#☀︎ — seonho & ophelia

[ameliiorate]

☀︎ — closed starter for @starlingisms

Seonho isn't a frequent attender of parties. More often than not, at this time of night, he's the one picking up people his age who have more freedom to spend their time being a little more indulgent. Even now, on a night where he had taken an Uber rather than driven his car as a driver, Seonho is leisurely still sipping on his second beer in just as many hours. Being drunk isn't the objective for him tonight. He just wants to let loose a little bit since his siblings are at sleepovers, and he had only come at the behest of Ophelia, who is always insisting that he needs to get out more. When really he would prefer that it just be the two of him at his place.

The two of them aren't separated for long, and Seonho chooses to seek her out once he has built up the nerve to ask her to come home with him. He thinks that it's an offer that should be met favorably considering they have been hooking up for awhile, and Ophelia never seems to mind when he makes her breakfast in the morning. They're friends, and have been for a long time. So he should have known that what was brewing between them would boil over eventually, left standing dumbstruck in the hallway when he finds her locking lips with another man. His eyes tear away from her, falling down to the ground and his stomach sinking. He attempts to wander away unnoticed.

[ameliiorate]

He continues to try to convince himself that this is what is best for both of them. Ophelia being with someone else should force him to try and move on, yet Seonho finds himself dwelling often on the what-ifs and could-have-beens in their following days apart. And it makes him feel like a bad friend when he should be focused on supporting Ophelia in her dating pursuits, not letting himself get caught up on the things that he didn't say.

But it was undeniable that something had changed between them. While he had thought initially that it would be for the better, that their friendship could evolve into something beautiful, it somehow felt stained now. They used to have no filter around each other, and it feels like they are walking around egg shells instead. As if they didn't watch where they stepped, they would risk stepping on a landmine and blowing up everything that they have. And what they have is invaluable to him. He may never have her love, but he doesn't want to lose her friendship.

Nor does he want to take it, or Opehlia, for granted. So when she asks him to go out for coffee, he can't turn her down. Some more time is needed, he knows, for him to properly stitch up his heart, and he just has to hope that the wound doesn't bleed out everywhere and leak further into their interactions with each other. The smile that he greets her with is characteristic of him, and it grows upon her extending the bag of chips to him as he grabs them from her.

"Thank you! You know I like to keep my car packed with snacks, and these will be a perfect add to my stockpile," Seonho mentions, grateful and his heart stirring at the implication that she does still think about him. Then he moves to give her a side hug in proper greeting before opening up the door to the cafe so that she could head inside first. "So what have you been up to this week?" It's unusual at this point for him to not know, for him to not be aware of her schedule, because the last handful of months, they had spent more time together than not. His apartment had almost been like her second residence.

"Right," she swallowed, unable to look at him. The moment sobered her, especially as he hadn't offered to take her home as he normally would have, and she managed to shakily call for a ride. "I'll text you when I get home?" and without waiting for a response, she left to wait for her ride outside and forcing herself to keep some distance from him.

Had she hoped Seonho would say anything else to her about their situation? About Percy? About her? Of course, but she knew that wasn't fair to put that on him. So instead, she acted in a way she thought would be the fastest solution to getting over her best friend. She cared so much for him that she ended up falling head over heels for Seonho. Despite how much she tried to convince herself that something was there, she just wasn't sure. She just felt... like a friend.

A few torturous days passed before Ophelia caved and asked if Seonho wanted to get coffee during the following weekend. Their last interaction plagued her day and night and she wondered if she had completely ruined their friendship. Things felt different... tense... yet she couldn't quite figure out why. Maybe she shouldn't have brought Percy into the picture because now she felt like she was being forced to pick between allowing herself to move on or remaining stuck with unrequited feelings.

"Hey," she waved when she spotted Seonho approaching their meeting spot. Ophelia managed a small smile, the sight of him pulling her back from her reverie. "Oh, and I saw these new pack of chips at the market yesterday that I thought you'd like," she added, handing over a paper bag with a few packs of chips inside.

