— the junction dive bar.

@✽ hyungsik p. []I rather slow replies so, by all means, by all means pls do take your time bby ♡

The sudden voice and her name being called— has the petite girl startled and she jumps a fraction of a second, eyes wide and surprised while snorting out a sheer laugh that bubbles past her pink brims. "Well, I mean, gotta start somewhere no? It's usually what I drink at home so why shouldn't I indulge tonight? Hello to you too Sik." Her voice is soft and kind with a small grin playing on the corners of her couplets, reaching out for the glass of golden liquor when the bartender passes it over, she swirls her finger across the sheer rim with an amused grin.

"Honestly, it's nothing bothering perse, it's just that I have this huge assignment and presentation due on Monday and you know how I have such a bad habit of overworking myself, I get pissy about things not being a certain way. I want for them to be perfect and it's taking a toll on me mentally I guess, because no matter how many times I've edited bits and pieces or spoken to the mirror while trying to indulge in a bit of a *presentation roleplay.* She deadpans with a little chuckle and leans back on the seat before eyeing the older man.

"Did you think of bringing your friend something from the land of romance and ?" Rolling her eyes at the irony, her tongue sticks out to playfully before emitting a low chuckle and she finally reaches out for the glass to bring it closer. Waiting for the male to collect his beer so they can clink their drinks together in a little *cheers.* "Also, I love that you haven't seen me in quite some time, and doofus you didn't even give me a little hug, tsk, you're losing your touch. Some friend you are." Yooa taunts with a little grin, clearly teasing her friend.

@✽ shiah y. [finally getting on the replies, sorry for the wait u.u]

It has been a day since his return from Paris, a little vacation time with his fiancé after having a summit in Japan and when he returned to the hospital, Hyungsik was barely had any time to rest as one of the intern almost messed up the medication for a patient which thankfully could be avoided or else the hospital was definitely going to get sued. It was pretty tiring for him so when his friend, Shiah, texted him for a little meetup, he agreed without second thought.

Now Hyungsik wasn't someone who fond of drinking alcohol due to his workaholic tendency which made the hospital like his second home, but tonight he's willing to bend the rule just to get loose after a long work day. Once he arrived, he immediately made his way to the bar just in time to hear what his friend ordered which brought out a soft chuckle out from his lips. "Starting off strong already, Shiah? You must be either pissed or frustrated or both." Hyungsik grinned as he joined the small girl, sitting on the barstool next to her then shift his attention to the bartender "I'll just have beer for now, thanks." He told the bartender before looking at the girl. "So are you going to share what's been bothering you or should I go into a doctor mode to figure things out?"

@✽ hyungsik p. 《Her appearance for their reunion: https://64.media.tumblr.com/e5e2c3cc6c588c4f9ddc757b8f0f1237/tumblr_pivldud3l51vybnw1o1_1280.jpg》

Yooa hasn't come across many friends that can hold a torch and say, "ah yes, we appreciate Yooa for who she is, no judgment and no questions asked."

Alas, Yooa was lucky to have met two close friends during her nightclub adventures, first one is Dohyun, a lovely woman who makes her keen with every sweet word falling from her pretty brims; and the other is the handsome man she's about to meet up with tonight. Park Hyungsik.

A neurosurgeon who has been to Paris for quite some time, the man is pretty lucky if she must say so herself. Hyungsik was always a shoulder to lean on for the younger girl, she always sought comfort from him or Dohyun whenever the tides got rough. They knew her pretty well in comparison to just how much of her true self she shows to the world; those at school or at her work or in general when she meets them from time to time.

Even the random dates and flings would never know who Yoo Shiah truly is, a girl who can't feel empathy unless it's forced, a girl who's closed in on herself so much that words can't fathom.

The woman walks up to the bar counter and raps her knuckles against the wooden counter with a soft smile. "Hey, can I get a jack Daniel's honey on the rocks, please? Thank you."

Tonight she's feeling for something a bit stronger, the week has been grueling and as she looks down at her fiddling hands, she knows she's nervous about her upcoming assignments which must be presented to her professors Monday coming. Maybe her close friend can take her mind off of things for the time being with his adventures in Paris.

