City Lights, Blurred Lines

3/8 (Rated)

After that, they return to Seoul and everyone is given a short period of vacation before their schedules fall back into their natural order. Composing, recording, rehearsals, and public appearances. Ji-hye is ever present but occupied, but Wonsik can see her now. Like he's seeing her in a new light, for no reason at all. Something about her has caught his eye, whether it's her easy-going nature or her genuine personality, he can't be sure. But, at some point, he notices her and never stops paying attention from that point.

They all get run pretty ragged on their international tour, everyone is stressed and exhausted as they go from concert to concert, country to country; but the entire time Ji-hye helps to keep spirits light and lessen tensions. Wonsik finds himself ever admiring, falling into orbit with her ever irresistible pull of gravity. Their exchanges ever easy and comfortable, he never feels like he has to carry the conversation or make himself appear entertaining. They simply fall in order with each other, like puzzle pieces. The group finish up their American tour in another island destination and like months before they find themselves tucked away poolside, alcoholic drinks in hand.

The staff are spread out around the lounging area, some at the bar, some at the pool, some on the dance floor; but VIXX are seated at their table away from the crowd. Some of the dancers and sound team are seated with them, as well as Ji-hye, who watches in amused silence as she sips away at her Mike's Hard Lemonade. She laughs along with Hakyeon and Jaehwan's jokes, sings along with tipsy Taekwoon, and plays drinking games with Wonsik and the maknaes. But eventually, as everyone divides— Hakyeon and Taekwoon off to dance with the stylists, Jaehwan, Hongbin, and Hyuk to the bar for more to drink— Wonsik finds himself seated with Ji-hye alone, isolated from the other people remaining at the other end of the table.

Eventually, their bottles are empty and he has the sense to ask her if she wants anymore. She doesn't, but motions him to follow her with a nod of her head. Carrying their bottles in hand, Wonsik deposits them at the bar before trailing after Ji-hye, who he finds seated on the ground at the deep at of the pool. Her legs hang over the edge, water swallowing up to her thighs and wetting the edge of her oversized tee shirt. Wonsik joins her, dipping his own legs into the cold, refreshing water. They watch the expanse of the party for a moment, isolated on the far end of the lounging area. The ambient neon lighting colors Ji-hye's dark hair purple and casts a soft pink glow over her figure.

For a moment, Wonsik just watches her, kicking her feet back and forth in the water. He doesn't know what he's thinking, if he's thinking anything at all, but he's suddenly snapped out of his trance by a splash cutting the surface and cool water dousing his topless form. Ji-hye chuckles, splashing him again and scolding him for staring. Wonsik blinks a couple times, confusion blooming on his blank face before he too begins to laugh and splash her in return. Before he knows it the petite brunette is pushing him into the cold water without warning and drawing away from the edge out of his reach.

When he resurfaces and wipes the water from his eyes, he looks up to find her standing at the pool's edge, laughing and tugging up her damp oversized top. Depositing it at her feet, she dives in right for him, narrowly missing him. Wonsik chuckles, feeling her legs wrap around him, trying to drag him under, but he does his fair share of weight training and is able to hold steady despite her added weight. He secures his arms around her waist and hauls her up, holding her to him despite her struggling. She fails to dunk him, but Wonsik isn't finished yet.

Ji-hye begins smacking his shoulders in protest as that wicked smirk crosses his lips and he grips her to his chest, legs folding under them and dunking them both simultaneously. The woman wriggles free from his grasp underwater and resurfaces sputtering and laughing. When Wonsik breaches the surface, she begins splashing him uncontrollably and swimming away from his predatory gait. He catches her at the far corner of the deep end, cornering her between the ladder and the pool wall. No one knows them here, and everyone from their own party is off to their own devices. No one is paying them any attention and that gives Wonsik the confidence to make the first move after months of heated looks.