Nymphella
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Be the best you could be.
Keep your past behind you and forever look toward the future.
Never let anyone or anything get in the way of your destiny.
Rely on those who will never cease the adoration you truly deserve.
Take ridicule with a grain of salt, for it means nothing without moderation
And finally…
…assume the worst out of every situation you encounter because setting yourself up for a downfall will literally take your breath away.
His own personal manifesto protected him from the wicked tyrannies the world brought upon a soul that only ever quivered at the very brink of fear. To fend himself from ghouls and goblins alike, Jin kept the decree permanently engraved deep within. Mind, body, and soul: his whole entire being dedicated itself to those he loved and cared for under whatever cloud that came his way. May it be rain or shine, he’d make sure his actions accommodated the situation with as much resolve as he could conjure up. Take one step at a time, he’d tell himself on a daily basis. Never glance over your shoulder or ignore the situation right in front of you because if he ever did, the mistakes would only unfold without hesitation.
Maybe it was the reason why his nerves jittered out of control and the natural tendency to speak was way out of his league. When Soyoung gingerly led him a step away from Yeongsu and whispered into his ear, the agreements would follow in fear that the tremors would stumble his every world. If Soyoung hadn’t been there for him, Jin was certain that no one would and for that, he was so very thankful to the man who spoke and took his emotions, his deteriorating expectations, and his despicable situation into an illuminating light that showed how selfless Jin truly was. He didn’t mean to hurt anyone or disappoint those who held the highest expectations for someone who seemed to only dig himself into his own grave.
Jin stood at Soyoung’s side with his last proclamation in mind as he thought about the entire outcome under a gloomy and oppressive cloud thundering overhead. It practically caused a mild episode of immense anxiety to silently brew behind a mournful façade that would’ve displayed 100 times the amount of tears he had already shed, if he wasn’t so mildly composed by the fingers that left their mark upon his hand. The grooves at his knuckles flexed ever so slightly with each caress leading Soyoung’s fingers along the ridges that softened under his touch. On occasions, while Soyoung spoke and Yeongsu stared on with a stoic expression discerning the situation at hand, Jin would tune out everything and start focusing on the bracelet that dangled loosely on Soyoung’s wrist. It would brush softly, almost unidentifiably over his skin, and it was only then that he’d think back on the day where a little girl put on the biggest smile she had ever revealed in her life. ‘…just stay positive,’ Nozomi had said and when the advice rang in his ear, Jinhwa managed to lift his chin up high to take whatever Yeongsu threw at him. He was still so very scared, still so very conflicted with his own emotions, and still so very frightful of what Yeongsu had to say because by the look on Yeongsu’s face, he wasn’t pleased about what Soyoung revealed.
Because really, who wouldn’t be disappointed after hearing everything Jin had done.
Yeongsu passed his gaze off to the side for a moment, his arms folding over his chest loosely while a deep exhale sounded throughout the room. He was so good at concealing whatever went on in his head that interpreting his reaction was close to impossible. He’d stand there without a single word escaping him, his strict and imperceptible eyes revealing a darker shade than usual as he bit at his inner-lip. “First thing’s first,” he began as eye’s sternly leveled with the frightful auburn pair that stared back at him. “Your personal wellbeing takes the utmost priority over all the trivial matters that unwittingly unfolded without a single concern for time. If you had told me about this the moment you stepped into the studio, I would’ve canceled the performance and took you to the hospital myself.” Like slabs of concrete, his tone weighed heavily upon him and nearly dipped Jin’s head back into that withdrawn state that lowered his gaze to the floor. However, Yeongsu caught his chin at the nick of time as he kept his attention in place. “You know how I am about this. You know how sensitive the subject of your health becomes when it has the high probability of evolving into a severe case. I told you about Haneul, didn’t I? Have I not told you before about how much my life is based on everything and anything involving medicine, diseases and the protocols that go with it? Why didn’t you tell me? Why didn’t you come to me when you knew I could help you to the fullest extent I‘m physically and mentally capable of? Why wait?!” When problems were out of the realm of pathology, Yeongsu could calmly do what he could to solve the dilemma with as much confidence as his ego provided. But when he knew how much resolving infections could take on a mind of its own and potentially be something that was out of his hands, that was when the panic set in. Books, articles, experiments, and medicinal knowledge in general could only go so far because when Yeongsu first-handedly experienced the hopelessness he felt regarding Haneul’s fluctuating condition, there was that sense of inadequacy about everything revolving around the health of those he cared for. He may have sounded as if he was impervious to Jin’s usual obliviousness to the world around him, but Yeongsu was just worried.