@✽ ryujin s.ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵃ ᵐᵒⁿᵗʰ⁻ⁱˢʰ Seolhyun definitely couldn’t register what was happening, but her ears managed to pick up what her new bartender best friend was asking of her. With her eyes closed and her head facing down on the now-sweaty bar counter, her hand blindly and clumsily went through her pockets, her fingers gripping her smartphone precariously by the corner. She almost dropped it while bringing it to rest on the table, the gadget slamming against the glass. Thankfully her phone was protected by those high-end Otterbox phone cases, a small investment she made since she was surrounded by hyperactive children all day. With her eyes /and/ mouth half-open, her thumb swiped up on the phone, bringing up the face ID identifier that would unlock her phone. She squinted at the screen, drunk-giggling as her face unlocked the device and she immediately clicked on the contacts application. Well, she thought she did, she actually clicked on the photos app beside it, showing the camera roll full of children, food, and candid pictures of her husband. “Ooooookay, Wyuchin…” she started, terribly mispronouncing Ryujin’s name in her inebriated state, “You can call the family butler… speed dial 1…” And then Seolhyun basically just blacked out, her cheek on the cold glass. She didn’t even get to pay, but knowing the reliability of the Im family butler, he’d know where Seolhyun’s money is in her wallet and pay for the drinks before taking the blacked out woman home.

@✽ seolhyun k. Snorting at Seolhyun’s drunken words, Ryujin laughed. So many costumers refused water at first, but she couldn’t just let them not stay hydrated as they drank away. She hummed, amused smile on her lips as she stared at the woman. “I know, it’s the worst huh? Too bad, you gotta make sure you have some water in you- can’t have you full on blacking out..”

“That’s admirable.. you’d think most people would be the same way as that, but it’s not as common as I had thought..” her words were soft as she watched Seolhyun finish away the last drink, a soft laugh leaving as she shook her head in amusement. The way the woman was acting was nothing new to Ryujin; many costumers usually even more drunk then her, grasping at every last drop as if they needed it. “He’s an Im? Seriously?” Ryujin hadn’t been living in Dandelion for long, but everyone knew of the Ims, even in the city she had heard her mother talking to her father about the prestigious family. And here was the wife to one of the family members! She was surprised, eyes wide as she replayed the words in her head. As the woman was downing away the few sips left, she went to help another costumer and serve them. The night was always busy, always full of loud people and heavy bass coming from the speakers. The ideal night out place that could be enjoyed by one’s self or with friends. The ideal night for costumers, only costumers. Ryujin had lost track over how many people needed a beer or were trying to order a mixed drink, letting her fellow employees take over the section as she served a few beers and took some glasses away to clean. Her actions were brought to a halt as she heard a ‘thump’ not too far away, head turning to find exactly where the noise came from. “Oh my god..” a quiet set of curses left as she rushed over to Seolhyun. The few slurred words she received left her slightly confused, brow cocked as she thought for a moment, eyes slowly glancing over to the woman’s phone. “Oh, do you have someone you can call? Do.. um, can you tell me the number? Or unlock your phone for me at least?” She looked around, waving away her coworkers questioning looks.

@✽ ryujin s.ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵃ ᵐᵒⁿᵗʰ⁻ⁱˢʰ Seolhyun shook her head vigorously, a little habit she always did when she was drunk. She didn’t like saying ‘no’, she’d always be using her head and body to express that herself. “Water sss…”

“I’ll do anything for the people I love…” Her eyes were blinking, half-lidded most of the time as she took a sip from her last glass of vodka tonic, making grumbling, whining noises when she emptied it. She flipped the glass upside down and into (head tipped back) hoping there would be a drop of it left, to no avail. She rubbed her eyes with her left hand, her eyelid grazing her wedding ring, causing her to flinch from the slight pain. Her head was ducked down, her eyes almost fully closing as the alcohol was so deep in her system after downing so much of it all at once. “He’s… I dunno. Not exactly sure. They do lots of stuff in Dandelion and in the city… he’s an Im…” she groaned, not realizing that she reveals who her husband was. That was not part of her agenda coming to the bar, but at least she didn’t reveal that she was a teacher. A thud was heard, and Seolhyun’s head was on the table, unintelligible mutters coming out from . Only a few words could be heard and understood. “Food… sleepy… butler… phone…” Even she wasn’t sure what she was saying, her mind was not there. But the last two words had some sense, the Im family butler’s number was on speed dial on her phone and was at the top of her contacts, along with her husband’s, for emergencies.

