𝖕𝖆𝖗𝖆𝖉𝖎𝖘𝖊

JULIA.

she peers over the contents littering his table and scrunches her nose. “looks kind of boring.” she mutters with a small laugh. corporate stuff and all the hidden work that comes with maintaining and being a part of a business appears all in a linear fashion to the young student. it comes as no surprise to most people that she just enjoys sticking to the creative side of things and not ever on the analytical part. she can spend hours on end turning a piece of paper or some scrap of fabric into something beautiful but as soon as logistics enter the picture, she will be gone quicker than a flash of light. after all, she stands by the belief that there are people for these things.

“i’m doing good. busy as always and trying to find new styles to explore.” pausing, she mulls over a thought before she continues. “i don’t want people to get bored when they look at the stuff i post online even though it gets tiring trying to learn a new thing.” after all, she has already found her representative way of doing and showcasing her art. she supposes there’s some fun and enjoyment in the discipline of discovery so that’s something that can placate her for now. who knows what sort of motivational spiel she would give herself again in a few weeks time when she’s close to tears in her struggle of refusing to be seen as boring. 

her pride swells at jaebeom’s compliment, thanking her lucky stars that she is working with people who are considerate, if not multi-dimensional in the way that they appreciate things. she had seen his work and knows that it is nothing quite like what she brings to the table ( literally ). it comforts her knowing that despite this difference, he never asks her to tweak her creations into one that would fit his. instead, he looks at them with the kind of approval that a young creative like her would feed off of from years to come. “yeah, i figured it would be nice to make something that’s simple enough for first timers but one that would come out nicely and encourage them to come back and ask for more.” she laughs. “you can also tweak it however you like, i don’t quite mind.”

jaebum inhales sharply, nodding his head. “definitely.” he says with a chuckle. he’s grateful that his business is somewhat of an undercover one. jaebum doesn’t even want to imagine the crap his grandparents go through with keeping the restaurant afloat. jaebum fiddles with the spine of a beaten up notebook, he looks to julia and gives her a smile. “i’ll be hiring an . . . accomplice of sorts next.” he murmurs. “this,” he gestures to the papers, the pens, the phone and the hidden logistics. “is a little too much for this at times.” he points to his temple before letting his hands fall to his sides, and they find their way into the pockets of his jeans. jaebum nods, listening to the younger female intently. it really was nice hearing someone speak about art so passionately. it definitely removed any concerns jaebum had regarding working with her. not that he had any to begin with though. “that’s good,” he hums with another nod of his head. “you’re making an effort to grow and learn. step one in becoming a better artist.” jaebum explains, an attempt of a subtle compliment. “well, maybe not step one, but . . .” jaebum mutters with a shrug.

art in the form of putting paper to pen, just for the sake of it, had never been jaebum’s thing. only in later years had jaebum found solace in drawn art, giving him the reason to pursue tattooing seriously. but still, there were things jaebum couldn’t fathom creating and seeing julia’s work was refreshing, a total polar opposite to his. perhaps his creative roots beyond tattooing allowed him to appreciate art in all forms, alike his and not. “i think it’ll do just that,” jaebum says with a smile, wrapping his arms around his torso loosely. “oh. believe me, the tattoo bug is caught very, very easily. example,” he says, raising both of his arms. ink trails his arms, hands and fingers; bare skin inbetween. some by other local artists, other’s his own doing. 

TAEYONG.

taeyong doesn’t remember the last time he’s seen his own parents in person. he’s seen the occasional glimpse of them during infrequent facetime calls — most of their contact now is limited to regular phone calls, though. he does miss them, in a strange, disconnected kind of way, but he’s not really looking to contact them. unfortunate, some might say, but taeyong thinks he has all that wants in seoul.

besides, he has family here in korea, too — jaebum being one of those cousins that he sees more as a sibling more than anything.

he remembers his childhood pretty fondly, and he can thank jaebum for much of it. the excitement of getting to see him every summer, then getting to see him virtually all the time after he moved to korea to pursue being an idol. he’s thankful, eternally grateful that he has him here — a lot has changed, and they’ve both through big changes in their own individual lives. taeyong just likes talking with jaebum, it makes him feel comfortable, at home even.

