— transportation.

@✽ seungwan s. In his cozy reclined position, he had his hand on his stomach while he nestled his head more into couch his eyes wandered a bit. He chuckled at Seungwan’s joke, but timing was a funny thing. Just as she continued on about needing someone to talk to, his eyes finally landed on a particular bookshelf of his. There on the top shelf stood a row of shot glasses that he and his ex used to collect from every town and city they visited, even different variations from the same places. Three from Monaco alone, two for the Grand Prix and one when they visited their friends there. Another from Suzuka, which had him promising her they would take a trip to Japan during his break. They never got to it. From the song to the glasses, he hated how he was reminded of her at every turn.

Standing up from his seat, he walked to the minibar in the corner of his living room. He placed his phone nearby, “Maybe it is one of those night where… You know…” He struggled with his words, thinking about her once more, taking a deep breath before continuing, “It’s just one of those nights, where there’s a lot on the mind. Depending on what happens, those thoughts really can do a number.” He hated too how he could not admit to her question with an obvious answer, pouring himself a heavy glass of whiskey. Easily past the two finger mark, warm and neat. It always did the job better than wine.

Now holding onto his phone again, he gave his drink a good swirl before sipping on it. An all too obvious relieved sigh could be heard from his end, instead of the typical burn in his throat that had little effect to him with the state that he was in. Already he had a somewhat more eased chuckle, “Maybe I should had considered the dryer method the past few nights instead of those melatonin gummies, which really don’t work it seems like. I guess I could see why you would do this on a cold night, but it’s still too cold for me to step out for those reasons. Aside from tonight’s lovely weather, is there another reason why you need such warm blankets? Is everything good on your end?”

His drinks were long in between when he could catch a sip. Maybe his body was more desperate than he thought for some escape, even in the form of alcohol. Now the tension in his head and neck seemed to loosen. It was easier for him to smile too as he spoke, his tone warmer, “Since you want to be adventurous and I prefer you don’t get a frostbite tonight, I’ll help you out. You listening to me ramble about gummies will be a bonus for me. If they have a store nearby the Bubble Rave, make sure to get something warm to drink or hold onto. Okay?”

He wandered around his room, slow and short steps in the open space as if he was exploring a museum, not his home. He would occasionally make stops, staring at what was in front of him. Not too long after, he opened the Maps app, “Which stop are you at? I don’t want you to deal with that accident in the area.”

@✽ hyungsik p. Ehhh let's just check in first then we can go out to have some food~ you gotta bring me around, even though i've been here, I'm still not that familiar with it. Cute huh... glad he has an eye for it~ I'm the cutest, right?
/chuckles softly as I wiggle my head alongside your cheek pinch, leading the way and stepping into the lobby, quickly checking in and getting the card key for the both of us/
Highest floor with a perfect view of the city, let's go~

@✽ yewon k. suzy chuckled before letting out a sigh as yewon offered to build a music box for her. "this is getting repetitive but," she glanced at the younger lady's side profile. "you're really nice." the radio host turned her gaze back to the passing cars as she asked, "do you mind if i take my time, then, to design it?" yewon didn't only offer to build the music box but a deal. "i'm not sure about that. actually, i sort of love the attention i'm getting," she joked lightly, letting out a small laugh. she then genuinely added, "that was a joke. so, deal. i'll turn a blind eye if i ever find the skeletons you hide." suzy offered yewon a hand to shake to finalize the deal. "yes, that's true. no competition. just a little fun. then...how about in the weekends?" she suggested as she fished out her phone, tapping on the screen a few times before handing it to yewon. "i'll probably need your number to tell you the exact location and all."

@✽ nayeon i. Should we go get something to eat at the restaurant first before we check in?
Don't want to make you feel hungry. And he was complimenting about how cute you are.
/looks at you and give you a soft smile, cant help but to pinch your cheek in adoration/
You need all of those energy for later, after all~

@✽ hyungsik p. Well as long as there isn't anything stupid done, we don't have to worry, hm?
Oooh Barfleur? I'll have to read up on it later then! But that's true, a seaside town would have that quiet, more calming feeling than the main city wouldn't have. Speaking about seafood already makes me hungry haha.
/shakes my head in amusement, watching as you paid the fare and conversed with the driver, curious as to why he would give you a thumbs up, only asking you about it once we get off, the bellboy already helping us with our luggages/
What did you two talk about? I feel left out~~ hahaha.

