arms race

sweat soaked sheets and short breaths left bamus shaking lips , he hated seeing other peoples nightmares that was always a downfall. Sometimes when he saw somebodies most wanted desire he would see their most feared dreams in his own , this is how his addiction to sleeping pills well pills in general started working for the ivory lotus was a plus Joje was a piece of relief for him he could get what he wanted there . Opening his usual hidden drawer he groaned when he didn’t hear the familiar crashing of pills against each other. His eyes slide over to the clock, 3:23 am . He shakily made his way through his clothes throwing on worn jeans and black sweatshirt stopping once to run a hand through his bed ridden hair . he quickly pulled open his apartment door a whole new wave of dark taking over his room making his mind run back to his dream again. 

fingers pressed into his skull a boy with black eyes smiled as the pressure became too much for him to bare screams becoming shortened-

Bamu smacked his head once trying to clear his head , the nightmares kept getting more realistic , he himself wasn’t scared but he could feel the fear of the people and it messed with his brain. He shoved his hands in his pockets and continued walking his feet moving faster than usual as he made his way to the pharmacy. He knew he should be careful lately with everything going on but he needed sleep and not to feel the coldness in his veins right now , usually when he was working it wouldn’t happen as often but since the attack hes gotten worse. As he walked with his head down he felt himself bump into someone . fuck. He raised his head and smiled widely his eyes softening and his posture becoming friendly as he went to apologize to the person who he had bumped into to .

yoonoh had only recently been released from the hospital, given prescriptions that he, himself, thought were far too mundane to be followed. if there was anything he hated more, it was the constant need to take something in order to maintain normalcy to the best of his ability. pain killers were one of those constants he’d rather keep away from. but broken bones hadn’t yet healed themselves entirely just yet, were still cracked around the edges; bruises that hadn’t yet faded, but rather kept up their mission to hinder his abilities. with as much in mind, he found himself stalking an unfamiliar path to the pharmacy, his own supply of pain killers coming to a brutal end through tubs too idle to keep themselves filled with the white capsules. gods, he hated this. felt weak.

movements slowed to his usual gait, barely walking, mimicking a limp without the commitment. though he simply couldn’t help but succumb to the pain at times. couldn’t help but slow himself down entirely and simply idly wander through streets. perhaps it wasn’t safe, given the lingering danger that pressed down on gang members high enough in the hierarchy to be threatened by the mere presence of others. but, there wasn’t any other way.

she rolled her eyes, “well get un-used to it, you can’t just put your hands on people, i almost killed you in front of the entire club, and that would have been no one’s problem but your own.” she spat shaking her head. before addressing him again, she’d asked for another drink. she decided to indulge him, he was hot, hotter than she expected once she turned around. he towered her and that was enough to send her human blood running hot through her veins and thighs squeezing together. “if you’re trying to grab a fuck and leave you’re going to have to be a little more of a gentleman there play boy,” there was a hint of a smile on her lips but nothing to give away she was interested, not just yet.

“jinx.” she replied flatly, nodding at the bartender when her fruity, slush of alcohol was sat in front of her. “nice to meet you juno, you’ve got to control that handsy little habit of yours sweetie.” and just like that she was hypocrite own dainty hand coming to touch his cheek. “some might get the wrong idea. there’s a lot of criminals in this town.”

the elder couldn’t fight back the grin that threatened to split his face, teeth sinking into his bottom lip to tone it down, if only to help his case. “would’ve given them something to gawk at, at least. i’ll take that advice, though, and offer up a promise to keep my hands to myself.” a curt nod of the head followed, to follow through with the notion of maturity. usually, yoonoh would have given up by now upon initial rejection, though something held him close. through the eyes that stared like those of a hawk’s, to the intense attraction he’d already felt for the other, he couldn’t move even if he wanted to. “luckily i’m not trying to do that, but i’ll keep it in mind. shall i ask for your hand, and slow dance with you later, too? or is that too soon?” arms crossed behind his back as he grinned, boyish in everything he did, down to the eyes that wandered shamelessly over the other’s form.

yoonoh stared at the drink for a moment, half considering getting his own alcoholic beverage. “nice to meet you, too, jinx. i should just cuff my hands behind my back at all times, i feel.” admittedly, his eyes slipped shut for a moment, to be followed by a sigh, before he could manage to collect himself. “you’re telling me. should i consider you a criminal?”

