Red, Purple & Blue

We all carry bruises; in mind, upon flesh.

           Redder than a dying heart, Purple like a forgotten sunset..                           & Bluer than a bottomless ocean.

The heavy crimson curtains had not been moved from the previous day, allowing treacherous sunlight to crawl its way inside the bedroom, reaching the bed and the fluffy bunched-up sheets. He had no recollection of how long he had been sleeping, the night had dragged on, and if he were to walk out into the living room, he would see the evidence of the drunken decisions on the table with the collection of empty green glass bottles lined up, take out still left next to it. 

There were things he HAD to do, not that he had any desire to move for the foreseeable future, but he knew sooner or later the old lady would invade his privacy as she always did, making sure that the start of his day began with nagging.

 As he scooted to the edge, wanting to lazily push the comforter off him, a familiar voice made him stop. Jung-hoo slowly turned to his left side, seeing half a face that was visible with fingers in front of it, clinging to the sheets. “ We have to get up eventually. ” He feels himself give up his resolve as he turns towards her, making himself comfortable again. “ I thought you found me annoying, and yet here you are, in my bed. ” There was a slightly mocking tone to his voice, he couldn’t really muster much more in his state.

brxisedblxsh asked: “  no don’t move, it’s too cold outside the covers.  ” — Meno (hi 👀 ) - picked from this MEME. (still accepting)

          — ☾ ☾ ☾  Hungover danced upon her closed eyelids, regardless of the exquisite... Slumber her body was rewarded with the events of the pervious night were replaying in a blended order in her sight and she wasn’t sure what was correct. Alcohol was a heavy factor for sure, she felt it in her system and head the most.  

Between her game of pretending to be still asleep next to the warmer body beside her and singing songs of wanting to punch herself in the face and him for letting their feelings and drinks get the best of them, Meno kept leaching off his warmth and bask in denial. Until he moved beside her and allowed cold air to invade her heaven of warmth and, in a way, confirming that this happened.

A very lazy hand covered half of her sight. She never hated daylight more than today. Annoyance loomed over her sleepy expressions. Of course, he finds the will to be cynical once he wakes up. “..Remind me--” A dramatic pause for efficient effect, “..were you always this insufferable in the morning? Who got into your pants and made you like this?” The blonde looked at him at last, couldn’t help but to crack a teasing smile, ready to deliver her punchline. “..oh wait, that’s the pure-hearted me.” From what she recalled, nothing was holly about what they did.

Selfish hands circled his arm as the owner pulled his larger frame closer to her. She crowned her web with resting her head on his shoulder. “..Let me be at peace for a little, Jung-hoo, I’m very tired.” She lied between her pearly teeth, as her sneaky fingers traced his veins along his arm. “..Do we have to leave this generous warmth? I thought you craved it yesterday.” She glanced up at him, another lie ready to bloom in her sleepy tone. 

           — ☾ ☾ ☾  Curses after curses within her breaths, seems like it was all what she could do ever since they moved into this house. The protection plan formed by her father couldn’t be more humiliating in her defined standers. Her being some boring housewife in some soap opera neighborhood? Not to mention her esteemed husband, who is the very man she weaved into getting to her family. He was just the cherry she wanted on top.

She was this close to go back home and ask for lead in her system and be done with it. 

With a very deep breath in her lungs, she left her bedroom. Already knew what awaits her in the livingroom, on the couch to be exact. Meno — no, her name was Adaline now — rolled her eyes at the figure sprawling on the brown couch. She ‘rightfully’ denied him the chance to do more than put his clothes in the bedroom’s closet. He can sleep in the bathtub if he wanted, as long as it’s not the same bed as her. “..What are you doing?” She found joy in seeing his own escaping him the moment he heard her complain. It’s always the little things as they say. 

           “..We’re supposed to host the Andersons this afternoon. Why aren’t you getting ready, Mayhew?” She couldn’t find it in her heart to call him by his new name. It meant she accepts this shitty situation. Which she clearly doesn’t. With her arms crossed above her chest, her pale hues pierced into him. 