@✽ nayeon i. Of course no debt. I was just thinking about the future, that's all.
And I love suburb and seaside town more than the bustling main city. Sure Paris is nice but Barfleur is on another whole different level. Plus fresh seafood. Never can go wrong.
/nods, takes some money out when we arrived to pay for the fare, laughing softly when the driver said my wife is adorable; shaking my head/
'No, not yet. I'm planning to ask her for it though. Wish me luck, sir.'
/grins back to the driver as he gives me thumbs up, get off from the taxi then look at you/
Now it finally feels like holiday

@✽ hyungsik p. Don't worry about savings, we'll have enough, trust me. Unless you're in debt? Then that's a different story.
/beams widely back at you when you finally agree, nodding/
Mm~ that sounds wonderful hehe. I never expected you to be a seaside kind of guy though.

@✽ nayeon i. But we need the saving, just in case. You know. So it does matter.
/scrunches my nose as you whine, sighing as i admit defeat/
Fine fine. Lets go there on the fourth day?
Spending a night there before coming back to Paris.

@✽ hyungsik p. But who knows when you'll be free again, Dr. Park? Money can always be earned, so /it/ doesn't matter.
/pouts back at you, giving a whine/
I don't care, I want to go to the seaside town, wherever that is...

@✽ nayeon i. I'm not saying you're a kid, just like a kid
and its nice though, it means you're adorable
/pokes the tip of your nose while frowning/
it does matter.
I know you have a lot of money but that would be a waste, Im Nayeon
lets just go there for our next trip, if we ever go back here.
of course. as if I'd let you to go bathe with someone else...

@✽ hyungsik p. i'm not a kid....
/huffs but wraps my arms around your arm, leaning in to rest my head on your shoulder/
i booked it for our entire trip, of course. we can still go to the seaside town, it doesn't matter~ private onsen of course.... i wouldn't want to bathe with anyone else... other than you, oppa~

@✽ nayeon i. /just smile as you talked about your plans, nodding in agreement
don't be sorry. I like to see this side of you
just like a kid in a candy shop. adorable.
sure, lets go to the cafe and to the Louvre too
how long did you booked the hotel for?
there's a little seaside town I'd like to visit.
Onsen huh? lets get the private one so we don't get disturbed...

@✽ hyungsik p. /wiggles my head a little when you pinch my cheek, nodding at your idea/
Mhmm~ that's the number 1 touristy thing to do! We can go get some steak afterwards as well~ oh and there's a cafe that serves amazing cakes too.... and I think they should have something that's non-sweet. Will you be interested in heading to the Louvre as well? Sorry, I'm rambling...
/sticks my tongue out in a sheepish smile, nodding/
Summer would be great~ we can.. go to the onsen too hehe.

@✽ nayeon i. cute. Then I promise to stay away from work as well during our time here.
/lightly pinches your cheek before pointing outside
lets take the must have picture near Eiffel tower later after we put our luggage in the hotel
and i bet you'd look pretty wearing kimono
or yukata. so maybe around summer time?

@✽ hyungsik p. /the thought of you working throughout the trip immediately brought a pout to my face, shaking my head a little/
Fine fine, I won't touch it then. It'll be safe and secure in my luggage, I won't take it out haha. Going to Japan would be fun~ maybe we can go during one of their festivals next time. I always wanted to try on a kimono.

@✽ nayeon i. you didn't deny it too though, so I know I was right someway. I've lived here for almost a year after all, so yeah.
and I hope you wont. We're here to unwind, like you said. If you still want to work, then I guess I should start working on my medical journal too, still have a lot to input that I think I might use all the time we're here just to write it down.
/nods, half joking half serious about it since i still bring the materials from the summit earlier this week.
I guess, next time when we go to Japan, I'll be the one who will be in your care then.

