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POSTED ON Jan 2, 2021 22:42:53 GMT

jayden cross likes this

Chu-e hadn't meant to become a spectacle.

But the guy who was doing 'knife tricks' was just... so bad. Like, bad enough that if Chu-e hadn't have stepped in, he was sure that he was going to hurt himself. Then the guy had been all pissed and smug and told him that 'he would like to see him do better!' in that uppity tone. And Chu-e, well, no one ever said he couldn't be easily goaded into nonsense.

So this was how he was here, in his fancy new year's yukata, twirling and flipping knives in the air. Chu-e was grateful for the outfit for having so many hidden crevices that he could hide as many knives as he had wanted inside. He wasn't about to use this wannaba's cheap ass things.

It led to a striking figure. Flashes of black and red in it's own dance on the stage. Chu-e was proud of this yukata, probably the nicest one he had ever owned. It was mostly black with bright reds dotting the surface, the pattern of a red garydos rending the waves and curling around him, ready to attack his foes... it was supposed to portray power. Chu-e had just thought it looked nice.

But he was getting kind of tired after doing this for so long. Maybe it would be time for a break soon.

jayden cross

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jayden

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POSTED ON Jan 15, 2021 7:38:10 GMT

[nospaces]

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[attr="class","lyricbox"]

[attr="class","title"]
JAYDEN CROSS

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painted like a sun without a soul

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so i thought i could love nothing [break]
but the breeze here

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He and festivals were hardly a match made in... whatever. Festivals were a gathering. They were full of people having fun, excitement, and joy. Laughter. They were full of people who had come from stable, healthy homes. Full of delicious food and banter. Jayden on the other hand...

[break][break] He was devoid of it. He had been devoid of it, practically since birth. Sure, there had been parties - gatherings, really - that Dmitri had dragged him and Alex to as a youth, but that had been work. As far as the Volkov family had been concerned, everything was work until specifically otherwise specified. Which it almost never was.

[break][break] Even if it was specified, Jayden had been taught to be skeptical about it, because it might have been another test. One of Dmitri's many tests, to assess where in his training Jayden was, where he needed to improve, and where he needed to be punished. For Jayden's childhood, there had hardly been a moment of relaxation.

[break][break] And then... there was this.

[break][break] Dmitri was dead, and now Jayden found himself walking through the upper district of Slateport as the town readied itself for the upcoming lunar festival. Lights strung upon telephone poles, the smell of delicious pokemon-themed pastries, and crispy Tauros-themed meat skewers filled the air. The Team Rocket grunt found himself walking through the streets, in his hand one of those aforementioned pastries — specifically a Bouffolant bun. The meat melted in his mouth, his breaths coming in puffs of cold air.

[break][break] It wasn't cold. At least, not compared to Kanto, but cold for the season.

[break][break] Jayden walked, with nobody but his Umbreon at his side. For all intents and purposes, she was his Support pokemon, or at the very least, more of a supportive pokemon than Veles had ever been. Speaking of, the malicious Shuppet seemed to be missing from sight. Unlike his trainer, he relished in gatherings, and the joy of a festival, and whatever havoc he could potentially wreak.

[break][break] Speaking of havoc... there was a crowd gathering in the plaza not far from where Jayden was, and with nothing better to do, the boy found himself walking up to it despite himself. When he saw the display that awaited for him there, he blinked. Confusion glinted in his dark lavender gaze as he recognized no one other than Chu-e Choi in the center, wearing a beautiful appropriately-themed yukata, and juggling knives.

[break][break] It was hard to tell whether Jayden was more shocked at the site of the retired Beast, or excited at the prospect of a knife.

[break][break] The organizer of the event, a big, boisterous man with a thick red beard was speaking to the crowd who had gathered, giving specs on the supposed "knife juggler", and trying to incline people to purchase a set of knives for the new year, or to try their hand at the juggling. Perhaps Chu-E had been doing it for a long time.

[break][break] "Well," the man boomed. "Any takers who want to relieve this talented man?"

[break][break] Jayden chomped on the remainder of his meatbun, wiping his mouth with a napkin, and surprising everyone - perhaps even himself - he stepped forward. Mutely, he lifted a hand. "I'll give it a try, sir."

