›› 2nd round

[regressive]

Who ■ Joonghyuk & others
What ■ Catch-all
When ■ Second month
Where ■ All over
Content Warnings ■ YJH as usual

Feel free to hit me up on plurk @ biyoo / discord @ biyoos if you'd like a thread with Mr. Punisher!!

Comments

›› closed to brambles // botany

[regressive]

[ Whenever they meet up, it's going to become clear that Joonghyuk wasn't fooling around and kept grinding his profession level up until he couldn't anymore. Having no chill whatsoever allows him to obtain a few Sleepy Sunflowers from Mac Anu that he's currently holding in his hands. ]

I thought that maybe we could make an arrangement using one of these.

[ He couldn't come up with anything satisfying, but Joonghyuk can tell that it'll be easy for Brambles to figure it out. ]

[dapples]

[ He smiles. The more time he spends with this guy, he more he hates timezones. And just how far away he is. But, still. It's fun to enjoy the game with him ... he supposes. ]

Mm. [ A simple nod of his head. ]

You asked me of their meaning a little while ago. Sunflowers, I mean. Are they your favourites?

[regressive]

[ Mr. Brambles... that's gay. ]

Mhm, you're right. I did.

[ He's a little surprised that Brambles remembers that conversation. All things considered, they're two strangers playing an online game. Maybe a bit more than that, but Joonghyuk doesn't bother putting a label on it. ]

Yeah, I like them. Flowers are beautiful in general, but sunflowers are really bright and...

[ Joonghyuk clears his throat. ]

They are my favorites, yes.

[dapples]

[ Of course he remembers that conversation. It meant a lot to him. Even in real life, Brambles rarely meets other men who are interested in flowers around his age. Those who regularly visit the flower shop are women and older ladies, but never men who share similar hobbies with him like reading and playing video games. YJH is special.

Hearing him describe the flowers that he likes just makes him smile brightly. ]

Then we're going to make something really special with them.

[ Time for them to find some more flowers! ]

Did I ever tell you my favourite flower?

[regressive]

[ While he meant to ask, Joonghyuk got flustered and basically ran away before getting to learn what Brambles' favorite flower is. Actually, a part of him wants to turn on his heels after hearing that they're going to mae something really special, but that doesn't happen. ]

No. But you should tell me now.

[ He should because Joonghyuk wants to know!! Simple. ]

[dapples]

[ There's no running away now. Brambles just stops mid-walk and glances up at Joonghyuk before delivering his answer. ]

Daisies.

[ A sweet, simple answer, for a sweet simple flower. ]

[regressive]

[ That makes Joonghyuk stop as well, his eyes open wide when Brambles gazes up at him. Something about him is— ]

Sunflowers and daisies go well together... I think.

[ Joonghyuk looks away as he presses the flowers he's holding closer to his chest. ]

Let's go find some.

[dapples]

[ He nods and smiles. ] Right you are. You've definitely got the makings of a florist. Big flowers always go well with little flowers.

[ Which says something about their height difference, too. I mean. ]

I like daisies because of how carefree they are. They just grow wherever they want, modestly adding little pops of white to what would otherwise be a plain grassy field. They don't need to be big, beautiful and extravagant ... they're just small and brilliant. I love that.

[regressive]

They always go well together?

[ It sounds like a generalization, but at the same time it's not like he has that much experience with flowers. Actually, he probably shouldn't tell Brambles that he has murdered a few potted plants. ]

They look nice, though. And you are similar... kind of.

›› closed to brambles // cooking

[regressive]

[ It's impossible to forget Brambles' favorite food even if he wanted. A jacket potato with baked beans. At least getting potatoes and beans isn't too much of a hassle, so as soon as they get all the ingredients needed and find a kitchen they can use, Joonghyuk starts washing the potatoes. ]

Do you eat this often?

[ He's still processing the fact that it's an actual dish, to be honest. ]

[dapples]

All the time! It's been my favourite since I was a child. I've made it so many times that I've practically mastered it, heh.

[ It really speaks something of British food culture when Brambles is proud to master putting a frickin potato in the oven at 180 degrees for 45 minutes and preparing some baked beans on the hob to go with it. ]

What's your favourite food?

[regressive]

[ He had to google this treasure of British food culture and he's still in shock that people would eat that. Maybe there's something he doesn't see? Well, if everything goes well, Joonghyuk will get the chance to try this delicacy. ]

Pork dumplings. I could eat them all the time.

