mumei

{` seolhyuns brow furrowed as she watches him. it was clear that he was struggling with saying something, and she wanted to know what it was. at the same time, she didn’t want to pressure him. she reached out, taking his hand in hers and giving it a squeeze, trying to convince him that it was okay. she swallowed suddenly, feeling a bit nervous with the way hongki was looking. something told her that it was serious, and since it was about her father, she felt an uneasy twisting in the pit of her stomach} My father… was.. a what? {` she asked, hardly daring to believe it. she knew nothing about this underworld that he was speaking of, but she knew it didn’t sound good, even with hongki telling her that they did bad things. she couldn’t imagine her father doing bad things, not the man who was so sweet and full of bright smiles and warm hugs, the man who took care of her ever since she was a baby and her mother had passed away in childbirth.} My father… was… like… a mob man? {` she asked. she had read about them, of course, but she never really thought that they were real. well, she knew they were real, but she never thought… her own father..} - {` she was so shocked over hearing what her dad had done for a living that it took awhile for the second part of what hongki had said to sink in} Get… married…..? {` she blinked} Does.. that mean…… you and…. and.. me?

I-I guess he was... {` he shrugs his shoulders helplessly, looking down now as a feeling of dread comes over him, knowing he's upset and hurt her. someone who has lost a parent shouldn't have to know such things about their dark past, it wasn't his place to do this and possibly ruin her image of her father. he hates himself for it, so much, he can feel tears springing into his eyes as he swallows and goes on, trying to explain himself, make it as easy as possible for her to understand} M-My mother... I had no idea about her, she... she worked for him, and they made this vow, but then... something happened. She did something bad... and went into hiding, while she was pregnant with me. They had no idea what happened to us, but someone... someone found me here at Hogwarts. They've approached me and told me all of this, because you and I... we're going to be seventeen soon. {`he waits for this to sink in, nodding his head slowly in confirmation when she questions whether he truly means the two of then, his expression regretful} And... and I know we can't, I know you're with someone else, and you don't think of me that way... I know this would ruin everything for you, I just... {`the tears forming in his eyes finally begin to trickle down his face, his voice breaking as he whispers} The Unbreakable Vow... my mum will die. I don't... I don't know what to do...

{` seolhyun wasn’t sure what could be going on that hongki needed to talk to her privately, but she was worried for him. what if he was in trouble? she would listen to whatever it was that he had to say and help him out in the best way that she could} - {` once they were in a secluded place, she stopped in her track, staring up at the taller boy curiously} you’re okay, right? {` she asked quietly, waiting for a reply, but she was not expecting a question like that. her father? what did he have to do with anything? she tried to remember, though, tried to recall anything that might help} um i- i don’t know i- i was just a kid and kids aren’t really all that fussed about what their parents do, are they? {` she tilted her head} why do you ask?

{`with a sigh, he keeps his gaze lowered and drops her hand, struggling to find the words to speak, but he falters-- it's hard, how do you tell someone such news about their own parent? he struggled enough when he was told of his mother, but Seolhyun, she doesn't need to hear of what her father once was. he feels protective of her, and it pains him to have to do this, but he's aware of what he has to do, so after a long silence he lifts his gaze to meet hers and speaks in a soft, quiet murmur} Your father... he was the leader of... this family, not a blood family, but like... a clan, I guess. Part of the Underworld. I-I don't know if you know what that is, or what they do... I'm still hazy on it myself... b-but they did bad things. A-And I guess my mother was part of it as well, and they... knew each other. And made this vow that their future son and daughter... {`he lifts his hands and gestures between them to indicate that, naturally, this means himself and Seolhyun} ... Would... get married once they were seventeen and take over the family... {`after a small pause, he adds grimly} ... It was an Unbreakable Vow.

{` seolhyun blinked, frowning slightly, not because she was mad or disappointed or suspicious of hongki, but because she had no idea what kind of thing about her that he would need to tell her. she wasn’t aware that she had any secrets, but perhaps that was why they were secrets, especially since even she didn’t know} y-yeah of course {` she murmured, looking around for a place they could go to talk without being overheard. she felt so nervous, it was like she was going to be sick.}

{`once receiving confirmation that they can speak elsewhere, he keeps his hand atop hers and links their fingers together, holding onto her and gently pulling her along as he turns to start walking. weaving past other students in the hall, he starts down towards the dungeons, waiting until they've descended a staircase and reached a secluded corridor before he turns around to face her with a somber expression, not certain of how to approach this} What... wh-what do you know of your father's career? What did he used to do, do you know?

