The city of London tended to be intimidating to people, but not for Marlene. The big city didn’t scare her, not even the shady places that she had been working lately. Apparenty dancers only got work in strip clubs and while the salary was shit, the tips were obnoxiously generous. 

Marlene had promised herself that she would only work as a pole dancer until she got enough money, but that day never came, or at least she was now used to it. It was easy money and while she wasn’t too fond of her boss, the work conditions were better than her previous work places. In here Marlene always had a security man who walked her to the stage and back to her dressing room, he always made sure that men wouldn’t touch her and basically take care of her. Plus, the rest of the crew was nice as well.

Like every night, Marlene was in her dressing room. She already had the black and lacy lingerie that she was supposed to use and was finishing fixing her stockings when she heard knocks on the door.

“Change of plans, Marley” her bodyguard, Freddie, said. “The boss wants you to meet his son” he said and Marlene understood that by ‘meet’ meant gave him a private show. She wasn’t too fond of those, but she got extra cash so it wasn’t that bad as long as the other person understood that she was not going to have sex with them. 

She made sure that her red lipstick was okay before putting on her satin robes and walked out of her dressing room. “His name is Evan and he’s going to be in charge of the club since Gareth is moving to some other businesses” Freddie told her secretly and Marlene nodded.

They crossed the club and walked into a mirrored room with a small stage in the middle surrounded by sofas where Mr. Rosier and her son were. Marlene couldn’t help but to notice how handsome Evan was, but she didn’t let it show, she just kept a stright face and looked at Gareth. “Hello, sir” she greeted him politely.

closed starter | @acsoohyuk | Night at the Boardwalk

She only met his eyes once that night, right after she walked down the stairs after painful minutes looking down to watch each step, the moment she looked up she met a warm pool of brown eyes. Her heart beat quickened on the moment and when she was ready to throw him a smile, something unpleasant caught her attention.

Flickling her eyes she realized he was too busy to greet her, not by the crown around him but more of the company he had on his arms. She didn't caught her face because she didn't had to, the mere exchanging signs of affection were enough to her back to where she belonged: not with him.

"- Unnie, let’s drink something?" the raven haired female turned her head to the small girl that was calling her, taking her away from her own dreams in a single moment. And since that she didn't met the warm brown eyes again, getting lost on the group of people or simply turning the other way whenever she caught a glimpse of the male.

Despise having complained all week because they kept filling her with things related to the dance even though she wasn't part of the organization team, she was thankful for having something to do instead of just sulk in the corner. She even danced a bit! And engaged in some games with her friends, fought with the Taechon students that tried to put alcohol on the drinks and clapped to a surprisingly not so ridiculous dancer cover of SNSD.

The time was passing by and the so was the night, the moon was at it's peak, glowing in the faint sky and students little by little were leaving the dance. She saw Chunghwa colleagues bowing and thanking for the party, Dongnam soccer players doing that half-handshake half-hug thing boys used to do and Kurin kids laughing along Taechon students. Daldal was also ready to leave when she saw the girl that was on her debate teammate arms previously. Although she wasn't alone, she wasn't with Soohyuk either. In fact, she was busy giving a single flower to a striking tall and well build boy.At first she hadn't cared about the situation but then she started to think about him more and more. What he could be doing? Was he lonely? Perhaps he was tired? So many things ran on her mind and none of them met to the situation she found herself into.

Daldal finally found him but he was once again followed by his usual guards, she couldn't see his face but could imagine how much of a soreness he could be feeling. It was a dance, for anything that was cherished! Yet there were huge man behind him keeping him from being a normal teenager at least once on his life. So he wasn't allowed to have fun? And for some reason, a stupid, selfish reason, she wanted him to feel all that. Maybe that was just her wanting him to be a little more normal so that would make him more approachable or at least give her some hope that she had at least one chance, but her motives weren't important and the important thing was to give him a few moments of, if not normality, of sanity.

Sneaky, she grabbed his hand that was almost twice as bigger then hers, making him turn his head. She put her index finger in front of her red tinted lips and lowered, reaching his ears and with voice as smooth as velvet simply said:

"- Shhh. Be quiet, I know a way."

She didn't took his hand away on purpose, she enjoyed the wrinkles of his palm and how different their touch felt against her very own. They were still smooth but she could sense the difference between both of them. He was clearly a man, from the bones of his large fingers to the wideness of his palm, her thumb kept caressing the back of it - an old habit that it was really hard for her to break.They turned the corner where a group of Kurin kids were busy having their momentum of glory, that should be enough for the bodyguards to miss them, for now at least.

The more they walked away from the venue, the harder became for them to be found. She only stopped when she noticed that it wasn't the expensive lights that were guiding them anymore but the shining from the stars that covered them like a dark sheet. That should be enough.

Daldal's cheeks are suddenly kissed pink like a spring rose, the blooming color so cute against her snowy frame. She looks away and release their Interlaced hands, just realizing what she had done and how confusing he must've been. Still she tries to keep her cool and twisted her hair on her hands.

"- I-I thought you were bored" she tried to justify her actions."- You didn't looked like someone who was having fun, I was worried that they kept reminding you of your obligations and you didn't had time to be, you know...you."

He probably wasn't understanding a thing she was saying.

"- Not like...how can I say...it won't hurt if you spend a few minutes being only the teenager Ryu Soohyuk instead of being the president's son Ryu Soohyuk."  

Her arms wrapped around her, calming the chilling feeling of the cold breeze agains her naked shoulders, the air was still and heavy, and thick clouds blotted out the stars."- I think I managed to fool them for at least fourty minutes, though."

    Mikasa stood in front of mirror messing with her hair, her silver eyes narrowing as she tried to smooth down the long raven locks. She sighed wondering what her boyfriend would think if she just chopped it all off again then reconsidered twisting it quickly once more allowing it to fall over her left shoulder, fastening the bow and giving herself one last critical look in the mirror before pulling away.

   She could hear the commotion already coming from the living room and she knew she only had so long before they wanted her out there, greeting all those who had already arrived.  

         The thought made her stomach clench. Mikasa had never been a partier, never liked the large crowds or the excessive group drinking, but of course Eren and her ever convincing boyfriend had somehow persuaded her it would be a good idea to throw one in their apartment. She rolls her eyes as she recalls just how Jean had finally made her agree and she curses herself once more as she hears the loud obnoxious laughter coming from the living room.

 Her door suddenly opens and she turns quickly, the short blue dress she is wearing swishing around her legs as she moves, coiled and ready to tell who ever it was to get out of her room, she was going now only to be met by a soft hazel gaze. She quickly reaches back grabbing her promise ring and sliding it on before walking over to him.