Samples Galore

[Miso-Soup_file]

There were many things so damn wrong with the arrangement he practically willed himself to walk into without so much as a thought put into it. First of all, it was bullshit. Secondly, the bullshit was named Jung. Thirdly, Jung was full of s**t. And lastly, this bullshit that was full of a kind of s**t who went by the name of Park Jung Yong practically had yet another reason to put Rae beneath him. First it was dancing and now this?! Rae wasn’t stupid or dyslexic or whatever other disease that would’ve made him incapable of paying attention when he knew, good and well, what was being spat between the two idiots who went on, and on, and on, and ******** on about something that shouldn’t have even mattered, and yet the information itself began piecing together in his head on its own accord. Trained the staff he said? Couldn’t fire him? Oh god, what the ******** did he get himself into?! Rae was standing there darting his eyes between the two as if he was patiently waiting for the bickering ‘phantoms’ to disappear into thin air. He could hear them, practically could see the two tossing a string of verbal abuse at each other, but all he could do was look right through them because one thing was for sure, Rae couldn’t concentrate on what they were saying even if someone put a gun to his head. It was like being forced to watch porn, but when children padding their little feet across the floorboard sounded just outside the door hits one’s ear, that distraction simply triggers the paranoia and thus prevents any kind of erotic displays of affection from processing through your mind. Rae should’ve been paying attention to what was being said but all he could think about was the fact that there was a 99.99% chance of Jung being responsible for his training. He was simply anticipating for the worst that had yet to come, waiting for that moment where that big bowl of utter bullshit would finally explode right in his face once the interview was done and over with. “So, it’s clear you can work the hours I give you. Just talk a little about yourself and the blanks on your application to make this as painless as possible. You’re a student, right?” The woman began, Rae’s expression on the neutral side for the most part as he played the ‘I just need this job’ card that was imprinted with nothing but truth. “Yeah, going to the same school Jung’s at. But, to make a long story short, I never held down a job in my life and really didn’t bank on starting now, that was until some financial stuff came up. So figured since this is one of the few places that doesn’t ask for those background checks or require certain skills I don’t have I‘ll show up. So, here I am. Why don’t we skip the obvious and tell me straight up if I have the job or not because I really need to start working as soon as possible. If I don’t need to hang around here I’m not going to waste my time or yours.” His peoples skills were completely shot dead. For all it was worth, the hypothetical hole that would’ve just gone right through his head might as well left him six feet under because, it was obvious enough, there seemed to be no future for him in a joint that hustled in at least a hundred customers each shift.

Why would a woman who had seen so many potential employees throughout the afternoon choose someone as unqualified as Min Rae Mun? Well, he couldn’t provide the answer to an obvious question because he was about ready to deem the woman a complete nut case when she entitled him to a job working the cash register. It was unexpected at first. In all honesty, a part of him wanted her to toss him aside just so he could have an excuse to sell off the only a**et he had on him; but no, the generous hag sent him out to handle the last customers of the night instead, Rae just raising an eyebrow at the demand she spat out to him. “Can’t Jung handle those giggling bunch of girls. I can’t -” This b***h! The woman practically shoved him in front of the cash register as if she had the right to! If it was a different day and an entirely different situation to boot, Rae would’ve just socked her in the mouth…no questions asked. But there he was, staring solemnly at the two semi-drunken women who obviously had a thing for the young ‘bad boy’ type Rae’s entire image exuded to a tee. “What do you want?” As if diagnosed with a case of emphysema, Wang Zi cleared her throat, which caught Rae’s attention only for a second before he was forced to turn his deadened gaze back to the girls once again. He knew what she was hinting at, knew what was required of a job that involved people, and absolutely knew what it meant when it came to providing good customer service. Rae may have not experienced menial labor in the 17 years of his existence, but that didn’t make him stupid. So, with much willpower on his part, he smiled that really decrypted, but somewhat charming smile at the two he would’ve much rather ignored. “I mean, what can I get for you ladies on this fine night.” Jin was a complete retard. She couldn’t restrain her laughter even if she tried. Rae wanted nothing more than to choke her out at that very moment, but instead of wringing his hands around her neck, he kept to the torturous façade until the takeout order of a coffee cake and a simple chocolate glazed croissant sent them out the door. Looking for the orders through the computer was frustrating, being some else’s ‘servant boy’ was aggravating, but what topped the list of all things humiliating was the chuckles that softly sounded between every bite of Raspberry Cheesecake. He rounded the counter almost instantly to put the laughing hyena in a headlock she struggled to escape from. “I will whore myself on the streets if I hear another sound out of you.” Jin sucked in a lung full of air once the threat let her go and sat himself in the seat across from her. Instinctively, she rubbed at the inflicted area before smiling at the brooding brunette who had his arms crossed tightly over his chest like Rena always did when things didn’t go her way. “You’re doing the right thing for yourself and Rena.”

“Tch, whatever.” And just like the brat that he was, Rae snatched the fork right out of Jin’s hand while also stealing the dessert right from under her nose. “That’s such a d**k move. You know I really really really like cheesecake.” But did Rae give a damn? Of course not. “ Why don’t you just ask your new BFF to get you another one?” Jin rolled her eyes at the obscene smirk that crossed his features. “Oh c’mon, you don’t need to get all jealous and s**t Rae. You’re my only BFF so don’t get insecure in that little emo corner of yours.” As if he was remotely worried about something like that. Rae didn’t even bother to retort as he stuffed his mouth full of cheesecake, the silence giving Jin the chance to dig into his backpack to retrieve a small bag he set on the table. “Yo, Blondie,” Jin called out to catch Jung‘s attention. “Brought your containers that had the food in them. That s**t was ******** good, too bad they were so small.”

“And you wonder why I call you a fat a**.” Jin shot him a glare, to which Rae challenged with his own narrow gaze that quickly pulverized the sorry excuse of a glower he was sure Rena could beat. “Anyways, yeah~ here…your stuff. Thanks for, ya know, cooking the stuff for us.” Unlike Rae, Jin at least knew to be appreciative when another person did a nice thing out of the ‘goodness of their heart’. Okay, maybe that was pushing it a little too far, but Jin was taught to be respectful no matter how much he disliked the blond she had slapped days ago. “Rae would be all appreciative and s**t too, but its not really ‘his thing’.” The aspiring lyricist scoffed at the claim with another mouthful buying him the seconds to come up with a comeback. “It’s called being allergic to bullshit. It’s a real condition, look it up.” There was a retort for everything that came out of the delinquent’s mouth, but to save herself the precious air that would’ve put him in his place, Yu Jin decided on moving to another subject instead. “Anyways, you gonna ask him?” Since they were just sitting there while Jung went around the shop doing what night shift workers do, Yu Jin thought it was wise to bring up a subject she knew Rae would willfully overlook. It clearly explained the silence that followed suit. “Don’t know what you’re talking about.” End of conversation. When Rae turned his head off to the side and stared at nothing in particular, it meant he didn’t give a single ******** about what was supposed to be said. But, Jin pressed on. “You can’t ignore it forever.”

“I can if you shut the ******** up.”

