euphoric

kennedy xun, child of nemesis

[xunken]

nickspencer​:

Of course this had been his idea, but he cares more now to know that Kennedy enjoyed themselves, and he hadn’t dragged them out into the city for something stupid. “Good, good, that’s what counts,” Nick says as his smile grows, then gives his best scoff as he shakes his head. “I was not scared. I was pretending to be scared, I was living in the moment, Ken— huge difference,” he insists, even though he’s already admitted how frightening it was and he also can’t stop laughing in between his sentences, sure that Kennedy doesn’t believe him, and it doesn’t even matter that they don’t. Being naturally himself around them is so comfortable and it doesn’t even occur to him to let go of their hand. Nick looks back to grin proudly at their compliment just in time to catch the feeling of their lips on his cheek, catching him off guard too, somehow strangely and unfamiliarly stunned into silence, which thankfully goes unnoticed by Kennedy continuing to talk as if he’s not still thinking about the warmth on his skin. Quickly, Nick comes to the conclusion that it probably means nothing, that Kennedy probably treats all their friends this way, that he doesn’t need to mention it to Min, that it’s best to convince himself not to replay it over and over in his own head. “Yeah. Yeah, we can probably get away with a quick game or two,” Nick says, voice pleasingly smooth and composed as he checks his watch. “You’ll still have time to get your costume together, right?” he asks, then moves the hand that holds onto theirs only to sling an arm around their shoulders to start to lead them to the little carnival game booths, figuring this too is just how friends act with each other.

“It would be a lot more manly of you if you admitted that you were scared.” Kennedy points out, though their words are soft because they don’t actually want to make him feel bad or make him admit to something he didn’t actually feel. Besides, he’s right, it’s all about being scared and being in the moment. There was no other way to enjoy a haunted house. “I’ve got time.” They nod quickly to reassure him because they don’t want him to mention the kiss. Well, they would like Nick to mention the kiss but since he doesn’t then they would rather skip over it altogether. Mostly because they felt his initial surprise and that was a good feeling but that feeling was quickly replaced by the insistence of nothing. Whatever the two of them had shared didn’t mean much more then. They were friends and Kennedy should see it that way if Nick did, too. “Min just has to help me get into it but it shouldn’t take all that long.” They wondered more if it would take longer for Min to get into her costume and maybe they should be there to help her with it instead. Despite his touch, they remain composed and head with him over to games. “Which one do you wanna play first?” 

[xunken]

nickspencer​:

He latches on to the sound of her voice in order to better find her, and though no one can see it, the light and familiar sound of her laughter only makes the smile on his face grow. Nick spares only a second to think about how in the darkness of this room, no one would be able to see just how much Kennedy affects him. He could stop to think for even longer about how it the solitude of that knowledge might mean he should truly feel it and reflect on it, but he won’t. Maybe then he’d remember that he isn’t alone in his feelings all the time, that Kennedy themselves could sense them if they tried. “Right, right, this is why you’re the brains,” Nick laughs, holding onto them tight as he leads them through, a sharp unabashed gasp escaping him as a violent gust of air gets shot at them both, and his laughter only increases as they’re followed by loud footsteps and screams chasing them right out of the final exit. Thrust into the brisk night air, and eyes adjusting to the light outside again, all Nick can do is keep laughing as they run into the grass, and his hand doesn’t leave it’s place wrapped around Kennedy’s small wrist, if only to adjust slightly around their palm. “Gods, they really don’t mess around, do they?” he asks, breathless and high on adrenaline. “That was genuinely frightening but, god, that was fun. You had fun, right?”

Though they can tell he’s actually afraid, if only mildly, the feeling of their own adrenaline overshadows it at the moment. Plus, the fact that there’s so many other people around them doesn’t help their ability at all at the moment. “Yeah, yes, of course I had fun.” Kennedy grins, glad that even in this moment Nick thinks to ask them how they’re feeling about the experience. “I’m glad you had fun even though you were scared.” As they say this, they give his hand which is still holding their own a small squeeze. “You’re so brave.” Before they can think clearly about what they’re doing they reach up and plant a kiss on his cheek which immediately sends them into their own type of frenzy. Kennedy clears their throat, looking around. “I think they have some sort of concession stand and some games over this way, if you want to check them out. If not we can, uh, we can head back. It’s up to you. Whatever you wanna do is totally fine.” They figure if the words keep coming out of their mouth then Nick won’t mention what they just did. 

