⋆. // han river

@park chanyeol hey as long as the fans liked the music and i got to improve then its a win-win situation if you ask me
and yeah, no duh- exo next door might have been cheesy and unreal but the bit where you help with music isn't a lie at all-
/rambling on, i find myself stilled when you hold my cheek and make me look at you, my eyelids drooping a little as i do so, lips parted as i glance from your own tiers to your eyes
...distraction?
/tilts my head a little, leaning towards your touch when you pull it away before i snap out of it, heat rising in my cheeks before i rub at my nape
uh, a distraction-
why... w-why don't we go grab some food then? i bet you haven't eaten, have you?

@byun baekhyun Of course you did. You nearly burned yourself out because you were so dedicated. It was admirable, but also worrying at the same time. A great teacher? I think that's a bit of an overstatement.
/your demeanor is amusing-- almost as if you were one of those 'panicked gay' memes. lifting a hand, I cup your cheek, persuading you to look at me/
The song is wonderful, but maybe we should get out of the studio for the night. I think I'm about to go stir crazy if I'm in here for much longer...unless I have a distraction from work I suppose.
/pulling your hand away from your face, I glance at you curiously, an almost teasing simper tugging the corners of my lips upwards

jumps into the river

@park chanyeol hey don't seem so surprised. you know i released a lot of music last year and i worked hard on it
besides, i've had a great teacher
/glances over my shoulder at you for a moment, shifting entirely to sit sideways and look at you, smiling to myself for a moment
beautiful?
mnh.... now you're just flattering me
/glances from the computer screen to look back at you, my smile diminishing when i realise how close i am to you, lips parting at the sight of you being so close to me
i...
so-
s-so the song should be alright... right?
i mean i'm just trying to help. if its bad, if you don't want to use it i'll totally get it. its fine, i'm rambling- is it hot in here?
/leans back a little and covers my mouth with my hand, glancing away as i feel my face heating up abnormally

@byun baekhyun /allowing you take control, I wrap my arms around your waist, shifting so as to offer my lap to you as a seat, my chin perched on your shoulder as a vantage point to view the piece on the computer screen
/disbelief adorns my expression, my emotions laid out on my sleeve. my attention wanders from the task at hand to be being painfully aware of the proximity, my arms tightening around your waist, irises ghosting over the peripheral of your face
Sorry-- you're just much better at this than I expected. It caught me off guard.
/listening to your harmonies causes my heart to swell, the clear passion rooted in your occupation is admirable. I can't help but to be dumbfounded at your ability to make any song your own.
As to be expected, it's beautiful, Byun.

@park chanyeol /listens to you when you tell me the ideas that you've had involving changing it, nodding when you mention the pitch and working with the other vocals
i don't think its too ambitious
/shakes my head before i come over, leaning in and taking the mouse from you, bringing up one of our other songs, a newer one - 'wait'
/hits play on it before i let you listen to the harmonies we did in the background, pausing and speeding it up as well as changing the pitch then playing it again with me singing over the top to let you see how it would sound
/when i'm done i hit pause and bring up the current song we were working on, half sitting on your lap now as i go through the song, listening to it once more and singing along different this time
/though its me on my own i try harmonizing, one of my hands lifting in the air with my motions before i drop it again and finish, the song ending as i turn to look over my shoulder at you
something like that?

@byun baekhyun You're right-- you're absolutely right. I apologize. I shouldn't be so difficult sometimes.
/snorts at the swat, my hands instinctively falling into place at the recording equipment, preliminary settings already requiring adjustment considering your vocal range.
/there's a hint of surprise in my expression in response to your high note coupled with contemplation of whether I should raise the pitch of the chorus a bit to better match your vocal ability
Just as I expected, you surpass all of my expectations. It did give some ideas about adjusting the pitch of some of the harmonies within the backtrack. I feel like the vocal line, your voice included, would sound more powerful if you guys managed to harmonize with the track. Perhaps that's a bit too ambitious though.

