*:･ﾟ so faded

@lvndrlvr​ - Hajun​

There was no better time to take a trip an hour or so away from the city than now, and what better place to stargaze than on a beach? That’s how she hooked Hajun the first time she caught him stargazing years ago, and it simply stuck since then despite all that’d happened the years following. He didn’t even know half of what she was going through at the time, but despite having moved out of her ex-husband’s place, Hajun still kept in touch. She didn’t overlook that.

It’d been a good minute since their last trip together to the beach due to the winter, so with the temperatures rising again, there they both were again, lying on the sand. There was a nice sea breeze in the air as the waves crashed against the shore. Mia was laying on her stomach, hugging a pillow close to her chest, and watching the water glimmer in the moonlight. “Cariño,” she started, turning her head to look at him, “have you ever used Randonautic‪a‬ before?…And why would you?” She asked in a kittenish fashion, already acting like he had with her arched brows rose despite not knowing if he knew what the app even was.

The breeze that caressed their bodies this evening was gentle, salty and fresh. He was so comfortable in the sand’s embrace, his eyes fluttering gently every few minutes as the sound of the waves and the silence of the night soothed his overworked mind to a nice dullness. The occasional yawn escaping his lips, he would stretch his heavy limbs out, fingers digging into the ivory sand. Stargazing at the beach was always something to treasure, and Hajun couldn’t be more thankful about who was sharing this evening with. Mia was a treasured friend, someone he felt he could confide in, she always filled the room with this feeling of tranquility, and for how chaotic things in the city can become, it was more than welcome.

She spoke, her voice pulling Hajun from the unplanned nap he was about to take in the sand. Turning his head to face her, he felt a smile tug at his lips. He always enjoyed when she spoke Spanish. With time he began to learn all the affectionate little pet names she used and he felt especially warm with the one she had chosen just now. “Randonautica?” he thought in silence for a second before shaking his head no. “I feel like I’ve heard of it in passing, but not enough to use it. Why?” his smile growing, “Do you use it?”

Emme had been eyeing the poor soul seating by the bistro’s window for the past… what was it, an hour now? It was a table for two, that’s what had been reserved, and yet only one sat for the the entire time. airing on the side of sympathy, Emme decided to approach gently in their best customer service voice, “Heeeey, how’s it going over here?” They smiled softly, trying to get a good read on the patron, “Were we… still waiting for someone? Or are you wanting to order…?”

@lvndrlvr​

Huffing at the screen in his hand, Mingyu’s shoulders slumped and he couldn’t help the downcast look of disappointment on his face. He had done a pretty good job of keeping it contained, but really at this point, he had no point of trying to hide it. 

He had been sitting at the bistro table for a while now, and honestly, he should have known better. Yet, he kept that glimmer of hope that the person who agreed to meet him for dinner would show up. Better late than never, you know? Yet, the delayed “can’t make it” text only seemed to weigh down the phone in his hand and anger him more than anything else. Another night wasted.

Ready to walk out in annoyance, he was met with the waiter who had showed him to the table he had rooted himself at. They came by often to check on him and honestly, he was a little embarrassed about the whole thing... 

“Uhm, no, I’m sorry,” trying his best to put on a smile, his troubles shouldn’t belong to anyone but himself, “I-it’s just me tonight. I think I'm ready to order now...” might as well eat while he was here. Smothering his disappointment with carbs sounded pretty good right about then.

⋆ ✽ミ ⧽ a closed starter for taeil apollo ; @sunkissies — !

After months of chilling air and cold rain pounding windows all day, it was a relief to see the baby blue sky for once. Puffy white clouds adorning the blue canvas only as accents, a warm gentle breeze passed now and then — spring was finally here and it was time to leave the security of heavy blankets and oppressive layers of winter clothes.

Neither of the two were all that fond of the cold weather, the taller thrived in the warmth of the sun and the smaller seemed unable to retain any type of body heat for all that long. The coming of spring was something to cheer about, and they were going to do it just right. 

