#vcjoon

→ @vcjoon

Sungmin hadn’t known what to think when Joon had contacted him for the first time since the bomb ( hell, the first time since weeks prior to the bomb ) to ask him to meet up. Even with everything he’d gone through following the cookout--- the gunshot wound, the return of their jailed gang members, simply trying to return to normal after such a traumatic event--- thoughts of the vampire had crossed his mind often. Not only did Sungmin worry for his family within the Howlers, but also for the family he’d left behind with the Nightbloods. Joon, Kitty... all of the people he stilled cared for but had no easy way to keep tabs on. Sitting still and waiting to see if they were okay felt like torture.

And yet, here he was, blindly on his way to meet Joon after one of the most cryptic phone calls he’d received in his life. He couldn’t help but worry. Who wouldn’t worry after disconnecting from a call like that? The moment Sungmin’s eyes landed on his friend’s figure, he sped up his pace, nearly jogging to pass through crowds of people on the sidewalk to get to Joon. “Hey, I’m here, what’s going on?” he asked, slightly out of breath. “You okay, Joon? You kinda scared me over the phone.”

→ @vcjoon

The Howlers were Sungmin’s family, and Sungmin always put family first--- that’s how it had been for years now, and that’s how it would likely always be. But that didn’t mean that his gang was his only family and, truthfully, the bookkeeper’s loyalties extended much farther than anyone knew. He’d had an entire life before the Howlers--- how could he not have formed bonds then, like the ones he had now? The bottom line was that Sungmin had always held the same regard for the people around him that he does now. And he’d made friends along the way. Friends who felt like family, who he couldn’t just abandon for the sake of gang loyalty. Family first, that was the value he lived by. 

These meetings with Joon had always felt like a reunion of sorts, like coming home after a long business trip and soaking in the familiarity that you’ve been aching for. He’d known the vampire longer than he’d known any Howler, longer than he’d known most people that he was still in contact with, disregarding his actual biological family. If anyone would have been able to convince him to remain with the Nightbloods, it would have been Joon. Good thing he’d made a rash decision and hadn’t bothered to consult anyone about it then, huh?

Sungmin fidgeted in his seat, fingers tapping absentmindedly against the table he’d strategically requested in the very back corner of Ahjoomah’s. It was always a bit nerve-wracking to meet up with someone whose loyalties belonged to another gang, but with everything that’s been blowing up between the Howlers and Nightbloods lately, Sungmin felt as if this meeting held more weight than usual. A familiar figure appeared in his peripheral vision, however, and the stress seemed to leave him immediately, replaced by pure relief. He’d known Joon was alright, of course, they’d texted to set up this meeting after all, but seeing him was quite different than exchanging a few words over text. 

The skinwalker stood from his seat without hesitation to greet his friend with a side-hug, arm wrapped around the vampire’s shoulders tighter than usual. “It’s so nice to see you, Joon, you have no idea,” he offered in greeting, a small, relieved smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

[ @vcjoon ]

this it is. she’ll do it today, it’s the perfect time for it. the days are growing warmer which means fewer clothes needed to cover skin against the cold biting wind. it means a tattoo can be gotten now and she won’t have to worry much about it itching or being tempted to rub something like knitted cloth against it. there hadn’t been much in the way of looking up parlors, she’s had her eye on this one for some time now. in the fifteen years since coming to shore indefinitely, she’s wanted a tattoo, especially after seeing how many pretty ones there are on people she cares for.

the thing is, for all her research and waiting, she’s still  nervous. fingers twirl in the faint purple dyed hair hanging over her shoulder, as she paces in the parking lot of the parlor. too many times she’s had to move for people coming and going, and once she nearly tripped over her own feet. it would be safer for her to sit down somewhere, as in, inside the parlor. but every time she makes to walk to the door, she stops and thinks about it again. she hasn’t even decided on a tattoo design. the thought of that annoying the tattoo artist make her regret even coming. she tugs hard on her hair and goes back to her pacing.