give me your breath of love —

+

“As you should be, it’d be a shitty move on my part and I’ll deserve that backlash.” It would take a lot for Selin to do her worse on Sara, especially when they’ve had quite the history of their own highs and lows together. They were two peas in a pod and it would take a lot for them to separate. A grin crept onto her lips as she narrowed her gaze on Sara, “That would have been quite the adventure you know?” Sel did have her tendency to cause trouble while Sara attempts to diffuse the situation, but somehow she always manages to bring the other woman down with her. “At least our first ever mug shot would look cute.” she joked. 

“I’m game, let’s go!” She then linked arms with Sara and dragged her over to the maze. “Is the little one excited for Halloween?” 

.

               Life with Selin was—an adventure by itself. There were times, not often, when Sara wished she had the other woman’s spunk. Especially after getting married. Looking back, it felt like she became a little boring, and Sara had never considered herself to be boring. But again, looking back, she didn’t think she would’ve done things differently. Maybe she could’ve waited a little longer to get married, maybe if they had waited, then Moonbin wouldn’t have gotten cold feet and vanished... because that was what she was choosing to believe: that he’d gotten scared and left her. Either that or he was dead. Both options seemed shitty enough.

But Selin was there. She’d always been there.

“He is! He was a Dog today. I have to show you pictures. I mean... I know you’ve seen the costume because I showed you, but seeing him in it hits you differently.” She chuckled while they walked to the maze. “How was the full moon? I hope it wasn’t hard on you?” Sara looked at her best friend, before laying her head on the other woman’s shoulder as they walked.

status: open (0/3)

                    “I swear to you, I heard this one store playing Christmas songs this morning and I got goosebumps...” Sara chuckled at her companion, before stretching out her arm at them. “Look! See? Goosebumps. I’m just not sure whether they’re good, bad, or just ghosts...” She furrowed her brows, lost in thought for a second, then shook her head. “Okay, no Christmas talk, I promise. Onto more important topics...” She tapped lightly on the bar top. “What are we drinking tonight?”

+

The sound of Sara’s voice comforted the she-wolf once she knew she was currently accompanied by her best friend. Leaning into her, Selin sighed before letting out a genuine smile, “I know you would babe and I appreciate it.” Rolling her eyes, she nodded in agreement as it was a no brainer that she’d drop everything for Sara, even if it meant holding the werewolf bodyguard label. “Special treatment for you Miss Yoon, you are the only exception.” 

Looking off into the distance where the maze was located, the athlete tilted her head slightly and arched a brow, “You think I can’t handle the haunted house, hm?” With a playful chuckle, Selin shrugged and said, “Whatever you’re down for, I’m down. I just don’t know what to do around here…Nothing’s quite caught my attention, y’know? Unless you have recommendations?” With her thoughts all fuzzy and still completely out of it due to the full moon, Selin would rather go with the flow of things and have someone present that certainty, rather than her figuring it out on her own. 

               “I’d be deeply offended if I of all the people, didn’t receive any special treatment coming from you.” Especially after everything they’d been through, whether this year or not. Her gaze followed her friend’s in finding the maze and once the question was posed, Sara couldn’t help but chuckle. “You were the one who said you’d start throwing punches, I’d rather not end my night at the police station, bailing you out. That’s very high school of us.” Granted, neither women were ever arrested, but this could be easily something they’d get themselves involved when younger.

Last year, Sara wasn’t on her element. She was dealing with some personal things, plus, MJ had been going crazy over her friend’s disappearance, so no... she didn’t exactly have any recommendations, but mazes were creepy and given the fact that some of these people could actually do magic and etc, this was bound to be a fun experience nonetheless. “I say let’s do the maze, grab some drinks and then try the haunted house? What do you think?”

Topher blinked a few times and cocked their head, confused at the return they got, maybe… oh, she was drunk. They wiggled their nose and noted the smell of alcohol. “I think it makes you a drunk friend,” they said, grinning the smallest grin imaginable. “I was back in Belgium, to study, now I’m a Firefighter,” they said, which was Topher code for: there is more, I just need more pointed questions to create a bigger story.