@✽ dahyun k. ] I am so sorry for such a late reply again! Finally getting back into everything so replies are becoming more normally paced lol

“Oh I feel you on that completely! Last time I got drunk alone was probably a year or so ago and I swore to never do that again.. drunk, alone, and waking up hungover with no one around is never ideal in my opinion.” Ryujin replied, groaning a bit as she recalled the memory with disdain. Ever since that moment she had stuck to only drinking out with friends, and with being so busy with work she hadn’t even really been able to drink in general. She did miss getting to enjoy a drink every now and then, wanting nothing more than to have a cheap beer after a long shift. “Completely understandable, and honestly probably the smartest decision as well.. breakfast I’ve learned to go without, but caffeine? I always just leave early in the morning to stop by a coffee shop close by.” She smiled over at Dahyun, chuckling sheepishly as she set aside some cups she had finished drying. “Though I’m realizing how much I’m making this harder on myself.. money wise at least. Kitchen is definitely going to become my priority now thanks to you.” Hearing Dahyun talk, Ryujin leaned against the bar, hands coming up to cup her cheeks as she hummed. “Woah, that sounds like heaven! I never really put so much thought into a couch, but I feel like I should now! I just bought a cheap one since the store was having a warehouse deal..” she tilted her head slightly, brows raised just a bit as she grew curious. “Oh, what do you do for work? Honestly, if I was able to work from home and on a couch I would love working.” She laughed, eyes crinkling up with her growing smile. Most of her friends had been struggling college students, the thought of owning anything comfortable and cute had been nothing but a future dream for all of them. Even still, having splurged on a nice bed but buying everything else from warehouses. Being able to listen to others accomplishments and expenses was something she loved to do.

“Oh! That’s a great idea! You know I saw this sweater through the window in one of the shops as I was walking a day or two ago.. really, the clothes there look so pretty and I’m sure they’re not too pricy..” she had been meaning to check out the shopping area for quite some time now and finally the perfect opportunity arose. “Do you think it’ll be open by the time we get there? If so, I’m absolutely down for that.. I also saw a flower shop and a Music Store around here if you were interested in any of those places.” Ryujin leaned forward in her spot, smiling as she watched Dahyun type away in her phone. “I’ve heard great things about the restaurants here, I always have costumers coming in talking about the places.. thank you for even suggesting this in the first place, I didn’t realize how badly I needed a day out until now..”

@✽ seolhyun k. Ryujin stared at Seolhyun, watching as the obviously buzzed woman snacked on the fries. She hummed, still nervous over the woman before going to grab a glass. “Now that you ate a little, maybe some water? You should stay hydrated as well, don’t wanna mess yourself up too much, right? Her tone was light as she handed Seolhyun the glass, hoping the woman would drink it before having anymore alcohol.

Nothing impressive? Could someone sell the self that short? Ryujin stared at Seolhyun with an even newer amount of admiration. Hardworking, beautiful, and humble? The list seemed to go on. “Still.. that must take a lot of energy and strength. It’s still impressive, even if it’s just to support you and the ones in your life..” With darker lighting it was usually harder to see, but with colored lights shining near the bar Ryujin was able to see the ring that was on Seolhyun’s finger. The bartender’s eyes widened a bit, even seeing it for a short moment she could see just how extravagant it was. She nodded at the woman’s mentioning of her husband, humming in curiosity as she mentioned him owning a small business. “Oh, really? What kind of business? Is it settled here at dandelion or is it in the city?” As always, Ryujin couldn’t help but ask about her customers lives. They never had to say anything they didn’t want to, but she couldn’t help but be curious. “You’re a great wife and an even greater daughter then.” The slurred words not at all a surprise, having already anticipated for the buzzed antics. She picked up a few stray napkins, looking over at the woman before snorting. “I knew this was going to happen. Do you have someone that can pick you up once you’re done?” It was already getting late and watching the way Seolhyun was downing the drink, she knew she would need to help her.