@park chanyeol maybe if you listened to me i wouldn't have to keep reminding you that you're only human and should be a lot easier on yourself
/swats at your hand gently when you prod at me, rising from the chair and staying standing up, finding my vocals are best suited to that too
you got it, mr producer man
/shoots you a playful if dorky finger gun, my usual boxy smile going along with it before i wait for you to hit play on the music again
/when the music does start i find my foot tapping along to the beat, humming along in a melodious manner, eyelids shut as i match my voice to the music
/now and then a few words will slip out too, one in particular showing off that vocal range i possess before i bring it back down to a soothing hum, the song finishing and my eyelids opening again as i look to you
how was it?
did it spark anything off?

@byun baekhyun Gah...I feel like we have this conversation every time you visit my studio, Byun. You're starting to sound like a broken record. Thankfully, that angelic voice of yours could never channel that in the recording booth else we'd both be in a lot of trouble.
/teases, one lone digit prodding your side to persuade you out of my chair
Of course-- now remember, if you feel like adding an adlib here and there, by all means take the creative liberty. You know that's how we get some of our best takes. Just don't go too crazy, alright?
/plops down into the chair, placing the headphones over my head ajar, one ear covered with the other exposed

@park chanyeol Its a creative process, yeol. It takes time no matter how often you've done it before
Not to mention you're your own worst critic
/nods as you explain what you want to do, agreeing more than happily to do so before i laugh a little
I'm used to it but more importantly I'm here for you
/rests my hands over your arms as they come around me, smiling to myself as I squeeze softly and lean into you
Any time. You know I'd do anything for you ...
/trails off before I smile to myself and then remember I should be helping and not distracting you
Right-
The music. let's get going hmm?

@byun baekhyun /snorts at the display, obviously concerned for your safety, but amused by your absent-mindedness
I know-- I know...I guess I'm just frustrated that with all of this experience, I would expect that things would be a bit more efficient, but I guess not. That's a little bit depressing to think about--
/frowns and peers down at my feet prior to pushing myself off of the couch and making my way next to the producing chair
Let's run through the song once with just hums, and then once with lyrics. Does that sound okay? Or is that too much? I don't want to have you working too hard-- hell even working at all during the holidays.
/snakes my arms around the chair and wraps them around your waist
Thank you for this- for checking on me. I really appreciate it.

@park chanyeol /leans back in your chair, spinning myself around in it until i remember the cable of the headphones a minute to late, half choking myself momentarily until i free myself, sheepishly setting the headphones aside
/looks up at you afterwards, meeting your gaze before i nod my head firmly, being honest with you as i always am or... usually am
i don't know if you realised, probably didn't because its you, but tempo was an amazing album, yeol. literally all the songs on it are amazing and i love that we're at this point now
but you didn't start with masterpieces so just a little more tweaking and patience and you'll be well on your way to another sold out album. promise
/crosses my finger over my chest as i look over to you sat on the sofa, giving you another bright boxy smile from me as i do so
mnh don't worry about dividing it up into who's doing what. just let me sing through it for you?
even just humming along if the lyrics aren't finished. its helped before, hasn't it?

@byun baekhyun /lifts myself from the chair, hands instinctively brushing out the wrinkles of my outfit after slipping from your own lithe digits. the black and crimson plaid shirt have deep folds layered throughout after being snugly wrapped around my waist.
It's- I don't know. It's definitely missing something.
/mumbles to you, although nearly quiet enough that it could have directly to myself as if to reassure my own presumptions.
/plops down on the couch next to the producing equipment and rests my head against the wall, eyelids closing and arms folding across my torso
Do you really think so? I planned on using it for the next group album. We could go ahead and go over the parts that I think you would do best in and see how it sounds.
/peers over at you with a hopeful glimmer in my eyes, a yawn escaping me all in the same moment as I stand up and make my way over to the chair
I think it will help.

