#xfclantern

char: (/ he did what he could. 'fashionably late' wasn't even in the question now. char's just a selfish jerk. he trudges toward their scheduled meeting point, hoping it still remains despite the lapse in schedule itself. ) ... (/ char catches sight of him. well, hints of him... that char just /knows/ it's him. lean and tall. lanky, kinda funny-looking when he even stands. slivers of distant lights illuminate those all-too familiar ears; the ones that stick out. ... chanyeol is /still/ waiting. somewhere between his stomach and chest just -- flutters[?] a bit at the tenacity of the gesture. ) ... better late than never, right? (/ char musters a smile, after self-consciously wiping at any blood or rubble from his face. he's pretty sure he has; he never got access to a mirror before this, so he might've looked like shit and wouldn't even have a clue. ) sorry, chanyeol.

chanyeol: ( / the excitement that bubbled in his stomach and the smile that was bloomed widely on his lips almost made him look like an idiot. it was okay though because it felt like his waiting wasn't in vain. even just hearing char's words made his smile widened even more. if it was possible half his face could be a smile altogether ) you were hitting it close to never though ( / as char closed the distance, the smile on his face that almost looked like it wanted to jump off and run away visibly became smaller. his eyes looked at the blood slightly smeared on his lip and the bruise that was turning blue and purple ) did you get caught in a stampede or something ( / he jokes even though the humor doesn't reach his eyes. eyes that look at char with concern and his heart that feels like it's being squeezed a bit too tight at the sight of his friend like that ) good thing i bought tissues for my stuffy nose ( / digging into his pocket he pulled out a couple tissue papers and held it out ) but we can get ice while we walk

char: (/ char purses his lips as soon as chanyeol points his battered condition out. then he can taste it; the drying blood that he missed in wiping off. ) ... something like that. (/ he chuckles with no feeling; he can't even try to put feeling in it anymore. but chanyeol kind of rekindles something. right now though, char's much to run down to act on it. and maybe a little scared. ) ... (/ char uses his sleeve to wipe off the blood, like no big deal. he gently pushes chanyeol's hand back. ) thanks but no thanks. (/ he musters a smirk. ) your snot might be on that. (/ char starts walking alongside the elder anyway, bumping against him as he's slightly unsteady on his feet. ) but no to the ice. you know i hate that shit.

chanyeol: hey! i'll have you know i managed to only use one tissue paper. these are all perfectly clean ( / yet he puts them away in his pocket and keeps them there. he knows that char wasn't going to take it even if he was persistent about it. the grin widens a bit more though, something that could never really be stopped. it was even harder to control his smile when it came to char. though he wasn't going to say that out loud. not when he presses that thought so deep and so hard it almost disappears. almost. ) not everything that helps is something necessarily something you like ( / he adds with a laugh, feeling the momentary bump before casually reaching out and draping his arm over char's shoulders in an attempt to help steady his walking. or walk straight at least ) do you think you can tip toe a bit char, so i don't have to lean down doing this ( / they stood out though, the melancholy atmosphere contrasting with their bright little bubble ) ...you missed the obituaries ( / a casual comment as he looks ahead )

char: i'll heal up faster than you and your cold. just you wait and see. (/ char smiles, bigger than he did before. it seems to be becoming a trend around chanyeol. char wonders if he notices. ) ... (/ silence falls over them then, after chanyeol mentions the whole purpose of this festival. ) yeah, i figured. ... i miss a lot of things. (/ char shoves his hands into his jacket pockets. he looks up slightly at chanyeol. char doesn't know why, but he feels significantly shorter next to him. it's almost comforting in a way, and char leans in slightly further against him. they fit nicely together... or something. char shouldn't be thinking like this. not on the topic of death notices. ) ... how was that...?

chanyeol: ( / chanyeol doesn't. he doesn't notice the smiles. not consciously that is, but subconsciously it does. it notices because his eyes become slowly mismatched as laughter escapes from his lips. even if it usually was easy to humor him. that was if you were a humorous person. char was anything but humorous at this moment. maybe. ) well, at least you didn't completely miss out. so we'll just do a lot of things to make up for what you missed out. aka keeping you hostage until the lanterns. ( / he tries to sound menacing with that threat, even look menacing for a moment turning his smile into a scowl but he chokes at the idea of how ridiculous he looks and breaks into laughter again. he doesn't see char lean into him, but he tightens his grip on his shoulder, almost in a comforting gesture ) it was......it was a bit hard ( / the words come out a bit of a struggle, smile still on his lips as he tries to piece the words together ) just sad really. lot of tears. probably still lots of them right now....

