constellations.

@ityasaarii

There was no doubt that Chloe’s heart had practically leapt out of her chest when Lina had asked her out to dinner. She’d been quietly waiting for it for a while, hoping that the other girl would ask her out. Sometimes, Chloe thought that Lina wasn’t interested, or that maybe she was trying to keep a distance because she was afraid of forming a relationship with her. Other times, she thought that maybe Lina was just a bit shy about the whole thing. Then again, Chloe wasn’t much better, really- every time she thought she had gotten up the nerve to ask Lina out, she backed down at the last second and “We should go on a date to the movies” turned into and awkward “Should we go see a movie? Or, like, we don’t have to. It’s fine.” It didn’t matter how much they had done together already, Chloe still wasn’t used to this, and she was still worried about messing up whatever it was that they had currently- somewhere between friends and more than friends? but maybe not quite dating? Ah, she didn’t know.

But tonight, she knew what she wanted it to be. She wanted it to be eating dinner in soft lighting, and holding hands as the snow fell on them both, and stealing a kiss in a parked car, not wanting to be apart just yet. She wanted Lina to know that she wanted her, that even amidst awkward moments and shy silences, she thought Lina was breathtaking, incredible, beautiful. It didn’t matter that they spent part of dinner tripping over words and blushing in embarrassment over stupid things. Hell, she hardly even noticed when a bit of wine splashed onto the table and soaked the edges of her white, linen, gloves (which she promptly took off despite her usual concerns). She was having fun with the conversation. She was having fun holding her fork out so Lina could try her food when she asked if it was good. And she was having fun letting her foot brush against Lina’s leg under the table- accidentally the first time, then intentionally the two times after that. it didn’t matter if things were going perfectly or not- what mattered is that she was spending the evening with someone she adored, someone whose smile lit up the whole room, and whose laugh was sweeter and richer than the decadent slice of chocolate cake they shared for dessert. 

Tonight, she did. All longing that lingered for as long as hers had was bound to break at some point. If she wasn’t careful, the flood gates would open. But how could she be careful when Chloe was being more open with her than she ever been before. In the few intimate moments that had shared in the years they’d known each other, she learnt small, beautiful truths about Chloe. But never had they felt so assured. Lina let her smile grow as she leaned over to take a bite of food straight from Chloe’s fork, her eyes never leaving Chloe’s. Small truths. Tiny admissions. “Please be careful,” Lina said, licking her lips, “I might have to come over there and finish all your food.”

When Chloe’s hand reached out to her, Lina found her gaze dropping to it. She’d been looking at Chloe all night and only this had managed to divert her attention enough. She took her hand in return without so much as a falter, casting caution to the wind. Chloe’s hand was warm, so warm and soft. Without thinking, Lina ran her thumb along the skin of Chloe’s hand ever so gently. If she could keep doing this, not letting go, looking back up at the other in silent question.

Chloe’s answer was more than Lina had hoped for. She’d barely acknowledged to herself that she had been hoping for the night to continue, but now that it was there, the offer right in front of her, she’d be lying if she said she’d hadn’t considered it. A thousand thoughts rushed through her mind at once, some far more vivid than they had any right to be. Was she blushing? Gods, she hoped it wasn’t too obvious if she was. Despite the sudden slight embarrassment, Lina kept looking at Chloe. She smiled.

“It’s Valentine’s day. I want to spend the day with you. The whole day. And since we’ve only had this evening so far, I’d like to make up some time.” 

When they’d paid, splitting the bill of course because Lina was nothing if not instant on fairness, she stood up to leave, swinging her long coat around her shoulders before slipping her arms through. As soon as she had, she made sure Chloe was ready to go, then laced their fingers together again without a word. It would be cold outside.

sent by ( @lxtent ) // ( @ityasaarii )

It has been a while since Iseul last put his phone on silent mode. Now that he was part of the fire department team, he could be called and should be ready to answer the call at any time. Even on his days off, like tonight, when he was at home, he made sure to always have his phone around. One never knows when an emergency may come in. So when his phone rang and woke him up from his sleep, he was quick to answer the call with a sleepy ‘this is Kang Iseul speaking’. However, the voice on the other side of the line was not like his chief’s.

“Haeseul?” Sleepiness gave place to surprise and surprise then gave place to concern. He checked the time on his watch by the nightstand, rubbing his eyes with his free hand. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?” A favor? Iseul knitted his brows together. Jumping out of bed and getting his stuff, the demigod started to make his way to the door. “What is it?”

When he stepped outside, right after he dodged an incoming neighbour, Iseul remembered why he slept with a pile of blankets on top of him. Though it is beyond me how he forgot it was winter, he kept the phone close to his ear and started making his way towards Haeseul’s place. Perhaps he should’ve brought his coat with him but he was not going back home now.

“Haeseul? Are you still there? Is everything alright?” The demigod of Demeter knitted his brows together, confused and yet suspicious. He was starting to wonder if something else was happening at her place that she didn’t want to tell him about. The amount of time she took to answer his question, a simple one for all that mattered, worried him. And when Iseul is worried he tends to quicken his pace. When her voice was heard, however, instead of easing down his concerns, it did the opposite. He didn’t like the sound of it.

