⁰² sʟᴏᴡ

@kwangsuk o. ᵃ but you've got the cutest cheeks when you chipmunk food in them!
coos and sneaks a soft peck to your lips,

@ᴴ jihoon l. ᵒ rolls my eyes with a playful grin, leaning to nuzzle my nose to yours
i could say the same for you my love

@kwangsuk o. ᵃ noooooo it's you! just look at this face, and these cheeks
reaches up and squishes your cheeks with a smile

@ᴴ jihoon l. ᵒ me? noooo youuu
grabs ahold of you and smiles

@kwangsuk o. ᵃ heckin adorable
gives you a big ol smooch

@ᴴ jihoon l. ᵒ not sure babe, i just felt like saying hm~
chuckles a bit

@kwangsuk o. ᵃ What chu hm'in about baby

hm

@sunggyu k. ᵒ *even through the barrier of my shirt, your hands warm my chest, and i find myself bending over you protectively, one of my arms circling your waist, my fingers caressing your lower back, my movements slow and rhythmic, as i mumble soft words of comfort to you. while my free hand your soft hair, i'm unable to remember the last time i've held someone in my arms like this. it dawns on me that i'm not sure if anyone has ever made me feel like i do in this moment. all the people i'd been involved with in the past hadn't meant anything to me, and the encounters had been emotionless - kisses and hugs weren't necessary. it had just been the physical act of , and i'd never cared about the pleasure of anyone but myself. standing here, trying to soothe you after my inappropriate words, i tell myself that this must be what it feels like when true mates hold each other. as the implication of this thought sinks in, i groan against your throat, the sound rumbling deep inside me, the expanse of your pale skin tempting me when you tip your head to one side. it's at this moment that i wake up from the dream i've allowed myself to get lost in, and i pull away, my eyes betraying my confusion* sunggyu - *your name sounds like a question, but when you forgive me so readily, i can't help but smile, my shoulders slumping as relief washes over me. your fingers heat my my skin as your thumbs run along my cheekbones, and i find myself staring at you when you allow your hands to find a resting spot on my shoulders* i don't want it to end either *slipping one of my hands into my pocket, i rub the shell, my smile a little lopsided as i struggle with all the feelings that are overwhelming me* i hope this shell works very well - because i need it to protect you too from now on *without hesitating, i wrap my arms around your waist, hugging you again, already growing addicted to the sensation of your body pressing against mine* i can honestly say that i've never felt like this before in my life - it can't end - it can't *turning my head, i press my lips against your throat, the muscles of my arms flexing, drawing you nearer to me as my mouth scatters wet kisses over your pliant skin*

@hyunwoo s. ᵃ *his breath hitched as he found himself suddenly pulled into your embrace, his hands bracing against your chest while he naturally came to tuck his head beneath your chin like he was meant to fit just like that. his tears were momentarily kept at bay from the initial shock of your inviting warmth, your unwavering form like a reassuring rock he could lean on in a storm. it had been so long since he'd been close to anyone that he'd forgot how overwhelmingly safe it felt to be in another's arms and he found himself leaning gratefully into you without a second thought as your fingers carded through his snowy tresses, breathing deeply of your scent until he was nearly dizzy with it. Still, he had enough clarity of mind to shake his head when you tried to completely bear the blame for what happened before you nuzzled into the crook of his neck and successfully robbed him of any capacity of higher thought. In a split second he was driven by instinct, tilting his head with a content sigh to give you better access to the pale column of his throat in a show of submission... Feeling you pull back brought reality crashing down upon him and he felt his cheeks heat up in a mixture of shame and embarrassment over such a base display, his eyes just as wild and confused as they searched yours. Yet he wasn't angry, not for the earlier question or the slip up now. This, whatever it was that was between them, was worth so much more than petty grudges. Reaching up to gently cup your cheeks, he felt that familiar fullness in his chest once more and an affectionate smile graced his lips* ... Shh... I do. I forgive you. * his thumb along the curve of your cheekbone before his hands slipped down to rest against your broad shoulders* ... I meant it, though, Hyunwoo. If something happened, I- ... *couldn't even bear to put it into words and shakes his head, fixing you with determined, imploring orbs* That shell better work its magic and keep you safe. Because I don't want this to end here... Okay?

