𝐻𝑌𝑃𝑂𝑁𝑇𝐼𝑍𝐸.

❝   did   not.   ❞   carrying   the   soft   cadence   despite   rapid   response,   always   making   something   into   another,   but   people   let   raven   have   her   way,   as   long   as   she   gave   what   the   people   needed.   it   was   true   xavier   was   intriguing,   the   most   entertaining   thing   amongst   the   room   &   it's   crowd.   it   wasn't   often   these   tea   parties   were   as   big   as   the   current   one,   but   it   served   for   charity,   at   least   to   the   public   eye.   ❝   hm,   makes   you   wonder   why   it's   quieter   at   night   -   think   of   me   like   so,   if   you'd   like   -   or   do   not,   it   doesn't   matter   in   the   end.   ❞   dulcet   tone   danced   around   opposite,   hand   with   sweet   treat   pushing   it   into   mouth   &   munching   on   it   quietly   -   this   was   why   selenia   did   what   she   did   -   for   the   offerings   that   were   often   consumable.   ❝   you're   pretty.   ❞   like   the   animals   that   often   visited   what   she   considered   her   private   garden   -   large   enough   to   cover   a   forest,   a   pond   &   all.   watches   as   appendages   still   remain   in   contact   with   warm   dermis   -   ah,   a   sensation   she   often   was   denied,   seen   as   the   one   above,   physical   contact   was   often   a   no   go,   so   a   moment   like   this   was   to   be   cherished.   ❝   you   answer   like   the   banker   ...   ah,   if   only   i   knew   where   he   was   now,   perhaps   you   two   would   get   along.   anything   can   be   thrilling,   and   the   vagueness   of   your   words   bores   me.   ❞

“how  childish,”  he  muses,  watching  the  untouchable  facade  crack.  a  man  that  wants  for  nothing  is  the  most  dangerous  of  them  all,  nothing  to  hold  him  back  from  taking  for  the  sake  of  intrigue.  and  selenia?  he's  peeking  into  pandora's  box,  watching  the  inhibitions  slide  out  from  the  seams.  a  man  like  him  becomes  dangerous  in  a  room  full  of  people  like  this,  when  it's  only  proper  to  keep  your  distance,  to  never  tug  too  close  or  act  uncouth.  yet  he's  walked  in,  sprawling  like  he's  a  king  of  a  lawless  kingdom,  holding  the  hand  of  the  one  who  had  everyone  else  in  her  palm  without  a  care.  “it's  only  quieter  at  night  to  those  who  aren't  listening  —  for  others?  that's  when  the  devils  come  out  to  play.”  each  of  their  realms  clashing,  chaotic  and  dark  in  their  own  way.  she  tends  to  the  sweets,  and  he  wonders  if  the  doses  of  sugar  manage  to  quell  the  hunger  lingering  behind  complicated  eyes—  or  if  it's  nothing  but  a  consolation.  “you're  prettier.”  he  doesn't  mean  in  the  pet  way,  but  he  won't  tell  her  that.  she's  something  more  akin  to  a  being  of  the  wild,  surviving  with  cautious  dominance.  but  it  isn't  as  interesting  to  give  in  immediately  to  her,  instead  favoring  the  game  all  while  his  thumb  brushes  off  delicate  knuckles.  “pot,  meet  kettle,”  he  gestures  between  the  two  of  them,  every  bit  amused.  “you  still  haven't  asked  me  what  i  want.  i  thought  gods  were  meant  to  be  all  knowing.”  spoken  mockingly,  challenging  eyes  to  match  the  forming  smirk.

"um, hi." joonwoo steps into the backyard where they suggested them to meet, with a slight, awkward wave of his hand before he settles next to them. being accustomed to being in front of the limelight due to his career and as the shameless troublemaker in his personal circles, joonwoo rarely ever feels awkward — but matching with his former, devastating crush that he thought he's gotten over and his best friend's brother has him feeling all kinds of butterflies. he hasn't decided whether it's a good or bad thing. "this is really unexpected."

“hey.” ethan's body is lax against one of the lounge chairs in the backyard, every bit the polar opposite of joonwoo. maybe because he doesn't know the full truth, thought swiping right on him during a mindless night spent scrolling through his phone would be funny. he'd known joonwoo for long enough, having seen the other at his childhood home hanging out with his brother for as long as he remembered. it was nice having him around then, even if it's been too long and the two rarely talk these days. “i don't know ... it's kinda like fate, don't y'think?” he nudges joonwoo once they're seated next to each other. “you're too much of a stranger these days. how's the spotlight been treating you?”

