#gswhan

[gswsieun]

barbershop of horrors

"Hangyeol, do you trust me?"

Her question was accompanied by the underlying tone she applied when she was opposite of him: playful and mischievous in nature to draw the man out from his usual rigidity. Her gaze remains on him when she tilts her head, pressing the soft side of the all-purpose comb against the center of her cheek. His hair had grown past his brows, covering his eyes to the point that making any eye-contact without pushing his hair back would be impossible. Perhaps, that had been his goal all this time, but him allowing her to undo this level of commitment had surprised her.

It had started as a suggestion, then a genuine offer, and finally, a promise that he reminded her of days before. Still, the older woman announcing the arrival of the man that afternoon had her questioning her perception of reality. She was the one that occupied space in his secluded world, but seeing him in her living room felt like a disturbance; in which, she had not measured whatever the consequences that could result from the two interacting together. He had warned her not to speak to him in public, and she had kept her visits to his lighthouse a secret. Was there a need to spiral now that lines were blurred?

He was in her living room with a makeshift barber cape, trusting her with scissors despite the lack of professional experience. Not much could be done to keep the older woman from running to her mother and gossiping about the man inside her house. The door creaks open enough for the older woman to peek her head through, curious gaze shifting between the two as if she was assessing the scene in front of her.

"Sieun, can you ask your friend if he wants something to drink?"

He can speak for himself, Sieun retorts in her head before circling around him until she positions herself behind him. "Would you like something to drink? I should have asked you myself." While the older woman was trying her best to be welcoming, Sieun knew that this was an excuse to continue supervising them. "I haven't hosted anyone in awhile. Thank you, Ms. Jang."

@gswhan

[gswgain]

after midnight, with @gswhan.

unfurling the long strip of cotton around her hands, gain lets out a low exhale as it lands on her sneakers, spilling over onto the floor. she rolls her wrists slowly, unclenching her fingers and examining her knuckles for any broken skin. the gym lights above her begin to flicker, as they always do during the late hour, and she catches sight of a moth fluttering around the finicky lightbulb when she tilts her head back to get the last of the water from her bottle.

no matter how much she drinks, it’s hard to get rid of the weird feeling on her tongue. a sensation that only made itself known after the encounter on the beach from a week ago. it’s as if a strange film coats the surface of it, her tongue, and she swirls the water in her mouth a little longer before she swallows, wiping her lips with the back of her sore hand. 

a quick glance at her phone tells her it’s still too early.

so she stands up and heads towards the vending machine filled with protein bars and energy drinks. there’s one can left, but she spots the other late night regular by the weights and hesitates for a second. if she were any nicer, she would ask him if he wanted a drink as well.

but it’s been a while since she’s had the capacity to care much for others, so the rumble of the vending machine cuts through the white noise in the gym as it expels the last of its energy drink supply. she does, however, approach him instead of turning back, taking a large gulp from the can. 

“your form is shit.”