makeupyourm*nd

“I appreciate the compliment though.” The entertainer paused his reading to scan the man behind the desk. “You takin’ a day off?”

He didn’t. Did he? Jaesun was pretty sure he was the one who had ordered- oh. Right. They’d unintentionally gotten the same thing that day. Suddenly he was trying to keep a straight face and his tone easy. “Noooo.” Not that he was a very good liar. He casually brought up his drink and took a sip before looking over to other. “If it helps, the noodles were rubbish anyway.”

It was a pretty weird way to carjack someone. Liam thought people usually jumped into the passenger’s seat or something. Or would try to open his door. That’s how it was in the movies. But apparently, the stranger in the backseat had other plans. Like… crying? And not pulling a knife on him? Ah shit. This wasn’t a carjacking. He quickly turned in his seat and managed to sound concerned despite his bewilderment. “Hey? I don’t…” He didn’t know what the hell to say. Mental note to always lock his car doors when he was idling, checking his text messages. “Are you okay?”

Benjamin didn’t stick to the streets whenever he found himself out late. It was a lot safer to stroll across the faces of closely packed buildings and mind he wasn’t seen, than chance a bad encounter (again). Tonight wasn’t supposed to be an exception. But he’d feel guilty for months if he didn’t warn the person below that a shady had been tailing them for the past 10 minutes. Benjamin was quick to climb down and then step out onto the sidewalk a couple of metres ahead of the stranger as to not startle them. “Hey? So…” How to do this? He didn’t want to seem like a random creep. Instead he quietly cleared his throat and gave an upwards nod to indicate to motion behind the person. Hopefully they got the hint.

He always felt awkward at these things. No one ever called or kept in touch or even randomly checked in to see how he was doing, but then wanted to snoop and pry about everything as soon as he arrived. It wasn’t personal though. It was like that with everyone. He also hated (on top of that) the weirdly competitive atmosphere that no one wanted to address. Whose children were doing the best? Which cousins outshone rest? Who didn’t ‘let themselves go’ as they got older? It wasn’t overt. But Christian wasn’t an idiot and he could pick up on the passive-aggressiveness and backhanded compliments just like everyone else. He had just found some space away from the main crowd when another relative was approaching him moments later.  “No, I am not a high ranking executive,” he began with an exasperated sigh. Might as well get it over with before they could even ask anyone. “I didn’t go to Yonsei or SNU. I don’t have a Masters degree. I’m not married. And yes, I did hear about Junghee’s baby. Anything else...?”

“You gonna join me, or what?” He intended to go regardless of their answer. But a little rule breaking was always more fun with others involved. Noah grinned and tossed his jacket to the side before working on pulling off his shirt. “No one’ll see. It’s too late at night for people to give a fuck about a place like this right now.” Swimming wasn’t technically allowed. But he wasn’t going to swim- just wade in! They shouldn’t have set up places for people to sit and enjoy the water so close to the edge without a fence if they wanted people to stay out. And the water level was the perfect height to splash around in. Come on. The city planners were just begging people to jump in. “I won’t tell anyone.”

“It’s not a big deal.” Makos gently curled in one of the leaves before letting it go and putting his hands in his pockets instead. “Her studio sent ‘em to me to celebrate the release goin’ so well. Not sure why. I really doubt I look like the kinda guy to go crazy over flowers.” His studio wasn’t exactly vibrant. Nor was his home, so they wouldn’t fit in. The arrangement was a nuisance if nothing else-- he’d have to water it until he died and then go through the trouble of feeling bad when he had to dispose of them. Might as well give it to someone who would appreciate them. “I figured you’d like ‘em instead.” He looked over the giant puff of red, yellow, and orange to Adyan and made sure to sound as bored and flat-toned as possible. “Y’know. Since you like flashy things.” It was just recycling. Casual. He really shouldn’t have felt so self-conscious about it. Maybe a part of it was that he knew Adyan would always playfully give him shit for it. Which was... fine? Makos was trying not to smile now. Dammit. “I already threw out the l’il thank you card, so sorry that’s not included.”

Makos was never one to hide how he felt, and that included his reaction at the mystery woman’s order. “Pumpkin spice? Really?” To show he was mostly just poking fun, he added, “Great. My card’s gonna get locked for fraud.” Still, he agreed and shuffled back towards the line. But not before giving her a quick glance. “Not my business, but y’make clothes?” It wasn’t something he was used to seeing. He mostly came across wannabe actors and every other “next breakout star”.

“Sounds fair.” He darkened his phone screen since he wouldn’t be needing it anymore.  “Well... I wouldn’t say I’m bad at cooking, but I’m definitely not a chef either. I think we could get by without any fires, though!” he responded enthusiastically before chuckling.  “Speaking of-- do you know how to bake? I’m pretty much the most skilled person on the plant,” except not, “but I nothing edible ever comes out of me trying. I totally think I’m cursed. It’s literally just science and measuring, but nope. Nothing.”

“Ooh, wait!” Having already been holding Jaewon’s hand as they walked, it didn’t take much for Benjamin to pull him over to whatever had caught his eye. “I was definitely paying attention to what you were saying and we can get back to it in a sec-- but first, look!” He grinned as they reached the tall clusters of yellow flowers planted along the walkway. “They looked like stars from far away. You know, like the ones in all Mario games ever? It’s cute. I wonder if they only grow here, ‘cause I’ve never seen them back home before.” After a few moments of thinking, he plucked one of them in his free hand and then held it out to his boyfriend with a little bow. “For you~ Because... you are a star.” Benji really wanted to play it up, maybe add a dumb royal accent for the hell of it, but ended up laughing not long after. “Sorry, that was really lame! uUgh... But I have no regrets?”

“Better late than never to one of the most anticipated sequels in the history of ever, I guess,” he replied with a hint of teasing and a casual shrug. “Did you get the secret ending? I couldn’t. It was too hard.” The mention of pizza caused him to look up from his cellphone and grin. “Yes! Yes, to both Doom and pizza. I can chip in for half if you want? Friends don’t let friends go broke from overinflated delivery fees.”

“If you’re sure...” It really didn’t sit well with him. But what was he supposed to do, beg the stranger to let him make it up to her? Makos couldn’t help but sigh as he took a step back. “It’s botherin’ me like crazy. Am I really free to go, and no bad karma’s goin’ to come after me this week?” he added in an attempt to cheer the woman up a bit.

“It’s not as bad as it looks.” He tried to subtly shake out his right hand to get the dull ache in his knuckles to go away. Unsuccessfully. “But yeah, that sounds good.” Benji managed a tiny smile before averting his gaze. It was so tempting to apologize for... the inconvenience of causing him worry? Hell, he didn’t know. So he kept quiet instead and reached up to carefully take Jaewon’s hand in his own so he could lead the way.