#illusionaries

jinhyuk never thought that he’d run into her again. it’s not like he purposely avoided her ( or maybe he did ). it was just that, after they had broken up, there was really no need to do so. and now, here she was, standing in front of him. had she always been this beautiful? probably, he thought to himself, sighing softly at the situation. was it even possible to make things not awkward?

❛ sorry I’m late. ❜ she breathes as she comes rushing into the usual bar and to the usual table -- her eyes had immediately landed on changmin when she’d opened the door and it was like she couldn’t get over there fast enough.  ❛ an interview ran late because they just kept talking about everything else but what I needed.. ❜ it’s her explanation as she drops her bag by her feet and settles into her chair, offering him a little smile.  ❛ I hope you weren’t waiting long... ❜ because she definitely would feel bad if he did buts he didn’t have time to shoot a text because she’d been trying to get out of the others grasp for the last thirty minutes.   

considering the risks he took on a daily basis, winter was a surprisingly last-minute kind of guy. he’d panicked when his father had brought up the idea of marrying him to his boss’ daughter over the phone — she was thirty three and pretty, not the worst prospective wife, but to tie in with the family he was stealing from was a huge no — and told him instead that was actually already engaged. 

being the next future king is exhausting.

xuxi had lost count of how many meetings he had been in today, couldn’t keep track of the amount of requests piling up (since last september, mind you) and all-in-all, hated the newly made shoes they required him to wear. but he wasn’t an ungrateful brat (unlike the rumors that’s been floating around since day one) so he kept his posture straight and head held up high, refusing to show any signs of boredom or disinterest.

(all eyes was on him and he hated to disappoint.)

it wasn’t until the end of the day, when the meetings came to a conclusion and the advisors finally went home, he lets himself crumble. dismissing his bodyguards, he walked towards his sanctuary, the only place he knew no one could bother him: the library. he wasn’t an avid reader to be honest, he usually takes time with his books (even then he’s picky about it) but it’s the quietness of the room that he seeks and desperately craves. 

(not to mention the fact that there’s a secret wine bottle stored in one of the drawers of the coffee table. his late uncle’s undoing. he surely missed that old drunk.)

opening the doors leading to the towering shelves of books and the reading area, he was surprised to find that his favorite seat was…occupied.     

“i didn’t know you were going to be here.”

based off x.

          After leaving his home in Boston, Daniel found himself in his parents’ motherland. Sure, he ended up here just to get away from the chaotic life he lead, but he wanted a better opportunity for himself. Attending college wasn’t always apart of his plan in life, but he didn’t mind it because it got him some sort of degree. His lover --- or rather ex-lover --- in college had also become a thing of the past, and now they’ve grown apart. Mainly because he wasn’t good enough for them. 

He’s never been good enough for anyone, yet he was okay with that. But one of his co-workers had set him up on a blind date. Of course, he didn’t like the idea because who was going to watch his coffee shop while he was away? Could he even trust that his workers took care of the shop while he was away? He had to give in, however, because he wasn’t that stupid to not trust his workers.