“Uhm… I want an orange juice,” they said. Because in fancy places the orange juice was often fresh and they loved the idea of owning a machine that made that themselves at some point. “What have you been up to since the last time?” they asked. 

.

Sara’s eyes squinted at the word drunk. Not that there would be anything wrong if she was drunk, because she was in pain and people dealt with their crap and missing husbands however they wanted, to... but she wasn’t drunk. And she didn’t know why, but the assumption annoyed her. “It’s only my first glass, so definitely not drunk.” Her tone was dry as Sara twirled the glass of wine, watching as the pink liquid kisses the insides of the glass. At least the information shared about Topher’s whereabouts was a good change of topic. “That sounds nice. I had no idea you’d been gone for that long.” Which probably made her less of a friend than she thought she was. It explained the continuously dryness in her tone. “Are you enjoying it? At least you don’t have to worry about being too weak to carry your crew mates or anyone who might need you.” Among humans, Sara knew that was an excuse given to discourage women (or anyone as slim as Topher) from becoming firefighters.

Moving her head from one side to the other to relax the muscles of her neck, Sara then ordered the juice as promised and took another sip from her glass of one. “Besides working on more things for Hidden Killer, I’ve been working at Gemini Gallery for a few months now as a plan b. All that hype is going to end someday, and with a little one at home, I don’t want to have to raise him on a tight budget. I mean, if I can avoid it, then sure... why not?”

+

Shaking her head, Selin dismissed Sara’s claims and clarified, “Listen, there’s no need for being envious…I was actually awake earlier than you think and then chose to take a nap before I took on the day.” Once the bartender arrived with her drink, the she-wolf immediately took a sip of it and listened in on what her best friend had to say. “Ah, I see…” It was tough, knowing what Sara had gone through with Moon Bin. As much as Selin wanted to do everything she could to help find her missing husband, in reality there wasn’t anything she could do, aside from becoming her emotional support pillar. 

“Look, I know you might hate it when I say this: but there was no body found right? It’s been years yes, but you shouldn’t dwell on how long it’s been. It won’t do you any good. ” It was a blunt statement, but she hoped it got her point across. “It’s not much, I know—that was probably an asshole response on my end…But I guess what I’m trying to get at is, I understand the need for closure and you deserve that much, so have you ever thought of maybe using the resources here in Astoria?”

Shaking her head in response to Sara’s question, Selin replied with, “Nope, just a shitty early morning. I overworked myself when I was hitting the gym.” 

.

Sara would never hold it against Selin for giving her these asshole-y answers sometimes, because at times, the younger woman actually needed the rude awakening, or to see things through another perception. She wasn’t going to thank Selin for the bluntness, but she wouldn’t hold it against the werewolf. It was just—Sara just wished there was some kind of magical answer to all of this, because while on one hand she was tired of the stillness her life had become and needed reasons to move on, the ‘no body found’ thing made it hard for her to simply let go. At least completely. Especially since her husband’s birthday and their anniversary had always been so close to one another.

But at least, Selin had raised an interesting question this time. One Sara hadn’t really thought about asking herself up until now. Her expressions, upon going from distressed to neutral, had answered that question before her own words did. She sipped on her glass of wine, brows knit together as she pondered about the question at hand, trying to figure out whether or not to actually do something about it. Maybe Laurel could help--or point her to someone who could.

“Actually—” Sara bit lightly on her bottom lip, gaze going from the rose liquid in front of her, to her friend sitting next to her. “I... don’t know whether I want to find out or not? I mean... he’s either dead which would suck, of course, but... what if he’s alive? I mean, why leave without saying a word? And if he’s alive, what am I supposed to do with that information, you know? Storm into wherever he is and ask why couldn’t he tell me he didn’t want to be with me anymore?” She spoke too fast for her own good, which prompted Sara to quickly down the content of her glass. Maybe she needed something stronger. “What would you do--you know, if you were in my shoes?”

