tales of the void

    “…throw roses into the abyss and say:            ‘here is my thanks to the ᴍᴏɴsᴛᴇʀ         who didn’t succeed in                   swallowing me ᴀʟɪᴠᴇ.’”                                 — Friedrich Nietzsche

[pandemxnivm]

It's my 11 year anniversary on Tumblr 🥳

(I aint active but still lurking)

[pandemxnivm]

– @destructiveurgxs

There was a big ruckus in the theatre hall. People were running around, some were already in costumes, and others were going around with set props or handles, or make-up kits. Amidst it all Kiseop was sitting at the front row of the pews, flipping papers over, reading and scribbling something on them. It was the first rehearsal of the play with the costumes, and everyone was getting ready before they started. Ryusuke came early, despite their plan to meet two hours later, because the guitarist wanted to watch his beloved work.

As he was hiding on the balcony, the black-haired man let out a smile. There was always something magical about it. The theatre carried that unique smell that Ryuu couldn't explain in words. Exactly like people could distinguish the smell of an old library, Ryusuke could distinguish the smell of Kiseop's theatre. There was just something unique about it - the smell of the old wood the stage was made of, the dusty, but not repulsing smell of the heavy curtains. And amidst all that, all the people rushing here and there behind the stage, but being very precise and calm on it.

And of course - Kiseop. Sitting there, watching with a spark in his eyes and a small smile on his face. That was his beloved's most favourite part - to see a play come to life before his own eyes.

After the rehearsal ended, Ryusuke waited for Kiseop to finish his work of giving directions to the actors regarding what needed to be altered, or fixed, and once the theatre director came out of the hall, the thunderbird sneaked behind him, wrapping his hands around his waist.

"I couldn't wait." he quickly said, kissing Kiseop on the cheek. He wanted to surprise him, not have his heart out of his chest.

"Why didn't you sit next to me?" his beloved asked and in return kissed the male's cheek. "I saw you the moment you entered."

"You want to repeat the last time I did it?" Ryusuke asked with an arched eyebrow, standing next to Kiseop and taking his hand. "Pretty sure the actors still talk about it." As if just remembering that Kiseop's face flushed. It wasn't that bad, but Ryusuke kept staring at Kiseop from the next seat for two hours, and he may also have nudged Kiseop's leg with his own. "Thought so." Ryusuke said while grinning, and tugged at his lover's hand. "Come on, let's go eat."

[destructiveurgxs]

█ ▌   Inked   :   @pandemxnivm

Slow footsteps echoed down the hallway of the building, turning on the lights operated by energy saving sensors. The slow steps did not hint to a cautious intruder, rather tired legs that still had to withstand the weight they carried until their reached their destination. The tunes of the lock pad keys followed by a familiar melody indicating the door unlocked had not been heard in—- actually Minwoo could no longer recall in his current state, he was just glad he could get some rest after his endless shift. He closed the door behind him and walked to the console where he placed his keys in their assigned bowl before turning on the lights; his habit of not turning the lights the second he enters the house had gotten him various comments from his acquaintances or “friends” as they preferred to refer to themselves. Do you not fear having an intruder in your house? You should turn on the lights first!

Keep reading

[pandemxnivm]

█ ▌ @destructiveurgxs

It was early in the morning, and the only awake were the silver eyed witch, and her broodingly handsome fiance. Their small talk was filling the common room with a buzzing sound, but it quickly subdued the moment one of the bedroom doors opened. When she turned her head to it Hyosung saw Yejin enter, with the support of her husband who held her at the waist, the side of where her wounded leg was. The injured’s bright smile, definitely did not match the mood of the gang in the last few days and when she puffed and pouted, Hyosung barely held up her eyes from tearing up, gladly this time it was from happiness. “You act like I died, come on!” the caramel hair colored female whined, looking at her husband with sad eyes. “Dae, you didn’t tell me they had so little faith in me.” And Daehan could only take a deep breath and give her a flat smile. Silently telling her that even that behavior of hers won’t brighten the mood. After all, everyone was worried, especially with how much Yejin bled at the scene.

Hyosung rapidly stood up and walked to her friend, wrapping her arms around her tightly and finally taking in a breath that actually felt like breathing, not like some torturous inhale of hard solid rock of worry. The witch had not been to see the female in a few days, feeling utterly helpless, and had left the care of the female to the former immortal. Besides, he was the best at field medical care among them all, not that it was any surprise, taken in how he had to live his life before. “We have faith in you, we were just worried.” Hyosung whispered, tightening her hug.

“You should’ve worried the less, especially in your condition.” Yejin whispered back, which caused Hyosung to quickly pull away and look at her friend in shock. In answer to Hyosung’s sudden shock and bewilderment, Yejin replied with a sincere and fond smile, and a small rise of her eyebrows. “I’ve been there.“ she finally said, after seeing her friend won’t exactly come quick to the conclusion. Hearing that, the witch finally understood and just nodded, pressing her lips together.

