mournfulminds

[mournfulminds]

Claudia Doumit as Victoria Neuman in The Boys S04E05

[mournfulminds]

@mournfulminds

[mournfulminds]

A shade of light pink painted the younger woman's cheeks, and what a lovely force it cast, sending ripples through Hal's dusky world and making her feel somehow lighter about where they stood. "The gestures will get more grand, I'm afraid, and the gifts only more lavish─" She could not help but tease, this playful side only coming out around Iseul. Her lips quirked upwards as her fingertips traced a route to her companion's collarbone. "Really, I've been stifling inklings to myself, unsure how to express them to you, even if it's just a flower in a park I want to show you. Let's see, I'll be able to hold your hand, guide you around the farmer's market, and lean in to press a kiss to your forehead, or your lips when I want, and hold you, ever so close." For good measure, the older woman pulled Iseul into a warm embrace, her face buried in the crook of her neck. This intimacy was imported to the dormant agent since it had been some time since she had held someone in such a tender manner.

Thankful that her current company could not see her face knotting in amusement at Iseul's sudden barrage of questions, Hal once again faced the other, her hands still planted on the woman's hips as she pondered aloud. "I don't know, I'm a little rusty when it comes to dancing, but I'd be willing to try, for you... It is a wedding, after all, I'm afraid it's what one signs up for. And is that what you would like me to introduce us as? We can do whatever feels comfortable to you." Linking her arms behind Iseul's waist, closing the distance between them once more, Hal weighed her options. "As for tonight, if you're hungry we could go get something to eat and take a walk around the neighbourhood, or... we could order room service and stay in." Another feather-light kiss was placed to the corner of the woman's mouth, and then another and another until Hal's trail led to soft lips, her hands coming up to clasp the Iseul's face.

Iseul was blushing something fierce as she smiled from ear to ear. Her parents would be delighted to hear she was dating and happy, but more than that, they would be glad to hear that Hal was someone intellectually intriguing. Iseul had always been slow to open herself up to people, but Halcombe had sparked her interest immediately. The kiss to her forehead made her heart skip a beat and she caught herself leaning forward, chasing the older woman's lips. "Perks? What perks will there be on our next date?"

"I don't think we have to take anything slow. It's not thatI'm scared of trying new things, even if I... I know I'm shy and inexperienced. I just haven't had anyone I've been interested in experiencing anything sexual with. Kissing was forced, no one gave me butterflies, so I never saw the point in taking it to the next step." Iseul visibly relaxed, reaching for Hal's hand and tracing loops over the delicate curves of her knuckles. "Are we going to dance together and introduce ourselves as a couple tomorrow?" Then, as if her intrusive thoughts found her mouth she also blurted out, "What are we going to do tonight?"

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Dujour Magazine June 2024

Eva Longoria

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Now that the mutual feeling was out in the open and they had put a name to it, Hal felt a tad better since she had debated whether she should confess to Iseul this trip or perhaps the next time they saw each other. However, all this did not lessen how much her heart could swell when she met those crisp brown eyes, repaid with a favourable look since Iseul's second disclosure; that she had not seen many people or anyone, only seemed to comfort Hal. In part, because it meant the younger woman trusted her enough to tell her something such as this, and deep down, the more selfish part of her knew that she couldn't fuck it up as much as had in the past since Iseul had little to compare it to. "You did wonderful Iseul, thank you. Yes, of course, we can keep dating. And you know, since we both know it will be a date now, that does come with certain perks." She teased, planting a peck on the other's forehead. "It's okay if you have never been with anyone, in truth, I haven't been with many beyond a few nights. But with you, I'm willing to try... We can take it as slow as you want."

Despite all her worries and doubts, the older woman vowed to do right by Iseul, take it one week at a time and see where, if anywhere, it went. Sweet was never a word someone used to describe the agent, but perhaps with Iseul, she just wanted to be softer, to prove to herself that she could after a life of rough waves. "There are not many people on this earth that know me, or even that I want to know me. Perhaps most of them are going to be in that room tomorrow, and I think I am just glad that you will be one of them. I don't think you realise how... happy I am to hear you think of me in that way, in any way, but especially in such a lovely way. Because I really enjoy hearing about your day, and discoveries, and taking you places, and even catching a glimpse into how you see the world."