@✽ hyungsik p. /grins when your lips touches mine, missing the feeling of you before rolling my eyes at your words when you pull away/
pftt, i can have more when i'm in the hotel? you're saying it as if I'm the one who wants it more... and renting a car would be great, but lets settle down first! and wow, really? I only know English and Japanese haha... I'll be in your care from now on then.
/takes your hand and lets you lead the way, holding onto my luggage with the other, then getting into the taxi first; laughs sheepishly at you accusation because it was completely true, admitting it/
W-well... you got me there. I brought my work laptop along... was clearing some before you came haha. I'll try not to touch it!

@✽ nayeon i. tsk, such a cheeky girl.
/rolls my eyes playfully but bend down nonetheless to kiss your lips, keeping it rather long before pulling away
that's for now, you can have more when we're in the hotel.
of course I can. And lets rent a car while we're here too. It would be easier to go to places that way
/pulls away from the hug to hold your hand with my free one while the other one pushing the luggage out from the terminal to the taxi waiting area, telling the driver where to go in French and even make some small conversation with him before gesturing you to get in first, then followed you in/
I hope you didn't bring your work here though, Im Nayeon

@✽ hyungsik p. you'd better! and you're forgetting something or do i have to take it myself?
/points at my lips, grinning back/
i booked the Intercontinental Hotel~ and sure sure, my oppa is so reliable. Can you speak French?

@✽ nayeon i. /wraps my arms around you almost immediately, sighing in content to finally have you bac in my arms again/
really? that's glad to know then. I better do my best to stay alive no matter what then.
glad yours were better than mine. Well, shall we go now?
which hotel did you booked? I'll get the taxi there

@✽ hyungsik p. /chuckles at your wide open arms, though my feet teetered a little fast, hopping into your embrace, arms wrapped tightly around your waist as I gazed back up at you with a shy grin, cheeks dusted pink/
Glad you made it out alive then, I would be devastated if you're gone. Mine wasn't too bad, I slept most of the time haha the bed was just too comfortable!

@✽ nayeon i. /looks around trying to spot you and when i see you wave at me, raises a hand to wave back before I walk over towards you; letting out a soft chuckle at your words, opening my arms widely/
then you better come here and give me a hug.
the flight was okay. there were few turbulences but well, I made it out alive.
How's yours?

@✽ hyungsik p. /finishes up my coffee in the meantime, almost moving onto another set of work before my phone goes off with your text message, a smile forming on my lips as I hurriedly look around for where you were, getting up once I saw you, making my way over with the luggage and giving you a wave/
You know... I hate to say this, but I.... kinda missed you. How was the flight?

@✽ nayeon i. /lands in Paris about two hours later, once i make it through the immigration process, I finally checked my phone; to text you about my arrival. Glances at my reflection; a black long trench coat, white button up shirt and a scarf around my neck. one hand reaches up to fix my hair while waiting for your text reply/

@✽ hyungsik p. [ location: Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport ]

/finally exiting the immigration, I made my way to a tiny cafe just near your arrival gate with my luggage, dressed in a black coat, stockings coupled with a pair of high heeled boots, shades resting on my hair/
/ordering a cup of latte in English, i sent you a text telling you that i've arrived, before finding a table so that I can do some work while still having a view to spot you/

@✽ suzy b. "Yea, I had fun making it and I could build one for you a different shaped one, just need to get the parts." she nods and shrugs. "True, it would be nice to be able to bury them, part of the reason why I'm out here to be honest. and yea I don't recognize you." She shrugs, "But like I said I got my own Skeleton to bury, so if you agree to look past mine if you do find out what it is, I'll agree to look past yours if I find out what it is. deal? some people worry to much over little things anyways and then miss out on things they wanted because of it" she shrugs and then smiles as suzy agrees to the scenery painting "sounds good, though you'll probably find my painting skills to be quite lacking. seems all my skill went into engineering and none went into drawing. but we aren't doing it to win a contest or something like that but just to have fun and put paint on a canvas right? I can at least to that much, when about would you like to do it?"

@✽ jongin k. If the sound of total silence were at zero decibels, Jongin’s littlest sigh would find itself a tad bit higher than that. It was soft like a stilled particle, yet so loud like moving air. Seungwan closed her eyes for a second, and her shoulders relaxed. Her bubbling anxiety came to a low simmer. The familiarity of his attitude, the minor thing she noticed yet the owner himself couldn’t catch, calmed her. At times like this, that was what she needed the most.

