➳ living room

@☠ christian yu. the recognition dawned later for dejun than it had for christian. of course he had seen christian before. there had been a lingering sense of familiarity in first interactions on entering the manor, something that had him transfixed until he told himself not to be silly. of course he couldn't have chanced upon the man again by accident, right? except he had. he had no right to expect that an explanation would be heard. for all he knew, fate had cruelly decided to intertwine him with christian for the sake of amusement. the thought would have been funny if not for how many half-jokes he had shared unwittingly with implications he dared not consider in front of her.

anyone could have seen just how fast christian's demeanor soured, it didn't take perception to witness the shift. the air around him seemed to grow degrees colder.

when he smiled then, it was for her. he reciprocated her hug the way he had learned to do from people born far better than him; head turned away, hands placed just behind shoulders, hips back, the brief squeeze and release where upper bodies rarely if ever touched. the times he had done more than that without her initiating had been rare, private, not meant for bright lights to see let alone her own son. emotional trysts were so much more the betrayal than physical ones.

when she pulled away, his mind returned to the contents of his bag all at once. "oh no," he shook his head, his smile as bright as ever, but even he wasn't certain if it was shield or weapon. "ian had been feeling unwell. i actually was just stopping by to bring him some soup and make sure that he's taking the supplements i brought by last night." he looked to christian, head canted toward one shoulder - any other time it would have read as coy, perhaps even submissive.

the mention of payment honed his actions into something sharper. compassion was an afterthought when he felt cornered, even if it was the stem from which this particular advantage had bloomed. he straightened his shoulders and opened the flap of his satchel, the bag having been a gift once. his slender fingers curled around the short stem of the airline bottle of cheap whiskey, alcohol she knew herself he would never drink, to produce it as proof. "i even brought supplies for a hot toddy. your son has been so kind since i arrived, it was the least i could do."

@xiao dejun. Christian’s demeanor perked up at the mention of the familiar name, his body pivoting to greet his new acquaintance—one that went out of his way to deliver his care package when he couldn’t get out of bed last night. His smile was sincere, but gradually faded when it dawned on him that Dejun was also familiar with his mother. ‘Oh? Dejun?’ His head rolled to the side and his brows furrowed as confusion riddled his expression. “You two… know each other?” A tattooed finger pointed back and forth between the other two as he spoke. Perhaps Dejun had seen his mother on a news article or perhaps looked into Playground’s History.

Dejun’s expression said otherwise.

Then it dawned on him—the reason why Dejun seemed so familiar. The reason why his practiced smile seemed so familiar. Dejun’s smiling eyes crinkled just as they had when they locked onto his own a few years ago. When he had caught his mother clinging onto a much younger man’s arm so shamelessly. When his world stood still. The ringing in his ears dulled as his gaze on his new friend hardened and his smile grew cold. “Yes. You’re interrupting,” he responded, his tone voided of any previous affection he had towards the manor guest. That was what Dejun was, a guest and nothing more.

“Dejun, don’t be rude! He’s a friend, you know this,” his mother scolded and promptly slipped out of his arms. She moved towards Dejun to give him a small hug when her arm brushed against the leather bag, the surprising warmth making her flinch back. “Ah— it’s- not hot but what is that you have in there?” She asked curiously, poking at the bag and looking up at Dejun expectantly. “Were you about to have dinner? Christian, be a gentleman and show our guest to the kitchen where he can eat comfortably.”

“He knows where the kitchen is, mother. There’s no need to coddle him. Unless you’re still paying him to keep you company…” The tattooed man probed, crossing his arms. Or maybe the food was for him? Had Dejun gone out of his way again for him? He shook his head. Deciphering a sugar baby's motives was difficult. It left uncertainty about whether their actions were genuine or solely driven by money. There was no other reason for Dejun to care for him other than the fact that he was the manor owner’s son. Nevertheless, Christian Led the way to the kitchen, silent.

@☠ christian yu. Immediate relief flooded her body as she shoved the offending female out of the manor, the headache diminishing just from the erasure of her presence. Whether it really be because of the blonde’s high pitched voice, or the sight of her draped against her ex boyfriend’s body, hands touching everything that used to belong to her, she wouldn’t admit. Not that it mattered anymore, he made sure to make that obvious to her with his words. But she couldn’t crumble now and give him that satisfaction, to know how much he had meant to her in the short time together, to know how quickly and how much she loved him then, how he never left her mind and the regret that filled her the day she had left. But she couldn’t have stayed, as much as it was filled with loving memories, there were too many bad experiences as well. They weren’t helping each other one bit, only enabling their respective bad traits. It needed to be done, no matter how much she disliked leaving. Although perhaps the way she chose to end it all wasn’t quite the best way to do so, but her head had been a mess at the time, and she only did what she thought was best at the moment.