“C’mon Rae, that’s not fair.” And yet again, the question remained: Did he give a s**t? “She gave it away so she won’t see it again, end of story. C’mon, let’s go.” He was expected to show up for his shift the next day, so with no other reason to stay around, Rae got up and started toward the front door. “So ******** melodramatic all the time.” A sigh of pure exasperation escaped him once Jin took him by the crook of his arm and tugged the brooding teen away from the door. It was like playing ‘mother’ was a 24 hour job for the tomboy who always made sure Rena’s voice was heard even if she wasn’t there to say it out loud. “Can you come to the hospital really quick. I mean, I know it’s a good distance away but -” She didn’t have time for his childish antics. She had places to go and a curfew to take advantage of since Mi yung was still under the impression Rae had yet to be discharged from the hospital. But leave it to Rae to be the stubborn a** that he was. He whipped his arm out of her grasp and ran his fingers through his hair in pure frustration. Though, surprising enough, nstead of turning on his heels and waltzing right out of that door like she expected, Rae calmly but vapidly walked toward the blonde to stick out an open hand. “Give me the doll. If you keep it she’ll expect you to visit her every chance you get and I know you can’t do that. I mean, why would you?” It was a bother, it was a hassle, it went against everything humanity stood for, so it only made sense to relieve Jung of a burden that wasn’t his to withstand. “You weren’t the only one that wasn’t thinking yesterday. I should’ve told her to take it back when I had the chance but I guess my mind was a little out there.” But if that was so, then why didn’t he stop her in the hall the second time the doll was offered to him? He stared at it in Jung’s hand when he demanded all the money be returned, didn’t he? His mind was clear and his cognitive ability to make a rational decision had also been well attuned to his surroundings. So it didn’t make sense. Nothing ever did, but he was sure it must’ve been the residual effects of the drugs that coursed through his veins only because it was the only plausible reason his mind could come up with.


o.o.c :....




Quote:

O N E

[Miso-Soup_file]

“Hyung, can we have miracles?”


“It depends. What kind of miracles do you want?”



“I want the one that makes everyone smile.”


It seemed impossible. When faced with such an inquiry that only ever devours you from the inside out, there was just no describing the predicament that laid in the hands of the one that went by the name of Min Jaesun. He didn’t know what to say, didn’t know how to explain himself or how he’d begin to brandish a hope with nothing but the utter disappointment and despair that currently flooded the world. Happiness and the smiles that came along with it all but vanished the moment screams filtered the air and the snapping sound of ligaments reverberated the walls. It was something out of a horror movie - something he wasn’t quite ready for when fear clung to his entire being. He wanted to die. He wanted so much to give in as the weeks drew on and on, and on to the point where his thoughts and his ability to function began to shrivel into a nothingness that made him go absolutely insane. His mother, his father, his elder brother and his two younger sisters: where were they? Where was anyone at this point? The last thing he had remembered was living a life of normalcy and then, out of nowhere, he found himself looking over his shoulder every second or so until hands that trembled and eyes that darted every which way made out the sign of an orphanage he had visited quite frequently before the outbreak.

He had no gun, no means of support and absolutely nothing to live for at that point, but, without so much as a warning, something changed. His world flipped because once he trailed his fingers along a wall soaked in blood, he knew, from there on out, there was something worth living for when he entered the building. Now that was a long time ago. Maybe a week or two, but who was counting? Jaesun had lost all track of time when the outbreak struck the city of Seoul - his birthplace, his life, his home…his everything. “Hyung.” A whisper hit his ear and little fingers grappled at the end of his sleeve, the boy gently tugging to shake the 20 year old from his nightmarish reverie. Min Hakkun pointed down a desolate slab of asphalt littered with the wreckage that hoards upon hoards of animated corpses left behind. “What is it?”

“It’s a car. It looks like it’s not broken like the other ones. We can go Hyung. We can go to paradise.” The 6-year-old, eager in his pursuit to investigate the said car that was a block or two away from the alley where they hid, unconsciously inched out into the clearing until Jaesun possessively yanked him back into the shadows. “Hyu-” Jaesun clenched the palm of his hand tightly over the other’s mouth, his entire body already tensing when the familiar sounds of coarse moans and disheveled groans hit his ear. As quietly and as quickly as ever, Jaesun carried Hakkun into the nearest dumpster and followed in right after him, the warmth of the child’s body shakily smothered amongst his chest within seconds as Jaesun kept his weapon close at hand, ready and willing to unload on anything that came their way. But it passed. The sounds of zombies came and went like a cold gust of air, leaving the putrid smell of whatever they sat in infiltrating their senses. Not that it really bothered them since they hadn’t bathed for weeks and they practically wreaked of something foul, considering what they had to crawl in to hide.

Jaesun illuminated the bin with a flick of a lighter he had found days before, a sigh soon coursing through the air. ‘Are they gone?’ Hakkun began communicating through sign language as fingers formed the words he was too afraid to say. ‘I think so.’ The brunette signed back, his facial expression slightly composed for the child’s sake. ‘I want you to stay here. I’m going to check the car and come back for you after I make sure everything is safe, alright? You scream as loud as you can if you need me.’

‘Don’t die, okay.’ Jaesun smiled a reassuring smile before placing a serrated knife into Hakkun’s little hands. ‘Of course. Now stay out of sight, be quiet, and be safe.’ He dreaded the part where sacrifices needed to be made and his advances came in the form of a trembling figure that climbed out of the dumpster with caution. He was shaking as always, seemingly unstable and unsure with his footing when he made it out in the open, only to find himself rooted in place when familiarities trailed down the road of obscurities. From what he encountered since the day symptoms of the flu turned into a lethal virus, all was supposed to fall silent unless some kind of sound warned him of an attack that would undoubtedly ensue. However, he was faced with something living, something breathing, someone who formed coherent sentences that posed as no threat, save for the arrow that pressed at the back of his head. But it wasn’t as if this had been the first time he encountered a living and breathing human being other than Hakkun, which is why he stationed himself in place with the shotgun slowly lowering at his side. “I’ll be damned if I die without either killing you or injuring you. Either way, I’ll make sure you don’t leave here unscathed if you decide to shoot me.” Big talk for someone who was clearly in no position to mouth off a threat he knew he wouldn’t accomplish. But it was who he was, what he was, and how he handled certain situations that threatened his existence. That is if the predicament he was in could be considered life-threatening because why would the dark haired male ask if he was alive in the first place if the other’s intention was to kill him? Maybe the stranger merely desired to steal whatever he could salvage. A shotgun, a backpack filled with dwindling supplies of food, water and other necessities for life, a butterfly knife, his prized machete holstered at his hip, a few medicinal herbs and, most importantly of all, a FNP 9mm Handgun bolstered with a silencer at his back: they were items worth stealing - items that were hard to find. And with all that in mind, Jaesun just had a hard time trusting people, which clearly showed by the way his body stood unmoving, eyes narrowing ever so slightly as the seconds ticked on by. Sure he was scared. Of course, he felt like hell just ignited in his throat when speaking became so difficult to bare. But there was no way he’d make himself appear so frail when he had to protect not only himself, but Hakkun as well.

And, speaking of the child, it didn’t take long for him to disobey a direct order when Hakkun unexpectedly sounded from a small distance away. “Don‘t hurt my Hyung. You can‘t do that.” It was more like a stern demand than a plea, what with the glare that furrowed at Hakkun’s brows and the fists that bore Jaesun’s knife tightly in his grasp. Almost instantaneously the metallic sound of a gun hit the pavement when Jaesun raised his hands in a manner that conveyed a surrender he was more than reluctant to make. But it wasn’t as if he had any other choice on the matter. It just had to be done. “Hakkun, don’t you dare move.” He sternly warned in fear Hakkun’s instincts for survival allowed him to make a compulsive mistake he’d regret with his life. “He’s going to take everything. He’s going to take you away. He’s going to take the car away and we can’t go to paradise. He’s going to take it Hyung.” A child’s fear had a distinct tone that almost always rumbled at the back of Hakkun’s throat. He wanted to be brave, tried so hard to stand firm upon the ideals that ran through his head, but in the end of it all, he was just a child who depended on Jaesun to stay alive and he surely wasn’t going to do something stupid to take that away from him. “Take whatever you want. Our food, our water, our weapons…we won’t put up a fight, so just take our stuff and look the other way. Please.”