@park chanyeol /notices the signs of frustration on your part, tilting my head a little bit before i hold up my hands when i seem to have surprised you
sorry. didn't mean to startle you
/glances back at the monitor before i turn to you, knowing you're likely being too hard on your own work as usual, deciding now isn't the time to say so
we saw each other earlier for our stage performances. are you alright?
/tilts my head as i look at you, reaching out to gently brush the front of your hair back with one hand, the other feeling your temperature before i pull back
let me guess. you haven't been taking any breaks since you got in here
/grabs your hands, pulling you up and out of your chair before i sit down in your seat, pulling on your headphones and using the mouse to bring up the music
let's see what our resident giant has been making now
/hits play, leaning back in the chair whilst i listen, fiddling with the ties at the front of my hoody, turning the fabric over between my fingers whilst my head begins to nod, even making me snap my fingers and hum along
/when its over i pull the headphones down onto my shoulders, smiling up at you and giving you an 'okay' sign with my fingers and thumb
it sounds great already, yeol. really
are you planning this for a solo or next album? if you want to use my vocals to help out like we've done before then i'd be happy to lend them to you too

@byun baekhyun /groans in frustration, my hands slipping from the keyboard to hang at my side as I lean back in my rolling chair, raven fringe falling from the center of my face to collect on the peripherals. staring up at the ceiling, I manage to let out a sigh that felt as though it had been rooted within my core for hours now--probably due to stress.
/emits a soft exhale, my hand extending up to my forehead to pull the headphones off of my ears and lay the headset on the table. in the process, I had accidentally managed to bump the space bar and allowed the music to play through the headset.
Damnit--...
/mumbles, leaning forward to pause the draft of the song I had been working on. As if on cue, your entrance timing is nearly impeccable as I nearly fall out of my chair with your sudden appearance.
Jesus chr- sorry..yeah I'm fine. I'm just a bit frustrated, but that always happens when I'm producing. How are you? It feels like I haven't seen you in a while.

@park chanyeol /stuffs my hands into my jacket pockets as i head out from the dorm, wearing one of my brand hoodies, the white one, beneath with a pair of jeans, sneakers and a mask to cover the lower half of my face
/tugs the collar of my bomber jacket around my cheeks and neck a little more, the evening air cold as i walk by the han river, tufts of my red dyed hair sticking out from beneath my beanie
/glances back at the lights on the river, heading into one of the buildings looking over it, the doors to an elevator opening once i'm on the right level
/knocks on the door to your studio before i let myself in, punching in the code before i begin taking my dust mask off, placing it in my jacket pocket whilst the door clicks softly shut behind me
yeol?
/calls out as i shrug off the jacket, hanging it up over the arm of the sofa you have before i spot you in your usual chair, smiling as i walk over and shove your arm lightly, propping myself on the edge of your desk with my back to your tech, looking at you instead
knew i'd find you here. hermit
you okay?

last day to participate in the DP Halloweenie Costume event is tomorrow!!!

LOVE IS IN THE AIR

https://www.roleplayrepublic.com/announcement/view/23826

@choi seungcheol Jaehyung sighed, patting his dongsaeng's shoulder multiple times. He felt bad for him, he really did. Hearing his story made his heart swell, because he'd experienced this thing before, and it took him a good few years before completely moving on and starting over from scratch. It was hard, but he persevered and he got a new start with Hayoung, which was amazing progress. He related with Seungcheol on a personal level; it felt like his 19 year old self telling a similar story, crying the same regrets again, reminiscing that fresh wound from the deepest parts of his heart. "You know, you remind me a lot about someone. Someone who had the same feelings as you. Moving on and picking up the pieces are the most difficult things he'd ever done. You know who that person is? It's me. I had a rough breakup with my first girlfriend, very similar to what you're feeling right now. And you know what I did? I didn't forget; I never did. I took it as a lesson, to improve myself. At first, that realization was very hard to take in. You still felt hurt, those wounds still bloody and irritating. I got depressed for a while because of it. It wasn't until I moved to Korea, that that revelation came to view. I guess the fact that I made a change in my life, tweaked a little lever inside my brain that I needed to do something about it. I couldn't be depressed all the time. So day after day, conversation over conversation, counseling after counseling. I made it to my goal, taking it as a positive thing. And look at me today, I don't look like I just cried for two weeks. Plus, I got an amazing girlfriend, better than my first girlfriend ever was." He scratched the back of his head, thinking about more things he should say. "Honestly, eventually you'll get over it. You just need to distract yourself with things you like doing, like making songs, or writing lyrics. Anything to get him off your mind."

