bar

@jung yunho they can just google it. that's the only thing about fame i don't understand - everything you need to know is online, why bother me and invade my privacy?
/shaking my head, i stay silent for a moment, listening to you and furrowing my brows slightly, and i lean in a little closer to you, my tone sincere
yunho, you are a leader. you don't need more than one person by your side to be a leader, you don't need a whole army. hell, all you really need is yourself. and you're one of the best leaders i've ever known.
/nodding a little, i smile as i lean back once more, nodding once to the bartender when he asks if i want a refill, and once it comes to me i lift my glass and hum in thought
current favorite? you'll find i'm still just as boring - monochrome, black and white, the basics. what about you, hm?
/gesturing to you with my glass, i raise a brow, staying quiet as i look you over perhaps with a little too much attentiveness, wondering what's going on in your mind after all this time

@kim junsu that sounds like a pleasant way to spend a birthday to me *nods, lifting my glass, taking a long sip, savoring the taste on my tongue. when i notice your empty glass, i grasp the bottle of soju, refilling it for you* i actually have a couple of motorcycles, but i'm assuming you'd feel more comfortable on mine

@kim jaejoong well. to be blunt, you're an idol. people have always wanted to know anything they could about you
... yeah. if i was leader. i'm not, there's just two of us but you at least have two people to lead
/mumbles with a small smile, looking back over to you again as i set my tumbler glass down, nudging its sides coated in condensation
/rubs at my jaw when you ask those questions, knowing a lot of insecurities are honestly chomping at the bit to let themselves be known but i hush them
you have a point...
but we can make up for lost time now, don't you think?
/sensing you're a little on edge and similar to me i smile again, not realising how attentive i am or thinking it needs praise, just feeling... natural with you
why don't we do something to ease both of our nerves
like asking each other silly little questions?
hmm... current favourite colour?

@jung yunho i mean, it's not like i want to be asked for id anymore. i don't understand why, if i'm so well known, that people have to know my age time and time again.
/rolling my eyes, i sigh a little as i drink, staying quiet while i listen to you, and there's even a fond smile on my lips when you give me praise for such simple things, shaking my head a little
you should be a proud leader, yunho. you've got a lot to be proud of.
/when you snort at my words, i narrow my eyes at first before raising a brow, clearly seeing through your cough and yet i say nothing of it, instead listening to you with a small hum and a nod in understanding
how could i not want to talk with you like this again? i've missed this, i've missed you, too, yunho.
/the admission is simple enough, and yet it still leaves me feeling nervous, holding my breath despite you having said the same thing, and i smile a little sheepishly before finishing off my drink, setting the glass down
it's been too long, since we've been able to really just... relax, be us.

@kim jaejoong jaejoong please. you don't even look your age now but admittedly not young enough to be asked for id any more
/chuckles as you nudge me, lifting my refilled glass to my lips and taking another sip from it, nodding as you explain about japan
i saw you were right there like a shot when they were having the tsunami problems again. offering your physical help instead of just money
i felt like a proud leader for a moment. no matter how ridiculous that is
/lets out an involuntary snort when you mention your image being safe, trying to cover it up with a cough against the back of my hand
very overdue
i know we spoke in the military and all but i was genuinely worried you wouldn't want to talk to me one on one like this again
i'm glad that wasn't the case
/admits with a warm smile in your direction, happy to be able to admit these things and for them to even be true at all
without a doubt, i've missed you very much, jaejoong

