stay quiet. stay low. don’t antagonize and keep your gun on you at all times.
within the first five seconds of waking up hanna’s already about to break the first rule. because for one, the idiots, whoever these idiots are, they didn’t gag her. didn’t tape her mouth, didn’t put a sock in it. sure she was bound, both hands and legs tied together and fastened but they didn’t gag her. so she could scream, she could. but she’s squirming around to she can get her body to cooperate, pull herself into a sitting position against a dingy ass wall.
the entire place is dingy. not dirty just dingy. smelling like stale metal and old air. no windows of course, probably the back of some shitty storage unit. one door and nothing in the room save for a couch and a table.
no point in screaming, so she stays quiet.
her vision’s spotty here and hazy there and she faintly remembers chloroform. it’s always chloroform. she remembers leather and black gloves and copper in her mouth. other than that she’s feeling okay. cold and pissed but she has all her fingers and she’s not hanging from the roof. all her clothes are on, her purse is gone but her clothes are here. cool, dad’ll probably fuck them up but maybe no one will die.
good good.
she continues to scan and that’s when it hits her that she’s not alone. that there’s a person beside her, watching her as her eyes land on him. she squints, face registering but situation still cloudy. because what the fuck, was her stick up the ass tutor doing here.
“hey, you alive over there? can you move?” for the moment the room seems clear so hanna speaks, low and with her head ducked so her hair blocks her face. her voice is scratchy, legs itchy but so far, she’s managing well.
winter always seems to come a little quick but right on time. it’s because taeyang anticipates it. the red noses, real or fake that he has to wear to and from the hospital. bundles and bundles whether it’s his clothing or bundled joy in the form of the kids in the pediatrician ward. the energy is kept especially high despite runny noses and head colds.
everyone is thinking about christmas and the warmth of family. the late night shifts aren’t as long for them, and taeyang doesn’t dread them as much. not like he ever dreaded them in the first place but it’s a nice change of atmosphere.
he’s taken a detour, hands shoved deep into his parka and breath peeking from his lips past his scarf and fogging up his glasses. despite the fog taeyang still sees him and he doesn’t waver, despite the awkward burn in his cheeks. he stands still, maybe a little too stiff because he hasn’t anticipated this far. he anticipates winter, with prickly winds but warm jackets and warmer hugs. he doesn’t do good with anticipating hyunshik, who has got just as fierce an aura around him as an ice nipped day.
“hey hyung,” taeyang’s not hard to miss, and he hasn’t decided if he’s trying to make himself small or large when hyunshik walks out the coffee shop. he settles on a wave first before shoving his hands back into his pockets to escape the air. “all done closing?” his words are slower, muffled but slow enough to comprehend. “are you bundled up enough, it’s kinda cold?” faster once the worry settles in.
daewon always gets baffled when people put their faith in him. not just faith but relatively important tasks. it’s not that he’s not reliable and it’s not that he wouldn’t call himself reliable either. because believing and being are different things. he’s both but that doesn’t stop the nerves from denting his confidence.
it’s an easy affair - as easy as setting up a birthday party could be.
but there are children involved. children and a new mother, not a seasoned mother which meant both of them were new to this. daewon’s never settled birthday parties, being the youngest ( technically ) and really not having an interest in the process. he’d hide during his sister’s fiascoes if he didn’t want to be seen and insist on not having a fiasco of his own as he grew up. he’d held them at the salon though, and quite a few back in college, but it’s simply not his forte. so why he was on a ladder and glancing about the room, was a mystery to him.
“are we going to color code this? like with gender color codes, blue for boys - pink for girls or do you not believe in that?”
he spares one glance to iseul before he looks around for hyomi. and okay, maybe, maybe he has some reason why he’s doing this.
( scenario : five times hayeon was accidentally affectionate to jae and one time she just accidentally blatantly acknowledged that she knew what she was doing )
( “accidentally affectionate” 5+1 with jaeyeon! @lesivres )
recently, jae’s been having a hard time. hard in the sense that, she’s going to ban hayeon from the tavern. seriously, find a demon-warding charm to get her out and gone during business hours. during all hours.
she’s bad for business.
