#loyclstrung

          It was strange seeing Jumin have such a lazy day and no matter what offer V tried to come up with to get the heir moving seemed to be failed attempts. What he comes up with next isn’t ideal, but it’ll probably be the most effective method. So there he stands with a cup of ice water right beside the place where Jumin’s napping. There’s a slight moment of hesitation in not wanting to disturb his friend, but knowing this was for the best he quickly dumps the water onto Jumin before he can second guess his choices.

Rika simply sat there , gazing in wonder . How had she forgotten its beauty...? Care not for what is represented , but the luminescent streaks of orange , yellow , and pink cascading across the sky drew in her gaze as it once did , daring her to tear her eyes away for fear of it disappearing .

She almost didn’t hear the nurse enter the room , but she knew what he was for . It’s Thursday , and visiting hour was beginning in 10 minutes . The others in the ward had mixed feelings about today ; some were excited to see their families , some dreading seeing those who might have put them here . When they came back , they might be sobbing for hope of holding their loved ones again , or angry to see faces of their pasts .

When she heard her name called , excitement fluttered within her heart . She could assume it was Yoosung ; he’s the only one who visits her often , and the only one she could speak with on a phone call due to them being cousins . Still , it could be Zen or Jaehee who , despite both being busy with their careers , took time to see her once or twice ( she was excited to see them , despite how dreadfully awkward it had been these past few times ) . 

She could never get her hopes up about the others though . It was obvious that V would never visit- she hoped he wouldn’t , as not to bring up old scars . Luciel... he would want nothing to do with her if he’d been told about Ray . About his dear brothers passing . She tried to avoid thinking about him ; whenever she does , that sinking guilt and mania would be heavier than she’d ever felt it . As for Jumin- he and V are exceptionally close , so it would make no sense for him to care about the woman who made his best friend suffer so much , would it ?

The nurse jolted her out of her thoughts by snapping in her face , taking Rika and a select few others down the halls of the hospital . The other patients were led into small rooms with tiny windows ; she could see their family and friends waiting to embrace them . 

She was led further down the hall to the last room , the only one that was guarded by burly-looking men in sleek suits . Whenever the others visited , they were accompanied by at least three of them . Initially she thought that was a precaution taken by the hospital , but when it ended she noticed her room was the only one with that sort of presence . It broke her heart to think they were scared of her enough to think they needed protection against her . She’d never- ever- wanted to harm them . Her only goal was to save them, from the world and from themselves.

The door opened , and shock hit her as she realized who was sitting there .

❝ Jumin...? You came to see me ? ❞

       The older couldn’t contain his excitement as he practically bolted to Jumin’s office-- he’d only just returned with Allegra in her carrier (She certainly had not been happy to be there, it’d been a fight just to get her in.) from the vet’s office. He’s already practically stretched across the heir’s desk, Allegra’s carrier set gently by his side.

          It had only been a couple of weeks since Jihyun had returned home, and despite him being able to settle back in it still felt strange. The outlook he had was so different compared to how it used to be. Before he had felt so empty with the only thing that his life served a purpose for was sacrificing himself for those he loved. Looking back on it now he felt so foolish. Of course he still remembered his reasoning for doing so and still felt the effects from what that period in his life had brought him, as it would never fully go away, but he had learned that his life meant more than that. It was a long process to get where he was that had unfortunately taken a bit more time than even he had anticipated and yet it was also the best decision. For the first time in a long time things looked bright in the light instead of being burnt.

          There was a bit more of a bounce in his step and genuine happiness that lit up his features like a child receiving a present. It was a new feeling, and the greatest one at that as he sat on the ground feeding Elizabeth 3rd the treats that he had promised he’d bring her two years ago. How he missed seeing her pristine white fur that was kept up with so well. She had even greeted him with a meow and he wondered if maybe she remembered him. With a smile plastered onto his face as she ate the last treat in his hand, he sent a quick look Jumin’s way.

Spread among their expansive table laid expensive meats accompanied by rice and leafy greens. It’s not a fancy meal by any means, but that was the point. Her gift to him today was normalcy, something he rarely had to luxury to experience before their marriage, and even after.

She laughed quietly, accepting his embrace, acting as a shield from the cool night air. ‘I know it’s not. . . what you’re used to,’ she murmured (though the smile she looked up to see was a good sign). ‘But I wanted to do something different than usual.’ She still, of course, sought out the best quality of food.

“I know I don’t need to but I want to!”. She giggled happily as she sat down across from him, listening to what he had to say. Well, if that was his birthday wish then it should be easy enough to make it happen. “Well, how’s about you take the day off work and we all go out for a meal or something? You, V and I? It’s your birthday so it’s your choice what you wish to do!” She jumped back to her feet, obviously rather excited as she pulled out her phone and begun to type away quickly to V in case he had anything different planned. A nice dinner date did sound rather enjoyable now that the idea had been said out loud but she paused for a moment as a thought crossed her mind.

@loyclstrung

         The holidays, while special, were always a lonely time. At any point within the year it was all too easy to get what they asked for. Their fathers were wealthy beyond imagination and aimed to keep their sons pleased. Or at least that’s what it seemed like. Even Santa had lost meaning far too quickly, but that wasn’t too hard to handle. For the best thing about Christmas was the letters found in the mailbox on Christmas morning.