char: it must've been. (/ he murmurs, looking disinterested -- maybe apathetic, which is worse. but he tries to keep his distance from delving into deaths. it's touchy for him too, and his coping mechanism is just looking like he doesn't care. it's difficult though -- because this is chanyeol, and he wants to show he cares, but he's not sure how without going overboard. ) ... but how are /you/ handling it?

chanyeol: ( / the question surprises chanyeol because he thought he's been doing well. this has been the best he had to deal with it. with death in front of his. people would say it was with maturity. with age. he would say it's experience. the turmoil in his stomach rages on as he manages to keep his emotions in check. he has trouble looking at char by this point. eyes staring straight down the path in front of them and his body reflexively stiffens ) zitao didn't make it ( / he adds after a second or two and looks over at char ) but...i think me not throwing a tantrum is handling it pretty well right? ( / and he smiles and people would think it was a struggle. it wasn't. the curves on his lips were more subdued, a quiet smile, but altogether genuine ) i also found a great booth with corn on the cob that i think you'll get addicted to once you take a bite though. ( / a slight tug and a point at another direction and he doesn't let the topic press on farther. a bit afraid to dig in too deep )

char: (/ he's heard the name in passing a few times. char wants to know who he is, and who he is to chanyeol -- but he holds his tongue... which surprises him, because char usually blurts things out in that slapdash way he's known for. but death is another thing altogether. it changes char [in more ways than one]. ) ... um, i'm sorry. (/ he awkwardly says, voice as hesitant as the arm that lifts to hang around chanyeol's waist then. char pats a few times as some kind of comforting gesture, but now it just feels embarrassing. so thank god chanyeol changes the subject here. ) ... what's so special about corn? (/ char eyes up at chanyeol with slight suspicion, as if this were a trap. )

chanyeol: it's okay ( / he insists and smiles. it's something he had the right to grieve, yes. chanyeol just didn't want to grieve in front of char because the other doesn't need to see him break down. see him fall in bits and pieces inwardly at the thought of his friend because he just wants to focus on char. char who makes him feel full even if the ache still beats in chest. who keeps the warmth alive from within a little bit and he's in so deep. so deep and he knows it. ) you'll find out when you see! ( / the growing enthusiasm increasing as they make way closer to the booth ) it's not like i'm going to feed you magical rat poison shaped like corn, char ( / maybe he shouldn't have said that so loud when they finally made it to the booth with the workers giving him a judging glance ) two corn on a cob please ( / he says a bit embarrassed at what just happened and fumbling for his wallet )

char: (/ char's eyes are just dark caverns under his frown. worried, and maybe a little curious. ) ... (/ he goes along with it anyway, along with chanyeol. they still they like this though -- in each other's arm... kind of thing. char's not sure what to call it, and he tries not to overanalyse it. 'it's just for comfort's sake'. something in his chest prods in opposition though. ) ... looks like the booth people know you're onto them. (/ char chuckles quietly, observing the workers' slight [probably offended] grimaces. char gives them a smirk and somewhat presses back against chanyeol, edging behind him a bit... probably, maybe or maybe not using him as a human shield. ) -- hehe, are you buying my one too, hyung? (/ char asks with that childish air to him, more so insolent because he never calls chanyeol hyung unless he wants something. ) ... (/ when they receive their 'special' corn on the cobs, char eyes chanyeol first -- carefully. ) you eat first, maybe it is magical rat poison. (/ B> )

chanyeol: ( / chanyeol gives an apologetic expression to the workers who just roll their eyes and listen to chanyeol's order. two corn cobs sitting on the grill waiting to be just right. right before they would add the butter and the green onions to finish it off. a vegetable covered in fat and greases. unhealthy but worth it. like many things in chanyeol's eyes as his lips twitch at the formal term is heard ) hyung might ( / he repeats before pointing at the person behind him ) you can leave him to work of his share ( / a laugh escapes and he doesn't say he's kidding even when he hands the man two bills. enough to pay for the two corn on a cob. one of them happily in his hand ) eat yours first? ( / he says with a raised eyebrow before shaking his head and taking a bite of his own. the butter was a bit messy, smearing on the corners of his lips and bits of green onions stuck on the edges. he's too busy chewing thoroughly to really think about it ) see it's not rat poison. it's heavenly sent food. now you take a bite.

