park

@shoma uno i won't forget this either, shoma
/my arms wind around you, holding you against my chest, my head tipped down slightly and my chin briefly resting against the crown of your head while i hug you tight, not ready to let you go just yet/
i know you'll knock them dead- i'm sure you have it all locked up
/when you hold up the medal i unwind one arm from around you, a little reluctant, but i wrap my fingers around that foil-wrapped chocolate medal and i press an audible smooch to it/
you mean like that?
/the mention of face time has me nodding, only a few words making it clear that you'll still hear from me, when i know myself that i'll spend every moment we have to spare texting you, keeping in contact with you while you're away, and when you tug me down, I squeeze you gently and turn my head to kiss your cheek/
i'll talk to you soon, i promise
/standing alone in the snow, beneath the holiday lights, i watch your back as you leave me there, and though i wait for you to disappear from sight before i turn to leave, i do so with a loose fist pressed against my chest to calm the butterflies that seem to be fluttering around my heart and stomach while i whisper to myself/
i think... i think he has me whipped

@kim seokwoo you would say that... you're terribly biased by this point
/laughs softly to myself, asking if you really think gold looks good on me and if i shouldn't just stick to silver at the olympics instead
/gives your own hands a little squeeze right back, looking up at you when you mention remembering this as a joint memory for both the holiday and birthday
mnh-
/nods softly several times, stopping gradually when you lean in and cup my face in your hands, eyelids drooping as your lips press softly against my own for the briefest of moments
/feels my face heat up for an entirely different reason now, biting at my bottom lip afterwards before i step in, hugging you to me
i won't forget it... i promise
/whispers against your chest, lifting my head to brush against your shoulder just barely, breath fanning over your throat a moment later as i whisper again
i have to go but i'll see you again soon. i promise
i just have to win nationals first
/smiles before i lean back, holding up the medal and stretching it out to you, asking you to kiss it for me for good luck, letting it hang back in place after
remember, i'm only technically a couple hours away at the moment
and i'm just a button press away for face time
but...
/before i go i reach up, half jumping to wrap my arms around your neck and tug you down to my height, whispering a soft 'see you soon' by your ear, kissing your cheek before i reluctantly let go and begin to head off, having a plane to catch unfortunately

@shoma uno you're deserving of olympic gold
/smiling when it's able to make you laugh, i help you to place the ribbon over your head and on your neck before i withdraw my hand and look at the medallion that rests there, knowing that if nothing else you have a piece of chocolate for later/
it looks good on you
/laughing softly myself, i look into your eyes, falling quiet when you mention my saying no thank yous, only to be a little surprised when you rise up closer to me and your lips meet the corner of my mouth, though i turn my head a little as if to follow the kiss, lingering so close to you while i watch the little cloud of vapor that forms between us/
shoma...
/my voice is quiet, left to trail off while i stand watching you leave the ice with your jacket on only to return them, and it's not until you come back to me that i feel a little more in control of the moment as i give your hands a gentle squeeze in mine/
i hope you don't forget it- a good birthday and maybe even a good christmas memory, huh?
/hesitant to let you go, especially as i know there's only so much time you can spend with me, i glance to either side of us before my hands leave yours to gently cup your cheeks and i bow my head, lips gracing yours in a small, but lingering peck/

@kim seokwoo /bows my head bashfully when you clap for me and welcome me back, smiling as i look at you, a little more eye level now but not much with me on skates and the ice and you not
thank you-
/laughs softly to myself, about to pull on my jacket when you mention the present, tilting my head in curiosity before i see a red ribbon
/it takes a moment to realise what it is, my smile growing wider as i laugh and pick it up and out of your hand, lifting it up for a closer look
i won gold. olympic gold?
/asks as i look over to you after looping the ribbon around my neck, letting the 'medallion' rest over my chest, holding up the chocolate before i let it rest in its place again
/i want to tell you i feel like i've already won enough golds when i have you just looking my way, not great with words though so i just hope my eyes convey as much as i spend a good portion of time just gazing at you
i know you said no thank yous but...
/places my hand on the rink wall, lifting myself up to the picks of my skates, my lips pressing to the corner of your mouth, hovering there as our breaths mingle
/pulls back a moment after, resting back down on my skates and then pulls on my jacket, heading off the ice and returning the skates so i can be with you
/checks the time, knowing i have to go soon but i have a little more time with you, quickly taking your hand and squeezing it in my own
thank you so much for today, seokwoo... i'm never going to forget it