Iseul's heart skipped a few beats at Halcombe's proclamation. Her brown eyes looked up, surprised that Hal was apologizing. "I just, I've never dated or been with anyone. I thought you were just the sweetest woman I'd ever been around and... I was scared of telling you I was interested. I didn't want to ruin our friendship because I'm not straight." Nibbling on her heart-shaped pout, her lips eventually cracked into a shy smile. "I've wanted you since that night in the bar, too." Iseul's cheeks were ten shades more pink, her skin warming a few degrees and her fingers twisted together as she caught the sincerity in Hal's eyes. "Did I do okay? Could we keep dating?"

Despite fumbling over her words and fidgeting through her confession, Iseul had meant what she'd said. Taking a deep breath and holding it for a few seconds, then letting it out in a slow sigh, she plucked up the courage to look at Hal one more time. "Despite how nervous it is to tell you I like you or tell you that I've never really been out or dated, it doesn't change the fact that you're the first person I think about when I find something interesting at work. The first person I've thought about sharing a new trip with and the only person I'd want to ask about what might be there or if they'd want to go with me. You're also the person I'm most comfortable with and I'd really like to figure out what all of that means, Hal."

[mournfulminds]

Keum Sae Rok and Noh Sang Hyun for ELLE Korea December 2023 promoting Soundtrack #2.

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These hands that used to hold people's lives in them, that had only killed (for the sake of their agency) ─ take could only take take take ─ held Sohee with such reverence, unable to resist the urge and quenching it with a chaste kiss on the other's shoulder blade. "Then I guess you are the second to attest to it, you can't take it back now. Maybe I missed my calling as a hand model?" Téa smiled behind Sohee's back, arching a curious eyebrow. "So that means you were thinking of me huh? Guess it's a good thing I yanked all the wires out of my car," The older woman joked. It was a divine notion, that someone could ever think of her in such a manner, she felt it had been ages since she returned to society and it was easy to get caught up in the feelings.

Seeing Sohee's hesitance, Theresa wondered if the topic was strained, as she had a habit of getting to know people on a fast but ephemeral basis. About to add that an answer was not necessary if Sohee did not feel like it, she halted when the woman began answering. "Meant to do, I used to think that too. And for some people, it's true. But for me, I wonder if it's really what I was meant to do, or if I just fell into it and couldn't get back up. Sorry, I'm being morose, my law mentor always said I was─"

"i'll take your solid hands as a good thing. besides, from what i could remember, you're pretty good with your hands." she feels comfortable once téa starts massing her and she realizes exactly what she's been missing out on. sohee chuckles, shaking her head. "nah, we didn't have much interaction. but she looked like you," sohee admits but that was as far as she'd go. obviously, sohee couldn't say anything else without giving the truth away. normally, she wouldn't care because normally, she'd kill téa and move on without second though. but for some reason, sohee cared about how téa saw her. sohee falters for a moment at téa's question. she hadn't been expecting it at all. but then again, sohee probably should have. she was supposed to be a normal person with a normal job. questions like this were bound to come up sooner rather than later. "yeah, i guess i do," sohee admits. "and i think i'll be doing it for the rest of my life. it's not like i'm good at anything else. this job is perfect for me." although sohee was curious about what life would be like if she wasn't an assassin, this life was the only one she had ever known for as long as she could remember. "it's what i'm meant to do," sohee adds with a nod, briefly glancing over at téa from over her shoulder before she looked back ahead.