When Selin told her about her morning workout, Sara’s response was the same as it had always been whenever there was anything remotely close to exercising and exhausting oneself. “Ew. Why? Are you okay? I mean--are we at all? But... why?”

status: closed | @minmoonbin 

          — Her day had already been exhausting enough to have to deal with dinner and, on top of that, a child who seemed to be going through the motions with pretty much everything under the sun, and throwing tantrums all day long. Sara wanted to blame it on the full moon, but she’d learned from her supernatural friends and from books that she’d ready on it, that children that little didn’t exactly get influenced by the moon’s effects on supernaturals. Too bad, though. It was easier to just blame everything on others: the moon, her PMS, annoying clients, etc.

Hanbin stormed into his grandparents’ house as soon as Sara opened the door, his grandma’s title leaving his lips in an excited cry as he zoomed past his mother’s legs. There was a faint ‘annyeong, ahjussi’ that she’d heard while closing the door, so maybe the Mins were having someone else over? Was that why they told Sara she needed to stop by the house as soon as she got that call? The house did seem awfully busier than it normally was, that with the low buzz of conversation happening.

“I’m sorry, he’s awfully loud today... Someone at the studio gave him some sugar and--” It didn’t take long for Sara to see the reason why people were chatting and the ahjussi her son, who now was cupping his crying grandmother cheeks, had acknowledged a few seconds ago. Her knees faltered, making balance seem like an illusion for a second there and she was thankful for changing her heels into sneakers before heading to the studios. “What--is going on? What--is this?”

+

Sore from her workout earlier this morning, Selin opted to take a nap after feeling completely sluggish. She was grateful that they had come to the weekend, being able to relax and do whatever she wanted on her day off. In truth, she’d been counting down to the weekend after the hell week she had. It was one of those days where she wasn’t feeling her best and that she probably needed a couple of days to refresh. 

Waking up to the sound of her phone, Sel groggily answered it and noticed Sara bon the other line. “Mmmm..mhm…mmmm…” She knew very well that the athlete couldn’t say no to her. Also after many years of knowing each other, Sara would understand what she was saying, despite not saying much. Hanging up, she got ready and then headed over to Skye Bar. 

Upon arriving to the establishment, dark hues searched the bar before approaching her best friend. “Oh sweetheart…” She greeted her with the usual cheek kiss and sat next to her while ordering a G&T. “You know, you have like every right to wake me up.” Taking a good look at her, her gaze softened as she noticed right away something was up. Call it bestie intuition. “Talk to me, what’s on your mind?” 

.

As Selin answered her phone call with nothing but grunts and mumbles, Sara double-checked the time on her wrist watch. Surely enough, she wasn’t the same sleepyhead she used to be before her son forced her to be up early and ready for the day, but wasn’t Selin supposed to have been up for a while now? No. She wasn’t going to scold anyone, especially since she needed the company.

By the time her friend had arrived, Sara had ordered another glass of wine, but she felt like she would need something stronger to make it through the day.

“I kind of envy you for sleeping in. I really do.” She chuckled softly, before shrugging. “Just feeling a little--I don’t know how to explain it. How do you call it when it’s your anniversary, but your husband has been missing for like--four years?” Had it been that long? Honestly, Sara had sort of stopped counting by now. “I just needed a break. Did you have a late night call yesterday?”

Topher felt a little awkward that Sara would call them out of nowhere… they knew nobody, or barely a soul, knew they were back in town. So maybe Sara had some sixth sense about it. Or maybe she was as drunk as she sounded at the phone. They hurried to Skye, which was an easy find despite the time between having been there last and finding it again. 

They snuck in, wearing their long baggy coat and their hair down into two fluffy pony-tails. They felt a little underdressed, but then again, they always looked like this, so maybe they were always underdressed. 

