ephemeralshq

[ephemeralshq]

artisvn.

         sehyun stood, rather helpless, watching everything unfold ( the waitress coming, going, and returning in a flash, minjae attempting to fix the mess they made — and the artist hadn’t done a single thing ), cogs turning in his overworked mind, attempting to piece together all that went on around him. it wasn’t until minjae replied to him that he was mobile again, limbs suddenly functioning once more as a hand lifted to comb through hair. an apology — jae was apologizing. a sudden warm feeling in the pit of his stomach mixed with guilt for being so cross with them, causing the artist to dart a few steps forward, closer to the mess that was his best friend. ‘ don’t, ’ he shook his head, hoping to reclaim their attention with the single syllable that had left his lips. ‘ don’t apologize. i’m just — i … ’ then it was sehyun’s turn to look at the ground by his feet, trying to choke out a confession that would’ve otherwise lived in his head. minjae was good at extracting such things from the younger. ‘ i hate it when you hide from me. i hate when you shut me out i — i’m just trying to be there for you because i care about you. no matter how annoying that may come across. ’ okay, maybe the boy lacked certain skills with words — but for minjae, he’d always try. ‘ i’m not saying you need to unpack all your baggage. just don’t get mad at me when all i’m trying to do is lighten the load. ’

       ◜♛◆      /    * .          frustration embeds itself within the very m a r r o w of minjae’s bones, deep enough that it sends a slight tremor along the lengths of both arms, reaching slightly chilled ( and DAMP ) fingertips. they’re often in a state of confusion, unsure of whether admitting their demons is the lesser of two evils ----- of course, it never seems to be the case with them. still, they’re appreciative of sehyun, and their willingness to ( for a lack of better words ) put up with them, and their accompanying ‘ BAGGAGE. ’ feet carry them toward the door, albeit unsteadily ; they even falter due to their a b s e n c e of balance. once outside, sehyun’s voice draws them in. minjae can’t bear to look in the other’s direction, though they’re paying close attention, focusing on nothing else save for the sincerity saturating sehyun’s every word. “ i’m not used to this, ” they answer T R U T H F U L L Y, voice significantly muted in comparison to earlier. they’re calmer now, even their heart’s no longer hammering beneath their r i b  c a g e. “ i’m not used to letting others ... lighten the burden. ” minjae’s hands are once again buried inside their pockets, concealing their nervous habit of picking ----- SCRATCHING ----- polish from their nails. flakes of black line the interior of their pocket, and are practically sewn into the fabric. “ but. ” a pause. gaze finally turns to sehyun, briefly lasting, just enough to form the other’s OUTLINE. “ that doesn’t mean i don’t a p p r e c i a t e the ... help. ” the final word sounds foreign when falling from their lips ----- minjae isn’t used to company, let alone one offering aid. 

[ephemeralshq]

chdahee.

    Dahee jumped when she heard the other speak, she hadn’t expected anyone to be next to her. He had heard her curse and it made her cheeks heat up, she normally didn’t curse, she almost never did but her father always made her say those harsh words. But he was right, she could have cursed some way worse words but she always somewhat held herself back. She wasn’t quite sure how she was supposed to respond to him,she thought about to maybe just ignore him but she was in a big need to distract herself form everything that was going on in her head and he seemed to be giving her what she wanted though she found this very awkward. But then again she would rather be in a awkward situation then to be thinking of her dad. Her cheeks were red now and she glanced at the other with innocent eyes “ I don’t usually curse “ she managed to finally reply and hoped that this wouldn’t completely end the conversation . 

       ◜♛◆      /    * .          they PRIDE themselves on being rather a t t e n t i v e, cluing into little things, be it the shades of red adorning the other’s cheeks, or the pause, hesitation present before the followed reply. from what minjae can tell, she seems flustered       though ( presumably to her luck ), they don’t capitalize on it ; the elder won’t intentionally try to make her feel more uncomfortable than she already appears to be. they’re often considered ill-mannered, yet minjae CONSIDERS themself as having a blasé attitude ; her discomfort simply doesn’t interest them. a slight smile fits to their mouth, TUGGING at either corner. they find her response c o m i c a l, for reasons unbeknownst to her       they would say similar things during their own youth, when their parents first heard them cursing. now ? it’s second nature to minjae. crude words fall from chapped lips with utmost ease, presented in a way that verges on being considered GRACEFUL. “ you don’t need to justify yourself, ” they offer truthfully, even give a shrug, displaying total nonchalance. the gesture may come across as nice, but they really don’t care       whoever this person is, she’s no one of significant importance to minjae ; they don’t even know her name ! she’s merely their ENTERTAINMENT for the time being. “ though you should try it more o f t e n. it’s pretty cathartic. just don’t let others hear you though ... they might think you’re directing what you’re saying, toward them. ”

[ephemeralshq]

chdahee.

