#╳┊( ❛ interaction // unicercile ;; SOOWON. )

[blutsamt]

It's an unsettling feeling. Nothing suddenly feels very right anymore and Soowon is suddenly on edge. Usually this only happens to him. But they're already crossing the street without another word, and he hears it. The sound of a car swerving, skidding down the road and toward them and his body acts on its own; shoving Yamato out of the way before it hits and Soowon on the ground. Always the one with such horrible luck. It's not the first time it's happened.

Yamato barely has the time to react to anything. One moment, he’s crossing the street with Soowon next to him, and in the next moment, he already finds himself being pushed forward. His ears pick up the sounds of tires squeaking, of shouts and screams, and he’s too shocked to do anything for a moment as he simply watches the stuff they have bought scatter onto the ground around him. A small part of him is scared even, to turn around and see what happened - especially after realizing who pushed him. “-- Soowon-ah?” His voice is soft - hoarse, and he can feel a lump already form in his throat as he finally turns around, teal eyes immediately trying to seek out golden ones. Please be alright.

[blutseide-a-blog]

Maybe he's feeling a little sick that day. Maybe he's not in his right state of mind, but Soowon walks over lays himself down across Dae's lap and covers his eyes with a drape of his arm across. "..Do you think I can do that too? Find someone I mean?"

            THAT, more than anything else Soowon has probably ever asked him, stuns him into silence. He doesn’t register how odd it is for him to drape himself across like this, either, too busy trying to process that question. But it does make sense, how he wonders. After being exposed to Daehyun and Yamato on an almost daily basis, it might just be natural to develop these thoughts, to ask, “When will I experience the same?” Daehyun’s heart sinks with the realization that he has no answer. On reflex, he buries his fingers in Soowon’s hair, as though it’ll help weaken the blow, that uncertainty.

            “I can’t say,” he responds in earnest, the lightest of frowns tugging at the corners of his lips. “Everyone can, if you look at it in theory, but it’s a lot harder than it actually sounds. Yamato and I, we haven’t... done anything for it. We weren’t searching. I don't think either of us was expecting something, or wanting something. This kind of thing is out of everyone’s control.” He halts his fingers’ movement to study Soowon’s face, even though he can’t see his eyes. Nothing he’s said so far answered the question directly, for the sole reason of him not wanting to get Soowon’s hopes up. He knows firsthand how much it crushes you once those hopes shatter and pierce you head to toe.            Daehyun sighs, still searching for the right words to say. Maybe they simply don’t exist. “I don’t know what to tell you aside from that. If it happens, it happens. There’s... no guarantee. But... “ He tries for a small smile, reassuring and warm. “Do you remember me telling you how much you remind me of myself? If we’re anything alike in that respect, you’ve got the potential in you, at least.”

[blutsamt]

That look on his face. Soowon has grown to know that that look was the look someone had when they're completely in love. "Gross." He grunts but it's said half-heartedly. "..Yama-hyung. Do you wanna, like, have a kid one day? Not like," a roll of his eyes. "Of course two guys can't make a baby but like. Get a baby one day."

This time, he does choke on his coffee. Patting his own chest in a means to calm down his coughing, Yamato sets his cup back down again while making the mental note to not drink anything in the future whenever Soowon asks him questions. He should have expected it somehow, given the current conversation topic, but then again, how could he have expected it?

“-- we’ve talked about it,” he eventually replies once his coughing ceased. A playful glare is directed at Soowon as he moves closer, one hand reaching out to gently tousle through the other’s hair. “We agreed that we wouldn’t adopt a newborn, simply because of the fact that work wouldn’t allow us to spend as much time as we want to on the baby. If we ever adopt a child, he or she would be older. Maybe around elementary school age.” There’s a brief pause as Yamato then directs a small, almost smug grin at Soowon. “Would you rather have a younger brother or a younger sister?” His words are earnest, though.

[blutseide-a-blog]

A pause, then a pointed frown. He slowly rolls off the couch and lands on his feet on the ground; standing now. 'It's legal now, in America.' He stares for a moment longer. There shouldn't be a reason as to why it's still not legal here. But it's legal there, and that's what matters to him. 'Would marrying him make you really happy?' Would you smile more?

