be cool. be kind.

Her expression immediately had him cracking the goofiest smile. “You right, you right. You’re way too sweet to use me like that. But oh, I’m onto you.” Tao made a motion, pointing two fingers at his eyes then to her, smiling. Casually sliding his way between her and the counter, he poked his tongue out while stealing a chopped up piece of pepper before they could be tossed into the pan. “Please don’t climb on the counter. That’s a scary thought. I can live with you using a chair. That’s just funny.” Directing his attention to the fridge, and thus the wine, he gladly popped the bottle open once he had approval. And seeing Hana holding the glasses, he carefully poured each of them before setting the bottle back in the fridge. “It already smells good and we’re only half way there. But who says you can’t drink while cooking.” Tao grabbed one of the glasses, offering to gently tap it against hers with a chuckle.

“of course,” sooah noted. “that would be silly not to share. after all, if we really want to try a lot of different things, then we would need to eat smaller portions of each. if there’s something good, we can always get more,” she pointed out as she held onto his hand, pointing at various dishes that intrigued her. soon enough, she was holding a tray full of things. “maybe we should sit and eat these first before we keep going?”

                 “ i’m okay. ” she reassured, a warm smile was flashed. at least there was someone else who agreed that he treated her like shit. at least someone cared to check on her to make sure she was okay. the background noise of the drama continued to play as she thought about opening up to him about what had happened. maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to. maybe it would be nice to actually get it off of her chest. “ i was upset. i still am, but i’m okay. really. i don’t think he really cares for this relationship anymore. i don’t even think he respects me. ”

“ i tapped out when he somehow wrapped his chains around my throat. ” a tilt of the head reveals the purpling on one side where he’d pulled to save his windpipe; probably another underlying cause of the throbbing in his head. “ they can, but boss likes the money he brings. people come every week to see if the unbeatable can be beat — answer’s still no, but they’ll find a way to raise the stakes. again. ” deciding to suck it up, he holds his bloodied hands out flat, cuticles torn and one pinkie crooked. they still shake just slightly. “ i’ll get another go, soon. i’m not giving up after one bout. not like leo. ”

yoonoh nods, thinking how good it must be to live somewhere as beautiful as where they are now, people in europe were more receptive towards people like him — or that what he heard once, not knowing if it was entirely sure, but the fact that he was a man’s company at that party and no one seemed to care said a lot. he follows him without questioning. “won’t people inside miss you, though?”