@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ *lingers, with the intention of staying to make sure you're set but i don't expect you to actually come back. scoffing a laugh, i nod*
mh, no promises
*gestures for you to go back in, waiting, and turning on heel to leave*
@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ *hums in thought, reaching out to take back my coat*
You may not.
*carefully helps you out of the garment before nudging you toward the inside with a couple of nudge-taps*
No spoilers. 'll see you on Saturday, Miri-yah
@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ *grins, sticking my hands in my pockets as we near the building*
Good, cause it's about to be the best 26th birthday you've ever had
I'm pulling out most of the stops
@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ *eyes rolling and head shaking, i laugh*
I would be honored if you did. Don't go rushing me, though
We're gonna actually have fun and be present and all that, got it?
*holds up a conditional finger*
No thinking about revisions, just fun. You can study on Sunday
@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ Wooow you are never gonna let me live this down, are you?
*scoffs in amusement, half-jogging to catch up after having lingered in place to watch you*
How's noon? For the museum, I mean. Then we could, I dunno, grab lunch or something after
@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ *hums, standing while lightly flexing my hand to test the range of motion*
Alright
*snags the rest of the jellies, holding your elbow just long enough to shove them into my coat pocket before you get away*
I'll walk you home
@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ *the swift avoidance doesn't go unnoticed, but i decide not to press - merely grabbing another jelly candy to pop while you work*
Aye aye
*mumbles around the plastic cup, shooting it and tossing it onto the table with the rest of the trash*
Seriously?
*cases you skeptically before clearing my throat, straightening in my seat*
Fine, let's go out for your birthday. There's an art exhibit that's leaving after this week
@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ *frowns, brows furrowed because what the hell would mare you think that*
I disagree, you're doing an amazing job right now and these "kids" are already old enough for opinions
*sheepishly runs a hand through my hair*
so you caught that?
nothing, just looking something up. you know, we never finished discussing your birthday
you can't seriously be thinking about staying in and working- that's my thing, my vibe. your vibe is...
*gestures vaguely*
you're one of those people that should have nice gatherings and . or, at least a good day out
@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ *shrugs noncommittally - or tries to, as it's stopping midway by the sharp burning. hissing but resisting the urge to pull away, i focus on thinking up a list*
well, you're nice, you're caring
*gestures to the candies before grabbing one and tearing it open with my one hand and my teeth. after eating it like a jello shot, i continue*
you're pretty - everyone's mom is pretty, it's the rules - oh, and you know your way around a first aid kit, clearly
@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ *startles at the sound of your voice, nearly dropping my phone in the process but managing to just (a little too violently) slap it onto the table and give my full attention. chuckles at the comparison, shrugging and leaning a cheek against my good hand*
Somebody's gotta be the resident eomma and you lowkey check all of the boxes
*reluctantly places my hand in yours*
Try to go easy on me, doc
@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ Oh ha ha
*laughs sarcastically, sinking onto one of the store's cruddy plastic chairs
ignoring the sting, i leave my injured hand propped up by my elbow and fish out my phone with the other to start looking into some of the weekend's events*
@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ *laughs, allowing myself the two-step stumble after shoving before raising a brow*
Ha Mirinae, are you trying to get me to come back to your place?
*puts my good hand to my chest in mock offense, all dramatics*
I'll have you know, I'm not that kinda guy
@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ *hisses when your hand brushes one of the cuts but resists the urge to pull away, watching you as a somewhat distraction from stinging pain
despite disappointment at a night cut short, i reluctantly nod in compliance and raise to stand; only walking when you do*
they look bad enough to scar, right? that'll make me look cool, right?
*jokes after a few quiet moments*
@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ *reciprocates the grin with something more sarcastic*
Wouldn't you like to know, Mirae-ssi? I'm not planning anything, I was just askin-
*stops in my tracks when the cat darts out from hiding to the other side of the alley and cautiously approaches it with a hand out, murmuring assurances (hopefully) as it sniffs my hand*
Hey there, are you hun- ah! You little-
*jerks the hand back, catching a swear halfway through, when the cat lashes out and slashes me across the appendage. as it runs away, i stay crouched in the same spot, inspecting the hand and murmuring more curses*
@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ *turns to you in a double take, my brain taking an extra moment to detach from the mission in favor of the conversation*
i'm not- i just-
*quietens as you continue, brows furrowing*
I dunno, it sounds like you can afford to miss out on a couple of those.
*deadpans, despite my light-hearted expression*
your members aren't doing anything with you?
@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ what? oh-
*looks back at you, doing a small double take before releasing your hand with a sheepish grin*
my bad, miri
*responds distantly, half focused on parsing the cat out among the shadows*
hey, what're you doing for your birthday, anyway?