[ameliiorate]

It's not what he wants, but Seonho is used to not getting what he wants. That's why he tries not to want anything at all. And he had gotten too greedy with Ophelia. He had thought, for a brief moment, that perhaps that they would naturally fall into being something other than friends. Something more than friends with benefits. But that had been a foolish notion on his part. They couldn't be something concrete without solidifying what they have been doing and what they are, and neither of the had been willing to take that step. Seonho had been lying in waiting, searching for any indication from Ophelia that their connection was something other than friends who had great sex, but in response, she had found someone else to satisfy her needs, and that is a deafening answer to him.

"It's what's best," is what he says instead of any of the protests rattling in his chest. He doesn't say it just as a courtesy to whatever Ophelia has brewing for Percy, but as a way of trying to convince himself of that, too. It's for the sake of their friendship as much as it is for Ophelia's potential relationship. If she's not willing to take the risk between them, then that's just how it is. He will encourage her regardless of her choices and, to him, it seems like her choice is Percy. Or at least that her choice is someone else other than him.

"I guess we should..." He doesn't offer to drive her home though he could. The distance is something that is good, yet bad. An ache blossoms, and his smile is brittle. "I missed you too. But it's good hat you're spending your time...socializing and not just burying yourself in your practices and performances. I'm glad that you're getting yourself outthere."

Ophelia swirled the cup in her hand though she stared at it without really looking at it. It's all she can do while she sat there listening to Seonho--his words causing yet another fleeting look of disappointment across her features. But why should it be disappointing? She had never expressed anything aloud to Seonho about how she felt; how could he possibly know? In fact, she knew it was unfair of her to use Percy this way, too--to attempt to rile up some sort of response from her own friend. She's unable to look at him when he shared those thoughts. Instead, she took another deep sip of her cup, the drink now lukewarm, to prolong the moment.

"If that's what you want." Her words were soft and murmured, but Ophelia attempted them with a strained smile on her face. It's all she can really manage to say without spilling her truth and ruining everything with Seonho. Had she really carried any sort of real affection towards Percy, Seonho's words would be considerate and, frankly, the most logical next step. But that was the reality she was operating in.

"Guess we should probably head home, huh?" The party's still going but Ophelia didn't feel up to any more socializing. Pulling her phone out, she quickly fumbled over calling for a rideshare. "I have missed you, you know," she finally admitted, offering the only bit of truth she can muster without breaking her entire dam.

[ameliiorate]

What's Seonho supposed to do, throw a tantrum? It takes effort for him to mask his inner turmoil over this new development, and while he accepts that he cannot control how he feels and that he shouldn't belittle his feelings, he doesn't have a right to be upset, does he? Their arrangement had always been designed to be temporary. A heads up just would have been nice so that he could better mentally prepare himself, but he's not owed anything. And it would be wrong for him to say anything. The feelings that had been sparking will simply just need to be snuffed out. It may take some time. He would get there because he has to, because he needs to preserve his friendship with Ophelia above all else. So he opts to be encouraging, even if it pains him to literally push her into another man's arms.

Percy suddenly has to leave, and he waves back to the other man even as his stomach sours. "Nice meeting you, too," he aims for sincere, and thinks that he manages it. He had been wanting to go home, so this hastens that process, at least. He had come to hang out with Ophelia, but there would be other opportunities. Maybe. When she's not busy hanging out with her new guy, and when he's more prepared to face her.

Yet his honesty can be both a good and a bad thing, accepting his vape back with a smile and immediately stepping back so that he can take a hit of it and exhale the vapors away from her. "It's fine. No harm done." There's a pause that lingers in the air, and Seonho pivots on his feet. "Though, now that you mention it, we do have to do stop doing some things to each other. I get that."

Just a small, subtle message that he gets that they can no longer fool around with each other. That Percy would be her late night calls and not him. He pushes a smile on his face. "Did you want to finish that," he points to her sweet drink, "Or are you gonna go home? I should get to bed soon." He will not be sleeping anytime soon.