@sunggyu k. ᵒ *even though i have no idea why you're so upset, i realize i've struck a nerve, and i know that if i could go back in time, i would never tease you about misfortune befalling anyone. as your eyes manage to meet mine, i hiss softly, the intake of air sharp and sudden, when i see your tears forming, ready to spill. even though you look away, the image of your dark orbs filled with concern because of my rash question is burned into my mind. the proverbial last straw is when i hear you mumble a sincere apology to me, the instigator of your heartache. without thinking, i wrap my arms around you, pulling you against my broad chest, one hand resting on your lower back, the other reaching up to your hair, my fingers combing through your silver locks. whispering soft words of comfort into your ear, my breath warming your skin with each syllable, i have to swallow hard when your scent wafts over me, the familiar harbinger of winter snow making it difficult for me to maintain my already shaky control* please don't cry because of me, sunggyu - and you have nothing to be sorry about. i was being foolish, hoping to elicit some kind of sweet response from you about my well-being, but i can see i've stumbled onto a sensitive subject. if anyone should be apologizing, it's me *biting my lip, i take a deep breath, immediately realizing what a mistake i've made when your scent seems to permeate my skin, becoming part of me, making it impossible for me to concentrate. functioning on instinct, i tighten my arms around you, burying my face against your throat, my nose bumping against you as i try to close any remaining distance between us. i want nothing more than to taste your skin, but in a flash of clarity, i recognize the boundaries i'm crossing, and pulling back, i stare at you, my eyes wide and confused* sunggyu - i - i lost my head *staring at you, unsure what is happening to me, i mumble* please forgive me

@hyunwoo s. ᵃ *after nearly thirty years of life, Sunggyu had learned that he couldn't be soft if he wanted to survive some of the challenges life threw at him. Normally the omega was carefully guarded to protect himself from such affronts, but it was so easy to let his defenses down in your presence that he hadn't even realized how vulnerable he was until the verbal assault had hit home. Even though he knew you could have never meant to hurt him, that you couldn't possibly know how delicate the subject was, all his wards immediately shot up and he found himself snapping on reflex like an animal that had been backed into a corner. Not with his teeth but with his words, betrayal clear in the accusatory bite of his tone. He could have done worse... but the guilt that sunk in when he sensed your hurt was immediate. The question may have wounded him, yet the thought of upsetting you in return didn't settle well with him either. Why should it matter that much? More over, why did the possibility of losing you feel like a gaping hole had been driven through his very core? His mind reeled with these questions and he closed his eyes tightly to try to chase away the sting of emotion until he felt the reassuring weight of your hands against his shoulders. It was a simple gesture and he should have shrugged it off... but he couldn't. Didn't want to. He clung to that small semblance of comfort that was the only thing grounding him in that moment* Something bad befalling you is not anything to joke about... *when he could finally speak, he was ashamed of how small his voice sounded, devoid of its usual self assurance that you had admired earlier. Mustering a nod at the apology, he leaned just slightly into the brush of your hand against his cheek in an attempt to nuzzle it in a show of acceptance* I know. *it came out as a shaky sigh as he finally brought himself to meet your gaze, immediately regretting it when he felt tears well up in his eyes and he had to glance away to gather himself* I know you didn't mean it... I'm sorry.