       Her breath hitched as she froze in front of the store window which had a TV in the shopping window. She hadn’t seen his face for so long or heard his voice, she had been trying to ignore it in any way possible. Hearing it was like being hit in the face, she stared at the screen as the interviewer interviewed her father, he apparently was branching is company or something big happening in the company Dahee wasn’t paying attention to what he was actually saying, she just heard his voice. He was asked about his children on why they weren’t around on this special day and her father simply said that they were in America studying but they had video messaged him to congratulate him. That caused the girl to lower her head, America…right of course he would say that. She cursed under her breath not really noticing the person standing next to her.

       ◜♛◆      /    * .          bemusement crosses both their mind and features, present in the a r c h of their brows, and narrowing eyes. minjae’s aware of the person beside them ( though she seems OBLIVIOUS of their presence ) ; her sudden cursing garners the elder’s attention. it’s none of their business to pry, however, they choose to engage, addressing the topic without being incredibly blunt. their encounter serves as entertainment at best, giving minjae nothing but a few moments of distraction, having diverted from their usual MELANCHOLIC thoughts. really, receiving a reply from her would be akin to a life preserver, pulling them from the darkest depths of their mind, as they so often find themselves drowning, lungs deflating, no longer drawing in air. “ i’m definitely a fan of cursing people out       but if you’re really mad, may i suggest a few ... more sinister words ? they tend to get more of the A N G E R out, i find. ” their expression reads quite sober, void of any obvious emotion. minjae’s voice, too, is calm, volume just below that of normal, casual speech. 

[ephemeralshq]

artisvn.

          nothing but confusion whirled in sehyun’s mind as he’d watched the scene unfold. his caring nature was what had him looking after minjae, even though his frustration with them was higher than usual. he guessed he couldn’t HELP himself anymore than he could help minjae — he was doomed to always care about the other’s well-being whilst the other didn’t seem to care at all, insisting they were fine when anyone — even sehyun, could detect something was up. still, he stood, awkwardly, gaze never leaving the elder as they worked to clean the mess up. i’m fine. you’re not, he’d wanted to reply, but lips remained glued shut, much like his feet positioned on the ground below him. ‘ you’re, ’ he started then s t o p p e d, unsure where to even start. past the frustration, past the lying … minjae was still one of his best friends. ‘ you don’t have to talk to me. god knows i never talk to you when something’s wrong. but you don’t have to lie, either, jae. ’

 ◜♛◆      /    * .          hands busy themselves, diligently cleaning the mess       thankfully, capturing the attention of a waitress nearby. she quickly offers assistance, promising to be right back with a cloth of her own ; and SHE IS, having returned in a matter of seconds. minjae’s aware of her elegance, legs carrying her with ease       being composed of lengthy strides and quiet, nearly silent footfalls. she thanks minjae for helping thus far, though mentions that she’s able to finish what remains. the elder obliges, offering a softening smile both in gratitude and A P O L O G Y. during the whole exchange, they’re aware of sehyun, noting their halted sentence. chin turns in the other’s direction, while hollow, darkened eyes train on their ( much taller ) frame. previous anger’s passed, however, seems to have replaced itself with GUILT ; it’s eating at them, burrowing deep within the pit of their stomach, as if making itself at home. they don’t let on that they’re experiencing sorrow, but rather, minjae averts their gaze, words nearly muted, said just below their breath       part of them wishes sehyun doesn’t hear, whilst another part of them ( one they won’t admit to ) wishes they’d CLUE in, catch on to everything that’s happening, and offer a reprieve. that’s the problem with minjae’s warped sense of reality ; they’re always assuming p l a u s i b i l i t y, dreaming of seeking help in the easiest ways possible without complication and accompanying shame. unfortunately, it’s just that, A DREAM, and minjae can’t expect others to know what’s wrong when they choose so often to keep them in the dark. “ i’m sorry, ” they mutter, directed at sehyun. hands sift in their pocket for money to pay the staff for their food ( and a T I P, compensating for the spill ). the elder wants nothing more than to leave, and that much is evident in the way they’re positioned       their posture’s rigid, movements almost mechanical or practiced. “ i’m just ... really sorry. ”

[ephemeralshq]

stylistsun-heexc.