“Hun, would you help me get to the couch, and then drag Minwoo out. Me and Hyo have some girl things to talk about.” Yejin requested, from her husband, who had stepped a bit to the side, to leave some space for the two women.

“I do have to update him about Damian’s call.” Daehan said, loud enough for everyone to hear, and after hearing his words, Minwoo rubbed his fingers at the sides of his temples. The former immortal just nodded, understanding the reaction of his friend, especially since his was the same.

“We really can’t control that one.” Minwoo exhaled as he stood up, reaching to help Yejin from the other side, and let her sit comfortably on the couch.

“At least he has not caused us troubles.” Yejin defended the hacker, but Xeno ended up adding ‘yet’, and that earned him a slight glare.

“Let’s go out before I end up in trouble.” Xeno told Minwoo, tugging him at the upper arm towards the balcony. “I do need a smoke, too.”

                  ------------------------------------------------------------------

Damian landed at his destination no more than two hours ago and he already found the person of his interest, and had just sat in front of her in one of the secluded cafes in the city she was in. And she was in utter shock and mild panic at the image of him, because he was with his midnight blue hair, his red and black hoodie with the Attack on Titans’ wings of freedom logo at the back of it, black cargo slim jeans and red high converse shoes. Due to his Gentle Monster square sunglasses his ice blue contacts were not very visible, which downed down a bit the whole extravagance, but just a tiny bit. He was standing out way too much. He always did, but Rina was not happy about it at the moment.

“Don’t worry!” Damian quickly told her, holding his hands up, as if that would physically stop the yell that probably was forming in her throat. “No one can track me, and no one will track you, when you are with me. You should know that.” and she should, even if that information may have temporary slipped from her head, due to all the events that had happened.

Around the time they were still at their little war and Damian tried to extend an olive branch by gathering a huge pile of information regarding Woobin for her, was when Damian decided to also tell her the truth. The whole truth, about the secret compartment under OBLIVIATE containing ASH, about ASH itself, about how he came to create it, about what it did, about the extension of ASH - SHADOW, that he created while he was in hiding to delete all data regarding him real-time. And him telling her all that was not due to him wanting her forgiveness at the time, or understanding. He just wanted her to know what he really was capable of, and he wanted her to know she can turn to him if she was in a pinch.

Well, now she was in one, and the hacker wanted to help.

“I also came with purpose, not only because I missed you. So don’t scold me, okay?” he added, tapping slightly her little finger with his index one, and gave her a wide smile. He then reached to bring up his glasses and rub his eyes with the same hand. “Man, these contacts are the worst, my eyes itch so much. Definitely not gonna order the same brand again.” he lied, since he was just trying to move his hand away from hers. Damian by default was a very touchy person, but with everything he had put her through, he believed he could give her some space and time to re-adapt before he got back full mode to his old behavior. After all, he didn’t want to lose her to his idiot-ness a second time. “Anyway, I will try to update ‘shadow’ with everyone’s profiles, and I will need your help big time, because it’s a lot of work for short period of time.“ saying that Damian rose his two fingers in a peace-sign manner. “So I am here for two... wait, three things. Bio-metric scan of everyone, your help, and well... you know, I said it already. But yeah, mainly ‘shadow’. That can help you big time if we manage to upgrade it.”

[pandemxnivm]

[past] breaking on the inside

The atmosphere in the classroom was chaotic, which was a given since it was between classes. Despite it all, Nana needed to revise her homework, because her friends had different answers and this irked the female. She couldn't afford to flop in her studies, especially now that Noeul moved out. Nana felt like, her studies dropping now would stress her mother more, and her brother too, if he found out.

"Did you change your hair?"

A sweet honey-like voice disrupted Nana's concentration, and she looked up from her notebook to the boy that had sat on the desk in front of her.

"I just styled it differently, because I slept with braided hair," the young female explained, her right hand instinctively moving to rub the back of her neck in embarrassment. It was due to her carelessness that her hair was styled like this, and now she wondered if it looked weird.

"You should take this as a compliment," the boy added with a wide smile, and stood up, going back to his group of friends to fool around. Immediately after that, two of Nana's friends rushed to the female to asked what happened.

"You're lucky that you're pretty," one of the girls sighed, before the other one lightly swatted Nana on the shoulder, saying: "If I were you, I would be more confident."

But Nana never felt lucky or confident because of her looks. Not until that moment at least. Her looks were just something she was born with, and she never paid that much attention.

---

It was a quiet Wednesday morning in the cafe, and Nana was grateful because she had a horrible headache, on behalf of the soju she drank the previous night, and the night before... and the night before that one.

'Maybe I should stop for some time?--' she thought, as she was leaving the cup on the table.

