Library

@hyunjin h. /the smiles goes bashful, head ducking down slightly at the idea that you might want to paint anything as mundane as their dancing.
You should have seen me when I was performing every day instead of just practicing every other day. I was much more graceful.
/letting the next act of the ballet play over the speakers, they lean down and press a kiss to the top of your head.
You can do whatever you like, Jini. I did volunteer myself for your projects whenever you liked.
Just make sure to keep me cute, please~
/Their words are playful again, matching the uptick in tempo as they go back to the practice they'd booked, trying not to be too distracted by the desire to spend more time with you.

@yetao h. /he watches in quiet awe as you practice, snapping pictures occasionally, determined to find the perfect one to be able to bring to life on canvas later. Maybe it could even be one of his class projects, the idea excited him and he snapped as many pictures as he could while you practiced/
/when you finally come to a stop he looks up to smile at you, the same awe still visible in his expression/
How could there be anything better than watching you?
You were beautiful. I took pictures, I hope you don't mind. I want to draw one later.

@hyunjin h. /they hum along to the music as they go through their routine, though the beautiful music and the hard toes of their pointe shoes drown out the humming quite well. Their eyes focused only on the mirror, their movements, and their every imperfection. Hands not quite right, toes not pointed hard enough, their shoulders slumped a fraction of a beat too soon. Even in the fluid motions they'd practiced ad nauseam, Yetao saw only the flaws that a ballerina would notice.
/When they stop, breathless with little wisps of hair falling down to frame their face, and face you, they offer a smile. Pulling out their phone to turn down the music.
I thought you had better things to be doing than watching me, silly~

@yetao h. /busying himself with folding up the sweats he tries to ignore the heat on his cheeks at your comment, he was never usually the shy type but he was suddenly feeling the need to hide himself and that feeling only grew stronger at the kiss placed on his cheek/
I always wanted to kiss in the rain, but I think the reality might be less fun than the fantasy on that one.
/his gaze flickers back to you when you begin warming up, and he's already in awe as he watches you. He itches to take a picture and he pulls out his phone to get a few shots to hopefully sketch out on canvas later./

@hyunjin h. Keep calling yourself that and I'm going to start asking for a taste.
/they grin; the look being traded for a mild confusion at the outheld hand. The offer was surprising, but they also didn't usually practice with others around for their studio sessions. The sweats are handed over, and they place their bag near where you sit as well.
Thank you.
/a pause, then they lean in and kiss your cheek
That's the first time I've been right with an assumption about you - you look like the romance type. At least now I know kissing you in the rain won't be seen as too cheesy.
/they hum with a soft smile, pulling away to hook their phone up to the speaker system; turning on an orchestral piece to warm up at one of the barres.

@yetao h. I told you, certified cheeseboard.
/his lips quirk into a small smile to mirror yours as he watches you get get. He doesn't know much about ballet, it wasn't a style he had ever learned but he always envied. He would never have that kind of grace, but that was why he danced as a hobby. He never had the courage to try to major in it./
/he holds his hand out for your sweats, intending to fold them and tuck them away in your bag for now. The question causing heat to flood his cheeks and he clears his throat as he looks away/
I... tend to read romance novels? Like John Green and Nicholas Sparks. I watch The Notebook at least once a year.

@hyunjin h. That was... Cheesy.
/they sigh, but the sound is far from exasperated, instead sounding out the smile on their lips. They pull off their street shoes and socks and begin the process of getting their shoes on - pads and cotton and wraps going around their toes - before they put on their pointe shoes. They stand when they're done, blinking and looking at their reflection before tugging down their sweats; revealing a pair of black leggings without a second thought. Their second nature not even registering how strange it might be to strip down in front of you.
Do you have a favorite book I should be aware of?
/asks softly, looking at you with a fond smile as they pack up their street clothes in their dance bag.

@yixing z. Despite it being probably one of the most stressful days this week, Youngkyun had manage to get out of work for the evening so he could chill out in the library and study in silence.
Even though he may come off as someone who didn’t pay attention in class, Youngkyun is surprisingly passing all of his classes with ease. Being a hermit came in handy as he wasn’t bothered with trivial matters like going to clubs or being asked to hang out after class and all the sorts of events most individuals go out and do.
As he walked through the double doors of the library he took a moment to peer around for an empty table though there was none.
He mentally sighed to himself before strolling towards a table where only one person was sitting, Youngkyun had one earbud in as music is his therapy so he was constantly listening to a tune.
With not much of a conversation nor bothering to see who was sitting at the table already, he extended his arm to pulm out the chair across from the other person as he set his backpack on the table so he can sit down.
Taking a moment to his bag and pull out a medical book, he spoke briefly in a whisper but loud enough to be heard
“I’m sitting here.” Was all he said, not feeling the need to elaborate any further while he opened his book to his last tab and began to read silently.