▐ ☽ ☼ - Wherever M O N E Y can be earned, Sun-Hee will be. The dark haired aspiring fashionista figured making a living came easier in a variety of ways than one, and today was just a single direction she took to earn her fortune. However         it seems her endeavors were putting her class schedule at R I S K and at this moment in time, inconveniencing others. The small woman struggled on the borrowed delivery scooter, hardly maneuvering between the people on the sidewalk. If it wasn’t for the over-sized helmet flopping around on her head, her path of CHAOS wouldn’t have led to her distressed shouting. “AHH-…WATCH OUT.” - “SORRY!” It wasn’t until someone reluctant move made her change direction and caused her to hit a tree. Fortunately, her fingers tightening on the breaks at the last minute limited the power of her topple over. Her small frame laid there as she yelled in relief before rolling over on her back to look at the person she moved to avoid. “Is everyone okay?” Sun-hee ruffled her hair in her own irritation.

  ◜♛◆      /    * .          years of abuse to their o w n body prompts slow, feeble movements             and with occasional FLARE UPS of their arthritis ( which they’re now currently experiencing ), it’s painfully obvious that minjae isn’t fairing too well. when someone nearby nearly runs into them, they’re left audibly cursing, loudly, angered at the encounter. thankfully however, she manages to avoid a collision, resulting in her falling to the ground, her vehicle toppling over. the elder crosses their arms over their chest, while hands FIT to the creases of their inner elbows, searching for any TRACE of remaining body heat. “ you nearly took my bloody head off, ” minjae harshly cuts back, with much less concern than the other’s voice HOLDS. they’re glaring at her, not bothering to offer a helping hand, assuming she’d even want one when picking herself up. “ you should really consider not driving one of these things when you’re absolute rubbish at it. ” common words utilized while growing up tend to REAPPEAR when they’re stressed            their accent as well, one they often forget about, overtakes the entirety of their speech, becoming heavier, thicker as vexation grows. 

[ephemeralshq]

tvehyun.

taetae: please .. tell me i don’t look like a carrot !! taetae: someone just joked about it  taetae: and now i’m already missing my black hair 😣💦

im.jae : alright, you don’t look like a carrot. im.jae : you look more like a ... daucus carota subsp. sativus 🥕 im.jae : 😘😘😘 im.jae : orange suits you though~ im.jae : it compliments your DAZZLING personality.  im.jae : and plus, now i won’t lose you in a crowd !  im.jae : ( okay, okay. just know that you look wonderful, always )

( SNAPCHAT ) → all.

[ephemeralshq]

ofsunmi.

              standing there, staring at her old brother on the other side of the table, with indifferent and cold features — something that would h a r d l y be directed to minjae, but she can’t disguise her discontent however much she wants. the other’s annoyance was like a VIRUS; beginning in the depths of her heart and then spreading throughout her body like a poison that swallowed her whole soul g r a d u a l l y and that was happening so fast. sunmi knew that this wasn’t her place. that she shouldn’t impose anything on the elder because after all they were an adult and could take care of themselves, that when she was the one who had her a t t a c k s because someone touched her in the street without permission, minjae was the only one who would support with warm words and the one with the only embrace she could TRUST. their embrace was like a home to her, and the thought of losing that comfort hurt sunmi as if her heart was r i p p i n g from her chest and thrown away. she hated lies. “you’ll grow a girl so beautiful, sunmi-yah”. “this will pass, in time you’ll forget your fears”. “i love you and i’ll wait for you”. “you’re your father’s greatest pride”. but among all these lies, hearing from minjae that they’re fine when they clearly weren’t was the WORST of them all. ‘ i hate lies. mostly, i hate it when you’re the one lying to me, ’ now, compare her to a child, but she stood up without another word and made her way out of the restaurant. her lungs were in need of fresh air, her mind was b l a n k, and she repudiated the feeling that there was NOTHING she could do for her brother. that she wasn’t good enough to help them out, that they might didn’t trust her. in those moments sunmi understood why people smoked, maybe if she had s o m e t h i n g between her lips and smoke around her head, her thoughts wouldn’t be in an attempt to crush her to the ground.