Finally able to wear shorts, he donned a pair of short overalls over one of Taeil’s battered band tees he had stolen. Never forgetting his good luck charm, Taeil’s signed guitar pick on a necklace. The pair had eagerly agreed that a walk throughout Central Park would be the best way to spend time together, basking in the embrace of the sun together. They wandered around for a while until settling down together under a massive tree, a basket between them and a paint tarp from Hajun’s garden beneath them. 

۵

“is there anything else you need?” Harley asked. It felt like they were suddenly grocery shopping for the rest of the week, while that hadn’t been his intention whatsoever. He simply wanted to get a snack and head out, and now he has a basket full of food he didn’t ask for, or needed ( but is it good ? Absolutely ). He took out another cup, a chocolate one and put it in Mingyu’s basket. “There you go!” He smiled, having answered the question for him. “I mean, if they’re on sale, why not?” And he put a chocolate one in there for himself too. “I think I’m going to check out, I don’t really have anything else I need.” And otherwise, the cups might melt where they stood, and he definitely doesn’t want to see that happen. That would be another embarrassement for him, and he just happened to have had enough of those in a day already. 

He had only come to the store today to grab a few snacks for the movie marathon he was going to indulge himself in later that night, he grabbed as many spicy chips and sour gummies as he could; the ice cream cups ended up being an added bonus he couldn’t say no to. “You’re right, I might as well at this point.” Mingyu hummed and looked at the freezers once more, “I think I’m good, too.” tilting his head as he ran through the checklist in his head, “I’ll probably grab a chocolate bar at the check out area, but I should probably stop before I get over eager.” Nodding his head with the decision he had come to, he straightened himself and held onto his basket, “Then let’s get out of here before the ice cream melts.”

* ✶

they probably looked quite the pair — total opposites, even. zak couldn’t imagine his gloomy energy looked like it fit in at all next to mingyu’s goofy smile, but then again weren’t opposites supposed to attract and all that ? besides, without taeil and mingyu he’d probably just sit alone in the dark in his shitty apartment all the time smoking and watching reruns of cowboy bebop and eating cheap pizza. so really, it was for the best someone taught him it wouldn’t hurt to fucking smile for once. but he would be taking it to his grave that they didn’t annoy him as much as he made it seem.

“ hm. ” he watched mingyu’s feet shuffle back and forth on the pavement like a hawk, studying it as if he was going to be tested later. pizza … french fries. okay. “ why do i feel like this is a tactic meant to be taught to 4 year olds.” he squinted. then again, a toddler could probably skate laps around him so maybe he shouldn’t be so judgmental. he made a vague attempt to mirror the movements, trying to commit it to memory. “ pizza. french fries. got it. i will endeavor to not french fry when i should have pizza’d and embarrass us in front of the entire rink. ” speaking of, zak held a hand to his forehead as he glanced around the place. of course it was fucking packed. “ although, maybe if i wipe out and take out an entire daisy chain of 3rd graders it will liven the place up a little ”

“That’s because it is.” he chuckled lightly and hopped once more, going back to his original position, but with a little more excitement in his posture. “It’s pretty easy to keep kids focused like that. They’re pretty food motivated. You’re the same.” his grin growing wider, reaching out his index finger to playfully jab Zak’s tummy. He was falling back into his usual annoying pleasant demeanor, the familiar comfort of being around his friend having melted his icy foul mood of earlier.

“It’s not so hard, I promise!” looking out to the bustling ice rink, “You’ll do great, I know it.” his smile paused for a moment, lips sticking out in a confused pout, “I... I’m pretty sure if someone as big as you took out a crowd of third graders it’d be pretty bad.” he tucked the gifted flower gently into his crossbody bag and closed the zipper around it with care. “Don’t be so negative, Zak. We’re gonna have a good time — you can even hold onto me if you want!” his stupid eager grin returning to his face as he leaned into the taller a little, teasing him lightly. “Ya know? Like a date.”