“comeback prep is the same old thing, you know — it’s hard work, but it feels pretty rewarding in the end. i’m really enjoying myself, in all honesty, despite how much i have to work.” taeyong himself takes a quick sip out of his water — he’s gotten into the habit of drinking with water, just so his body doesn’t feel too unstable, “thanks for hanging out with me, honestly! i don’t get to see anyone other than people at sphere much, so i feel you on that one hundred percent.” he relaxes in his chair, sighing deeply. “what about you? how’ve you been doing?”

the subject of idol life is something that entwines itself into jaebum’s conversations these days. an idol for a cousin. an idol for a friend. an idol for a girlfriend. and not that there was anything wrong with that, it was just far from jaebum’s reality. but still something he found himself drawn to, purely out of the desire to support those he held close. “that’s good to hear.” he says with a soft smile. “as long as you’re enjoying yourself, and not working yourself too hard, of course.” jaebum adds with another swing from the bottle of beer. he knows all too well about the long, arduous hours an idol has to work, all in efforts to pursue their dream. it was commendable, actually. not a lot of people had the drive, jaebum surely didn’t.

his smile widens. he gives the other male a small shrug. “hey, don’t you go thanking me. thank you for hanging out with me.” for the most part, it was quite the effort for jaebum to socialise, or at least attempt it. he had become quite well acquainted with the four walls of his studio of late. taeyong makes jaebum think a little though; it must be difficult not seeing anyone beyond your group or those associated with your company. just what was one to do when they wanted to see their friends and family? forget significant others.

YEONJUN.

a part of him was worried whether or not the older would want to hear about his problems. generally, yeonjun wouldn’t really go to anyone besides maybe soobin about even small little issues. and even then he felt like he was making someoen uncomfortable talking about how much his older brother sucked. so going to another person about… relationship problems? especially with such a long history tied to it? it was definitely something yeonjun was unsure if he was comfortable with. 

but jaebeom gives him a smile and leans on the table, looking as if he was waiting for him to get on with it. it was just a little action, but it already meant a lot to him knowing that the other was willing to listen to him go off. “sure,” he answers with a little laugh. “maybe after i tell my situation, though. but feel free to get a drink before me. you’re probably gonna need it.” he says that jokingly, of course. but, with how yeonjun always gets himself into dumb situations, he wouldn’t be surprised if the other was feeling secondhand stress from him. nonetheless, he makes himself comfortable and clears his throat to start. 

“so, there’s this…” he pauses as he realizes that he… has technically never came out to jaebum before. come to think of it: there weren’t many people that knew about his sexuality. so, rather than wanting to make it a big deal now, he decides to use another word. “…person that i’ve known since like… high school? we were super close back then. so close that we like… almost became a thing? but… i fucked it up and they were essentially the one that got away. but we reconnected not too long ago, and we were just becoming friends again. and like, i thought at this point, i only considered them a friend. but then they kissed me while we were drunk, i kissed back, but then pushed them away because i… didn’t mean to?” he pauses. “and then i felt bad for pushing away because i liked the kiss. but like i said, i thought i was over this person. that i’ve been over them. but…” he sighs the stress out and shrugs. “i don’t know. i don’t know what to do. i’m so confused.” 

jaebum hadn’t always been an advice giver. in the past, he was usually the one being given the advice, to which he never really listened to. didn’t make him any worse of a person. perhaps not a better one, either. he shakes his head. “if you’re holding out, then i guess i will too. a drink can wait.” it was probably best that jaebum didn’t attempt to wash away yeonjun’s concerns with a bottle of soju. if the younger male wanted legitimate advice, a clear headed, sober jaebum was probably the best one to ask. not the other guy. he wonders just what yeonjun is going to tell him. knowing him, it could be something really trivial . . . or he could end up surprising jaebum, and tell him something really genuinely serious. and for some reason, jaebum has a feeling it might be the latter. after all, yeonjun had sought out jaebum’s council. 

his hands lace together, his shoulders relax and yeonjun begins his spiel. jaebum tries to paint an image in his head, or at least put the pieces of the puzzle together. it isn’t quite clear at first, but jaebum can sympathize at least a little bit. the one that got away. a thing that almost became something. a drunken kiss. sounds all too familiar to jaebum, he’s sure he’s been here before. or at least he’s played out a version before. he looks at yeonjun carefully, giving the younger male a half smile. jaebum rubs at his chin, the slightest bit of a stubble grazing his calloused fingertips.