She could already feel the smug aura radiating from him from the entrance. Checking one last time that the female had no more way to come in, she slowly made her way back to where Christian stood, her steps halting once she was in front of him. Her eyes travel down his body, taking in his appearance. He looked…better. That was good to know at least. It seemed he still knew of her tendencies not to take any bull from others, seeing the way he backed off and let her do as she pleased to his companion. Not that he could’ve stopped her once the blonde had pressed all her buttons. Just the thought of the girl irritated her. “I would have thought you’d at least have better taste in woman than that bimbo, Yu. Or have you lost that along with your sense of reason after we broke up?” Her hands settled on her hips, brows raised as she stared it down. Perhaps in another situation it would have been quite the intimidating pose, but with her bare feet on the ground, hair in disarray, it only painted the image of a crazy woman.

@kang seulgi. Immediate regret flooded in when he said those words. They sounded far less hurtful in his head than when he said it out loud. His eyes searched Seulgi’s features in attempt to gauge how she was feeling. Though her expressions were unreadable, it had to have hurt. Of course the past three months meant //something// to him, other wise the relationship wouldn’t have gone that far. But he wasn’t going to let his ex know that. She had lost all access to the inner most sensitive parts of his emotions when they broke up, the key tucked away in some unknown void. But when Seulgi started firing back at his one-night companion, he couldn’t help but snort, his lips clamping shut as he brought the back of his hand up to stifle a laugh. The savagery and wittiness of his ex was what always brought him back. He closed his eyes to block that part of his memory out. The woman’s nails dug into his arm. “Don’t be rude, Seulgi. Not when she’s being nice,” he replied dryly, his hand moving to unhook her claws from his shirt.

“Your words hurt me, darling. It was fun while it lasted, no?” A calm smirk rested at his lips. He felt the conversation was going well up until his companion lurched out of his arms and ended up onto the floor. He arched his eyebrow, a small sigh leaving his lips as his chest relaxed. He wasn’t going to intervene. He knew better than to get in the middle of a fight between his ex and any other woman. If he did, Christian might have been the one lying on the ground instead of his blonde companion, dangerously close to facing his demise. He crossed his arms and leaned his spiraling head against the staircase as he watched Seulgi drag the ‘trash’ out with a smile on his lips. ‘That’s my girl…’ he shook the thought out of his head and pulled out his phone to call security. “Drunk blonde. Passed out at the front entrance. Take her home,” he mumbled and hung up soon after. “Are you done?”

@☠ christian yu. it wasn't like dejun to develop a soft spot for people, in fact he was loath to consider any spot at all inside him for a person when it wasn't transactional and reciprocated. charitably, he told himself that he had simply come to pity christian. why else would he be making yet another trip to the manor just to drop off hot soup and an airline bottle of cheap whiskey meant for a hot toddy - because of course he could recall the man didn't like tea - if not because he pitied him? perish the thought, and he would sacrifice his pretty face to scowl at anyone suggesting otherwise.

the narrative ran through his mind as he entered only recently familiar space, the flap of his leather bag open and fingers brushing against the bottle of whiskey therein. then his feet slowed at the sound of an all too familiar voice. he was interrupting something. the young man lifted his head, and recognition dawned on his features like sunrise. he didn't scowl. no, instead the corners of his mouth drew up into a toothy grin. it was a service smile if ever there was one, yet it reached his eyes.

"ms. yu, fancy seeing you here." he dropped the top flap of his bag and pinned it closed beneath his right elbow, hand to his heart as he bowed toward the older woman... the woman wrapped in christian's arms. his voice descended to barely a whisper. "you two know each other."

if one wasn't looking at him as it happened, it would have been easy to miss the crease that formed between his well-groomed dark brows. it was easier to trace the slight falter in his smile, particularly when he looked from her to christian. then it clicked. she had made dejun into who he was, and christian was just a pleasant acquaintance of a few days, a diversion. just as fast he was no longer focused on christian, or even why he had come in the first place, while the warmth of soup in takeout styrofoam radiated through leather bag and cotton button down against his waist. "am i interrupting something?"