{` her brow furrowed and she stepped closer to the slytherin boy, her hand resting gently on his arm.} You know you can tell me anything, right? {` she wasn’t sure what it was, but judging by his expression, it was really quite serious} I’m here for you, no worries, okay Honky?

{`he flinches, just briefly, as her hand rests on his arm, but he doesn't pull away from the touch, meeting her gaze and holding the eye contact without hesitation -- a feat for him, really -- before his hand rests atop hers and he squeezes gently} This... has to do with you too, though, and I'm... I'm not sure you'll want to talk to me anymore once I tell you. {`his voice drops low and he asks in a whisper meant for only her ears} Can we talk somewhere in private?

{` nods, giving him a small and somewhat sad smile} its okay, I understand. Everyone gets busy and has things and stuff {` twiddles her thumbs, looking around awkwardly}

W-Well... {`pauses, noting her expression and awkward gestures, chewing on his bottom lip as he looks down again and confesses quietly} There's something... I've needed to talk to you about... and I'm not sure how to, so I've been putting it off...

Good. But are you really going to leave your poor, defenseless Ji on the dancefloor all alone? Tch.

The last time I did dancing of any kind, it was the ball at the start of the school year and that was a really bad night for me. But if you want me to so badly I guess I can.

I’m just joking, I definitely miss you. I haven’t seen you in… months. Did I .. do something wrong? {` tilts her head}

{`bites his lip, head shaking slowly as he's quick to avert his gaze} N-No... it's not that. I just... {`pauses, unable to find the right words} I've had... stuff... going on. That's all...

I miss Nid. And maybe Honky too

Nid misses you too. You only maybe miss me?

I don't dance. I won't say no to going out, though.

I know one person who’s gonna be in need of a drink or ten today.

Or ten. Maybe more.

I knowww, but it seems so far away! 

I knowwww but we can find some ways for them to interact until they get back together maybe. Awkward run-ins or something HAHAHA

Sobbing so much over Jaejoong and Hongki’s ‘break up’.  I miss them already.

Shhhh shhhhhhhhh they'll be okay.

[// She was pleased that he liked her idea, but once they were actually walking, she fell silent again, that glazed sadness coming back to her eyes, and yet she didn’t even know (or refused to acknowledge) the reasoning behind it. Instead, she followed the other Slytherin, knowing that he meant her well and at the moment, she could really do with someone actually caring about her with her having to divulge anything. Hongki was just a genuine person and she felt like she didn’t deserve the kindness that he was always showing her.] - [// She nodded again, following him first towards the dungeons, since, she assumed, they would be grabbing the blankets first. She felt a bit apprehensive going in there] How about I wait out here while you get the blankets [// She murmured, finally opening her mouth for the first time in maybe 5 whole minutes] You know, since, well there will be other Slytherin’s and, yeah [// She knew that wasn’t really a good reason, but she hoped the other would just accept it and let her wait outside.]

{`it originally hadn't occurred to him that entering the Slytherin common room might be awkward for her, for multiple reasons really, but the moment she suggests waiting outside it easily dawns on him and he nods his head quickly. of course he knows the real reasoning for her reluctance, he's not stupid and it's a decent reason for her not to want to go in, though even her fabricated excuse is valid as well; Slytherins don't always take kindly to Gryffindors, and having a Gryffindor girl in the boys' dormitory could potentially lead to trouble, trouble that he doesn't want Ellin to have to deal with. so, still nodding, he flashes her a smile and unlinks their hands outside the common room, instead patting her shoulder} Wait here, okay? I'll be right back. {`hurrying into the common room then, he makes his way to the sixth year dormitory and approaches his bed, stripping the blanket from it and going to a few of the empty beds in the room to steal their blankets as well, neatly folding them before retrieving a small bag from his things. charming it to be weightless and bottomless, he fits the blankets inside and easily carries the bag with him back to meet Ellin once more, soon returning to her side after making his way out of the dorm and through the common room} Got it! We can fit the jar and anything else we want in this bag as well.