Jin understood that a tad bit.
He was aware of Yeongsu’s knack of looking toward the negatives just as he did, but the acknowledgement of such things still didn’t stop him from burying his face into the already damp hallow of Yeongsu’s neck. How he continued to unconsciously cling onto Soyoung’s hand while distressingly twining his unoccupied fingers into the stretchable fabric at Yeongsu’s back, was close to a miracle. Jin’s thoughts focused solely on Yeongsu and how much he desired his presence through and through, but, with reasons he wasn’t quite sure of, Jin couldn’t let Soyoung go. “I didn’t know until now. I’m sorry Yeongsu. I’m so sorry. I-I didn’t know and I was scared. I’m sorry.” It took a while for Yeongsu to return the embrace and realize how wrongly appointed his anger was at that point. The frustrations obliterated into thin air when the mumbles of heart-wrenching apologizes smeared like magma against his skin. As far as he knew, the pain-stricken cries took on a life of its own and molded into a lethal blade penetrating through soft tissues that bled for the male Yeongsu held in his arms. “Please don’t leave me.” Now it was time for Yeongsu to shake his head as a sigh fell from his lips once again.
“I would never. Please understand I’m not the type of person that would easily forget how important you are in my life. You’re there for me and I’ll be there for you. Nothing’s going to change that.” He took his time to emit the reassurance with arms that tightly circled around him. Yeongsu patted down his hair, smoothing out disheveled strands in a comforting manner before deciding to pull away once Jin had calmed down. “If it wasn’t against standard protocol for ER’s to administer a full STD test, I would’ve taken you there right now. But seeing that I can’t, you’ll go first thing in the morning. Understand me?” He watched as Yeongsu made his way to bed, Jin nodding his head once the raven sat at its edge and turned his way. “Now that’s out of the way, I want to talk about this whole setup.” A forefinger casually pointed between Jin and Soyoung as eyes pinned upon fingers that interlaced at either side of them. He didn’t understand what was going on or what the issue with such closeness was all of a sudden. so he thought about addressing it now that he had the chance to. “Before I get into my own personal concerns, I want to know if you intend on telling Jun what you just told me.” The inquiry struck Jin by surprise. He thought it was already implied that everything was going to stay a secret as forelocks swayed with a shake of his head. “No. I can’t.”
“Is that so?” Jin nodded slowly. “Well, I advise you to tell him everything by tomorrow or I’ll be forced to disclose such information to him the following day.” Eyes nearly popped out of its sockets upon hearing the underhanded announcement that took Jin right off his guard. He didn’t know what to think about the sudden revelation of such deeds that needed to be done before he had the chance to prepare himself. “But why? He’s mad at me already. He hates me and there’s-”
“He doesn’t hate you. Hate implies an eternal abhorrence to one’s existence and I’m positive the hatred you speak of isn’t anywhere near eternal. I’m merely doing this for your own good. You and Jin haven’t been on good terms lately, am I right?” There was no need for a nod at that point because it was clear that, after witnessing the verbal abuse shot at Jin for one thing or another, there was no denying how rocky their relationship had become. “I didn’t mean to make him so mad. I don’t even know why he’s angry all the time.” And that’s when Yeongsu shifted his gaze upon Soyoung as if he was the answer to Jin’s confusion. “Tell me Soyoung, what’s the misunderstanding here? Why is Jun so angry? Why do you think the frustration, insecurity and dishonesty emits from the relationship Jin and Jun both share?” They were questions that had no distinct answer. Sure, it wasn’t in Yeongsu’s place to ask or muddle through another’s life, but when it came to the dysfunctionality of his band, that was the only time Yeongsu stepped in. “ Why is Jun so threatened? Did you not notice the hostility he has with you, because it seemed pretty evident to me how disgusted he is with you. I’m sure you’re aware of it, and yet you play it off as if nothing’s happening. Why is that?” Yeongsu casually leaned back on outstretched arms that sank into mattress behind him. He raised a dark and scrutinizing brow, waiting and expecting an answer to come out of the lanky dancer Yeongsu grimly addressed.