“Hyung-”

“Everything‘s going to be okay Hakkun. Give the man you knife and-”

“It’s the monsters Hyung. They’re coming.” 7 or 8 blocks away: the distance positioned the next onslaught of zombies amongst the horizon, the little group slowly making their way toward them; But, strangely enough, it was the least of Jaesun's concern when the biggest threat to their lives stared down at him with a crossbow in hand.



o.o.c :....

Quote:

T W O

[Miso-Soup_file]

Music is the spoken word of the heart as every note chimes the tune of emotions whisking in the air. “Why can’t you just listen to me?” The anger, the disappointment, the grief: they all strummed a cord along each syllable that coiled a string of lethality around his ear. It’s barbed wire dripped in an acid searing through his brittle bones, but never had he warned himself back when the warmth of palms pressed against his cheek and lifted his gaze away from the phone. “You heard Yeongsu. He wants you to rest. You’ll go home and-” Kazuma and Ryo flinched at the sudden twist of Jin’s head whipping away from Jun’s gentle grasp and it was a miracle how the ticking time bomb held the patience for no one, but the man who slowly rose from where he sat. “You’re not disappointing anyone, you hear me?”

“Jun’s right. All that matters now is that you’re alright. So don’t worry about anything.”

“You’ll only upset lil’ Jun more if you stay.” A look of mild surprise quirked everyone’s brow because the imp surely wasn’t the type to care all that much for anyone but himself. The concerns could go through one ear and out the other, but for some reason, Jun was a special case. Like a symphony, their concerns compounded into a orchestra of lies and without no other choice but to exit the room, Jin left the other’s behind to do what he was told. Jin adjusted the face mask he draped over his mouth that morning, his free hand brushing along the wall just in case his headache took a turn for the worse and allowed gravity to take its course. Jun never got worked up about someone’s health over nothing, and with the recent news of H1N1 spreading around Korea like wildfire, there was no doubt in his mind Jun feared for the worse. But it couldn’t be that bad. Jin took his mentality into account and with musical notes and ghostly rhythms thrumming through his head, the severity of such a disease couldn’t be taken into consideration. So with his journal and his write-ups in hand, Jin looked over his shoulder. Jun, who was trailing behind him all this time, had suddenly began putting up a front for the imposing Yuhan that thankfully bought Jin enough time for a quick getaway.

There was no way he was leaving this building until the song was written and finished to his and everyone’s liking. It was his duty as an Al[tria] member to get things done without excuses getting in the way of his work, his ambitions and Yeongsu’s expectations. With twist and turns, Jin bee-lined his way into an empty recording studio where he usually frequented when composing songs back-up dancers and the like depended on to get their part of the job practiced as flawless as humanely possible. “I don’t want to disappoint anyone.” He muttered under the solemn breath confounded with a tone of remorse and fear clinging to his chest. Yeongsu had so much high hopes in himself and everyone around him that it made failure obsolete in the minds of those bequeathed by success. Jin wanted to make him proud, make him smile, and accept that accepting hand upon his own shoulder whenever Jin went above and beyond his expectations. To him, its what brought people to stay - what brought people like Yeongsu to keep his faith in him so walking out on his life never became an option. It was the reason why he stayed as far away from others as possible, for that fear to be alone was heartbreaking upon the one that couldn’t stand the silence of it all.

From between the binding of his journal, Jin retrieved an incomplete instrumental he worked on for days on end and played it on a loop through the studio speakers. When surrounded by the beats of his own heart, things were at peace and the world seemed to be filled with hope that there was someone out there looking after him. They may have not been there at the moment, but being alone never felt so distant when the music played and his sat on the floor filling in the proper notes for a song Yeongsu could be so proud of.

Quote:

T H R E E

[Miso-Soup_file]

It felt like a verbal slap to the face when the dribble of Japanese began spilling from the other’s mouth in all knowing, Key’s lips curving in the same fashion as his eyes followed thereafter. A bit of taunting, a slight mixture of mockery, and a perfect portrayal of arrogance solidified a diva’s true nature in the process of putting Yeongsu in his place. Those cupid’s bow lips held the reigns to his heart and despite the sass licking at the tip of Key’s tongue, this raven full of malice and unassailable duplicity simmered a reflective grin clearly rivaling the smirk sprawled all over the other’s face. He loved it, relished in it, and prided himself in turning that smile into a submissive pout whenever Yeongsu felt the need to turn the tables, but for now, he let Key have his moment as he unveiled certain things Yeongsu was never aware of. Effeminacy splayed over his diva from head to toe, and it came to no surprise to him that such traits lurked behind the quibbled sheet of defiance that was reprimanding the raven not to long ago. Yeongsu stifled a laugh at the imagery bombarding his thoughts, envisioning his diva jumping, flinching, and possibly squeaking in fear. It wasn’t like he was complaining or anything of the sort, because as long as those arms wrapped around him, and as long as it gave Key a reason to drown Yeongsu in the warmth of his grasp, then he’d only grow appreciative to any god or being who brought about an anticipation that yearned to get that damn movie started as soon as possible.

Although, time itself taunted him so in a never-ending game of patience rearing its ugly head, situating the taller male along side the other with shoulder’s aligned and yet held a significant distance pulling him in with ever single rise and fall of his chest. The energy was there, wafting in the air in all disdain, taking away the breath yearning for his touch and the chance to sweep nimble fingers across the blank canvass awaiting the strokes endowed with a beauty entitled to the work of art turning to him, and speaking of things that went in one ear and out the other. Because he was so fascinated and because he loved Key so much, Yeongsu was completely lost in his own little world reveling in a future that would soon mend their lips, their bodies and their hearts as one. It was the inevitable after all and he believed that nothing, not even fate itself could ever take that away from him. But he listened and he attuned himself to the side of Key that he never thought existed until they had quickly sputtered from his lips. The various languages, studying in Los Angeles and the ever so surprising Water Skiing that brought up the thought of speedos and the like. It was possible that he was mixing up his swimming gears with other aquatic sports, but who really cared. Yeongsu had a vivid imagination and just the thought of spandex got his stomach forming in knots as the suggestion of: Let’s skip the movie and head to the beach came to mind.

But as always, there was no time and the same question was flipped, leaving Yeongsu on the spot to sift through his life. “Um…” What could he say that was still along the lines of truth, but held on to the smokescreen of secrecy he desperately clung on to? Yeongsu only took a second to think and in that one second, he pressed his lips into the debonair grin that was known for sending hearts in a flurry of adoration. “I’m fluent in all the languages you speak, aside from French, which seems like my only arsenal I have against you, unless I learn another language.” he teased, taking the possibility into consideration. “After I was born, I lived in Korea for about 5 years and from there, I lived the rest of my life in America, until I decided to come back of course. I think I hate plane rides more than Furby's because of the turbulence I sat through as a child. But anyways, there were many instances where I could have gotten into sporty activities, but I told you before that my parents always kept me busy with extensive language courses, piano and violin lessons, various tutors associated with business management, pharmacology, pathology and every subject regarding any science you can think of, which even included astrology.” Now that he thought about it, his parents molded him into a small vessel brimming with knowledge and ironically enough, he was throwing the efforts he took to please them away just for the sake of being free in the music industry. “But I found soccer to be really enjoyable thanks to Minho inviting me to his games and I quickly caught on in Basketball to which I enjoyed beating Jonghyun in.” Oh yes, he so went there. “Though, I wish I could say the same about googling my name when I make a mark in Japan. I know I’ll be telling a lot of lies for the most part when it comes to personal information no one needs to know about, but you.” He shrugged, not really concerning himself with such trivial matters. As long as Yeongsu was completely honest with Key, there was no need in shining the light of truth to no other who mattered as much as he did. Hanuel and Key was his life. He reiterated that many times before and if concern found the need to cross the features of his beloved , then it should only center upon Yeongsu’s nature in keeping a lie as solid as the truth that lit his heart aflame.


