・❥ lounge tags

@♡ blinded_lamb ᵍᵃʸᵒᵘⁿᵍ it's surreal, seeing her in such an atypical setting. he had seen her at two oppositional extremities; at her worst, or her best. the best being on stage—performing as a top ballerina, aweing the audience with her dances. in the beginning it had been, grief, anguish, sadness and pain. then, it had transformed to fear, as eunwoo had handed her over the consent form for her surgery—asking her to sign, stating that she not only understood the procedure, but all the potential risks and adverse effects that had the slightest chances of occurring. slight, but not impossible. some more detrimental than others, but others, life-altering. she had signed, but not without making eunwoo reiterate his promise once more.

the next day, he had come into the hospital early, wanting to see her just before she would be whisked away to the operating rooms. by the time he had gone to her room, she was already gone. the surgeons could not perform on an another patient prior to her, and had queued her surgery her as the next priority. oddly enough, the rest of his patient list had kept him busy, creating for a hectic shift. time had passed quickly, but not quickly enough. his overnight on-call shift had been eerily quiet. he studied, napped poorly for a few hours, waking up only for bathroom breaks and to religiously check the status of one patient. finally, at the crack of dawn, through half-open sleepy eyes, he had seen her name appear on the post-surgical unit. he had instantly become alert; blinking twice, making sure he wasn't hallucinating. he had then ran like hell, as if someone had called him in an emergency, dashing through the empty, quiet hospital halls. slowing down, he calmed himself down, before pushing past the double doors. a few curtained beds down, eunwoo saw gayoung; being rolled into her spot on the hospital bed, her eyes half-open—still clearly somewhat sedated.

by the end, as eunwoo had watched her on stage from afar—standing in applause with the rest of the theater, there had been nothing but gratitude left. appreciation, praise and recognition, that she had taken a chance, believing in his capabilities. from the darkest of days, she had come to step into the light—spotlight, looked upon in admiration by many, just like a shining star. he had learned a lot about her, but he had learned a lot from her too. it was the ideal conclusion; that something significant and meaningful had been demonstrated.

"i'd like to think that i don't come off arrogant." eunwoo tells her, with a raise of his eyebrow. "but if i did, i apologize." he then gives his head a single shake. "not a wolf. i was blobfish." he reminds her, before looking back at her with a blank expression, blinking twice consecutively. "i hope i don't smell like you... that would be difficult to explain." eunwoo goes back to appearing just short of being unimpressed, grudgingly acknowledging her answer. he doesn't say anything, getting up, to kneel down on one knee before her, before her injured foot.

"lab rats is a crude expression, but that's not surprising coming from you, miss moon. i would prefer that we refer to ourselves as subjects, or participants." eunwoo looks over her foot, reaching into his pocket and taking out a pair of examination gloves, along with a roll of tensor tape. just before leaving the bonfire, he had asked the production team for the certain medical supplies. "there's always a first aid kit on set, and some kind of trained medical personnel, just in case of medical emergencies. it's a legal obligation." putting the gloves on, he tests the range of motion of her foot and ankle, guiding her foot to do the basic motions; plantar flexion, dorsiflexion, inversion, eversion. "valiant efforts, but the compensation in your gait was obvious." he looks up at her, seeing if any of the movements that he's making her foot do is causing her discomfort.

@♡ blinded_blobfish ᵉᵘⁿʷᵒᵒ like the first blooming of a flower leaning to the comfort of the sun's rays, her heart swells with fondness at the sound of his har-de-har. pride finds home in her chest to witness his constancy amidst her unpredictability. eunwoo usually kept his cool, almost a little too much to her liking, so it was much to her surprise to witness him unravel the layers to his complexity little by little years back—more so now, in a setting where control coincides with spontaneity. the greatest puzzle to a gentleman who has etched a rather unmoving impression in her mind.

distant memories burst through open doors and flood the imagery of her daydreams. the recollection of his balled fists atop his lap when she openly confessed the truth that led to her condition vividly remained in her subconscious. there, he was seething with anger, hollowed obsidians succumbing to shadows of hostility, yet with all of his strength, he stood his ground and refused to crumble—offering her a promise instead, voice laced with raw emotion that grasped her heart a little too tight. that day, her walls fell apart and alas, she was done for. the line she drew in between them slowly faded to ashes, and effortlessly did he enter her world as if he was always meant to be there. now, he was here, like he had never left.