         So instead of the presents that may be laying under the tree stirring his excitement an eleven year old Jihyun wastes no time hopping out of bed to run outside. Slipping on a warm jacket and a pair of boots he was happy to see that the sky had graced the world with snow on the holidays that year. Taking a step, or more like a small jump, out onto the snow covered sidewalk he makes his way towards the mailbox to which he wastes no time prying open.

         Sitting in the dark box was only a single envelope and he excitedly plucks it from its place. Inspecting the ‘Jihyun’ on the front in Jumin’s neat handwriting is unmistakeable. Glancing over towards his best friend’s house the smile on his face widens more, if it’s even possible at that point, before he rushes back inside.

         He doesn’t even bother peeling off the winter gear as he heads towards his room. Even passing by one of the people that helps out around his house didn’t faze him as he mutters quick hellos with the only thing on his mind getting to his bedroom. Once he does make it he’s shutting the door and plopping himself down on his bed. With great care be breaks the seal on the envelope to reveal the letter inside. It’s of course on crisp paper to mark the occasion of the holiday unlike some of their regular letters which could just be easily written on a sheet of notebook paper.

         Setting the envelope aside after he takes out the letter he unfolds it. Once again he sees Jumin’s writing all down the page and it immediately warms his heart. Their letters always had such thought and care filled in every word. So Jihyun takes another moment to look it over before finally reading it.

         The letter is filled with how Jumin’s morning has gone so far and it’s no surprise that the younger boy was probably up earlier than he was. Hearing about some of the things that his father got him for Christmas and what he had for breakfast was only a portion of the letter. For the rest of it was filled with wishes, concerns, random comments, and hoping that Jihyun would have a good Christmas as well. There was even a mention of his fondness over their friendship at the end right before his signature that had Jihyun clutching the note dearly to his chest.

         Getting himself up from his bed he goes to sit at his desk. He pulls out his own festive paper with bells and holly that he had picked out just for this occasion. Unfortunately he knows that his handwriting is sloppy and unappealing, but he knows it probably suits him well and that Jumin will know what he means all the same. So he grabs his own pen before he begins writing:

Merry Christmas, Jumin!

         I can’t believe it’s already Christmas again. It’s cool that your father gave you so many amazing things and the breakfast you had sounds delicious! Makes me wish I could’ve come over.

         I haven’t gotten to see what father has gotten me yet. Is it sad that I’m kind of scared to see? He’s been on a lot of trips this year. Though I suppose it’s not more than he’s usually on. Maybe he got me some things while he was away?

         Is it wrong of me to hope he didn’t get me another book this year? I didn’t tell him but the one he got me last year almost put me to sleep. Maybe I didn’t understand it enough. Or it was boring...but I didn’t want to disappoint him so I just kept it to myself.

         Oooohhh what if he got me that new Man of Super special that came out this year?! That would be so awesome!

         Also don’t you think it’s so cool that there’s snow on this day this year? We should go out before dinner to play in it. I know it’s only been a couple days but I miss hanging out with you already. Your companionship is so precious to me. So don’t be a stranger and come over whenever you’ve got time! My dad won’t mind! Maybe we could even have dinner together with our families! You should ask your father and I’ll ask mine!

         I also have a gift I want to give you besides this letter. It’s probably not as grand as what your father has given you, but I hope you’ll like it all the same! So please come over soon, Jumin!

Your best best best best friend,

         Jihyun

         With a huge smile still etched onto his face he grabbed an envelope of his own to attempt neatly writing Jumin’s name on the front with drawn on snowflakes all around it. Placing the letter inside he gets out of his seat and runs as quickly as he can back outside.

         Making his way through the increasing snow piles he leaves his own property and gets right up to Jumin’s mailbox. Opening it he gently sets the letter down and gives it a light pat in his happiness. He hopes Jumin will respond back soon. So with one last look at the mailbox as he shuts it and then to the home of his best friend he slowly walks back to his house.

          Jihyun couldn’t even remember the last time he cleaned his house. He knows it had to have been over two years ago since he had been away for so long, and he knows it must’ve been even longer than that since he rarely spent time in his house even when he was still within the area. Still, he at least back then kept up with the dusting to keep it clean, but ever since he got back he opted to rarely set a foot inside the beautiful home. It brought about too many memories he tried not to think about anymore, and most importantly the memories of her. But he knew that he must sell the house and get himself the one he truly dreamt of to take the final step in his new life.

           He felt shivers run down his spine as he packed away all of the photography he couldn’t stomach anymore. Looking at them left an open window to the past that he had overcome, so he neatly tucked them facedown into boxes so he wouldn’t have to see them anymore. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to sell them, donate them, or destroy them but he knows he’ll settle on that later as he finally removes the last one from the wall. Seeing the walls so bare leaves a strange sense of excitement pooling in his chest as he heads over to one of his closets to start digging around in there next.

          There’s only more memories stuffed away in there like some of his old favorite camera lenses, a few coats he would wear to the RFA events, a few more pictures, and even the grey cardigan that he used to adore. Nothing stops his hands from sorting out the pieces until they land on a box. It doesn’t take him longer than a second to figure out what it is as he drags it out into the cluttered space around him. Sitting back against the wall he pops the top off and begins digging through the mass of letters with a fond smile splayed across his face. Lightly thumbing through a few more he finally settles on plucking one out to inspect it. There’s a warm sense of familiarity in Jumin’s neat handwriting. Even as a child his best friend was so talented.