She's all too caught up in her own awkwardness to notice how Seonho seemed to have some discomfort of his own with this whole situation. Maybe Ophelia shouldn't have brought Percy and Seonho together; her stomach wrenched each time she glimpsed at her friend and he seemed to have no reaction to her having a new... beau? Internally, she cringed at herself for even caring about what Seonho thought or that she was even concerned about his thoughts in the first place. It drove her nuts that despite it all, even though she had already convinced herself that Seonho wasn't interested in her. Clearly, he must not have if he seemed so unaffected by the fact that she blatantly brought some brand new random guy into the fold.

"Good effort, both of you," Percy laughed. "Thought you'd have the upper-hand of two versus one, but who knew Ophelia was playing baseball instead of cornhole," he teased since the ballerina had far overestimated some of her throws despite mild improvement throughout the game. Ophelia merely pouted before laughing. However, her heart sank a little at, again, how easily Seonho seemed to push her towards Percy. How happy he seemed for the two of them.

A sudden buzz sounded from Percy's pocket, causing him to pull his phone out. "Shit. Actually, I gotta run. Manager's asking me to help with this shift. Something about a wild bachelorette party at the bar." With a sigh, Percy gave Ophelia a quick kiss before turning to wave at Seonho. "Nice meeting you, man. And Ophelia, I'll text you when I'm off if you're still awake."

And suddenly the two of them were alone together again. "Oh uh here's your vape back." Ophelia offered back the little device to Seonho, realizing that, by taking it earlier, she crossed a boundary she probably shouldn't have and shouldn't keep doing to someone who only saw her as a friend. "I should probably stop taking your stuff."

[ameliiorate]

He bats back at her playfully, unaware that he's giving off any kind of vibes. Seonho can be a good liar when he puts in the concerted effort. It's just that by nature, he's far more of an honest fellow, and he's glad to be around Ophelia at all after the brief time apart, having thought that he had done something wrong.

Now he knows it's not that. It's just that Ophelia would rather spend her time with someone else, and he will work on making his peace with that. If all Percy is is a hookup, then that does sting a little bit, but he tells himself that there's no reason to feel that way. It's okay if what he had to offer hadn't satisfied her. They are friends first and foremost, and he should encourage her other pursuits. He sticks his tongue out at her, his stomach churning as Ophelia fumbles a little bit too, attempting to play it off. That confirms that she doesn't want Percy to know they had swapped spit, and other bodily fluids.

He focuses on the game as best he can, clapping his hands. "Good job, Phe!" he encourages, and waits for Percy to take his turn, sweat pooling at his temples. When the end of the game comes, no matter the result, he pulls Ophelia into a one-armed hug without thinking about it. "Great game!" It ends too soon, with him pushing against Ophelia's back after spinning her around like she's on the dance floor. "But you should go to your guy now."

Even from the opposite side of the cornhole set, Percy caught a glimpse of something in Seonho's expression. It really must have been an eventful friendship, after all. Instead of carrying on that conversation, though, he pocketed that thought for later.

"Alright, don't rush me," Ophelia shushed Seonho, playfully batting him away with a hand. Plucking her beanbag up, she eyed the board on the other end, seeing that Seonho's attempt had been pretty close. "Cooties?" The word has her spinning on her heel to laugh at Seonho. "We've shared plenty of 'cooties' at this point if you really are that scared of them," she said before turning back, realizing that Percy was in earshot. Face instantly flush pink as she stammered over rambling explanations. "We share food a lot. Though not drinks, especially not my drinks. Anyways." Attempting to move on, she tossed the beanbag, this time a much better throw than her first one. It slid across the bottom of the board, though not quite making the hole.

"Okay, not a winning throw, but at least I'm on the board. Sorta," she said, turning back to Seonho to pluck her drink from his hands.