+1winter sucks. in the sense that, warm-blooded as they are, everyone is up early to get their coffee, their morning fix so they can do their work and turn in early. that also means jae has to be up early to serve early, but stay open because once she’s open she can’t close ( well she can but business ).
it’s the ass crack of day. she hasn’t bothered for proper attire just yet, but she’s layered enough that no one will really care what she’s in. even if it’s tights over tights, boots and a long fluffy poncho. she doesn’t care she’s going to stay warm and comfortable until it’s actual diner hours.
this isn’t even a diner what the fuck.
anyway, she’s pouring her next cup, pouring and pouring and yawning. yawning that she almost spills it over. she does though, let her elbow bore into the counter, chin nuzzled against her palm. she’s tired, and she’s not cute tired and she hates it. the customers laugh at it, a gentle laugh that she can’t even give a dirty finger to. she stills gives it.
“don’t say anything if you want this next pot free of wood shavings.” so they don’t laugh and she smiles. maybe it’s because she’s won a small victory or because of the scent that fills her nose as the door opens. hayeon’s been up early, won’t say anything about it but grumbles about jae’s scent being too overwhelming sometimes. whatever. she’s awake and jae’s holding up the pot with a grin.
“coff—-” words get stuck in her throat, stuck because well, hayeon walks in and walks straight to her side, head falling in jae’s shoulder. a small silence settles over the tavern, mainly because a sleep deprived hayeon is not a hayeon anyone wants to deal with. but jae smiles, softly, ignoring the small fire under her skin at lips pressed against her shoulder. “you’re a big baby.”
“coffee.”“i am not putting a drop of anything in it.”“you’re a menace.”
oddly enough, jae could say the same. instead she detaches herself, watches hayeon slip into a stool, ignoring everyone’s stare and focus on the coffee pot. ah, so it’d been the coffee. jae smiles and pours the fresh one instead.
must be the morning.
+2winter is here. wood wood and more wood and jae is tired. if she wasn’t tired earlier, she’s tired now. tired of all the chopping, the carrying, the shedding. tired of getting pine shoved up her nose.
the kids think it’s fun so she indulges them, watches them run around with logs. watches close until her head lolls against a tree. the town likes to come together to grab firewood, they’re small so they know everyone needs to stock up for when it’s too cold to do it.
jae, never one to ask for help, curses her tavern for needing so much damn firewood. sure they have electricity but she still likes the fire. it helps the kids at night and it helps her as well. reminds her of old days. so she gathers.
gathers and groans with every log thrown into her arms. she’s bundled up well enough but that doesn’t lessen the load. and the kids, they love to mess with her, she’s the only one who allows it. her fault. but they pack on and jae tries to make it to the tavern as quick as possible before they can pile it on even more.
“noona slow down we have more.”“stay back demons, my arms will fall off.” she can handle it though, might be a little sore but she can handle it. that’s what she says as she passes hayeon for the fourth time, dumping the wood by the fireplace and dusting her hands off. the tavern is low so she can run in and out. in addition to her own set she’s been helping some friends gather. “noona hurry up! changjo’s about to level a tree!” she’s ready to run out with them when she sees hayeon beckoning her over.
“what’s up what’s up, decided to help the cavalry?” she doesn’t flinch much when hayeon’s hands reach her coat, doesn’t move when the arms slide down. there’s a squeeze on her shoulder and jae’s hissing. the squeeze becomes gentler and hayeon sighs, eyes not leaving the spot.“nope, no more lifting she-hulk.” jae tries to pout at that, tries to squirm even but hayeon squeezes again and all she does is yelp. yelp and wrinkle her nose in annoyance. because really, they’re in the middle of the tavern.“you’re a party pooper.”“you’re gonna get tendinitis.” “doesn’t make my statement false.” hayeon levels her, before patting the stool in front of her.“okay fine.” jae hops up, slightly confused but letting hayeon do what she must, if that includes hands on her skin, a little cold, unsurprisingly gentle. low as the tavern is on customers, she notices the hush. maybe she’s too comforted, by the feeling of a dull ache leaving her shoulders, and a pleasant scent warming her body. hayeon’s hands are quick but they get the job done. “alright go, big baby.” she’s back to her folder, sketches and paperwork. jae’s out the door with her arm around changjo, excited to see his tree.