@yetao h. I like that plan a lot
/laughing softly he playfully pretends to stumble when you bump into them/
Books? I can't wait to hear about all your favorites
/following you into the dance studio he sets his own bag down against the wall, sitting down across from you and watching you look for your shoes, calmer and happier than he thought he would be with his ex all but forgotten about already/
I don't see how you don't dazzle everywhere you go
/he said with upmost honesty, his eyes sparkling with fondness and mirth/

@hyunjin h. Mhmm. Let's not hurt each other - To the best of our abilities.
/they nod, waddling in closer and nudging your shoulder with their own, giving you a grin.
I'm cute for nerding out over a dinosaur? Wait until we talk books.
/winks, and then they open the door to the dance building, easily leading the way to the studio they booked: a classic ballet studio with hard floors, a wall of mirrors with a barre, and a couple of rolling barres along the far wall. The door is shut behind you and they reluctantly release your hand to take off their bag. Flopping down quite unceremoniously on the hardwood floor to find their shoes.
Ooh, you have a super fun class! All my non-arts-based classes were boring. Save for this one literature class. We had a teacher that favored Murakami so I was able to dazzle~ /they laugh, breaking their search to do jazz hands along with the word.

@yetao h. I can understand that, I think I would prefer that too.
I don't want to play the are we or aren't we game, people get hurt that way, and that's the last thing I want.
/your endearing ramble about your favorite dinosaur almost reduced him to a useless puddle of goo, he was shocked he didn't completely melt from it but his insides definitely did/
You are so cute
I will teach you all the dinosaur facts I'm learning while I study. I think we're going out fossil collecting later this semester, I'll bring you back something cool

@hyunjin h. Yep. I like when things are... clear. Expectations, boundaries, where we stand~
It's why I give up so easily on people who don't text back. Too much gray area.
/they muse with a faked pout, lips pressed outward to an exaggerated degree; the look lasting mere seconds before their smile is back and brighter with the topic at hand
Oooh but dinosaurs are so cool! My favorite is the Parasaurolophus - it has a duck bill and the horn on it's head that functioned as a trumpet for warning the herd when danger was close by.
/their excitement turns sheepish after they finish, giving you an apologetic shrug
... I don't have many other interesting facts. Maybe you can teach me some while we study~

@yetao h. /a deeper blush paints his cheeks at the unexpected kiss, and he feels a rush of warmth through him that makes it easier to breathe, he didn’t even realize the anxiety he’d been holding on to until it was gone/
I like that idea. Ground rules are smart, for both of us.
/trailing along beside you, he lightly swings their hands to match your energy/
It’s not art, sadly I have to take a few non art classes still and I’m taking a class about dinosaurs.

@hyunjin h. /when your hand is firmly in theirs, they tug you closer, leaning up to press a sweet kiss to your cheek.
Let's talk about it tonight and set up some ground rules for exploring?
/their offer is sincere, and given with a smile before they shoulder their own bag, happily taking you from the library and towards the dance hall; a little bounce in their steps.
What are you even studying for? I didn't know art came with homework~

@yetao h. No it's not really moving slow, but it's an open invitation anyway
/shrugs, glancing away before he looks back at you, shaking his head just slightly/
No, I suppose the library isn't the best place
/he concedes easily, it's definitely a conversation to have in private, maybe they were moving too fast but maybe it was just fast enough. It didn't feel too fast, but maybe it was his touch starved heart doing the thinking for him./
/standing up he takes your hand with a small smile/
Lead the way

@hyunjin h. /while organizing doesn't go as easily as they anticipated, it's really your words that almost let them drop all the papers, biting their lips together.
Every night? That's certainly not moving slow, my dear.
I'm not opposed to seeing where this takes us... Though... Is the library really the place to have this conversation?
/they concluded with a laugh, placing the paperwork into your bag and standing quickly after, just to push their chair back into it's correct place. After offering you a hand, with a wiggle of their fingers to indicate the urgency in wanting to have some form of contact with you again.