@shoma uno do you? i mean- i mean i would like to see any performance from you, shoma
/realizing my excitement might come off as something a little ruder than my initial intent, i stammer quietly to correct myself, clearing my throat quietly after, though i let you tug me with you, heading to the rink with the intent to watch you, seeing you get onto skates, and that smile that lights up your face, i can't keep a smile off my own features/
hm? oh- aye aye
/making a little salute, i accept your phone and hold it, leaning against the wall of the rink to watch you and careful to hit play once you're ready at the center of the rink, my eyes coming to follow you as you begin your performance, and my expression reflects my surprise to see that change in you/
shoma-
/clapping my hand against the inside of my forearm when you successfully land each of your jumps, i watch each move, more impressed than the last and i'm all smiles when you return to me, flushed, and the word 'gorgeous' briefly flits through my mind while the holiday lights shine on you/
bravo!
/cheering, a grin on my face, i set the phone down hold up a finger to gesture for a moment/
you definitely deserve your present
/reaching into my pocket, my large hand eclipsing something small in hand, a hint of red ribbon looped over my index finger, i open my hand after a moment in front of your eyes to let your gift fall from my hand, save for the bit of red ribbon looped over my index finger, revealing a gold foil covered chocolate looking much like a fake medal with a red ribbon to go around your neck/

@kim seokwoo ah right, the gift- you know being with you is enough for me, right seokwoo?
/murmurs as i finish tying the bracelet for you, watching as your hand finds my own and i smile to myself, my hand gently squeezing at your own before i nod, enjoying how you say we're tied together
/when you mention skating i give pause because of my ankle, being a little achy but not too bad and i figure it'll be alright, its worth it for you
sure. i think i have a performance you might like to see as well
/tugs you over to the rink with me, getting on skates as well before i step onto the ice, warming up a bit as i skate around with you, doing my usual to try make sure i don't get harmed
/when i'm warmed up enough i come back over to you, looking up at you and giving you a bright smile from beneath my curls
here
/hands you my phone, asking you to press play on the music when i'm on the middle of the ice, my jacket left over the side of the rink wall too
/as soon as the music plays, as loud as it can over my phone speaker, i begin to skate to the routine of my short program, stairway to heaven, changing from the small, sweet shoma you know to someone a lot more professional and passionate too
/facial expressions matching my performance, i pull off my jumps and combinations, landing them all even if a couple are a little bit tight
/finishing up i finally smile, breathing quickly as i push myself on my skates over to you, skidding to a stop and looking up at you, brushing my hair back from my flushed face as the golden threads of the bracelet catch the glow of the festive lights strung around

@shoma uno sure- just let me-
/stumbling a little over my thoughts, i gladly eat the last of the takoyaki when you offer it, not minding that it might seem a little silly to bend down that way while i reach in my pocket for the bracelet to offer it to you/
don't want you accidentally grabbing your other gift
/as i explain, i hold out my hand and wrist toward you, allowing you to place it on me and admiring the feel of your own cool fingertips against my skin/
you're right- and now we're kind of tied together
/laughing softly, and hoping you don't find the thought too childish, i look at our wrists beside one another and then take your hand back in mine/
no thank yous. it's not something you need to say to me
and you know the night isn't over yet- i was hoping i would get to see you out on the ice again

@kim seokwoo /murmurs a thank you in the little korean i know to the vendor, ducking my head as well before i turn a little away with you
/smiles softly to myself as you begin placing the item in place on my wrist, feeling your fingers brushing over my skin feels so different from others
let me do yours
/feeds you the last takoyaki, tossing the packaging into a nearby bin before i return, taking your bracelet as my cool fingertips brush over you slightly whilst i put it in place
/now/ it looks perfect
/looks up at you afterwards, holding my wrist beside your own and smiling as i have something to take and keep with me when i'm not around you
thank you, seokwoo