+3catches, catches especially winter catches? winter catches were great. they had a guy who came around late in the week, with huge catches to share with everyone. sometimes frozen and sometimes fresh. listen, forced humanity aside, some things are too good to pass up.
giant turkey legs are one of them. and jae had to fight, fight to get her fair share of them until she realized those were to sell before they were to devour. she’s been working hard today, so hard that she doesn’t pay attention to much, like the rumble of her own stomach. smoked meat fills her nostrils, makes her mouth water each time she runs back and forth, to grill, stock, serve. some of them like to stock up their bellies before winter really hits, some of them prefer to just fill their fridge. jae often fills her fridge. she’s open during the time anyway.
everyone’s been joyous, welcoming the food and the smells of roasted anything, smoked anything. barbecue smells, chicken, turkey, pork. jae could cry. but, she’s got a job to do, a place to run. she lets their guy do his rounds through town, smiles as she sees the younger boys running with turkey legs and she sneaks one for the smaller of them. gives a thumbs up to the little girl who snags it from him.
catches are always a good day. yeah they can buy them in town, further into the city but, it’s the tradition of it. the joke of it.
so she moves quick, tuning into impatience and needs quickly. maybe she should be more in tune to herself. maybe. but she’s giddy, the smell keeping her going, nagging at her stomach as well. she doesn’t pay attention to her own stomach rumble as her feet scramble across the floor.
she does, pay attention when hayeon comes in, a turkey leg in her hand. jae cants her head towards the open stool, a platter in her hand. she’s on her way back, calls coming from every direction for her, when hayeon’s hand grabs her. there’s a slight squeak, more so for the turkey leg that’s placed in front of her lips. hayeon holds her hands out for the platter - well takes it and gives her the turkey leg. jae eats and eats and finishes it faster than intended. gives hayeon a kiss on the cheek that definitely is intended and runs off with the platter before she can say anything.
and anyone who watched the exchange, doesn’t say anything.
+4jae complains about the winter a lot, but she likes it. likes the snow and the footprints it leaves. likes the bristles against skin and fur alike. likes the icy burn of it all. and she says it all the time, how she loves it, is out there all the time. when she gets free time from the tavern, standing outside and letting snowflakes fall on her nose. it never lands right, never lands how she wants it to but it lands.
just as snowballs land across her jacket. as she runs back and forth with the kids in the town. lets them get scores before she’s after them, knocking them in the face with her own snowballs. laughing and ignoring the frost on her nose. she’ll handle it later, right now it’s war.
and it’s good. good for as long as her body heat can keep it. and she keeps it pretty long. running through the small patches of snow they get, rolling around with the smaller ones on her, hanging off her sides. with snow hitting her cheeks and her jacket. because yes she remembered to bring it and not run out here in her tavern clothes. hayeon would kill her.
speaking of hayeon, jae hasn’t seen her. the thought gets cut off by a snowball to the head and she’s running for the culprit. running and playing until her fingers get stiff and she has to rush in the tavern with the rest of them.
she’s chattering, teeth clattering and body jittery. it’s not bad but it’s not pleasant, it’ll probably go away soon, she knows that. but for the moment it settles. and she’s by hayeon’s side in an instant, flake of snow dripping off her coat. she’s up against hayeon’s side, rubbing annoyingly close with her ice-stained jacket.
