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@madc1ty
MADC1TY . . a dependent character blog for excesstv , penned by jas. please do not follow or interact if you are not associated with the group !
featuring:
park taesung. jung jaehyun. twenty-seven. olympic swimmer & heir to samsung group.
who: adrian and taesung (@madc1ty) where: avalon, indoor pool
they line up next to each other in the water; getting a head start goes against adrian's pride and his toxic trait is thinking he could swim faster than an olympic swimmer if he just really put his mind to it. it ends up being quite the humbling experience, with taesung finishing the race in what seems like seconds, while adrian struggles to keep up, already winded halfway across the pool. when he finally reaches the other end, he can't help but let out a breathless laugh, shaking his head in disbelief, still in awe. "fuck man, you make it look way too easy."
the indoor pool within avalon is one he views more for leisure than anything else, nowhere near as big as he'd need it to be for adequate training. that's why it's entirely unsurprising when he comes up for air in record time, pushing the fallen, wet strands of hair off his forehead and turning to adrian trail behind him. even if he'd indulged the other's wishes, as if there was really any competition in the first place, taesung didn't exactly attempt to make it a fair fight. he lets out a chuckle when adrian comes up for air and speaks, leaning against the edge of the pool. "i think it'd be hard not to, experience and all that," taesung shrugs his shoulders before letting his forearms rest on the dry pavement, the water still cool enough to relax in. "at least you still have basketball, i wouldn't stand a chance. i'm better with the smaller balls anyway. innuendos included," he adds with a wry smirk.
she let out a low, mocking laugh, crossing her arms over her chest with exaggerated indifference. "right, because you’re just so irresistible, i forgot" she drawled, her voice thick with sarcasm as she gave him a slow, withering once over. truthfully, she’d been over their unfortunate first meeting, almost as soon as it happened. but every encounter since only added to her irritation, like he was determined to prove he was exactly the crude annoyance she’d initially taken him for. "newsflash: just because someone looks your way once or twice doesn’t mean they’re obsessed with you. though i’m sure that delusion of yours keeps you warm at night." it bothered her, how he got under her skin, and she hated that he knew it. "and, for the record," she added, feigning a casual tone, "i am not boring ... i have plenty of things to think about other than you."
he rolls his eyes at her callousness. "chill out, princess. it's a joke, i know you're not really wired to have a sense of humor, but it's never too late to change." taesung knew he was funny, knew he was charming. half of the people in this building come probably attest to it one way or another. everyone except elena that is. he figured he'd never see her again after their unfortunate encounter, quick to simply write her off as another pretentious girl who thought she was too good for anything. then she'd moved in, and it felt as if she was everywhere. in his apartment complex, in his gym. for such a big building, it felt awfully small at times. "not really, i usually have something else to keep me warm at night. or well, someone else," he goads her, vulgar words with a smirk to match. taesung isn't normally this bad, having been raised to be careful with his words and protective of his family's image. but he can't seem to help himself with elena, as if he gets some kind of kick out of annoying her in the same ways she manages to poke at him. "yeah, like what?" he challenges her, crossing his own arms over his chest and awaiting a response.
“depends — you lookin' for a savior tonight?” savannah answers with her own sense of playfulness, chin resting in the palm of her hands as she surveys taesung — lips pursed as if she's given thought to his question. “ since you managed to get me over here, i'd say it's workin' just fine. why? the old thin' not workin' for you anymore? a decline in the people who wanna party with the park tae sung? ” hardly, is what she thinks but savannah's sure the smile on her face says it for her.
a smile that waste no time in turning into a laugh at the mention of a two-step. turning to the bartender, signaling for them to give her two rounds of her previous order before turning back to the other, “ give it a couple shots and i bet you change your mind. ”
"only if they're as gorgeous as you are, obviously." a little flirtation is nothing unexpected out of the male, quick to match her energy with his own. he shakes his head at her words, grinning at the mere idea that he'd somehow fallen from grace. if anything, fresh off of his career high had put him back at the top. "i heard sometimes the best things only come when you wait for them. doesn't everyone like a little bit of a chase?" that much was true, he certainly had heard the sentiment before. he doesn't bother to clarify not prescribing to the notion, and that an hour ago he had a hand down in his pants in the women's bathroom and the behavior displayed now was simply a cool down. never one to back down from a challenge, he watches as a round of shots is poured out in front of the two, turning his body to savannah with a raised eyebrow. "yeah? what do i get if i prove you wrong? i'm a lot of things, but a country boy has never been one of them."