@✽ gyuri p. Jiyoung looked at Gyuri with a smile as she took a bit sip from her glass, putting down her cup before she sighed at the question." I'm happy to see you again as well, Unnie. Yea, cheers to that." She finished her drink with one go as she lean against the bar top, shaking her head as Jiyoung look back at the woman who helped her all those years ago. " I have been okay, just opened my own business. And she has been okay, just haven't been seeing her for a long time since we don't want to expose ourselves in order hide from the people that chased us back then."

Staring at the empty glass as she waved down the bartender to order herself manhattan, she needed the drink since she had been stressing out and not one day she feels someone was watching her whenever she was in the strip club working. " You should visit my club when you have the chance, maybe you will like it? I'm the owner of a strip club now, I used to work there but i saved up enough money so I bought the club from the previous owner." Jiyoung smiled happily whenever she talks about her new career, but at the same time she kind of felt a little stress since the business wasn't doing so well either.

@✽ jiyoung k. there was a spark of recognition in gyuri’s eyes. in all her years working as a flight attendant, having served countless passengers, only a rare few had left an impression on her, this young woman being one of them. “i was,” she answered, her voice pensive. “yes, of course, it’s starting to come back now. i do remember you two…” how could she not? the nervousness radiating from the two girls was palatable despite their best attempts to hide it. gyuri wasn’t sure why but she did know that they needed some kind of reassurance. so she provided just that, going out of her way to be extra attentive and comforting towards them, even slipping a napkin with written resources for those finding refuge in Korea.

gyuri smiled back, relief evident on her face. “thank you, jiyoung. it’s nice to finally put names to the faces i helped years ago. i’m gyuri.” taking the shot of bourbon, she held it up to the other woman. “cheers to fate bringing us together once more.” she clinked her glass against the other before knocking back the bourbon, enjoying its subtle burn. “so jiyoung, how long have you been here in dandelion? is sana here as well?”

@✽ johnny s. “As soon as you make what up? It’s fine, it’s fine.” She was dismissive towards herself as she pulled away from him, still looking down so that she didn’t accidentally meet his gaze. Her embarrassment was almost overwhelming and she wasn’t quite sober enough for any logic to take hold. Instead she started finding fault in everything.

“No, no. I can’t let you do that. I’ve already made a big enough mess of the night.” She mumbled and leaned back against the bar, she shoulders slumped in defeat. It was then that she peeked at him between her fingers and shook her head. “I-I don’t have any excuse and I’m sorry.”

@✽ areum k. Soon after, he nods and carefully releases her. "I should apologize for what happened, not you.” Johnny then grabbed her bag from her seat, saying, "I truly didn't intend to. I'll give you a ride home if you want as soon as I make it up. At least I am confident that you will arrive safely.”

Along with finding a different approach to make amends, he pays for her beverages. Even though he barely knows her, he feels terrible for hurting her. He has high regard for women, as he has stated.

@✽ johnny s. That escape did not go as planned and she could feel the embarrassment rising in her. The room was so hot all of a sudden, almost suffocating and the rouge color that began to tint her skin crept up her neck, cheeks and all the way to the tips of her ears. Areum just wanted to curl into a ball like a tiny armadillo and then burrow somewhere until the thoughts passed.

She couldn’t even look at him even though she was pressed about as tightly to his chest as she could be while still being a separate person. “Yeah. Everything is going according to cake.” She squeaked out in response and brought her hands up to cover her face. “I am so sorry. Again.”

@✽ areum k. He abruptly regains consciousness as he holds the woman's hand. Since he doesn't know her yet or what her name is, Johnny is really shocked by what just happened. Because he doesn't want her to feel rejected, he is himself in a panic.

She even brushed against his chest instead. He was able to look at her ecause of this. "You alright?” He asked, as sincerely as he could “I'm sorry from what occurred. I honestly didn't mean to hurt you in any way." He always puts off doing something because he would rather hurt himself than the other.

He can't help but keep staring at the woman standing directly in front of him, curious as to what she might be feeling or thinking right now.

@✽ johnny s. He didn’t exactly respond which left things messy for Areum because that meant she too didn’t know what to do. If he had pushed her off or reciprocated that would have been something but neither happened. Without any indication to guide her, she assumed he was disgusted with her and her behavior. What other conclusion could he come to given how she had acted.

So she panicked. Areum released him and pulled away, blindly reaching for her bag at the bar and missing. Oh well, she would get it back eventually. It’s not like it had anything important in it like her ID or cards or keys or anything. Nope. It was time to abandon ship and that’s exactly what she intended to do.