[attr="class","ooc"]+ tagged Chu-e Choi

[attr="class","pkmntab"]

[attr="class","flower"]

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[googlefont=Roboto|Poppins:700|Montserrat|Playfair+Display|Roboto+Mono]

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Ji-Hoon Ki

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twenty seven

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POSTED ON Jan 15, 2021 12:36:18 GMT

Chu-e had been ready to pack it up when none other than jayden cross had stepped from the crowd.

Recognition flashed in his eyes followed by playfulness. Since Jayden wanted to play, well, Chu-e would let him play. Skilled fingers didn't wait a beat before tossing the knives Jayden's way; giving the other the option to take them all for himself to juggle or two toss back and forth between the two of them. If he even managed to catch them without skewing his hands.

Because, as Jayden would find, these knives were not the kinds with the dulled blades meant for shows and practice. They were real, sharp, with the kind of care and excellent shape to show they were quality. Chu-e had clearly spent a pretty penny on these and took good care to keep them up. On top of being nice to look at, aesthetics complimenting but not overriding the blades themselves. They were flashes of pink, blue, and purple; and Chu-e gave the other a wink.

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jayden

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POSTED ON Jan 17, 2021 7:28:22 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","shadows"]

[attr="class","top"]

[attr="class","iconicon"]

[attr="class","lyricbox"]

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JAYDEN CROSS

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painted like a sun without a soul

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so i thought i could love nothing [break]
but the breeze here

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Before anyone can react, the knives whistles clean through the air towards him, right between his eyes.

[break][break] Jayden's hands are quick to catch up, fingers easily finding the handle of the weapons and then toss them into the air, the silver of the metal catching the light as he tosses them in the air above him. It hasn't been long since he's handled a knife, but it has been long since he's been able to truly appreciate ones as nice as these. They are - of course - not as nice as his, but they are nice nevertheless, and he enjoys the thrill that chases through him when one nearly catches his finger.

[break][break] The whole time, the boy's face remains impassive, as if he was juggling batons or fruit. His eyes lift with each toss in the air, watching the gleam of the silver with interest. A passer-by might mistake his look for concentration; in reality, his look is appreciative rather than focused.

[break][break] Claps and whistles break through the air as the crowd applauds his efforts. There is a howl of approval from the announcer as he declares how amazing it is to find yet another talented stranger. Hidden through the crowd, behind the announcer, is the scowl of the original worker, likely pouting at being shown up by not one, but two other men.

[break][break] Jayden gives the man a look, before then looking back at Chu-E as he tosses the knives right back at him - a collection of blue, pink and purple that would rival the fireworks later that night.

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Ji-Hoon Ki

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twenty seven

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POSTED ON Jan 17, 2021 15:02:53 GMT

Chu-e appreciates that he hadn't just stabbed jayden cross in public. That would be kind of hard to explain.

He is also impressed with his deft fingers. Chu-e had been doing this for years and rarely found anyone with this certain set of skills; it had been a long time since he was a fumbling fourteen year old who could barely hold a knife the right way. Yet his eye did not linger just on Jayden's hands, but also his face. The blasé look is an amusing as it is infuriating. Chu-e hated not being able to get the one-up on people.

When the knives are tossed back, of course he catches them with his own ease. He makes a show of putting them away, flipping each one higher in the air so he can carefully slip the ones in his hands back into his sleeves or pockets. It is agile work. The last knife spin in the air and when Chu-e catches this one, it lands point down on the very tip of his finger. A careful dip allows it to balance there for a moment without impaling his hand on impact; this is more something to show off specifically to Jayden. Quick as a flash, that final knife is put away and he takes a bow. The smallest beads of blood is rubbed between his fingers.

"I didn't expect to see you here!" Before Cross has a chance to run off, Chu-e goes for the other, ignoring the clapping and hooting crowd. He grabs for the other's arm like they're more familiar than they are. "Get some Takoyaki with me?" He cocks his head almost innocent, eyes sliding to the side pointedly. One of Jayden's coworkers from the coffee place had stepped from the crowd, looking to approach him. She had only eased off when Chu-e took his arm.