    ◜♛◆      /    * .          remorse is q u i c k to fill their heart, its mass weighing the muscle down, even causes their shoulders to fall --- albeit slightly. minjae finds that their connections with others verge on ‘ comically nonexistent, ’ with the few people they still consider close, only being pushed away that much further. of course, it’s all the elder’s doing ; their friends attempt to reach out, offering help, though their response is always the same, always opposing --- they say that they’re ‘ F I N E, ’ ( and apparently angered by the fact that others don’t seem to think so ). still, minjae feels terrible for openly lying to their sister. of all the years they’ve spent together, growing up alongside one another, she’d never steered them wrong. sunmi’s one person from the small handful of people they can trust, and --- when they choose to do so --- CONFIDE in. she’s their rock as often as they try so desperately to be hers. she doesn’t deserve their abrasiveness ; she deserves so much more. the elder watches then, silent, at a total loss for words while sunmi stands from the table and makes her way outside. glances in their direction cause minjae to become uneasy. with a sober expression, they flag down a waiter, and manage to pay for their lunch --- thankfully, sunmi’s food hadn’t gone to waste. the interaction passes fairly effortlessly, and once finished, minjae carries themself toward the front entrance, hand already sifting within their coat pocket in search of a familiar friend ; their nearly E M P T Y carton of cigarettes ( cancer sticks as their father once called them ). amber eyes note their sister nearby, however, they don’t address their presence. rather, the elder SIDLES next to her, already working at igniting the end of the cigarette with one of their more u s e d lighters. smoke plumes in front of their face, inhaled and exhaled in a circular motion, entering their nose while blossoming from parted lips. they don’t offer sunmi a smoke ; just because they’re doing it, doesn’t necessarily mean they support their little sister partaking as well. thankfully, with the cigarette to hold, minjae’s tremors go unnoticed, lessen even. their other hand’s shoved into their pocket, fingers curling partly, aware of the soft fabric lining its interior. it feels like an eternity passes before they finally opt for speaking ; voice’s unsteady, CRACKING at first --- minjae silently curses themself for it ; they loathe sounding w e a k. “ i shouldn’t have lied to you, ” they solemnly admit, words followed with an exhale, smoke filtering through the air ( and within their lungs ). “ things have just been ... hard, lately. work sucks, and i’m frustrated with it --- i shouldn’t have taken it out on you. ” minjae acts so casual about the whole interaction, yet internally, they’re freaking out. the excuse of work being tiring isn’t entirely FALSE, but covers one of the more prominent reasons for their irritation ; their t e r r i b l e, maladaptive eating habits.

[ephemeralshq]

artisvn.

       ‘ whatever ? ’ brows rose along with the questioning in his tone. was that really the only response he could get out of the other — his BEST ( if not sometimes only ), friend ? more bitterness mixed with frustration at the mere thought. and even though he understood how minjae could be ( understood that they had their ways ), something about today had him set on the edge of patience — getting up to leave nothing but unsettling tension between the two of them. UNTIL — he heard the crash of the mug and the string of curses flowing from minjae’s tongue. genuine worry washed over features as he turned once more, eyes meeting the other in a rushed panic. ‘ fuck, jae — are you okay ? ’

   ◜♛◆      /    * .          gaze quickly s c a n s either sides of their hands, SCOURING for marks --- any hint of scraping, even the smallest, most insignificant cuts prove to be a big deal for them. thankfully, there’s nothing ; the mug’s still intact, and at that realization, minjae relays relief through an elongated sigh, body visibly deflating. trembling hands are placed atop the table’s surface ; the elder takes a MOMENT to steady themself. “ i’m fine, ” is said lowly, voice breaking partway. they loathe how weak they feel, and how they’re u n a b l e to maintain their calm, collected demeanor when surrounded by people --- even more so, when they’re with someone who’s able to read them, most likely knowing they’re far from being ‘ FINE. ’ minjae refuses to look in sehyun’s direction, but continues to address them. “ just lost my grip, that’s all. ” there’s fear present in the very depths of their mind. minjae’s assuming that with their natural tendency to push others away, they’re going to end up LOSING sehyun entirely ; the elder’s essentially sabotaging themself ( on top of already hurting one of the few individuals they hold close ). thoughts become overwhelming, and before minjae’s aware, they’re drowning within a sea of ‘ what if’s, ’ and hypothetical scenarios. their brows p i n c h together, frustration written in their expression. their mouth opens, lips parting though nothing passes their CHAPPED surface --- silence is ( apparently ) minjae’s specialty.