{...}

her arm settled carefully on his mid section, letting her face settle against his neck, the kiss she pressed there soft and soothing his fingers on her skin making her settle comfortably against him. “it is.” her smile was warm looking up at him. “i was so worried….when i heard i thought they were lying and i came down just to be sure, and when i walked up to the door and saw you laying here…with all those bruises and machines…my heart almost broke. i’m glad you’re okay.”

“hopefully they would, you don’t need to be….entertaining anyone in this condition.” she said those words only to hide the real reason she hadn’t wanted him to continue a life of having sex with others. there were other was of making money and maybe she was a little jealous but she’d never let it be known. “i can definitely do that,” a smirk hinted at her lips, she leaned up out of condition, lips pressing against his allowing him to have his way with them, a giggle escaping her lips.

yoonoh cocked an eyebrow, makings of a grin coming with words, “like what? we’re in a hospital, i’ve got to keep it as pg as possible.” the elder teased, relaxing further to accommodate the other closer. 

eyes slipped closed, breathing almost too stable, all things considered. and perhaps it seemed as though he was falling asleep, if the hums in light of kisses were any give away otherwise. eyebrows had furrowed, though, in tone with her worry. he hated the notion of others worrying over his state, no matter the cost. “it would’ve taken them far more to render me not okay, baby. don’t worry. i’ll get over this in no time. you, however, need to be careful. you’re not a lotus, and i don’t know how things are going to fare if you’re caught in here with me.” 

“i don’t need to be, but i can’t just shirk off responsibilities. besides, we’re not together, are we? lately, i wouldn’t blame you if you went out to find other people.” spoken matter-of-factly, softly, he couldn’t help but shrug it off entirely almost immediately. instead, he hummed, as a hand raised to cup the back of her head, accommodating her entirely against him. chaste kisses had lead the way at first, though yoonoh was quick to deepen it, slipping his tongue to taste further through a groan. 

She shook her head, “they’re cowards, they went after a prostitute and an assassin, no offense. But if they really wanted to make a statement they would have gone after Heeyoung and Heidi, they just wanted to do something, just wanted to lash out, they’re fucking idiots and they’ve only put a target on their backs because I doubt either one of your leaders is letting this slide.”

“Oppa,” she insisted squeezing his hand, please don’t,” she said in reference to his shifting. She quickly dried her eyes not wanting to make him feel the need to comfort her. “I’ll join you just stop moving,” Sunmi muttered out of frustration. She stood, riding herself of the leather jacket on her shoulders and boots on her feet before slowly and carefully climbing into the hospital bed with her lover, careful of his room, squeezing her small body into the space between him and the guard railing.

She blushed softly and shook her head, thinking for a moment, “would you do that for me? Stop doing your job? Would they even let you?” She looked back up at him biting on her bottom lip. “I mean I would prefer not sharing you with any and everyone who’s not a psychopath and willing to pay, I mean I’ve got everything you need right here.” Her smirk matched his from a beat earlier, only to melt into a smile as he kissed her lips, small hand coming to touch his face and chiseled jaw. “Then I won’t leave.”

“maybe,” it was almost dismissive. he didn’t particularly want to talk about the howlers and their motives. wasn’t interested in gang politics and everything that came with it. “we were just easy targets. probably the only two out of clear sight. but i don’t really wanna keep this conversation up. there’s better things to talk about than a group of dicks.”

yoonoh froze in place, allowing himself to slink back down to his previous position, laid down. though he did find himself shifting over just slightly, enough so to allow the girl to slip onto the bed beside him. it felt intimate, despite everything that had happened, everything that had led them to this point. could feel himself relaxing, succumbing to familiarity, as his large arm gently threw itself around her, tender fingers drawing patterns along the small of her back. “this is much better, see?” spoken through a rugged whisper, eyes hooded.

