#background saezen

[cutiesaeran]

To Create a Home

Hello! This is a prize fic from my giveaway!! It’s taken me way too long to write these but life just doesn’t like to cooperate. This is for @lamalasercorn - hope you like!

Rating: General

Pairing: 707 x Reader/MC

Finals week: the week from hell. It’s been awhile since he was in school, but Saeyoung remembers clearly how terribly stressful it was. Not that he has any real idea how it will go for you, since you majored in architecture while his major was… classified, but he still plans to do his best to help you. Right now that means he stays out of your way except when called or when he delivers you home-cooked meals (by Saeran, not himself - somehow his brother manages to actually be able to cook whereas Saeyoung can’t do anything above microwave meals). He’ll stay a few moments to rub your shoulders or whisper words of encouragement but ultimately he’ll leave you be, knowing how important it is that you get your work done.

But it’s been two days since you last slept, as far as he knows, and he plans to force you to sleep one way or the other. He knows what it’s like all too well to go extended periods of time without giving yourself a break and he does not want to watch you go through it.

Tonight Saeran cooked up some sort of chicken he’d found online and though he’d grumbled about always being the one to do all the work, he’d shoved Saeyoung your plate with the mumbled words of “make sure MC eats, okay?” Despite how much he tries to convince both of you otherwise, Saeran does have a kind heart underneath that prickly exterior and he cares just as much about your wellbeing as Saeyoung does.

Knocking softly on the door that leads into the workroom, Saeyoung enters and watches you for a moment as you draw on your tablet, no doubt with autocad pulled up as you design your final project for your academic career. You’re so lovely, from how your hair sits to the way you’re biting your lip down to your toes dangling on the floor. His heart swells and he grins widely; he’s so proud of you, of all you’ve accomplished.

“Hey, babe,” he says quietly, walking in and setting a plate on the table next to you. “Saeran tried something new tonight.” He places his own plate next to it and sits; he hasn’t eating with you the past few days and he honestly misses just being in your presence. You’re always so worried that you’re being annoying when you talk about your ideas for buildings or gush about Le Corbusier, but he’s never once felt anything other than awe when he listens. He admires you so much.

“Thanks,” you respond, distracted. He leans over just enough to catch a glimpse of what you’re doing on the tablet but it’s all foreign to him, a language he understands about as well as you understand binary; which is to say, not at all. Sighing, he pokes at his own food and considers how to broach the subject of sleep. Obviously you’re your own person and he doesn’t really have any true ability to tell you what to do; as always, your autonomy is more important than anything he thinks you should do.

Finally you set down the tablet with a heavy sigh, switching it out for the plate. “I’m sure if Saeran cooked it, it’ll be delicious.”

Pouting, Saeyoung looks at you with wide eyes. “Are you saying anything I cook isn’t delicious?”

You laugh which makes him smile; success. “I love you, but you know you’re a terrible cook.”

“Yeah, you’re right,” he readily agrees, grinning at you lopsidedly. “Even gods have to have a weakness, and cooking is mine.” This earns another laugh from you and he feels that familiar warmth rising up inside of him like the tide at sunset; your laugh is like music to him.

Finally the two of you start eating and exchange comments about how good the meal is - because Saeran really is a fantastic cook - falling into your usual easygoing banter. He teases, you tease back, he turns everything into a show of dramatics (just to make you laugh - which you do) while you groan and tell him to act his age despite how wide your grin is. It’s almost easy for Saeyoung to forget what he’s really doing with you right now, the ultimate goal he has to get you to rest.

Almost, but not quite

“Babe,” he starts out when you’re finishing off the last bits of your food, “when was the last time you slept?”

You wave your hand at him dismissively and he frowns, anticipating that he won’t like what’s coming next. “I’ve caught a few hours here and there when I can. I have to get this done.”

“You also have to take care of yourself,” he replies softly, reaching out to run a hand down your arm. “Take a break, get some actual sleep. You’ll work better when you do.”

“You’re one to talk,” you snort, rolling your eyes. He cringes, but honestly, your answer doesn’t come as a surprise to him. This is definitely a situation of the pot calling the kettle black, but he doesn’t care.

Turning in his chair to face you, he sighs and grabs both of your hands, stopping you from eating for a minute. “I know. Which means I know just how shitty it is. I don’t want that for you. This project is important, right?” You nod slowly, confirming that your ability to graduate rests on it and he squeezes your hands. “Then you need to be at your best for it. Please, stop and get at least six hours, okay? That’s all I ask. Six hours and I’ll leave you alone.”