[ameliiorate]

"Ohhhh. Nice." He hadn't known that Ophelia had been looking, but that's none of his business, either. The way that Percy is speaking makes it seem like things between the two are casual, and if that's the case, well, that's fine, too. Ophelia is free to sleep with whomever she wants. They had never talked about being exclusive while they had been hooking up, after all. So maybe Percy isn't the only one that she has been 'seeing' though that would not explain why there had suddenly been a dip in communication from Ophelia. Maybe that's all something that he made up in his head, insecurities running amok. Just because he had detected something changing between them doesn't mean that she had. It should be a relief, but it's not. Seonho is still confused, perhaps even moreso after this brief conversation with Ophelia's...guy? Whatever he is.

"She does, huh?" That's gratifying, at least, a joyful smile playing at Seonho's lips. He would have thought that she might not have spoken of him at all. He wonders what it is hat she says about him, but he'll never know as Ophelia rejoins them as if on cue, and he nods n her direction. "Ask nothing. We were just chit-chatting," he attempts to wave off the previous topic with a wave of his hand. "Your turn, and I really need you to at least land this one close if we are gonna have a chance of catching up." He's not competitive in the slightest and does not care if they lose. It's just nice to focus on something that isn't his confusion.

Blinking, he holds her drink diligently. "Okay, I'll won't." He pauses, reaching and trying too hard now to make it seem like nothing exists between he and Ophelia. "I wouldn't want to catch your cooties anyway." It's an uncharacteristic thing for him to say, but he pulls it off with his signature smile.

It's not as if Percy is asking questions digging around for anything specific, nor did he feel threatened by Seonho. When it came to Ophelia, their situation was casual and friendly. Going out to a party together didn't mean anything serious to him--why would he turn down free alcohol and possibly ending the night with a pretty girl in his bed. But there was something there between these two, and Percy couldn't chalk it up to 'just friends.' Perhaps it was unrequited or unspoken feelings. Maybe one of them had confessed not long ago and now things were... weird. It would explain the timeline of his relationship with Ophelia. "Never dated, got it," he replied with a smile. "We met on a dating app couple of weeks ago," though from the way Percy said it, it insinuated that their first meeting was intended to be only just the one with a particular purpose.

"Nice throw," Percy said, returning the compliment after Seonho finished his turn. Plucking up another beanbag, Percy shifted it back and forth between his hands. "She speaks pretty highly of you, so thought I'd just ask."

"Ask what?" Ophelia chimed as she returned just as Percy threw his bag and watched it land just to the edge of the hole next to the other beanbag. "Ooh, so close," she said before taking a sip of her sugary drink. "My turn? Can you hold this, Seonho? Don't drink that--you would definitely not like it."

[ameliiorate]

"It's not been...uneventful..." Seonho just wouldn't know where to begin and where to stop. Once he starts talking, he could yammer on forever, and he doesn't know what kind of details Percy might be looking for when it comes to his friendship with Ophelia. It feels like the other man is fishing for anything juicy that might have happened between them, but that just has to be his nerves getting the best of Seonho's thoughts. There's no reason, he thinks, for Percy to think anything had ever happened between them that hadn't been totally platonic in nature. "We've never dated, if that's what you think." And they haven't, so it's the truth. Seonho takes another long gulp of his drink, dismayed when it's empty.

He has to keep ahold of his thoughts, though, and needs to stay sober enough to bolt out of there as soon as he gets the chance. "Good job with the throw, by the way!" He attempts to deflect the topic of their conversation to the game at hand, using his turn to toss his bag onto the board in front of him. His lands close to the hole, but doesn't go in. His smile is forced, tight. "Anyway, I don't know what vibe we are giving off, but you have nothing to worry about, so...I wish you two all the best." His eyes search around, waiting for Ophelia to save him and spare him this conversation. For the umpteenth time that night, he wishes that he hadn't come at all. "So...how did you two meet?" He needs to show an investment in this new relationship so that he can truly be happy for his friend rather than envious.

His answers seemed straightforward enough, but Percy had thought Seonho would say more, especially if they really were just friends. Perhaps more about their history and friendship instead of just "met in high school." "That's a long time to know someone and have a completely uneventful friendship," he said, letting the comment come across as innocently as possible. With a toss, Percy sent his beanbag flying. It hit the top of the board before sliding down to the hole. It hung there without completely falling in. "Just asking, man. Wasn't sure if there was some sort of vibe I was picking up between the two of you."