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@cigvrettedvet

{Quotes:Nitya prakash/Richard siken ,crush}

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What Nari had said about Cheongju reminded Thomasin of some of the places back in Scotland, frozen in time, it was like stepping back into her youth which for her was not necessarily the best hour. "Timeless, I like that. I'd like to see it, one day, maybe next time I'm there I'll check it out. I get how that can feel, but sometimes slow is good, and maybe when you go back you'll appreciate that slowness, if only for a bit." For various reasons, the teacher did not want to be known, not as a regular to any café or gym, and she did not attend when the other teachers invited her for post-work dinner and drinks, so when Nari asked, Thomasin felt an inherent need to be seen. As something other than the shell of a person she had been living as. "I worked for this group for a fair bout of my life, 'erm natural preservation, and all that," Being careful with her wording, Thomasin progressed on, "And it took me to South Africa, a town called Limpopo where Kruger National Park is. And Komodo, Indonesia, Plitvice Lakes, Croatia, and Corcovado, Costa Rica to name a few. I think my favourite place is Indonesia, the soil is so rich, you could grow anything. I had a garden there, every type of flower you could imagine native to the land, I planted. When I left, I entrusted it to the care of this old lady who helped me tend to it in the spring, since I got way over my head."

"I hope it works out for you, I really do. Who knows, maybe one day I'll be in some city, and look up to see one of your billboards." It would not be the craziest thing to happen to the blonde, Nari was drop-dead gorgeous, and if she worked hard, or just got lucky, either seemed to be possible at this point. The bridge of her nose creased as she let out a gentle titter at Nari's joke, gaze peering down to their hands and back up. "Yeah, and here I was, always thinking guardian/teacher meetings were boring. I-I'm having a great time too. Should I get us another round?"

nari hums in thought for a moment, settling on a shrug as she speaks. "it's nice. it almost feels timeless, you know? like it's forever stuck in between the eighties and nineties. maybe it's outside of time. i don't know, but it feels very slow. i don't know if i'd ever go back. not until i'm older anyway." she smiles when thomasin commends her on her strength. she didn't feel too strong but maybe she just didn't realize it yet. she listens with interest as thomasin answers her, resting her chin in the palm of her hand. "i know i'm being ridiculously nosy at this point but . . . what other cities? anything exciting?" nari feels a little bit like a kid in a candy store - giddy and wanting more. she was already having a good time, a first in a long while.

"mm, you think i'd give up and do something else. but there's nothing else i'd rather do. i don't really know when it's gonna happen but i can just feel that my big break is happening soon." it had to. nari wasn't one to ever settle and while her cam girl business was fun, it wasn't anything permanent. her dreams were way bigger than that. brows raise at thomasin's words and a teasing smirk replaces the once thoughtful expression that had been on her face moments before. "really? you seemed like such a natural," she teased, only to glance down when she felt the older woman's hand on her thigh. "all jokes aside, i'm having a really great time with you," nari's quick to add, moving thomasin's hand just a little further up. she couldn't go too far, wanting to test the waters and see how thomasin felt about her. nari had a pretty good idea but she still wanted to be sure.

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In a quick flash, the anger is gone, replaced with a thin mask but still traces of warmth linger as they walk out into the gardens, enclosed by dead greenery that is dusted with a cover of white. Elizabeth appears so soft against this scenery, glowing from the street lamps and as pretty as the snowglobes inside as she pulls the other closer in a guise to shield her from the winter. "It's cold out here, let me know if you get too chilled and we will go somewhere else, alright? I've always enjoyed the winters, the sun goes down early yes, but nights can be so exciting, hm?" She expects the young heiress to know nothing of nightlife, but perhaps she could teach her some time. They could even chalk it up to a "business" meeting and Sherine would show her all the thrilling nocturnal pleasures this city had to offer.

They walk arm in arm, across the street and right into Central Park, and they pass children and couples on their way, and it feels almost normal, despite Elizabeth's words fermenting in Sherine's head. "Not on your level," She thinks she has grasped the concept and what it means, but she can't help but reflect on how wrong the young woman is and is none the wiser. "I'm just being sullen really, it's not the death of original thinking, more of a shared, cohabitation of such thought. Naturally, you will agree with your husband, and he should be with you. I suppose I can't wrap my head around it, silly I know, being a matchmaker but having no intention to ever... Anyway, surnames truly do not matter, I presume you will take your husbands, and then where will yours be? You see, it is only but a name. You, dear Elizabeth, are your own person now that you are grown, all your own."

elizabeth falters at sherine's words, wondering where it had come from. for as long as she's known the woman ( which yes, it hadn't been very long at all ), shrine was nothing but charm and honeyed words. this seemed to be the first peek into something more hidden behind the woman's facade. "perhaps it is," elizabeth shrugs, "the death of freedom and original thinking. you're not entirely wrong, miss." but what could elizabeth do? sherine was here to help elizabeth get to that point. it wasn't elizabeth's dream but rather, her duty.