@jung yunho it's not like i wanted to - frankly, i'd rather not have been old enough and still being asked to show my id, all because i look a little younger.
/shaking my head a little, i reach to give your shoulder a gentle nudge with my knuckles, and after i take a healthy gulp from my cocktail i nod, smiling softly as i look to you
japan... well, it's a lot easier to get work done there and feel like i'm really doing something, especially when i can promote there.
/shrugging lightly, i look down to my drink and give it a little swirl before taking another sip, and when i look back up at you it's with a smile on my lips
you're just as good at flattering me now as you were in the past. you know, the pictures haven't really calmed down any, but i like to think i'm better at keeping my image safe.
/chuckling under my breath as you tease me, i shake my head at your question, then follow it up with a small shrug, leaning against the bar
i've just been going along with everything. i've got a few ideas, but nothing's really solidly planned. really, i'm glad you caught me, too. i think catching up is long overdue.
/there's more i want to say, but i have to stop myself as i look you over, tilting my head slightly as i bite my tongue to keep from potentially saying too much right now

@kim jaejoong you always looked young, jaejoong. even when we were the same age at like... sixteen you looked twelve or thirteen
i'm telling you, its not fair. you looked all pretty and sweet and then there was me, gap, squiffy teeth and all
/smiling down at my drink as i remember a smaller, more naive me i shake the thought and image away, glancing at you with a smile as you praise our work
i'm glad you think so
mnh... i noticed you gravitated back to japan after enlistment. you seemed happier there than korea
always
/knowing you seem to prefer it there for whatever reason, i have my own theories as to why but feel no need to ask, just content you're comfortable and happy
of course. even with all your half selfies and drunkard ones
kim jaejoong owned the world whenever he could see two of it
/holds up two of my fingers as i speak, teasing you just a little before i laugh again, asking the bartender for a refill of my tumbler glass
any plans coming up more recently though?
i'm glad i still caught you whilst you were still here

@jung yunho you thought right, yunho. i think a cocktail is perfect.
/it's almost a surprise that you can remember all of these things, picking out even the littlest details to remind me of how well we really know each other
/humming softly, i sip carefully from the cocktail, letting my eyes fall shut and bask in the familiarity of the situation, and i open my eyes once more when you speak up
scars or not, you're just as handsome as ever. do you really think i would look this young without product?
/raising a brow, i shake my head a little, only to nod as i watch you and think back to the music videos i've watched, a small smile on my lips
how could i not see the comebacks? they've al been wonderful, really. and hey, at least you're keeping busy. i was doing a show, and other than that, i've been spending a lot of time in japan. i mean, there's only so much i can do.
/pursing my lips, i look up at you, watching as you seem to smile so widely, and my fingers tighten around the glass in my hand simply with the knowledge that i can make you feel a little better
do i? i used to think i was one of those dull stars. but if i shine brightly to you, then it has to be true.

@godfrey gao a wealth of information at our fingertips- yes, it was on the 15th. i had dinner with one of my members and had the opportunity to catch up a little with a... an old friend /taking another drink from the glass of soju, i finish off the glass and set it back upon the table empty, my fingers still poised on the rim/ a drive? or- well a motorcycle ride, i suppose, since i would be on the back of yours. sure?

@kim junsu thank goodness for google - so your birthday was on the 15th? i hope you got to celebrate your day *nods, my smile softening as i place my glass on the table, gazing at you across the expanse of wood between us* yes, motorcycles - i owe a couple, and i was wondering if you'd be interested in taking a little drive with me? since you're not familiar with them, you could ride on the back of mine if you'd like

@kim jaejoong it was between wine and cocktails. i thought cocktail was the better choice for the moment
wine always seemed to be your home alone drink
/watches for your reaction to the cocktail, waiting and then smiling in relief when you do really seem to enjoy it, chuckling to myself after
ah see well there's a skill i don't have either. besides, when you have as many scars as i do there's no point hiding them, is there?
/nods when you tell me how you've been, leaning my chin into the palm of one of my hands as i easily fall into the old feeling of sitting and listening to you, as if we're just catching up after a long day
have you been seeing changmin and i's comebacks then? we're busy with japanese promotions at the moment and myself with drama scripts
you know i love work so its been making me happy. i always need to be doing something it seems
but you were on a show not too long ago, right? with younger idols going on trips to places? i'm ashamed to say i haven't caught it properly because of work but it looked fun and you seemed to be enjoying yourself
/finding myself smiling slowly, my eyes disappearing slightly before i add on with a small nod in your direction
you always did shine brightest when you were surrounded by people