@sunggyu k. ᵒ *hearing you talk about collecting shells, i find myself buying into your daydream, imagining us standing together, the ocean sloshing around our ankles as we stroll along the shoreline, our bare feet sinking into the wet sand, but even as i fantasize about a trip to the sea, i know it's unlikely to happen with the restrictions of our community hanging over us. smiling at you as i slip my lucky charm back into my pocket, my fingers lingering on the small shell as if it's imbued with some of your spirit after it's brief respite in the palm of your hand, i'm surprised by the vehemence of your response to my question, expecting some kind of witty comeback, not such an emotional reaction* sunggyu - i - *watching you cover your mouth as if my inquiry was a physical force that had struck you across the face, i feel a wave of guilt wash over me because of my poorly chosen words* i guess it's been a long time since anyone has cared about my well-being *ashamed, i glance down, one of my hands reaching up to nervously smooth my shirt over my chest, plucking at one of the buttons as i try to find the words to explain myself* i was hoping you'd tease me about being careful - i never meant to frighten you *leaning closer to you, i rest both of my hands on your shoulders, wanting to see your eyes* i'm truly sorry *one of my hand reaches up, the back of it rubbing your cheek gently, trying to soothe you* just chalk it up to my social awkwardness, okay? *tipping my head to one side, hoping that you'll look at me, i whisper* please

@hyunwoo s. ᵃ I've read other people's descriptions in books, but I prefer yours. It's different than just reading it between the pages. You make it seem real. *as much as he loves his books, no matter how much emotion or description was on the page, it still didn't live up to a real person telling you it. Listening to their voice, hearing the admiration in it. There was a beauty in you recounting your experience that could never quite be replicated in ink* Maybe we could find others. We could grab one for every trip. *it was wishful thinking, but he still found himself smiling wistfully at the thought. He wanted to go with you to the very edge of their little corner of the earth, to stand next to you in the waves and feel them lap against his bare feet in the sand. Holding out the shell, Sunggyu felt a flickering warmth spread in the center of his chest as your fingers brushed subtly against his palm, the touch like a shock that lingered even after your hand had left his to tuck the shell safely away in your pocket once more. He didn't have any time to collect himself before you posed such an unexpected question. The sinking feeling of loss was so jarring that it was as if the very ground had been torn asunder beneath him and he found himself teetering on the edge of some great, black abyss. It wasn't the first time he'd peered into it either and the ivory haired omega reached up to cover his mouth with his hand, speaking through the sudden lump threatening to choke him up* ... Of course it would. W... Why would you ask something like that?

@sunggyu k. ᵒ *as i speak, doing my best to describe the vision of the ocean that i cherish in my memory, i can see your enthusiasm waning, and i realize you must be having second thoughts about violating the rules of our community and venturing beyond the confines of our village* i'm sure someone else could describe it a lot better than i can - the sound of the waves crashing on the beach, the sensation of wet sand against the soles of your feet, the clean scent of ocean *shrugging, i'm surprised when you reach out and rest your hand on my shoulder, a bewildered smile on my lips when i realize you're trying to reassure me, though the touch of your fingers does the exact opposite, spreading an unfamiliar tingling sensation over my skin. as i hand you my prized shell, i almost protest when you drop your hand, but i catch myself, trying to school my features so they don't betray the emotions warring inside me* i thought so too, but i guess it depends on the type of shell that it is - *realizing i have very little knowledge, i take the shell when you hold it out to me, purposely allowing my fingers to run along the palm of your hand as i accept it, rubbing my thumb over it as is my habit before i return it to my pocket* i've had this shell for a long time, and it hasn't failed me yet *blinking, my face a mask when you hope it keeps working, i mumble* would it bother you if it ever let me down?