“you missed out on the fun.” it’s with a snort that jae blows a snowflake from her nose.“yeah hayeon noona we beat jae in a snowball fight!”“a liar and a cheater I raised you right.”
hayeon’s quiet, but doesn’t move from jae’s incessant movement. when jae does feel her move, she turns to face her, cheeks probably turning rosy from the warmth burning past ice. her hood is being lowered and hands are touching her ears. it’s sudden and catches jae off-guard, traps words in her throat. hayeon’s fingers move quick, rubbing the icy feeling away, running jae’s ears back and forth between her thumb and index. it’s melting everything around jae in a matter of seconds. it moves down to her cheeks, jawline before the natural color comes back. darker, rosier, but back. all traces of snow gone. hands then gone and heart stuttering against her chest.
it’s only a call by the fireplace that snaps her out of it.
+5winter days are long days. naturally so. she wakes up early, works long even when she’s not in the tavern and stays open a little late from passing travelers. sometimes she even turns into a place to sleep, sometimes. jae doesn’t mind. the fatigue never really hits her. she loves her bed she does but sometimes she doesn’t miss it like she should. doesn’t think about it when she’s thinking about all winter has to offer.
new people, possible rogues, strangers, smells smells and smells that cloud the tavern. usually it’s easy to handle but she’s sleepy and she knows. knows it gets overwhelming when one of her smiles has too much teeth, when the moon’s been up and the wrong company stays up.
it’s not serious, never that serious because winter’s a mellow one. so jae remains mellow. when she moves back to the counter, falls against it after setting down the empty kegs. arm splayed out and chin resting on it. winter days will always be long and winter will always be long. long but welcomed, no matter what it brings.
ice can prickle in her skin but she can overcome it. she can. she breathes in once, twice, gets her composure. she thinks it’s her own doing, but feels hands in her hair.
“hmmm, what is with you and my ear?” the hand doesn’t stop though, and jae doesn’t move much. lets the smell settle over her again. old oak, vodka and spice. hayeon and all she is. she welcomes it and sinks into her position.“you’re not complaining.” jae can manages a shrug.“i’m not complaining.” she feels light, the words come out drawled. maybe it’s the sleep, maybe it’s the haze. all of it together. she feels irritation slip away, icy prickles settling into warm spots, dancing around her head, across her forehead, over her lips.“gonna close up soon?” maybe it’s not a question, and maybe jae had no plans of closing soon but for the life of her all she says is,“yeah.” and she finds nothing wrong with it. nothing wrong with locking eyes with someone across the tavern and watching their face turn red as they look away.
nothing wrong.
+0it’s morning again. jae doesn’t know what to expect really. just knows she can’t take anymore days like this, like yesterday, like the past couple days. she’s in a strange limbo of fighting it or welcoming it and not really knowing what the hell she’s welcoming. she takes it all yeah, hell yeah but she’s not sure what it could be. but it’s another thing when she gets these weird knowing smiles from everyone around town because - what can they know when she doesn’t even know? nothing. that’s what.
but she’s up early, groggy as she pads out the back and enters the tavern. she’s opening a little later today. mainly because everyone is full and asleep. which is what she should be but she’s awake, awake and pouring hot cocoa into her mug.
“I love winter.” she even speaks a little groggy, low and into the mug. she tries to stay satisfied with the warmth of the cocoa as it slides through. tries to focus on the feeling of the mug against her hands, that warmth. tries to remember and repeat it throughout. “i love the snow.” the snow light kisses. “and the snowball fights, i love the weird taste of it.” the easy feeling of her. “i love the catches and i love food and the smell of it all in the tavern.” of old oak, vodka and spice. jae’s still speaking, moving from behind the counter to lean against it.
“mhmm, c’mere.” and jae does, walking to hayeon’s side and settling in the embrace she gets, in the lips by her neck. in warmth washing over, overwhelming. sighs and not-so-secret smiles.“someone’s touchy.”“mhmm.” all she gets is a small nip, has jae jumping but keeping herself firm in hayeon’s hold. a hold she rarely gets to relax in. not like this anyway.“i’ve been getting looks all week like i’m the one who can’t keep my hands to myself when it’s you.”“mhmm.”“you, you it’s all you.”“mmmm.” it’s mumbled against, vibrating against skin and jae almost jumps, squirms away from the feeling and the fire it ignites. she doesn’t get far because hayeon holds her hips, but stops the movement to speak clearer. “winter air’s clear. you smell good.” and now, jae’s grateful for the position, back against hayeon’s chest, red on her face hidden. grateful that the tavern isn’t open yet. because hayeon’s hands are still moving up - when did they even get under and she’s squirming and quite offended at how sneaky it’d happened. it’s the fucking old oak and vodka. it’s always that.
