Hubris

- rules

     Taking off the mechanical part of his implant, he turned it off for him to take a look at how easy it was for him to ignore the world. But he turned it back on when he placed it on his ear. “Exactly,” he agreed with a nod. There was a lot of tension between Matthias and his adoptive mother. But it was mostly her fault, not wanting to accept her deaf son. “I don’t know if I would look any good with red hair,” he commented. “I’d look like Heat Miser from those claymation Christmas movies.”

Eternity. This was sadly the right term to describe it which was funny considering that Jaemin had no clue that he was quite right. He already waited several hundred years for Jaemin’s soul to be reborn. But for what? Probably not to become Jaemin’s lover, but to see the boy growing up and getting old peacefully. One day, he might disappear from Jaemin’s life again once Jaemin has settled down with someone, but Death will always continue watching over the man.

Jonghoon shook his head with a soft chuckle. ❝ It wasn’t that long, don’t worry. ❞ he reassured with a soft and gentle voice. The thing about Jaemin’s cuteness was left without a comment but Jonghoon made a mental note to compliment the younger more often. It was also the arrival of their main dish that led Jonghoon to hold any comment back. It was a trait of his that he left certain things unspoken whether this was a good or bad thing. Immediately, he took the fork and chuckled a little bit. ❝ You are very welcome. Please eat a lot. ❞ He swirled the fork in the pasta before taking a bite. Yes, humans really knew how to make food a nice pleasure. With a little grin, the older man looked up from his plate of pasta. ❝ Beef jerky? I’ll make sure to be prepared. I need to capture the heart of your dog so he lets me squish his Shiba cheeks. ❞

After a few more bites, Jaemin luckily managed to draw their attention to a different topic. Luckily. Jonghoon has been way too occupied by his own thoughts to come up with something, yet the little change was well. ❝ I didn’t know you like wine, you never talked about that. But I’ll happily accept the offer. Which wine do you prefer? Red or white? Also you never talked much about your brother just yet. What is he doing that he can travel around that much? ❞

“Is this a get-back because Hunter loves me more than you now?” As much as his dog is independent he does enjoy company so it is only matter of time he opens up to anyone.  “I wouldn’t say I like wine, I just always receive them as gift. I like soju or beer” Thanks to his university days, he had always choose those liquors over wine. “Somehow I never thought of it until today, really” He mulled for a moment in which wine he preferred, “White wine, I think but who knows maybe if you come and drink with me I might learn to like it more” He wiggled his eyebrows in his suggestion, “Architect and he always travel out for his projects whatnot so he brings me these wine home or some cultural stuff” No matter how busy their schedule is, Jaejin always dropped by to spend time with him -- they have each other’s back growing up anyways.

 “Come to think of it you two are the same age -- probably why I am comfortable with you” few of his last words muffled by the incoming pasta into his mouth and he took a moment to put down his utensils to ruffle Hunter on his head. “You really picked out a nice place” The pasta tasted delicious that he couldn’t help himself but to lick the excess oil on his lips.  

“Um…I didn’t drop a hint. I just asked him out,” she said, admitting shyly to her lie before because Euna was really bad at flirting that it was easier if she’d just asked first and luckily her date had agreed. They’d had their first official date three days ago – nothing more than a quick peck on the cheek and a promise to meet again. And another morning spend with Kei cuddling with barely anything on. 

She started to pick apart what remained of the egg omelet, smiling at the sensation of him resting against her. Even Euna knew that domestic bliss was comforting for both of them. “I don’t know,” she said honestly. “We aren’t…exclusive or anything like that. I guess until I know he’s serious then there’s no reason to change. Right?” she asked, turning her head to look at him for confirmation, asking for that silent assurance that what they were doing wasn’t wrong.

How should he react to her declaration? It might be too childish to think about it but does Euna even put him into consideration? Because each time other people asked him out... all he thought was about Euna but he was a coward who never once admitted such thing to her so eventually rendering it useless now that he thinks about it.  

Taking note of the other’s confidence, especially the wink, Raine shook her head and hummed, ❝Actions do speak louder than words,❞ She said, stirring the pot before her, ❝I’ll let you know if your skills are truly ‘unmatched’ once I have a taste myself. And lucky for us, I do have mangoes; bottom right drawer in the fridge where the other fruits are. The glasses are next to the plates in the corner cupboard.❞

“Thank you so much now that I can bust my moves!” His age was definitely showing as he singsong his words while pulling put the mangoes and started peeling them. “Actions do speak louder than words, that I shall agree but just to know your credentials, are you a food critic yourself, good miss?” mango slices going into the juicer along with condensed milk and milk. Soon enough there were more than enough mango lassis for two. 

“Ah! See, you look very professional and I figured you would do something really serious. You don’t smile much…”

Harper’s thoughts trailed off as she hummed, looking back around until he started speaking again, then her attention was turned back to the man she was speaking with. 

“Oh, no! I’ve never been here before! I was invited with my agency as invited guests!” she said, gesturing around to the other various girls who were fawning over other attendee’s as part of their unofficial job of the evening, a job that Harper hadn’t even known about. Usually they brought her along anyways due to her outgoing, friendly personality and it hadn’t gotten her in trouble yet. “I model,” she said casually. “I think someone’s here taking pictures tonight and they wanted us to be in the shot? Anyways we’re all invited guests and it seemed like a lot of fun, so here I am! What about you? What brings you here?”

‘Thanks, as if no one had told me that before’ was a reply that formed in his brain, threatening to leave his mouth but he knew better to shut it instead -- what kind of reply that Jaejin may get from the lady was something that he does not want to know plus he was interested more in how confident the lady is in almost all of her action.