@xiao dejun. Muted was Christian’s ears when he saw his mother standing at the entrance of the manor—if he could even call her that anymore. It had been 5 years without call or text. Birthday texts went unanswered and Christmases were spent alone. And yet, here she was, standing there with open arms waiting for him to embrace her. Christian’s hands lifted to rub his temples in a weak attempt to numb the ringing in his ears. He was over this chapter of his story. A cold smile replaced his unsmiling one. He stepped aside, gesturing for her to enter, disregarding the extended hug. “I would say it’s a pleasure, but that I’d be lying. And you taught me better than that. Please come in.”

“I deserved that,” she replied, a little dejected as her arms dropped. She made her way inside the manor, her eyes scanning its interior. “This once looks the exact same as—“

“When you were lonely? Before you ran off with a man you’ve only dated for one week? Or when—“

“I see you’re upset. But I’m not here to fight Christian.”

“Then why are you here, Ms. Yu?”

“Ms, Yu—I’m simply here to see you. To see how you’re doing. To see how the manor is doing. I know I’ve been absent, but I’m in a better place now.”

“Well. I’m glad, then. We can save my pettiness for our next tea party. I’m just glad you’re alive and kicking,” he pulled her into his chest, embracing her tightly. Of course he caved. He was basically an exact replica of her. She was his best friend and he was hers. He could feel his shoulders relax alongside hers. The nights spent worrying about her whereabouts could now be put to rest. She squeezed him back before perking up.

“Oh? Dejun, is that you?”

@☠ christian yu. It felt as if everything they had experienced together in the short months they were together were worthless. All her efforts, her feelings, their memories, shattered just like that. Was that really how he felt— what he thought about the entire time they were together? What was it all for? The pain, the tears, the absolute agony— had it all been for nothing? Huh. As if cold water had been poured over her head, her body froze, nails digging into her palms hard enough for them to bleed. How nauseating, completely humiliating. How blind had she been to have given so much to this man who just dismissed it all like this? “Can you kindly, shut the up? Last time I checked, I wasn’t the one draping themselves over a man who can’t even remember your name. Stop scowling so much, your wrinkles are showing you old hag.” She spared the female a fleeting glance, eye twitching as the broad continued to get on her last nerves.

A lapse of judgement, that’s all that it was. A moment of regret that had flooded her body one night, causing such a scene before their mutual friends, undoubtedly the ones who had mentioned it to him. Sometimes she hated how closely entwined their friend group was. “How charming, you still care enough to know I looked for you. Terrible decision really. I don’t know what possessed me to do such a thing.” How droll. Did this woman not know how to do anything but scream? No wonder, the bimbo attracted Christian’s attention. He always did like the noise. “I said CONTROL your , /darling/.”A simple sidestep was all it took to avoid the blonde’s fury, smirking as the female stumbled, reaching out to grasp blonde locks. “You should’ve listened while I was still playing nice. Now I’ve been left with no choice but to take out the trash.” The female’s screams echoed throughout the empty room, Seulgi’s grip tightening with every step as she dragged the flailing woman across the hall, making her way to the entrance.

@kang seulgi. As Seulgi's words pierced the air, Christian felt a blend of emotions stir within him. Her dismissive tone didn't go unnoticed, bringing a faint wave of hurt and bitterness—though his expression remained voided as if to guard himself. The three months were practice for him. His gaze lingered on her, as his jaw clenched. “I wouldn’t deem 3 months worth talking about, darling. I’ve probably used face wash well over 3 months past its expiration date.” The woman beside him snickered obnoxiously. “Irrelevant? He just compared you to expired skincare. Oh honey. Delusional, aren’t you?” She looked up at Ian through batted lashes, pleading at him to take them away, her nails digging into his sides signaling her patience was wearing thin.

As Seulgi brushed off his offered hand, Christian’s expression softened briefly, the hurt clearly displayed over his otherwise voided expression, before resuming a detached demeanor. “You didn’t think it was a waste looking for me for the last three months, now did you? Change of heart?” He scoffed and balled his hand away, his arm now holding the woman back from jumping on his ex after being called a . “What did you ing call me?” She screeched. Christian was far too gone to have energy to hold her back, his arm going limp as his companion leaped out and dove straight for Seulgi’s hair. “Let’s see how big that mouth of yours is once you’re ing bald, .”