"i didn't take you as the cocky type, doctor." with a matching level of mischief, she responds in jest. "were you a wolf in sheep's clothing this entire time? i should've known; you don't smell like my own kind." the night breeze dances upon their solitary figures, carrying with it hints of italian lemon, bergamot, and patchouli from where he sat. it was a fascinating discovery, overwriting the nuances of hand sanitizer, ethyl alcohol, faint coffee grounds, floor cleaners, and blood that she had came to know. tonight was the beginning of a new chapter she had no foundations on—he was simply eunwoo, and she was not his patient but rather—gayoung.

"that's odd, you'd usually come prepared in times like this. am i speaking with the real eunwoo?" the mention of his name rolling off her lips was foreign yet strangely familiar, as though it was only a matter of time before she was given the courage to speak his soul into existence. his cold gaze was regarded with a similar one of her own, the makings of a smirk visibly painting itself on her visage at his reaction. it was admittedly fun to get on his nerves—one that she had particularly trained him in, against his own will, she supposes. "no promises. you know how it is." she casually answers, purposely phrasing her statement so as not to blame herself for being reckless, or rather an unwilling subject of unfortunate events. "at least i have you to patch me up, right?"

once his reason for joining came to light, gayoung knocks her head to the side with her eyes closing briefly, acknowledging his answer with a soft hum as though impressed. "fits the concept to perceive everyone here as lab rats including yourself." before she could question whether or not he has found, in his own terms, variables that piqued his interest—his sudden order catches her off guard. "huh?" her eyes quickly shift their attention to her injured foot. "you must definitely be a wolf intently watching over this lamb who tried her hardest to not draw attention to her injury." she eyes him with careful yet playful scrutiny, secretly touched by his gesture that was a given by his occupation. bending over slightly with feigned resistance and stubbornness, she then releases her foot from the holdings of her shoe, crossing her arms over her chest when she faces him again. "i can't believe you neither have doodles nor snacks to offer, but for some reason, you brought tape?"

@♡ blinded_lamb ᵍᵃʸᵒᵘⁿᵍ moon gayoung; ballerina, as well as a model. a female that had an extensive history of medical conditions and injuries, mainly ones that arose from her occupation. tendonitis, bursitis, sprains, strains, plantar fascitis, and stress fractures—just to name a few. his patient zero, on day 1 as a plastics resident. she had been referred for a consult with the plastics team due to her varying degrees of burns. one in particular, was significantly getting worse, possibly infected and requiring a skin graft. adding to her acuity was a level 3a open fracture in her left distal radial bone, sustained from a terrible fall. three specialties had to have been involved; plastics, orthopedics and infectious diseases, for the sheer number of medical issues that she had. her case had given a run for his job; testing his knowledge and skills.

he couldn't ever forget. the look in her eyes. the grotesque wounds that marked her body. nobody had said it then, not even the patient herself, but everyone knew and was thinking it; somebody had done this to her. she had then spoken; making it firm to all of the medical staff—she needed to be able to recuperate well enough to continue her careers. if she couldn't get to such a state, she was as good as dead. eunwoo had risen to the challenge—going so far as even to make a mistake; he had given her a promise. with everything hanging by a thread, he had promised her; that she'd return to her livelihood, nearly as well as before. luckily for him and his career, he had kept his promise. an important lesson had been learned since then; it was the last time he would ever take blind risks. albeit, his participation here was contradictory.

looking over her, eunwoo smiles. gayoung has changed for the better. obviously, given that she is no longer ill, she looks in perfect health. however, there's a glow to her eyes—life, vigor—strength. she looks well—happier. he then chuckles, in reaction to her sassy remarks. the specific trait has not changed, in fact, eunwoo feels as if it may have possibly gotten worse?

"i don't know, am i?" he says, with a small shrug. "i think the answer would depend on who i ask." eunwoo then adds, grinning cheekily. "unfortunately, i have neither—doodles nor snacks." he takes the suggested seat by her quirky discretion, but at a distance, not wanting to suffocate her personal space. eunwoo looks at her with a frigid gaze, not taking well to her joke of getting injured again. "not funny." he sternly tells her, before softening his demeanor. "i'm experimenting." eunwoo continues, referring to her inquiry about his emergence. "by the way, take off your shoe. let me tape your foot. i saw you limping."