Eunchae does get it. She’s been juggling moving in and going to work and social responsibilities all while sleeping less than usual… which was entirely his fault. “Uh-huh, busy,” comes the curt reply, her nose curling in disapproval. “I could tell. Matter of fact, I think the whole building can.” It’s not usual for her to be this snide and she’s not exactly proud of it but her patience grows thinner and thinner with each passing second marked by the quiet tick of the clock she carries. Still, because one of them has to act at least somewhat properly, she offers Aaron her hand to shake. “I’m Eunchae. Pleasure.” If the situation was reversed and she had a neighbor appear at her door to rightfully tell her off about being a disturbance, she would be mortified. Clearly, that’s not the case for Aaron. His audacity would strike her as admirable, or at least entertaining, if she wasn’t currently getting ticked off by it, a muscle in her eyebrow jumping when he has the nerve to turn the question on her. “I am wearing clothes,” Eunchae points out with a huff and barely resists the urge to gesture at herself. Sure, a silky pajama set is far from her usual business casual attire but she’s still, without a shadow of a doubt, more covered up than him. “You’re coming out of your own apartment! If you wanted to put a shirt on, you could have. And I only came now because I figured you must be sleeping the days away since you’re up so late. I didn’t want to disturb you. It’s called being considerate, you might not be familiar with the concept…” Childish jabs are not going to solve the issue so she pauses, tries to remember how to be nice, before straightening and meeting Aaron’s eyes. “I will be frank then. Your activities are loud and disturbing my peace and my sleep. So, I would really appreciate it if you could keep the noise down.”

aaron's never been led to believe he's a bad neighbor—in fact, he's well liked by most people in their building. granted, he's slept with a decent amount, but that's truly beside the point. eunchae is the first person in three years here to tell him he's a problem, which both wounds him and only makes him more curious. “really? you're the first person to complain though,” aaron points out, head tilting. “are you sure you weren't just listening to closely ... enjoying the show?” he's goading her, that much is intentional. she's got this prim and proper vibe that looks like it's waiting to explode, wondering how polite and mild mannered she'd be. he takes her hand, giving it a shake. “aaron. beautiful name.” it's rare for him to get flustered, even if being shirtless right now does admittedly make this scene a little comical. but he won't admit to being wrong, not when he can tease her instead. it's deserved, she's the one who's shown up at his door knowing exactly what he's getting up too. “it's late at night, why would i be wearing so many clothes anyway? you're the one basically checking me, i feel objectified right now.” he covered his chest with his hands playfully. “i'll have you know i have a very demanding job. that's exactly why i need my relaxation time.” unlike her, he's willing to continue, not taking any part of this seriously. he clicks his tongue and shakes his head. “i empathize with you, i really do. but ... isn't it impolite to tell the person in my bed they need to be quiet? how about we compromise? i've got some great noise cancelling headphones you can borrow.”

It's safe to say that this is one of the weirdest situations Rohan has ever found himself in. Mentally, he’s preparing for all the ways this could go from bad to worse but what he isn’t prepared for, not in the slightest, is tears. A sharp breath of pure horror is his initial reaction, empty palms raising in the air to show he means no harm as he takes a tentative step closer to the couch. “It’s okay, you’re okay. Please don’t cry!” This is stupid. Rohan is being stupid. Sure, she looks harmless right now but he doesn’t know her and she did just basically break into his apartment. He really does feel for her, though, and seeing someone cry always brings him to tears, too… “And please keep your money. I won’t call the cops on you, I promise.” With a curious purr, Trinket bumps his head against her shoulder, apparently deciding that the two of them are friends now which is so not great for Rohan’s stress levels. He needs to help her sober up quick and somehow get her home but he also doesn’t want to let her roam his home unattended. “Why don’t we move to the kitchen? I’ll give you some water, maybe make some tea, if you want? And I have some chips that you can have. Or noodles? And then we can try contacting one of your friends together so they can get you home safe and sound. How does that sound?”

humiliation isn't a strong enough feeling for her right now. not only was she miserable and drunk, she'd broken into some poor man's apartment. “i'm not crying,” she argues, despite the tears practically streaming down. it's unlike her, normally someone so poised and refined somehow managing herself into this disaster of a situation. “are you sure? i have a lot of money, i swear i'm not someone trying to break into your apartment. my own place is a lot better than this!” the last sentence is rushed, and she cringes immediately after saying it. great, not only is she a criminal, she's a bitch too. “i am so sorry,” she whispers, finding relief in trinket. this is nice, maybe she should get a cat for herself. her eyes peer up with him, both wary and curious—most men aren't this nice. especially when they're this handsome too. amelia is a pragmatic, even if she's a hot mess right now. “... do you have any bottled water?”