but she’s not bothered. “so you admit it?” jae’s proud of herself for getting this far, still speaking with lips ghosting over her shoulder. still a little firm when they rest of her feels like jelly. feels sunken in.“admit to what?”“driving me up the damn wall.”“god i’m sorry displays of affection are such a turn on for you jae.”“shut up, oh my god.” jae turns around at that, rejuvenated in how scandalized she feels. ready to stand her ground at any given moment. but hayeon’s staring, eyes looking hooded, thoroughly calm. her fingers still hook in jae’s shirt. eyes on jae’s lips and a hand running through her own hair before she locks eyes with jae. finally.“alright i admit it.”“good.“good, so you’re opening late today.”“i hate you oh my god.” but she’s got a hold on hayeon’s hand, another mug in her hand and her feet padding towards the back room.
yeah, she’s going to ban hayeon from the tavern. it’s bad for business.
TXT // DID YOU KNOW : That JB becomes a poet in the making when he misses Minzy. Example : Oh Rominzy Rominzy wherefore art thou Rominzy?
( @lesivres )
TXT // DID YOU KNOW: There’s a poet by the name of Im Jaebum and stories say he cannot last more than a week without his beloved, lest he go into a fit. His best and worst poems were written during the time of his lover’s absence.TXT // DID YOU KNOW: That the one thing that Gong Minzy loves more than her shoes or (maybe) her adorable puppy Dougie and patbingsu is that poet himself. TXT // DID YOU KNOW: That Gong Minzy has the corniest boyfriend to ever walk this here planet and he’s so infuriatingly ----- cute\, but he doesn’t see it.TXT // DID YOU KNOW: That I love you, you dork. And I’ll be home soooooooon 💞
there are certain things they - don’t quite have worked out.
one of it being the publicity thing. the things outside, outside what’s supposed to be the safety.
see hyungwon had made the studio a bit of a safe haven, though it was a hurricane inside. hectic and uncontrollable but it was a control he had. it was the kind of dizziness that he was clear in. he didn’t quite get his parent’s world yet, didn’t get the cameras and the mechanics and the questions but put him around fashion and suddenly everything could be done.
things like identity and personal matters, things that he couldn’t quite get out the head he could fit into designs, whether it was a men’s suit that had unconventional colors and slits or female gowns that fell differently. the studio was a place where they couldn’t touch him, he wouldn’t let them and he owned ( literally and figuratively ) it was a domain and a place to be without being too hard. nothing felt forced and nothing felt hidden
everyone knew the kind of boss that hyungwon was. they knew how he liked his coffee, they knew that if he came in earlier than seven than he has inspiration and not to bother him until at least noon. they knew if he came in around noon he probably didn’t leave the studio until six in the morning. they knew the twitch in his brow usually meant a design was right and not to take it personally. they knew he would never take things out on them if it was personal. hyungwon was personal in craft but not in person. everyone knew the in’s and out’s of his personality, how raw and closed he could be at the same time but they didn’t know enough. didn’t know nooks and crannies like they thought he did.
that’s the thing about the closet, it’s a cranny, it’s all the nooks and shadows and what can only go on in the shadows.
the reason hyungwon can’t figure out the publicity of it all is because they have things like the closet. because no one knows hyungwon like andrei has come to know him ( well maybe his sister and that’s it ) but no one would know him in that way and no one knew about andrei. not in the way they wouldn’t know about a girlfriend that maybe didn’t come from money but in the way that they wouldn’t know of his relationship. because hyungwon doesn’t have a girlfriend and that’s what’s expected.
the person who’s able to crack morning hyungwon and five-forty-five hyungwon that no one sees is supposed to be a girl but it’s - not. the fact that the studio is his safe haven but it’s where he doesn’t show the simplest of things.
like holding andrei’s hands. like small kisses on the cheek. they’re there but they’re fleeting, too fleeting, too quick and hidden in corners of the hallway. when everyone leaves hyungwon because he’s arrived before seven and that means he’s got a lot going on and andrei dares to slip in.
and he does. and hyungwon’s head is buried in his sketchbook, multiple sketchbooks at that.
he sees a message from his secretary, apologies about how andrei said he was called in to discuss a shoot and she couldn’t stop him. it makes him a laugh, a light, quick one. probably the first he’s done all morning.