From afar, Ophelia has gotten a red solo cup full of whatever deranged mix was in the punch bowl. Jungle juice maybe? Whatever it was, it smelled sickly sweet and deceptively strong, but it was better than grabbing a bottle of beer. Looking over her shoulder, she could see Percy and Seonho continuing the game, though she can't help but wonder if it was a good idea to leave them alone. She hadn't told Percy anything about her history with Seonho, only that he was one of her closest friends. She watched for a few moments longer, battling with the feelings of seeing Seonho again. This was what was best; she needed to move on to avoid complicating their friendship when there was nothing there between them, not matter how much she had fallen for him. No, she can't admit that she had fallen for him. There was nothing there.

[ameliiorate]

When Ophelia's bag lands on Percy's chest, even Seonho chuckles, though he hides the laughter behind his sleeve that he brings up to his mouth, neither wanting to embarrass his friend not disturb what might be a moment between the budding couple. He may have his own troubling feelings, but the last thing that he ever wants to be for anyone is some kind of hindrance or obstacle. He can't let himself stand in the way of whatever is brewing between Ophelia and Percy. She's his friend above all, and she has every right to explore. Perhaps Percy ends up being the love of her life.

It's only when Ophelia then leaves the two men alone that he is uneasy, nodding at her as she goes and taking a long swig of his beer. He has to pace himself as this is the last drink that he will have, limiting himself so that he can drive later. But he's admittedly nervous being left with the other.

"Our deal?" Seonho blinks, repeating the question back, his own bean bag in hand, awaiting his turn. "Me and Ophelia?" He doesn't compute, evasive. "We're friends? We met in high school." Maybe the familiarity intimidates Percy somehow, so he finds himself wanting to assure the other man that nothing else is going on. It's none of his business, he reasons, to know that he and Ophelia had been sleeping together, unless she decides to disclose that to Percy herself.

"Thank you," she replied with a playful giddiness as she took the bean bag from Seonho. Bringing it up, she tried to gauge how hard she would have to throw in hopes of getting it to land in the opposing board. But after a couple of practice swings, her actual throw came harder than expected and it flew right into Percy's chest. Thankfully, he easily caught it and shook his head at Ophelia. "You gotta work on your aim," he remarked.

Scrunching up her nose, Ophelia sighed. It was definitely not her best effort. "I think I'm going to get a drink so I can be mortified alone for a few minutes," she decided. Plus, she had a while before it was going to be her turn again. "Be back in a bit. Don't have too much fun without me."

Percy gave her a small wave as he laughed to himself. Picking up the his bean bag, he held it up to aim it onto Seonho's board. Before throwing the bag though, he cocked his head and raised a brow without looking at the man. "So what's your deal, you two?"

[ameliiorate]

When Ophelia snatches his vape from him, Seonho's face turns crestfallen, affronted yet not surprised that his friend would be so bold. And he recognizes that her concerns are valid. Still, he needs a hit of nicotine for a variety of reasons. It's a habit (addiction) that he has never been able to break. "I know, but it's not like I do it all the time," Just when he's alone or when he's outside, so frequently enough and multiple times throughout the day. When he gets stressed, or needs to be more awake, or needs to curb his appetite, the nicotine serves multiple purposes as his crutch. And this is a situation that he would like to use it to alleviate some of the pressure on his chest.

He looks over at Ophelia curiously, and it feels like she's taking pity on him. He hates that, his smile brittle. "Yeah, sure, we can do that, that will be fun..." Of course, he remains agreeable anyway, having to continually watching Percy and Ophelia exchange an easy affection and sighing heavily, exhaling a breath and running a hand through his hair. Standing next to the other end of the corn hole, he waits for Ophelia to join him there, bobbling his head in forced enthusiasm. "Yeah! We are gonna beat him easily..." He's not really a competitive person, and prefers to just have a good time. But he can't see himself actually having too much fun now.