"i just came here to tell you that ." deadpans , getting right to the point because he wasn't the type to sugarcoat things or dress them up real pretty in order to hide the ugly truth . he knew what he did was wrong , but he'd do it all over again if it meant making sure she remained unscathed . as for a place to stay , he can find his way around the city , many owing him favors . worst case scenario - which wasn't even that bad in the first place - he could get himself a hotel room . "so don't get yourself all worked up over nothing . i'm not sticking around for long ."

“mission accomplished,” she mumbles sarcastically, emotions swirling between anger and sadness, for apologies she'd never gotten, for calls that had never been returned. it was hard enough seeing him, it was even harder knowing that she'd become nothing more than some kind of obligation, a mere pit stop to exchange a few words before heading on his way. “god, you're such a dick. i don't know why i even waited for you in the first place ... you're right, this is nothing. we're nothing. why even bother showing up here?”

“   you   walked   away   like   it   was   easy,   but   i’m   still   here   trying   to   remember   how   to   breathe   without   you.   ”

the  words  make  her  breath  hitch,  whether  she  wants  them  to  or  not.  saint  always  had  that  effect  on  her,  always  made  her  heart  beat  a  little  faster  and  chest  feel  a  little  warmer  than  anyone  else  had.  “you  can't  keep  saying  things  like  this  ...”  the  words  are  almost  pleading,  like  they  both  knew  if  he  said  too  much  she'd  fold  for  him.  “it's  late,  i  should  go  home.”

“   this   is   your   ex,   of   course   i’m   sort   of   jealous.   and   i   can   tell   she   doesn’t   like   me.   ”

“i'm  sure  that's  not  true.”  a  crooked  smile  forms  over  daniel's  features,  secretly  a  little  bit  pleased  that  odessa  had  gotten  jealous  over  the  ordeal.  it  was  inevitable  though,  having  to  work  with  his  ex  -  girlfriend  every  day,  so  he  didn't  want  to  goad  her  too  much.  instead,  he  wraps  an  arm  around  her  waist  and  tugs  her  a  little  closer.  “she's  my  ex  for  a  reason,  but  it's  just  professional  between  us.  she's  been  dating  some  new  guy  anyway,  nothing  to  worry  about.”  

while he wasn't completely certain what answer he was looking for from the other, he was almost certain that it wasn't the one she initially gave him. because of this, the man let out an unexpected chortle at the comment before trying to calm the smile pulling at his cheeks. "i mean, that's not what i'd liken you to," he tried, humming after a moment at the femme's counter, trying to think of his own most embarrassing nickname - or perhaps the one most likely to make her laugh in return. "okay, i'll tell you, but you have to promise me it doesn't leave this table, deal?"

her brows raise watching him attempt to quell his reaction. she wasn't all that offended by it anyway — some stupid college nickname that had stuck a little too well. but still, she goads him anyway, picture of innocence and curiosity. “no, you don't think so? wow … it's like my reality has been shattered.” dramatic words followed by a gasp, just before eagerness to hear his response replaces the charade. “scout's promise.” she holds two fingers up. that was how many it was, right?

Had she planned out her confrontation? No. Not really. Work had taken priority over everything else, which would probably be the title of her memoir if she ever had the time to write such a thing. It drove Everett and the best kiss of her entire life away and into a manageable corner. But now there was nothing to occupy her and she needed to sort it out. Fatima wanted to argue about it until it went away. She crossed her arms, gave a short nod, and entered. Still, she didn't move far away from the door just in case. "I apologize for not texting you." For going absolutely radio silent more like. "We kissed and it was... weird.... and we can now move on." Because there didn't need to be more discussion on it, did there? They didn't need to be fixating on a mistake.

his eyes trailed fatima, half part curious and half part worried they'd be running in circles all over again. and of course, as the words leave her lips he realizes the conclusion was bound to be the same. “was it really that weird?” he mumbles. it was a good kiss— a great kiss, by all means. and it hadn't felt awkward until they pulled apart and were faced with reality that night. everett was never the most intuitive, but surely the silence that brewed between them meant that something more was going on, that this wasn't a mistake to brush under the rug. “how can we move on if we haven't even talked about it?” he was always more of the follower between the two, happy to let her take the lead and often appearing the human version of a giant puppy with eyes gleaming in admiration at her. but he doesn't think he can forget what happened so easily like she wants him too.