@park jaehyung He stops walking to stare at the older man sitting on the bench and he sighs quietly before trudging over to plop down right next Jaehyung then finally voices out his thoughts, "I'm just battling against my own pain, hyung. It's hard to move on but I'm giving up. Not about moving on that is. I mean I'm giving up on wanting things to be back to normal as if nothing had happened. As if the break up was all a dream and a lie and that my relationship with him had never happened. I'm tired. Physically and mentally. But the pain that I used to know in my chest is numbing and dulling. I just have to give up on him"

@choi seungcheol Jaehyung laughed at his response, backing away as he tried to nudge his arm. "You know, you should learn how to back down easily. You can't always be stubborn about everything." He informed, adjusting his glasses. "But again, I'm your hyung," he said, stopping to sit on a nearby bench. "I deserve to know what you're battling with and why aren't you succeeding. I can help you, Seungcheol. Just tell me."

@park jaehyung "I'm as stubbotn as a mule!" He declared with a toothy grin before nudging Jaehyung's side with his elbow. "I'm stubborn as heck but that doesn't mean I don't know when to back down"

@choi seungcheol He sighed, confused on what to say. "You're stubborn, aren't you?" He scratched his head, annoyed.

@park jaehyung The sudden outburst of Jaehyung caugh him off guard, his body flinching and eyes widened to stare at his friend next to him, and he honestly wants to bite Jaehyung's hand for slapping his cheek lightly. "Well, no one ever said I'm good looking or handsome. Cute is a thing but they said cute is a better way of saying you're not ugly but kinda above it" he said with his nose scrunched and arms brough to his chest in order to cross them before continuing, "Besides, my little voice isn't that bad. It keeps me company. Cause i'm alone most of the time, i tend to talk with myself more"

@choi seungcheol He was taken aback by his remark of himself. "Seungcheol! Why would you call yourself ugly?" he lightly slapped his cheek to emphasize. "You are the least person I would think of as 'ugly'. You're never ugly. God never created you as ugly." He patted him on the shoulder. "Well, as your Hyung, I have to. I can't be depressed forever, can't I?" He let out a small chuckle, then turned his head over to the front. He thought about his words, and how coincidental it was; he was trying to decipher what he was thinking. He sighed, then said "Seungcheol, you need to understand that people who are trying to do that are trying to help you. If you don't let out your thoughts right now, it will stay cooped up in your mind and you won't be able to progress. You'll be stuck in this little void inside your head, with that little voice telling yourself over and over again, 'You're worthless.' Do you want that to happen?"

@park jaehyung The reintroduction was light and silly, and he wanted to laugh at how ridiculous the situation it seems but he lifted his hand and gave Jaehyung a handshake, his words heavy yet the sound of his voice was airy, "I'm surprised you're still talking to me, hyung. Despite how ugly and gloomy I am. You might be one of the positive people in my life right now". Seungcheol pulls his hand away and stuffs it into his pocket, not knowing if he should share his thoughts with Jaehyung. "Not many people can read me. If they do, it's becoming uncomfortable now"

@choi seungcheol He sighed, thinking how sad his life had been until this day. He must've had tons of hardship and surely more bruises than Jaehyung. "Well, nice to meet you, Choi Gloomy Seungcheol. I'm Jaehyung Park," he held his hand towards his direction, hoping for a light handshake. "I can see that. Something's bothering you, but I can't pinpoint what it is you're bothered with." He hung his head down, deep in thought.

@park jaehyung "I'm always glum. My middle name is Gloomy", he said with a simple shrug of his shoulders and he tilted his head back down to keep his eyes straight ahead of them, looking at couples, families and children chattering and walking. "I look happy but I'm really not. I'm just doing it to keep myself alive and breathing. If not-", Seungcheol stopped midsentence as he was brought back to the past and he shook his head just enough to bring him back to reality, "if not, i might not be able to even talk to you"

@choi seungcheol He chuckled, reminded at how hard life could get sometimes and how he needed to loosen up time to time. He glanced at Seungcheol and smiled. "Well, duh, Mr. Obvious. I mean, you. What's up with you? Why do you look so glum?"

@park jaehyung His eyes remained on the wavy grass crushed under the steps of his own feet, being slowly immersed into his own world before being pulled back out by the call of Jaehyung. "The sky is, thankfully", he humoured while tilting his head back to stare at the dark sky of the night that have twinkling stars accompanying the moon.