Out Of Coffee: ...

Quote:

F O U R

[Miso-Soup_file]

An enthusiastic figure hung over the white-picket fence, his smile broadening features that perfected every aspect of his youthful demeanor as a small giggle, or perhaps what others would call an attention-seeking laugh, took on the very ambiance of allure. He was courteous and kind, intelligent and wise beyond his years, protective and nurturing in all the right ways that allowed people their space, and yet his attentiveness in regards to human emotions were almost always spot-on and rarely dogmatized by the world around him.

Placed in a spherical tomb with nowhere else to go had constantly led him perched upon that very threshold that separated him from the teen who settled himself under the canopied leaves above. Smiling eyes looked upon the bark neither of them could claim as their very own, for the very roots of it stood along the borderline that made the marvelous oak tree ’theirs’. He could remember, a long long time ago, little fingers reaching out and touching those dark silk tresses that purposely sent his cheeks flaring in immense elation. A giggle here and a trill of laughter there didn’t stir the slumbering male from the tranquil realms beyond his bleak reality, but it did send his face leaning into the warmth emanated in the palm of his hand. It was a marvelous sight. The way lips smeared upon the base of his thumb had been an indescribable feeling forever locked into the valves and veins that made up his heart.

Each sensation encouraged the little boy to press on beyond the boarders that separated them both, his knees hoisting up and wedging against the fence as he bent forward to expose the arm that succumbed to the other‘s touch. What happened next began in a blink of an eye. A sudden tug pulled him up and over the fence, his world spun, the vast expanse of blue settled in view and his entire body was supported back against the other’s lap. Almost instinctual, the boy laughed while arms cradled him, supported him, and gave him that spark of hope that no matter what happened, those strong limbs would eternally be his to have, his to hold, and his to bury those smiling features right into as joy permeated the air. “You’ll always be there, won’t you?” Jungbae clung to him as if he was a new toy no one in their right mind would ever lay their filthy hands upon, because everyone knew how possessive he was and the efforts he’d go through to claim what was his and no other.

The smile hidden safely against the crook of his arm finally slipped from the shadows and looked into the light of the other‘s effortlessly curved lips full of what passion was all about. Eyes went aflutter once fingers began to stream into his hair, nails comfortingly dragging against his scalp as the child tilted his head back into each motion widening the corners of his lips. “If you’re always smiling, there’s no reason for me to go anywhere, right?” None at all; the question was invalid, stupid, idiotic, and pointless because Jungbae knew, from where ever their souls laid, there was no way he’d stop smiling for him no matter what life threw at the one who made promise after despicable promise that their joy would last for as long as they both lived.

Quote:

F I V E

[Miso-Soup_file]

The one simple, yet detrimental thing everyone had to understand about planning is that the process itself was, at times, long, tedious, and very stringent to the point where each and every aspect of the people, objective and weapons involved had to be perfectly understood to a tee. Planning required a man of a many words who knew how to articulate the militaries standing on a given situation to those who hung onto his every word, as the anticipation for a successful outcome was required of the planner before the strategy even had a chance to commence. There was a certain criteria that needed to be followed, a distinct pattern that always presented itself when it not only revolved around infiltrating a military base or capturing renegades along the outskirts of the country, but also involved other matters such as the economy. Everything needed a plan no matter what the situation entailed after all. Negotiating, gathering reputable stockholders and bankers across the globe, interpreting the stock market and even something as simple as the distribution of money between that of the governments needs and the country’s expectations: whatever it was, whoever it was, and however the North Korean government demanded for him to resolve, Kyung Jung Bae was the man with the plan who always maintained a successful rate of a hundred and ten percent. Oh yes, he was a badass of sorts who loved to gloat, but as of that moment, he felt like some kind of brain tumor was fictitiously developing in that noggin of his that couldn’t figure a way out.

There was a first for everything, right?

“If we fall back into the foliage and wait for the dust to settle, then maybe we’ll have a chance to bypass the surrounding threats that‘ll no doubt obliterate us if I don‘t figure this s**t out. But then again…” Jung Bae, or most notably addressed by his nickname, ‘Jun’, had second guess himself a number of times whenever a s**t load of information bombarded him all at once. Prior to his arrival to the dilapidating building he simply dubbed as the ’regular house,’ Jun had instructed his comrades to vacate the area he was in just so an ounce of peace and tranquility could filter the room. The first thing that caught his attention were the maps that pinned along the walls, as a compass made it fairly easy to assign duties to his driver and his personal analyst before they had left. There was a room designated for the technologically savvy Yong Jae Young who might have a stroke of good luck in salvaging whatever he could find, while their driver, Lee Dae Ri, surveyed the area. But of course, always leave it to Dae Ri to find himself rounding back from whence he came and bothering the s**t out of him when Jun was obviously trying to concentrate. “Maybe if you had some brains then you wouldn’t have to be so worried about mines.” He muttered under his breath mainly due to the stress of it all. He wasn’t a total b***h or even an a*****e per say. It was just that, when it came to getting things done, he really, really, really, and a thousand times really, didn’t need to be bothered. Okay, so Dae Ri was checking up on him, that’s great and all but why waste time on the nonessential visits when every minute, every second, and every millisecond they had could be spent studying their surroundings.





Having lived in North Korea all his life and earning the liberty to be exposed to various charts, maps, and data informing him everything he needed to know about his country’s landscape, Jun already was aware of what to expect. There wasn’t much to go on. But when it came to the ground beneath their feet, Jun was banking to find some kind of tunnel to get them beyond the gates without any casualties. And when he thought he finally found one, explosions sounded from afar and the blare of a horn warned them of the dangers that drew near. With a backpack slung over his shoulder, the blonde quickly gathered everything that he could get his hands on before cursing himself for the inefficiency of his time spent in that room. “What to do? What to do? What to do? What is there to do?” His mind was scrambling, his heart already racing, and the adrenaline practically flooding wildly through his veins when missiles, rockets, or whatever it was sent tremors throughout the building he was currently trying to get out of. “Damn it Ri, where the ******** are you?!” He hollered through the walkie talkie Jun made sure they all had on their person. “We have to fall back, take cover, and hide out.” He passed through the threshold of the building that permitted him outside where the booming hum of the helicopter’s rotors sounded overhead. By the looks of the insignia along it’s body and the color that indicated a full fledge attack was about to commence, Jun panicked and hit the button of his walkie talkie once again. “We’re preparing ourselves for two more helicopters coming on its way. They’re still following my strategies, which means we’re totally ******** if we don’t get out of here.” He hugged his back close to the foundation of the wall that provided no means for cover.