So he has to play pretend, reaching down to scoop up a bag with a free hand, bringing his beer can to his lips once more as he hands it to Ophelia. "Here. Ladies first."

As they stepped out towards the cornhole set up, Ophelia frowned at Seonho. "You really should vape less, you know," she said out of concern, grabbing his vape and stuffing it in her own pocket. Percy offered his own hand towards Ophelia to take, and though she grabbed without hesitation, she knew in her heart that it was not the hand she wished to hold. She couldn't help but look over at Seonho, an almost apologetic, regretful look in her eyes. But Seonho wasn't hers to begin with and it was selfish of her to try and hold onto him. So instead she held onto a hand that felt foreign in her own.

"We can also just switch partners; I can be on your team for a round and then on Percy's for the next," Ophelia suggested. Her eyes were hopeful as she looked over at Seonho, not wanting him to feel left out especially when she had been the one to invite him. Percy eyed the two of them and nodded. "Sounds like a plan. You can join Seonho first then. My victory against you will be just as sweet," he teased, pulling Ophelia in tightly to give her a kiss on the cheek, before gently pushing her towards Seonho. He gave the man another look, a knowing, mischievous glint in his eyes, and walked over to his end of the corn hole field.

"Pretty sure we've got the advantage, Perc," Ophelia retorted with a laugh. "Right, Seonho?"

[ameliiorate]

It would have been better if he chose to work tonight instead. Then he could have kicked the can down the road a little longer and not have to confront the fact that Ophelia is with someone. And she hadn't chosen to tell him about it. While their arrangement had been casual and he hadn't been owed any explanation as the guy who had been sleeping with her, he would have thought she would have updated him on her love life before now as the guy who was her longstanding friend. He realizes that things have changed between them now, and it hasn't been for the better. It's the end of an era between them, and he doesn't know where they go from her. Nor does he intend to ask. Maybe if he ignores it, they can pretend for a little while longer that there hasn't been a disturbance in their friendship.

When Percy introduces himself, Seonho reaches out to take his hand for a firm shake, smiling politely. "Seonho. Nice to meet you." Ophelia mentions the short timeline that she has known Percy, and that does make him feel marginally better for not being in the loop before now though it does nothing to alleviate the heaviness settling in his heart. His hand slinks back to his side, and he takes a long drink of his beer. He should ask how they met, go through the usual questions that he would have asked anyone that Ophelia was seeing before this. This time is different, and all he wants to do is excuse himself. And, instead, he is inadvertently turned into the third wheel, and he breathes through his nose and puts on a wide smile.

"Those are pretty much the rules. It's a really simple game," Seonho assures Ophelia gently, scoping out a nearby cooler to pick out another beer and throwing his empty one in the trash. With a nod, he accepts his fate, popping open the can with his index finger. "Sure. We can play a few rounds." And then he would head out. "The two of you can be on a team if you want. Just take turns throwing the bags. I don't mind being the odd one out." The words are ironic, considering that is his role in more ways than one. Once they are outside, Seonho reaches into his pocket with his free hand for his vape.

In her rush to get to Seonho, Ophelia had forgotten that Percy had been right behind her. She was so wrapped up in seeing her friend, happy that he decided to show given how he tended to prefer staying in as opposed to going out like this. It almost made her heart flutter--did he actually choose to go out for her? The intrusive thought was enough to cause her slight hesitation before she shook it off. What was the point in getting hung up on her friend who only wanted a casual friends-with-benefits situation? It was better to not get hurt, even better yet to not lose Seonho entirely.

Her cheeks colored a slight shade of pink of embarrassment at his observation and she couldn't help but shyly glance back at Percy who, in response, gave the two of them a half-hearted wave. "Percy," he said as he extended his hand out, and Ophelia found herself feeling a mix of guilt and awkwardness at the situation. She certainly didn't feel the same way towards Percy as she did towards Seonho, but the guy was just a means to an end. "Yea, we just met a couple of weeks ago," she explained as though she felt obligated to clarify. It wasn't as if she was two-timing Seonho (because they weren't dating, and they had never dated, and they likely would never date). Swallowing thickly, she changed the subject.