There’s silence while you stare at him and then glance at your tablet and he can see the wheels turning in your mind. “If I can do anything to help you finish it, let me know. I will do anything,” he tacks on, almost pleadingly. Your eyes shift back and forth a few times before you slump forward, resting your head on his shoulder.

“Some sleep would be nice,” you admit quietly and he lets go of your hands to wrap his arms around you.

“Then let’s go get some sleep together,” Saeyoung whispers, rubbing your back. “I’ll set an alarm for tonight and then we can get back to work.”

“We?” you ask, sitting up and raising an eyebrow at him.

Grinning, Saeyoung nods and stands, pulling you up with him. “We,” he confirms. “Whatever you need me to do, I will do it.”

–

It’s three months after your graduation and Saeyoung’s pouring over his plans once more before approaching you. You’ve been hard at work perfecting your portfolio and considering what you’d like to do in the future and he’s been doing his best to support you. It’s no secret that Saeyoung wants to open a toy store to sell robots he creates and that he’d love for both you and Saeran to help him out, but he’s never pressed for a decision from you. The thing he craves the most in the world is for you to be happy and if that means that you don’t work with him, so be it. He’ll be there for you no matter what you decide.

That doesn’t mean he’s above asking for your help with the planning of the house he hopes to build so the three of you can move out of the bunker and live normal lives. Or, well, as normal lives as two ex-hackers and one architect/party planner can.

The kitchen table has become a study station again as you work with Saeran on some of his home-study materials he’s picked up to try to make up for the lack of education in his life. Saeyoung allows himself a minute to stand in the doorway, leaning against the frame and just taking in the sight of his love and his sibling quietly pouring over books together, him doing what he can on his own and you only helping when needed. Despite your rather unfortunate introductions, the two of you get on rather harmoniously and Saeyoung thanks God every morning and night for that blessing.

Twin sense activates as Saeran glances up to see Saeyoung watching and rolls his eyes, sitting back in his chair. Crossing his arms over his chest, he raises one pierced eyebrow. “Did you need something?”

Saeyoung laughs and pushes himself upright, finally entering the kitchen and making his way around the table to you. “Just wanted to borrow the love of my life for a while, if that’s okay, brother dearest~” he says in a sing-song voice, leaning down to place a kiss on your cheek. Saeran huffs and stands, grumbling as he walks away but Saeyoung knows that deep down he really doesn’t mind. Saeran wouldn’t be Saeran if he didn’t give him a hard time.

Moving to stand fully behind you, Saeyoung hoops his arms around your neck and drops his chin to rest on your shoulders, swinging the two of you back and forth in a slow and steady rhythm. Laughing softly, you let him, swaying along and letting your head rest against his. His heart feels so full in this moment that he almost forgets why he’s here.

Almost, but not quite.

He drops the rolled up papers on the table in front of you and presses his lips to your cheek once more before pulling away to sit in the chair Saeran vacated, grinning at you proudly. As you reach out and slowly unravel the papers before you his smile falters; he’s proud of his work, yes, but he’s also well aware that he is not the one out of the two of you who knows how a house should go together. There’s likely a lot that needs fixed, that will need changed for it to be a viable structure, but that’s why he’s brought it to you. He hopes that you’ll help him.

Sucking in a breath, you carefully look over the top sheet which shows a semi-detailed plan of the first floor of a house complete with attached garage and toy store out front. He’s placed the kitchen, floor room (because even though he cares little for tradition, you do and he wants to respect you), laundry room, dining room and living room along with a bathroom and a pantry here. He waits with bated breath as you move on to the next sheet - the second floor - that shows four bedrooms and what appears to be a study/office along with a master bathroom and smaller washroom.

The third sheet is smaller, a second floor to the garage that details a workshop for him. Simple enough. But the fourth sheet… the fourth sheet is what makes you blink in surprise and him suck in a breath.

On the third floor of the house, Saeyoung’s designed an entirely separate apartment. Two bedrooms, one bathroom, eat-in kitchen, living area, laundry room. A place for Saeran to call his own while still being near. There’s a door to the outside on the front that leads to a set of stairs to the ground. In the back is a small balcony and another set of stairs, this one also making a stop at the second floor of the main house in case anyone wants to go between the two.