“people are going to get suspicious.” at this point it’s said in a jest. no worry, no stress and just a sing-song in his voice. as if he’s fantasied about the possibility and not had nightmares. had, being the important word. he gets a hum, hears the telltale shuffle of andrei’s feet across the floor. “and you’re wearing sneakers in my office i’m seriously going to ban you.”
“oh? even though I brought you your lord and savior?”
“you brought hwan with you?”
instead of responding andrei’s placing the mug on the desk, the same desk most people wouldn’t dare approach when he’s busy. especially not before noon. but hyungwon lets his gaze shift, eyeing the liquid before going back to his work. “if that’s tea you’re banned.”
“it’s chestnut praline double shot your highness.”
“you’re the best.” is all hyungwon mouths out before attaching his lips to the cup.
sweet and bitter coffee mix and all troubles slide away momentarily. he’s got a bit of a coffee problem but he’s working on it. they’re working on it. just how they’re working out their sweet things in the midst of a bitter society, a sour one. it doesn’t slide as easy as coffee and certainly isn’t as easy but, they try.
andrei doesn’t really move once he’s beside hyungwon, hovering next to the chair, what some would call dangerously close but what hyungwon considers normal. he tries, really he does to keep his focus on the sketches in front of him and not the male so casually sipping tea in his sweats. he’s got bigger things, bigger nightmares blocking him from reaching up for a kiss but it doesn’t stop andrei, never really stops him, from inching down, close enough to share a breath, close enough for the chair to hide it. but he halts at that, eyes remaining on the sketches.
“sketch problems?”
“no, just issues separating.”
“mmmmm.”
and it’s silence again. appreciated but also a little too tangible.
no one really knows that hyungwon can share his space, doesn’t know who he’d probably share it with and definitely wouldn’t expect it to be andrei. “soo ah’s having a heart attack thinking i’m going to get on her for letting you in.”
“don’t blame her, it’s hard to say no to this handsome face.” hyungwon doesn’t dignify that with a response, just continues moving through the sheets and sipping from his cup.
hyungwon makes his studio his safe haven. from the plants he’s got set up, spread over the windows, to the mannequins and the filing cabinets. to the wide stage for the models and his creativity everywhere. scattered but set. it’s his safe haven and most people try to understand that, keep it such. yet even in his safe haven he’s careful. can count how many times he’s kissed andrei here without looking up or making it quick enough to break a record.
this is the fifth time. it’s a partial one, a feather one with lips brushing hyungwon’s neck before andrei’s leaning back up again and hovering over the chair. quick and airy. still sweet and without all the fleeting of past ones. just there because it can be there. just how andrei’s here because he can be.
“gonna be here all day?”
“we’ll probably draft the first few collections and then - contact people to try it and i’m done.”
“lunch?”
“dinner probably.”
“okay. pasta.”
the fifth time finishes, when andrei’s hand squeezes his and he leans down once more. lips press, warm and firm against hyungwon’s forehead before he’s whipping away. “don’t work too hard. and don’t call me to try on anything, i’m on vacation.”