"Did you lose a little weight?" one of the regular middle-aged women asked Nana as she served her usual order of ginger tea and brownie.

"Oh, did I?" Nana asked in response, waving her hand in a manner that said 'oh, stop it, I didn't'.

"Yes, You should keep it up 'cause it really looks great," the woman added. Nana just replied with a smile and a quick "thank you", before she returned to the counter, where the barista was already waiting for her.

"Why are you obsessed with your appearance?" he asked, apparently having heard the woman. "Hair well done, makeup on spot, your weight has never risen by much, and if it does, you drop it quick. Why?"

"Are you seriously asking me, knowing what I work?" Nana squinted her eyes at him. Well, it wasn't only that, but this guy was just a co-worker, he didn't need to know that Nana actually hated having to always look her best, but somehow felt the world demanded it of her, just because she was another pretty face. Gladly, the conversation didn't last long, as the lunch rush hour started, and the cafe little by little became full of clients.

---

Entering her home, Nana dropped her bag on the floor and went to the bedroom, to get changed into something comfortable. She was home, finally. No makeup, no tight short skirts, no laced but modest tops, no high heels. Just her tied-up hair, loose hoodie, and leggings.

She moved slowly to the fridge in the attached kitchen, turning the TV in the living room in her passing. Opening it, her eyes directly locked with the green bottle on the door, and without even thinking twice, the female took it out, along with some leftover chicken from yesterday. "Douchebag," Nana murmured as she sat down and poured herself a glass of the alcoholic beverage.

The whole idea of dating was to find someone to confide in, but each and every guy ended up being shallow, demanding from the female to be the perfect-looking doll she always tried to be. And if she tried to hint that it was tiring, they responded like it was essential for her to be like that if she didn't want to be alone.

Well, Nana, maybe because of young foolishness, didn't think like that.

--

"I hate that I always look my best," one of her clients confessed, as both of them were sitting on the island in his kitchen, sharing a bucket of ice cream, he in his tuxedo, and her in an evening gown. He had asked her to share a bucket of ice cream after one very formal event she escorted him to, and Nana gladly agreed, as the male had that hollow and empty look in the eyes that the female was all too familiar with, "Even if something bad happens, or I feel like just not getting out of bed... I just have to look my best." he shyly looked up at Nana, expecting her to not get him, but she did... and well, even if she didn't - it was her job to understand him. But this time, Nana was happy she did understand him and didn't have to pretend.

"It feels like you will be put in jail if you won't, right?" she asked back, grabbing a spoon full of the ice cream. "It's because people idealize you because you are handsome. 'He is handsome, he has no troubles'". She added, and the male's eyes went wide with shock. It was evident he understood she also got it and was not just pretending to get him.

"It may be selfish, but this makes me happy. Knowing I am not alone in this." the male confessed, reaching to take Nana's hand. She gave him a soft smile, tilting her head to the side before she replied.

"Me, too." although... this time she lied.

[thread inspiration]

[kimtaeganger]

Taeyeon-Nerdy

[pandemxnivm]

It would still be you / Role-Reverse AU

The moment his back hit the wall, he knew he was fucked up. Taking a shortcut so he can sleep a bit more? Who was he kidding?! No matter of his large build, it was evident he was an easy target with his paint-stained jeans, his nerdy T-shirt underneath his checkered shirt, and his glasses. Not to mention his worn out runners. 

...

Okay, well, he may handle a brawl. He has handled a few, because of misunderstandings when he goes out with his friends, but against one person, not four, which was his current situation. Man, would he get an earful from Jinhyuk when he comes home bruised and battered and obviously robbed of the little money he had left. Man, it would be surprise if he manages to go home and not to the hospital, taken in how little money he had left after buying new paints and brushes.

“Hey, kid.” One of the men started, leaning on one of his buddies, but in a way that the knife he held in his hand would be evident and glistering. “Mind lend us some money? We’re really in a pinch, here.”

Woobin clenched the handle of his backpack that was over his shoulder and took a deep breath. He wasn’t a wuss, but he really needed his arm not broken, so he can finish his graduation painting. But on the other hand, he really had almost no money on him. Like, none, aside 10 bucks, with which he was going to buy some beer and chips for him and  Jinhyuk to enjoy after dinner.

He was fucked.

Suddenly, there was a noise of metal on metal, and the gang surrounding Woobin turned around. Through them the male could make out a petite blonde girl dressed with black polo shirt and black shorts standing next to the trash container.

Oh. The sound came from her, he concluded as soon as his eyes trailed off to the bat in her hands. Mind you, a blood covered bat.

Weirdly, she wasn’t looking in their direction. It seemed like, she came out of one of the joint alleys and was looking at her hand. From what Woobin could make out in the dark, she was holding some broken bead necklace.