@jung yunho /as i lean one elbow on the bar, my body is turned toward you with both of my feet resting on the bar of the stool, and i smile as i look over you
do you really think i'd mind?
you know me well. honestly, not much has changed, so i'm glad you knew what to order.
/lifting my glass, i gesture toward you before taking a first sip of the cocktail, humming softly from the taste before i look up at you once more, raising a brow at your words
you're flattering me, yunho.
you don't even look any older than the rest of us. if you really want to know, it's just makeup.
/chuckling softly, i shake my head a little before you ask me how i've been, and i smile a little while tilting my head to the side
i've been doing well, keeping myself busy with whatever i can. you've been hard at work, i saw. are you enjoying yourself?

@kim jaejoong /hearing a familiar voice i look up just then, my tumbler glass in hand as i set it down and swallow the sip i had taken from its contents
/smiles at the joke, having you sit beside me before i sit up a little more, turning in my stool to face you properly now
i did. i hope you don't mind
its been a while since we drank together, i was hoping your choice in drinks hadn't changed too much
/gestures to the cocktail waiting there for you, propping my elbow against the counter whilst i look at you still, offering you another smile
you look great as always jaejoong
its not fair. all of you seem to look younger with the years. did you find the fountain of youth and neglect to tell me about it?
/deciding to try joking to make the mood feel even easier between us, i sip from my glass once more then gesture to you
so how have you been? i haven't really seen you since enlistment

@godfrey gao i haven't been out long- it may have been a little more than a month, but time sort of bleeds together. /the corner of my mouth rises in a slight smirk/ what man is able to rest? /with you sipping from your whiskey i watch you for a moment, bringing my glass to my lips to take a small sip, my voice quiet when my lips shape about your name/ this is my time off around my birthday, frey- happy birthday to me. /seeing that flash in your eyes, i lift a brow in question/ motorcycles? i can't say i really remember ever being on one. why do you ask?

@kim junsu you've only been out for a month? *one of my eyebrows arches, and i blink in disbelief* i'm surprised you tackled the musical so quickly. no wonder you're tired *nods, taking another sip of my whiskey before i speak again* you should take some time off around your birthday - enjoy yourself *my eyes flash, and i lean forward, smiling* do you like motorcycles, junsu?

@godfrey gao /preferring the light citrus note in the soju when it hurts my palate, even as it leaves a burn at the back of my throat, i manage to keep myself from little more than the quiet groan that leaves my lips/ let's see how long it takes to get those truths then. /setting the glass down, my fingers are poised at the rim, holding it and rocking it around its base while i sit in thought for a moment/ my plans? i can't say at the moment i have more than a few ideas- between the musical, turning thirty-two, and only really being a civilian again for a month- it takes a lot out of a man.

@kim junsu *nodding, a hint of a smile on my lips when our glasses clink, i take a swig of my whiskey, closing my eyes briefly, noticing a caramel note mixing with the oaky alcohol burn* i think that's a great idea, junsu *my eyes open slowly* after a few of these you'll get some truths out of me, but until then, let's talk about something else *tips my head to the side, twirling my glass with one hand* what are you plans besides the musical you're performing in? i bet there are a lot of people who are clamoring for new music from you

@godfrey gao what else are friends for? /thought i want to interrupt you in order to do the pour myself, the fact that you pour the alcohol for me leaves me with my lips gaped for a moment before i accept the glass and hold my own, gently tapping your rim with mine/ and even if it doesn't right away, i'm more than happy to wait until you're ready to talk- we can always talk about something else in the meantime?