@hyunwoo s. ᵃ *it really was a crazy idea. Though he felt you wouldn't let any harm come to him, there were still countless dangers in the wilderness. If nothing happened while they were out, surely Namjoon would have both of their tails if he found out. Could he really risk you getting into trouble because of him? The anxious excitement that fluttered like butterflies within him all while he listened to you describe the beauty of the ocean began to fade as this realization hit him... If they got caught, he would be responsible for ruining your life. That was even more frightening than any adversary waiting beyond the borders. God, he was a fool to ever think he'd see it... But at least you could paint a firsthand picture for him* It sounds perfect, Hyunwoo. I could really imagine it. *he reassured you with a gentle hand on your shoulder, trying to ease your unwarranted frustration over such a beautiful description. It was rare that he ever shared any contact and he found himself momentarily taken aback by how easily he'd reached out to you, without a thought. He only pulled back when you fished in your pocket for something, his brows raising in silent question as he held out his hand. The shell was lighter than he ever expected as it rested in his palm, delicate but sturdy at the same time. Polished smooth by the brine and sand, and colored in a way that he'd never seen in nature. He turned it over with calculated finesse as if he was afraid to break it, his fingertips tracing over the little ridges* It's beautiful... How does it get the color? I always thought they'd be all white. *smiles, his thumb sweeping the inner, colorful dip of the shell before holding it out for you again* I'm glad it has kept you safe long enough so we could meet. It better keep doing its job.

/steps in, moving to one of the empty sofas to sit down, as he combed his fingers through his hair.-

@sunggyu k. ᵒ *when you don't hesitate, ready to take the risk to reach the outer limits of our boundaries so that you can see what else the world possesses, i smile, even though, deep down, i know i shouldn't be encouraging you to do something brimming with so much potential danger. instinctively, i understand that you're not daunted by the risk which might not be the first thought one has about someone who's spent their life surrounded by books. like me, i can tell you'd like to see more, and smiling at the thought of this shared secret between us, i try to answer your questions as best as i can* i know many of us don't like the water, but i actually enjoy swimming, always have since i was young - and i will admit, i did hazard a swim several times - the water is cold and salty, but unlike some of the murky ponds and lakes i've swum in, it's clear and fine *blinks for a moment when i think about sand* it's grainy, and sometimes hard to walk on, but there is something about an expanse of wet sand against your bare feet - *unable to find the words, i shrug, frustrated* you'll have to try it yourself to understand *my eyes widen for a moment, and i suddenly reach into my pocket* i forgot - this is my good luck charm *i place a small shell in the palm of your hand, the outer ridges white and beige, the inside shiny, with hints of pale purple and pink*

@hyunwoo s. ᵃ *like in one of his rare, exciting books, Sunggyu hung onto every word. His whole life he had been dreaming of seeing something like in his books, though he couldn't quite explain why. He just needed to know that there was something else out there, something beautiful and real... Because he could no longer find that within the pack's borders. Until now. You'd given him hope and that was realest thing he'd felt in a long time. Why you would go out of your way for someone like him, who you just met, was beyond him, but he felt a familiar ache in the center of his chest at the thoughtfulness of it. Not many people would do that* I'd take the risk. It's worth it.

*sighs as you described the sight, a content and wistful smile gracing his lips as he tried to imagine it* Goddess... That sounds perfect. Almost too good to be true. Did you go into the water? What is sand like? Wait- no. Ignore that. That's a silly question. *chuckles*

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@sunggyu k. ᵒ *the change in your tone is obvious to me, but even if i'd failed to pick up on it, there's no chance i'd miss the way your expression falls when you admit that you've never strayed from our village* you're life isn't over yet. sunggyu *when you lean toward me, i want to reach out an pat your shoulder reassuringly, but i find myself at a loss. blinking, i realize it's because i'm taking your feelings into account, something, as an alpha, i rarely ever do, and i'm not just doing as i please with no thought for how you might react* if you'd be willing to take the risk, i could take you there *nodding, the thought of returning a smile to your face uppermost in my mind, i flash an encouraging grin at you* it really is beautiful - the roar of the ocean is a sound i'll never forget, and the sky turns yellow and orange and red when the sun goes down *my eyes light up as i confess what i've seen, a secret i've never divulged to anyone else but i've always wanted to share*