       “..Get ready, our dinner should arrive any minute and I’ll start pretending I made it. Oh, and nothing weird like that time when we went in public.” Not like what she was wearing seemed her usual black and white style. All these colors in her wardrobe made her feel sick, but at least she can make sure they didn’t fail the role they had to play. 

               “..That shirt must be scorched with dirty gas.” 

Quinn puts on a mock surprised face. “Waffles? Woah, woah, woah, you might need to slow down. I don’t know if we’re ready for that kind of thing. Gotta slowly work me up to these complex things.” He appreciated that she could tease him about these things without actually mocking his rather all encompassing ineptitude when it came to cooking. 

“The ladies?” A scoff of laughter left his lips as he shook his head. “I think it would be safer for both of us if you do the waffle cooking,” he joked. “I think the only other lady I’m cooking for is Stella.” He tipped his head in her direction. There was no denying that his canine companion ate better than he did. “She’s not too judgemental about burnt things or undercooked things. The best kind of recipient of my cooking,” a beaming grin was shot in Stella’s direction. An eager thumping of her tail in response. 

Quinn laughed even harder, “your plan to make me the perfect catch?” He shook his head again at her, “what? You trying to get rid of me? I’m hurt Meno. I thought you wanted me around.” A hand on his chest in feigned heartache. “I think more than just my cooking is going to need some help before I’m anything close to a perfect catch.” 

He looked down at Stella again and smiled as Meno pat her. “She’s good like that. Always knows when you need it even sometimes before you realize it.” 

Quinn pretended to ponder her offer for a moment. It was an obvious choice. “Hmm,” he sighed softly. “Well, if I can’t ask for the name outright I think I’m gonna need those five questions. So horror film at the cinemas it is,” he offered his hand out to shake on their deal, “sound good?” 

            — ☾ ☾ ☾ She was dancing on thin ice with this arrangement, knowing what is on the stake here; the truth she wanted to keep safe could be exposed. For the cost of its revelation was far more than she can afford.. They could afford. The baker watched him as he spoke, as emotions filled his heart and appeared on his features. Being on the observer's seat had its merits; it allowed her to understand Quinn through unspoken habits and eventually came to adore him even more. “..I would never think of getting rid of you.” Delicately, she corrected him before shying away from his eyes towards a joyous pair, all enthusiastic by the pats and attention she’s getting. “..And honestly, life would be dull without you, Quinn.” A dangerous confession, but she will have to live with it. 

Her smile remained as she held Stella’s head between her hands, locking eyes with the dog’s warm ones. A stream of wondering flooded into her head; she wanted to know what she thought. What would dogs say to us if they could? “..You’re extremely lucky then. You have a constant comfort source by your side.” 

Her blonde head rose to meet up with the gaze he placed on her, it would be a lie to say it didn’t make her heart squeeze a little. In anticipation and fear at the same moment. “.. And you’ll have to put up with me possibly gluing myself to you in certain parts.” Meno reached out to seal the deal between. He wasn’t a stranger of her fearing some horror films. Their movie nights were a living proof. “..Sounds very good to me.” A silent prayer bloomed into her heart for all the Gods in the universe to keep her secret intact. 

His hand was bigger and warmer than hers. In return, hers was rough from the daily work she did, kneading and baking. “..So, Mr. Quinn.” Slowly, she let go of him and rested her arm on the table before cradling her chin on her palm, something to keep her from showing how nervous she could be. 

     He suppressed a laugh at her words, lips tightening into a smile, her hand inspected his, traveled over the callus’s and scrapes and burns from lifetimes ago, “luck – is that what we’re callin’ it now?” 

     Her last flirtation caused him to crack, he cackled at the unexpected switch in the normal pick-up line, “I dunno man – I might be a demon but you’re a whole-ass devil,” she had such a gentle touch, the hands of a baker, soft, he felt like a cat receiving a pet or something, allowed her to absently continue pawing at the hands as if they weren’t dangerous weapons. 

     “I mean that as a compliment by the way – always thought the devil would come to me as a total smoke-show.” 

