#kris01

the walk home to his apartment is always quiet, muffled by a pair of earbuds playing 80s rock on the highest volume. perhaps a form of plea for help after a crowded ride in the bus--or the last line of defense from the monsters inhabiting his mind for the day. maybe both. as long as his body is still his and not the murderer he interrogated this afternoon, kyungsoo can live with anything.

including a roommate. who coincidentally is also the reason why he wasn’t found dead in a random ditch several months ago. height towering and walls even higher, although easily penetrable by something as simple as homecooked food and a cleaner living space. co-existing doesn’t feel so bad when it’s him. 

the warmth of the heater is the first one to greet his flushed cheeks. he toes off his shoes and puts them on their space on their shoerack, socks left on to ease the sudden change of temperature. the smell of something light follows suit; like summer beaches after winter or a warm bath at night. anticipation, excitement.

earbuds plucked from their place in his ears, rolled into a small bundle that he knows will only get tangled up inside his pocket later on. plastic smile on his face so the exhaustion doesn’t show and ruin their mood for the night. throat cleared for a steady voice instead of sighs.

"i’m back.” 

The bar was not Allison’s typical scene at all. It was dark, full of boozy people, and to Allison, always had a tinge of a sad aura around it no matter which bar she visited. She only made exceptions when she really needed a drink, when she was with friends, and when the bar hosted theme nights. Tonight checked off two of her criteria. With a half-drunk person singing off-beat to Katy Perry’s Firework on stage as her background music, Ali sat at the bar, nursing a piña colada that she wished was a milkshake. She was twirling her straw around when she happened to look up. Spotting a familiar face, Ali grinned, immediately getting up to join them. “Hey, fancy seeing you here. Let me guess. You’re here because you’re dyin’ to have a proper audience when you take on Ariana’s 7 Rings for the first time.” She giggled, perhaps being a bit over-friendly with Kris, considering they weren’t really friends-friends (yet!), but not caring regardless.