[xunken]

enlaifangs​:

“I’ve been debating it-” He replied honestly. “I didnt eat all day so I wont get sick.” He joked. “I can hide a pie for you?”  He teased. “I think this trenchcoat could hide a pie, dont you agree?”

“I think you could still get sick even with that strategy.” Though Kennedy appreciates the dedication. “Hiding a pie seems even better but I’d be too guilty to cheat. I’m a horrible liar.” 

[xunken]

@nlupdates​

“Are you going to do the pie eating contest?” They ask the person besides them as they’re watching a couple of other people set up the station. “I wanted to do it but Min said I should do the pumpkin carving instead because that way I won’t end up getting sick.” 

[xunken]

@ncxicus​

“You need to hold still, okay?” They say for what feels like the hundredth time tonight. “You look too beautiful for me not to capture this moment, Min.” Though there were no moments with her that they wouldn’t want to bottle up and keep forever. 

[xunken]

nickspencer​:

@xunken​ ; location: a haunted house off-campus

“—Jesus fucking christ,” he hisses, somehow still with a wide grin of adrenaline, catching his breath for a second as the both of them get ushered in from one frightful room into the next, immediately swallowed in pitch darkness. He can’t remember the last time he’d been to a haunted house, but he gets such a rush out of it, and Nick was more than thrilled when Kennedy agreed to go with him today with the promise that he get them back in time for the party in the lounge and the costume contest. “Hey, Ken, you’re still there, right?” he calls into the cold air of the dark room, one hand searching wildly behind him until he clasps on to Kennedy’s wrist, recognizing them by touch alone, and clumsily pulls them towards him. “Stick close or I’m gonna lose you— oh shit, I’m not whispering, should I be whispering?”

Kennedy, professional horror video game player, thinks this is really fun. They were more than a little excited when Nick had asked them to tag along. Not only because it meant getting to spend more time with him, which they only treasured more and more as time passed, but because they were surprised it was something he’d actually wanted to do. “I’m right here.” There’s a trace of laughter in their voice. They think it’s sweet that they can sense the genuine concern when he asks about them. Without meaning to make too much of a big deal about the whole thing, Kennedy moves closer to him, leaning into him due to the tight space they’ve found themselves in. “I think they know we’re coming regardless so whispering doesn’t seem to matter too much.” They laugh, thinking it’s endearing once again that Nick sees this as almost them being in some actual sort of danger. 

[xunken]

nickspencer​:

His question hangs in the air for just a moment, and Nick finds himself bringing his focus back to them, waiting to hear what they’ll say, a burning hope nestled in the center of his chest. Maybe he’s too tipsy to really pay attention to the way that he’s hanging on their every word, one side of his mouth tipped up in a small grin, eyes expectant. His gaze is fixed on them, gliding over their frame until he gets to their kind face, watching Kennedy look up at the stars like he had and then back to him, and he’d be lying if he said having them look at him with those nostalgic doe eyes didn’t do something to him. “Why?” Nick responds with his own question, voice low and quiet as he takes a step closer. “Would you say yes?” he teases, but before waiting for their answer, he takes their hand and continues leading them away from the lounge, steps set on the path towards the gardens. “We are dancing, but not back at the dance. I’ve suddenly decided we’re too cool for it,” Nick says, looking back towards them with a sly grin, too drunk on alcohol and the way Kennedy’s own smile lingers in his memory to remember the words Minjeong had given as a warning in his apartment.

The answer is obvious. The answer, when it came to Nick, would always be yes. Regardless of the question which was probably going to end up being a problem but they didn’t want to think about that quite yet. Well, they didn’t want to think about that at all. They wanted to think about the fact that the entire universe was sprawled out all around them, the trees that swayed in the wind, the stars that served as their own personal disco balls, and out of everything there was, Nick was staring at Kennedy like they might as well have been the only thing. “You’re crazy.” They comment, giving his hand a squeeze and moving towards wherever they were headed with him anyway. There was something about the way that he was feeling, excited and vulnerable all at once, that made Kennedy’s own emotions heighten. “Are we going to play a song or are you going to sing for me?” Their voice is teasing though once they’ve stopped moving, presuming that they’ve arrived at the spot Nick wants them to be at, they reach up their hand reaching up to trace the line of his jaw but instead landing on his chest. They’re not quite bold enough for that yet though they wish they were. 