"Oh! We should play!" Though, she realized having three people play cornhole was probably going to be a bit of a challenge. "I don't think I ever actually learned what the rules were. I always thought you're supposed to just aim for the hole in the middle." Percy nudge his head towards the backdoor. "Seems like they're almost done setting up. We can probably claim the first couple of rounds before others want to join."

[ameliiorate]

Things between he and Ophelia had been casual. Until they weren't anymore. Seonho had thought nothing of it at first. They are friends first and foremost, and it had been second nature to him to treat her as more than just the person that he was sleeping with. Making her breakfast after she stayed the night, running errands together, spending time together in general had come naturally to him. Since they first fell into bed together, they have seen each other arguably more than they ever have in their longstanding friendship, and of course he had picked up on that. And he is also self-aware enough to realize that his fondness for her had begun to take on a different shape. The romantic connotation colored their last few hook-ups, hanging over Seonho like a fog, and he should have known better than to hope that whatever was brewing between them is something that had the potential to become something significant. Something that could last.

Nothing good ever stays in his life for long. He's so used to not getting what he wants that he had tried to stop wanting anything at all. Without any dreams or aspirations, he floated along and did the best that he could. And all he could do in this situation is adapt. He's become a master at that, having encountered so many upheavals already. This is just another obstacle for him to climb. And he can't even be bitter about it. His shoulders shirk in resignation, and he accepts that this scenario had been an inevitability.

So he has to do his best to be happy for Ophelia, rolling with the punches thrown his way. He had hoped to escape without being noticed. The chipper call of his name is met with a smile that starts off shaky before evolving into something more steady. There's no reason for him to be upset, and he feels like a bad friend for not wanting to meet the guy hanging all over her. "Hey, Phe!" He greets, attempting to mimic his usual cheer. "I haven't been here that long! I have been mingling a bit, and I actually was looking for you, but..." He sprinkles in some honesty with his explanation. "But I didn't want to disturb..." An arm gestures between Ophelia and Percy, and he laughs loudly. The laughter does nothing to break up the nausea in his stomach. He scratches the back of his neck. "I probably won't stay too long. I was about to go out to the back, actually. I heard there was cornhole set up out there..." He shrugs, merely wanting to leave.

It wasn't as if Ophelia didn't like Seonho and their arrangement as of late. In fact, she had grown so accustomed to it to the point where it felt natural. Waking up in his bed, having meals with him, she enjoyed the domesticity of it. The problem was she liked it too much. Being friends with benefits, obviously, had its benefits. And from the beginning, Ophelia was adamant that she wouldn't let herself get carried away and let feelings get involved. As much as she enjoyed everything she had going on with Seonho, she valued their friendship above all else. So at the first inkling of emotion (even just the small invasive thought of oh i might like him--a thought she had while she laid in his bed, watching his sleeping form), she got scared. This wasn't what they agreed on and if she told him, she'd scare him away and ruin their entire friendship. She couldn't afford to lose him.

So she went about acting as though everything was normal, except she started staying over less. It was for the best. Staying in her own bed all alone felt... sad now. But there was a simple solution to that, which was this bartender, Percy, she matched with on a dating app. He was... fine enough (even if, at times, she had to force herself to not think of Seonho when she was kissing this guy instead). She just needed to rip the band-aid off and move on.

Arriving to the party early (one hosted by someone in her ballet company), Ophelia immediately found Percy. It had been a couple of weeks at this point, still firmly in the honeymoon stage of overly physical displays of affection. Breaking off from a kiss, she giggled as she held onto him before looking around for any signs of Seonho. He wasn't usually late, so she decided to look around for him. Spotting him in a corner, she all but runs over to him, far too giddy than she really ought to be for someone trying to get over her feelings. "Seonho!" She spotted the beer in his hand. "Oh, have you been here for a while?" Knowing that Seonho didn't usually like to stick around at parties by himself, ophelia frowned. "Why didn't you come look for me?"