Ephemeral | kpop imagines

11:11 - k.jh

Like the morning star that hangs between days

"can you please hold still?"
I groan as my best friend grips my chin with excessive force, jerking my face up so she can get a better angle.
"listen, if you want the eyeliner to be uneven, then by all means, wiggle like a toddler. but if not, let me do my thing and QUIT SQUIRMING."
"fine," I grunt, my eyes fluttering shut again as she continues her journey to discovering my cateye.
"watcha up to in here?" a new voice asks from her doorway.
"go away, jonghyun," she says, still drawing on my face, "we're busy."
"is it supposed to be that far away from her eye?"
I snort, causing my friend to swipe the eyeliner over my cheek. I hear her cap it with a growl.
"fine. I'm done. do your own liner. I'm going to get my own makeup finished."
"thanks for trying," I offer in a half-assed apology.
"yeah, yeah," she waves me off as she steps into her bathroom.
once my eyes are open and gazing into a mirror, I have to refrain from laughing at my ridiculous appearance. i had caused quite a mess on my face, hadn't I?
"I don't know, I think that look suits you," jonghyun grins as I wipe it all off.
"yeah? should I just keep it for the party we're going to?"
"definitely," he affirms, smirking as he leans against the frame.
I hum a little in reply, still attempting to scrub the waterproof liner from my eyes. I can see him watching me from the mirror, his gaze flitting up and down my face and body in innocent curiosity.
"so, what's this party you're going to, then? didn't think you were a big rager,"
"m'not," I sigh, finally rid of the black smudges, "I'm mostly going to humor your sister. she doesn't wanna go alone."
"Ah, I understand," he says, "well it could be fun. is this your first time going to a party?"
"no, probably about the third or fourth time? I can't recall,"
jonghyun moves so that he's standing behind just behind me, his hands hovering over my hair. I nibble my bottom lip as my nerves alight, my eyes on his in our reflection.
"you want me to braid your hair?"
i blink stupidly a few times. "what?"
"i wanna see how my braiding skills are," he shrugs, the effortless confidence flowing off of him in waves.
"uhm... okay, what the hell? go for it."
"yess," he pumps his fist, "it's gonna look so good."
his fingers twirl through my tresses gently, combing over tiny knots and smoothing fly-aways. his gaze is trained so intently on my hair that I think he forgets I actually exist for a moment. I'm trying to reapply mascara, but he has my head tilted up just high enough that I keep poking my eyeballs. I opt to stick with blush and lipstick until he's done.
the tips of his fingers gingerly brush the nape of my neck as he gathers the remaining strands of hair. goosebumps race down my shoulders and over my arms as a shiver takes control of me.
"do you have a ponytail?" he asks, his voice much closer than I expect it to be.
"y-yes," I breathe, scrambling to snatch one from the dresser in front of me.
once he's intertwined it into my hair, he steps back to admire his work. a thoughtful smile is perched on his pretty, peachy lips and an overwhelming blossom of endearment spreads through me as I also examine his handiwork, thoroughly impressed.
"well, jonghyun, I'm pleasantly surprised," I grin, my fingers running down the silky french braid he had presented to me.
"why, thank you," he throws me a mock bow, "I've been practicing on her forever." he nods toward the bathroom.
"well, it's paid off," I dab the last bit of makeup onto my face, "speaking of her, I should check and see if she's ready..." I rap my knuckles on the bathroom door, "hey, almost ready to go?"
"yep, gimme a sec!"
"okie dokie,"
"how are you guys getting there?" jonghyun asks, falling back against the doorframe.
"a friend is driving us," I reply, rubbing on some lipgloss.
"reliable?"
"I think so,"
"hmm."
"okay, readyy!" she flies out the door and past jonghyun and me faster than I can process, "they texted that they're five minutes away, gonna keep an eye out!"
"oh! okay-"
she's already halfway down the stairs by the time I answer. jonghyun and I chuckle at her overenthusiasm.
"she sure is something," he laughs, his doe eyes squinted up jubilantly, "not sure how you put up with her."
"oh, stop," I bump him with my hip as I walk past him, "she's been my best friend for so long. we've both seen some embarrassing phases from each other. I don't think even death could separate us."
"like the phase where you had that massive crush on me?"
"wait, what?" I scoff, "presumptuous, aren't we?"
"correct," he smooths his hair with a cocky grin, "though it wasn't a phase."
"you're unbelievable."
"you're not denying it."
"they're here!"
jonghyun's eyes narrow in silent triumph as I move toward the stairs.
"see you later," I grumble, but he catches my wrist before I can leave.
"wait," he says, "if either of you want to leave there early, just call me. send me the address and I'll come pick you up. actually, send me the address now and text me if anything or anyone makes you uncomfortable."
"okay, dad," I grin, "will do."
he smiles, but his mahogany eyes are round and knowing. "i'm serious."
"I know you are," I touch his cheek gently, tenderly, "thank you. you're an angel."
"aw, shucks. I'm just trying my best,"
"hello?" my friend calls from downstairs, "did you hear me?"
"I'm coming," I yell back, my eyes fastened on her brother's ridiculously handsome face.
"go," he nudges me, "have fun."
"yeah," I look down, embarrassment flooding my body, "sorry, bye."
jonghyun's hand lingers on mine for a moment, and he lifts it to his lips to give me a tender kiss goodbye.
"there's more where that came from, if you're interested-"
"jonghyun."
"kidding. maybe."
"bye," i grin, pulling away and heading downstairs.
"bye, beautiful."

a/n:

tbh I wasn't sure if I liked this one and even after rereading it it's not my fave. but yk.

anyway I love kim jonghyun so very much

that's all

love u

-jules<3