[ephemeralshq]

artisvn.

          a heavy s i g h cascades from lips, frustration and concern melting into one overwhelming and unpleasant feeling — no. he had to keep his cool. but their attitude can’t help but remind him of his siblings at home in busan — their favoring of nothing wrong only cause for alarm in the artists’ mind. something was always wrong when one insisted there wasn’t. so sehyun blinks. once. twice. ‘ maybe not. doesn’t change anything. ’ he shrugs, nonchalance radiating from his figure though it was the last thing he was feeling ; why’d he have to be so god-damned concerned ? minjae only came back at him with a venom laced tone, condemning him for wanting to catch up. ‘ is it really so hard to believe i wanted to see you ? ’ sehyun returns, eyes narrowing as he faces the elder. ‘ christ. i’m not out to get you or your cigarettes. ’ the boy shakes his head, taking note that minjae’s anger is far above his own — god, what had he done to fuck up so severely ? but instead of being the decent friend he could be and push them further into telling him what was wrong, he retaliates, allowing a childish manner to take him over as he stands up to leave. ‘ i get it. message loud and clear. i’ll fuck off. ’

   ◜♛◆      /    * .          sehyun’s accusation---and q u e s t i o n---sends a chill down their spine. when truly MULLING the thought over, of whether their friend wants minjae in his company, they’re quick to assume it’s a lie. they’re so set on the idea of sehyun not wanting the elder even as an acquaintance. in minjae’s mind, their presence merely acts as a burden, or sometimes, someone filling a void until another better, more entertaining, enthusiastic, energetic ( or h a p p y ) individual comes sehyun’s way. with this discovery, minjae’s expression SOBERS. brows remain furrowed, though their eyes grow distant ; usual amber hue’s drained, void of any vibrance or hint of life. “ whatever, ” is muttered lowly as the elder’s gaze averts from the other completely. they can’t stand to look in sehyun’s direction, not if it means noting the person they’ve HURT, along with the cherished friendship they’ve so c a r e l e s s l y attacked. guilt and frustration tangle within their stomach, bringing forth a wave of nausea. trembling fingers reach for their TEA in an attempt to ease increasing anxiety, but as they move, motioning to lift the mug to their lips, porcelain falls from their grasp, quickly ( and harshly ) connecting with the table. thankfully, the mug doesn’t break, though there’s green tea soaking the the table’s surface. as well, there’s ( what feels to be ) countless eyes turned toward the disturbance -- stares bore into minjae’s skull from EVERY ANGLE. “ fuck ! ” they curse below their breath, s h a m e manifesting itself further into their expression. “ fuck, fuck fuck -- ” they reach for napkins, but movements are frantic. they’re panicking now, heart-rate accelerating, thudding heavily against their chest. 

[ephemeralshq]

moonsco.

lunar.seyeon: fresh sheets?  ✓ lunar.seyeon: wine?  ✓ lunar.seyeon: company?  ✗ lunar.seyeon: wanna cross another thing off my list?

im.jae : it looks like i’ve suddenly forgotten how to read. im.jae : and w r i t e.  im.jae : therefore, i can’t cross anything off your list.  im.jae : 🙂🙂🙂

[ephemeralshq]

working the last few days has really e x h a u s t e d me ,, i’m still adjusting to working monday to friday ( as well as a day on the weekend ). that being said, i’m gonna get changed into comfy clothes, prepare and drink some tea, and get to replies !! hope everyone’s well !! 

[ephemeralshq]

stylistsun-heexc.

▐ ☽ ☼ - Wherever M O N E Y can be earned, Sun-Hee will be. The dark haired aspiring fashionista figured making a living came easier in a variety of ways than one, and today was just a single direction she took to earn her fortune. However         it seems her endeavors were putting her class schedule at R I S K and at this moment in time, inconveniencing others. The small woman struggled on the borrowed delivery scooter, hardly maneuvering between the people on the sidewalk. If it wasn’t for the over-sized helmet flopping around on her head, her path of CHAOS wouldn’t have led to her distressed shouting. “AHH-…WATCH OUT.” - “SORRY!” It wasn’t until someone reluctant move made her change direction and caused her to hit a tree. Fortunately, her fingers tightening on the breaks at the last minute limited the power of her topple over. Her small frame laid there as she yelled in relief before rolling over on her back to look at the person she moved to avoid. “Is everyone okay?” Sun-hee ruffled her hair in her own irritation.