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Everything seemed to be playing out the way he expected with Yeongsu's determination for Jinhwa's health and the existence of their brotherhood. Even as Jin cried into the male's neck, Yeongsu would always ever be the comforting figure Jin needed most and it only sent that brush of relief to his senses, temporarily finding Yeongsu to look admirable in the round eyes that looked up at the scene. So, considering the very imminent issue at hand, Soyoung didn't expect that once Yeongsu traveled over to sit upon his bed that the leader would take it upon himself to address something that could have waited for another time when Jinhwa's nerves and emotions weren't frying to a crisp. Soyoung was nothing short of flabbergasted by the insinuation that he'd have any earthly clue as to why Jun's anger was so bad. They claimed it was a recent thing when it came to Jin, but all Soyoung ever saw was Jun's anger, often aimed at the guitarist. And so none of it was new to him. Yeongsu's prodding questions that matched the format of an angry parent simply offended Soyoung to know that somehow, in some way, Yeongsu was putting blame on him.
He was used to it, and was even a victim of his own self with such an intensity in many situations that he might as well have slammed himself shut in an iron maiden. When he knew he did something wrong or caused someone's pain, atonement was something he had to force himself not to perform with too much passion. Jinhwa confirmed his very own self to have wanted Soyoung's friendship that the boy was so happily willing to give him. As for Jun's reasons for hating this, Soyoung had no idea to chew on. It baffled him as much as the lithium anomaly. Which was why he failed to feel responsible for Jun's threatened state when the male had every reason to know that Soyoung was nothing compared to him in Jin's eyes. Soyoung knew it, accepted it, and frankly had no yearning to take that spot when he knew there was no way that Jin was the one for him.
"Why is that?"
Perhaps it was the condescending nature amongst all of Yeongsu's spiel, or the impetuous rise of a brow, but Soyoung wasn't feeling like he was backed into a corner. Because this made no sense. In most situations he could stutter, he could shake, his eyes could flit around. But right now, Soyoung was a confused student who willfully chose to sit at the front of the class in order to learn to his fullest, only to find that his professor seemed daft. "What am I playing off?" he asked with unblinking eyes sheltered by brows that slightly pinched in the genuine nature of his question. "And what is it that I'm pretending isn't happening?" Yeongsu could interpret Soyoung as being smart aleck, or he could interpret Soyoung as purposefully playing dumb to save face. But what left his mouth was only of an ambiguous ignorance, tinged with annoyance. "The claim that Jun's anger with Jinhwa is only recent is news to me. Because ever since I've met him, he's been angry at everyone. I didn't know that his anger with Jinhwa was an odd thing..."
Soyoung knew that his being around Jin infuriated Jun, and he witnessed the curses and reprimandments being had at times Jin allowed Soyoung's company. They boy knew that much. But he could only assume that whether he was there or not, those curses and that volume of voice was something Jin dealt with whether Soyoung was there or not. "Of course I know that Jun assumed my intentions with Jinhwa were less than innocent." He spoke softly, well within his usual character when discussing a matter with someone. Because no matter how annoyed or frustrated he felt, he still couldn't quite find it in himself to be hostile. "And from the things you know and the connotation in your voice, I can only guess that you assume the same thing." He hated the subject at hand and even thought twice about speaking further. But before Yeongsu would no doubtedly shoot more overblown words in his direction, he felt compelled to speak further. The subject was embarrassing, but they crossed it before and made it out fine. Why not again. "We've..." His voice was beginning to sound fragile once more as his eyes softened and brows laxed more naturally, irises lingering to a lower plain. "We've already discussed that matter...Jinhwa and I. I-I've already admitted to him of the little...crush I had..." "Had" being ever so much the keyword at the moment. "But I made clear to him that I acknowledge my issue with differentiating between wanting to be friends and wanting to be more...Given the lack of friends I've had in my life, it's a difficult thing for me to discern..." His breathing was stiff beneath his chest but the boy still managed to get the words out in a calm manner, trying to treat Yeongsu as not an intimidating peer, but maybe that professor to which he's explaining his analysis of a hypothesis. "Being around Jinhwa has helped me to discern what I want and it really is friendship." Because Soyoung knew so well how incompatible Jinhwa was with him. "But I don't think Jun trusts that. I don't know why this bothers Jun, especially when he accepts Jinhwa's friendship with others. I just want Jinhwa's friendship and to be there for him." A downtrodden emotion left his face painfully blank as eyes waded upon the floor because realizations were being made even as he spoke in his defense. "I...didn't know I was such a large reason why Jun's angry with him all the time." Was it really his fault? Did Yeongsu have it wrong?