[ Which wouldn't be good for his health but whatever. ]

[dapples]

Oh...! Darn, I'll never get to try them. I can't eat pork.

[ Though ... ]

Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever had a dumpling before.

[ His sad potato-and-bean loving tastebuds have yet to experience exciting food. ]

[regressive]

That's even better. It means more dumplings for me. [ Brambles sounded a bit sad, so that's Joonghyuk's attempt at cheering him up. ] Spinach is great for dumplings too if you can eat it.

[ They don't sell these at convenience stores, but sometimes he makes them at home. ]

Don't tell me you eat potatoes and beans all the time.

[ Didn't he just say the same about dumplings, though... ]

[dapples]

Ooh, yes. I love spinach! We grow it in our garden.

[ He laughs! ]

I love them! But that would get proper boring. I also like to eat lentil cottage pie, butter on toast and jam sandwiches! [ THIS GUY, ]

[regressive]

Butter on toast...

[ That makes Joonghyuk snort as he figures out how the oven works to heat it up before drying the potatoes. ]

We eat completely different things. Well, maybe save for butter on toast.

[dapples]

Haha! It's a classic.

[ he is sniffing the potatoes. ]

These potatoes...! Mmmm. How is technology so incredible? I can't believe we can just stick potatoes in the oven and eat food on a game like this!

›› closed to brambles // after the conference

[regressive]

[ Joonghyuk felt bad after not checking on Brambles sooner—he got caught up in an argument with Hien which wasn't really necessary, all things considered. After replenishing his health points with a few potions (there's no point in showing himself up when he's not in a good state), Joonghyuk seeks out Brambles. From there, they go straight to the guild house and he insists on staying the night with the other man. Once they're in Brambles' room and the doors are locked tight, Joonghyuk drags him to the bed and says something about persevering energy. ]

I need to send a few messages, but...

[ That won't stop him from wrapping his arm around Brambles and pulling him into an embrace. ]

[dapples]

[ It's nice to be back at the guild. Many things are troubling Brambles at the moment - like his fall out with Hien, their current predicament in the game, his fears for Joonghyuk's safety, and their loved ones in the real world. The thought of Mia and his father needing to look after their comatose bodies is so upsetting that he has to force the images out of his head.

But despite all of these troubles, his room in the guild home is very tranquil and serene. It's not a problem-solver by any means, but being here in this space, in the quiet, with Joonghyuk, is enough for him right now. His arms circle around his partner's. This gesture alone is enough to make Brambles' breath stutter and his body shake, before he cracks out a little whimper when he starts to cry. ]

[regressive]

[ After hearing that soft whimper slip from Brambles' mouth, Joonghyuk decides that messages can wait and wraps both of his arms around his lover's lithe body and presses him even closer, as if he wanted to hide Brambles from the dangers of the world they found themselves in. ]

Don't worry. I'll make sure everything will turn out all right.

[ Joonghyuk can't shake off the feeling that he might not be able to do what he's promising, but Brambles doesn't have to know about this concern. ]

[dapples]

[ Brambles is cheerful, optimistic and kind ... at least, that's how he tries to be. But after everything they've learned over the past few hours, that optimism isn't there. Even Joonghyuk's reassuring words are difficult to digest. He breaks away to glance up at him sadly, just as a tear rolls down his cheek. ]

Your messages ... [ He heard that, and he doesn't want to get in the way of Joonghyuk's tasks, despite his current state. ]

[regressive]

[ Joonghyuk can't say that it's not important because there are a few people whose safety he'd like to confirm. Still, an hour or two won't make a difference—they're not going anywhere. ]

It can wait. [ He leans in to kiss that tear away. ] I'm sorry.

[ Technically, none of this is his fault, but... maybe if he didn't log in every day, Brambles would have forgotten about this game and never got into this situation. ]

I'm here with you.

[dapples]

If you're sure ...

[ He buries his face into Joonghyuk's chest again, hugging him tightly. ]

I'm so glad you are. Will you ... lie here with me for a bit?

[regressive]

All night. [ What he doesn't say is that he needs rest, too. ] If you need food, I have lots in my inventory.

[ So they won't even have to move anywhere. ]

I'm sure it's just temporary, Brambles. We're going to get out.

[dapples]

[ Once they're settled on the bed, Brambles resumes hugging Joonghyuk. Occasionally, he sniffs, fighting off the urge to cry again. ]

I ... really hope you're right ... I keep thinking about Mia, and my Dad ... [ sniff ] I don't know what's going to happen. I'm so scared ...