      ◜♛◆      /    * .          nearly being run over by a pedestrian on a s c o o t e r is a novel concept to them -- while ODD circumstances are current, minjae’s had their fair share of near death experiences in the past ; this is simply just another incident being added to their list. anger marries both confusion and concern as they watch her fall, though she’s come to a full stop, no longer endangering those around her. the elder’s shocked expression hardens upon hearing the sudden question ; she’s clearly ALRIGHT, there’s no more need for CONCERN on their part. “ you could’ve put me in a hospital, you know that ? ” anger’s rises within their tone. they’re ( far too ) accustomed with hospitals, having frequented them during their youth, mostly due to having hemophilia. that being said, minjae isn’t fond of them, if anything, they’re most uncomfortable when surrounded by ( the ever-so-familiar and MELANCHOLIC ) hospital interior. “ either watch where you’re going, or don’t drive that ridiculous t h i n g at all. ” minjae’s pugnacious, but their tone remains somewhat calm -- almost eerily so when contrasted with the intensity of such words. 

[ephemeralshq]

tvehyun.

              the younger has a pout on his plump rose lips when it comes to the confirmation of the other, but only to dissolve into slight giggles, head tilting to the other’s side. ‘ RIGHT NOW, you’re seeing nothing, ’ tae lets go with a genuine tone of a m u s e m e n t. enjoyment outlined in his words as if this were sewn there and no existing way to undo its connection. he remembered the time when his body would feel heavy in any minute spent beside minjae when they weren’t within the messy dynamics they had created for themselves — always feeling G U I L T Y when something seemed out of place. now it was as if each of his limbs had turned feathers, weightless. the reason he wanted to stay there really wasn’t because it was easier; but because it gave a more real c o n t r a s t to everything they had now, even though that wouldn’t be easily understood. ‘ you said the other day that you liked my jealousy side, ’ was a little comical as they spoke in almost whispers, as if the walls were to hear and confide all that to the world at some brief moment. they were the only ones in the apartment and even so taehyun didn’t want to get out of the CLOSE proximity. his free small hand found the other’s arm, the tips of his fingers drawing soft lines across the cool skin beneath his touch. as e v e r y t h i n g about minjae never fail to let him interested, always making his poor heart skip a beast, he probably would never understand. ‘ this is a very risky place. my possessiveness. i don’t want to show you this because i don’t want to L O S E you, ’ was a weak statement — that wasn’t the only reason. tae hated his possessive side, it was an UGLY image of himself.

       ◜♛◆      /    * .          a m e e k smirk pulls at the elder’s lips -- taehyun’s not wrong, they did admit to finding his jealousy rather alluring. rose hues blossom upon the apples of their cheeks, but with the blackout, their BLUSH is easily masked ; cloaked in darkness. shadows contrast with their skin -- their complexion’s rather sallow, and when paired with gaunt features, minjae’s often told they resemble DEATH ( or something relatively close ). but this, their time spent together now, is why they have so much adoration for taehyun. they feel at ease, as though countless thoughts accumulating inside their head, once STORMING and raging, have finally come to a standstill. they’re greeted by internal silence and are more than grateful for it. taehyun’s presence is the calm before their storm ; allows them a brief peace of mind before returning to the w a r being waged upon themselves. minjae knows they can’t rely entirely on taehyun to cease negative thoughts and uplift their mood, in fact, they’re still SOMEWHAT apprehensive toward their closeness ( though they don’t show it ). they’re just terrified of becoming, or even seeming, too dependent on the other -- it’s the last thing they want. a voice captures their attention ; taehyun’s continuing in a tone wholly soft spoken. though they find the other’s whispers childish, they choose to humour them, thus when replying themself, minjae’s voice is no higher than taehyun’s. “ so maybe i did -- your jealous side’s definitely something i’d never seen before that night. ” there’s a hint of intrigue laced within their tone. free hand repositions while digits l a z i l y trace the side of the other’s neck. minjae’s own movements MIMIC theirs, touch feather light, merely ghosting its surface. taehyun’s warm beneath them, emitting enough heat for even the elder to feel somewhat cozy -- a first for minjae, considering the constant chill plaguing the entirety of their body. they listen, remaining silent as the other explains their possessiveness. statement prompts minjae to shift, drawing taehyun closer while encompassing him, both arms wrapping around their frame in a comforting, AMOROUS embrace. “ you won’t lose me, ” they assure, sincerity practically dripping from their tone. “ i’m not planning on going anywhere -- not right now, and definitely NOT anytime soon. ” minjae smiles despite the absence of light ; they truly cannot help it, taehyun brings out the best side of them. 