CHANYEOL.

@rkjaebeom

he hadn’t intended to attend the picnic event being held at the park, but his sense of adventure never fails to lead him on paths he’d never planned on, which is why he’s never been keen on making plans ahead of time in the first place. it’s the music that calls out to him first, and when he follows that, his eyes are drawn to the lanterns lit up around the park, and the various booths and events set up all over the place. he couldn’t not go check it out, could he? it’s almost serendipitous, the way he’s managed to stumble across the event on the weekend, when they’re let out earlier than usual from training, and who is he to tempt fate?

he makes his way through the park, allowing his nose to guide his wallet, buying whatever food his stomach seemed to crave, and it was a lot of food, promises to work it all off tomorrow at training murmured between each bite. he’s about to make his way to what seems to be a performance somewhere in the distance when he spots a vaguely familiar face not too far away. it takes him a few moments to remember a name, but when he does, a smile immediately appears on his face and he’s waving to catch the guy’s attention, jogging toward him.

“jaebeom!” he calls out. he doesn’t know him all that well, to be honest, and it’s been quite some time since they’d seen each other last, but an acquaintance is still a friend in his eyes, so greetings are in order. “long time no see, man! what have you been up to?”

jaebum isn’t really one for large social gatherings, festivals or anything of the sort. well, perhaps in the past. but jaebum’s a changed man, through and through. or at least he claims to be. to his surprise though, he’s managed to force himself out of his comfort zone for once, that zone being the den of his studio where he’s usually couped up working on music or working on new tattoo ideas. he’s here without any reason, he doesn’t know anyone and has no idea as to what’s going on. to jaebum, that sounded like a slight recipe for disaster, but maybe that would prove to work out for him. he walks around the festival, somewhat reserved, hands either tucked in the pockets of his jeans, or arms crossed firmly across his billowy t-shirt clad chest.

although walking around the festival and taking in the sights was probably the way to go about his day, jaebum found himself comfortably standing off to the side, watching people walk around and enjoy the festival. people watching. he found himself doing this in the city too, usually from a cafe or shop front, a bus stop too sometimes. the back streets where his grandparent’s chicken restaurant sat was also a prime people watching location. although the backstreets and dreary cityscapes lack the vibrancy and energy of today’s festival. he feeds of the energy, it fuels his creativity, gives him ideas and gives him a chance to mull over thoughts couped up in his head.

jaebum, lost in thought, swears he hears his name. his brows furrow. jaebum . . . it was a fairly common name, it probably wasn’t him. no, but what if it was? his arms fall to his side as he looks around him, only to spot a rather tall, broad young man approaching him. jaebum squints, his eye twitches. wait a second . . . was that . . . chanyeol? it totally was.

HYUNA.

it wasn’t often when hyuna got to experience this. such a pleasant sense of content washes over her in constants waves, she couldn’t even think of any other word to use but love. it was love what was in the air, linked with the faint scent of smoke from jaebum’s cigarettes. she could see the cats sleeping around the bed with them. this felt like home, a place she never wanted to leave.

there is a small sigh that leaves the idol once jaebum presses a kiss to her head, followed by a gentle snuggle into his embrace. however, the quiet moment is quickly disturbed by the vibration of a phone and she can’t help but pout. there were many questions that popped in her head once he threw the phone. wasn’t he happy he was always busy? people were appreciating his art. his way of expressing them.

however, hyuna pushes those thoughts away pushing herself up on her elbows and looking down at jaebum with a slight tilt of her head. she leans in, pressing a kiss to his forehead, nose, finally her lips lingering on his. “you are, right here, right now.” she teases, grin pulling on her features and her eyes practically sparkling. “they can wait till tomorrow. you’re booked with me now.” she teases, smile reaching her eyes and turning them into crescents.