If only Key could be in the room to possibly calm what may have been in Yeongsu's thoughts. Because what to Soyoung was a genuine explanation might as well have been a great lie to the male who probably viewed Soyoung as the homewrecker that Rae had only joked of him to be. Wasn't it Soyoung who snatched Key up as soon as he was parted from Andrea? Though Key wasn't even in Soyoung's thoughts at the moment, what were the chances that anything he said only awoke the envious fury that Yeongsu would always keep pent up for Key's first boyfriend?
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“Ignorance is bliss.”
Yeongsu’s snide comment sent an inevitable, undulated sensation down the base of Jin’s spine. Whether it was fear or plain nerves that were the cause of such chills, he wasn’t entirely sure, but Jin went on in assuming it was a mixture of nervousness and discomfort pulling lids under the drapery of ebon forelocks. A shadow had cast disturbingly over the pinch of remorse wetting the corner of his eyes. He attempted to stop them from overflowing into an uncontrollable mess he couldn’t tame, feverously tried to cease the thought of Jun’s malicious demeanor from flashing before his eyes, and further struggled with achieving what Yeongsu expected of him by coming out with the truth. Telling Jun everything was a feat beyond what he was capable of accomplishing in the duration Yeongsu allotted.
One day.
He had only one day to gather up as much composure as he could and face Jun with his head held high. There was no second chances with him. A single, most crucial mistake would definitely send Jun off into a rampage if Jin didn’t handle the situation as best as he could, which was the reason why he needed more time. Although, seeing that the situation wasn’t getting any better than he initially expected, time wasn’t on his side anymore. Not for Yeongsu, Not for Jin, and especially not for Soyoung because once the arrogant comments whist passed their leader like a knife plowing through its prey, Yeongsu took it all the wrong ways.
The raven tilted his head off to the side, observing the slab of meat before him as if he was the most repulsive thing that stepped into the room. Tensions were high, his patience was drawing thin, and immense irritation arose the longer his eyes set upon the one who stuck out like a sore thumb. In Yeongsu prejudice perspective, Soyoung was the one that didn’t belong when it came to personal matters of the heart. “Assumptions concerning my thoughts and my presumed intent are frivolous statements that holds no truth toward the matter at hand.” As if Soyoung truly knew what went on in Yeongsu’s head was absolutely ridiculous. To even ’assume’ who the raven sided with was absolutely and utterly absurd because the truth of the matter was, Dae Yeongsu sided with no one but himself. “What I think about the friendship you and Jin share is none of my business and to be quite honest, it’s something I care less about. You’re blinded by what you want and what Jin require to even think of considering other people’s emotions that also comes into play. A negligent act you all share and yet both of you take most of the blame.” Yeongsu rose from his seat and started across the room toward the oak table sprawled with papers and documents he soon gathered in his hands.
He flipped through each opaque sheet, eyes staring at configurations and numbers he had jotted down prior to dipping his conscious into those everlastingly sweet reveries. “You think Jun doesn’t trust your intentions of a budding friendship?” An inquiring look peeked over the files he soon returned to once the message of exasperation transferred between them. “Well, here’s some food for thought. Why think when you’re embedded with actions that will allow a concrete acknowledgement depleting all assumptions?” Yeongsu dropped his arms loosely at his side with file after enmeshed file dangling precariously at the tips of his fingers. Deliberately, Yeongsu took his time walking from one place to another as he retrieved his phone from the nightstand and rounded the bed where he sat with papers neatly set at his side. “Like I said before, assuming and thinking about something you’re not in control of is idiotic, which is why, aside from reassurance, you came to me with your concerns, am I right?” A silent agreement was shared as Yeongsu wasted no time in waiting for a unnecessary reply. “You wanted a confirmation and you got it. Maybe you should learn from the positivism you displayed today and incorporate it into your daily lives, don’t you think?”