serra leans comfortably into the plush couch, her smile hidden behind the burgundy liquid in her glass. “just one of those nights,” she shrugs casually, though amusement still dances in her eyes. “theo stopped by to chat for a bit, and he brought over a couple of bottles of something vintage. so, we’re chatting, having a glass, and then sloane—who practically lives at my place—well, you know, she has a key. so she waltzes in with her friends from art school, no warning, and they just… join us.” her tone's more delighted than annoyed.
with adrian gone more often since the season’s start, serra doesn’t mind nights like this—in fact, she loves them. it feels serendipitous, like one big family coming together, something serra's never really known but always dreamed of. she pauses, as if caught in that dream. “anyway, everyone starts getting hungry, and thank goodness my chef, michael, was still around, so he whips up a little spread for us.”
she takes another long sip, glancing over at him with a playful glow. “i tried to invite you,” she mimics his teasingly accusatory tone. “but, they’re gone now, and well, i figured the night wouldn’t feel complete without a nightcap with you." she admits with a genuine smile, "so, you don't have to tell me anything, just continue doing what you do, and being equally as good to me." the oak of the cabernet tingles her tongue, "tell me about your night."
he takes a swig of his drink, caffeinated beverage coming to an end with taesung squeezing the can in his hand until it crumples up. despite the desired effects, he's still waking up, thinking it was too early to go to bed, but too late to start the night all over again. serra says many words, and most of those words fly right over his head, half awake and half sober, every name coming out of the brunette's mouth utterly unrecognizable to him. "sounds... cool?" not really, or at least, not his idea of cool anyway. but serra is important to him, and if her high class art friends constituted a good night, then who was he to tear that down? as loud and outgoing as he could be, it was surprising to learn that taesung didn't mind being alone. it's something he's simply adjusted to over the course of his life, not quite so interested in the idea of family. he already had one of those, the appeal was lost on him from a young age. taesung was more of the kind to keep his friends separate, thinking it felt more meaningful that way. "so you had a little, what's it called? soirée? that's what old people say, i think." he raises an eyebrow to the potential, yet passed offer, letting a laugh leave his lips at the thought of it. "probably would've passed anyway. we both know that's not my scene, and besides, you're the only artsy girl i like hanging out with." taesung is at least somewhat polite, he doesn't mention that he thinks most of her friends sound pretentious and not his style. because of course, despite the unfathomable levels of wealth and number of well crafted skills beyond physicality, he was viewed as a personified jock, lacking in sophistication because he'd prefer beer and action movies over wine and fine art. "it's too late to get sappy with me. one more compliment and i might shiver," he jokes, preferring to keep the mood light. "nothing as eventful as you, surely. went out with an angel—victoria's secret kind,. had some drinks, took her to my place, went for a couple of rounds. threw her underwear she left behind down the trash chute, and here i am now," he reveals, ever so nonchalant about his affairs.
"no super sweet girl around here, but sexy and blonde? your dream just came true." there's not many people who would call sophia super sweet, which is fine with her. it's her own doing, because she didn't trust enough people to let them in. she wouldn't admit it openly, but taesung is one of the few people who sees that side to her. "i have other ways to energize you. much more effective, too," she muses, a smile playing on her lips. "tell me about it. you should go and punch a random guy for fun. i can make a scene and give you a reason if you need one. that'd be sexy to watch. can you hold your own?" she teases. he bets he would look hot with a black eye. she sits next to him, and moves her fingers in his hair. "have you been here alone this entire time? you should've texted."