But he could hear everything. The explosions, the metallic steel of the watch tower crashing and especially the Gatling gun that was aimed in his direction. There was no time to plan his next move when all he had to do was run. A stream of bullets bee-lined its way toward him as Jun took cover on the other side of the building. He thought he was safe. He really though nothing would get to him until the brittle walls gave in and bullet after lethal bullet attempted to puncture through flesh and bone. What else was there to do but run in the other direction. But somehow, he lost traction of the ground, the blond slipping and crawling desperately out of the line of fire. Although, there was something that seared through him, something that sent an influx of pain through his body and before he could even decipher what it was, Jun saw blood streaming down his fingers. A bullet scathed his arm, the wound large enough to threaten his life with the lost a blood and he just knew that if they didn’t agree to fall back into the canopied forest that would provide them some protection, then they were as good as dead. “Jae,” he finally addressed the analyst as the onslaughts of bullets ceased its fire to reload. “Just tell me that the South Korean government did not just ******** us over. Tell me that they’re coming soon.” Jun was out of breath as he fought for each and every word that clung tightly at the back of his throat.

He didn’t know what to do or say when the wait was excruciating and his body wracked with an indescribable pain he couldn’t bear. Jun was at his wits end, but at least, for a moment, he could grasp onto the golden heart pendant around his neck and still have the faith that everything was going to be alright in the end.

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S I X

[Miso-Soup_file]

Life should never be taken for granted; for it is life that gives us all the peace, tranquility and fulfillment of which our souls require to seek out the happiness mankind deserved.

But it was funny how things could be but a blur in a world that was just as ******** up as the mind Rei Tesumoto had yet to attune to. He was always so tired nowadays, always so dreary and messed up in ways he couldn’t quite comprehend. For one reason or another, he’d find himself distracted from the mundane endeavors that came with every waking morning of his life. Getting up, making breakfast, hugging and saying those ‘I love yous’ to his parents, and heading off to class with his backpack slung over his shoulder: it was the same old thing - the usual routine he took because it was easier and much more fitting for his quiet personality that rather stay under the radar than caught in the limelight he rather stay away from just until he had a life he could call his own. “Earth to Rei, are you still with me?” Rena, his younger sister by two years, had a tendency to sit beside him during the only class they attended together, as her peppiness and optimistic ways always made sure to shake the 23-year-old from his dreary reveries. “You are such a pain in my a**. Ya know that, right?” The dark-headed male graced a small, teasing smile upon his lips, which earned him a simple roll of her condescending eyes. They shared that typical relationship where teasing the hell out of each other was a must, yet making sure they were both safe from harm’s way naturally became a personal objective they ensnared into the depths of their souls. She’d pinch him in the shoulder and from there, Rei would actually shove her out of her seat whenever she deserved such a gesture because that was how they were, even when people began to stare as if it was any of their business.

Soon enough, classes began and without an ounce of warning, lectures were interrupted by a series of unfortunate events that began breaking out into a wave of anxiety as the intercom sounded a voice he was all too familiar with. It was chirpy, playful and far too indifferent to the threats that were being said, but everyone in their class knew better than to go against everything that was being announced. No one made any sudden movements, the stifling atmosphere simply serving as a reminder that, from there on out, everything was going to change because as soon as a list started to chime through the intercom, there was one name that stood out from the rest and nearly knocked him off of his feet. “Rena Tesumoto.” Frantically, the two looked at each other in that confused manner as if trying to figure out what the hell was going on. Because everything started to go haywire from there, and when soldiers began forcing Rena out of her seat, Rei reacted without any regard to his own safety. He just got up like rapid fire, only to find himself knocked back down with the butt of a gun as his sister’s cries sounded harshly through his ears. It was just as painful as the throbbing sensation working through every nerve fiber in his head, but it pushed him to his hand‘s and knees. With as much willpower as he could conjure up, he pulled himself to his feet and was about to tackle the one coercing his sister to the door, until another name caught his attention: “Rei Tesumoto.” They didn’t do anything wrong, save for the tattoo he got two years ago. But he doubted that deserved an untimely death, so why were they both suffering the consequences of a ******** up generation they didn’t consider themselves a part of? For years they lived by the rules in hopes they wouldn’t have to go through a war that was never meant for them to fight through.

But now, it wasn’t like they had any other choice.

Two men held him firmly by the forearms and began leading them down the path where busses lined for them all to head to whatever destination their ******** up government deemed appropriate for a slaughter. So there they were, being lined up to enter that dreaded vehicle as a man handed out a jacket as well as some kind of metal collar for them to wear. It was forced onto them whether they liked it or not because if someone so happened to run or defy the inevitable, they would either be shot or knocked unconscious to cease their feeble squirming. “Why us? Why both us Rei? What about mom and dad? We’re all they have left.” They were sat at the back of the bus huddling close to each other in fear that at any minute now, something would pry them away from the arms they considered to be their safe haven. Tears drenched into the front of his shirt, fingers curling into the fabric there as she hid her face from the people that were now their considered their enemies. “Ssshh, it’s okay,” he softly cooed, stroking at her hair in a ditch effort to give her that little sign of assurance that everything was going to be alright. “One of us will get out of here alive, and I promise you, it’s going to be you. You’re going to go back home, and everything’s going to go back to normal.” Hands placed at either side of her tear-drenched face pulled her fearful eyes into view. She was shaking her head, eyes closing and remorse spilling like rivers down her cheek because she knew, more than ever, that everything he said and everything he proclaimed was all a lie. But before she could say a word of denial, a guy with some kind of ******** up red and blue tattoo across his face maliciously laughed at the two who were blubbering out the nonsensical bullshit that‘ll never apply to them, so long as Kira Hayamiro was still alive. “Keep telling yourselves that crap because as far as I know, you two will be the first to go. So consider yourselves at the top of my list.” He had an arrogant air to him that boasted his desire to stay in a ‘game’ everyone would rather not be a part of. It didn’t faze Rei much, but it did affect his sister to a noticeable degree when shakes and shivers radiated off of every inch of her body. As much as he wanted to rip his guts out and throw it into a meat grinder, Rei kept to himself and focused his attention elsewhere.

It was then that he saw none other than Alexander Kuroi Hi walking down the aisle to take his seat. “******** great. We have enough problems as it is.” Rena followed his brother’s stern gaze that venomously plastered upon the man every single girl in her class was notably fond of. He had a physique to kill not only the most faintest of hearts, but also a living and breathing target if it meant surviving another day. “What are we going to do Rei? We won’t survive here.” Alexander could have a spite that rivaled the devil’s own vengeful ways, but despite the obvious, there was no way he’d let someone like Alex or Kira to get in the way of his ultimate goal: Keep himself and his sister alive until they were the only two left on the playing field.

Once everyone was loaded they moved to their next destination where they all filed into some sort of cage set in the middle of an empty warehouse. A crate filled with bags numbered from 1-20 laid waiting at the opposite end where everyone stood, as troops watched and stayed in that unmoving position no one dared to ******** around with. While Rei and Rena stayed huddled in each other’s arms off in the corner, a majority of the young adults around them started yelling, cursing, and rattling the fence as if their actions would allow them the gratitude of freedom. But all they were met with was a woman who entered the room with an influx of soldiers following close behind her. “Now, Now children, it’s time to settle down and portray that ‘respect’ I just spoke of earlier. So shut your mouths or we‘ll find our first meeting with each other a rather bothersome one.This should be fun remember.” The intimidating curve in her smile quieted the room with the help of her lackeys knocking people to the floor if they so happen to run their mouths out of protest. “Remember when I talked about working as a team?” Oh right, what was that about? Did that mean they could choose their own ally in battle? “Well, let me start off by saying - “ She was about ready to get into some boring a** spiel when a confrontation broke out in the back where Kira and some other dude was going at. They were yelling, arguing, spitefully cursing each other out until Kira took out a switch blade and dragged its serrated edge right through his neck. The officials did nothing to stop him or discipline the out of control nut who smiled at the sight of blood pouring onto the floor. They just watched in silence as the body dropped lifelessly at his feet, everyone already backing away from the lunatic at that point.