This left Jayden with an interesting choice. Go through awkward small talk with someone you only knew at work? Or fake a date with someone more than willing to eat you alive?

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jayden

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TAG WITH @jayden

POSTED ON Jan 18, 2021 7:08:53 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","shadows"]

[attr="class","top"]

[attr="class","iconicon"]

[attr="class","lyricbox"]

[attr="class","title"]
JAYDEN CROSS

[attr="class","lyric"]
painted like a sun without a soul

[attr="class","sublyric"]
so i thought i could love nothing [break]
but the breeze here

[attr="class","main"]

[attr="class","textbox"]

There is something in Jayden's eyes as he watches Chu-e Choi catch the knives in the air, just as deftly and quickly as he had done moments before. It isn't surprise. After all, Chu-E Choi would not have been a beast for any reason, would not have risen through the ranks of Old Rocket if he wasn't familiar with weapons such as these.

[break][break] The last knife flips in the air, spiraling, and Jayden finds his gaze drawn to it, like a moth to a flame. The light catches his eyes, making them glint; in it's reflection is the sight of the point of a dagger resting just so on the tip of the other man's finger.

[break][break] There is something that stirs in him, but he can't put his finger on it.

[break][break] His face, however, remains impasse.

[break][break] Maybe Jayden is about to leave, but Chu-E Choi is too smart for him. The crowd parts as the retired Beast comes for him, immediately hooking arms with him in a type of typical closeness that makes the youngest Cross tense. However, he does not pull away.

[break][break] His eyes, however, do catch the sight of a co-worker of his — and as Jayden is not really the type to make pleasantries outside the workplace, his gaze slides just as easily back to the man on his arm. "Okay," he says, assenting, a bit of a smile on his lips, if not for anything than to dissuade his co-worker. It works - the woman falls back into the crowd.

[break][break] The boy looks at Chu-e Choi, with a pause. "I ate already, though."

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POSTED ON Jan 18, 2021 17:59:21 GMT

"Boooooo!" Really, if jayden cross didn't already know who Chu-e was, he might have come across as cute when he pouted up at the other. Because, if you tore down who he was, looked past the frailty of his body, Chu-e was pretty. He looked delicate like porcelain, easy to crack and chip under fingers. His eyes were certainly the windows to his soul, a deep shade of blue that almost looked lavender in the light; and right now they had a spark of something playful and devious dancing inside of them.

"I can't eat a whole order on my own... split them with me?" Snaking a hand down, he didn't hesitate to try and slide a hand into Jayden's. Chu-e even went as far as trying to knot their fingers together, like a real couple might. He plays the part well, too, in how he presses against Jayden's side, lays his head on his arm to peer up at him from under his lashes. Just like anyone else in a Honeymoon Phase might act.

Who knew what Chu-e actually wanted with him.

Already, Chu-e is tugging him away, into the crowd and away from the show they had invaded. His grip tightened a fraction. When he speaks, his voice is low and just for Jayden's ears. "You're good with knives." The observation is dressed with mild surprise as much as it is approval. There is something else buried in his tone, purred out, but it's so slight one might not be able to pick up on it. That something is a bit sweeter and darker than whatever is brewing in his head.

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jayden

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POSTED ON Jan 18, 2021 18:34:39 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","shadows"]

[attr="class","top"]

[attr="class","iconicon"]

[attr="class","lyricbox"]

[attr="class","title"]
JAYDEN CROSS

[attr="class","lyric"]
painted like a sun without a soul

[attr="class","sublyric"]
so i thought i could love nothing [break]
but the breeze here

[attr="class","main"]

[attr="class","textbox"]

It's true. Chu-E is pretty. A person would have had to have been blind not to see it.

[break][break] Or emotionally constipated.

[break][break] And, at least, that is the way Jayden seems to look as the other snakes his arm against his and intertwines their fingers. The feeling of his palms pressed flushed against another's is enough to send a tingle down his spine — not that it hasn't happened before, but certainly not enough for him to be comfortable with it. If Chu-e Choi's eyes were the windows to his soul, soft and full of lavender light, then Jayden's must have been a closed doors. His eyes, dark and stormy, are like an emotional shutter, usually void of feeling.