[ephemeralshq]

clydc.

                              the others reaction is V E R Y cagey and clyde can’t help but squint. the counselor inside of him is starting to come out, much like a werewolf and the moon. only less dramatic and more mom like. clyde can’t help it anymore “sure. so you’re NOT being cagey. then what’s up with your attitude?” he questioned with an arched brow. the others posture is strange, especially for a public setting. he’d seen it often within the safety of his office, maybe in group on occasion, never in public this like, “a kip.?” clyde repeated and cackled. he loved English slang. “then why did you invite me out? you could be asleep right now.” clyde rolled his eyes. “well you’re quiet so i can label you as cagey. see? it works both ways bra.” clyde hummed as he furrowed his brows and chewed slowly, deliberately quiet. “is something wrong, minjae? do i need to do the counselor voice?”

    ◜♛◆      /    * .          minjae feels as though they’re being analyzed -- they don’t like it, nor do they TAKE WELL to the idea. v e x a t i o n rises as they shake their head, gaze falling to the tabletop, noting their tea whilst doing their ( absolute ) best to ignore the plate of food ; even its mere presence brings forth anxiety.“ i don’t have an ATTITUDE, ” they attempt to defend themselves, though grow silent once clyde continues -- prodding them, assuming something’s wrong ( even when minjae’s so certain there isn’t ). “ nothing’s wrong. and i’d appreciate it if you didn’t LAUGH at my slang, you arse. ” there it is again ; a term less common among individuals around them. “ don’t you dare give me your ‘ COUNSELOR VOICE, ’ ” they warn, brows further furrowing, relaying their irritation. they don't move from their spot ; rather, minjae finds comfort in making themself appear smaller, as if the intensity of their mental strain's perceived as less daunting that way.

[ephemeralshq]

soapril.

       April didn’t really like being annoyed at Minjae but she did get annoyed when people for no reason were being assholes. Not that he was being one but she didn’t like that he had to sound like a jerk. But the girl tried to be more understanding because who knew they might be struggling with something that she had no idea about. That didn’t mean she would not snap if he would act like a jerk. April just nodded and tried to eat as quietly as she could, she didn’t have much and just listened as the other spoke. “ Ah I see, yeah that could be good to take it since you aren’t hungry “ she replied finding it making more sens why he wasn’t eating but felt a bit bad that she asked him because she felt like he had only said yes because he thought she would be eating alone then which she would but she didn’t mind “ You didn’t have to get lunch with me if you weren’t hungry though “ she added and took a small sip of her drink and then looked at him “ And if you are in a hurry you don’t have to stay but I will be done in a little bit “ she replied and looked back at her food 

    ◜♛◆      /    * .          a shrug rolls from their shoulders while expression remains indifferent, impartial to her comment regarding them agreeing to lunch. “ i don’t mind, ” the elder LIES through their teeth, even forces a smile as some sort of assurance. minjae reaches for their tea then, careful to maneuver while curled into themselves -- knees flush with their chest. green tea’s warm and soothing against their throat ; in an attempt to seem ‘ normal, ’ they add a small spoonful of honey to their drink before stirring languidly, careful not to make too much noise while silver clinks against porcelain. “ i can STAY, ” minjae offers, though their gaze no longer resides on april. instead, it’s turned to their tea ; they’re avoiding the plate of food at all costs. time passes slowly, and the elder begins to feel restless -- they bounce their knee at first, but when fingers begin tapping the surface of their mug, they decide conversation will help, hopefully masking their jitters whilst ( again ) making them appear somewhat ‘ NORMAL. ’ “ how’re things with you ? i feel like i haven’t actually seen you much lately. ” with their connection to elijah, they’ve known april for a fair while. thankfully, they enjoy her company, and initiating conversation’s more or less simple ( or at least s i m p l  i f i e d when compared to conversing with others ). 