❝   it's   no   fun   asking   for   it,   let   a   girl   find   her   way   of   getting   it.   ❞   because,   much   like   any   woman,   there   was   will,   but   unlike   most   people,   she   knew   the   right   ones   to   do   that   biding   if   asked.   there   is   no   moon   without   a   pack   of   wolves,   &   oh   does   she   have   many   wrapped   'round   fingers   -   opposite   should   be   considered   lucky   to   not   belong   in   any   of   them   (   for   now   ).   delightful   hum   escapes   brims   after   digesting   snack,   always   pleased   with   sweet   treats,   as   they   were   one   of   the   many   offers   she'd   gotten   for   doing   the   devil's   work,   at   least   those   were   satisfactory.   ❝   hm,   haven't   you   learnt   by   now   that   there's   always   a   person   for   anything   ?   ❞   &   now   it   was   raven's   turn   to   challenge   companion.   how   intoxicating   it   was   to   drown   in   undiscovered   waters,   wondering   what   deep   sea   creatures   where   hiding   under   -   xavier   seemed   to   be   one   of   them;   what   he   could   do,   what   he   could   offer,   what   he   would   accept   as   payment   -   it's   starting   to   brighten   lazy   mind.   ❝   i   don't   have   pets.   ❞   soft   cadence,   if   he   was   bright   enough   her   request   would   be   able   to   be   read   -   if   he   wanted   to   fulfill   it   was   a   different   kind   of   story.   light   irises   watch   as   hands   come   in   contact,   a   small   warmth   creeping   abdomen   when   brims   almost   touched   knuckles   -   oh,   he   was   definitely   not   like   the   others,   who   crawled   &   begged,   humiliated   even,   just   to   have   a   glance   their   way   -   this   was   much   better.   ❝   do   you   know   how   people   treat   gods   ?   it   seems   you're   less   bright   than   anticipated,   oh   well.   ❞

“you've  already  admitted  to  wanting  it,  i  think  the  fun  is  gone.”  he  won't  deny  the  ego  stroking,  for  someone  who  treated  people  as  games  and  chess  pieces  to  want  from  him.  xavier  is  positive  any  other  man  would  be  antsy  right  now—  desperate  to  be  at  her  beck  and  call.  it  makes  this  all  the  more  intriguing.  despite  all  the  power  she  welds,  all  the  luxury  offered,  it's  useless  with  someone  who's  hand  has  long  dipped  in  the  pot  of  gold,  growing  numb  to  what  others  would  marvel  at.  instead  it's  her—  not  the  power,  or  the  status,  but  the  mere  intrigue  of  selenia.  “have  i?  what  you  don't  say  seems  to  be  far  more  interesting  than  what  you  do.”  he  lets  out,  dry  chuckle  escaping  along  with  his  words.  his  intuition  rarely  steers  him  wrong,  and  something  tells  him  she's  hardly  challenged.  that  those  before  him  bowed  down  for  an  inch.  but  he  was  never  just  one  sin—  greed  not  enough  for  him.  pride  holds  him  afloat,  lusts  keeps  him  indulgent.  “you're  looking  at  me  like  you  want  one.”  he  plays  into  her  hand  as  well  as  he  stands  on  his  own.  what's  the  difference  between  a  pet  and  a  follower?  perhaps  it  was  only  her  who  knew.  as  she  calls  herself  a  god,  the  smirk  forms,  unable  to  be  concealed  even  as  lips  graze  against  delicate  knuckles.  his  eyes  peer  up,  and  from  this  position—  he'd  almost  believe  her.  “it's  no  fun.”  same  words  echoed  back  to  her.  “what  you're  offering  ...  it's  useless  to  me.  i  prefer  the  chaos.  much  more—”  eyes  sweep  over  her  features.  “thrilling.”