[break][break] Well, except for the light dusting of a blush on his cheeks, like a snow's first fall.

[break][break] "I can't eat a whole order on my own... split them with me?"

[break][break] "I.. okay," he says, consenting. Maybe his Umbreon would like to share with them too — after all, she has always found an interest in human food. Speaking of, Lada blinks up curiously at her owner, as Chu-e Choi sinks all but his fangs in him — well, at the very least, his metaphorical ones. It's as obvious as daylight, the easy way Chu-E is able to control Jayden.

[break][break] Or maybe, Jayden is just easy to control.

[break][break] Despite his obvious discomfort, Jayden doesn't pull away and instead, lets the other pull him deeper into the crowd. The darkness of the night envelop them both as they are pulled away from the event that they had bombarded, away from prying eyes. As they walk towards a a more secluded area, the low-hanging festival lanterns dangling just above them, the sound of idle chitchatter fills the background, just enough to cover their conversation should their be anyone who does not want to hear it.

[break][break] At his question, Jayden simply blinks. "I like them," he says, as simply as he can. His relationship with knives are complicated at best, but it isn't a lie to say that doesn't have a fondness for them. In fact, in some ways, one could say that his relationship with Chu-e Choi was just as complicated. "What about you? You are good with them as well." Unlike Chu-E's words, his are not tinged with surprise — just mild acceptance. After all, being a retired Beast had to come with some perks.

[attr="class","ooc"]+ tagged Chu-e Choi

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Ji-Hoon Ki

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twenty seven

june fifteenth

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POSTED ON Jan 20, 2021 3:38:12 GMT

jayden cross likes this

That something still lingers on the edges. It's what makes Chu-e laugh, genuine this time, loud and warm at what jayden cross says. It's not mocking, either, and blends into the atmosphere of the festival like it belongs. That something warms Chu-e's own cheeks, soft and pink as it colors the bridge of his nose. It suits him, making his pale skin seem alive. Alive like Jayden's, and it's only the other's hand gripped in his own that keeps Chu-e from reaching up to touch the matching flush on the other.

Chu-e is pretty, but Chu-e also wonders if Jayden knows he's pretty, too.

The question is thick on his tongue. For someone who normally prides himself in his lack of decorum, even he feels like voicing the question would be crossing some line of comfort. Instead he focuses on how warm the other is, unlike the plastic doll he always figured Jayden was, and pushes any other thoughts away.

"I like them, too" Is what he finally answers with. Even before Rocket he had always had a fascination with knives. In some other universe, one where he wasn't Rocket, Chu-e would still have a small collection. In Rocket, his appreciation had the added benefit of being useful.

He lets them fall into silence after that, not volunteering to talk if Jayden isn't. It's not awkward, which Chu-e finds he enjoys; usually he feels the need to fill empty air with words, no matter how stupid. He feels like he can just exist. Soon enough, they approach the food stalls, the smell of sugar and hot grease filling the air. However, they pass by the games, first, and Chu-e stops them and tugs Jayden towards one of the booths.

It's a ring toss game, a few children gathered around. There are tacky plushies of various pokemon and cartoon characters hanging up top, the big prizes, with a few small knickknacks lining the back wall. With out explaining, Chu-e passes the worker some money and is given back three rings. His first one misses, bouncing off the empty glass bottles. The next two land, and Chu-e cheers softly, before pointing towards his prize...

Which he turns to Jayden and promptly tries to press into his hands.

"It matches your pokemon. A date always has to win their partner something to the festivals! It's tradition." The prize is one of the smaller ones, a little clay phone charm painted like an Umbreon.

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jayden

he/him

december 25

ballonlea, galar

bisexual

wyndon ceo

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we'll never get free, lamb to the slaughter

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TAG WITH @jayden

POSTED ON Jan 27, 2021 5:17:28 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","shadows"]

[attr="class","top"]

[attr="class","iconicon"]

[attr="class","lyricbox"]

[attr="class","title"]
JAYDEN CROSS

[attr="class","lyric"]
painted like a sun without a soul

[attr="class","sublyric"]
so i thought i could love nothing [break]
but the breeze here

[attr="class","main"]

[attr="class","textbox"]

'I like them too.'