@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ *actually startles at the sudden change up, shoulders seizing up for a second
i follow where you're pointing, just catching the tail flicking into the shadows*
C'mon
*no thoughts, just kitty - i grab your hand to follow after the cat*
@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ *chuckles, head shaking lightly*
First of all, 30's still far off for us
*says while doing a quick mental-finger count*
4 years off. and it's not even old. Second, 30's will be like that movie you made me watch all the time...30, flirty, and thriving, right?
*quotes the movie in English before nudging you with an elbow*
It'll be great on you
@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ *nods along as you speak, gaze trained on the streets around us in search for more cats*
That's good I guess?
*it comes out as more of a question, followed by a soft laugh*
I'm glad he's good, all considered. My folks are good too, same old same old.
I thought about going over to Cheongsong-gun for my mom's birthday - like a weekend trip.
*glances over at you*
You guys share, right? 30th?
@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ Hmm...touche. Also no promises on that
*looks over my shoulder and your head, softening at the sight of the cat*
Yeah, eat well ~
*gives your shoulder a last squeeze before releasing you, walking along in comfortable silence for a few minutes before speaking up when my thoughts start to get too loud*
Miri-yah, how's your dad?
@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ *blinks as the stick is shoved into view, taking a moment to focus my vision onto it and then another moment to read the joke as you say it. it doesn't click immediately, but as soon as it does, i burst out laughing and deliver an apologetic ear scritch when it causes the cat to jump a little - clearly not scared enough to abandon the meal*
god..
*sighs out, still chuckling some and tossing an arm over your shoulder to lead you along and restart our search*
let's go - that was awful, never subject me to that again
@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ ahhH-
*tries to lean out of the vice grip on my cheek. when it's fruitless, i just rub at the spot once free with a little frown on my face. watching you and the cat quickly dashes it, though, a small fond smile settling in its place. the mention of hunger immediately snaps me out of the reverie and i rummage through the bag for a can, popping it open and setting in a little ways away in front of the cat*
here you go, buddy
*coos in a similar voice to before, holding my own hand out in offering before petting it affectionately as it goes for the food*
@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ *nods, head hung in faux shame*
Yes, ma'am
*laughs, tossing an arm over your shoulder to squeeze you in a quick side hug*
I just won't ask next time!
*slips in before quickly but cautiously making my way over to a cat that'd just jumped up on top of a retaining wall. muttering little niceties to it in a baby voice, i reach a cautious hand out to let it smell*
@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ *slows a bit once i notice you and gives a noncommittal shrug*
i run hot
*says, while discreetly tucking my hands into my jean's pockets and keeping an eye out for any strays. as an afterthought, i reach into the bag and hold out the honey dew melona bar*
besides, eating this will make you colder so..
*shakes it a little, urging you to take it*
@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ *elects to ignore the overboard comment, more attenive to your lack of cover. clicking my tongue, i set the bag aside long enough to duck out of my hoodie and hold it out*
put it on, no buts
*reclaims the bag, heading out with a nodded salutation to the part-timer before you can protest*
@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ *scoffs lightly at the response, knowing personally that money isn't too much of an object. not in this mild case; not when it's you*
alright
*calls back, grabbing a couple of the frozen treats anyway and making my way to the counter. once i've paid, i return diligently to your side with the black plastic bag dangling from one hand*
m'ready when you are
*mumbles, glancing around the table for anything i can help carry*
yah, don't you have a coat?
@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ eo eo, sure...
*calls back absentmindedly, already making the tough decision between salmon or tuna flavored
i end up with three of each, continuing to peruse the aisles*
yah, miri-ah, do you want anything before i head to the counter?
*asks, unoccupied hand/arm hand already reaching to open the freezer - your favorite ice cream in sight*
@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ *washes down an endeared chuckle with another drink before finally tearing open the bag of chips i'd grabbed
at the mention of cats, i turns to you - eyes widened a touch in interest*
really?
*straightens up a little, already casing where the tiny pet aisle is*
yeah, let's- that, that'd be great. finish eating first, i'll grab some food
*gets up, heading straight for the cat food*
@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ *clicks my tongue, reaching over to pinch your nose*
you gotta take better care of yourself, mi. three meals, mh?
*rests my chin in that hand after, offering up a half-hearted shrug*
mm....not really, no
*laughs to smooth over the bluntness, though it doesn't quite reach my whole face*
i kinda just wanna...forget, y'know? I'll talk about literally anything else, do anything else. i just don't wanna focus on it
@★ ha mirinae ᵐᶦʳᵃᵉ same
*sighs out, tipping my seat back onto just the back legs while popping open my can*
but that's not really new. just felt like a new venue this time around. what's up with you, though?
*glances your way while taking a brief drink*
something on your mind?