@♗ Jeon Wonwoo of course. we’ll talk about it tomorrow morning.
/when you pet my head i find myself ducking down just a little, leaning into the touch before i compose myself again; with a warm smile, and a little wave, i catch myself bouncing up a little on the balls of my feet before asking for a second; i slip my key into the lock and unlock the door, leaving it wide open only to duck in and quickly return with full sheet of letterhead and my number quickly scrawled across it
here, so in case anything happens you can get hold of me. and you too. sleep well… and sweet dreams.
@♕ Kang Taehyun yea? you now have me curious as to why he mentioned me at such a point in time, but we’ll talk more about it when we meet again in the morning, hm?
/keeps the smile on my face as we reached, a hand reaching out to gently pet your head, taking notice of the keys in your hands and merely smiles to myself realising you’ve always had the same strap from before; pulls my hand back a while after and gives you a small wave.
alright. hand me a note since i left my phone back in my room. and you’re very welcome, tae. have a good rest tonight, yea?
@♗ Jeon Wonwoo he does. he’s mentioned you a few times when i’ve been “moping” around.
/as we make it down the hall to my room, i pause before the door, a smile on my face and one last squeeze given to your arm before i untangle myself from you and slip a hand into my pocket for the keys; the single, semi-ornate key hangs off an old worn strap clearly won from an arcade game long ago, the paint worn off a cartoon-y figure adorning it
well, you’re more than welcome. you know where to find me now. and i’ll make sure you have my current number before we leave for our trip.
thank you again. for everything.
@♕ Kang Taehyun alright. does he still remember me, though?
/nods my head, returning you the smile as i follow you, making little mental notes on where i’m going for the future if i do decide to drop by your room, i’ll remember where it was.
i won’t. who knows, i might be the one who shows up at your door step as well.
@♗ Jeon Wonwoo i’m sure i’ll be fine. if he’s upset he’ll probably forget by the time we see each other next. and he can’t be too mad when i mention i’m with you.
i appreciate you offering me that much, and i will keep it in mind. promise.
/smiling at you, i hold to your arm and lead from your side, leading you toward the appropriate wing, my own room a bit tucked out of sight in order to capitalize on the exterior windows
that makes two of us then. just don’t be surprised if that means i’m at your door more often than you expect.
@♕ Kang Taehyun /chuckles. alright. i only hope you won’t get into too much trouble.
not really, no. but, i’m just gonna put it out there, if you really do need it — or me for anything in particular, don’t hesitate to come to me, alright?
/a smile appears as you accept my arm, following your lead since i didn’t exactly know the way to your room, sneaking a few glances at you every now and then.
i’m glad, too. i know the plan was for me to enjoy my own company, but safe to say, i’ve truly enjoyed your company the most compared with others.
@♗ Jeon Wonwoo not yet, but i will tomorrow. better to ask forgiveness with him than to ask permission.
ah- did it sound like that? i wouldn’t make that sort of demand though. you’re my best friend, not a servant to me. even if you wouldn’t complain!
/when you offer your arm again i hesitate, briefly holding my breath before i accept the offer and link arms again; standing close as we leave your room, i find myself glancing left and right down the hall, largely out of habit
i know i’ve said it, or at least i think i have, but… i’m really glad you’re here. i’ve needed a friend.
@♕ Kang Taehyun i can only imagine how dull it’d be. by the way, have you informed your father about this trip we’re going on?
hm? are you saying you wanna be spooned more? if you do have more demands, or requests, by all means, ask away. after all, i am here to also fulfil them all for you. and since it’s you, i have nothing to complain.
/stands there, allowing you to cling onto me and use my arm, patiently waiting for you before i hold my arm out for you to hold on to once more, at the same time unlocking my door and leading us both out.
mm, i won’t.
@♗ Jeon Wonwoo well, that’s where you come in like my knight in shining armor. if i had to travel with one of father’s men… i shudder to think of how dull that trip would be.
/at the mere suggestion, i gently nudge your side
if you offer that i might be seeking out your services more often than i should.
/when you’re prepared to go, the chair pushed in for me, i lean lightly against your arm and join you on the way to the door; once there, i squeeze your arm a little tighter before changing back to my shoes from your slippers and only let go to make sure they’re neatly in place
just don’t judge the room. i didn’t choose the decorations so it doesn’t exactly scream… me.
@♕ Kang Taehyun i guess on some levels, that’s understandable. though, you’re already twenty, you should be able to explore at least a bit on your own. but that’s just how i feel about it.
/nods my head in understanding since i did somewhat know your situation.
well then, i’ll more than willingly spoon you when ever needed.