“i don’t know if they’d let me, but... i’m capable of doing other things. but, yeah. i would do that for you.” despite how those same hooded eyes maintained their intense lock on her lips, all while she spoke, there was a softness that hid itself so plainly within. hints of a smile pulling at his lips, in place of his smirk. “you do? you’ll have to show me soon. just so i can be sure.” eyes closed for a moment, under the warmth of her hand. nod of the head coming next, rather than words. they felt lost on the tip of his tongue. had him pressing closer, lips on lips, uneager to part as they attempt their continued onslaught of kisses. 

Sunmi rarely frequent clubs, and in most instances,  Jinx was only around for a few moments only able to sway the current actions of the host, but there were times where she took over for hours, sometimes days. Times where she controlled every aspect of Sunmi’s life even if it was for a night and tonight was one of them. She’d never been to this club, the vibe was different, the ambiance was low, incognito, everyone danced close together, grinding bodies writing in the middle of the dance floor. She’d be over there soon, but right now she stood against the bar, watching them all, scanning, plotting to figure how she would spend her night. Adorned in a black tennis skirt and mesh top she was hoping to snag someone tonight, even taking it an extra mile to wear matching black thigh highs, sheer against the tanned skin, dark hair draped over her shoulders.

She had taken a pause on people watching, instead just turning to the bar to buy herself another drink. Something fruity and mango the sweet smell lingering against her glossed lips as she sipped from the glass. The hand around her waist startled her, and she was ready to pull the knife from the garter on her thigh in retaliation only to talk herself down, remembering where she was in public, but this still didn’t give the stranger any permission to touch her. She slipped from his grasp, an obvious scowl on her lips as she turns to meet the handsome man’s face. “I don’t get out much…don’t touch me again unless you ask.” There was finality to her words, “but you may have just destroyed any chance you had to get a yes even if you did.”  

now that yoonoh was close enough to allow his eyes to stray over to her, he could admit that she was likely the best looking person in this club, amongst the denizens that’d previously had their way with his services. he could appreciate looks when they counted, when he wasn’t stuck serving clients who were mere money and information vessels to him. perhaps the reason he’d come on so strong initially, had ventured for touch despite a lack of permission. he, himself, was adorned in leather and mess, through leather pants and boots to match, and a sheer shirt that showed off enough skin to be considered provocative, though not so much under the low light. enough to give wind that he was a gang member, if the lotus tattoo was anything to go by. but nobody seemed to bat an eyelash. not even the girl before him, judging by how strongly she’d reacted.

the prostitute took a step back, arms crossed behind his back, while a curt nod of the head was all he could visually offer. “sorry, i’m a little too used to being handsy in clubs like this. what, with people essentially coming here to grab a fuck and leave.” his justification was followed by a shrug of broad shoulders, arms lowering to his sides. he knew he was being watched, was being observed to see if this person was his go-to, or whether he’d be completely denied. he knew how these things worked. how they’d flock in whenever there was an opening. had fallen victim to it more times than he’d like to admit. “then i won’t ask. i’m juno, resident frequenter to this club,” spoken with a bright grin, a complete contrast to the rest of the club, who’d veer with smirks and coy looks. “sorry, again. i’ll keep my hands to myself from here on out.”

“you’re not wrong” she said nudging him as gently as possible. this was the balance, sunmi was lingering in jinx’s conscience, the idea of seeing someone she cared so deeply about though she’d never admit softened her. their fingers laced together sunmi felt warm, comforted versus comforting and yet he was the one laid out in the hospital bed. 

“don’t be sorry, it wasn’t your fault, and I’m not surprised, they’re savages….from what I heard they’re quite animalistic in their tactics and only an animal would do this to someone.” the tears escaped before she could catch them, she directed her gaze to the bed where their hands were interlocked, not wanting him to see this side of her, the weakness that the other half of her gave off, the sympathy and emotion she swore she didn’t have it was all their written on her face, and she only looked up when she felt him shifting a bit in the bed. “Oh no, no oppa you don’t have to move.” She reassured a little frantic for a moment. She didn’t want him in pain, not for her.

the brunette hissed at the details, “i mean i couldn’t say i wasn’t happy about you being off the job, means i get you to myself for a little bit, that is if they let you out of their sight.”  her skin warmed beneath his touch, cheeks reddening as the rough pad of his thumb lingered. “i don’t want entertaining, i just want you…i want you to be okay…but when they come back…” her voice drifted, knowing well they’d both know what she was trying to say.

and despite it all, through events that had transpired so viciously, and so suddenly, yoonoh found himself feeling safe. such a stark difference to earlier, lost in a pool of his own blood with someone else’s being pumped into his veins. he didn’t need this--the incessant looking after and treatment. he just wanted normal. without people keeping him company out of obligation. he needed this. 