"you're sweet to me, that's all that matters," taesung points out with a grin, shrugging away the rebuttal with ease. he liked her company, even if she wasn't really the traditional image of sweet. then again, nobody was in their world. "yeah, like what?" he smirks, her coyness never unfamiliar to him. a laugh escapes his lips at her proposal, absurd enough for him to agree. "you think they'll make me the hero if it looks like i'm coming to your rescue? just don't go and pick a linebacker or something. maybe one of the jobless— i mean, socialites would do." it was pretty much the same thing, but taesung was meant to be a nice guy. the kind of person who saved shit talk for an exclusive few, like sophia. insults sounded hotter coming out of her mouth anyway. though as nice as he was, he wasn't opposed to acting out, often too reckless in the face of boredom. if anything, causing a scene along with sophia would be doing the producers a favor, like a form of charity. see what good people they were? "i don't mind, it's more fun this way. besides, i think i lost my phone somewhere around here. just hope my nudes don't get leaked."
elena narrowed her eyes, barely masking her irritation as she folded her arms and shot him a mocking smile. it figured that even at the crack of dawn, with half the world still asleep, taesung would somehow find a way to ruin her morning. intense gaze and all. "obsessed with you?" she scoffed, letting out a dry, humorless laugh as she shook her head. "please, don’t flatter yourself, if i’m thinking about you, it’s probably just to remind myself how much better my life would be if you weren’t constantly … around." she paused, tilting her head as if pondering something. "but you know, you’re right, i shouldn't publicize it," she continued, feigning a thoughtful tone. "wouldn’t want people thinking i care enough to follow through."
he's quick to fall back onto childish antics, the annoyance an unfamiliar feeling that pokes at him incessantly, somehow saved only for when he's in the presence of the brunette. taesung isn't amused by her denial, shooting her a feigned look of pity. "don't be embarrassed, you wouldn't be the first." his words are full of ego, unbearably so as he flashes his teeth for a toothy grin. "sounds like it happens a lot. not really interested, but that's cute." he ignores the obvious that had started the grievances they had against each other in the first place. how the very obvious had once been blatantly opposite. "of course, i'm always right," he mumbles under his breath, just before sensing his eyes roll into the back of his skull. "sure, your perfect little image and all. i won't ask if it gets boring, i already know the answer. it can be our little secret that you just can't stop thinking about me."
LOCATION: vortex.
OPEN STARTER : capping at five.
“ now don't tell me you're sittin' here all alone, ” the brunette remarks, slipping into the open seat beside them with a grin highlighting her features. “ you better have a good excuse for bein' here without a glass in sight. what kind of bribin' do i gotta do to get you on the dance floor? ”
"is that my savior making an entrance?" taesung grins, playfulness hinting at his features as he turns to savannah. "i'm going for a new thing. brooding, mysterious. think i'm pulling it off?" really, he'd only come alone because it was easier to take someone home that way, and he'd already chugged his first drink which currently had him empty-handed. "as long as you don't ask me to do the two-step, another drink and i'm all yours."
she’s already got the can of liquid energy in hand as she approaches. lips quirk into an amused smile as she presses the cold metal to his unguarded forehead rather than the table beside him. “never understood how you could drink battery acid.” annabelle chided, fingers tapping on the side of the can before she plopped it onto the table beside his already existing drink.
taking a few steps down the length of the couch she peers down at his lazily sprawled figure before stubbornly plopping herself onto what little space was left on the plush furnature with a relaxed sigh. "my mom called earlier, wanted to know how her favorite park was doing." she paused for a moment, a glance thrown in his direction with a teasing smile. "should i tell her you've become an upper class couch surfer? it'd break her heart."
his brows scrunch together at the feeling of the cool can against his forehead, eyes peeking open before rolling his eyes at annabelle's words. taesung sets his glasses on the table in place of the can, letting a content sigh escape his lips with the sound of it cracking open. "it's sugary battery acid, thank you very much. besides, it's like the same thing as drinking an iced coffee," he counters half-heartedly with a shrug, not very eager to defend his poor caffeine habits.
