Seventeen Muses

Chapter 8

Author Note: For those of you that may not know what Suona sounds like I recommend the following two youtube videos:

Chinese Music VS Western music (Our shining days)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcfTTP8O5NA

UNIQUE Modern Twist On The Suona - FINALS! | China's Got Talent 2021

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoAUTmcxobM

-Book

Desdemona decided today that she needed to give the manager of her group anything he asked for. He'd thought ahead enough to have a new dorm ready for them by the end of the day. Honestly, probably a safer option since she still wasn't 100% sure Seungcheol would be able to keep himself from strangling Mingyu in his sleep. Instead, they had moved into a dorm with 3 bedrooms, enough for people to spread out, but still not a great option for long term.

She sighed, watching as Seungcheol grabbed Jun and Woozi for his room. Mingyu had moved into the other room with Vernon and Dino. Hoshi, Seokmin, and Seungkwan took the third. It left her standing in the middle of the common space with Wonwoo, staring at the other man as she tried to not let her shoulders slump too much in defeat. There's a hand on her shoulder, and she looks up to see Wonwoo giving her a sad smile, "It's gonna take some time, Desdemona. People need to get used to things. I'm sure it'll even out a bit more as we start working together."

She sighs again, "I know... I know... I just..." I don't know how much time I have. She shakes her head, "You're right. It'll take time." She stares at the rooms, "I don't really want to be taking a side in this, though."

"And choosing a room does that. Or at least implies it." Wonwoo mutters. He gives her a grimace, "I'm in the same boat as you."

"Can we just..." her eyes move to the couch.

Wonwoo apparently followed her gaze because he laughs before moving to lay down. He opens his arms, "Come on little muse, I think you've got the right idea with this one."

She moves closer, "Aren't you going to be uncomfortable?"

He shrugs, "No more than normal. The couch isn't that bad. Besides, I'm hopeful it'll send a message tomorrow morning when they find us here."

She hems and haws a bit, "We could... we could always go join our Brass Band Triad."

She ends up snorting when Wonwoo makes a face. He quickly backpedals, "Not that they don't seem amazing... but well... they're all a little... loud." As if to prove his point, there's a bang and some loud laughter. He winces, "And I'm just... I'd like to just sleep and not have to worry about that."

Desdemona nods, allowing herself to be pulled onto the couch. She throws a blanket over the two of them before settling down next to Wonwoo; there's just barely enough space for her to fit, "You'll tell me, right?" She whispers softly as he wraps his one arm around her stomach and uses the other to pillow under their heads.

"Tell you what?" He whispers, just as softly.

"If they ever start drowning you out. Your aura... the violin..." She pulls at his string, bringing it forward and feeling him jolt behind her, "It is one of the prettiest things I've heard. Something so delicate and yet so strong. I don't want that to ever get overlooked or lost just because there are others who are louder." She looks over her shoulder to stare at him, his eyes wide and his jaw a little slack, "So I want you to promise that you'll tell me if you ever feel like you're being drowned out, or pushed aside, or not being treated like you matter. Because you matter so much. Each and every one of you is so critical to the group and to me. I refuse to lose any of you simply because I wasn't paying enough attention to see that you were hurting."