Despite telling herself that she knew the view in front of her or that she should have remembered the vandalized bench she was sitting on, Seungwan couldn’t help but sense nothing. Not the feeling of carved initials of naughty children on the bench she told herself she had felt so many times whenever she waited for the bus, nor where the road in front of her would lead her.

But there was him, and just knowing she could reach out to him like this was enough to keep herself holding on to her life that should have felt familiar.

“It seems like one of those nights where I’d find myself without any Internet connection and you with thoughts that just can’t seem to stop running inside your head.” Seungwan joked. “But on a real note, do you need someone to talk to? I got a lot of time. Just until your dinner is ready and I find my way to the laundromat.”

Seungwan let out a small laugh at the blessing before she sniffled a small thank you.

“Just so you know, stuffing the dryer with your blankets on nights like this is the right way to go about it. Isn’t it just perfect? Don’t say that I never share this tip for dreamless sleep and a restful night with you.”

Seungwan shook her head and ran a hand through her hair, the gust of wind caught in her locks. It took her everything to keep them off her face. “No, no. I’m not near my place anymore.” She paused. “I’m at the bus stop now.”

Another pause fell. Who would have thought there would be so many lies told between friends? Yet, Seungwan didn’t have it in her to tell Jongin anything other than what she had that night. While most friendships began with trust and truth, theirs began with a bit of truth, white lies, and many untold parts of stories. They were each other’s support, and it should stay within their calls.

“I got distracted,” Seungwan laughed. “Don’t laugh at me, but I just thought it’d be nice to take another route. Who would have thought I’d find myself at the bus stop and now with no idea where the laundromat is?”

There was a reason why she was adamant about the laundromat. All she could remember was the place was two blocks away from her apartment building, with its giant neon sign. Bubble Rave would be the best chance to find her way home. She didn’t need to worry Jongin again, not after the last time she found herself lost in the big Seoul.

Everything should stay within the boundary of their calls.

“Help a friend out, hm? If I get to the laundromat, they’ll have free WiFi. And while the blankets are in the dryer, I can be your listening ear. Then, once they’re done, I can Google my way home. Sounds like a good plan, don’t you think?”

@✽ yewon k. "a mini /working/ lighthouse. that's interesting," suzy hummed. her eyes round and twinkling in genuine curiousity of the real device all the while wondering how the person she nicknamed her lighthouse was doing now. she let slip a scoff at the mention of every one having secrets to hide. "some people need those skeletons to be pulled out and buried where it should," suzy muttered to herself. like her father. then to yewon, she added,"it probably won't hurt you. either way, mine's already quite out there though, seeing as we've interacted without a hitch, perhaps you don't know. oh, not that you /should/ know, though." after all, she truly needed a break from the scrunitizing eyes of the public. yewon is a rare chance, especially around the city. "that's fine, scenery it is."

@✽ hongjoong k. mingi stretched his arms up as he sat on the hood of his car with a lit cigarette in between two long fingers, and he took a drag from it as he looked out over the backroad that led out of town. it was never used as it went up to the mountains rather than towards the city, and so mingi decided he'd sit there to wait for hongjoong - his car certainly wasn't making any weird noises, but hongjoong would have needed an excuse to go see mingi anyway.

@✽ christian y. It had been just another casual day for Heejin, one which she chose to head out for a peaceful drive. But would it actually be calming? Or an instant regret. She should be okay with going on a stroll.. It has been a couple of months since the accident anyways, and she mainly feels better.. For having been released from the hospital not too long ago. Yeah yeah there’s still a few scars, both physical and emotional but she’d have to live with that, I guess. Enough of that.

Today, she chose to instead go out to try and be relaxed fully, once more.. if possible. My god, quit thinking about it then maybe it’ll be calm. Heejin took a few brief.. gentle breaths and that was alright. She felt fine now. The woman got into her car after unlocking it and began the engine, slightly rolling down her window for some fresh air while on the move as she drove off the driveway and began her travels. Now she didn’t quite know where she was off to or /if/ there was any particular destination.. if she’d head from any point A to point B, or if she’s simply just exploring. Either option wouldn’t hurt anyways. It’s not like she had to head into work soon or at all, as it’s one of her off days, how wonderful.