[break][break] The answer shouldn't surprise him, given who Chu-e Choi is, but it still gives him pause. In the low light of the festival space, Jayden Cross blinks down at the former Beast, takes in the sight of his soft face and even softer eyes, and wonders if there is a secret meaning behind those words.

[break][break] But the moment passes, and they are walking.

[break][break] Beside him, Lada is quick to follow the pair. She heels, pressing close to his ankles, close enough to intervene in case something happens but not too close to invade on their privacy. Her tail swishes behind her as she takes in all the scents of the festival food, of the Bouffalant skewers and fried Magikarp pancakes, and wonders about this Takoyaki that Chu-E had spoke of moments before.

[break][break] However, before she can get her treat, it seems that there are other things to be done. Jayden blinks in surprise as Chu-E drags him - not to the sweet-smelling food stalls - but towards a.. festival game? Something quizzical rests in his eyes as he watches the dark-haired man hand money to the employee manning the booth. Jayden watches, with a kling! as the last two rings catch on the glass bottles. Before Jayden can register what is happening, there is a glittering charm behind thrown into his face, a tiny face that looks eerily like Lada's own.

[break][break] "Tradition?" he echoes, blinking.

[break][break] Someone else might have focused on the word date, but instead Jayden's mind snags on the word tradition. This is not tradition as he knows it, not as Dmitri taught him.

[break][break] This is something softer. Gentler.

[break][break] His throat tightens.

[break][break] He runs his fingers over the clay ridges of the handmade keychain. "... what is the point?" he says, head tilted to the side. He means the keychain - no one has ever gifted one to him before.

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Ji-Hoon Ki

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twenty seven

june fifteenth

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POSTED ON Jan 27, 2021 8:52:52 GMT

Something in the way jayden cross cradles the key-chain... it makes Chu-e want to lift his own hands, take the other's as an extra protective blanket under, cupping and holding with sweet intentions. To brush his thumbs over the evidence of his rough life as if that would smooth them away.

Chu-e instead stays still, glances at the living, breathing Umbreon, tears his eyes away from the other.

"... to make good memories?" Of all questions Jayden could have come up with, that was honestly not one he could have anticipated. It startles a real answer out of him. It shows in his voice, the normal twisting and curling of his tongue like a snake threatening to strike was absent.

He wondered what the other had been through to even ask such a question.

Chu-e flexed his fingers at his side. Reached up. Covered Jayden's hands with his own, in a gentle way so the other could pull away if he really chose to do so. This was not the same force as he had used earlier. Something fluttered in his chest like a dying dove, if only for a moment.

"When I was younger, my sister, she worked really hard to win me a Comfey crown from one of these stalls. She spent all her allowance, which she was saving up for a new pair of shoes, because she saw how much I wanted it... and I don't have that crown anymore, and I don't get to see my sister, but I'll always have that memory, ya know?"

He curled his fingers a little, tried to rub his thumbs over Jayden's wrists. His voice was low like Jayden was a deer he might scare off with one wrong move.

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jayden

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december 25

ballonlea, galar

bisexual

wyndon ceo

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POSTED ON Jan 29, 2021 22:33:51 GMT

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JAYDEN CROSS

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painted like a sun without a soul

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so i thought i could love nothing [break]
but the breeze here

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Perhaps it is his fault, his fault for being unclear, but Chu-e Choi 's response to his question only succeed in making Jayden more confused as he stares at the keychain. Memories? How could something so small create memories? Was there a secret button somewhere that he was missing? Something that could create these so-called memories out of thin air?

[break][break] Jayden isn't sure what he is thinking. Something supernatural, perhaps?

[break][break] He turns his gaze, half-confused, to Chu-E as if to ask him to explain, but he is shocked as the other brings his hands to curl over his own. There is something about the way the retired Beast looks at him — once again, his throat tightens.

[break][break] He doesn't pull away.