“Hey, dolly, mind your own business and scram.” one of the thugs surrounding him said, which caught the woman’s attention. Truth be told, by the look of her expression, the young artist could tell she didn’t even notice them, and had this guy kept shut they were going to be fine.

Well, the later Woobin figured out after the short fight (it seemed short, but was it? He couldn’t tell) in which this small, petite woman busted the guy’s asses. It was evident the short woman knew some sort of martial arts. That combined with a wooden bat honestly was not in favor of the now unconscious men.

Woobin figured he had fallen to the ground himself when the woman approached him and crouched, leaning her upper frame on the bat, that she used to beat up the guys with. Her slender face was covered in blood and she had a few small wounds. Not to mention her makeup was a total chaos, but despite it all... she really was pretty.

“I don’t really have much on me.” Woobin ended up saying slowly, which for some reason made the woman give off a small amused smile.

“Oh, not only are you handsome, you have a nice voice.” her voice soared like a morning bird’s chime in the small alley, and it was ironic how it contrasted to the whole picture they both were in. She battered and bruised, having beaten up four guys to a pulp, he being almost a victim to those guys. And she was complimenting him?

“Thank... you?”

“Want to be my boyfriend?”

“Huh?!”

“Be my boyfriend. My name is Nana. What is yours?”

---

[author note] I reeeeeally needed to write something after seeing Taeyeon’s can’t control myself teaser photos and teaser xD So here you go - an AU verse for Woobin and Nana

[highlghts]

12TH ANNIVERSARY FILM — LEE GIKWANG

[joongkihxnts]

Bang Sung Hoon in Oh my Venus

[pandemxnivm]

My beautiful illusion...

Most of the building was dark, except for the faint night lamps that illuminated the hallways for the security officers, and the scarce still turned on computer screens, forgotten by a rushed employee, or left just because the said employee had the habit of leaving their machine on for the majority of the year. And well, for Damian's office, which was lit up even today.

The young CEO had stayed in his office for more than a week and a half, and he started his 24/something session after a night he spent with Noeul. Seeing how his friend was still grieving made the male try to re-construct his previously formulated plan to manufacture Nana's death. At least, that's how his session started. After a while, he thought he may work on trying to eliminate the threat for her. That way she would be able to return home. And then he thought of ten more ways to fix his mistake.

And then he spiraled... Being too tired to think straight, and having his mind start a session of self-blame, the hacker reached for the bottom drawer of his desk, where he still held on to a bottle of Adderall pills. That’s how almost two weeks for him was no more than three-four days. And having his brother out of the country for some seminar, Rina being on the other side of the war field, there was no one to make him stop and sleep, as no one else knew his problem of not giving up even at the cost of his health. 

Once Damian’s eyes became blurry again, he leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. The effect of the pills was wearing off again, he thought, before exhaling and standing up from his desk. He had left the bottle of medication next to the pitcher of water.

The bottle was already in his hands, opened, and ready to drop the next batch of sleepless nights for the black-haired male when he heard a soft female voice.

“How long have you been like this?”

He looked to the door and saw Rina, and that made him chuckle to himself, and shake his head slightly. “I believe it to be three days, but I guess it’s longer than that if I am hallucinating you, again.” He saw her eyebrows furrow in confusion. Gosh... his mind was either cruel or superb if it could imitate exactly how her reaction would be at his words. “Again?” She asked, and he turned again his attention to the bottle in his hands, popping out a pill from it.

“Yeah, like, before I came back. I was... two weeks in? You popped up again. I always listen to you...” the male trailed off, trying to find his glass of water. Just as he spotted it he felt a touch to his arm, that was holding the pill, and that made him look to the side. “How long am I in to imagine you touching me?”

Her dark eyes stared back at his green-colored ones, keeping quiet for a moment before his gorgeous illusion sighed and shook her head.

“Too long.”

“Yeah, you’re mad at me, so you won’t come.”

“Yes, I won’t.” Rina’s illusion clarified, stepping a bit back, her hands crossing on her chest. She tilted her head in the direction of the sofa in the office, and Damian didn’t need to know what she wanted him to do. That gesture was obviously screaming ‘Go to sleep’.

“I miss you...” he said, causing the illusion to look back at him. She frowned. “I really do...” he softly said again, this time walking to her. He knew it was an illusion, it has happened before, he knew it. But this time he-- He was irrational. Simply speaking. The illusion of his long-lasting hard-crush, as Noeul and Ryuu called her, was standing right before him. He could feel her touch. No, he-- he could imagine feeling her touch. So he walked to her, and he reached his hand to cup her cheek.

She tried to avoid the touch by looking to the other side, and being aware of his last memories of her attitude towards him, Damian was convinced this was due to that. His memory of her was portraying this. “I am an ass even to the illusion of you.” he quietly stated, bringing his other hand to cup her cheek and have her face him. 