"don't sit on the edge," he mumbles, prompting him to sit up vertically instead of occupying the entire couch. a gentleman wasn't normally something he'd be described as, but she was a bit too close to him to be treated with callousness. he grins at the mention of her mom, taking a sip of his drink. "that's sweet, you can tell her i'm doing terrible. her daughter isn't giving me enough of her time these days," he jokes, shooting her a glance before letting out a chuckle at her own teasing. "no, but if you have to, you might as well lie and say it's your couch i'm surfing. that way we can save her heart."
it's late by the time sophia gets back home after having a girl's night at one of her friends' place, stopping by the lounge for a quick drink because she's not yet ready to go back to her penthouse. it may be after midnight, but the night's still young for her. she spots taesung from afar, laughing to herself at the sight of him, though she is happy to see him here. she doesn't mind the company, and he's always good company. "that's a sad sight," she teases when she walks over to him. "ew, i'm not getting you a red bull. you should be getting me a drink." she looks around the empty lounge before her eyes are back on taesung. "are you, like, going through it or something? sit up, make some room for me."
quiet nights had never been too common for taesung, for once opting to not go out only to realize boredom would make him tired too soon. sophia's voice is entirely too recognizable, prompting a lazy smirk to form on his face at her words. "yeah. poor me. if only there was a really sexy, super sweet blonde around here to help me feel better." taesung lets out an overly-dramatic sigh, glancing around the room before throwing the shades to the side setting his eyes on sophia with a grin. "don't you want me to be energized?" innocent question, of course. "guess i'm just bored of all this free time. i thought the show would help, but i haven't seen any girl fights yet." he didn't buy into the whole non-scripted thing the show was going for, because nobody would want to watch boring, rich people. "what do you mean? the best seat is right here," he says with a lazy smirk, gesturing to his lap before sitting up anyway.
elena’s lips twisted into a mocking smile, her eyes narrowing as she shifted out of her pose, just enough to give him a once over. "warrior pose? really?" she scoffed under her breath, trying her best to ignore the irritation bubbling in her stomach. the morning was supposed to be hers, a chance to center herself before another day in front of the cameras, and somehow, the universe saw fit to let him disrupt it, like always. "you’re lucky i don’t own this gym," she added, rolling her eyes. "because if i did, you’d be the last person allowed in.” she signed with a huff, crossing her arms over her chest, “in fact there would be a bright neon sign on the door that said, no taesung.”
sure, maybe he did give her backside a little glance just before she turned around, but he's just a guy, really. in fact, taesung is already preferring when she was turned around and not shooting him some patronizing look. "what? wish i would've said downward dog instead?' he smirks annoyingly, the corners of his mouth tight and forced upright. "oh, nice burn." the sarcasm rolls off of his tongue in the same instance as his eyes roll, effectively annoyed that not only was elena hogging precious gym time when everyone knew you could do yoga anywhere, but now she's being rude about it. "how tacky. it's flattering to know you're still obsessed with me. but if you decide to own a gym some day, i probably wouldn't publicize that for everyone to know about."
she’s already called him five times (and texted far more than that), but with no answer, serra finally resorts to checking her find my friends app. apparently, taesung's been settled on the eighth floor the entire time.
once she enters the lounge, her pace slows. all sense of urgency melts into an amused smile when she spots taesung in the far corner, sprawled out on the couch, sunglasses and all. knowing him probably a little too well, she floats over to the bar to order a red bull for him and a cabernet sauvignon for herself before making her way over.
with a soft, melodic laugh, she nudges his legs aside, making just enough room to squeeze herself beside him. "five more minutes? but, tae, i'm here now." serra playfully protests, settling comfortably, as if the cramped space was intentional. taking a sip of her wine, she places the red bull down on the table in front of him, her gaze warm and her smile almost proud. "your wish is my command."
his phone ( tucked underneath one of the cushions, happily on do not disturb ), is rendered useless, though it's not as if he's hiding away. in plain sight to see, glaringly obvious enough for anyone to spot as they made their way into the sizeable area. he's a loud person, both in volume and presence. though considering the numerous faint conversations happening, it's safe to say he was a deep sleeper too.
maybe if it hadn't been deemed as beneath his family's name, his mother rolling her eyes at his whimsical ideas of being a hollywood star, taesung would have fit the bill of a child actor gone off the rails. he certainly looked the part right now, disheveled clothing and drinks at his side all while having a camera-ready face. even half-awake and eyes shut as if he's ready for a round two, the voice next to him is unmistakable, protests made in jest causing him to shake his head.