[xunken]

nickspencer​:

“You’d be surprised what she’ll say yes to if it’s for you,” he responds with a grin, and he knows that the case is probably the same for him when it comes to the both of them. It’s strange how he technically hasn’t known Kennedy for that much time total, but it also feels like he’s known them forever, and they’ve picked up their friendship right where they left off, which had grown exponentially with just that one day. “Right?” he agrees again, oblivious to the way they’re just placating him, still a little too high from the rush of the fun and excitement of the whole weekend, looking afterwards towards them with expectant eyes, hoping to hear that they’d also had a great time. Kennedy’s small confession instead makes his expression pause, and then brighten again, a corner of his mouth lifting in an endeared smile at the same time that something tugs at his chest. “Really? Well, hell, we can go right back in and make the most of the last couple songs if you want,” Nick starts, looking back towards the Lounge, and then out towards the night sky in front of them. “Or we can make our own fun?”

“Oh, believe me, I know.” Kennedy grins at the thought though sometimes it does concern them that were they a different type of person and asked Minjeong for something extreme, she would still do it. Not that they’d ever ask her for much more than a good lunch and some video game bonding time. They liked to believe that they were that way with all of their friends, him included. Walking back to the lounge and ending the night with a couple of songs with him sounds ideal but they also know it would bring up several questions from both Minjeong and Lyra, even if the latter pretended not to care much. “I don’t think....” Kennedy is about to protest, to say it’s fine if they both just leave when he finishes with his own question. They follow his gaze up towards the night sky before their eyes land softly on him. “Is that your way of asking me to dance?”

[xunken]

nickspencer​:

“Good, good, you keeping her out of trouble, too?” he teases, shooting them a knowing grin. It’s pretty hard to keep Minjeong out of trouble when she has her sights set on it, but if there’s anyone who could do it, he knows it’s Kennedy. Nick shakes his head with a dopey smile, shrugging, “Nah, I’m done if you’re done.” He doesn’t even look back to see who’s still dancing or who might still need his attention, only starts to head in the direction of the exit, nudging Kennedy along with him. “Hey, did you see those tiny little planet cake things Marshal made? Kind of insane, but, gods, they tasted amazing,” he laughs, quickly falling into step of how easy it is to just strike up conversation with them, to feel so naturally comfortable in their presence. Nick glances over as they walk, looking over their features again, trying to a get a read on their mood with a gentle smile. “You have fun?”

“I think it’s impossible to do that.” When Minjeong set her mind to something, well, Kennedy tended to just let her do whatever. “I did see them. The planet cakes, I had a couple. They were pretty great.” The truth was that he could have said anything was amazing and they would have agreed. Especially at the moment when they’re feeling extra excitement from the party itself and from him wanting to walk them back to their place.  “Yeah, it was really fun.” They nod, looking ahead as they continue on their way. Truth being that they enjoy the silences as much as the conversations with him. “I have to admit, I would have...” Kennedy looks over at Nick, clearing their throat after a beat. “I would have had more fun if I’d gotten to see more of you.” 

[xunken]

ncxicus​:

          minjeong  still  kneels  down  to  look  at  any  sign  of  injury  at  kennedy’s  ankle,  not  above  judging  a  healer’s  work.    ❛   next  year  i’m  rigging  it  so  i’m  on  your  team.   ❜    to  both  share  the  victory  and  keep  an  eye  on  them.  she  can’t  help  the  next  question,  even  if  it  tastes  of  bile  as  it  comes  up.    ❛   did  your  brother  enjoy  the  show ?   ❜    she  doesn’t  even  know  if  they  had  any  time  to  talk  with  him  yet.