But it wasn’t like the silence would go on forever. A beeping echoed through the masses and everyone began looking at one another to find the source of the redundant sound. “Why don’t you all tear off the patch that’s on your arm.” Everyone did as they were told as the Velcro strap revealed a number at least one person of the group shared. Before anyone could seek out their partners, it only took seconds for a woman to begin the hysterics when the collar around her neck persistently beeped and beeped, and beeped until a small explosion sounded and blood splattered in the direction she was facing. “Find your numbers children because he or she will be your lifeline. If your partner dies or strays at least 50 meters away from you, consider yourselves blown to smithereens. With that being said, decide whether or not you’ll be the winner or the loser in this little game we call advanced ‘disciplinary action’. Kira Hayamiro, your up first.” A number 2 etched into his sleeve and, unfortunately enough, that same number also embedded into her sister’s own clothing as her name was called thereafter. “Rena Tesumoto.” But she shook her head fervently, clinging to her brother for dear life. “I can’t do this. I don’t want to do this.” Guns pointed in her direction, Rei already trying to reassure her that everything was going to be alright. Though, leave it to her self a** of a partner to pry her away from him. “I’m not going to die because of you b***h. So get going and -” It was on instinct. Rei shoved the other away from his sister, causing the switch blade to reveal itself once again as if ready and willing to sink into his throat. But Rena stood in between with that fierce look in her eyes that wouldn‘t dare to be messed with. “Kill my brother and I’ll kill myself…and guess where that leaves you.”

“Rena Tesumoto.” The calling of her name for the third time that day settled the tension between the two who watched the girl get her bag. Kira trailed away at that point with not much choice on the matter as one name after another was called out. “Rei Tesumoto.” Survival: that was the rule of the game. They stuck them in a terrine, changed and altered their surroundings like they were rats stuck in a maze as they announced certain zones that threatened their existence…it was as simple as that. In the bags, these bastards practically threw at them, were an assortment of weapons that range from a useless frying pan to a essential semi-automatic machine gun. He wasn’t sure what he had because what concerned him more than anything else was the next name that would soon be his partner in the middle of a battle he wasn’t ready to fight.


And that name was… Alexander Kuroi Hi...




Out Of Coffee:

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S E V E N

[Miso-Soup_file]

Fairytales, myths, and legends were undoubtedly amusing to those seeking adventure throughout the vast spectrum of the universe where dreams and fantasies etched into the pages of one‘s favorite novel. It was better to tell stories, to read them, to simply imagine them and live beyond a world that wasn’t as mundane as the realities or our days. A 6-year-old such as Lee Dae Jung had lived in such a fantasy world where life itself was beyond one’s wildest dreams. He had a father who loved him, a mother who adored him, and a twin brother who reflected him in every way he never thought possible. All in all, the boy had a family, he had everything he could ever wished for in a life full of security and pure happiness until one day, it all disappeared. In a room shrouded in black, the smiles and the laughter he once shared had been swapped with syringes and tubes that ran up his spine, the fluids tainted in a deep and ominous crimson streaming here, there, and everywhere his frantic eyes shifted off to. Monitors stood along side the table he must’ve spent a good portion of his life on as everything obscured into darkness.

It was crazy, the setting was maniacal, and his future couldn’t be imagined nor fantasized when all he could hear was the wailing screams of others bombarding his thoughts as if telling him to escape, to run, to think of things that didn’t pertain to what had gone on in that room because it was horrible and far too dreadful for a child to withstand. He couldn’t remember everything. He wasn’t even sure if his real name was Lee Dae Jung or if it was just instilled in him ever since a man dragged him into a van without an ounce of hope to an escape. Everything about him changed from there on out. His memories, his thoughts, his emotions, his hair and especially the inner workings of a heart that neither beat nor moved once the monitor failed to trace the pulse of a living and breathing human being. It just stopped with a long deadly chime unable to decipher whether or not the teen was alive or simply tuning out a world that didn’t matter to him anymore.

‘What is a life when it isn’t yours to live?’ Voices started sounding in his head. Whether it was a man or a woman wasn’t really of a concern to him since Dae Jung focused on the content that echoed in his ears. ‘What is in a name that isn’t yours to remember?’ They were filled with one inquiry after the next, the tenors of the other’s voice merely pushing him off the edge of despair whenever he thought something big, something different, and something bright laid at the end of a dark and dreary tunnel he only ever wanted to escape from. Though, things seem to be on the verge of changing when the very tips of fingers detected a variety of textures he wasn’t accustomed to. Usually the cold steel of the table top he laid on or the soft and malleable surface of the tubes that surrounded him was the only things that he knew of; or rather, befriended him since there wasn’t really anything else to talk to. Inanimate objects they surely were, and yet Jung was so desperate for attention, his mind conjured up the most stupidest images he could think of in order to cope with his surroundings. But that didn’t matter now. None of that bullshit ever mattered because as of that moment, he could feel the cool night air licking at his cheek as the brick wall beneath each long and nimble digit guided him down the bustling streets of Seoul.

Where he was? He wasn’t sure. How he got there? He had no clue. What was going on? Dae Jung was pretty sure everyone was staring at the strange attire that covered him in white from head to toe. With a sheer long sleeve top that seem to belong in the 1900s, fitted jeans and white boots to match, the attire itself clearly wasn't suited for not only that day and age, but also the elements that was supposed to chill him to the marrow of his bones. Everyone was draped with so many layers of clothing that it was hard to trace where the fabric stopped and where the skin began. Yet, in spite of the cold and frigid weather, Dae Jung felt absolutely nothing but the wall that kept him going from one street to another until a man stopped him in his tracks. The hand that wrapped around his shoulder was gentle as eyes as dark as night fitted in his line of view once the officer knelt down in front of him. “Are you alright, boy? Do you know where you are? Do you have a friend...maybe parents with you?” Parents? He had those, didn’t he? A mother and a father was the very foundation of a loving family so he was sure he had them in his life, right?

Blankly his eyes scanned the concern look in the other’s eyes, Jung merely tilting his head off slightly to the side as if he had yet to register the person who stood in his path. His fingers left the wall that blindly led him down a the route he now stood in, the rough textures suddenly being replace with the smooth, soft contours of the police officer’s face. It was like he couldn’t identify him, as if Dae Jung couldn’t understand what the man was saying because the teen’s mind wondered off into a different point in time where he still had his twin brother at his side. “I think we have powers. That’s why we look like each other. We’re special.” He was such a vibrant young boy back then, always smiling and always holding onto his brother’s hand because he was a sole believer that being twins had its perks. “I bet we can find each other if we get lost. That’s why we can’t play hide-and-go-seek. We always find each other way too fast.” It was what he said all those years ago - one of the many things he remembered ever since he got off of that cold grimy table. “My brother didn’t find me for so long. I waited for him. I called out his name but he never came. He didn‘t want to find me anymore. He didn’t look for me anymore….no one did.” His words were weak, his breath thready, as his chest tightened by the realization that maybe - just maybe - the tether that connected between him and his brother wasn’t as strong as he perceived it to be. “I’m just a reflection that should be forgotten.” But he loved him so much. Dae Jung cared for his brother as if life itself depended on the kind of love and adoration siblings were known to share.