For the last time that night, Yeongsu glanced over at the numeric sheets that displayed all the figures concerning Al[tria]’s budget. After distributing and rearranging their expenses from custom wardrobes to their stage setup for their debut, Yeongsu was able to come up with a final consensus as eyes drifted back upon Soyoung and Jin. “Financially, we have more than enough to keep all the components of our debut as we first intended from the very beginning. However…” The pause that followed had the ability to place it’s victims on edge more than anyone could have thought possible. As intentional as it was, Yeongsu hesitated with the very slit of eyes looming on none other than Soyoung who he had personally loathed for so many reasons he couldn’t describe. “The competition between you and your fellow dancers is still in motion. Thought I clarify that before you assume you had the right to alleviate the tension this elimination has clearly brought about.”
“But you said we have enough money. I don’t understand.”
“It’s best for the group that this arrangement continues.” And that was that. Yeongsu refused to offer an elaborate explanation because why put in the effort when he was far too exhausted to do so. “So, if there isn’t anything else to discuss, you should let my boyfriend in before a case of separation anxiety breaks out.”
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Confusion was a mass within the boys that seemed to be growing and webbing within him to the point that he felt no fear in showing it blatantly on his face the way his brows curved to create little lines between one another. Either out of pride or truth, Yeongsu denied Soyoung's assumption but yet without ever explaining his nature of questioning him so in the first place. The boy was taken aback as his mind tried to wrap around the odd way Yeongsu danced around his own message and concluded with assuming Soyoung got the confirmation he wanted when the boy never remembered wanting confirmation from the likes of Yeongsu. The male was far beyond arrogant and as he spoke with such an air of crisp judgment and narcissism, Soyoung couldn't bare to imagine for one second what Key saw in him. What Key thought was more suited for him than what Soyoung gave him...It didn't make anu sense but yet such thoughts were supposed to never be asked in a world where Key was not his and nor should he want him to be.
Should.
The boy stood their in a stupor, feeling like his professor just relayed an oddly thrown-together argument for what they just discussed, leaving him with nothing to respond with because how do you respond to nonsense? Soyoung was a logical thinker, much like Yeongsu, but his downside was responding to things that made no sense. He took far too long thinking about the matter, delving, twisting, and turning to discuss with a sense of dignity. But his thoughts were disrupted by the lackadaisical mention of the group's financial standing and, in turn, the competition that would still ensue. Soyoung's heart made a reverse jolt that oddly felt as if it became smaller because the more time had passed, the more this slitted eyes before him seemed to fade into another slitted face that would glare at him in such a similar way. Soyoung didn't understand for a second. Wasn't there even a small part of Yeongsu that liked Soyoung in some way? Jinhwa said Yeongsu found potential in him and that was why the male chose him for the solo. And Key confirmed that Yeongsu would have only chosen someone who would represent Al[tria] the best way possible. So did he disappoint him? Why didn't Yeongsu just go ahead and fire him? For the male whose hand Soyoung held in that moment?
It took a moment for Soyoung to register Yeongsu suggesting letting Key in, wondering why in the world Yeongsu couldn't do the kind act for his own boyfriend instead until Soyoung ruled out that Yeongsu felt he was too good to open the door when he had someone like Soyoung to obey his every demand. But Soyoung wasn't done talking! Should he tell Yeongsu of how Jun refused to help him? Would such a thing brand him as a liar that both Jinhwa and Yeongsu would believe he is if he said such? Therefore he knew: he couldn't tell them. "But...I still have questions..." He said politely. "I never came to you in a concern for other than Jinhwa, and so I think some information was skewed somewhere because I'm left here still quite puzzled about everything you said." But how dare he claim that anything Yeongsu said wasn't clearly stated, right? But Soyoung's mind worked so concretely that no matter how well-put something was, if it made no sense with what he thought the conversation was about, he would never make use of the words given to him. "Do you more concretely know why Jun's mad because of me? If it's because he doesn't trust my intentions, why is that? I don't understand it. Do you know?" His questions were only of genuine need-to-know and that was why he looked upon Yeongsu with the eyes of a learning pupil, eager for the information that will help him ace his course.