/only returns you a cheeky grin as i’m shot with the glare before i stood up just right after you did, pushing the chair back in and felt an arm around mine, looking to the side for a brief second, shaking my head. pfft. alright, alright mister. let’s get you back to your room. /tugs you along with me towards the door, swapping my bedroom shoes with a pair of slippers, waiting for you to do the same.
@♗ Jeon Wonwoo exactly. he can’t help himself when there’s a lot riding on me.
/when you propose your own idea of things, i nod solemnly, answering only in wordless hum; the less said on it, the better when we’re having such a good time reconnecting
i won’t be surprised. it might be pleasant when it’s not just me wrapped around a pillow.
/as you poke my side i giggle reflexively and pull aside a hair, shooting you a teasingly hurt glance; in the same moment, i push myself up from the seat and dare to come close enough to your side to wrap an arm around yours
it would be nice. i can double check that you’re ready to do this whole body guard thing. and with spending so much time with me again when it’s been this long.
@♕ Kang Taehyun i guess it’s just your dad being your dad, you know? but ..?
/tilts my head a little, gazing at you with now curious eyes.
ah, so you did. was it because being home was perhaps too suffocating for you?
mm. i’ll do exactly that. don’t be surprised if you wake up and find myself around you, okay?
/watches as you stretch, straightening up and quickly uses the opportunity to poke at your side out of playfulness, just to see a reaction.
we do. we should call it a night, too. do you need me to accompany you back to your room? i’m excited mostly because i get to hang out with you after such a long long time.
@♗ Jeon Wonwoo i think he’s mostly being protective. but…
/my voice trails off and when you only gasp in surprise i look to you with a sheepish smile
that’s just between us.
/the smile remains through you fixing my hair, and i glance down shyly, a soft if nervous laugh escaping my lips
mmh, i do. but it’s okay. worst case scenario, just spoon me and you won’t have to see it. now!
/setting my phone down, i lift my arms and stretch them overhead, holding the stretch for a moment before releasing it with a sigh
now that that’s all settled, we’ll just have to meet up early to head for the train. i’m excited!
@♕ Kang Taehyun is it because he’s protective of you? or does he have other reasons for not allowing you?
/gasps softly. what do you mean? did you run away from home, or something?
hm, well you have a point there. but it’s like i sad i’ll be okay with what ever you end up choosing.
/releases my hand from your fringe, resting my palms down on my thighs as i begin fidgeting around with the material of the sweatpants which i was wearing.
oh? you still do that even till now? perhaps that might take some time getting used to, it has after all been quite a while. though, i think i’ll be okay.
@♗ Jeon Wonwoo honestly, i’m making it out to be more than it really is. i just know father would never allow me to travel on my own like this.
ah- about that. let’s just say i’ve spent more than a few nights out of the house in the past couple of years.
/as i settle on a hotel, pausing only on room options, i quietly clear my throat once more, thankful you accept my answer as is; my gaze slips to you, periphery first, before fully facing you properly
fair enough. it’s not like it would be a first. i just wouldn’t want you to be uncomfortable when, well, we’re not exactly kids anymore. that and i don’t want to freak you out if you catch me staring in my sleep. i… didn’t really grow out of that.
@♕ Kang Taehyun ah, right right. hm, i’m not your official bodyguard but, i’ll do my best. but i honestly think we’ll be okay.
thank you, by the way. for making the bookings and whatnot for us. you’re doing it like it’s something you’re very used to doing, is it?
/rests my arm against the table in front of us, observing you quietly while i listen to your words, humming softly in response. that’s actually understandable.
/lets out a soft chuckle upon noticing the way you reacted and as if out of instincts, i reach out to gently fix your fringe back in place.
that’s because their actual bodyguard and the one being body guarded, so there’s some professionalism there. meanwhile, i’m your unofficial body guard, and being friends since forever, i’d like to think i have the privilege of sharing a bed with you. besides, it’s not as if we’ve never shared one before. we did used to have sleepovers back then. the only difference now is that we’re adults.
@♗ Jeon Wonwoo true, but the bodyguards get to know these things, not me. he wouldn’t want me to worry, i assume.
/as you take a seat again, i shift a little to offer you a glimpse of my phone while i make our accomodations, not hiding the fact i’m still using one of those deals sites in order to book with otherwise fairly expensive hotels; it’s something to focus on while having a conversation i’m at least slightly out of my depth with
well… i guess it’s not that i’m uninterested. it’s just - well, you know what it was like for me. i have no interest in sleeping with a stranger, and that’s what most people always have been.
/at the mention of sharing i glance up, exhaling air through my lips in order to puff the breath into my fringe
aside from a few pretty trashy stories i’ve read, i don’t think it’s commonplace for the bodyguard and the body-guarded to share a bed. hm?