Saeyoung feels like he might pass out by the time you finally turn to him. “You made this?” you ask softly, eyes searching his face. He nods but doesn’t say anything, completely unprepared for when you pull him into a hug. “It’s amazing. It needs some modifications and I might have to shift a few things, but I can make it happen.”

“Ahh, you’re the best, babe,” he says, wrapping his arms around you and squeezing. “Is it something you like, though?” As always, his primary concern is whether or not you would be happy with it, because he can live with things changing.

You nod enthusiastically, a glint of excitement in your eyes. “Yes! I love it. Have you told Saeran, yet?”

“Yes… and no.” Scratching at the side of his face, Saeyoung laughs softly. “He knows I was thinking of building him an apartment but he hasn’t seen it yet. I didn’t honestly expect him to leave…?”

With a grin, you snap up your phone and shoot him a text. Saeran reenters the kitchen so fast that Saeyoung raises his eyebrows, moderately jealous. Saeran never responds that quickly to him… but now is hardly the time for this. You gesture at the plans with a wide grin on your face and Saeran saunters over, eyes taking in the pictures in front of him with almost a bored expression on his face. One hand toying with his lip piercings, Saeran stays silent for a while before shrugging and saying, “looks cool.”

“That’s it?” Saeyoung blurts out, having expected something, anything more than just a two word reaction. “Nothing else to say?”

Saeran shrugs again. “I’ll live there.” Then he turns and leaves again.

Saeyoung looks at you and you look at him and you both burst into laughter. “Shut up, idiots!” calls Saeran from down the hallway which only causes the both of you to laugh even harder.

When the laughter dies down, you rest your head on his shoulder and he slings an arm around yours, tugging you a little closer into his side. “Give me a couple of weeks and I’ll get the plans drawn up,” you say and he kisses your forehead.

“I’ll wait as long as it takes, and then we can get started.”

—–

One thing Saeyoung didn’t account for was the fact that out of the three of you, no one really had the skill to actually build what he had designed.

The plans are fixed and the new property bought, so all that’s left is to purchase the materials and pay the workers. But when you bring up the list of contractors you’ve heard good things about, Saeyoung waffles for a moment.

“I thought we could build this together?” he says weakly, feeling a small portion of his dream tear off and float away into the wind. There’s no fight in his voice because he knows it’s not possible, not if you’ve already looked into hiring people. Just like him, you like to do things with your own two hands when it’s an option. It’s one of the many things he loves about you.

You sigh and place a hand on top of his, wrapping your fingers around his palm and squeezing. “Not with all of the extra things we’ve both put in as things we want,” you say kindly. He knows you’re letting him down as gently as you can and he appreciates it. “If we’d chosen a simpler design, maybe. But since when have we ever done things the simple way?”

That drags a chuckle out of Saeyoung and he nods, placing his other hand on top of yours now. “That’s true, I guess. Okay. Let’s choose our fighters!”

It’s a little more pricey than Saeyoung expects, but he’s put enough in savings in anticipation for this to cover it. Saeran insists on chipping in with some of the money he’s made between working in the art store and helping design/paint sets for Zen’s musicals (“If I’m to have my own place here, shouldn’t I pay for it too?”) and then spends a lot of his free time planning how to decorate a place that’s truly his and his alone. Saeyoung tries to throw in some ideas but they’re mostly shot down - unsurprising, though disappointing - and he finds himself incredibly curious as to how the apartment is going to turn out. Saeran’s come into himself a lot since he was rescued and is constantly surprising Saeyoung; re-bleaching his hair, getting all those piercings, returning to a punk-ish style of dress, Zen…

It doesn’t matter, as long as he’s happy and safe, Saeyoung will support him no matter what. Even when Saeran says he’s seriously considering getting a pet snake.

Okay then.

Saeyoung takes on the odd hacking job to make sure that he’s still bringing in money while everything is being built but he spends a lot of his free time working on designs for the robots he hopes to sell. Currently he’s working to improve the programming of the original robot dog - no fire this time - that he’d built so long ago as well as Meowy. It’s a challenge, figuring out how to make them more kid-friendly while still keeping them ahead of everything else on the market. Still, it’s a challenge he welcomes. Saeran offers his input occasionally, usually as an off-handed comment as he passes by and sees Saeyoung struggling.

Sometimes it feels like Saeyoung is working two jobs with how much time and energy the two tasks consume, and it certainly doesn’t help that hacking often still requires him to be awake at odd hours. You find him asleep at his computer or at his desk with a screwdriver still in hand more and more often, ushering him to bed even as he meekly protests. It’s wearing on him and you.