As of late, Hana’s emotions had been all over the place. They scattered into the wind of her own landscape. Drifting away until she was left all alone. So much had been going on in her life, but music had put everything into place. She clutches every single beat, every single note. Makes the artwork to illuminate her soul. It is how she survives the sadness she had been feeling for the last few months. It was only made the better whenever she shared her creations with the people she cared about, specially Taeil and Hajun.

They truly had been her lifeline.

“Being a perfectionist comes with one or two disadvantages.” A roll of her shoulders turned into a shrug before her hands came to hide in the pockets of her coat. With winter almost over, Hana couldn’t wait to stop wearing oversize coats and use her favorite light sweaters. Spring had always been her favorite season so she hopes it comes to renew her spirits. “I don’t doubt my abilities.” She said softly, a grin upon her features because really she doesn’t mean anything by it. “It is just that sometimes things won’t come easily to me as I would want them. It becomes the type of frustration that annoys me the most. But thank you for saying that. It means more than you could ever imagine.” Music isn’t something she does for herself but rather for the people around her. Hana had always wanted to inspire people. Pay forward the inspiration that other artist had invoked in her. It was her way of leaving a mark on the world.

Or so she hopes to leave one behind.

“I love the way you think.”

As they continued their conversation, at some point Hajun had pulled back into his mind a little bit. Something that always fascinated him was the fact that people have their own lives and issues beyond what they displayed on the surface. He often times had trouble reflecting upon on how own actions and emotions would come across to another person. Better said, he realizes it once the damage could have already been done.

Seeing things from a first person perspective constantly made it a bit difficult to pull back and analyze how his words or actions could be perceived. Constantly viewing the world from the eyes of the main character was something rather easy to grow accustomed to. It was not only interesting, but a little melancholic to think that his own life wasn’t that important in the grand scheme of things. Full of sonder, his mind buzzed with curiosity about Hana’s life and upbringing. He wondered what kind’s of paths she had to take to reach this point of her life, to have been comforted by the gentle arms of music.

“You’re welcome,” a small smile took place on his face before he snorted softly, grin growing wider, “I’m glad you like my idea, I’m so excited to listen to you play your song.” He hoped that while he wasn’t as musically inclined as she was, or her roommate, that his encouraging words and positive attitude would at least make this obstacle before her a little easier to tackle.

Taeil is laughing until he feels the sudden pull on his scalp, and he whines as he touches the strand of her that was in the hands of his best friend — a traitor! After pulling his hair so hard like that after an innocent comment. But as usual, the taller one of the two forgives the other without even the need of an apology, he just smiles at Mingyu and shrugs a little. “Like you did to your hair that one time you decided to bleach the ends of it?” He chuckles again and prepares himself to have his hair pulled again, a situation he’d only ever enjoy if the hands pulling the blond strands belonged to his beloved boyfriend. But then he stays silent, still, letting his best friend finish what he’s been doing and saying before he can comment on his ideas for their future concert.

“I like how that sounds,” he finally says with a small smile on his lips, eyes closed and body relaxed as he feels the cold substance be applied to his hair, already waiting for it to start to irritate his skin and make him want to pull his hair out. “It’s a very good idea, Min! Do you think we could write something new together? I really like the idea of soft vocals, maybe the only thing playing with the initial lyrics are the drums and we slowly add the strings, and then in the end— SCREAMS! That’d sounds pretty cool in my opinion, I can already see us performing that.” The smile on his lips widen, and he looks at the vocalist of their band through the mirror in front of them. “We should start working on that as soon as we’re done with my hair, what do you think?”