"i feel as though people would only say that because of who i am and my last name. not because they truly feel that way. i don't see myself on the same level as you," elizabeth admits, shaking her head. but a smile graces her lips when sherine compliments her and her talent. "you are? i, uh, thank you." she's heard the compliments all before. it barely fazed her these days. but when sherine says it, it felt different. it felt . . . amazing even. and it made all the butterflies in her stomach intensify. her gaze meets sherine's and lingers there for a moment too long before she looks away, blushing. "you do?" elizabeth smiled, "well, lead the way!" elizabeth would go just about anywhere with sherine at any time.

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@mournfulminds

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If it's possible, Maeve is as stunning as when Mercer left her a year and a half ago, which it is, because the nurse is tangible proof and somehow even more so as she is greeted with those brown doe-like eyes that make her go weak in the knees. She chalks it up to her "accident", or her mother's as she tears her look away and clears her throat in order to cut some of the tension she feels falling over them.

"Oh no? As I recall, we both quite enjoyed all the methods it took for me to get you to do things. But you're right, how will I ever know if they still work if I don't at least, try?" She retorts as she finally lets go of Maeve, seating herself back on the edge of the bed so a proper checkup can commence, and maybe she can get the hell out of here. Preferably before her mother returns to witness whatever was happening here. Already taking off her top layer, the blonde is left in a cream-coloured satin shirt that flows with her as she leans back. "My mom got in an accident, I guess I blacked out and she brought me here. I feel fine, if I promise a follow-up in a couple days, will you let me go? How have you been lately? It's been a while. Long shift or just starting one?"

it was already a fairly busy day at the hospital, maeve having to take care of several patients at a time. she was exhausted and definitely looking forward to when she'd be able to go home and drink the stress away with a nice bottle of red wine. her shift was almost over too, seeing as she had made the smart decision not to work the night shift. she wasn't a masochist - not fully anyway. but just when she thinks she's close to having a break, she's sent to another room to check on the newest patient. maeve doesn't know what to expect but she definitely doesn't expect to see a familiar face - one that makes her heart skip a beat.

"hey, you," maeve smiles, unable to help herself. she's overwhelmed with memories - both good and bad but mostly good. she holds onto mercer after that, mostly to make sure she doesn't end up collapsing and also because she wanted to make sure this was real. "seeing as i'm your nurse, you can still try to bribe me. can't promise that it'll work much, mercer gatley." back then, mercer could tell maeve to do whatever she wanted and she'd do it without hesitation. but things were different now and maeve still had a job to keep. but the longer she's in the other woman's presence, it's easy for maeve to forget.

[mournfulminds]

𝐖𝐇𝐎: Maeve / 「 @cigvrettedvet 」

𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐍: Summer / 2024

𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄: Highland Hospital

Mercer first contemplated the beams of fluorescents when she came to, squinting under the harsh light as the scent of antiseptic chemicals wafted past her signalling that she was in fact in the emergency room, strewn out across a bed with a thin curtain concealing her privacy ─ lovely. The last thing she could recall was a fly fishing expedition in the Chesapeake Bay (more of a business trip), and then her mother picking her up from the train station, despite her protests, so they could "talk about something".