You try to convince him that he doesn’t need to have everything set in stone before the house is done; it’s not a requirement for the store to have its grand opening immediately after you move in.

“I know,” he says, scrubbing a hand tiredly through his hair and looking at you with exhaustion etched into his features. There are dark bags under his eyes and all he wants to do is kiss you and go to bed, in that order. “But I want to work on them. They’re reminding me that I won’t always be so dirty, that someday I won’t be a cockroach anymore.” He needs that reminder a lot, especially when his depression creeps up in the middle of the night after you’re asleep. It’s easy to fall into the black hole of believing he’s worthless and never going to amount to anything, that he’ll never be good enough for you, so whenever he feels himself going down that path, he starts to build something. It’s almost like the old days, and sometimes it’s almost enough to make him forget everything he’s failed at.

Almost, but not quite.

You sigh and pull him into a hug. “I love you. Just… don’t work yourself to death, please.”

“I won’t.” Saeyoung’s arms wrap around you too and for a moment the world is reduced to just the two of you, holding each other. “We have to face the future together, right?”

“Yes,” you agree, laughing softly. “We do.”

~~~~

Roughly eight months after the contractors were first contacted Saeyoung stands before the completed house with his arm around both you and Saeran. It looks… normal, something he wasn’t sure he’d ever be able to achieve and yet here it is, a normal house (at least, on the outside) in front of him with a garage and a yard. It’s feels almost surreal, like it can’t quite be reality and that if he pinches himself he’ll wake up, disappointed and alone, still under the agency’s thumb with Vanderwood breathing down his neck.

Almost, but not quite.

“Yippee!” he yells suddenly, dropping his arms and bolting toward the house without a thought of what either your or Saeran are thinking. His heart is pounding in his ears and he’s filled with such a rush of excitement that it feels like he might burst from it. Of course he’s seen the inside before, he’s stopped by to answer questions and to direct the workers as needed, but this time feels different because he’s actually here to stay. To live here, with you.

The first stop on the new-home tour is his store. Saeyoung opens the door carefully and steps inside, biting his lip as he looks around. It’s all sleek and grey, modern, fit for a shop that sells top-of-the-line robotic toys for all ages. He runs his fingers over the shelves, the glass cases, the counter at the front. It’s real and he finds himself taking off his glasses to wipe at his eyes with the back of his hand. Another dream has come true, another thing he doesn’t deserve but somehow managed to get anyway.

He doesn’t hear when you enter, too distracted with the images in his mind of his creations lining the walls, of kids and adults alike coming in and finding enjoyment in what they find. When your arms slide around his waist he jumps a little in surprise but quickly places his hands on top of yours.

“What do you think?” he asks tentatively. You’ve seen the plans and you had your input on the rest of the place but this, this is his baby. Viewing a building on a blueprint is different from seeing it before you, and he finds himself desperate for your approval.

“It’s perfect,” you answer, pressing a kiss to his cheek. Saeyoung grins and turns around, chasing that kiss with one of his own, his chapped lips moving softly against yours. For a moment there’s only the sound of your soft breathing, the rustle of clothing and his own heartbeat.

Then the sound of an engine pulling into the driveway interrupts you and he pulls back, cocking his head to the side and huffing out laughter when he hears Saeran’s voice talking in that animated way he does only with you and Zen.

“Not even here for an hour before his boyfriend is over,” Saeyoung says with fake exasperation, shaking his head. “Well, at least they have their own soundproofed floor this time.”

You laugh, playfully shoving at him. “Saeyoung, you encouraged that relationship. It’s your fault Zen’s over all the time.”

His smile morphs into a grin and he laughs, stepping back to give you a flourished bow. “Yes, thank you for acknowledging my amazing ability to promote healthy relationships~”

“God, you’re incorrigible.” Waving a hand at him in amusement, you turn on your heel to head toward the door connecting the shop to the house. “I want to go see the rest now.”

He jogs behind you, taking your hand as you walk up the steps to the first floor of the house, entering the small room that also holds one of the doors from the outside. Nothing special in and of itself, the wall is lined with a few hooks for coats and some cubbies for shoes, hats or whatever else you two decide should go in them. The next room is the kitchen, and Saeyoung jumps through in front of you, turning around to face you and grabbing your wrists.