[ephemeralshq]

artisvn.

          although the artist contained himself with a calm exterior, one could see that in his head, cogs were turning, assessing — attempting to pinpoint a time and place he’d done something wrong that would’ve pissed the other off, and confusion only grew when he found nothing, matched with the raise of minjae’s voice. ‘ because, ’ he started, voice quiet as if to avoid from having it shaking ( with worry coursing through his veins, it wasn’t a rare occurrence for his voice to waver ),  hand clenching slightly in his lap. ‘ you’re not a dickhead unless something is wrong. ’ a poor choice of words, perhaps, but annoyance could’ve been found at the end of his concern, and he was usually sure to show it. sehyun let out a laugh, one that was almost bitter — while it was somewhat often that he’d pushed them to being angry with him, sometimes to the point of idle threat, he’d always known it to be less than serious. but this — minjae throwing their anger at him while he couldn’t recall anything he’d done wrong … well, it unsettled him, to say the least. ‘ sorry to be fucking concerned. ’

    ◜♛◆      /    * .          they know sehyun’s right -- minjae doesn’t treat those they hold CLOSE with disrespect, at least none that’s genuine. frustration builds and the elder fails to cease fidgeting. painted nails graze skin, scraping, scratching, rubbing the skin draped over their knuckles r a w. “ you’re not my mom, ” voice is stern, dominant, alike their personality. they then push their plate with the heels of their hands, shoving untouched food from their sight ; it’s SICKENING to minjae, having to see the meal, the plate of calories they’re terrified of consuming. “ i’m not even bloody hungry -- why in the hell would you suggest lunch of all things. just go ahead and steal my fag, that’s clearly what you’re after. ” it’s a blatant assumption and accusation to make, but minjae’s far gone, having surpassed their threshold of anger. “ go worry about yourself for once. i’m not a fucking toddler. if something’s WRONG, i can fix it -- but, there’s nothing wrong. ” the elder slows their response, emphasizing the final statement, as if convincing not only their friend, but themselves as well -- because really, they’re just as lost ( if not more ) within their own thoughts. 

[ephemeralshq]

soapril.

          Lunch was one of April’s favorite meal times right after midnight snacks so she was very excited when Minjae agreed to go to lunch with her, she had never really seen him eat before ( They didn’t know each other that well either way ) so she was a bit curious. It was easy for April to hang out with anyone at all, she could have even asked a stranger to have lunch with her but she had learned by now that some people found that very uncomfortable. Someone even once told her that is was just weird so April started to be careful but once in a blue moon she asked someone she didn’t know if they wanted to eat lunch with her just to see their reactions. Her stomach was nearly growling over the top when lunch finally arrived and the girl didn’t hesitate and started eating, she was so occupied with her food that she didn’t even notice that her lunch partner wasn’t really eating but he manages to get attention when he speaks to her and she looked at him a little annoyed by what he said “ Well sorry that I become so obnoxious when I eat, I’ll try to eat quieter if it really bugs you ” she replied back not really hiding her annoyance 

     ◜♛◆      /    * .          utensil in hand, minjae’s gaze is drawn to where april’s currently sitting, apology audible between them. while she doesn’t conceal IRE that’s lacing her voice, april merely asked the elder out to lunch as a genuine, friendly gesture. she didn’t mean any harm ; minjae knows that, and the thought alone brings forth a sense of remorse. cue a slight pang of guilt -- feeling CREEPS from an empty stomach, clawing higher until reaching their throat. a s t e a d y i n g inhale calms them, influencing the elder to rethink their previous tone. when they opt for conversation once more, they’re much softer -- though, still maintaining their usual callousness. “ i appreciate it. ” minjae follows the response with a partially forced smile, however, their voice holds little conviction, and instead relays personal frustration. it’s not that they don’t enjoy april ; if anything, they’re somewhat FOND of her. rather, they’re uncomfortable within their own skin, feeling trapped ; simply breathing has become one of the hardest things for them to do. it took years, but they’ve successfully built and reinforced an aversion toward food -- a distaste which encourages minjae’s frequent fasting and regret immediately following any caloric consumption. “ i don’t think i’m hungry, to be honest. i had quite a bit for breakfast. i’ll probably just take my FOOD home. ” they’re more or less excusing the appearance of their absence of appetite while verbally planning ahead ; minjae’s already mentally preparing their schedule as well -- currently consisting of : what they’re going to do with the food when finally back in their apartment, and what food they’re a c t u a l l y going to allow themselves for the DAY. “ we can get going after you’re done, yeah ? ” truthfully, minjae can’t wait to get out of there.