“i’ll give it to them, though--they know where their strengths are. force in numbers and all. kudos to them.” it almost came out sarcastic, just slightly vindictive despite his idle praise. it was the sight of tears that urged him further to shift, almost in dire need to comfort. he hated seeing people like this, even more-so when it was in regards to himself. despite the amount of times he’d laid in a hospital bed before, it never got easier, seeing people so overwhelmed by the image. “hey, it’s... okay. unless you want to join me on this bed, i don’t fancy laying around all day.” there was a hint of a smirk crossing over his lips at that, shifting closer to the edge of the bed, wary of his wounds shifting. 

“oh? do you get jealous, doll? you know, you could just say the word, and i’d drop my job and go for something a little different. i’m all for compromise.” perhaps there was something deeper to what he’d said, perhaps there wasn’t anything at all. it was up for debate, and he’d rather it stay as such. “i know... i don’t want you to leave. i’ll gladly kick anyone else out of this room. they can stand on door duty for all i care.” with that, the elder shifted closer, placing his lips over the other’s for a brief moment. nothing lasting, collapsing back onto the bed a beat later.

she could only smile, “still a fucking prick even in death huh,” she joked settling in the chair next to him pulling it closer. she sat up on her knees, combat boots pressing into the cushion, fishnets catching on the cheap upolstry but she just wanted to be closer. leaning against the bed she hesitantly reached a hand out for his, bruised knuckles bringing a harsh knot in her throat. 

“of course i was worried about you, chae sent me out to gather information, when i heard it was you i came running. what the fuck is going on? who did this?” the distress was audible in her tone, she scanned his body, casts and bandages, cuts and bruises he wasn’t meant to make it through that beating and she knew it. “fuck,” she whispered again, tears welling in her eyes at the sight. sunmi in this form wasn’t one to cry. jinx was a lot stronger, more valiant, confident sure of herself.  but this was a lot, someone she cared about was laying in a hospital bed coming back from god knows what.

“how long did they say you  have to stay?” her fingers gripped to his, carefully not to hurt him. “i can stay as long as i can, i don’t…i’m not…i don’t wanna leave you.”

“you’d hate it if i was a hardass, admit it.” and it was this exchange of banter he craved. was half done with the questions, and the open concern. it was nice, to know people cared, but it’s not what he wanted. ever. wasn’t in him to garner attention in such a way, especially from those he cared about. almost seemed wrong. the male immediately laced his fingers with the other’s, squeezing softly, skin stretching uncomfortably around swollen knuckles. though the warmth from the other’s hand was much more distracting. 

“’m sorry for worrying you. i... well, we’re set on it being the howlers, retaliation for us supposedly fucking up their shitty bar. it’s all a shit show.” for a moment, yoonoh couldn’t help but direct his eyes elsewhere. it was hard to look others in the eye while he looked like this. embarrassing, almost. degrading. pride out the window. though when he found himself looking back, tears clinging for dear life in sunmi’s eyes, the elder couldn’t help but immediately move. shifting upwards to settle his back against the headboard of the hospital bed, jaw clenched so as to hold off any visual pain. 

“i have quite a few broken bones. a few weeks, they said, at least. even then i’ll probably be off the job for a little.” voice almost a whisper, as his free hand found the soft skin of her cheek, calloused thumb brushing over the apples. “then don’t leave me. i can’t promise i’ll be entertaining this time around, though.”

with: @vcjuno

this was dangerous, sunmi knew that, seeing this boy, knowing well that his gang would filter in and out of his hospital room at anytime. she asked first, made sure he was alone, they only had an hour or two before someone took their guard. that was more than enough, she just wanted to see him. see if he was okay. 

she hated hospitals, she’d only been in one once before when she sprained her ankle on campus. she tried to tell them she could heal it herself but they insisted, and since then she hated it. but strangely…for him she didn’t mind. it was a foreign feeling but she ignored it, pulling her dark brown hair into a ponytail, lavender eyes scanning the numbers on the door before she landed on his, a soft smile on glossed lips.