char: this looks so fattening. (/ char sighs like a teenage girl on a diet. ) ... (/ with a look resembling something that hovers between disgust and surprise, char watches chanyeol dig into his corn. ) you eat clumsily too. (/ he snorts, snatching a serviette from the stall counter, wiping the sides of chanyeol's mouth. that grease and those bits of onion crumpled into the tissue before being binned. ) ... they were ... annoying. (/ an inescapable smile twitches at char's lips then, and he decides to busy it by finally biting into his snack. it still doesn't stop the heat rushing to his cheeks though. )

chanyeol: this sounds like something the girls from school would say ( / the comment doesn't end a punctuation mark and he lets out a loud laugh ) if you really don't want it i can have it. more for me! ( / with a happy exclamation he completely tunes out char's words poking at his eating style. instead he continues to indulge in his festival treat unaware of the mess on his face until he feels something press on his lips. the words are lodged on his throats. silly remarks and gestures are out the window as he stills a bit, letting char continue his gesture ) ...thanks although i'm probably going to get my face all dirty again ( / he manages to say with a grin before continuing onward ) it's sad you missed the lanterns though. i think....you would have liked them. ( / the far edge of the dock a small distance away from them. he wonders how far they are by this point. if char could see them at all. )

char: (/ shrugs. ) i'll just wipe it again, you klutz. ... at least i'm not using your snotty tissues. (/ char smirks, not hesitating at all to taunt the other. ) ... i miss a lot of things. (/ char says, pretty sure he said it before tonight; too many times, really. ) ha... (/ smiles, albeit sadly. ) i'm a walking lantern anyway. it's not that much of a big deal. (/ out from the dock, he spots bright glitter along the black horizon; invisible against noir. char thinks he would've liked them too. ) ... sorry i was so late. (/ he murmurs with disappointed eyes before taking another crunch of his corn. )

chanyeol: i think after like the second day i'm not contagious anymore. so my snotty tissues wouldn't do anything mean to you! ( / a pout forms, bottom lip almost quivering and feeling insulted. though they never last long. soon enough he found the curl of his lips back on his face, one too bright to match with char's more melancholy smile ) you're more like a firefly..caught on fire instead ( / he murmurs a bit under his scarf before he inhales deeply, hopefully char didn't hear that ) wait... walking lantern ( / the rare moment of having an idea comes to mind and the excitement builds up so quickly, so does the phlegm in his throat and he finds himself bending down into a violent cough fit ) i'm ( / coughs ) okay ( / coughs more. it takes a few more seconds before he straightens himself and instead of apologizing. instead of commending on the incident earlier, he finds himself happily reaching out to grab char's arm and point at the dock ) let's make a lantern then. and float it off with the rest.....

char: (/ his ears feel like they perk at that term -- 'firefly'. he wonders when he'd last been called that. then again, only ravi called him that. and it really /had/ been a while. until the reigning 'charmander' kicked in. ) ... (/ he doesn't say anything about it. he's -- well, obviously his attention is pulled away, distracted by chanyeol sudden coughing fit. ) don't die. (/ char comments in that snarky way. then it dawns on him -- this festival's purpose was to mourn... for the dead... /well, shit/. ) umm... (/ on a whim, char turns toward the fading lights across the sea and bow toward them. ) sorry, sorry. (/ flushed hot or frozen cold, he doesn't know how he feels right now. it's probably a clash of both; makes him feel uneasy. ) ... isn't it a bit late now, chanyeol...? (/ char whines, but lets himself be dragged along by the elder. ) ... it's okay, we don't have to. (/ they reach the dock and char stares at the spare paper. he already knows it's going to look terrible. )

chanyeol: ... ( / the laugh the erupts from chanyeol's mouth is endless as he clutches at his side due to char's apology. it wasn't the actual statement that made chanyeol laugh. it was the way char took about it that he found so bemusing and it doesn't help much because his laughter turns into coughs again ) i'll try not to but you keep making laugh. which is becoming fatal ( / it was all in good jest though, mind concentrating on something else as he just pulls at char's arm towards the dock ) but i want us to ( / he pauses and looks over at char. the way he holds onto his corn cob stick on one hand and a childish expression on his face ) ...i want you to get a chance to experience like how i did. it might be better than...whatever made you late ( / he comments with a grin before reaching out to grab one of the spare paper ) i have 100% confidence in this baby ( / pats at the spare paper although he hasn't actually done anything yet...to his baby )