            “OF COURSE IT WOULD,” Daehyun replies in an instant. “We don't have to get married to be happy, but it’s just... that’s the normal thing to do, right? It’s like solid proof that you’re trying to stay together, no matter what.” Maybe he needs that proof, even now. Even after everything. Daehyun is confident and independent and would make it through life easily without anyone at his side -- or so he likes to think. But he has Yamato now, and they’re still so in love that marriage seemed like the logical step. The right step.             He looks down at his ring again, remembers Yamato’s proposal, remembers how difficult it was to stop crying. Happy tears, and something else, something like a hole being filled he didn’t know was gaping at the innermost part of him. It’s shallow and he knows it, but Daehyun can’t bring himself to feel bad. “Even if we got married in America or anywhere else, it wouldn’t count here. That’s not how it works, unfortunately.” He’d thought about it before, yet kept it to himself. It wouldn’t be the same. It wouldn’t be right.             Daehyun sighs, melts a little in his spot at the sofa. He closes his book and puts it away, too focused on Soowon now to entertain the thought of reading. “I’d be happy, either way, but that’s something special. I don’t know how to describe it.”

[blutsamt]

'Hyung.' Soowon's head perks up from its place on the table, golden eyes leveling up at yamato's face. 'How did you and Dae-Hyung fall in love? How did you guys meet?'

“Uh.” 

The question catches him by surprise - and if Soowon had asked the questions a few seconds later, he would have undoubtedly choked on his coffee. Like that, the hand holding the mug halts right in front of his mouth, with teal hues staring at the other as if he has grown a second head. (The result would have been the same, probably.) He sets his mug back down on the table without taking a few sips.

“We met at work. Daehyun got assigned to show me the ropes, so at first I was working under him. He was the person I’d turn to if any questions come up.” It has been over three years since then, and now, they are working together and the best team around. The higher-ups noticed that of course and even decided to place them in the same office for practical reasons. “And... it just happened, I’d say. It wasn’t love at first sight, but given the amount of time we spent together - sometimes even after work - I’d say it just naturally happened.” 

Finally, Yamato shifts so that he’s able to face Soowon properly, his head resting on his perched up arm. “-- he’s a workaholic. Now not as bad as back then. He didn’t take care of himself properly and pushed himself until he collapsed. And he didn’t let anyone look after him, either. I kinda forced him to rest on several occasions and insisted that he takes breaks.” A soft chuckle escapes him, fond and warm. “I wasn’t kidding when I told you that you two are alike. He’s really stubborn when he wants to be. I’m still not really sure how I managed to push past all the walls he put up around himself.” His expression softens at the memories. “... I’m glad I stayed persistent, though.”

[blutseide-a-blog]

'Hyung.' He's upside down on the couch now, legs up in the air, hanging over the back. A pause. 'Are you and yama-hyung going to get married soon?'

            DAEHYUN DROPS BOTH HIS BOOK AND HIS JAW. Eyes wide, he spends a good minute or two simply staring at Soowon, repeating that question in his head, before he bends down to pick up his book again. “That’s... a bit of a difficult question you have there.” His gaze falls onto the ring glittering on his finger, catching the light of the lamp overhead and splitting it into a million colors. A promise to get married, someday, somehow, surrounded by people they both love. His heart is a little heavy with the knowledge of reality, however, not only now but always. Daehyun’s mien sobers.

            “We’ll marry eventually, of course. Just not anytime soon.” He runs a hand through his hair, eyes back on Soowon in his odd position. “It’s not exactly legal here yet. Who knows how long that’ll take.”

[blutsamt]

For a while Soowon doesn't move. He's crumbled on the ground, blood staining his clothes from impact; arm twisted at an odd angle. There's nothing for a while.

He immediately spots the other, recognizing the injured figure on the ground despite all the blood and the loud voices around him. Yamato barely notices someone approaching him and asking if he’s alright, or the fact that he quickly brushes the other person off and instead lungs over to Soowon’s crumbled form on the ground. “-- Soowon-ah?” There’s so much blood, and for a split moment, it reminds him of that time when his fiance held him like that. That memory is quickly pushed back into the depths of his mind as he carefully places a hand on Soowon’s shoulder, unsure what to do except for trying to call out to the other. “... can you hear me? Soowon-ah? Please tell me you’re alright. Give me... give me a sign, or something? Anything...”