“I’m almost there.” He said curtly. They could call someone else after Iseul got there, but until then he’d like to know what the problem was. Perhaps it was an easy solving one and Haeseul would’ve no need to call someone and spend money on something that didn’t need spending. “Come downstairs and I’ll meet you there. But bring a jacket with you. It’s cold outside.”

Standing there in her cardigan, fingers curled into the fabric to avoid the chill of the night air, Haeseul felt absurdly like laughing at herself. Trust her to make a mountain out of a molehill as always. And now Iseul was climbing that mountain on her request.

At least it would seem trivial to him in the end. Though perhaps that would end up being for the worst.

She should have bought a coat with her. At that though, she did give a laugh. “Sorry,” she said quickly down the phone, only just remembering that he was still on the end of the call. “I just... I forgot the jacket. But I think I can see you up ahead.”

Indeed she could. Even in the dark, she could recognise his silhouette. She dropped her phone to her side, ending the call as she did so. He was about to receive an over abundance of thanks and apologies. But first, as dark as her apartment was, all she wanted was to be back in it’s warmth.

sent by ( @lxtent ) // ( @ityasaarii )

It has been a while since Iseul last put his phone on silent mode. Now that he was part of the fire department team, he could be called and should be ready to answer the call at any time. Even on his days off, like tonight, when he was at home, he made sure to always have his phone around. One never knows when an emergency may come in. So when his phone rang and woke him up from his sleep, he was quick to answer the call with a sleepy ‘this is Kang Iseul speaking’. However, the voice on the other side of the line was not like his chief’s.

“Haeseul?” Sleepiness gave place to surprise and surprise then gave place to concern. He checked the time on his watch by the nightstand, rubbing his eyes with his free hand. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?” A favor? Iseul knitted his brows together. Jumping out of bed and getting his stuff, the demigod started to make his way to the door. “What is it?”

Already reaching out for the door, the son of Demeter stopped in his tracks for a second. For someone who claimed to be okay, Haeseul did not sound like she was okay. She sounded…scared? Iseul could not be sure. Among the many flaws that he had, here it was another one to add to the pile: he could not read people. Scratch that. He was bad at reading people. Sometimes he was lucky.

He relaxed a little when she explained that the power went out in her apartment. What he couldn’t seem to wrap his head around was why was she calling him out of all people? She should be calling an electrician, or someone from the mayor’s office, especially if her street was dark. But he was glad that she called him. He was glad that she was well; as well as someone can be after the power went out for half an hour.

“I’m on my way.” He put his shoes one and checked for his keys and wallet. Haru was still at his mum’s place, so he’d explain it to him later. Iseul agreed to go over to her place and check on her, so there was no more reason to keep the call going. As he was about to hang up, he hesitated.

Keeping the phone close to his ear, Iseul rushed down the stairs, almost crashing against one of his neighbors. He mouthed a quick ‘sorry’ before taking advantage of the open door and getting out into the cold. “Did, uh, call someone else already?”

Perhaps she should have someone else to call.

It occurred to her only now, her phone still gripped tightly to her ear, that she really didn’t have many people she could reach out to. No one who would answer at an ungodly hour and ask if she was alright. No one she felt she could burden with a seemingly innocuous little problem.

No one except Iseul apparently. The thought was rather sobering. Haeseul sat up straighter, eyes gazing out to the starless skies blanketing Seoul. If the moon were there, she wouldn’t have been so hasty.

But Iseul... he agreed to come. “I, um... if it’s too much trouble, please don’t worry about it,” she said, tripping over her words in a fashion most unlike her, “I haven’t called anyone else-” Who would I call? “Since it’s so late, I didn’t think anyone would answer. I can wait until morning if the power is still out.” Haeseul stood up, pulling her biggest cardigan around her shoulder with one hand, the slipping into it, one arm at a time. “I can come downstairs, wait for you. That’s the least I can do. This is all a bit...”

♡*。 𝖆𝖛𝖆𝖙𝖆𝖗𝖘

sent by ( @lxtent ) // ( @ityasaarii )

It has been a while since Iseul last put his phone on silent mode. Now that he was part of the fire department team, he could be called and should be ready to answer the call at any time. Even on his days off, like tonight, when he was at home, he made sure to always have his phone around. One never knows when an emergency may come in. So when his phone rang and woke him up from his sleep, he was quick to answer the call with a sleepy ‘this is Kang Iseul speaking’. However, the voice on the other side of the line was not like his chief’s.

"Haeseul?” Sleepiness gave place to surprise and surprise then gave place to concern. He checked the time on his watch by the nightstand, rubbing his eyes with his free hand. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?” A favor? Iseul knitted his brows together. Jumping out of bed and getting his stuff, the demigod started to make his way to the door. “What is it?”

@ityasaarii // @lxtent

“Alright, don’t go making promises you intend to keep,” she whispered, giving in vehemently and kissing him fully, deeply on the lips. She could do this all day. All night, even. Perhaps she would. Nayoung doubted she’d hear any complaints. ‘Cheeseball.’ That one she sent down the little red thread that she reserved only for Hyuk. The link to him had grown so much brighter and stronger over the past few months. She had a feeling she could call him a cheeseball from just about anywhere and he still hear her voice in his mind.

In fact, she wondered whether it might be even easier now when in his own mind. Nayoung could never forget the garden he kept for her there. As little as she liked to ask the venture inside his mind with him, sometimes she silently wished for the refuge of it. For now though, his lap was more than enough refuge. She was anchored to it in fact.