@♡ blinded_blobfish ᵉᵘⁿʷᵒᵒ with a single voice, her walls surrender to the earth’s surface. oh heavens, how was it possible for the humility of water to drown the arrogance of blood?

together, they were the lightning that rode the storm and with him, perhaps, she had always found home. one where white walls highlighted with accents of domesticity became shelter to her worn-out soul. whenever the doors that led her towards a treacherous path inhabited by the masters of her kin close, the sanctuary she has found in his presence remains mirthful. rose-colored lips part ever so slightly at his remark, eventually finding refuge once more against one another when one end tugs upwards subtly. “are you calling me the disgrace of the group, doctor? surely you have better ways to make this reunion more jovial. i would accept doodles from kids or perhaps, a snack from your stash.” the lady snaps back, a knowing smile accentuating her visage the second she picks up rather endearing pieces of their memories defining their years back.

gayoung knocks her head gently to the side, a gesture of acknowledgment towards a good old friend—or perhaps, the closest there is to a haven over a query that incites the existence of a promise kept well within the core of their hearts. she gently taps the empty seat beside her to accept his offer. "i don't mind making a mini zoo out of this patio with just both of us in it. which reminds me, what are you doing here? are you running out of patients? i could always get myself injured again, you know." she candidly pauses. "for old time's sake."

@♡ blinded_lamb ᵍᵃʸᵒᵘⁿᵍ the night was still young. there was still much more socializing that needed to be done, but first things were first; eunwoo needed to gather his luggage and at least have a room for them. thus, after following the other contestants into the sharehouse, he promptly took his large, single suitcase, lifting it up with one hand. he then walked up two flights of stairs to the third floor; the designated floor for all of the male contestants. reaching the floor, eunwoo to the farthest end of the sharehouse. he wanted a room that was at greatest distance from everyone else. although he enjoyed company, he also valued his time alone. he wanted a space that was guaranteed more quiet and privacy, qualities that he deemed would be less likely to happen, if he chose a room that was close to open shared space or rooms.

walking down the hallway, he chooses the last room around the corner. the fact that it's at the end makes it even better, as it meant that only one wall would be adjacent to the selected room's. since all the rooms were doubles, he puts his suitcase by the bed at window side and leaves the room. wanting to know the layout of the third floor, he decides that he'd walk the floorplan before returning to the lively gathering that is still taking place downstairs.

he walks back down the same hallway, opening every door, taking a quick scan of a look inside, before closing it to a shut. until he gets to the stairs that lead back downstairs, it's all just more bedrooms, bathrooms, the laundry room, and linen closets. just by the stairs, he notices a small hallway off to the side, leading to a set of stairs that's tucked away. curious as to where it leads to, eunwoo walks up the steps. behind a set of double doors made of plexiglass, he sees a rooftop patio. it's decorated with various patio furniture, greenery, a nice barbeque, and strings of patio lights. somebody is already there, either sitting or leaning against one of the patio sofas.

pushing past the doors, eunwoo walks on through. he smiles, recognizing who it is. he clears his throat softly, letting the person know of his presence, not wanting to scare them. "care to have some company, or would you rather i leave you to be the black sheep? i guess in this case, black lamb."

@♡ blinded_blobfish ᵉᵘⁿʷᵒᵒ the maiden was more ghost than a woman.

was she truly herself? or was this all a farce concocted by a faraway promise that faded with the lost stars?

scattered puzzle pieces of her soul gather within the palms of the wind, dancing upon the horizon with arms gently linking themselves akin to interwoven knots. knots that keep her grounded, stable, and upright. for a brief heartbeat, she was whole again but more than anything, she felt like a foreign entity watching over living spirits who had full control over their lives. and as she treads forward, she witnesses the storm brewing. mind riddled with a sea of questions over bonds she may not be part of. careful footfalls approach the sanctuary that holds her dreary heart, the gentle night breeze reminding her of the little things in constancy—including her. the blanket of stars that used to grace the glory of the night sky was nowhere to be found. "where do i start..." a worried whisper searching for answers in the vast darkness, gayoung rests her back against one side of the patio's corner sofa—leaning into the voices in her head to drown the lively chatter of the participants in the sharehouse.