“First on our tour is the immaculate kitchen of the Choi household, filled with everything you could possibly need for your culinary desires~” He grins widely, eyes never leaving your face. The chance of him running into something from not looking is not enough to draw his gaze away; he could look at you all day and never grow tired of it. The floor is a dark colored wood, the walls a soft creme color that contrasts the dark brown cabinets and grey appliances. He can’t resist dropping a wrist for a moment to reach out and touch the beautiful ivory marble countertop, the smoothness of it satisfying to touch.

The dining room is connected via the open floor plan and on the other side of it lies the living area, a large, plush sectional inviting. The wooden floor continues in both of these rooms, the dining room table and chairs dark brown with white accents.

The floor room is separated from the kitchen and dining room by a single large archway. Tears prick at your eyes and Saeyoung notices, pausing a moment to reach up and gently wipe them away. “Still a little more to go,” he says softly, pulling you along to the living room to show you the laundry room and, beyond that, the bathroom.

Upstairs lies the bedrooms, study and master bathroom and he takes you through each one, slowly. The study is filled with bookshelves, a desk and a few plush chairs; he’s already started lining the shelves with some of your books. He watches your face eagerly as you continue, thrilled to see the happiness taking residence there. When you arrive in the master bedroom he directs you over to the bed and pulls you down to lie next to him, wrapping his arms around you.

“Welcome home, babe,” he whispers in your ear. He feels like the luckiest man in the world right now; here he is, about to start living a normal life in the house built for both of you, with you. Soon he’ll be able to open his own business, a legal one where he doesn’t hurt anyone, only makes them happy. “We finally made it.”

You sigh and close your eyes, smiling when he softly kisses both your eyelids. “Yes. We did.”

[ethicallysourcedhumanmeat]

Chapters: 10/10 Fandom: Mystic Messenger (Video Game) Rating: Explicit Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: 707 | Luciel Choi/Yoosung Kim Characters: Yoosung Kim, 707 | Luciel Choi, Saeran Choi, Jumin Han, Jaehee Kang, Zen | Hyun Ryu, Vanderwood Additional Tags: Suicide Attempt, Drug Addiction, Pining, Slow Burn, yooseven, Yoo7, background SaeZen, Background Jaehee/MC, Jaehee's route Series: Part 1 of Counting Stars Summary:

Seven loves Yoosung but between his job and his brother it's never the right time. And then Yoosung meets a girl and time starts to run out.

Previously titles Counting Stars

[saeranspancakes]

saezen hcs !!!! from ur favourite child xoxo

F I N A L L Y

These two are Aggressively Possessive of each other.

Literally always touching in some capacity whether it’s via. their hands, hips, shoulders, faces… 

Zen thinks Saeran is the prettiest thing on earth.

Saeran knows that everyone loves Zen’s looks (for good reason) and totally agrees.

That doesn’t mean he won’t death-glare at anyone who even thinks inappropriately about his boyfriend. 

Don’t do it.

He just barely tolerates Zen’s fans swarming them and asking for his autograph

He won’t complain or fuss about it, but he will demand more attention in private later.

“I want your autograph on me where everyone else can see it.”

“You want me to write on you?”

“...Hyun...”

“Oh, oh!”

Zen is learning what it’s like to have the beast unleashed on him for once.

Zen’s hand placement on Saeran 100% depends on how possessive he’s feeling at the moment.

Casual? Hand holding.

Someone eyeing his boyfriend? Arm is going around shoulder.

Talking?? (This hardly happens since Saeran is a genuine Recluse, but if it does) Hand is going around the waist.

In the incredibly unlikely scenario where someone actually dares to flirt with Saeran, Zen will just kiss him silly.

Doesn’t matter where or when or who it’s in front of

He’s going to show everyone that Saeran is His.

No objections from Saeran.

In fact, he likes it a ton because in private? Zen is a tease.

This man can fool around for hours. 

Saeran “Please just kiss me properly…” Choi

Hyun “No way I am passing any opportunity to make you blush” Ryu

They debuted their relationship at one of the RFA’s parties.

Zen actually shoved Jumin out of the way after stealing the mic so he could shout it to the world.