And then he leaned in, capturing her lips with his own in a soft, gentle kiss. A kiss for good night, a kiss for good bye... Because Damian wouldn’t see this illusion ever again, nor will he see Rina anytime soon.

***

An irritatingly chipper song soared in the room, waking the black haired hacker up with a groan. He tossed around to try and find the obsolete device producing the sound, only to find his phone on the floor close to the sofa.

Hyung.

Damian hurriedly picked up and answered the phone with a groan.

“So you’re finally reachable.” his brother sternly spoke in response.

“Yeah, I’m sorry. How many times did you call?”

“About one million, nothing much.”

“Oh, fuck.” Damian muttered, rubbing his forehead, as that would dispel the horrible headache he had. “I hallucinated again.” he confessed to his brother. Jisub knew for the last time too, Damian confessed to him, as it was something new and odd and the male was feeling very unsettled about it. “Or dreamed... I’m not sure.” His brother stayed silent for a few seconds, before sighing.

“I’m coming back in a few days. Be well rested for a beating.”

“Sure, sure. For you, always, my lovely elder sibling~” Damian chipped, before he hung up the phone, switched it on silent and turned around to sleep a bit more. He needed a few more hours, before he would be in condition to go home, where he planned to sleep for at least two more days.

[highlghts]

12TH ANNIVERSARY FILM — YOON DUJUN

[pandemxnivm]

– expecting;

It was Sunday, early in the morning, when Yejin padded into the living room, wearing one of Daehan’s T-shirts and a pair of her sport shorts. Both of them didn’t have a huge height difference, but Daehan had a broad build so whenever Yejin took any of his shirts there was a visible difference, and the female loved wearing his clothes at home, especially in the morning. She was aware that her husband of a few months was already in the room, so she was not too surprised when she found him, in only his loose track pants sitting in the patio, a stack of papers in his hand, and a steaming cup before him. His hair was damp and messy and the tattoos on his skin were so nicely contrasting on his skin.

Yejin still remembers the tantrum she rose when the man before her acquired the ink on his neck, but she had to admit she adored every an each inked skin of his. And one thing she started doing, after his “little” story, and after seeing some pictures from his old days, is trying to paint some of the tattoos Daehan used to have.

Once she neared him, Xeno drifted his attention from the papers he was holding to her, and a soft smile adored his lips. “Good morning, love.” he spoke softly, leaving the papers he was holding on the table before him and extending his hand toward her.

“Morning.” she whispered back, taking his hand and moving to sit on the man’s lap, kissing the side of his temple. “That bad?” She asked, looking over at the papers on the table. Apparently he was checking his students’ assignments and he was not pleased with them, it was evident in his eyes, and his grunt and the way he rested his forehead on her shoulder affirmed that. “Don’t even mention it...” he whined, then kissed her shoulder and looked her in the eyes.

“Are you hungry? I made french toasts earlier.” Yejin loved, french toasts, but just the thought of them this morning, caused her stomach to curl and all it’s contents to try and rise to her throat. “Yejin?” Xeno asked, concerned, leaning to look at her and reaching to cup her cheek. “Is everything alright?”

“Yes, yes...” she quickly replied, giving a nod and moving a bit to take his cup of tea and take a sip. As expected by her, he had peppermint tea, which soothed the nausea she had by the mention of what was up for breakfast. She took a deep breath and then let the cup on the table, all the while trying to ignore the strange and confused look on Daehan.

“You’re--” he started and she held her hand up to stop him from talking.

“Pretend your mummy knowledge does not exist and let me say it.” she told him, earning a scoff, at the term “mummy knowledge” and a small nod, to confirm he would not say anything more.

“Daehan, in about six months we are not going to get a wink of sleep.”

Her husband pretended to be confused by her words, squinting his eyes and tilting his head in a matter of silently asking what she was talking about. Even if he knew, and that was evident by how he had hugged her and intertwined his fingers with hers.

“We’re going to be parents.”

[loved--light]

[BEHIND STORY] #31. 윤두준♥ 첫 번째 솔로 앨범 ‘Daybreak’ 자켓 촬영 비하인드!

♡ [Daybreak] JACKET BEHIND ♡

[pandemxnivm]

— our last memory; kn & kw

It was early night in Busan, and as Nana walked by the beach she remembered why she loved her hometown so much. The sound of the waves clashing at the shore, the light breeze carrying this specific salty sea smell around the town. The feeling of the cooling down sand under her bare feet. A coast town was a coast town. And as a person who was born and raised here, there was no way she could express the feeling of these small things to other people.

Some of the girls at Madame’s house loved Nana describing how her stay at her parents’ went by, loved her describing her walks along the beach, but they could never relate to the nostalgia stitched in her stories. Noeul on the other hand, who Nana talked to a bare 5 minutes prior, let out a longing hum as she told him she is taking a walk on the beach. “Next time you’re coming back with me.” She told him right after hearing his silent yearn to be there and feel it all.