They grin as they watch Minjeong be so preoccupied over their rather minimal injury. “Please do so! I would love nothing more than to be on a team with my sisters.” Cause in their mind Lyra would magically be involved somehow. Kennedy looks around for their brother when Min brings him up before shrugging. “I haven’t talked to him yet but I’m sure he thought it was fun. Did you have fun?” 

[xunken]

ofargcnts​:

          the  nudge  gets  minjeong  out  of  her  thoughts,  her  gaze  softening  towards  the  youngest  at  the  table.    ❛   yeah,  it’s  a  good  one.  we’re  having  fun,   ❜    clearly  only  including  herself  and  kennedy,  eyes  darting  back  to  lyra.  this  weekend  has  been  a  lot  more  than  she  will  admit  to.  seeing  ken  getting  along  with  their  brother,  then  with  lyra  .  .  .    ❛   you  can  leave  if  you’re  not.   ❜    she’s  fully  ready  to  get  a  disapproving  glance,  but  this  is  also  her  being  as  civil  as  can  be.  she  could  blame  it  on  the  one  too  many  drink,  but  she  has  no  desire  to  spare  lyra’s  feelings  or  whatever.    ( @ofargcnts​ )

 she  stifles  an  eye  roll  at  minjeong’s  attitude  .  it’s  predictable  .  turns  for  a  moment  to  face  her  half-sister  .  “  if  this  conversation  doesn’t  interest  you  ,  you’re  more  than  welcome  to  leave  .  ”  she  keeps  a  neutral  tone  ,  taking  a  long  sip  from  her  glass  .  and  as  much  as  she  would  prefer  to  call  it  a  night  and  ask  valentina  to  accompany  her  for  a  nightcap  ,  she’d  rather  not  give  minjeong  the  satisfaction  of  leaving  .  instead  ,  lyra  refocuses  her  attention  on  kennedy  .  it’s  clear  that  they’re  the  only  one  who  is  actually  willing  to  engage  in  conversation  .  “  so  kennedy  ,  did  your  family  attend  the  brunch  ?  ”    //    @xunken​​

Their initial instinct is to speak up when Minjeong suggests that Lyra can leave if she’s not having a good time but they know to give their eldest sister a chance to respond herself. That’s quickly an evident mistake because now they’re both just telling each other to leave. “I think we should all just...stay.” Kennedy purses their lips, looking from one to the other. “My family did come! Both of my parents and my brother. I missed him so much, even though it hasn’t been that long, so it was nice having him. I’m sad you didn’t get to meet him, Lyra, but Minjeong got to see him.” Eyes dart back over to their sister. “Though I am a bit disappointed there weren’t at least some medals awarded to the losing capture the flag team.” ( @ncxicus​ ) 

[draumas]

CHASE SUI WONDERS 2021, ph. Jeannie Sui Wonders for Anna Sui

[xunken]

ofargcnts​:

DATE  :  september  18  ,  homecoming  dance

FEATURING  :  kennedy  xun  (  @xunken​ )  &  minjeong  park  (  @ncxicus  )

 it’s  an  odd  feeling  to  know  that  she’s  got  half  siblings  that  are  about  a  little  over  a  decade  younger  than  her  .  she  can’t  relate  to  them  nor  does  she  want  to  be  another  older  sibling  figure  .  however  ,  she’s  at  an  impasse  .  the  older  demigod  gets  along  with  kennedy  and  as  for  minjeong  ?  let’s  just  say  lyra  wouldn’t  be  talking  to  her  if  it  weren’t  for  the  insistence  of  marina  and  peter  .  nimble  fingers  drum  against  the  table  before  she  takes  a  sip  of  gin  .  “  are  you  enjoying  yourselves  ?  ”

When Kennedy had come to nemean not that long ago, they hadn’t been expecting much aside from the general feeling of community. To find out that they had not one but two older sisters simply sent them over the moon. Looking around the room and peering out of the corner of their eye at Lyra and Minjeong, they almost assume that no one is going to break the silence until they do. “Yes, everything here is decorated so nicely and the music is really good.” Kennedy nudges Minjeong gently. “You like this song, right, Min?” 