[blutseide-a-blog]

Stares at Dae from behind while he's busy doing something; talking on the phone, he realizes. Soowon walks over and lightly, ever so lightly, hugs his side and nuzzles into his arm like a cat would. Stays there and doesn't look at him.

            THESE RANDOM BURSTS OF AFFECTION ARE STILL A LITTLE ODD. Daehyun would be lying if he said he minds them, though sometimes, he has to wonder what exactly brings them on. Soowon’s timing isn’t always the best and he often goes right back to being nothing but a brat a few moments later -- even now, after everything. The memory of that night of Yamato and him coming home to find that little white cat is still fresh on his mind. Soowon snuggling against him without a word reminds him of it, of how he’s made an effort not to talk about it in spite of his burning curiosity. A cat, that’s what Soowon is, but it’s not the whole truth. It can’t be.

            Regardless of it all, he smiles down at Soowon, brings a hand up to his hair to card his fingers through it, the way he knows Soowon enjoys. Daehyun continues his phone call as though nothing ever happened, as though there’s no warmth blossoming in his chest at how Soowon clings to him. 

[blutseide-a-blog]

He doesn't think, not really. He can't, after all; with his fist already connecting with stranger's jaw, the guy who had decided to open his mouth and say something Soowon didn't like at all about his dads'. This is the most angry he's ever been in a while, causing a scene in the middle of the street.

            IT HAPPENS FASTER THAN DAEHYUN CAN PROCESS. He notices Soowon’s absence only when it’s already too late, only when a groan of pain echoes through the busy street. Momentarily, he’s frozen in place, although his heart thunders in his chest like it already knows he has to do something, straining to kick him into action. And yet, Daehyun stares, watches Soowon tremble with anger and his opponent backing away, one palm pressed against his jaw and brows furrowed in what he can only identify as shock.             Soowon’s rage is like a wildfire. All-consuming and lethal unless somehow put out. Daehyun has been on the receiving end before, but never physically. This side of him, he has to admit, even shakes him. He exchanges a brief look with Yamato- ever-present at his side, and when his eyes flit down to their entwined hands, the reason for Soowon’s outburst hits him much like a brick to the face.             “Soowon-ah,” Daehyun hears himself saying, and before he knows it, he’s in front of Soowon, fingers curled around his wrist and the arch of his shoulder. He turns his head for a moment to stare at the stranger, mustering the expression on his face – still taken aback but equally as furious. It doesn’t feel right to stop Soowon, the one who only acted out of protectiveness instead of stopping the one who sneered at them as they passed, but it’s the right thing to do. It took Daehyun years to learn how to ignore comments like this. Soowon has to learn, too.            “Let it slide, come on.” His focus shifts back, and from the corner of his eye, he spies Yamato moving past him, keeping the stranger away. They work in tandem without words, a well-oiled machine. “It’s fine, all right? It’s not worth it. Screw him and his poor excuse of an opinion.”

[blutsamt]

There's an unsure prickle that flows down his spine. He slows his steps, walking down the sidewalk with Yamato. He knows this feeling, something not sitting quite right in his gut; this feeling of horrible bad luck slowly catching up on his heels. Soowon stands at the edge of the sidewalk with his dad at his side. "Hyung." He mumbles. "I don't feel so good."

Yamato quickly comes to a halt as well, his eyes and attention fully on Soowon next to him now while trying to figure out what’s going on. Just minutes ago, they both have been chatting nonchalantly about their plans for the following week. Hearing the sudden seriousness in Soowon’s voice alarms him, and he fully turns towards the younger with a small frown gracing his features. “-- not so good how?” he asks softly, teal eyes taking in Soowon fully as not to miss the tiniest detail. “You... you don’t mean that in a way that you’re getting sick, right?” There’s more than that, is what his gut feeling is telling him at least. “Soowon-ah?”

[blutsamt]

It's his turn to choke now; his eyes widening and face flushing darkly. "WHAT?!" A sputter, jaw dropping. "What are you talking about, Hyung?? I--me?" A pause, before he stares down at the floor. "I-I'm not your kid, don't be stupid!" Is he? "I.." His face is beat red. "Do you..want me to be?"