His deathly cold hands fell at his side as his somber gaze followed suit with dark forelocks casting a shadow over the cerulean blue of his eyes. He didn’t know what to think anymore. He was so tired of walking, so exhausted from the flashing lights and noises that surrounded him, and so very bothered by the thoughts that went through his head that he couldn’t bring himself to connect with the world. The men were talking to each other as a picture of himself - or rather, his twin brother in his school uniform - was passed off to the officer who went through the effort to drape his jacket over the boy’s narrow shoulders. “I’m telling you. It’s the boy who went missing 10 years ago.”

“What? Missing? 10 years ago?“

“He was the biggest thing on the news back then. He just disappeared without a trace. There was no signs of foul play, no evidence to back up whatever claims the parents and his brother made, and not even an ounce of forensics to place him in the park he disappeared at. No one saw him. He just vanished into thin air.” Wouldn’t he have been better off in that darkened corner of the world where his name didn’t exist? “When was this?”

“December 24th, 2002.” That’s right. He lost everything on Christmas Eve - the same exact day he was found standing in front of the officer at that very point in time. It explained the light drizzle of white sprinkling down overhead. The snow was subtle, the winds just as light as the flakes that touched the impeccable features that went unmarred. He was like an angel all dressed in white, yet his mind was corrupted and plagued by questions he didn’t know the answers to. What was his brother’s name? Where did his parents live? Who stole him away from a future that would’ve been filled with bliss? He couldn’t think, he couldn’t force himself to tell the man a single thing because all he could do was run away. Jung ran out into the streets without warning, horns blaring at the near collision that occurred as he sprinted across the road without any concern for his own safety. It all became a nightmare to him. One block after another seemed like a figment of his imagination, streetlights dreary amongst the filter shades of black that engulfed him from head to toe. He felt a chill. The cold night air pressed against his wet cheek as tears dampened his face every time his chest twisted in a knotted mess he couldn’t unwind himself from. He ran and ran, and ran, and continued to run for what seemed like miles down each vacant street, never stopping, never ceasing and never slowing the hastened pace practically mowing down the open area he soon collapsed in. There was sand and a mesh of melted snow woven between fingers that clenched into the dampened earth that was responsible for keeping him grounded to the very depth of his soul. His mind was spinning, his thoughts going in all directions as he took in his surroundings with as much precision as his brain allotted.

Slowly he got to his feet, knees buckling, adrenaline racing through his veins as images played over and over again. Its been a long road, he understood that, but he remembered this park and the swing set he spent his childhood swaying back and forth while his brother pushed him from behind. The chains were as rustic as he left it, the seat forming with every curve of his body as he guided himself back onto the comforts that was a sweet and reminiscent memory. “This is my favoritest place in the world,” he told his better half that with a smile that couldn’t be wavered. Just feeling gravity take control of him as he gently swung to and fro was something his mind couldn’t let go of. It was like remembering that one moment, having his brother right by his side, kept him alive no matter what tragic events came his way; And it was only natural for Dae Jung to find his way back to the place he dubbed as his own personal utopia.


o.o.c :....

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E I G H T

[Miso-Soup_file]

Unconscious bodies laid strewn about at his feet, faces battered, clothing mangled, and limbs tattered by the beat down that had occurred seconds ago. It seemed so cliché at first, somewhat of a story book ending where the damsel cried in distress and her savior came running down the alleyway to save the day. However, what set this little predicament apart from the fairytales he was use to as a child, was the fact that the screaming damsel in distress wasn’t a beautiful damsel in the slightest. “I hate you right now. I really, really, really, and a thousand times really hate you.” A grown man: that’s what clung to his arm with as much glee as a 22-year-old could muster. “I told you not to coordinate your own street fights. I ********’ told you they could bring your a** down and steal the cash.” It was a form of babysitting Kam Jaesun wasn’t at liberty to take on by himself, what with the other’s knack of getting into trouble every second of the day. But that didn’t matter now. Jinhwa’s lack of common sense wasn’t of a concern to him because he was running late for a meeting that could possibly turn his life around.

Jaesun squirmed out of the blonde’s grasp and tugged him by the collar as he led him to where the car laid in waiting, his anger, his frustrations and the unremitting worries coursing through his veins serving as quite the supplement for adrenaline that had long since past. “I’m sorry.” Jin managed to say once he got into the driver’s seat and Jae parked himself in the passenger side peering at his damaged reflection in the rearview mirror. “We can pay the rent another away okay. Just stop doing these on the side gigs. You work at the café and I’ll deal with the on the side bullshit, understood?” With a nod of the other’s head, Jaesun went back to looking at the mirror. God, he looked like s**t. He was pretty sure ‘s**t’ looked so much better than him at the moment, seeing that his hair was pointed in all directions and his bottom lip was still bleeding by the bruising punch he received. His eyes may have been okay, his nose untouched in the slightest and his cheeks saved from any damage, but his attire looked like it went through a battle with a blender. It was torn, sullied with dirt, speckled with that lovely crimson hue his split lip caused, and he still had to deal with his stupid peacock-looking hair he soon combed through with his fingers. “Did I mention that I hate you right about now? I look like crap and I have no time to change. I just hate you right now. I really do.” That’s right! When Jin did something stupid Jaesun made it his duty to remind him just how stupid his decisions were. The 26-year-old leaned back in his chair and sighed. There was no use in trying to save his image. He just had to let his art do the talking and leave it at that.

But what was this?

The dude was rich!!?! “Are you kidding me right about now?” Jesus Christ, as if he couldn’t be embarrassed enough for one day. With his portfolio and his supplies in hand, the raven-hair individual merely slumped in his seat, completely at a lost of what to do or how to approach the home lavished in riches. “You’ll do fine. You’re really good so you shouldn’t have a problem getting the job.” The sound of the blonde’s voice bolted him upright, his eyes narrowing just a tad bit in his direction. “Don’t’ try to butter up the situation. I still hate you. We may be friends, but it doesn’t change the fact that I still hate you.”

“That doesn’t make any sense.”

“It doesn’t have to. Just make sure you answer your phone when I call. I better not get your voicemail, you understand me?” A confirming nod sent him out the door, but before he could alert his possible employer of his presence, a loud honk of the horn startled him enough for Jae to drop all his things. One of those sheepish ’I’m sorry I royally ******** up again’ smiles unnervingly spread across the other’s face before an apology broke out. “Whatever you’re about to tell me, I don’t want to hear it. Just go before you run me over or some s**t like that.” He was usually such a calm and collected person, but when it came to Jinhwa, there was no telling what his mood would be. Though, for now, he tried to recollect himself as he pressed those small voice boxes that allowed him to relay a message beyond the door he stood at. “Annyeong, my name is Jaesun. I’m here in regards to the flyer I taped around town.” That message should’ve sufficed for a greeting, but Jaesun was the type who overanalyzed the whole situation whenever nerves wracked through his body. He pressed the button once again, the pause sounding rather unnerving at his end. “Though, I have to warn you. I kind of look like s**t. I mean, it wasn’t my intention to…” And there he went, rambling when he should’ve just shut up. “I swear my appearance doesn’t reflect my work. I’m really good at what I do and I don’t make it my life’s objective to present myself like this. I just don’t want to come off as some kind of joke and…well…yeah~” Shut up. Shut up. Shut up! He had to shut up before he went on and on in talking about his life story. So, without warning, he trailed off and made a mental note to kick Jin’s a** himself when he got back. With another sigh, he crouched down to pick up his things before the occupant of the house greeted him at the door.