“hey stranger,” she said softly, as she walked into the room, looking it over to make sure he was alone before coming to the chair next to him. “i thought i lost you for a second,” the brunette sighed, looking over his face, the bruises and bandages, ,”are you alright?”“

yoonoh had been in and out of consciousness more times than he’d like to admit. doped up on painkillers to which strength he couldn’t say, all he knew was they made him tired. terribly so. to the extent he was growing tired of them, in general. while the pain was still much too fresh for his liking, wounds hadn’t the time to heal just yet, and bones still broken, he’d rather feel than lay around entirely unsure of who was around, when they were around. 

thus he’d asked for them to lower his dosage, to essentially nothing. he wanted to be aware, wanted to thank the members of his gang for checking up on him, despite everything. he was sure the entirety of this situation was providing more stress than necessary. and he still wasn’t sure if jaera was okay, how she’d suffered through their beatings. 

only when the door was pushed opened, did he perk up. sitting around in a hospital room, waiting, left to his own devices, was entirely too boring. any sort of company was practically begged for. when his eyes had caught onto who, exactly, had entered, though, a bright smile had drawn over his lips. sunmi was one of the last people he’d expected to pay him a visit, due to gang affiliation. yet despite that, she was one of the few he wanted to see the most. 

“hey,” voice broken, seemingly dry and raspy, yet he’d mustered it to be as coherent as possible. shifting himself to better acquiaint her presence, yoonoh couldn’t help the gentle smirk that took its place. “why, were you worried, doll?” in spite of his teasing, or rather, his attempt at such, he’d softened tremendously. couldn’t keep up with the act. “i’m doing pretty good, all things considered. the bastards won’t give me a smoke, though. i’m offended, quite frankly. how’re you doin’?”

@vcjuno

It was a special day, Jungjin was actually allowed out..but with supervision of course. Minki and Alex both being busy, they let the young incubus out on his own with a guard as his chaperon. This chaperon only being told to take the younger to the acceptable places to shop, and no where else. So here he was, like the young teen he still was, looking around a very expensive boutique to pick things on his own. 

This was nothing like Jungjin ever thought he’d be doing. The price tags had amounts on them, he never thought he’d see in his life, let alone afford. He wasn’t sure if he would ever get use to this life.

Noticing the incubus looked a little lost, one of the store clerks made her way over to him, asking if she could assist him. Shortly after started to dress him when Jungjin sweetly agreed to have her help. In a matter of minutes, the next thing he knew, Jungjin was shoved into the dressing room trying on outfit after outfit. Finding one particular outfit, he steps out in a nice suit, standing in front of a three part mirror looking over himself. 

“It’s a wonderful pick, sir.” the clerk complimented with a smile. “It fits you perfectly.” 

“Thank you.” he smiles back bashfully. 

it was another day on the job, whether this was dignified or not. he’d never been one to dwell on embarrassment, couldn’t feel it even if he’d tried. had succumb to the pleasures of many in far worse ways, than going at it in the back room of an all too sophisticated clothing store, by none other than the owner himself. he’d paid big--much too big given where they were, yoonoh having half expected to be taken back to a lavish mansion or something of the sorts. but, he needn’t complain, so long as he was getting exactly what he wanted. 

and it was walking out of said back room, that was the most amusing. his client’s employees already aware he was back there, it didn’t take a genius to put two and two together. and as one female employee cast his a curious glance, clearly checking him out, all he could think to do was to send a barrage of winks to all those that spared their attention.

even the butler-looking male, clearly out of place by how odd he was standing around, following another, shot a consistent gaze his own way. he could only assume he was some sort of guard dog, which lead him to closing the distance between the two, light hand despite his own image scaling over shoulders. “which uppity fucker has you hauling their weight around here, huh? there’s a few changing rooms free--i could take the stress away, you know,”