char: yah, don't laugh. (/ char whispers, nearly angrily -- more so surprised. as if this were a super-secret between only the two of them. char apologising to lanterns probably is a super-secret actually. ) ... (/ 'but i want us to'. chanyeol's voice resonates in his mind; echoes through his vacuous shell of a body and /fills/ it. he might know what people meant by that 'warm and fuzzy feeling' now. ) ... (/ char's... touched, to say so in the least. he hates sentimental things. not because they're mushy and sweet, but because he's so easily affected by it, it's difficult to hide. ) ... anything's better than what made me late. (/ he murmurs under his breath, brain struggling to connect to his mouth. ) ... (/ raises a [probably judgmental] brow at chanyeol though. 'baby'? ) i don't want to make your baby ugly. it'll probably drown anyway. (/ sits down though, albeit reluctantly, fingers tentatively sliding across the paper and wooden dowels. ) ... show me how you did it, hyung.

chanyeol: don't be so pessimistic, char. maybe as ugly it'll turn out to be it might float farther than the rest. ( / with a grin he looks down at the materials in front of them and reaches out ) first of all i did it like this ... ( / and he continues to explain. words careful and precise for once. a sign of serious concentration occurring as he'd point out where to go. what to fold and where to place the wooden dowels. fingers would reach out and grab onto char's, guiding through the motion ignoring the chaotic feeling resting within himself with each action he does. to char. with char. for char. ) do you think it's really that ugly now? ( / he says with a satisfying grin and points at the result of their efforts together ) i don't think baby will drown now.

char: ... you sound so ... gay. (/ taunts and chuckles at chanyeol despite seeing the sense in his words. char still doubts anything he'll create won't crash and burn though. ) ... (/ all humour is gone though, washed away by the hot flush that heats his face all of a sudden; when chanyeol's fingers slide against his own, guiding his hands across a series of steps to make a ... paper lantern or something. char completely forgets what he's supposed to be doing, and instead his attention is pulled to the... well... /intimacy/. ) ... uh-- ah... um... (/ char hears the rise in pitch of a series of words which don't quite reach him. it's a question but the pyro has no fucking idea what just happened. ) ... um, what? (/ he has to screw his eyes shut and shake his head a little to snap out of... what ever that was. he sees something close to resembling a decent floatable lantern. admittedly better than he had anticipated. ) ... it's alright, i guess. (/ purses his lips and frowns slightly at their hands, heart beating faster again. ) how're... we gonna light it? we're in public so i don't think i can... y'know.

chanyeol: i didn't know my orientation had a type of sound to it ( / explains easily and there was no anger in his words. nor was there any hidden passive aggressive sentiment to it. instead he found it humorous and the grin doesn't once fall of his face just because of that. not until it suddenly becomes quiet as he guides char through the steps to make the paper lantern. getting only broken sounds from the younger man and it almost sounds like he's choking. just less urgent. less like he was really struggling to get air. choking in slow motion you could call it ) you okay, char? ( / chanyeol's eyebrows knit a bit in concern after they made the paper lantern ) you sound like a cavemen. uh..ah umm ( / mocks before breaking into another soft laughter which dies down slowly after the question is asked. indeed. it needed to be lit. it needed fire ) ...um ( / he looks around before scooting closer and wrapping his arm around the the lantern, leaning in to let his touch char's shoulders, forming a circle with the two of them ) i think this looks concealed enough. ( / the hesitation was there. he knows that he was very close. the closest he's been to fire by doing this ) don't worry about how i feel....i..i think i can handle this distance

char: (/ ... 'orientation'?? ... chanyeol took it a bit /too/ literally. ... char smiles a little, a lot -- he doesn't know. because it doesn't necessarily mean chanyeol even /likes char/... in /that/ way. the like-like way. ) ... um, uh, yeah i'm... okay. (/ smiles meekly, shoving chanyeol playfully when he's mocked. ) shut up. (/ char's smile drops instantly when chanyeol wraps his arm around the very thing that will set alight. chanyeol will be hugging fire. not only that, but char can't help a though wander in the back of his mind -- one along the lines of 'this looks /really/ gay'. ) ... um, okay. (/ one arm rises to rest his hand on chanyeol's forearm, and the other dips into the lantern, flicking the wick to set it alight. it's a quick movement; probably not worth the stress before it. he just hopes people aren't looking. if they are, char hopes they're just looking at the two of them like this. speaking of which, ) ... what did you mean about... your orientation...?