That is if he didn’t verbally send him on his way first.


......

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N I N E

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An enthusiastic figure hung over the white-picket fence, his smile broadening features that perfected every aspect of his youthful demeanor as a small giggle, or perhaps what others would call an attention-seeking laugh, took on the very ambiance of allure. He was courteous and kind, intelligent and wise beyond his years, protective and nurturing in all the right ways that allowed people their space, and yet his attentiveness in regards to human emotions were almost always spot-on and rarely dogmatized by the world around him.

Placed in a spherical tomb with nowhere else to go had constantly led him perched upon that very threshold that separated him from the teen who settled himself under the canopied leaves above. Smiling eyes looked upon the bark neither of them could claim as their very own, for the very roots of it stood along the borderline that made the marvelous oak tree ’theirs’. He could remember, a long long time ago, little fingers reaching out and touching those dark silk tresses that purposely sent his cheeks flaring in immense elation. A giggle here and a trill of laughter there didn’t stir the slumbering male from the tranquil realms beyond his bleak reality, but it did send his face leaning into the warmth emanated in the palm of his hand. It was a marvelous sight. The way lips smeared upon the base of his thumb had been an indescribable feeling forever locked into the valves and veins that made up his heart.

Each sensation encouraged the little boy to press on beyond the boarders that separated them both, his knees hoisting up and wedging against the fence as he bent forward to expose the arm that succumbed to the other‘s touch. What happened next began in a blink of an eye. A sudden tug pulled him up and over the fence, his world spun, the vast expanse of blue settled in view and his entire body was supported back against the other’s lap. Almost instinctual, the boy laughed while arms cradled him, supported him, and gave him that spark of hope that no matter what happened, those strong limbs would eternally be his to have, his to hold, and his to bury those smiling features right into as joy permeated the air. “You’ll always be there, won’t you?” Jungbae clung to him as if he was a new toy no one in their right mind would ever lay their filthy hands upon, because everyone knew how possessive he was and the efforts he’d go through to claim what was his and no other.

The smile hidden safely against the crook of his arm finally slipped from the shadows and looked into the light of the other‘s effortlessly curved lips full of what passion was all about. Eyes went aflutter once fingers began to stream into his hair, nails comfortingly dragging against his scalp as the child tilted his head back into each motion widening the corners of his lips. “If you’re always smiling, there’s no reason for me to go anywhere, right?” None at all; the question was invalid, stupid, idiotic, and pointless because Jungbae knew, from where ever their souls laid, there was no way he’d stop smiling for him no matter what life threw at the one who made promise after despicable promise that their joy would last for as long as they both lived.


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[******** up didn’t begin to describe the night Yeongsu revealed a side of himself that littered his eyes in both the pain and the agony one felt whenever a heart ached, or his mind swelled with thoughts and emotions his body couldn’t accept. [******** up had failed to describe the dawning twilight of his life when his past literally came back to haunt the blonde whose nails threatened to draw blood when they clawed and mauled at his very own hand. For all it was worth, [******** up was far from portraying the will-power it took for him to make a call he thought he was going to regret for a lifetime. But he couldn’t help it. How could anyone blame him for dialing the familiar number that once sent his happiness soaring through the roof? How could anyone every look down upon the man who tried his damn hardest to ignore what his delusional heart yearned for? Jin wasn’t answering his phone. He didn’t return to the studio like he was told. The lost little lamb who only every abided to his every whim went astray and it seemed his own body was doing the same. Jun made a call, he spouted out an address, the throbbing began in his chest and took over his entire body when he found his way into an aquatic center he use to always visit when life was simple, and they all took each coming day one step at a time.

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Fairytales, myths, and legends were undoubtedly amusing to those seeking adventure throughout the vast spectrum of the universe where dreams and fantasies etched into the pages of one‘s favorite novel. It was better to tell stories, to read them, to simply imagine them and live beyond a world that wasn’t as mundane as the realities or our days. A 6-year-old such as Lee Dae Jung had lived in such a fantasy world where life itself was beyond one’s wildest dreams. He had a father who loved him, a mother who adored him, and a twin brother who reflected him in every way he never thought possible. All in all, the boy had a family, he had everything he could ever wished for in a life full of security and pure happiness until one day, it all disappeared. In a room shrouded in black, the smiles and the laughter he once shared had been swapped with syringes and tubes that ran up his spine, the fluids tainted in a deep and ominous crimson streaming here, there, and everywhere his frantic eyes shifted off to. Monitors stood along side the table he must’ve spent a good portion of his life on as everything obscured into darkness.

It was crazy, the setting was maniacal, and his future couldn’t be imagined nor fantasized when all he could hear was the wailing screams of others bombarding his thoughts as if telling him to escape, to run, to think of things that didn’t pertain to what had gone on in that room because it was horrible and far too dreadful for a child to withstand. He couldn’t remember everything. He wasn’t even sure if his real name was Lee Dae Jung or if it was just instilled in him ever since a man dragged him into a van without an ounce of hope to an escape. Everything about him changed from there on out. His memories, his thoughts, his emotions, his hair and especially the inner workings of a heart that neither beat nor moved once the monitor failed to trace the pulse of a living and breathing human being. It just stopped with a long deadly chime unable to decipher whether or not the teen was alive or simply tuning out a world that didn’t matter to him anymore.

‘What is a life when it isn’t yours to live?’ Voices started sounding in his head. Whether it was a man or a woman wasn’t really of a concern to him since Dae Jung focused on the content that echoed in his ears. ‘What is in a name that isn’t yours to remember?’ They were filled with one inquiry after the next, the tenors of the other’s voice merely pushing him off the edge of despair whenever he thought something big, something different, and something bright laid at the end of a dark and dreary tunnel he only ever wanted to escape from. Though, things seem to be on the verge of changing when the very tips of fingers detected a variety of textures he wasn’t accustomed to. Usually the cold steel of the table top he laid on or the soft and malleable surface of the tubes that surrounded him was the only things that he knew of; or rather, befriended him since there wasn’t really anything else to talk to. Inanimate objects they surely were, and yet Jung was so desperate for attention, his mind conjured up the most stupidest images he could think of in order to cope with his surroundings. But that didn’t matter now. None of that bullshit ever mattered because as of that moment, he could feel the cool night air licking at his cheek as the brick wall beneath each long and nimble digit guided him down the bustling streets of Seoul.

Where he was? He wasn’t sure. How he got there? He had no clue. What was going on? Dae Jung was pretty sure everyone was staring at the strange attire that covered him in white from head to toe. With a sheer long sleeve top that seem to belong in the 1900s, fitted jeans and white boots to match, the attire itself clearly wasn't suited for not only that day and age, but also the elements that was supposed to chill him to the marrow of his bones. Everyone was draped with so many layers of clothing that it was hard to trace where the fabric stopped and where the skin began. Yet, in spite of the cold and frigid weather, Dae Jung felt absolutely nothing but the wall that kept him going from one street to another until a man stopped him in his tracks. The hand that wrapped around his shoulder was gentle as eyes as dark as night fitted in his line of view once the officer knelt down in front of him. “Are you alright, boy? Do you know where you are? Do you have a friend...maybe parents with you?” Parents? He had those, didn’t he? A mother and a father was the very foundation of a loving family so he was sure he had them in his life, right?



o.o.c :....

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