[ ONGOING, no i have not forsaken this]
"no jokes today, just pain."
𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦,
𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘶𝘨𝘭𝘺
when tensions escalate amongst even the closest of friends, masks a...
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Word travels fast in the Underground. Especially in the Underground Market. Anything significant that happened within was practically broadcasted and echoed as if someone's life depended on how fast news travelled.
Not unexpectedly, by the time Taeyong made half round about the supposed Yuletide Carnival, the entire Underground had already been informed of his unexpected arrival.
He was hoping to catch sight of the glamorous Li Wanying everyone had also gossiped about seeing, but it seemed the woman was- unfortunately- going all way out to avoid him.
"So it's true the great Lee Taeyong left his turf."
After another unmeaningful spin and a few more dollars shed, the Lee leader had headed off, in search of something more fun to do, but he didn't manage to go far before he was stopped.
He didn't need to walk any closer to put a name to that voice. "Hello Yilin," Taeyong inclined his head, a crooked smile playing at his lips. "What a coincidence."
The girl pushed herself off the wall she was leaning against, plucking a white stick from her mouth. Flecks of disfigured emeralds littered the damp tip, hinting it's original state. "Is it?" she grinned wickedly. "It looks rather like you came to see me."
Taeyong didn't even bother fighting the urge to roll his eyes. Whatever did he even expect from her again? "I hope you know how ridiculous and delusional you sound right now."
"Oh?" Her eyes twinkled. "If not to profess your undying love for me, why ever are you here?"
She'd gotten significantly better at cornering others verbally, a skill her current foster family had unintentionally nurtured in her, but to say she never had her basics set even before her reunion with Sicheng would be a lie. She was always obnoxious- or for a better word, sassy.
"It may come a wee bit surprising," he mused, "But my life doesn't revolve around you, honey."
She shrugged, "I'd be surprised if it does." She side-eyed him. "You've yet to answer my question."
"I'm here on vacation," his smile widdened. "Can't a nice guy like me take a day-"
"Liar," the girl called him out, tilting her head. "Another lie and this will develop into a habit, honey."
How impertinent. He clicked his tongue. "Has anyone told you it's rude to expose others so openly?
The girl looked amused to say the very least. "Yes, actually," her grin held a hint of haughty merriment. "Another Lee, but Chinese and just as terrible of a company to keep."
Taeyong narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "What?"
"I know right!" Yilin said cheerfully. "I too was surprised anyone could come head to head with you for something so inane."