@shoma uno are they?
/surprised to have picked out the ones you liked, i watch as your fingers touch one out of the pair, and i lift my gaze to you, watching you appraise it, and perhaps getting carried away in the process/
huh? oh- yeah of course
/smiling, i pull my wallet back out of my pocket and pull a few paper bills out to buy the matching set, the vendor only happy to have made the sale without any need to haggle it seems, but as you hold out the match to me i take it in hand to slip into my pocket first, seeing to getting yours onto your wrist first, the pads of my fingers brushing against your pulse before i smooth the bracelet beneath my thumb/
that looks perfect on you

@kim seokwoo /smiles a little to myself as you wish for there to be more hours in the day, wondering if its to spend time with me though i tell myself not to assume as much but a small part of me can't help it
/makes sure to keep the food away from the bracelets, absently eating another piece as i seem more than happy with this, blinking when you point out the ones i liked too
actually those were the ones that caught my eye
/mumbles before i nod to it quietly, reaching my free hand out to pick one of them up, turning it over between my surprisingly delicate fingers, brushing my thumb over the gold threads running throughout
lets get these ones, seokwoo
/picks up the matching one, holding it out to you before i lift my gaze, looking into your eyes a little timidly but happily all the same
please?

@shoma uno this is true- being a little closer to the same places is good
i just wish there was a little more time in a day
/while i chew and swallow the takoyaki, i reach, using the pad of my thumb to brush against the corner of my mouth rather than up the sauce, though as you blow on a second one and offer it to me i gladly accept it with a smile that shapes my eyes as much as my lips/
mmh- might be just because i'm not used to it
/when we reach the vendor, looking over the little braided bracelets that had caught your eye, i speak with the vendor, trying to get the price of a pair of bracelets before i look back to you, that same smile on my face/
second of... more- i mean i don't know about you but i can see a few more in our near future
/saying nothing of the distant future, if only because i think it might be too much, i look over the bracelets, the one with gold threads catching my eye as well, though perhaps for sillier reasons, and i look to you as i point them out/
what about those? or is that too flashy...

@kim seokwoo at least our timezones for the moment are the same, right? though it seems when i'm getting up for an early day you're just going to sleep
/laughs a little bit at that, knowing you get a lot less sleep than me and i tend to be asleep before you, even now being this late out i'm used to being indoors sleeping by now
you think so?
/asks about the food, taking another bite from it before i hold out another one, this time blowing on it for you, my own following suit not long afterwards as well
o-oh... you saw
/clears my throat, embarrassed now to say the least before i nod softly, following after you and back to the stall, smiling a little at the vendor and relying on you to speak in korean
not too cheesy i just didn't want to assume- i mean... its... only our second date
planned one at least
/smiles a little bashfully, shutting myself up by popping another takoyaki ball in my mouth, looking over the bracelets, drawn to a gold thread one in particular, looking back up to you after
which ones do you like?

@shoma uno i understand, shoma- you and i both have things that keep us busy
but it's always nice whenever you text me
/when you say that you've been doing great, i turn my head, smiling brightly to you, all the more relieved to hear you're doing so well while in person instead of just over text/
i'm sure- it's supposed to be your birthday gift tonight anyway
/chuckles softly, giving your hand a small squeeze before i use my free hand to reach for my wallet and paying for the takoyaki, and doing my best to shuffle about one handed so i won't have to let go of your hand in the process even when i take the little fried ball from you and blowing gently on it before i take a bite of the sauced morsel, humming at the taste/
it's pretty good- a little on the chewy side though
/when i finally manage to swallow, i use my chin to gesture back toward the stall you had stopped at before, then give your hand a gentle tug/
come on- i saw you looking. maybe we can get little couple bracelets
unless you think that's too cheesy...

@kim seokwoo /smiles softly, squeezing your own hand back as i listen, nodding in agreement to waiting or whatever it is you've gotten me now
i would text you more... i just don't get the time to. but speaking to you always makes my days a little easier
/as you ask about how i've been i wonder if i should tell you about my competition, being right in the middle of it only to be going on a date with you as well
uh, i've been doing good
great- actually, i've been doing /great/
/as you swing our hands it makes me think its sweet, and it is, though i'm not so surprised because it is you after all
are you sure? i don't mind
/reference paying for the food, ordering the food i'm glad to find is takoyaki funnily enough, thanking the cook as i take a fresh bundle of them, holding it out to you
what stall?
/doesn't realise you've noticed the one stall i was looking at in particular, spearing a ball of takoyaki and holding it up to you
here, have some. just be careful, its still hot
/waits for you to take it before i have my own, looking delighted as i take the bite and happily chew, standing close enough to you i slightly brush against you a little in the process
do you like it, seokwoo?