“when will you actually tattoo me?“ the questions comes out before hyuna can process it, however, she doesn’t regret it. if she was allowed, she would let jaebum tattoo every single inch of her skin.

jaebum hangs onto every little moment he shares with hyuna these days. every word spoken, every touch, every kiss; it’s like he’s afraid she’ll disappear into thin air. far, far away from him. he’ll never vocalize his fears or his insecurities. instead he’ll treasure every moment he spends with her, like it’s his last. hyuna breaks jaebum away from the thrall of his thoughts, pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead before her lips brush against his. jaebum sighs, craning his neck back to admire her. “i know, i know.” jaebum hums with a nod. he runs a thumb along her cheek before brushing a piece of her hair back from her face. god, he loved her.

a smile pulls at jaebum’s lips. “that i am, for as long as you’ll have me.” he leans in, pressing a kiss to hyuna’s nose. moments like these he treasured. these were the moments he hung onto when she couldn’t be with him. and although the sex was mind blowing, jaebum wanted nothing more than to hold his girl. he expects himself to settle and return to wherever he was before the booking request. somewhere quiet, where he was at peace. jaebum shifts a little, attempting to get comfortable again; arm tucked beneath his head, the other resting on the small of hyuna’s back. suddenly he’s taken back by his girlfriend’s out of the blue query.

OPEN EVENT ☪ RKCOLLAB, ft. @rkjongin​ ⇢ home is far away . . . epik high, ft. ohhyuk

jaebum couldn’t remember the last time he collaborated with someone on music. he had a hunch it was sometime amidst his time as a front man of the band he parted ways with earlier this year. but even then, jaebum couldn’t remember any songs, nor the names or faces of people he had worked with. somewhat shameful, but he did the best he could to block out that portion of his life. he wasn’t much of a social butterfly either anymore, that didn’t help. but when approached with a collaboration opportunity from a good friend of his, something tells him to take it. jaebum hadn’t totally abandoned music. his time was just occupied by work, both legal and somewhat illegal. he missed music; making it, playing it. singing, rapping . . . just music in general. 

jongin has a substantial following. most people know him to be a dancer, but jaebum thought he was a rather talented vocalist. he had potential. jaebum happily obliges to the collaboration, he’s almost pleased to be taking part. the song that is forward isn’t awful. good pacing, although there was some pressure on jaebum given how rap heavy it was. if that alone wasn’t stressful enough, he also found himself on guitar. beaten up, very well loved, many a songs written, re-written and forgotten. there’s a feeling of comfort, security and somewhat of nostalgia with his guitar in hand again. learning the song had been easy, memorizing the lyrics hadn’t. jaebum must of listened to the song around three hundred times by now. if only reading off of a sheet of paper were easy.

DONGYOUNG.

Having close friends was something that Dongyoung dreamed about when he was younger and freshly moved to Seoul. Thankfully at the years that followed he met many people, but only a few were able to be categorised as close. Spending time with them was precious for the boy. One of his favourite hyungs was Jaebum, he was pretty chill and wise, Dongyoung loved spending time together. Music was their common passion and having something like that to share, was the hardcore base of their friendship.

As they were touring Jaebum’s property, the younger boy couldn’t help but smile, as soon as the lights goes on in the studio. “Woah. I love the atmosphere here, hyung.” He moved past the other one and let himself in the room. His eyes looking around curiously. at all the pictures and objects covering the walls. “There are so many stuff in here, makes me feel cozy, honestly.” Tattoos, were another kind of art that Dongyoung admired from a far and in which Jaebum was good at, after all he did it as a side job. The younger boy was very impressed, looking at the models exposed upon the walls and around him.