@hyunwoo s. ᵃ No... I've been here my whole life. *There was a slight sadness in his tone when he admitted that, the reality of just how far away and seemingly unobtainable his dream of far off lands was fully sinking in now that he'd uttered it outloud. Hearing you mention that you might get in trouble, Sunggyu instinctively leaned in conspiratorially so it could be kept between them. The last thing he expected was for you to offer to take him outside. He'd read about the ocean, of the seemingly endless stretch of water and how beautiful the sunset looked as it disappeared beyond the horizon, and he felt his skin prickle with goosebumps in anticipation of seeing it* I've read about it, but- ... could you really take me there? Is it as beautiful as they say in books? *looks at you hopefully*

@sunggyu k. ᵒ *your smile surprises me, and i find myself staring, but after a few moments, i give my head a shake, my fringe falling over my eyes* you've never seen outside? *blinks* i'll probably get in trouble for mentioning this, but - *shrugging, my usual good-natured smile adorning my face, i lean a little closer to you, lowering my voice* you could come with me on one of my rounds - we could go to the edge of the boundary *nods conspiratorially, eyes shining like child who has gotten away with something* have you ever seen the ocean? *thumps my chest* i have - and i could take you there

@hyunwoo s. ᵃ I never imagined you were dull. *tries to reassure you, offering a soft smile that he only reserved for those he felt comfortable with and that often graced his lips when he was reading a part of a book he particularly liked* and, for the record, you don't look it either. I'm actually jealous you get to see the outside. I've spent my whole life in this pack... The only glimpse I've had of what lies beyond is in books.

@sunggyu k. ᵒ *chuckles softly, lowering my gaze, my expression turning self-deprecating* now you're the one who is flattering me *when i raise my eyes, my smile brightens my whole face* one reason i like being a watchman is the freedom to explore the edges of our community. i'm sure i've seen things that many of our fellow wolves will never experience, so, for that, i'm proud to use my brawn for the good of all. besides, when i'm on watch, my mind is free to think of many things - i'm not nearly as dull as i look, you know *nods, my laughter returning, at my own expense*

@hyunwoo s. ᵃ *cracks a smile* As flattering as that is, you give me far too much credit. It's just a skill. The more you practice, the better you get. You're definitely clever enough. *saw a familiar gleam in your eyes when he mentioned the borders, but wasn't sure if it was because you disapproved of the thought. Most wolves were so opposed to even thinking about what was beyond their safe little haven* When you say it like that, it almost sounds like you don't think what you do is productive? It means a lot, Hyunwoo. You keep us all safe.

@sunggyu k. ᵒ *shrugs when you mention that i have a good head on my shoulders* it's good enough to work as a watchman, but not nearly clever enough to work with books like you do *my eyes shine when you mention the borders, knowing i would love nothing more than to stray across them* i'm sure the books are important whether they're old or not. it must feel good to be doing such productive work

@hyunwoo s. ᵃ Huh. I would have pegged you as younger. Based on appearance, I mean. You clearly have a good head on your shoulders than other younger wolves. *raises his brows in surprise when you admired his work* interesting? Most people wouldn't think so. I... wish sometimes we could venture outside the borders. Maybe then I could find other books. But it's mostly older tomes - from long before we were born.

@sunggyu k. ᵒ i'll be 27 in a few months *nods proudly as if i'm a toddler who has just starting learning my numbers and is happy to tell everyone that i'm three years old* ah, a librarian *says the word like it's some kind of magical profession because i have a deep love and respect for books, though, as an alpha who tends to work in some sort of protective arena, i would never confess that to anyone* that must be interesting work - and important for the community too

@hyunwoo s. ᵃ *admires the genuine smile and the adorable way your eyes nearly disappear with it* Really? I wouldn't have guessed you were close to my age. *nods at the question* Yeah, I'm a librarian. Well, more of an archivist. It sounds cooler. Most of the books in there are so old, I spend the majority of time restoring them or copying the ones I can't save.