Adjusting her cardigan and then combing her fingers through her hair, her mother's voice came into earshot, over the PA system, informing the doctor of her concerns that her daughter has whiplash and then excusing herself to find a "decent" cup of coffee in the cafeteria. Her plan of exit was to check herself out and send a text later, but to do that, she'd have to get a doctor or nurse to sign off on that. An unsteady trail led her to the doorway only to be met with someone coming to check on her ─ perfect timing, Mercer stumbling out of the way, perhaps a bit more hazy than she led on. Just her luck too, as it's none other than a being from her past; her married life, still like a fresh wound as she ushers a smile to the front. "Aren't you a sight for sore eyes, Maeve Chapman," Using the other woman to steady her stance, Mercer regards her, unfazed, as if they're old friends and perhaps they are, "I was just wondering how I was gonna bribe the nurse to let me out of here."

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No matter the time or place, leaves would fall to the ground in a hazy fashion, and for no other reason than the seasons changing or so Hal thought since any trace of romanticism evaded her entirely. How had it been that she had not considered perhaps that they fell just to be closer to Iseul? It was tough to believe any organism on this earth would not want to bask in the light that was the younger woman, and now here she was, right in front of the retired agent asking to be let into her own little world. She was certain Iseul's words would replay in her mind well into the night, reverberate in the unconscious part of her that now felt somehow active.

Linking her arms behind the cartographer's neck, Hal gently pulled her near. Being in such close vicinity made her head spin after denying herself the chance to be act on her desire for so long. "I'm not good at putting any of this into word, so I tried to show you how I felt but if I made that confusing, I apologise, it's been... some time since I've done, well any of this. And I've been alone for quite a while. I want you, Iseul, I've wanted you since that night at the bar." Halcombe tried to catch the other's gaze so her sincerity could be confirmed. "You've made my heart sway, and I invited you because I enjoy your company and I want to show you a piece of my past. And it helps to show up to these things with an absolutely enchanting date."

Shaking her head 'no' Iseul smiled at Hal. "I just want to see whatever you'd like to show me. If you're feeling nostalgic and want to show me the places you went with your siblings, that's fine too." There was a genuine sincerity as she smiled at the older woman. Iseul had continuously been intrigued by Halcombe. Her heart rate only skyrocketed with the gentle lifting of her chin. She blinked at her with wide eyes and flushed cheeks, her gaze falling to Hal's lips. When the woman leaned in only kissed her cheek Iseul turned in just a little, a pout on her lips as Hal pulled away. It was hard not to be disappointed, but she wasn't sure what Halcombe wanted from her and Iseul was too shy and naive to know how to ask for more.

"I'm glad your friends like me and it's really nice of you to introduce me to them. I never really had anyone to talk about the places I've been to besides my parents and colleagues." She gave Hal's hand a gentle squeeze, looking down at their interlinked hands, "But Halcombe... I don't care about anyone else liking me but you." Iseul could hear her heart racing, her mouth a little dry as it pumped harder. "Why did you choose to invite me, Hal? Was it just for company and networking or..." Iseul's eyes fell again, waiting for rejection.

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An eternal spring unfolded between them, a new beginning, and Citra could not be more pleased with what was once a bad habit (her mother saying she could get anyone to agree to anything, as long as it would get her to be silent), into getting Edie to spend some time with her. By nature, the tile setter was affable, enclosing herself with a sea of people to distract from the silence in her head, but Edie was one that she felt drawn to and so very curious about. No longer did the silence bother her in Edie's presence, a venture she was learning to appreciate. "Yes, just this once." Citra repeated. "And then I will have to think of ways for next year."

Her nose wrinkled as an adoring chuckle escaped her lips at the other woman's joke, an unsuspected quip but enjoyed nonetheless. "Then ten it is. Oh yeah, I'll try to stay clear from the ones that all the teens loiter in, but hey, that might actually be good practise, dodging them with their skateboards."

It would only be nice because she'd have Citra as company, but she didn't voice that specific opinion. Despite her less than sunny disposition, the other woman did happen to soften Edie around the edges when they were around. Others around town were bound to notice, but none of them dare say anything to the P.I.'s face, not unless they wanted a biting remark in return. Her hands go up in surrender motion. "Okay, okay. You have me convinced to go. At least this once."

Edie nodded. "Ten sounds good to me." Getting there at the start of the day's festivities at least sounded better than being around when it was packed of both townspeople and tourists. Her eyes grew slightly concerned at the joke of her driving, but she managed a laugh after the fact. "Well if you ever do need more driving practice," she teased, "I'm sure there's plenty of suitable parking lots to do so in."