But what happened was that she somehow forgot that he was standing right in front of her and was very solid, as it turns out, when she ran full speed into his broad chest with her head

@✽ areum k. As soon as he realized how you appeared to touch his chest, he started to laugh out loud. Shaking his head at your response, he gives you a brief moment of his whole attention. "I assume you appreciate what you're touching.” He teased before softly bringing your body closer.

As soon as Johnny felt a gentle pair of lips brush his, he was startled. His eyes opened at how quickly the entire operation moved forward. "Did she just give him a kiss?” He pondered.

@✽ johnny s. Absentmindedly she kept smoothing out the front of his shirt from where she grabbed it before just blatantly flattening her hand against his chest. Ooh, there were muscles under there and she didn’t even hide her surprise as her eyes widened and a gentle flush colored her cheeks as she glanced up at him once more.

He was so kind, so considerate and so warm. She just couldn’t quite help herself. The more of him she learned, the more attractive he became and rather than answer directly, she grabbed that shirt once more. Areum pulled him down at the same time she rose to her tiptoes and placed a kiss solidly on his lips.

@✽ areum k. He feels the punch to his face as though anything has changed. Johnny allows the woman to act as she pleases. He won't even attempt to hurt her back if you think that would happen. He has such a great regard for women that he won't even mind getting hit or having a bottle broken against him.

As soon as he heard the other continuing to apologize to him, he said, "I want you to feel better, so don't apologize. If doing that helps you feel better.” Trying to calm her down. “If not, tell me what will lessen the suffering you're experiencing so that I can make it up to you before I leave.”

@✽ johnny s. The left half of her body fully heard and registered what he said. He was thoughtful, sweet, and much deeper and more considerate than she would have thought. Sober Areum could totally see herself grabbing a coffee or something with him and just chatting to get to know what was going on behind those beautiful soulful eyes.

Unfortunately her right side was already in motion and her fist made contact with his face, a feat considering her small stature and the fact she was completely off balance. It wasn’t hard, not really, scarcely more than a love tap but the action itself was enough to completely diminish whatever residual anger she had for him. Instead her jaw dropped and she began to apologize profusely. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean it, but I did, but I didn’t.” She mumbled, the contact sobering her up significantly.

@✽ areum k. “I detest cheating on women, so I can't tolerate it. They are not due that.” He continued to stare at the woman in front of him and stated “but they don't deserve humiliation from each other when the guy's feeling fantastic and is cheating with other ladies aside from the two of them.”

Johnny observed how she grabbed his shirt and then punched him. He doesn't really care what she did because he has always experienced pain. He simply let her treat him anyway she pleased.

@✽ johnny s. “But why do you get to decide that?” She asked, taking a step to follow him but pausing as he turned around. That wasn’t supposed to work and now that she was seeing him from the front for the first time she was startled and struck by just how good looking he was. But she was still so mad and the mixture of heightened emotions had her body reacting before her mind.

Her right hand balled into a fist as her left reached for the front of his shirt to hold on tightly. Areum shifted her weight awkwardly as she seemed to be at odds with herself. Her tongue slipped between her lips to wet them as she released the punch aimed vaguely towards his fist. Yep. This was going well.

@✽ areum k. "Well, not everyone likes the drama in question. Additionally, not everyone is interested in knowing who has cheated whom, etc.” Johnny replied as he retreated from the area.

He was halted, though, as he heard what she had just spoken. “Make amends to you? Depending on how you want it to be.” He turned his body to face the woman, his eyebrows furrowing briefly.

@✽ johnny s. “That’s only their whole job, sir, and I will have you know I was enjoying the show. It’s like, liquid dinner and a movie. Even could almost pretend a hot date for about 30 seconds.” The woman answered, turning to him and pushing lightly on his arm with her index finger.

As he got up to leave, she felt a flurry of emotions swirling through her and she slid off of her barstool after him. “Yeah? You’re so sorry, huh?” She inquired rhetorically, skipping right onto the rest of her thought. “If you’re so sorry then you should make it up to me.”