Mingyu’s eyes narrowed as he watched his friend whine and reach back to relieve his scalp from the tight pull he was giving it. He held onto the strands just a little longer, hoping to make his point to Taeil. The two have had a pretty violent history since their school days, yet it was rare that he would resort to that kind of action now in their twenties. If he ever did, it was to make sure Taeil understood he was crossing a very thin line, no matter how stupid it may actually be. “Shut up.” grabbing more hair this time and pulling back with force. Sometimes he liked watching Taeil come off his high horse, his head was so far up in the clouds sometimes, he was just being a good friend by keeping him grounded.

in his excitement he momentarily forgot that Mingyu was still tailing him behind, probably just to be sure. Harley doesn’t mind though, it’s nice to have a little of a shopping partner, for he usually does them on his lonesome after work. Although he’s feeling guilty for the guy tagging along, he’s happy he does, many don’t stick around after helping him. A chuckle left his lips as Mingyu mentioned the water, looking over to him before leaning over to the cooling cell to have a look what kind of flabours there are. “Happens to me a lot too. Water is kind of dangerous.” He said in a humorous tone and opening the cooling to take one out ; caramel. “This one is my favourite,” He held it up to the other before putting it in his basket. Then he took out the strawberry one and handed it to him with a big smile. “Here you go. Strawberry probably goes well with the chocolate one!”

Mingyu took advantage of Harley’s gaze being focused on the different flavors to wince at his own stupidity to say he choked on water from time to time. Even if the other didn’t make such a big deal of it, he felt incredibly moronic for even letting the thought go beyond his own inner voice. “Yeah, kind of.” giving a weak chuckle and shaking his head at himself for even continuing. The chill of the freezer invaded the space before him and he instinctively held himself tightly to retain warmth, looking at the package of caramel ice cream cups, “Ooh, that looks really good actually.” His smile grew wide and genuine when Harley presented the strawberry cups, grabbing them excitedly and placing them into his basket, “Thank you! You’re probably right...” he took a look at his items and then pursed his lips, “Do you think I should splurge on the chocolate ones, too?”

Levi managed to flag down the barista, who was more than willing to assist them. As they waited, Levi released what he said about seeing him at the cafe might have crossed a line. He wasn’t a creep that watched people. He was just very observant. The other didn’t seem too bothered by it. Levi shook his head. “I’m not a doctor. Just a nurse. I work in ER.” He  wouldn’t be able to handle the extra schooling that came with being a doctor. Nursing school stressed him enough. He couldn’t imagine an extra seven years. Levi’s eyes glanced over to check if their new drinks were ready. “Huh? No. I’m in no rush at all.” His focus went back to Hajun. “My shift doesn’t start for another hour or so. And I’m honestly in no rush to get there. I was called on my day off. So you can imagine that I’m in no hurry at all.” As much as he loved his job, there were times that Levi wasn’t basically living at the hospital. “I don’t mind a delay today.”

As the barista made their way to them, Hajun bit his lip and regrettably asked them to make the same tooth-rotting drink that Levi had spit out only moments ago. He was a little preoccupied with making sure the other hadn’t heard him, not really thinking about how his previous remark could have come across as bizarre or even creepy. “ER...,” he mumbled to himself, mind jumping to the nights he used to walk in on his mother watching those dramatic hospital soaps. Undoubtedly cringe-inducing, he couldn’t believe she dedicated her time to things like that, he wondered if Levi ever watched those shows and if they helped him choose his career path... “Even if you’re not a doctor, being a nurse is just as hard. I remember the nursing program at my school was incredibly competitive. I could’ve never done that.” His lips tipped bemusedly at hearing the other, “Seriously? That’s terrible... I’m sorry they called you in, but I guess that’s kind of a good thing? That you’re reliable.” tilting his head in thought as he watched the baristas moved around the counter with such speed and ease.