@♕ Kang Taehyun exactly my point. yet he still has body guards for you, hm. well, either way, i’ll still be there to protect you and be sure to be on guard all the time.
/settles down on the seat next to you, taking a peek at what exactly it is you were doing on your phone out of curiosity before shifting my gaze back to you as i push my glasses up once more, crossing my one leg over the other. ah, you haven’t? is there any particular reason? or do you not have any interest in it?
/nods. that’s completely fine with me. unless you wanna get like a queen or king-sized bed and share it with me? /wiggles my eyebrows in a playful, suggestive manner. and yes, tae, you can call it that.
@♗ Jeon Wonwoo if he does, i wouldn’t be entirely surprised, but he also wouldn’t tell me as much unless i needed to know. as far as i know, we just slum it and keep an eye out for the usual threats.
/humming softly to myself, i only glance up at the quiet rattle of utensils against the sink before my attention is back on my phone and the process of getting tickets and reservations booked; someone could mistake it for inattention to your question, but the faint flush that dusts my cheeks makes it apparent i’ve heard
you mean… with another person, i’m sure. in that case - no, i haven’t. next question.
/with you standing by my side, i force myself not to look up until the warmth of my face seems to abate a little
i think if we just get the one room with two beds it’s fine. right? it’ll be like a sleepover. for adults.
@♕ Kang Taehyun not you, silly. i was more of implying that your father might have them, therefore you may or may not be in danger because of it. so, i take it you're mostly safe, then?
/cleans up some other utensils that were left lying around from before and sets them to dry by the side of the sink once i was done before turning to face you, leaning back against the counter, my brows lifted. i’m well aware of that, tae. i mean, i’m sure you know what goes on around here after all, right? though, you now have me curious, have you, engaged in it?
indeed, you do. take it slow, hm? /walks over from my spot towards you, running my fingers through my hair before and stood right by your side. we could have a shared room with twin beds or something. unless you want your own privacy? i’m honestly fine with whatever you decide.
@♗ Jeon Wonwoo that implies i have enemies, and really who could consider this face an enemy? if we weren’t traveling i might say corporate competitors, but those confrontations tend to be in boardrooms, not dark alleys.
/while you get up to wash the pot, i sink back a little further in the chair, casually slumped while i pull my phone from my pocket and turn half my attention to it and travel plans; while looking for train tickets, the mention of pleasure makes my head shoot up
i - i am an adult now. i know it’s been a little while since we last saw each other, but i’m twenty now!
/swallowing down the little hint of indignance in my sudden outburst, i nod in understanding while you explain
i think i have to learn how to train myself first. speaking of trains… for the trip, should we have our own hotel rooms or does that defeat the purpose of a bodyguard?
@♕ Kang Taehyun it is, i’d have to keep my eyes on you twenty four seven and make sure you’re out of harms way. is there anything or anyone specific that i should keep a lookout for?
/glances at you and for a split second, got reminded back when you’d always used to simply stare at me like this, finding it to be an absolutely adorable habit of yours; smiling a little in amusement, i get up from my spot, grabbing the pot and bring it over to the sink to get it washed and cleaned.
perhaps it does. though, i’ll have you know, rewards may sometimes come in the form of pleasure — if you know what i mean. /shakes my head to your question. i don’t. everyone has their own methods after all, i don’t get in the way of their methods.
you could. or if you have other approaches, that works. do what fits you best. one thing i’m sure about is, start small, take it slow, understand yourself better and think about what could be improved and what was done well. mm, indeed.
@♗ Jeon Wonwoo exactly. you'll have to do a lot of intense bodyguarding. i'm sure that's a big job.
/while you discuss your manner of handling your duties, i listen intently, my eyes trained on you with a sort of clear-eyed fascination; in the process of listening, my eyes remain open, unblinking, that kind of distant stare that you're no doubt accustomed to when i'm listening intently despite the fact it looks as if there's not a single thought in my head until i speak again
it probably works on more than you think. though... i hope you don't have issues with others and their methods?
/your suggestions have me humming softly in return, nodding along, my mouth opening a moment before i retain enough to speak
i suppose i could try that. it's worth a shot, at least, since i can't always expect you to be there for me. mmh... especially if i'm calling your name across this place.
@♕ Kang Taehyun i’m only speaking the truth, you know?
/shifts as well once more to quickly finish up with the remaining of the noodles i had in the pot.
hm, i guess that is true. and it is after all a big task of me to have to take care of you throughout the journey, /says in a teasing tone only to smile after. alright, i’ll make sure i do this job well and have myself rewarded with nice things.
mm. i don’t enjoy being a threat to others to begin with. i guess my methods still does work on a small handful of them. /thinks for a moment as i hum softly. perhaps, you could start little by little? make observations of how other masters handle things around here, or the princes, and learn them. then, apply what you have learnt.