@☠ christian yu. Fantastic. Just the person she /didn't/ want to see today. At yet, there he stood, in his tall, tousled hair glory, looking exactly the same way he did when they first met. There was a time when that look did wonders to her mind, hungry kisses, roaming hands, hushed whimpers with the promise of forever, flashed before her eyes. But that was then, and this was now, long gone were the days full of passion, only lingering anger and regret remained. The blonde remained ignored, her existence completely unimportant to Seulgi, save for the ringing in her ears every time the female opened . "Did little Christian not tell you about me? You must be irrelevant, then."

A sigh passed her lips, fingers running through her disheveled locks. "Do you think I have that much time in my hands? Even if I did, why would I waste my time looking for you?" She scoffed, eyes scathing as she finally focuses on him. "Get over yourself, Yu." Brushing the dust off her skirt, disregarding his offered hand, body unsteady as her legs plant themselves on the ground. "Control your , Ian dear, or I will." Eyeing the scantily clad female, so causally draping himself over him, a burning pit lingered in her chest.

@kang seulgi. Christian’s hand remained frozen in mid air as his hazy eyes met Seulgi—the bane of his existence. Ever since his friends introduced her to him, his life had been nothing short of a mess, a mess he couldn’t clean up no matter how much bleach he used. His hand dropped as well as the arm around his drunk companion who made it known how disappointed she was that their play was short. “And who the are you? You definitely saw us coming and you still didn’t move out of the way,” she slurred out, lifting her finger to point at the fallen woman while rocking back and forth on her heels.

Christian gently lowered her wrist and sighed. “What the are you doing here, Seulgi. I thought we agreed not to cross each other’s paths anymore.” His voice was hoarse and voided of any emotion. “Don’t tell me you followed me all the way over here?“ His grip tightened around his female companion who slumped against him, her hands roaming. “Why bother, Ian? Isn’t she just one of the crazy after your money? She isn’t worth your time. Focus on me instead,” she whimpered, pulling him towards the stairs. He patted her hand and reached out to Seulgi first. It didn’t seem like she was in a state to get up on her own.

@☠ christian yu. Her head thrummed, vision blurring as her bare feet padded across the manor’s floor, shoes in hand and absolutely tipsy. It was a wonder that she even made it all the way back home without too much supervision. She had her friends to thank for that, ever reliable though just as much chaotic. She wouldn’t be this flat out drunk had she not agreed to go to the bar with them after tonight’s performance. Although the venue may have played a part in that, reminding her too much of him that she couldn’t help but drink her troubles away. That always seemed to be the case lately.

The high pitched voice and the giggle that followed soon after did nothing but worsen the brewing headache, and it took all of her will power not to come over and politely tell them to shut the up. As long as they didn’t get in between her, and her sweet, sweet bed, all was good. Of course, Lady Luck wasn’t on her side, not today, nor any day since three months ago, and soon her was on the ground and she was staring, dazed and confused at her offender. “Can you please watch where you’re ing goi-” her words stop short as a familiar silhouette comes to sight. It couldn’t be, right? The alcohol was just screwing up her eyesight. There was no way her ex just happened to be here….right?

@kang seulgi. Drugs, alcohol, loud music, and party lights—all of it leading up to Christian stumbling back into the manor half past midnight with yet another woman clinging to his side. It wasn’t an unfamiliar sight, especially since his last breakup with his ex. Though the relationship had only lasted 3 months, he really believed that this time would’ve been different. He believed that he had found his one and that he was safe from the countess heartbreaks he experienced before. But his constant need of chasing the high was the final pitfall.

“Babe, where’s your bedroom? I don’t know if I can carry you up the stairs—“

“Up the stairs? It’s fine. I can just take you right here, muffin,” he mumbled out, throat hoarse from his colorful night out. A small giggle left the woman when he turned around to encase her into his embrace, his lips finding home at the crook of her neck as he walked them backwards. His head spun and the woman reeked of cheap tequila but he didn’t care, not when her were pressed firm against his chest. It could’ve taken her right there had he not bumped into someone— hard. The small gasp pulled him out of his intoxicated state and he spun around. “- are you okay? Let me help you,” he mumbled and offered a hand.