn’t stop embarrassment from digging her a grave. she can only think of how stupid she was, the true horror of her youth. his presence is debilitating and delays her very response time.
“i--uh...” she can’t remember what he said, but the sounds sound slightly closer. she moves under the arch of a doorway, back flush against the door with hoping the neighboring building can cover her just enough to not be seen. she can’t seem to speak correctly at him, even if he likely knows nothing at all. “i-- um. well... i-- there’s some paparazzi?” joeun, speak! “hiding. i need to hide...”