@shoma uno it's really good to see you again too
/when you ask about a gift, i nod once, a smile on my face, though i hold up a hand/
it's something really small, so don't get too excited
but you have to wait for it
/when you pull back, my hand easily hold yours, fingers spreading to allow yours to slot between my own, and giving your fingers a little squeeze between my own bare digits before giving you a little tug/
i've been doing okay- usually better whenever i get your texts
/turning my head, i smile to you, eyes bright while giving our hands a little swing between us/
what about you, shoma?
/speaking quietly, my tone keeping the conversation meant for just the two of us as we head toward the stalls together, i find myself leaning in even closer to you, the differences in our height about the other thing keeping me from putting my face directly in yours before we reach the stalls, looking at the little trinkets being sold, and taking note when you stop, though you tug me along before i can open my mouth to stop you/
huh? oh- sure- you order and i'll treat this time
then we go back to that other stall

@kim seokwoo /nuzzles my face against your chest when you call me silly, embarrassed as i know i sounded needy but i am, having missed you and only realising now, when i hold you, just how much
its so good to see you again, seokwoo
/whispers before i hear you mention me melting something, blinking before i lean my head back, my spine arching as i bend to look up at you, face to face and smiling
a gift? for me?
/searches your eyes for a moment before i nod about going round and having a look about the place, puling back reluctantly but holding your hand in my own, skin meeting skin where my fingers stick out from my gloves
how've you been?
/asks as if i don't text you at least a few times a day, when i can, walking down the path at the beginning of the stalls, seeing things from ornaments to foods and more
/a stall in particular makes me stop, looking at the matching bracelets they have, hand woven too before i look back up at you, wondering if i'd be asking too much to get some, instead i clear my throat and tug you along, pointing to another stall
do you want to try those? they smell delicious

@shoma uno /when you guess correctly, i can't help the grin that rises to my lips and my hands slide into yours after you pull them away from your face, only to give your fingers a gentle little squeeze within my grasp/
that's right!
/when you stand, i smile to you, the expression on my face brightening all the more at getting to see you, even after what seems like a short time apart from each other, though i slip my hands around in yours and help you around the bench to me, only to wind my arms around you the moment you push into my chest/
of course i made it- silly, silly shoma
/tipping my head down while i hug you back, i can't help laughing softly and then giving you a little warning/
just be careful- you might melt your gift
/thinking to the piece of chocolate in my pocket, i tip my head back a little and look at you with a broad smile on my lips before i glance around the park/
why don't we take a walk around before it gets too late?
the vendors might start closing soon- and i don't want to miss the chance to get something here

@kim seokwoo /as feeling begins to return to my fingertips i sigh in relief, wriggling them about a little bit and pressing them between my thighs, hoping they keep them warm a little longer
/the smell of cinnamon among other things has me sniffing at the air, enjoying the scent of christmas as it makes me smile and think its all the more worth the plane ride back to japan i'll be taking pretty much after our date
/jolts a little when i feel hands over my eyes, my eyelids closing naturally under the partial darkness of your hands, smiling when i hear your voice and accent
seokwoo-
/reaches my hands up, placing them over your own and pulling them away gently at the same time i stand up from my perch on the bench
/turning around to face you i smile, my hands still on your own as i gaze at you quietly, my eyes lighting up as i do so, looking more than happy with you right now
you made it
/moves around the bench i was sitting on, hugging you almost immediately as i press my face against your chest, hands curled into your clothing as i do so

@shoma uno /when the day arrived to meet up with you for our second date, the only date we had planned, i had to give a couple of excuses to the members in the dorm as to why i wouldn't be staying for dinner, which resulted in a flurry of questions to dodge on the way out of the door/
i hope he doesn't think this is too silly-
/with a small, and likely cheesy gift for you stowed away in my pocket, i venture to the park taking in the sight of the lights and other decorations transforming the park into a winter wonderland for christmas, though when i realize i'm going to run a couple of minutes late in trying to find you, especially amid plenty of couples lingering in the park into the evening, i decide against texting you and instead rely on my ability to identify you on my own; when i spy you, seated on a bench alone, your curls just as lively as i recall from last time, i attempt to sneak up behind you while stripping off my gloves to stow in my pocket before placing my hands over your eyes/
guess who

