( outro )

Jaehwan: how can you be so sure?

Jaehwan: then why doesn't anyone like me? I mean, nobody ever has..

inwoo: how do you know that, jaehwan?

inwoo: did you tell all the people you liked that you did?

AN UNIMPRESSED EXPRESSION replaced softness ( though, only for a brief moment ) as, the pastel-haired boy began s h a k i n g  at his head softly — as if to indicate that he didn’t believe words that had been spoken ( but, without starting an argument — even if it would have only been a few disagreements, jeaki tended to STRAY ), without having to speak words. a soft sigh slipped, contentment pushing itself onto features, as the boy took a seat adjacent ( placing the purchased items in free space on the desk — cautious not to  a f f e c t  where any work may be place ) and settled. ‘ i had something on the way, ’ words hummed out, laced with reassurance ( to match the expression on his face ), ‘ you don’t have to ever worry about me — i’m doing a good job at looking after myself, these days. ’ he proceeded to shake his head, again, wanting to drop the topic that involved himself, ‘ so, how is your work going? anything interesting? ’ the boy questioned, as legs tangled ( squeezing to fit on the seat ), considering he ( actually ) has little knowledge on the work inwoo did ( curiosity was  s l i g h t l y  bubbling ).

SHOULDERS BOUNCED LIGHTLY in response, a slight frown now tugging at features ( though, only for  e f f e c t  ) with a sigh escaping, ‘ does there have to be an occasion for me to be nice? ’ his tone highlighted his light-hearted manner ( even if he did mean what he said ), the frown quickly re-shifting back into the familiar smile ( that was constantly plastered on jeaki’s face… at least when he was in the presence of others ), ‘ really, i just wanted to make sure you weren’t overworking yourself.. again. ’ he inputted, demeanour altering, as he took in the appearance of the other, ‘  —— and it looks like you are. ’ the words trailed, quiet ( almost inaudible ), and laced with a hint of sadness — jeaki’s worry ( truly ) sparking. there was a pause, until the pastel-haired male shook his head and re-plastered on the smile, ‘ you’ve GOT to look after yourself, so, eat up… i’m not going to leave until you do. ’

Jaehwan: why are you working so late?

Jaehwan: I just really think I'll end up all alone

Jaehwan: it makes me sad... got me thinking that there must be something wrong with me..

Jaehwan: but I don't know what it is I'm doing wrong or if maybe I'm just all wrong..

inwoo: i'm just finishing up some things, don't worry!

inwoo: hey, where is this coming from?

inwoo: of course you won't end up alone!

The club was dark, strobe lights providing the only source of comfort to Sora as she attempted to push through the sweaty crowd. She felt drowsy and unwell, her brothers face taunting her in the distance. But the closer she got to his hallucination; the more the smell of SMOKE filled her lungs and caused her to cough, she looked around, eyes blurry, trying to understand why an earth NO ONE was choking just like her —why it was only her that felt suffocation. Hands grip the other’s shoulder in unease, the thought of dependency making her fists clench.  “I can’t breathe.”

COFFEE WAS TINGLING AT FINGERTIPS, as jeaki pattered through streets ( headphones blaring, as a distraction ), with the paper cup in his grasp and his chin glued to his chest ( not wanting to share eye contact with strangers ). his direction was planned, each footstep radiating through the floor with determination ( pace  f a s t  and, appearingly, unstoppable ) — a certain person in mind. it was a known fact that jeaki cared ( perhaps, a little bit too much ) and that was why he was doing a regular check-up — though, it wasn’t like the pastel-haired male had room for judgement, considering how much he actually neglects his own needs… something that he is quick to deny and dismiss — approaching their place of work with a  s o f t  smile on is face. ‘  i n w o o , ’ he beamed, presenting the coffee, expression screaming with pride, ‘ i brought you coffee — ’ a pause, as he ruffled in his backpack, ‘  — and something to eat. ’ @jexnwoo

Jaehwan: Are you sleeping?

Jaehwan: I can't sleep...

Jaehwan: Do you think I'm ugly? Please be honest

Jaehwan: maybe I'm not very likable..

inwoo: no, i was at work, it's alright!

inwoo: jaehwan-ah

inwoo: of course not!

HOW DID SHE manage to stay away for so long ? when did she start feeling so pulled to him – when did she start having those type of feelings for him ? she had a good answer to that, she had a pretty god guess, that maybe it had started years ago, when they were both children and had no idea where life would take them. jiyoo managed to keep her feelings dormant for so long, too long. “ you’ve been here all day too. ” she was being redundant – she would be anywhere he was ( how deeper the meaning of that was to her ? ) she was drawn to him, and as her eyes snapped back at him, at were she fought it not to fall on – teeth sinking on her bottom lip, knowing how eager her voice would sound.  “ before ? ”

              Taesuk’s expression brightens considerably at the idea. He was always a BIT of a sucker for other’s taking interest in the things that interested him, so he’s quick to set out the materials previously nestled in the basket he’d brought along with him. “Why not start now, then?” he suggests, eyebrow quirked up playfully as he hands the elder a floral wire, keeping one in his own grasp and starting to form it in a circle. “S’pretty easy, actually. They’re usually easier and more practical to do with fake flowers, but—” he pauses, offering up a shrug in place of a proper explanation. “There’s something stupidly romantic about the idea of using real flowers, you know?” —— As if Kim Taesuk had the slightest clue about anything that had to do with romance. “But first— you just kinda form the wire into a circle,” he explains, lifting up his finished base crown as an example. “Let me know if you need extra wire to fit your head,” he continues on to tease, mischievously thumping the creation currently resting on Inwoo’s hair with a chuckle.

♪ ♫ ♩  —— his fingers s t r u m out a small tune as he sits in front of the entrance to the nearest subway, a soft hum sounding in his throat as he tried to get the tune he wanted JUST right. it was eight in the morning on a tuesday, which was p r i m e  hours for those still heading to work to pass by him; also known as the ‘here’s some money i had in my pocket, now i feel better about myself’ time. while hyunseung would rather have people stand and E N J O Y listening to him before giving money, he couldn’t afford to be picky sometimes. though, judging from the sounds of the people coming back up from the entrance, the trains seemed to be having some problems. wonder how that was going to affect things. [ @anyone! ]

SHE DIDN’T WANT to feed into any false hopes. jiyoo had had her heart battered and scarred enough, still, the dull ache was nothing compared to the fluttering feeling every time she was around him. it was liking wishing for something that would never happen – could never happen again. she wanted him, she craved him –  in silence, in secret. “ i am not that tired, actually. ” words soft spoken as she stared out the window, too afraid her body would betray her again. but like magnets, the simple motion of his body made her move, miroing his body, looking even smaller next to him. “ i should…? ” she wanted to stop sounding so hopeful. “ i mean, i am… i am just… ”