“Everyone! I’d just like to say thank you for coming to our party, and also thank you to my AMAZING BOYFRIEND for coming with me and being the best boyfriend a guy could ever want! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH SAERAN!”

He even points right to where Saeran is sitting.

Seven almost laughs himself to death and Saeran wanted to melt into the floor.

He secretly thinks it was really sweet though even if he would never have the ability to stand up in front of so many people.

All of Zen’s selfies have Saeran in the background somewhere

He might show up as a blur of red hair or with an exasperated look on his face but he will be there.

Actually starts smiling for pictures when Zen takes them.

All the ones that Seven takes have him frowning.

They definitely live together even though Jumin objects.

Zen is super patient about dealing with Saeran’s nightmares

Will re-read his scripts while playing with his hair until he’s calmed down.

Every time Saeran is having doubts about their relationship Zen will reassure him that yes, he does love him and yes, he would never just abandon him ever

In return, Saeran does his best to help Zen with his own anxieties.

He knows for sure that his boyfriend will definitely make it big.

“You’re the most talented actor I’ve ever seen. They just haven’t recognized your true potential yet.”

Zen gets very teary eyed over this.

“My boyfriend is so supportive…How did I get so lucky!?”

That’s great Zen I love you too but please stop getting your tears all over my sweater. - Saeran

[ethicallysourcedhumanmeat]

Chapters: 9/10 Fandom: Mystic Messenger (Video Game) Rating: Explicit Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: 707 | Luciel Choi/Yoosung Kim Characters: Yoosung Kim, 707 | Luciel Choi, Saeran Choi, Jumin Han, Jaehee Kang, Zen | Hyun Ryu, Vanderwood Additional Tags: Suicide Attempt, Drug Addiction, Pining, Slow Burn, yooseven, Yoo7, background SaeZen, Background Jaehee/MC, Jaehee's route Summary:

Seven loves Yoosung but between his job and his brother it's never the right time. And then Yoosung meets a girl and time starts to run out.

[cutiesaeran]

SaeZen Headcanons (or why this is a Good Ship™

I love the idea of Saeran and Zen together! Here’s a list of hc’s brought to you by the combined efforts of @juminlovesv, @mysticmessengervibes, @rixsig-writes and myself. Enjoy~

-When they first meet, Saeran finds Zen a little overbearing.

-After a little while, he realises that he actually doesn’t mind too much. Zen seems to be the one RFA member who isn’t nervous about starting a conversation with him, and he doesn’t treat him as though he could break at any moment. He treats him like an actual person.

-Zen’s first thoughts on Saeran are that he wants to make him feel like he’s part of the RFA family, because although he doesn’t know the full story, he knows Saeran needs support. He’s willing to be patient and put in the time to get to know him.

-And he knows Saeyoung means well, but he can tell Saeran’s frustrated.

-Zen starts coming over to make sure Saeran gets to go outside and that Saeyoung isn’t being too smothering

-Zen stands up to Saeyoung if he is, and tells him Saeran’s an adult who can make decisions for himself

-He looks up all the good places to go on walks and watch the sky so he can take Saeran there

-When Saeran still isn’t allowed out, Zen will send selfies that include prime shots of the the sky to him on days he can’t visit

-As it turns out, Saeran actually wants to keep his hair bleached along with his ‘edgy’ clothing, but Saeyoung seems to think he needs to wear bulky sweaters and grow his hair out to aid in his recovery.

-Zen ends up helping Saeran bleach his hair, because if it makes Saeran feel more comfortable then how can it possibly be a bad thing?

-He offers to take Saeran shopping to buy clothes he likes and encourage his own style, helping him out and giving him advice, partly inspired by his own ‘bad boy’ phase in high school

-Zen even lends Saeran some of his old clothes from said ‘bad boy’ phase, because even though they’re slightly too big, Saeran seems to like them

-He supports Saeran in expressing himself via clothing and helps him pick things that look good together

-Zen does some research on PTSD and learns as much as he can on how to help others ground themselves so he can make sure Saeran always has someone who knows how to help around when they’re out, and because he just wants to make sure he’s okay and safe

-Saeran actually finds that it’s easier than he expected for him to open up to Zen, because his link to Rika and V isn’t quite as direct as most of the other RFA members

-Zen learns music therapy techniques for the same reasons

-Zen’s always there whenever Saeran needs someone to call, and isn’t shy or embarrassed about singing him to sleep if he needs to

-When Saeran makes significant progress, Zen argues on his behalf if Saeyoung refuses to see it