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Full of complications and indecent behavior shrouded Soyoung’s stupefied demeanor to the point where his intelligence dated back to the prehistoric age. Like that of a caveman, Soyoung etched an expression of pure perplexity that might as well have been forever set in stone with how bothersome he started to become. And here Yeongsu thought he was two seconds away from seeing the beautiful, delectable and highly permissive face of his beloved Kibum. “I guess a clever hperintelligent pandimensional being such as myself has to stoop to the levels of simplicity.” Yeongsu tiredly flopped on his side, allowing his face to hit the pillow with a dramatic slosh of his hair forming like a halo about the comforts in which he laid. With an arm tucked under his head and his legs comfortably crossed at his ankles, the incensed raven practically glowered at the inquirer who failed to take the hint. Not that he intended to make his intentions so blandly obvious, but seeing that Soyoung would eternally hold the confusion upon his face, there was no use in garnishing his words when he had to deal with the mind of a toddler. “Trust your intensions?” Yeongsu huffed out a laugh. “Here’s a good question for you: Is Jun even aware of your intensions?”
Jesus Christ! Why did he have to deal with him?! Why did he have to see him outside of the studio!? Why in god’s name was Soyoung so damn clueless?!? Yeongsu refrained from screaming the curses right into his pillow with that odd, rather peculiar way of averting his attention elsewhere when enough was enough, and he was simply fed up with looking at Soyoung longer than he deemed necessary. “It would’ve been ideal, wouldn’t it?” Yeongsu was the type of person who despised leading people like Soyoung through a path that was literally paved with all the signs and symbols that led to all the answers to his questions. There was no need in spoon-feeding him what he wanted to know when it was right in front of his face. “For you to have anyone as your mentor, besides the person who would rather see you fail as oppose to the succession you foolishly assume, would‘ve been ideal, am I right?” And there it came once again. How the word of ‘assumption’ would stick itself in the middle of his sentence was quite amusing. He’d annunciate the word like a bitter aftertaste punctuating in a manner that implied how tiresome it was to speak of the obvious.
“Jin,” he unexpectedly addressed as he turned his attention toward the quiet male. “Why do you think I paired Soyoung and Jun together?” Was there a right answer to his question? Jin stood there with a distant stare lodged into each orbital plane that darted about for the reply Yeongsu was looking for. While meeting the other’s gaze, Jin finally thought it was better to be honest about his opinions as he shrugged his shoulders. “For him to improve because a group is as strong as its weakest link.” As a leader, Yeongsu had muttered those words over and over again on countless occasions. Jin believed him and the statement itself because what was there to contradict when the raven whole-heartedly dedicated in refining not only himself, but the people around him as well.
Yeongsu didn’t confirm nor deny Jin’s outspoken reply, but had instead roved his gaze over the disorderly look meshed wildly upon every inch of Soyoung’s face. “How about you Soyoung? Why do you think I paired you up with Jun? Try to be honest, you know how much Jin and I despise those who hide behind a swath of lies. What an ironic statement, considering Yeongsu was the epitome of deceit.
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The extent of most interactions between Soyoung and Yeongsu were critiques inside the studio and bully-and-bait in small doses outside of it. Therefore, Soyoung was merely learning what kind of argumentative soul Yeongsu was in every aspect, not just work and Kibum. Yeongsu set flame to the words he he spat, meant specifically to burn Soyoung alive in an insult to the boy's intelligence. Soyoung listened to the poison-steamed words and even though he felt that pang of offense, defense, and annoyance, he did his best to uphold a strong resolve. "This has to do why my question?" he asked plainly, eyes of a neutral state as lips hung parted in his remaining confusion. "Because I don't know why you paired us. I have my assumptions but you keep stomping on every assumption I put out there, when you clearly condemn the usage of assumptions in the first place. Why should I feel like giving you my assumptions will do me any good at the moment? And why would you ask for them? I remember you calling me idiotic for thinking things I'm in no control of." Eyes looked left and right upon Yeongsu's visage where eyes of condescension only seemed to fuel his questioning brain, the mind that sought out entertainment in the forms of puzzles, riddles, and brain teasers.
One couldn't blame the boy for being a bit mad. Soyoung had by then gotten used to Yeongsu's imposing presence and the thing that differentiated the male for others who would cause the boy's mouth to be sewn shut is that instead of screaming, cursing, or using his bronze as a threat, he was speaking. It was easier for Soyoung to respond in defense when it seemed that someone of a matching intelligence level to his was the one attacking. "But yet, you've stated a few of your own assumptions as well and I fail to see how you're better than me or how any of this proves that you're 'a clever hyperintelligent pandimensional being'." It was strange that his eyes never blinked as if Soyoung was a creepy porcelain doll. "But since I personally believe that thinking of things you have no control over is a smart decision in regards to self preparation for any event in one's life, I'll give you a few of my assumptions."