@✽ areum k. Before he drank from his own glass of booze, he let out a soft giggle. "Well, it's not like people will just stop them by calling bouncers, is it? And you've seen how bothersome it is to other people. Why don't I intervene before things get worse and let them disturb people who is merely enjoying themselves as they continue doing so?”

Johnny was puzzled as to why the woman was acting so cold toward him. However, he simply set the glass down on the table in front of him, along with his payment and tip, for the bartender to simply take up. He murmured, turning his body to leave the bar. “I'm sorry for disrupting your quiet time, miss."

@✽ johnny s. By then the bouncer made his way over to the group and ushered the troublemakers out of the door which quieted the bar significantly. It also removed her entertainment so she spun back around and hooked her boots into the bottom rung of the stool. Now that she was definitely more than appropriately buzzed, she decided to slow down and nurse her last drink. Until the male inquired after her habits.

For some reason that question pissed her off. Well, that and the lingering impression that he had already rejected her even though she never actually made a move. And that speech he gave to those women… this man thought he knew everything or something and Areum was growing angry quickly.

“Do you always into situations that you’re not welcome in?” She shot back and then downed the entire new drink out of spite. It was a mistake and she knew it but she was not about to let him think he could tell her anything. “That face won’t save you here, pretty boy.”

@✽ areum k. He immediately scowls and gives a head nod. "Can you two please put your differences aside now? Abandon the man. He is no superior. Keep the cat, look after it carefully, and let it survive.” He continued as he drank his own beer. “Find a better man. He won't cheat and appreciates you as a lady.”

Johnny then moved closer to the woman for whom he had been looking earlier. His eyes are fixed on the glasses directly in front of him as he sits next to you. “Miss—, do you drink this much?” He gazed at you and questioned.

@✽ johnny s. With only a slight nod of her head to the male, she returned the salute and downed her drink. When she set down the glass she felt like she had enough courage to say something to him; not that she had any idea what was going to come out of . She mentally encouraged herself and turned to speak only for him to go to intervene with the fighting women.

Damn. She couldn’t even rate above to ladies drunkenly fighting over some third gentleman. He was too good looking for her anyway and this was the sign. Areum retreated inside of herself for the moment, feeling shame and anger for not being better than she was. Bitterness boiled up quickly and she downed another drink before grabbing a fifth or sixth one? Who knew anymore.

Then the altercation got interesting. He had paused it because apparently he was some big shot actor but one of the women saw it as a perfect opportunity and she shoved the other hard in the direction of both Areum and Johnny.

@✽ areum k. Before shifting his body slightly and turning to face the woman who is nearby, Johnny continues to listen to the women who are arguing. He then gives her a brief "cheers" and downs his rhum. One of the women bumped into him as he was ready to take up his next glass for the beer as they continued to argue.

He slowly gets up before going at the middle of them. “Why were you two arguing?” Johnny shook his head and added. “Stop now, or somebody will contact the police so you two can hang out at the police station.” Before one of them spoke, the other two people just continued to stare at him. “You’re Johnny, as in the actor. Right?”

@✽ johnny s. As Areum sat back and downed another drink, glancing at the nearby male out of the corner of her eye. He was cuter than she first thought or maybe the liquor was working. Well, there was also the other possibility that she hadn’t actually looked at him prior but now that she was, she could definitely see he had some charm. Things were looking up. Ish.

The woman maneuvered a little closer once more, absolutely pretending to be paying attention to the altercation as she tried to figure out what to say. She at communicating but eventually she would have enough liquid courage to make a poor life decision. Areum picked up her new drink and sipped it slowly, now openly eyeing the man beside her with a pensive expression. He seemed out of place somehow but she couldn’t put her finger on why.

@✽ areum k. After waiting for a while, he finally received his drink before spotting a seductive woman not far from where he was. Johnny was first just quietly sipping his rhum when he noticed the woman shifting her body. He chuckled softly to himself after concluding that she probably wanted to avoid him. Well, many women do it nonetheless, so to him, he doesn't seem friendly enough. But the glass and the wine he consumes are his only friends.

Not long after, he overheard two women arguing not too far in his direction. Hearing their banter among themselves, he shook his head. He stared at the ice cube from his glasses and wondered why people were always debating about males. He always saw the males as the crux of the conflict between the two ladies. When they might have found a more suitable partner for them, why not deal with the nonsense guy instead, and then throw them out?