He hums lowly, before looking back at the older boy. “Can I try the couch, it looks pretty comfy… and it is.” He says already taking a seat and leaning back chuckling. “Hyung, I gotta say I’m impressed. How many hours do you spend here?”

jaebum stands in the doorway awkwardly, feeling exposed in a sense. he leans against the door frame, gauging dongyoung’s reaction to his tattoo space. he’s surprised when dongyoung gives him a compliment, he doesn’t know how to respond. he rubs his neck before bowing his head a little. “ah, thank you.” he murmurs. jaebum isn’t entirely sure if he agrees with the statement that this space is cozy, some would describe it as chaotic, overwhelming. it was even a little much for jaebum who’s own apartment was uncomfortably minimalist. but people liked to look at things. it started conversations, acted as a distraction. so maybe the chaos was cozy. 

he murmurs another thank you under his breath. dongyoung then asks him if he can try out the couch. jaebum gestures towards the couch as if he was saying be my guest. he watches as the younger male approaches, taking a seat. jaebum laughs, shaking his head. he hadn’t thought much about the interior design of the whole place much. it was just . . . him. the space thought out the most was probably his music studio which was heavy on equipment. that and it definitely housed the comfiest couch of the entire apartment. but dongyoung didn’t need to know that.

YEONJUN.

while he waits for the boy to come over and accompany him tonight as he thinks over his life choices, he takes in the atmosphere of the chicken restaurant. though business was bustling and everyone was busy, he didn’t mind it. there was oddly something comforting about being in a place with so many people who he didn’t know while being alone for that little bit. sure, he’d much rather prefer being with actual friends than being on his own, but he didn’t mind. as long as he was out of the house, it was already giving him peace of mind. not only that, but in a way, it was helpful for him to get distracted from the thoughts that would keep on piling in his head.

of course, that’s not as to say that what happened was a bad thing. something he didn’t want to think about. but it would be nice to think about something else that wouldn’t hurt his brain so much. especially something that wasn’t so frustrating. even if that’s what he came to talk to the older about, he just wanted to not think about it for once. however, that changes when he notices the one he was looking for approaching his table. he gives his usual bright smile to the other as soon as he sees him.

“hyung! hi!” he says with a big grin. he feels even better seeing the other slightly smile back. “yeah. yeah, i was wondering if i could get your advice on something.” his smile falters before he lets out a light laugh. “obviously, i could’ve just texted you about everything happening, but i felt like my issue was… kinda too big for that. so i thought it’d be better to talk to you in person, you know?” after he says that, he sighs. “it’s… kind of complicated. the situation i’m in, i mean,” he explains. “and a bit of a long story too, but hopefully you’d rather try to comfort me with my poor life decisions instead of working?” he gives a smile to try and persuade him in some way. of course, if he were him, he’d choose the customers over listening to some college kid talk about his love life. but of course, whatever jaebum decides to choose, he wouldn’t judge him for it.

jaebum and yeonjun have been in this situation many times before. although it’s usually jaebum reprimanding yeonjun for what he believes to be poor choices. usually half-joking, half serious; a part of jaebum questions why yeonjun had requested to speak with jaebum. but he would sit and shut up, let yeonjun do the talking. his brows furrow at yeonjun’s opening statement. “you . . . want my advice?” he asks softly, taken aback. jaebum wasn’t the worst at giving advice, but it was mostly one sided, based off of his mistakes and what he had learned. still, he had become pretty competent at looking at other people and putting himself in their shoes. i felt like my issue was kinda too big for that. so i thought it be better to talk to you in person, you know? 

so, it was serious. unless yeonjun wanted an excuse to talk to jaebum in person. jaebum looks at yeonjun and nods, gritting his teeth slightly, wondering just what he had gotten himself into. he starts to list off various possibilities in his head but all seem too trivial or too yeonjun to be actual problems. “complicated, long story . . .” he mutters, fiddling with the cuffs of his button up shirt. he looks up towards yeonjun and gives the younger male a soft, actually genuine smile. “well, it’s a good thing i’ve got all night then, hey?” jaebum clears his throat before leaning onto the table. “besides i was on break when you just disturbed me now. just wasted almost a whole cigarette.”