He was stiff with anger, finding Yeongsu to be that much more insufferable than he ever has been. But as always, he was able to speak with a level tone. "At first, I really wanted to assume that your choice in pairing me with Jun was one to push me further to become a better performer. To ensure that Al[tria] was equipped with dancers who could meet the standards set for them. But then that made you seem too admirable. And I thought what if you were disappointed in my performance yesterday and therefore gave me a feat you deemed impossible for me to overcome just to have a real reason to fire me? But then I thought...Wouldn't you just straight up fire me if that were the case? So like I said before: I don't know. But I hope you asking me this had a roundabout reason for answering my initial question. Because right now, I could care less about why you chose to pair me with him and assigned me a dance style that takes for more than a week to learn, because I have every intention of surpassing level one days in advance. What I care about at the moment is being there for someone I'm concerned for but I have a force trying to keep me from doing exactly that. And instead of telling me that you don't know why or explaining the answer, you belittle me and ask me questions instead of straight up telling me what you're trying to see if I can come to on my own."
He remembered the hand he still held and after a moment's breath, he turned to look at Jinhwa for a moment as his thumb smoothed over the male's hand once more. "Whether you test positive or negative, whether Jun accepts you or shuns you, I want to be there to either celebrate or support. You told me you don't want me to go anywhere. Which is why I hope to make things right between me and Jun. And I wonder if I'll need help with it." Because he wasn't quite sure if Yeongsu was willing to spare the information Soyoung nicel asked of him.
Key had been so long from his thoughts that he was slightly shocked at the sound of the door opening. "This is all taking way too long," Key said with a slight irritability as he closed the door behind him and walked over to the bed, sat at Yeongsu's side, and looked Soyoung right in the eyes. "If something's really that badly wrong to take a decade, then I want you to share it with me. All I've heard is your voice and Yeongsu's voice muffled through the door so that mean's something's up and it has to do with you. Tell me." But Soyoung was still annoyed at the sound of Yeongsu's name. But why did Soyoung smile just a tad bit in responding to Kibum? "Yeongsu thinks that assuming and thinking about things you're in no control of is idiotic. I just wanted to let you know since he's standing right there and you just said all that." Key's brow lifted farther than its natural pristine arch. "Does he now?" Key said, almost in a feline purr. He turned to look at his lover and placed folded arms upon Yeongsu's broad shoulders, resting his chin upon them as the warmth of his body enclosed upon that side of Yeongsu. "Did the King of Assumptions and Thinking Too Much really say that?" Key enjoyed playing with the man who assumed too often that Key was flirting when he chose to speak cordially with a male, or assumed Key was such an insufferable person when they first met, or assumed Key didn't consider his feelings in certain situations, or assumed so many things that always drove the diva mad. Soyoung smiled again at the display before him, though he'd always have to admit that seeing Key so clingy upon Yeongsu hurt him somewhere inside.
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Back off while you can or suffer the wrath of an irrational, insidiously psychopathic and untamed fiend, equipped with those lethal talons that could rip, thrash, and dislodge the chords that made talking accessible for those that went beyond the thresholds of stupidity.
There was a dangerous, almost murderous glint emblazing the fires in Yeongsu’s eyes for a fraction of a second that it took for Yeongsu to classify the emaciated, existential figure before him, as nothing more than a nuisance in his life. He had to commend him for taking care of Jin the way he did, but when it came straight down to the point where appreciation and irritation meshed into a abstruse mess of verbal conflict waiting to happen, there was that need to restrain himself. Muttering a thank you or even acknowledging his good deed would only result in a bruised ego after all that was said. It jus couldn’t be done anymore. Yeongsu had the right of mind to tune him out when a bulk of gibber-jabber and nonsensical rubbish poured out of him as if he had no idea who exactly he was speaking to. Turning Yeongsu words around, using them as some kind of defense against a question that would’ve worked to Soyoung’s advantage, and practically belittling him by correcting him and attempting to put them on the same level of intelligence, was like presenting yourself as grub for a hungry liger that was ready to slash through skin, break into bone and contort that sniveling look upon his wretched face.