They found Sara sitting all by herself, glass in hand, and narrowed their eyes slightly as they edged closer. “How did you know I was back?” they asked, sitting down, arms on the table and leaning into it. 

.

Just like before, as soon as she heard Topher’s voice on the other side of the line, it was like she could breathe again. Maybe it had something to do with coming to terms with being a mother--maybe it was because, like her son, Topher was also a shapeshifter... whatever the reason was, Sara had always felt highly protective of Topher, so knowing the shapeshifter was alive and well brought warmth to her heart.

Upon seeing them, the brunette smiled, turning her body to wrap her arms around Topher’s petite frame and pressing a light kiss upon their cheek. “Oh, you know... it’s my Spidey senses.” Sara teased, wiggling her fingers at them, before letting out a soft chuckle. “I actually didn’t even know you were gone. I guess that makes me a bad friend, doesn’t it? You should tell me about where you went and what you did. What can I get you?”

+

Sara’s call didn’t exactly catch her at a good time, but Taylor could tell from the tone of her voice that she needed a friend. Their friendship had blossomed nicely over the short time within which Sara’s here. Which is why the Shape Shifter didn’t mind tearing herself away from her couch for some day-drinking. Generally she avoids visitors because sometimes getting invested in them often leads to sadness down the line when they ultimately decide whether or not Astoria is for them. While she could understand that some people love being tourists, she couldn’t imagine calling anywhere outside of Nova Pangaea home.

Taylor’s arrival at Skye Bar took her bit longer than she anticipated. Initially her aim was to get ready quickly and be out of her house to make her way from Birchwood to Hearthstone Bay. Alas, she got carried away with her makeup, and quite frankly she should know herself and getting ready that quickly isn’t in her repertoire. 

“Hi darling!” she grinned in greeting. “It’s great to see you,” Taylor is genuinely happy to see Sara, regardless of the circumstances. Taylor slipped into the free seat at the table. Out of her peripheral vision she could see the server already making their way over. “Do you need a refill or anything?” 

.

Taylor reminded Sara of the time when she used to make friends so easily, she was voted ‘most likely to become a movie star’ back in high school. Not that Sara had any thespian bone in her, but it was easy to see people flocking towards her and Moon Bin back then. How easy it was to talk to her... Taylor reminded her of times when life was easier and less painful.

“How come you’re always looking like you’re made of pure gold?” It wasn’t exactly a lie. Taylor shone wherever she went, and she was so full of brightness that Sara enjoyed basking in on that warmth, even whenever she was feeling selfish, like today. Arms went around Taylor in a quick, yet genuine hug and as the other woman sat down and asked if Sara needed a refill, the brunette chewed on the inside of her cheek, thinking about whether she needed said refill or not.

Binnie was with his grandparents and Sara didn’t have any meetings scheduled for the day, so... screw it. She quickly downed the content in her glass and looked at her companion. “I think a refill would do me good, but c’mon... first round is on me. As a thank-you gift for meeting me.” She winked at Taylor and asked for a refill of the rose wine she was drinking, as well as something of Taylor’s liking. “How have you been? I feel like I haven’t seen you in a while... are you still working on---Chicago, was it?”

status: open | feel free to assume connections

         — Sara knew today would be a hard day from the moment she’d woken up that morning, but the reminder on her phone, which included a photo album made specifically for that evening all those years ago, turned even the water bitter. That’s why she was sitting there right now, going through pictures she told herself she’d stop looking through, wasn’t it?

“Are we day-drinking now?” Sara mumbled to herself, in Korean while twirling the glass of rose in her hands. “Wow, Sara-yah… you’ve really outdone yourself. Congratulations…” A single tear rolled down her cheek, which she quickly wiped off and straightened her back while drawing in a deep breath. Sara then closed her eyes and scrolled through her contacts before landing on a random number and calling it.

“Hey… are you busy? Do you feel like meeting and catching up? I’m at Skye… Mkay, I’ll wait for you.”