chanyeol: that's rude to say to your hyung! ( / tries to look offended and menacing, shaking his fist at char as if that would make the other cower in fear ) i hope it's not uncomfortable...for you ( / he says after a moment regarding the position they were in. he was thankful enough that char was fine with. that simple okay being good enough for him. chanyeol wonders between this position, if it was uncomfortable for the other. if it was because of what he said. of who he was attracted to. the words that slipped out so easily that he usually keeps to himself ) ... ( / fingers dig slightly into char's shoulders as he watched the fire light within a second. still he managed to look without flinching. body relaxing and arms pulling away eventually. the paper lantern glowing between the both of them ) almost like the candle back in my room ( / he comments quietly the question that char ask throwing him off-guard afterwards and he blinks with wide eyes ) ....oh that....i swing for the same team ( / the attempt to make it casual, something out of the ordinary looks almost effortless. even though he could feel his heart about to drop into his stomach at any minute. because there were so many other things in the world to be considered a freak for )

char: ... (/ chanyeol doesn't flinch. and that makes char smile for some reason. it's a tired smile, from tonight's proceeding's, but it's a genuine one at the same time. ) you're getting better. (/ the breath intake char takes after they shift away is laborious, as if the amount of air is compensating for the space chanyeol filled up previously. it's not enough though, char realises. he always feels somewhat... /hollow/ without chanyeol around. the upbeat happiness char didn't have, the energy char lacked, the particular charm that char didn't know existed until it was by his side... even the longer strides that char wanted to keep up with. ) ... oh... (/ char was right... he's not about a lot of things, so he's still surprised. ) ... i can hear a lot of girls crying in disappointment. (/ the pyro smiles, probably wider than he's supposed to -- in spite of all those girls he just spoke of. ) ... (/ a long silence then, not knowing what to say. 'thanks'? ... no... that doesn't seem quite right. ) ... same... i guess

chanyeol: i learn from the best ( / the thought of nights when he'd watch the flames flicker comes to mind. nights where he'd try to stare, letting the flame flicker in front him. memories passing through each motion the element makes. two minutes was the longest he's learned to last so far. two minutes without flinching. without pulling away from the sheer fear of his memories consuming him whole. it seems so little but it meant so much. maybe it helps because when the candle is lit he thinks of someone's hand. vein's protruding hands that would gently bring to life the very thing he was afraid of and light it with ease. with such care that it almost made fire seem...endearing ) i'm learning to adjust my views ( / he continues before the statement brings a ridiculous grin on his face and slaps his hand on char's back from that and lingers there before he rubs char's back in a comforting manner. a manner of friends accepting the other. even if it's more a beacon of hope for chanyeol ) i think more girls are crying in disappointment for you than for me. ( / it sounded so casual, even if it meant so much because he accepted it. accepted char as he is as the other has for him. he's grateful...and thankful. looking down at the lantern he turns towards the body of water not to far ) ...should we see our baby off?

char: i know -- a lot of girls cry over me already. (/ smirks, that pretentious air returning to him as soon as he puts on this chichi facade. ) it's just i hear /nearly/ as many cry for you. another tall, handsome guy impossible for them to nab. (/ char smiles. ) welcome to the club. (/ and it seems so /effortless/ for him to say that, despite the fact his heart is racing at what he thought was an impossible speed, until now. ) ... (/ the pyro glances at the paper lantern between them again; he forgot about that. ) 'baby'? ... you get gayer and gayer. (/ char chuckles, nodding though. ) let's set it off. (/ and char wonders if this might be a metaphor for something. then, belatedly, wonders why he's reading so much into things. /it's just. a. fucking. paper. lantern./ ) ... (/ he lifts it from chanyeol's hands and hovers it above the water. ) ... do i make a wish or something before i let it go? (/ regardless of an answer, char makes a silent one, and settles it onto the water's surface. )

chanyeol: i only have sentimental feelings because you were so sure it'd be ugly. look at it now! ( / almost pats the lantern, only to realize the fire was flickering from within this time and quickly pulls his arm away, and carefully holds them on the side instead. the warmth was tingling as he glances at it before them before char agrees ) don't hold it too roughly! ( / he calls out with a wide grin on his face, knowing he was just playing to the parental role to amuse char and follows after the other close to the water ) um, i did for mine ( / he mentions belatedly as the lantern slowly drifts off. floating out in the distance. it had a long way to go before it would possibly meet up with the other lanterns. or maybe it would diverge into a completely different path and never come back. or maybe it'd find two of three stranded lanterns and form a companion. either way, chanyeol just hopes it won't be too lonely ) maybe it'd be a good time to head back now. and finally get that fixed up ( / point at char's lips before bring back and touches is own lip, tapping it lightly )