Yamato chuckles softly - fondly - in amusement while he continues to tousle through Soowon’s hair. “... you’re family to us. I mean, I’m aware that your parents are still alive and well, but... honestly, Daehyun and I both see you as part of our family. So if it really’s possible for us to adopt a child, we would definitely also take your opinion into consideration.”  There’s a thoughtful hum as he leans back in his seat, his hand retracting from the ruffling ministrations through Soowon’s silky tresses. “And you are like a child to us. As in, our child? Am I making sense?”

[blutseide-a-blog]

He's doing the cat stare again. Golden eyes staring at his dad quietly from across the room. He never realizes just how...squishy, Dae looked. In fact, the cat's curiosity overwhelms him enough for him to walk over and, yes, squishes Dae's cheeks together. Squishy.

            SOOWON’S WHIMS, as they always do, catch Daehyun completely by surprise. He didn’t even notice him staring, so engrossed in the drama playing on TV. An all-time favorite, watched about a dozen times and still enough to glue him to the screen every episode. Consequently, when he spies Soowon – too late to dodge his scheme – he jumps a little in his spot, eyes gone wide from one second to the other. 

            And nothing tops this, as far as he’s concerned, Soowon’s hands on his cheeks, pressing them together as though Daehyun were the younger and not the other way around. “Sure,” he does his best to say without sounding like his throat’s all sorts of congested, “that’s a thing you can just do. Go ahead.”             He’ll never understand this one. Or what goes on in his head, anyhow.

[blutsamt]

Meow? The cat trots over toward him, bumping his head against Yamato's ankles before he sinks his claws into his pants and meows some more. Up. He wants to be picked up. Right this instant. Now.

“-- hello to you too?” A fond chuckle accompanies his words as he watches Soowon, one brow raised in amusement as he quickly figures out what the other wants. Cat form or not, Yamato is fairly certain that he understands the other well enough by now that Soowon doesn’t necessarily have to say anything for either Daehyun or him to get what he wants. A few gentle pats on the white cat’s head, followed by him finally picking the other up and cradling against his chest, fingers not once leaving the soft fur. “There, better?” Another chuckle as he leans in to press a small kiss on the feline’s head. 

[blutseide-a-blog]

If there were things Soowon loved more than seafood and his dads, it was other cats. Especially ones that smelled different. Golden eyes are blown wide, tail swaying as he meows and meows; suddenly very talkative and interested. Though it comes as a surprise when the other steps forward to bop his nose against his own. !!! He bats him on the head with a paw. Don't touch what you can't afford.

            NOT A GOOD IDEA, apparently. Juniper backs off a little, ears flat on his head, and ducks down. The last time he’d gotten himself into a fight with a cat, he nearly lost his right eye. The scar above it speaks for itself. So he’s learned to play demure, to not aggravate more on accident. His tail swishes from left to right, but otherwise, he doesn’t move again. He’s not coming home with wounds again only to be laughed at by his brother. 

[blutseide-a-blog]

Meow meow meow meow meowww

            JUNIPER DOESN’T SPEAK CAT. Not even a lick of it. Most cats don’t seem to care that he’s quiet and that the best response they’ll ever get out of him is a purr. But this one? This one seems a little too talkative. It’s… intimidating, in a very odd way. Does he respond in what he can only assume will be gibberish? Does he run away? Why me. Why this.            He opts for silence despite better judgment. If the situation calls for it, he can always turn back into a human – regaining the upper hand by transformation. Not the bravest measure to take, but it’s effective. Tail up in the air, he takes a few steps forward and bumps his nose against the other cat’s. Maybe that’ll help.

[blutseide-a-blog]

It's just a little pomeranian dog that walks past them, little pink tongue hanging out of its jaw but as soon as Soowon catches sight of it, he's quick to grab onto Dae 's arm and move behind him quickly. The little dog barks and barks, and Soowon looks, actually, terrified. "fuckfuckfuckfuck"

            “... FRIEND OF YOURS?” It’s more of a jest than a serious question, though Daehyun does regard the tiny Pomeranian with a curious gaze, trying to see if there’s anything off about it. To no avail, of course. A regular yappy dog in his eyes. He turns his head to look at Soowon, taking in that terror in his eyes and the way he clings to him like a child. Something isn’t right and he doubts he wants to know what. Unfortunately, there’s no way around asking. “Let’s just back off, shall we? And while we’re at it, you might want to consider telling me what your issue is.”