“out.” and andrei’s out the door with a smile he’ll keep until he sees him again.
and hyungwon’s trying, trying to work the quieter parts of who he is into his safe haven, the best parts. because he wants the sweet without his shoulders tensing and his eyes wandering. especially when soo ah wanders in after andrei walks out. today they managed it. he managed to lean in after the second one, relax into the seat and smile. get his safe haven a little safer, a little realer, a little closer.
minzy // loving like him she’s a pro and smiling at him like it’s still day one. minzy’s the surprising, the unexpected, expected. minzy’s the honeymoon phase in corner snuck kisses. with arms wrapped around him like everyday is all the time in the world and they’ll never leave the beginnings. a love blossoming even while they’ve already blossomed. minzy kisses jb just how the blush rises to her cheeks, quick and without reserve. she’s the valentine that makes everyday feel like one. she’s the sundress and cheek kisses, but she’s the body dress and body kisses.
hyungwon // loves a little gentler, but less carefully. because he loves full and he’s never been quite used to it. with andrei he is becoming himself, and how he fits into loving someone. he’s the sweet and subtle valentine, the one that moves a little in the shadows, new mugs with a note attached, affection in longer kisses against the neck and all over. affection that starts to pour out more and more until it’s dinner on the table when andrei gets home and feeling new but feeling confident. hyungwon is the lover that grows into it but once he does he’s all out and all over it.
hanna // hanna loves, much softer than her personality. she doesn’t love as bold as she could, she crushes and dates like it. she’s bold with declarations, she’s confident in flirting but loving, growing to love, she’s hesitant. she’s less reckless and more calculating. she’s shy hands under the library table and kisses on cheeks right below scarves. she’s new love, a scared love but one that’s treasured and one she’ll only give to someone who could treasure it. she will love a little childish, for all the maturity she acts like she has, she’s still fierce blushes and whispered confessions.
taeyang // taeyang loves exactly how he is, with little surprises here and there. he loves gently and quietly, and anytime he can. just how he’s by hyunshik’s side anytime he can and as subtly and quietly as possible. he’s a shy lover, bold in actions and clumsy in execution. he’s little notes just like before, and wide smiles. he’s hands that are scared to hold but will hold tight when he can. he’s big bundled jackets with kisses behind scarves, sweet and a little bold. that’s the surprise. he’s a bright lover and that’s where his confidence is, valentines day is a joy, not a necessity but an indulgence, and something he tries to convince hyunshik of.
joon // doesn’t know love, exactly. he’s had people who were supposed to teach it, teach it wrong. that’s why it’s always misplaced and always confused. that’s why it’s probably a blunt when she asks, an indulgence when she wants and words he says when he feels and doesn’t think. he’s never learned about responsibility in love, or consistency in it, he’s all touch and less feeling. he’s hands all over her but no words, spontaneous and just what the moment needs not so much what the soul needs. he knows parts of love without the necessity, or the commitment and it works for them, for now. works as it destroys because that’s all he’s known.
jae // jae loves, as spontaneous as joon but not as reckless. jae loves with all she can and when she can. she loves smart but she loves a little childish, carries it with her everywhere she goes. more than a scent, more than a giddy smile but in marks down her collarbone, in jackets too big for her frame and strength in her gaze. she loves in comfort, in something that’s patient but always open for hayeon to move into when she sees fit. without the centuries of knowledge that others have of what soulmates are supposed to be, she does love much like a child, new and open and free in the way that she can still trust and reassure the one who means the most to her.
tan’s a pretty simple guy, pretty optimistic when he wants to be. he’s got no big conceptions about the world around him, just knows that some shifts blur together and some weeks feel like one long day. never really a nightmare, though he sees things in the emergency room, it’s never that. maybe it’s the optimism, maybe it’s all just waiting to hit. he’s pretty cool with that, with knowing maybe this’ll affect him more than he thinks but right now he’s just moving through. smiling and finishing up some last minute stitches and getting ready to hightail it out the hospital.
that’s probably the easiest part about it, the part that people praise him for. but it’s just easier for him to focus on other things rather than grim thing. like the thought of soju and some dumplings to finish the day. of familiar faces, much needed companionship and time going a little slow in just the way he needs it to.
he’s halfway out the sliding doors, finally out his white coat, when he spots scarlet. everything is easy, the trot right up to her, the smile and the wave. “tonight, is a dumpling night, yes? tomorrow’s valentine’s day so maybe dumplings and soju?”