      — ☾☾☾  His laugher echoed in her placid grin. She had tons of unexpected pickup lines. The only trait she could safely carry from the life she once had. “..The Devil? Дорогие боги.” Her offended tone was completely fake. “..isn’t the devil at a higher level than demons? Am i that.. malicious in your eyes?” Again, with the fake attitude, she moved away a little but still keeping the contact with his warmer and bigger hand. “..Hm, a devil running a bakery.. Sounds adorable.” She mused as she traced the lines on his palm. They carried stories more than voices can tell. 

Archie’s face couldn’t help but to fall once he heard the phone ringing. He should have told her to cancel. She could stay with him. She didn’t have to play pretend. She didn’t even have to play dress up. He’d be just happy to sit on the couch and talk. He was pretty sure his heart would explode if they cuddled. But he sat there, looking like a kicked puppy. “Right…right. Have fun. Really. Eat all you can and make sure that bastard pays for it all. I mean all of it.” he said pointing a finger at her.

“I don’t think I want to be a monk what about we go live in a cabin in the woods and write books together hm? That sounds a little better. We can go to farmers markets or somethin’.” he offered, trying to sound light hearted, though really he just sounded hurt. He swallowed back his emotions as he stood up straight. “You go have fun. I’m going to clean up my little mess and I’ll lock up for you.” he said, putting a cork back into the bottle of wine, and throwing out the bag of cheetos he had been munching on.  "I’ll save you some, I’ll go drink my own hard stuff.“ he joked waving at her as she headed out.

As soon as he was alone he let out a long breath and leaned over the counter. "Fucking idiot. I’m a literal fucking idiot.” Within an hour or so he was back across the hall in his own apartment, far more drunk and fooling around with Dan. He was sure Dan had some genuine feelings for him considering how he was always at Archie’s beck and call, but Arthur felt nothing. The sex was better than mediocre though, so it was worth it.

Archie was wrapped up in sheets and sitting on the man’s hips when he heard his phone ringing. Though he really had the urge to go check it, Dan grabbed his face and kissed him  as a distraction. It worked for a few minutes until the banging on his door came. He pulled back just enough from the man’s lips. “Who is it?” he called out, a grunt slipping out after. Archie pushed away, having a feeling in his gut that it was Meno. He tugged on his underwear and moved towards the door, tugging it open just enough to stick his face in the crack.

        — ☾☾☾  Maybe she should just let go of the illusion brewing in her heart. The thought of belonging with someone was not meant for her. Fates had made it clear for her so far with every failing attempt. A long sigh escaped her lips. This, by far, had made it up on the top of her list of terrible dates. Especially since she walked to the bus stop directly from the ER, technically her date ended an hour ago but the aftermaths took too long for her to reach the bench by the bus she just left. “..C’mon Archie, I need you.” She sighed again. He didn’t pick up.. It wasn’t usual for him.  Shrugging and feeling like the mess she looked like, Meno picked up her broken heel and the intact one as she walked to her place. A small pool of concern formed in the pit of her stomach, hoping her dearest is fine and well.

She wiggled her sore toe after knocking on his door. Walking barefoot was awful, but that was her only option. In her mind there were thousands of lines ready to be recited about her most fucked up date. Maybe he left some spirits for her to drown in as she lamented her luck. A relieved smile found her the moment he opened his door. “..It’s me, Archie.” She beamed at her misery. Laughing it off is the best to cope, right? “..You won’t believe what happened to me. I can’t make this up even IF I tried to! Who eats sushi when they have an allergy of— ” 

Then he opened the door to see her. Seeing him almost naked made her halt and raise a borrow. “..Were you about to--” Before she could finish her sentence, Dan emerged from Archie’s bedroom with a similar level of clothes, confusion written all over his face, almost mirroring Meno when they locked sight behind her friend. It immediately clicked in her head and the embarrassment she felt weighed of planets and stars.           “..oh gods..!” she breathed, the heat of the sun formed on her cheeks, and the world felt colder. How could she be so SO stupid? Meno waved awkwardly at the man. “..uh.. Hi cute Dan— I mean Dan!” A lump formed in her throat but she looked at her friend, unable to control her expressions so shock and.. Selfishly hurt. “..I-I’m so sorry Archie.. I— I didn’t know you had company..” Quickly, she picked up her heels and created more space between her and him, on the brim of bolting off the whole situation she might’ve created without knowing.