@yetao h. You could stay over every night if you wanted
/looks up when your hand touches his cheek, his smile shy and his cheeks dusted with pink. He was never good at hiding his emotions, everything he felt was easily visible in his expression/
What if I want to do things? More than holding hands, would that still be okay?
/turning back to his stuff he grabs his bag, opening it for you to dump the papers in to. He would sort them out later and try to remember what his quiz was about so he could study properly/

@hyunjin h. You sure you want me to stay over again?
/they note the lip bite, gently reaching over to your cheek, ever careful of their acrylic nails as to not hurt you.
Hey, we don't have to do anything. Not even hold hands!
I'll be the good one tonight if you just want to unwind and relax - How's that sound?
/they offer with a bright smile, reaching across the table to gather up your papers for you, trying to organize the notes as best they can.

@yetao h. Yeah? That would be nice
You could alway stay in my dorm tonight, if you wanted.
/he offers despite the sudden spike of anxiety that has him biting his lip, a bad habit he can't seem to break. You make him nervous but in the best way, it's easy to get addicted to the feeling/

@hyunjin h. /they lean into the embrace, trying to hide the flush that comes over their cheeks by nuzzling into you; The familiar fluttering starting in the bottom of their stomach with the gentle kiss on their cheek
Maybe I can help you study later?
We can grab a pizza and I can quiz you.

@yetao h. /he can't help laughing at your response, pressing a kiss to your cheek and hugging you tighter for a moment because you were too cute/
If you want to, but I don't have much. I didn't actually get much studying done

@hyunjin h. Ooh, a cheeseboard. Be still my little lactose intolerant heart~ You know my weakness already.
/they grin, looking over the table before you, then back to you
Can I help you gather your things? I don't need you to lose notes because I'm dragging you around.

@yetao h. I don't think it will, I'm a certified cheese board.
/smiles brightly, eyes scrunching up along with his nose at the tap/
I don't mind, loud sounds good to me. It will keep my thoughts quiet.

@hyunjin h. You're so cheesy sometimes... I really hope that doesn't change.
/as they pull back, they offer a smile and tap the tip of your nose lightly
If you want to join me, sure. But I have to warn you, it's going to be loud... Between the music and the shoes, it won't be a peaceful time.

@yetao h. /leaning into your hug he closes his eyes, letting himself just enjoy the moment and the warmth of being wrapped up in someone's arms. It's a good feeling, one he could indulge in forever if given half a chance. Finally, his arm snakes around your waist and he smiles softly/
Just you if that's okay
Did you need to go back to the dance studio? I wouldn't mind sketching while I watch you practice

@hyunjin h. /they watch with wide, concerned eyes and a little frown, trying to discern how worried they should actually be. There's a faint nod, but their hand never stops rubbing your upper back.
You don't have to spend time with me. Time alone is good too... As long as you don't spend it dwelling.
/there's another smile, and they move to wrap you up in another hug
Better was my goal. I'm glad you feel better.
Is there anything else you need, or want?

@yetao h. Yes and no...
/tipping his head back he sighs, it should be simple, after everything he had been through it should have been a simple matter to just cut her out of his life. Except that the reality was a lot colder and more lonely than he had expected/
Honestly if I hadn't met you I think I would have met up with her
Part of me almost wants to, but the stronger part of me wants to spend time with you
/bringing his head back down he smiles shyly, squeezing your hand/
Thanks for coming here, I feel better, not great, but better

@hyunjin h. Mhmm! /they hum in a small agreement, even if they're nibbling their lip in worry in an unconscious mirror of your own action. Their grip moves from your hand, to rest on your bicep instead, allowing you the freedom to move your hands and check the message.
/While not actively trying to look, they're not actively avoiding it either; wiggling their nose as a sign of displeasure at the words on the screen.
I don't think I'm a good luck charm. You're just stronger than you realize.
Like you said, getting back to yourself a little at a time.
/their hands have moved again, one slipping higher to rub at your back for a moment.
Did it help? To read it, I mean?

@yetao h. Annoying perky friend...
/he repeats that, a small but fleeting smile crossing his face before it feel back into the worry and anxiety. Toying at his lip with his teeth he went back and forth on what he wanted to do. Finally he reached out and picked up his phone unlocking it to read the text/
Hey Hyunnie, miss you, we need to talk. Call me, I want to hear your voice.
/blinking he just stared at the message for a moment in disbelief before he snorted and rolled his eyes, deleting it and locking his phone again/
Of course she wants to talk. I don't really want to talk. I think you're my good luck charm Tao, I thought that would be much harder to read than it was.

@hyunjin h. Way to take the wind out of my sails...
/they giggle, but tuck the information away for later; choosing instead to focus on the here and now.
/they scoot a little closer, pressing their cheek to your shoulder
We can't always win against the current, and sometimes the tides turn too fast for us to stay steady. But you have to keep trying, and moving forward in spite of that.
Besides, you've got me to help keep you on track! I'm going to keep being your annoying perky friend no matter what happens.