[xunken]

ncxicus​:

          she’d  thought  it  would’ve  been  fun,  to  do  capture  the  flag  together.  unfortunately,  they  ended  up  on  different  teams.  victory  was  nice  and  all,  but  she’d  heard  about  the  sprained  ankle,  and  minjeong  can’t  celebrate  without  first  checking  up  on  kennedy.  been  looking  for  them  since  the  end  of  the  game.    ❛   did  someone  patch  you  up  yet ?   ❜     /     @xunken​

Kennedy knew that as soon as the game was over their sister was going to rush over to them. It was rather typical and they appreciated it but they also didn’t want her to worry. “Yes, someone already got me all fixed up.” They manage a smile but the truth is that it does hurt. “Congratulations, you did a really good job.” 

[xunken]

nickspencer​:

Nick feels right at home at parties. It’s not something he’s gotten a lot of since joining Nemean Lion and starting the hero track. His life had become more serious then, more responsible, though of course he couldn’t get rid of this side to him, and when occasions like this presented themselves, he jumped at the chance. He finds it so easy to get lost in the steady thrum of bass in his chest, in the elated revelry of people around him, the buzz of excitement and stupid, plain fun. He’s barely had a chance to breathe all night, surrounded by demigods as he does his best to be the life of the party like usual. When the night starts to wind down, and Nick finally realizes he might need a second of fresh air, he bumps right into Kennedy, face immediately brightening. “Gods, there you are. How have we not seen each other all night?” he asks, a lazy grin on his face. Moments during the night when he had come up for air, he’d wondered where they were, if they were having fun or if they were just too cool for the rest of them. He’d hoped Kennedy was enjoying themselves, but he’d also hoped they might bump into each other and get to share some time. Only now, belatedly, does he realize that there’s still a lot about the two of them that’s different, and maybe while he gravitates towards the center of the party, Kennedy might prefer to linger on the outside. Still, it’s nice to see them now. “Are you heading back?” Nick asks, noticing the time, the way people are beginning to trickle out, the softer music playing through the lounge. “I could walk you out, if you want.”

Kennedy thinks it’s a little bit funny for him to ask how they haven’t seen each other when all they’ve done is see him. They won’t say that, however, and they know that he’s genuinely happy to see them now. Which makes them both feel good but all the more confused about anything they themselves might feel. “Min’s been keeping me busy.” It’s a lie but not a total lie, they had spent plenty of time with their sister. Especially after their brother had come to visit and they could feel the tension on Min’s part. They wanted to make it up to her somehow. At his question, Kennedy nods. “Yeah, I think the party’s pretty much over, anyway.” Despite whatever it is that the two of them may share, they’re surprised when he suggests leaving with them. Surely there’s a long list of people lined up at Nick’s feet and they have no intention of interrupting that now when they hadn’t done so earlier. “You don’t have to.” They offer him a grin. “I mean, if you have someone waiting on you.” 

[xunken]

@nickspencer​

Kennedy spent the entire evening looking at him. Dancing and talking with others but barely processing a word that was being spoken to them. There was no reason to think that he was going to ask them to be his date to the dance or even spend the evening with them. The two of them were friends but it was ridiculous to think that it extended beyond that. They were ridiculous for thinking it extended beyond that. Everything was beginning to slow, people were making their way back to their homes or to continue the party elsewhere. They were looking for Minjeong, honest, to let her know that they were leaving. Instead as they stumbled through the dwindling crowd, they found themselves face to face with him. “Hey.” The music changed, something slow and melodic. “Hi....Nick.” They’re not sure what else to say. Kennedy would like to ask if he’s been having a good time but they already know that he has and that they had nothing to do with it. 

[xunken]

solarstcrms​:

location: end of capture the flag  //  @nlupdates​

covered in blood and sweat as she is, juniper shoos away healers, adrenaline letting her push past the pain in her leg as she hobbles into a light jog. she’s working her way through the crowd, patting backs and cheering along everyone she passes by, her paint-streaked face split into a wide grin.  “great game, guys! that was so much fun! so sorry for getting a little feral out there but all in the name of the game, y’know?”

Kennedy’s trying to maneuver on their ankle as best as they can considering the games literally just ended. Still, they feel the need to be amicable with everyone, including those from the other team. The truth is that they don’t mind losing, they just enjoy playing. “You totally killed it out there.” Kennedy says. “I think everyone went a little feral at some point.”