@kim junsu *returning to our table, i hand you a bottle of soju and a glass before i slide into the booth opposite you, placing my whiskey in front of me, both hands wrapped around it* i appreciate that you're willing to listen, junsu, but i'm not even sure where to begin *taking the bottle of soju, i pour you a glass before i hold up my whiskey* maybe the whiskey will loosen my tongue

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@jung yunho /managing to get up the nerves to focus and dress, it was easy for me to make my way over to the bar once i convinced myself it wasn't going to be as hard as i was thinking
/with a red button up tucked into black jeans, black jacket over my shoulders, i step into the bar and cast a glance around the place, my eyes falling on your back, finding it to be easy to spot you even after all this time
/smiling, i head toward you, tucking my hands into my pockets as i come to stand by you, my gaze falling to your profile while you look forward
is this seat taken?
/chuckling at my own words, i slide into the seat next to you, setting a foot on the bar of the stool and leaning back a little in my spot while i come to rest a hand on the bar while the other leaves my pocket to rest on my thigh
sorry, i had to. you already ordered, i see.

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@kim jaejoong /walks over to the bar as i glance around the place, appreciating the dimmer lighting after a day in front of bright lights
/sitting at the counter i prop myself up on one of the high stools, pulling off my leather gloves one at a time before tucking them into the jacket of my pocket, the bartender taking both items and hanging them up for me whilst i'm here
/holding up to fingers to the man i order a dry gin on the rocks, a cocktail for yourself and wondering, hoping your taste in alcohol hasn't changed much
/catching my reflection in the mirror wall behind the bar, i check that i still look presentable, from the burgundy polo neck to the black slacks, a white button up tucked in at the hem with matching black braces resting over my shoulders, one of which i adjust with a nudge of my hand
/folds one long leg over the other, thanking the bartender as the drinks appear and i'm left just waiting for you now, checking the time on my watch before i look to the door, facing back around to the bar though as i figure you'll be here soon enough

@godfrey gao it's not quite as simple as that- /keeping quiet, i'm only left staring a moment when you reject my card which i slide away, not wishing to draw attention with a disagreement/ you realize i don't mind lending an ear to a friend, don't you- /yet before i can say more you're away, leaving me to slide into the booth alone, hands resting flat against the table at first while i play with my fingers and wait/

@kim junsu yet, still a star who thousands of people love *tipping my head to one side, i nod when you ask for soju, waving your card away when you offer it to me* you're doing me a favor - i'd be a mess if i was here alone drinking. plus, you're going to have to listen to me and my tale of woe. i'll take care of this *without waiting for your response, i head to the bar, asking the bartender for a bottle of soju and a double whiskey, no ice*

@godfrey gao a star who has spent all but the past month off serving his country. /murmuring quietly when you agree to go to the bar, i place a hand on the surface of the table and bring my other hand to my hair as i contemplate what to order/ i'll just drink soju- and here /reaching into the pocket of my jacket i withdraw my wallet and slip out my card to hand over/ you can leave this with them for our tab

@kim junsu i can go to the bar if you'd like *nods, a smile lifting the corners of my mouth, my face relaxing now that we've reached the bar* you're the kpop star, not me - besides, i want to buy the first round *glances at the bar, relieved that it's not too crowded* what would you like, junsu?

@godfrey gao hm? oh- good thinking /my eyes move toward the booth you point out, and i nod once in approval before moving through the narrow open space of the floor to make it there, glancing over my shoulder to make sure you're following/ shall we decide who'll have to go to the bar to order?

@kim junsu sounds good to me *my eyes sweep the bar, and i point out a booth that seems to offer the most privacy* how about over there, my friend *catches myself before i say your name just in case there are kpop fans nearby* i think we could have a nice conversation there

@godfrey gao a sign that you should talk things out more often- /after you step inside, i follow you in and let the door fall shut behind us while tipping my head up to look properly at you from this close beside you/ perhaps a booth would be best? it's a little more private and a little more comfortable than sitting on a barstool