[break][break] Instead, he listens to the other's words, somehow enraptured as Chu-E spins a tail about his sister, something that seems foreign and unusual to Jayden. Chu-E could be lying, maybe to make Jayden feel better, but it still makes the youngest Volkov think about his relations with his own family members. He thinks about what it might be like for Alexandre to work so hard for a gift for him, wonders if his brother - or any of his personalities - would have bothered to give him a gift like this.

[break][break] Quietly, he says, "When I was a kid, my father - " There are many memories he shares with Dmitri, and not all of them are kind. "He liked for us to eat dinner together. All of us, my mother, my father, and my brother. He was ... rather insistent about it." He thinks of his birthday dinners, the way that Dmitri would make sure that none of them were on a mission, and the way that his mother would always make a plate of his favorite Pirozhkis. Even Aleks was nice, sometimes, if he was there. Or at least, tolerable.

[break][break] And at the end of the night, sometimes there was a present.

[break][break] He opens his mouth to tell Chu-e Choi about it, but then there is a brush against the inside of his wrist. If Chu-E was paying attention, he would feel the way the skin was uneven there, scars that had not yet faded.

[break][break] Inexplicably, Jayden jerks his hands away. "I - sorry," he pauses, fingers closing around the charm and then placing it in his pocket. "You said you wanted to eat something, right?" He smiles, though it doesn't quite reach his eyes. "Which one of these booths is it?" He turns his head, curious, to see if he can find the takoyaki booth himself.

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yams

Ji-Hoon Ki

they/he

twenty seven

june fifteenth

solaceon, sinnoh

queer

intel

---

5'8" height

words drip like honey dear how sweet it is to hear

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TAG WITH @choi

POSTED ON Jan 30, 2021 9:38:53 GMT

A metaphorical twig snaps underfoot and Chu-e watches jayden cross darts deeper into the forest of his own mind.

He doesn't follow Jayden, doesn't grab for hands, doesn't try and force him close again. His hands just drop to his sides, squeeze tight into fists before the fingers relax. "Takoyaki." Is replied, vague, but there is a burning as he looks at the other that Jayden won't be able to escape. I see you. His eyes say, neither a comfort nor a threat.

That dead dove in his chest beats it's wings again, unable to fend off the inferno that now surrounds it.

Chu-e blinks once, twice. Jayden would be able to see it. How the masks the other had peeled off of Chu-e are forced back into place. When it's done, he just smiles sweetly at the other like nothing had happened. A fascinating and horrifying process.

"It's the one with the Octillery on top!" Pointing it out, it's not that far away. Now, he does get close to the other again- to try and take his arm. Since they were still pretending to be on a date and all. "Have you ever had them before?"

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jayden

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december 25

ballonlea, galar

bisexual

wyndon ceo

admin

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we'll never get free, lamb to the slaughter

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TAG WITH @jayden

POSTED ON Jan 31, 2021 2:58:23 GMT

[nospaces]

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[attr="class","top"]

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[attr="class","lyricbox"]

[attr="class","title"]
JAYDEN CROSS

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painted like a sun without a soul

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so i thought i could love nothing [break]
but the breeze here

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He doesn't say it now, but he'll think about it later. Likely when he's curled up in his bed, alone, with nothing but the darkness to comfort him.

[break][break] Jayden Cross is thankful for the distance that Chu-e Choi offers him, in that moment.

[break][break] Much like himself, Chu-E returns back to the person he was before, masks shifting back into place. Jayden would have ordinarily noticed it, if he wasn't so preoccupied with his own thoughts, eyes flickering to try to find the food booth that they had been supposed to find in the first place.

[break][break] For some reason, when he feels hands slide against his arm, the touch does not make him pull away. For some reason, Chu-E taking his arm feels far less intimate than the moment they shared seconds before. Jayden looks down at him.

[break][break] "No," he says, taking a moment to stare down at Chu-E, eyes caught on soft cheekbones and fluttering lashes. His heart skips. "I haven't."

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played by

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Ji-Hoon Ki

they/he

twenty seven

june fifteenth

solaceon, sinnoh

queer

intel

---

5'8" height

words drip like honey dear how sweet it is to hear

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TAG WITH @choi