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The shambles of her marriage were not some well-guarded secret amongst those close to her, but that it seeped its way into her neighbour's purview was almost flustering if it weren't for the fact that Noah was trying to remedy the situation by suggesting an affair. However, she would be a fool to deny that something hadn't been occurring between them all this time, whether she was fully aware or not, she had already confirmed flirting with the young woman. "Happiness, at this age, is a very relative term, I'm content, marriage isn't supposed to be some fairytale ending─" She was being too harsh, there was still time for Noah to find someone and work for that life; if she so chose, the way Dallas used to want to work on her union. "He has his schedule, I have mine, we make it work."

Dark eyes drank in the sight laid out before her; one she was not familiar with and quickly realised she was not pleased to be met with ─ such disappointment and from the one person in her life that didn’t make her feel like just an archetype of a Eugene O’Neill play. In that moment she longed to do or say obstacle that could solve this pitfall they were in. And then Noah had stepped within her orbit and her head spun from the proximity and the wine, as she dared to look up into the designer’s gaze. “I… do, feel something for you, but I don’t know what it is Noah, I’m sorry, and I don’t know if we should be thinking about exploring this. All I know is I do.”

Her gaze lowered to the glass in her hands for a second before glancing back towards her neighbor. Despite the woman's rejection, it didn't necessarily feel like one. Something about the way Dallas looked while she spoke just didn't give Noah the impression that it was a topic that shouldn't be brought up again. But she did fear pushing it too far would leave the pair of them unable to be around each other any longer.

"Are you though? Really?" she questioned softly. "Happy, I mean..." A sincere look came over her face, wanting to make sure she was choosing her words carefully. "I just... We do live next door to each other. And I know I don't know everything about what goes on between you and your husband, but... You don't seem happy."

At the mention of Noah finding someone more suitable, her lips turned down sourly. Boldly, she took a few steps towards the other woman. "I know what I want, Dallas. Who I want. And it's you. I know that probably makes me dumb or foolish or idiotic, something... But I can't change how I feel, and unless you can tell me you feel nothing for me than I'd like the chance to prove to you that this happiness doesn't have to just be a fantasy."

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Rehearsing scene after scene did not distract Bellamy's mind from the younger actress since all day she was plagued with images of their kiss. By the end, she had excused herself from the last bit as she was no longer needed and when usually she would want to watch the rest behind the monitor, her head was astray. On step three of seven in her post-work skincare routine, moisture and massage, Bellamy heard a knock on the door, rotating in her vanity's chair before she finished rubbing in some essence. Besides her lash extensions and the bare minimum makeup, she preferred to be natural after work since she spent so much of her workday in camera makeup (and she no longer had the skin of a twenty-something), and changed into a cream-coloured halter top and long patterned flowy skirt.

Erin's smile was contagious as she felt it crack open her stony form when she opened the door to be met with such light in front of her, shuffling aside to let the other woman in. "Of course, was there any scene in particular you wanted help with?" Two glasses of still water with lemon sat on the coffee table, along with her script to create the illusion she had been trying to think of anything but Erin. "Do you mind?" She asked, lifting her hair as she nodded to the button at the top of her shirt she could not reach.

The conversation ended too soon for Erin's liking. But she tried not to frown in distaste or glower at the A.D. that interrupted them. There was still the promise of later. It remained in the back of her mind as she continued with her call sheet for the day's shoot. And it was about the only thought left in her head as she made her way towards Bellamy's trailer after changing out of the scene's outfit.

Her boots clicked against the pavement as she headed over, denim jeans clinging to her figure as she walked. A knowing smirk flashed over her lips as she passed by a staring crew member - someone from catering she was pretty sure. Erin had checked herself thrice over before leaving her own trailer, wanting to look her best (and thank god for makeup artists). As she finally knocked on the woman's door, she readjusted a strap on her black tank. Her smile brightened further once she was greeted by her. "Still up for some extra practice?"