“it’s  very  lovely  to  meet  you,  mr.  sun.”  rosie  greeted  politely,  sitting  more  upright  now  as  she  ponders  his  question.  “well,  despite  the  money,  as  you  may  know  -  it  has  not  been  easy.  for  restaurants,  there’s  all  sorts  of  things  to  consider.  particularly,  location  and  resources,  first  of  all.”  she  counts  on  her  fingers,  though  there’s  probably  more  she’s  still  missing.  again,  she  was  no  expert  at  it,  and  was  still  learning  a  few  more  things  herself.  “location’s  very  important,  especially  if  your  business  aims  to  target  a  certain  market.  in  my  case,  LA  was  a  no-brainer  in  opening  up  a  fusion  restaurant.”  hers,  at  first,  had  to  conform  to  those  tiny  little  servings  that  filled  no  one’s  stomach,  because  that  was  the  niche  in  LA.  but  that  dramatically  changed  overtime.  “resources  is  next,  which  is  essentially  anything  that  your  business  may  physically  need.  having  connections  related  to  these  is  a  great  advantage.  but  showing  passion  and  real  data  go  hand  in  hand,  and  should  help  you  find  a  worthy  source,  if  you  have  a  lack  of  connections  thereof.”  that  had  been  easy  for  her,  at  least,  since  her  sister  victoria  practically  ran  a  fresh  farm.  it  was  mostly  the  fact  that  she  was  a  british  nobody  at  that  time  that  made  the  start  of  the  restaurant  hard  to  come  through  with.

Seeing how her demeanor had changed sent a wave of relief over Hajun, he straightened his posture, more than eager to lend an attentive ear to the wisdom he was about to receive from the established business woman. He felt a little hopeful that with her guidance he would be a step closer to seeing his own wishes come true.

“Likewise, Miss Leong.” bowing his head subtly. While having had taken notes during the more formal event, he chose rather than to jot down everything she was saying, to instead just sit there and listen. He was well aware that a restaurant was very different than his dream of opening up his own plant shop... or gardening store... flower shop? He was still working out the kinks in his plans. However, while their objectives and goods may not be similar, the road to reach that end goal was paved the same. “Location and resources, okay... those two do seem fairly key in this.” The brunet pressed his lips together, looking around for a moment as he hesitated on the question he wanted to ask Rosalie. “Uhm,” clearing his throat quickly, “Let’s say you have your location and resources established, how important would you say that a support net would be?” He felt a little awkward asking this, but it was the one thing that honestly weighed on him the most. “In terms of people supporting you and your endeavors?” If he was really truly honest, he had about three people who cheered him on, but at times it didn’t feel like three was enough compared to the negativity his family threw and that of his own self doubts.

she  was  just  about  to  walk  down  the  hallway  leaving  to  mingyu’s  apartment  when  her  phone  rang.  just  as  she  played  the  audio  message  from  mingyu,  she  heard  a  door  open  down  the  hall,  revealing  her  friend  with  towels  in  hand.  “hey,  you  -  no  need  for  that.”  prim  greeted  him  with  a  bright  laugh,  now  having  heard  her  friend’s  voice  message  as  she  goes  down  the  hallway.  “it  wasn’t  so  bad  out  there,  but  i  still  hate  it,  though.”  she  visibly  shivered  with  repulsion.  rain.  hate  it.  thunder?  even  more.  “let’s  go  in  and  keep  warm  in  your  super  cool  apartment,  yeah  ?”

He hadn’t anticipated running into Prim in the hallway at all, but it wasn’t something he had an issue with at all. He beamed at her, tucking the folded towels under his arm as he nodded eagerly, “Whoa, you beat me to it.” Walking back to the door that had just shut seconds ago. “Are you sure? It looks pretty rough out there...” he turned the knob and held the door open for his friend, excited to finally spend time with her after a long period of isolation with the unpleasant weather. “I was making some food, but I don’t know if you’d want something warm to drink? I can make you tea or coffee? Hot chocolate?”

Even though she had said it wasn’t so bad, Mingyu still wanted to make sure she would be comfortable and warm in his home. He was often told by his bandmates that he was rather clingy and doting, sometimes to the point of being too motherly. He hoped Prim didn’t think that way of him, but he would feel pretty awful if she managed to catch a cold after making her way to see him — even if she deemed it “wasn’t so bad”.