A wave came further in the beach line, touching the side of Nana’s foot which made her stop in her tracks and just stare at the sea. She wasn’t sure how long she stared, but she suddenly felt a tap on her head, which made her jolt.

“You were late.” she heard as soon as she turned around to see who tapped her on the head, and she saw Woobin, standing next to her with a can of beer in his hand.

“None for me.” She said, stating, not asking, since it was evident he had only one. He just looked at her and shrugged, but the female could clearly ‘hear’ in his movement the sentence ‘yeah, so what?’. “I’m really not sure what I like about you.” she finished with a sigh and looked again at the sea.

She had told him she liked him, in a romantical way, a few months back. They met for something, probably Seunghoon related, and he had said something to hurt her again. But she was overly stressed with other matters too, and his words got to her more than usual. So she ended up yelling it out. The exact same sentence. And both of them were shocked by the words that left her lips, so they ended just sitting there in silence until Woobin stood up and left. Since then, when he did something to irritate her, she would blurt it out. Just to spite him.

“Find out so you can stop.” he replied this time, drinking up from his beer.

“Why did you kiss me on my birthday?”

The force with which Woobin turned towards her told Nana he was angry. And she learned that he often got angry when she questioned his heart. His mind was clear, filled with hatred and thoughts of revenge, with want to protect his friend. His heart tho, was another matter, and Woobin never allowed it to control the situation, because it was dangerous for him.

And it was actually what Nana was going for.

She turned her whole body towards him, her right hand going to the side of his neck, her fingers timidly touching the skin, and her left hand going on his shoulder. She gently pulled him down to her, as she tiptoed, and in his confusion about what was happening she took her chance and placed a soft kiss over his lips.

Once they parted she kept her hands where they were, and looked at his eyes, her own filled determination.

“I will do what you want, no need to follow me back home and remind me.” She took her hands back, managing to steal the can of beer from his, and took a sip before she shrugged at his confusion. “It was punishment because you ruined my beach walk.”

[yyseob]

Ceci Magazine BTS

[pandemxnivm]

destructiveurgxs​:

█ ▌      Opposites Att(ract)ack: Multiple Characters  @pandemxnivm                ⌘ Part 3

A few weeks earlier, Minwoo had stumbled upon untied strings. He had tried repeatedly to push the thoughts to the back of his head, but the clues kept piling up, leaving the law man unable to overlook it anymore. There have been an increasing number of reported incidents of missing girls across the country. The incidents were usually reported a few days post the incident, and the same line was in every report: We thought she ran away! In all cases, the turned off cellphone, clueless friends or coworkers, and absence of news for several days led the families to report the incidents. None of those were classified as anything alarming. The title was  “Runaway”. Minwoo would have not gotten into inspecting the cases since it’s does not pertain to his role nor his department, but the attitude of the officer who archived those files, calling it a “pain in the ass” got the lieutenant to check the folders once the officer left the archive room. While most reports were documents online, hard-copy reports brought in from various police stations across the nation were kept here at the headquarters of the Ministry of Interior. 

During the weekly meetings of the head of departments, those incidents were not mentioned nor hinted to. It was as if they never happened. Minwoo tracked how each case was handled, and they were all classified as runaway when none of those were proven to be cases of runaways, and could be cases of missing victims, but that would get the system to detect it and alert all associated sectors. Minwoo had his tasks too, so the time he could spend on this was limited, not like he had enough information to do anything. He needed to start from the beginning. He had graphed the rate at which those reports were coming in, there was at least a cast every single day even though they would reach the HQ a few days later. 

His hair locks had grown longer at the front, causing him to have to brush them to the back frequently if he wasn’t wearing his peaked cap, which he wasn’t at the time. He had long forsaken his uniform for a white t-shirt, black pants, and a light blue button up shirt that was half buttoned down up.  ❝You thought I had forgotten, didn’t you?❞ He smiled adoringly at his fiance, whom he was puzzled by for looking as energetic and lively as ever. Whenever he was around Hyosung, Minwoo’s shoulders would immediately feel lighter. The constant pain he could feel lifting off, not metaphorically, was a reminder of what this woman was to him. He was still there, with half of his sanity in-tact, thanks to her. The black-haired male leaned forward, rubbing his nose lightly against Hyosung’s cheek as they stood on a familiar rooftop, albeit renovated. The swimming pool along with sunbathing beds, the small bar in the corner, the beautiful horizon that remained unblocked by any constructions, providing a breathtaking sight of the sunset.