/nods. i’m good with you calling me by my usual name or other nicknames you may have.
@♗ Jeon Wonwoo now you're flattering me. but i'll accept it, because you're you.
/nods, shifting to lean my cheek to a curled fist while my other hand lazily gestures across the table with my palm up
i know, i know. but, it's the least i can do for my bodyguard, right? the food is just to make sure you stay close and you're focused on, well, me. anything else is the bonus for a job well done. right?
/as you talk about your own methods, i nod once in understanding, but remain quiet; in the time i had spent in the mansion thus far, it wasn't as if i had seen many performing their tasks, but the files gave me an idea of the methods most were liable to employ
but that's fine, even still. you don't have to be a big, scary threat. it's still more than i could do. at this point, i still look like i'm the type who would just tell my father. and while that could make some people's lives a living hell... it's not exactly scary in the moment.
/shakes my head along with you
oh no, i don't think i will. it doesn't taste nice to say.
@♕ Kang Taehyun /gasps softly. who knows, right? though i have to admit, you do have a pretty face. or maybe it’s just me, but i honestly think you’re pretty.
you’re very welcome, tae. though .... you do know that feeding me is more than enough, right? i wouldn’t wanna have you spend your money on me like this. while owning luxury goods is definitely nice, making you pay for it doesn’t seem very wise of me.
ah.. /slowly nods my head in understanding as i finally figure out where you’re coming from. well, yea it is. the thing is, when it comes to correcting them, i don’t use a strict or harsh approach? instead, i simply tell them where they went wrong, and why it was wrong, and reward them with something nice later on if they did well and were being good and whatnot. though, i have to admit, a couple of them do not like the approach as they have this image of masters needing to be strict and punish. /chuckles softly and shakes my head. please don’t call me that, it’s equally weird for me, too.
@♗ Jeon Wonwoo true, i've got a little more time left. who knows, i might end up with the more handsome face.
/it's clear i'm teasing, my toothy grin saying it all for me when it's not something i truly believe
thank you, thank you. in exchange, i'll make sure you're fed. and if we happen to end up in some luxury brand shops, you already know who'll take care of the tab. you know, in case you need a new wallet, or a watch.
/sitting back in my seat, i gently fold my hands in my lap, sliding them back until they're clasped at my waist; it's half-protective at the thought of always being the one in need
essentially. this isn't home for me. i don't just get to walk around protected by father's name, but i'm still expected to save face. if someone tried to make a fool of me... well i wasn't the one who corrected the staff when they made mistakes. i never learned how to. since you're a master here, isn't that part of your job description?
/despite being serious, i end up pulling a face like i've just tasted something sour
calling you master feels weird.
@♕ Kang Taehyun huh.. that’s also true. /pauses for a moment to give it a thought. hm, i guess what’s more important is that we both grew up fine. though, technically, you’re still growing, aren’t you?
mm hm. /blinks a couple of times at your request, letting out a soft, quiet sigh of defeat. alright, alright. we’ll go do whatever ridiculous things it is that you want to together. as long as i’m well fed.
/scrunches up my nose and moves back a little as you slip away from me, releasing my arm from around you and rests my arm against the table with my cheek against my palm, watching you closely.
i think i somewhat get what you’re trying to say. so basically, you need me so you don’t end up in a headlock? is that what you’re saying?
@♗ Jeon Wonwoo i'll give you that, but you kind of had the advantage of having been through puberty by the time i knew what objectively attractive people were supposed to look like.
/nudges your side, making no effort to pull myself away from you when there's a certain comfort to actually being close to another person, let alone you
that's an obligation i'll be happy to fulfill. but that means you have to come try ridiculous things with me, too. we're not finishing out the trip without rounding out our palates.
/nods a little, quietly clearing my throat before i glance away and move to sit up straighter and slip from your hold in the same motion
something like that. it's all about appearances, though. i can't exactly be the heir to a family fortune and the future ceo if everyone and their brother can just do that to me. it would make future business negotiations a little difficult.
@♕ Kang Taehyun yea? to be fair, though, i’ve always been fine looking. /grins in cheeky manner before it slowly turns into a soft chuckle, feeling extremely grateful that nothing had changed between us despite the years spent apart.
that you must. i hereby declare that as of now on, you, kang taehyun, are obligated to provide me with all my meals for our trip to wherever for the next couple of days.
/looks back down at you, gazing at you with the softest eyes and a fond smile. yea? that makes the both of us, tae. hm? did you mean stick me on them or ..? but why, though? do you not like it when someone else does it to you?