Body language mechanized emotions into a tangible and foreseeable frame of disclosure that couldn’t hide behind the façade Yeongsu solemnly displayed. He’d make as if he didn’t care, brows remaining neutral, while eyes lazily dragged over Soyoung’s thin silhouette with not much thought put into a reply. But truth be told, he was upset and Jin could see it by the way Yeongsu’s fingers discreetly clawed into the sheets. He noticed the tension in his shoulder, the way muscles at his jaw flexed as if he was biting down on a retort that would’ve sent the boy fending for his life if Soyoung hadn’t quickly shifted onto another subject.
Observant eyes locked onto Soyoung’s delicate features that conveyed a message, or a sense of reassurance, that there was nothing to worry about. While the small volley or retorts were had between Soyoung and Yeongsu just seconds ago, Jin was lost in his own thoughts that revolved around the subject the dancer spoke of. A blanket of comfort followed the single stroke of Soyoung’s thumb at that moment, Jin’s concerns seeming insubstantial when Soyoung claimed he’d be there no matter what happened. He wasn’t alone and really, that was all that mattered to the man who continuously ran from the dark when abandonment took a hold of his heart. Hands and the fingers that came along with it meant the world to him. They were the only source that latched onto him when Jin felt as if his world was closing in, and escaping was futile in his pessimistic eyes. Jin wasn’t sure why Yeongsu, or anyone else would feel so hostile toward someone like Soyoung when all he did was care for people who was evidently in need.
Jin lowered his gaze upon the fingers that wrapped securely around his hand, but before he could register how united they seemed to be, the door sounded behind them and Key came waltzing in for an explanation. And he had to wonder, were they going to tell Key everything? Fortunately for him, Soyoung began to speak about the fallacies of Yeongsu’s claims and, much like a statue, Jin watched the stiff expression on the raven’s face soften when lips found their way upon Key’s cheek.
“il est gênant.” Slowly, the factual statement of ‘he’s bothersome’ rolled sensually off of the tongue that curled and lapped over the lobe of Key’s ear. Fingers trickled over his cheek as the soft, romantic textures of rose petals emblemized in the sensations that followed, as Yeongsu lovingly tucked stray strands of hair behind Key’s ear. “ ° He’s a pathetic, good-for-nothing imbecile who didn’t deserve someone as beautiful as my Kibum. ° “ A tone of perfection mimicked the tranquil harmonies an angel’s harp was only ever known for. It was as if he’d spoken sweet nothings into his ear when in truth, his blood boiled as the venoms plundered into the pit of his stomach. “There’s a misunderstanding Yeobo~.” Yeongsu childishly whined, his whole demeanor smoothly transitioning from a pompous beast to a harmless, victimized cub. “It seems he doesn’t know the difference between facts and assumptions.” Yeongsu gave a little smile as if the act itself would melt away the intended insult hurled Soyoung’s way. “He hopes things will resolve in due time, but hoping isn’t as efficient as putting words into action.” Being as careful as possible as to not upset his diva, was close to an impossible task Yeongsu was determined to accomplish.
He had to get his thoughts across because god only knew if he didn’t bash Soyoung’s claims that carelessly spouted out prior to Key’s arrival, he’d only be on edge the whole night. “Why give false hope when one doesn’t know the future and you doubt yourself along the way? It’s like setting yourself up for a downfall, and that is where the idiocy of assumptions come from. It’s best to just keep your mouth shut, go about your day, and initiate what you hope will happen rather than making it an idea for others to mull over.” Unlike Soyoung, Yeongsu was able to change things if he wanted to. He had the power, the wit, the strength and especially the determination to do so. If he wanted to make the ‘ideal’ pair Soyoung deemed as an assumption, he would’ve done so. Sure, Yeongsu had thought about saving Jun and Soyoung the squabbles that would obviously brew between them by letting Kazuma, or anyone else for that matter, be the nuisance’s mentor. But he refused to do just that because he had his reasons and good intensions behind those reasons as well, which is why it pissed Yeongsu off that Soyoung would try and weed out the answers from someone else rather than dealing with the source of his problems himself. Did he really expect Yeongsu to give Soyoung the tools to fight his battles?
Ridiculous.
“Have any more questions Soyoung? Because if you don’t, I bid you a goodnight.” He didn’t care if Key was there. If Soyoung had the audacity to speak out the way he did minutes ago, then Yeongsu would most definitely reply without any hesitation or restraint.
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