Several years ago, on that day, Hyosung received a phone call that started with  ❝I was going through some documents and I found the grid of lease dates for Cheonguk tenants. Today was the day you moved in.❞ It was silly at first when he started it, he was emotional that night, and was 3am when he was telling her how much he was grateful to have her in his life. It got her worried at first, it sounded as a farewell. He was choking on his words, she could tell he was crying, and the call ended abruptly. He was over-stressed, and had not realized how that call was more worrisome than reassuring. Soon after, Hyosung was in his apartment, eyes wide open with concern, and he was puzzled. Since then, the day Minwoo had made it his custom to celebrate welcoming Hyosung into his life even though his memories from then were growing hazier with every year. He knew Hyosung would call him silly for still insisting to celebrate the day, but she always had that soft smile as she teased him, and nothing could beat how much he loved that smile. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her towards him to her back rested against his chest, his face hidden in the crook of her neck as he inhaled the calming scent of the woman who could terrify a nation. 

The two had nibbled on the few hot snacks Minwoo brought along, ones they enjoyed eating together when they lived here. The sun had left them, and the night had embraced them in a gentle hug, the two laying on the sunbathing bed and staring at the dark sky above them. It wasn’t a clear sky to see the stars, but that did not prevent the two from finding joy in staring at the full moon playing peek-a-boo behind the clouds. The question finally came, and Minwoo smiled to himself. He knew he couldn’t hide it from her for long. She knew him. Even without her powers, she could read him too well. ❝Nana’s death might not be a simple accident❞. He paused, letting his words settle first. ❝and I think Sen knows❞. He sat up, and pulled his legs to land on the ground so he could sit facing Hyosung.  ❝I need her to talk❞. Being a man of the law, surrounded by vigilantes and law breakers, was a constant battle of duty versus protecting those you care for. It got them all to have this agreement that they would not disclose information that would put either of them in an uncomfortable situation as long as safety wasn’t a concern. They all knew keeping each other safe came before anything else. Now, Minwoo was implying breaking that code and asking Sen to share. Sen was well connected, even better connected than all of them combined. She knew more than any of them could handle, which is also why she was the most distant in their small circle.  

 ❝Some incidents have been happening lately, and I can’t shake off this feeling…❞ His hands were in Hyosung’s, holding gently as he his gaze casted downwards, shoulders brought down by the burden of his deductions, his voice dropping low towards the end of his sentence. The silence that passed was filled with soft caressing to the back of his hands by her thumbs, like she was reassuring him that she was with him, she’s on board, and it got him to finally let out a shaky breath.  ❝I keep having flashbacks to when I was kidnapped when I was ten…❞ He pursed his lips tightly into a defeated smile and his shoulders barely moved an inch in a weak shrug.  ❝The timing…Sen not grieving properly… when she lost both her daughter and Taegun…❞ His grasp on her hands tightened, and his gaze locked with hers.  ❝That’s like me losing you…I would lose my mind❞ He pulled her closer to him and lifted her hands to his lips to gently press a soft kiss to each hand.  There is more to this! But he did not need to say anything else, the look in her eyes told him she understood. Now they needed to figure out how to get Sen to talk.   

                                                                  ⁂    ⁂   ⁂

 Rina was recalling the coordinates Sen showed her earlier before leaving, she was doing her best to chunk the numbers and make sense out of them so she doesn’t forget them while Minwoo sat silently across her, hands clasped in front of his face as he waited for her to talk first. Sen had not given her enough information if any at all, but the coordinates were the most important piece, and no one other than Rina and Sen knew it. The agreement was to send Rina and Woobin to that place. The rest will be relayed to them then. To have them oblivious to what is about to unfold was Sen’s condition, she believed it will ensure the success of the mission. What Minwoo and the others did not know, was how Rina’s hatred towards Woobin was not merely out of a protective instinct for her deceased friend. Sen on the other hand, chose Rina for a reason. Disclosing Nana’s location was making every cell in her body coil, she was not going to disclose that Nana was alive, telling Minwoo that his deduction was right was enough. That those were kidnapping incidents, but she shouldn’t have fooled herself into thinking she can hide from Minwoo, the man was as good as Taegun in reading her, and she hated it, but a part of her was realizing Nana won’t be safe for long in Morocco, and will need to be on the move soon.  ❝So I’m assuming I don’t have a choice?❞ Rina finally addressed Minwoo and he answered with a soft smile.  ❝Let’s go, we need to prepare you.❞ For this day, both him and Hyosung worked day and night, fixing and upgrading his hideout, which he used to frequent back when he lived in Cheonguk, and was under heavy surveillance. He would’ve never imagined he will need it years later and for this.

[pandemxnivm]

::re-connection

Noeul didn’t really get it. He was fine, he believed. Sure, he was not laughing so much, but that was understandable. He wasn’t going to many gatherings and wasn’t going clubbing and that was understandable, too. His sister died just a few months back. So Ryusuke and Damian barging in his home with two boxes of fried chicken, one pizza and two six-packs of beer (he didn’t even see the soju that Ryusuke was carrying) was a bit odd to him. Not to mention Ryusuke and he were not that close to each other for the Japanese guy to come and cheer him up.