"what are you doing up? and where were you two hours ago when i was taking shots?" his tone is only teasingly accusatory, opening his eyes behind the shades sitting somewhat upright for the sake of serra. taesung lifts the sunglasses up, sweeping away the hair that had been settled nicely against his forehead before squinting slightly at the unwelcoming brightness, an unhappy reaction saved by the red bull now sitting beside his forgotten drink. maybe if it hadn't been for a pick-me-up, he would have used some old key to skewer a hole into the side. instead, he opts to chug a good half of the bottle, sighing in relief and sitting up properly. "you're too good to me. i should tell you that more often."
— task 01. moodboard.
open to: anyone ! location: resident's lounge, past midnight
sunglasses are perched atop taesung's nose as he's unknowingly made a home on one of the lounge's couches. they were too comfortable, not like the typical overly-priced seating areas made purely for aesthetics. it's dark enough for him to know it isn't morning, so he's sure he hasn't slept through the night despite his drink on the table beside him being watered down. the sound of shuffling feet and quiet conversation among the room is enough to make him return to his previous posture, sprawled out with a leg hanging off the cushion rather than getting up and seeking out his own bed to take a nap on. by the looks of it, the night was still young anyway. taesung can hear someone approaching, eyes remaining shut and hidden behind dark shades. "five more minutes, thanks," he says, voice still raspy from his apparent power nap. "oh shit, wait. could you get me a red bull? think i need to shotgun one."
who : elena + anyone. where : fifth floor gym status : 0/4 [ open ]
elena moved through her morning yoga routine, savoring the rare stillness of the early hours around the avalon. she’d come here to be alone, to quiet her thoughts after another sleepless night. but, that only lasted so long before, she caught a faint movement out of the corner of her eye. without breaking her pose, she let out a slow, annoyed sigh, "can i help you?" she questioned, her tone as flat as her facial expression. "or is creeping around in the early hours just … your thing?"
taesung was technically on a break, instructions from his team of trainers to take a well-deserved rest after another successful olympic run just a few months prior. but he enjoyed working out, or staying in shape, at the very least. the camera's were admittedly making it harder to sleep than expected, opting to get out of bed early and head to the gym instead of having his normal morning activities aired out for the public to see so early. he doesn't anticipate seeing anyone, though if it had been anyone but elena and the irritating look on her face, he probably wouldn't have minded company. instead. he lets out something between a laugh and a scoff, annoyance seeping through his normal lax attitude. "i didn't know you owned the gym now." he responds dryly, full of sarcasm, before rolling his eyes at the following words from her. "please, nobody is waking up at the ass crack of dawn to watch you do warrior poses."
location: anywhere inside avalon
"i really don't think you should be doing that."
"oh come on, nobody even checks up here." the temperature of new york could hardly warrant a late night swim outdoors, gusts of air heard beyond the doors that led to the rooftop pool. it hadn't been his first oncoming winter at avalon, an expert at getting past the locked doors before the cold became too much to bear. the anticipation of cool water didn't bother him too much, though admitting defeat and recusing himself to an indoor pool certainly would. taesung shoots mook a grin, shrugging his shoulders that housed a spare towel. "they still clean it, you know? can't risk having a dirty pool caught in satellite view. haven't seen any cameras here though, what a shame," he drawls out, sarcasm laced between the end of his words.
location: front entrace of avalon
"oh look! there's another one!" he stares right into the lens of a camera, despite having been warned not to. "apparently they can't use the scenes if we look at them. quick, tell me your deepest darkest secret."
it was fortunate that taesung didn't think he had any bad angles, especially when he was positive he'd spotted some kind of flashing red light in the men's bathroom an hour ago. the producers couldn't seriously be thinking that's where they'd get the good footage from. if anything, he was a gentleman. he'd take it to the ladies room, keep it real classy. his eyes dart in the direction he points in, staring dead center at the shot. but, just for good measure, he shoots a wink at the camera followed by a kiss. "my deepest secret?" he sighs, deep in thought like loren's apparently was enough for him to bare his soul. instead he grins, hand set on the taller's shoulder and an playful expression painted on his features. "i want you real bad. quick, let's have a secret rendezvous before the producers can use it for views."