@kim seokwoo /having competed just earlier today, one of a couple days to come from the japanese nationals, i found but a moment in the late evening to meet someone special
/bundled in a hoodie with a woolly hat on my head and fingerless gloves on my chilled hands, i glance around as i wait for you, my manager having dropped me off at the winter festival i promised to meet you at, the park having transformed into just that with little sheds strung up with lights and more to make everything feel festive
/wandering around the pathways i tilt my head, looking up at the twinkling star atop a large christmas tree, smiling a little bit to myself as i do so
/forgetting about my earlier performance, despite ranking first so far, and the performance i'll have to give coming up for my free skate, i tell myself to just have a tiny break, just one i spend with you
/pulls my phone free from my back pocket, seeing nothing from you so figuring you're running a little late, not minding though as i take a seat on one of the benches, warming my fingers up as i stretch them in and out, scrunching up my nose when they feel a little prickly but gradually warming up

@lee jieun i will, i will! i'll make my way back safely- you have no reason to worry /watching as you pull away, i wave to you, keeping you within my sights until you disappear within the front door of the building and i turn away, my free hand coming to rest agaisnt my nape before i walk away/ ah- foolishness is meant for youth

@lee joongi then you were just playing with then. /laughing softly, i brush my hair back once i retrieve my hand once more, dipping my head as i smile to myself upon seeing your own smile, and it takes a moment before i can pull myself away from you, making my way reluctantly to the studio, waving lightly to you/ fine, fine. i’ll go, and you make sure to go back safely as well!

@lee jieun i think i've understood for some time /when you rise up, kissing me on the cheek, my eyes widen for a brief instant before my expression settles and i smile brightly to you in return/ i always do, and always will. now shoo- i want to make sure you're safe inside before i leave you here

@lee joongi see? now you understand. /when you clasp my hand over your chest, i pause for a moment to simply look up at you, rising up on my toes to press a gentle kiss to your cheek, glad to know my lipstick doesn’t rub off on your skin, and once i pull back i smile softly to you/ you take care of yourself too, joongi-ah. i’ll see you soon.

@lee jieun i suppose that's fair. we all have our reasons for not wanting love just at this moment. /when you move your hand from mine i follow, bringing my hand to gently clasp yours against my chest, giving your fingers a gentle squeeze beneath mine/ i guess i'll give some effort to that. take care of yourself, jigeum. i'm sure you'll hear from me before long.

@lee joongi it’s not that i’m avoiding it... i just would prefer not to have one right now. just like you said, focusing on projects. /smiling softly as we step forward, i look up and catch myself cursing my busy day silently, though i look over to you and reluctantly pull my hand from yours, reaching up to gently pat your chest/ you should believe in yourself a little more. now, i’m sorry to go, but it seems like i must.

@lee jieun i think it would probably keep people from getting too close as it is. so perhaps that helps if you're trying to avoid a relationship /holding your hand in mine still, i give it yet another squeeze before i force myself to take another step, bringing you ever closer to the point we'll part/ you know i enjoy spending time with you as well. but the other two things-

@lee joongi it can be, but at least it gives me reason to keep from getting into a relationship. i haven’t had any reason to look into a relationship recently, anyway. /humming softly when you squeeze my hand, i look up at you once more, admiring your features as we come to a stop, my fingers squeezing yours/ i know that you’re charming, and handsome, and i enjoy spending time with you.

@lee jieun well isn't it tiring to have others look at everyone you interact with as a potential relationship partner? /unaware that you're already looking to our hands, i do the same, giving yours a gentle squeeze within my own before i tip my head and pause a few steps still from your destination/ and what is this truth you know?

@lee joongi difficult? how so, joongi-ah? /looking up at you, my own steps are slow as we grow closer to where we must part, and i sigh softly while i look down toward our hands, a slow, fond smile stretching over my lips/ you can think whatever you’d like, but i know the truth.