“Nana will be sad if she sees you like this”, Damian spoke, as he held a piece of chicken, clasped between chopsticks, in the direction of Noeul. He was saying it like Nana is about to enter his apartment this second. And that thought made Noeul remember how once she barged in with a box of chicken, a bottle of soju and beer, just like those two barged today. But back then Nana was annoyed at Woobin, because they had fought again, and she started fuming and complaining the come she entered. “Come on~ Eat, drink, later on we will crash some club!” The black haired CEO chipped, which caused Ryusuke to snort and point at him.

“Dude, see how you are dressed. Who will let you in a club?”

“He is right...” Noeul trailed off, taking a look at his friend’s clothes. Damian was good looking, at least Nana used to say that. He had oddly nice face features, the petite girl would note, and a contagious smile. But his clothing style was beyond them all. Like right now -- he wore a sweater that was loosely knitted and seemed like Damian ran through a thorn forest with it. The sweater had huge holes near his collarbones at the left and one at the right side of his waist, and smaller ones everywhere else. The big holes were kept close (as much as possible) with black safe pins, except that sole silver one next to his right hip. His jeans were no different - ripped, and the holes were “stitched” with black safe pins. And the piercings at his ears and green contacts lenses were no room for comment also. “And seriously, what is with this?” Noeul asked, reaching to slightly pull at the silver pin on the sweater. On the canvas of the black, which was Damian’s whole attire, this silver pin was like an eyesore and Noeul has been looking at it the entire night.

“Just so you guys would know, this sweater costs more than the couch and TV combined. And if they end up not letting me in, I just have to pull out my bank account and we will be let in the VVIP lounge even, okay?” Damian never flaunted his money, and both Ryu and Noeul knew he hated doing that. So when he spoke with a slightly offended tone just now both the boys knew he was trying to be cute and sulk and make them laugh (and Ryusuke indeed managed to chuckle in this situation, while Noeul just smiled), “As for the pin... It’s actually a fun situation. When I first started Oblivion I bought this super run-down school and established it there. The building now is the same school, but Rina insisted on repairing it, and the repair happened after that one time when I annoyed her and she threw a book at me. I started to run away, but I was wearing this sweater, and the hole caught up in the handle of the door, tearing off the black pins it had, and opening a big hole. It annoyed the hell out of her, so she took this silver pin out and placed it there. So...” Damian pulled his shirt and looked at the pin with a small sincere smile. “It’s from Rina, so I keep it there.”

“Ah, seriously, you and Rina!” Ryusuke whined and lied on the sofa, like a sack of beans, his hands going to pull at his hair. “You really can’t let go, it’s driving me insane.”

“Can you let go of your actor, if he decides to never speak to you?!” Damian asked, through laughter, after which he took a sip of his beer. The whole conversation left Noeul a bit confused and he looked between the two confused. Damian apparently noticed that, and he pointed and Ryusuke, explaining. “He has a boyfriend. He won’t say it’s a boyfriend, but it’s a boyfriend. Some actor dude we have yet to meet.” And before Noeul could open his mouth and speak, Damian carried on. “Yes, it’s not Hyosung that’s the love of his miserable life. We’re all shocked.”

And a cap went flying, hitting Damian on the head. Now that caused all three of them to laugh out loud. Noeul could not remember the last time he laughed so heartfelt and he couldn’t believe how relieving it was for him. Suddenly, he stopped being bitter about the invasion.

“So, what’s on your end?” Ryusuke suddenly asked, turning to Noeul.

“My end?”

“Yeah, what’s your love story?”

“I don’t think I have one...” Noeul trailed off, drinking from his beer and looking to the side. He really couldn’t remember the last time he was really into someone.

“You’re not pinning on her still, are you?” Damian asked, surprised. “I mean, I have long devastating crushes, but that’s... We were in high school.” Ryusuke made a sound that indicated he was interested in hearing what’s this, and sat more comfortably, looking between Noeul (who was flushed and embarrassed) and Damian. “No!” Damian yelled, amused, a mischievous smile on his face.

“Hyunsoo...” Noeul sighed, combing his hair back. “I don’t still pin on her but, maybe she was my last hard crush.” the bodyguard then looked at his other guest, explaining. “She was a girl from the next class. Killer smile and voice, long black hair and big eyes. I don’t know why I liked her... We didn’t have much in common.” Noeul shrugged. “She’s probably married by now.”

“I can find out.” Damian suggested, at which both Ryusuke and Noeul retorted with a loud ‘No!’

And the night went on. Laughing, joking, drinking, eating... And with a small black part that only the headache hinted to Noeul nothing good probably followed after all the drinking.