-He points out all the smaller things that maybe even Saeran hasn’t noticed, which takes both the twins by surprise

-“Hey, I know you’ve done some fucked up shit in the past but man, so have I. You can get through this.”

-Zen doesn’t think of Saeran in terms of being ‘the other Choi twin’ or ‘the Mint Eye hacker’, but as a separate person, a man who once lost his way but is now trying to figure out who he is.

-Zen makes sure to compliment Saeran on things that are unique to him

-Zen makes a point of showing Saeran that friendship is a Good and Wholesome thing, even though he’s wary of it at first

-Initially, Zen just wants to be friends, but the more he learns about Saeran, the more he ends up falling for this curious, loyal, witty guy who was hidden behind the mask he had to wear to survive.

-He helps Saeran discover everything he’s good at, no matter how silly

-Zen encourages Saeran to write down his jokes and comebacks because they’re so clever and might be able to be worked into scripts

-Zen constanty reminds him that not everything comes naturally and you have to practice sometimes

- “Quit comparing yourself to your brother! Your goal shouldn’t be to be better than him, but to be good at what you want. …besides, you’re already better than him. ;)”

-They bond over not finishing/going to school

-They also bond over shitty parents and brothers who think they know best

-Saeran starts to realize it’s okay to like things about himself through how much Zen loves himself

-Saeran likes Zen for who he is without a lot of outside influence (like that he’s a minor celebrity)

-Saeran is very fascinated by the fact that Zen’s willing to help him for absolutely nothing in return

-Saeran randomly surprises Zen with his ‘creepy voice’ and Zen finds it hilarious, telling him he’d be a great voice actor

-He feels accepted by Zen’s acting friends because most of them came from hard backgrounds too and don’t judge him

-Saeran becomes defensive of Zen when he finds out about his family and reminds him that he’s a great person even if they don’t want anything to do with him

-Ofc Saeran sings “Merry Christmas” to Zen in the ‘spooky voice’ and Zen ends up recording it and making it his ringtone

-Saeran and Zen playfully compete to see who can contort their voices to sound the weirdest and Saeran always wins by a long shot

-Saeran really enjoys watching Zen’s shows, but he isn’t always feeling up to going to the theatre, so Zen has someone (Saeyoung) stream it or eventually asks Jaehee to loan Saeran the DVD (a convenient opening for a beautiful friendship between Jaehee and Saeran)

-When Saeyoung prods for compliments, Saeran just says “Thanks for introducing me to Zen.”

-Saeran ends up falling for Zen because of how sweet and caring he is, and Zen is in awe that it’s not because of his looks or job

-Saeran casually acknowledges Zen’s attractiveness but always tells him things he likes more (like how much he genuinely cares for people) about him to remind Zen he’s more than just his looks

“You’re so… perfect”

“Ikr, I’m pretty handsome”

“Not just that. You make me like being alive.”

-Zen is, for once, utterly speechless

-Saeran convinces Zen to take a break now and then to make sure he doesn’t overwork himself

-Saeran makes sure the fridge is stocked with something other than just beer and water, and Zen starts to actually eat properly so he can have meals with Saeran, because he’s way too skinny

-Saeran helps Zen cut back on how much he drinks

-Also, they’re smoking buddies who are both trying to get each other to quit

-Saeran uses his artistic skills to help paint sets (and enjoying it)

-Saeran’s not used to having someone who can match his wit (Saeyoung takes him too seriously, and he can come off as mean to others) but Zen gets it and just hands it right back to him

-He enjoys Saeran’s dry humor

-Zen calls Saeran his ‘Prince’ and Saeran is surprised because he’s never been called anything so positive before

“I thought I was the dragon”

“Nah, you were just under an enchantment. You were always a prince ;)”

“Then you’re the knight who saved me?”

“You saved yourself, I’m just lucky enough to get to kiss you after.”

-Zen becomes the clouds in Saeran’s sky, while Saeran is the music in Zen’s life

[ethicallysourcedhumanmeat]

Chapters: 6/10 Fandom: Mystic Messenger (Video Game) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: 707 | Luciel Choi/Yoosung Kim Characters: Yoosung Kim, 707 | Luciel Choi, Saeran Choi, Jumin Han, Jaehee Kang, Zen | Hyun Ryu, Vanderwood Additional Tags: Suicide Attempt, Drug Addiction, Pining, Slow Burn, yooseven, Yoo7, background SaeZen, Background Jaehee/MC, Jaehee's route Summary:

Seven loves Yoosung but between his job and his brother it's never the right time. And then Yoosung meets a girl and time starts to run out.