September 23, 2010

It's so weird...being alone here for my birthday. My roommate is ordering pizza (she wanted to sneak in some beer but our dorm sup is a bit of a tyrant about that. I still like her though, I think she's a lesbian, but anyway) and inviting some of our mutual friends over but yeah. I definitely miss you and Grandma today. I woke up half-expecting there to be pumpkin pasties waiting for me, but I think any cooking Nicole would do would kill me, so it's best that that didn't happen.

I am glad we got to talk for a bit before I had to head to class. I hope you're sleeping well~ Wish I could be with you~~

*****

[9:55pm]

 

What? You're taking leave?

ㅋㅋ Just for the weekend. I'm
going to Jinki's house for
Chuseok.

Oh fun!

Yeah his fiance wanted him to
invite me ㅎ She's really nice

I'm glad you get to take a
bit of a break

Me too. It'd just be nice if
you could be here, too

Yeah

We'll have a lot of Chuseoks
together, someday

^^

*****

November 15, 2010

I know you don't care about sports but I'm so excited! We just got told we're gonna get to play against the Navy on one of our weekends off and I got picked to join the team! It'll be a lot of fun, and if we win, we get to have the next two days off! We're all really looking forward to it ^^ after Quidditch, though, I'm struggling to remember how to play football. Just another way I'm disappointing Dad (ㅋㅋㅋ I'm kidding, Bummie, don't worry)

Not gonna lie, though, I do wish you would be here to cheer me on. I think Taemin said he'd try to come, though, but that's just not the same...

*****

"You've reached the phone of Choi Minho.
Unfortunately, they are not available.
Please leave your message after the tone."

Beep!

"Hey, Min...Just calling to say an early Merry Christmas! Tyler gave me the flu, I think, so I'm gonna try to sleep it off. We can talk more tomorrow? I hope? I'll probably be sleeping by the time you're back to the base so yeah check your notebook. I'll write if I'm awake. Anyways, I can feel my Nyquil kicking in so I should go. Bye, love you."

"You've reached the phone of Choi Minho.
Unfortunately, they are not available.
Please leave your message after the tone."

Beep!

"Okay sorry for leaving two voicemails but I almost forgot. Happy anniversary! Can you believe it's already been a full year? I miss you like ing crazy...I'll talk to you soon, love."

*****

January 20, 2011

We got snowed in today, so no classes. Nicole decided that it'd be a good idea to dye my hair so that's what we're doing right now and Merlin's ing beard, it burns!?! No one told me about this? I think she's doing it wrong but what do I know. I'm sure there's a potion that'd make this better….maybe I should make one….yeah I should make one

Update: my hair is blond now. I don't know if I like it or not. Nicole texted Tyler and asked him to raid his stash of hair dye for more colors to add to it.

Another update: it's been two hours and I like it now. But we're adding streaks of color to it so I'm curious how that'll end up. I'll let you know

Okay last update ㅋㅋ: I love this so much holy . I really should come up with a potion to figure out how to make the whole process easier. If you were here I could test it out on you~ I'm sure you'd love that ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Tyler is gonna come by soon to style my hair so if I like it, I'll try to send you a picture on your phone.

Hey, hey, hey check your phone when you get a chance~

*****

Hey, sorry, no phone call tonight. Minseok was really talkative. He and Felicity are doing well, sounds like

Has he told your parents yet?

Yeah

How'd that go?

Okay, I guess? Huge relief on his end

Huh….

Anyways, you really like dying your hair, huh? ㅋㅋㅋ

ㅋㅋ do you not like it?

Doesn't matter if I do or not. It's your hair and you really like it. But yeah, I do. I think it's cute. Can't wait to see it in real life.

Same here...you don't mind getting all the pictures?

Are you kidding?? Keep them coming~

*****

March 30, 2011

Today was….interesting. Had to guard the president (can't say why, not even to you, sorry sweetheart~) so I and a couple of the others were in our dress whites all day. Which I think looked really cool. Luckily we got our phones back before we had to change, so I asked Jongdae to take a few pictures so I could send them to you.

Well, and Mom too, but that's beside the point ㅋㅋ

I think for my next leave I'm gonna head down to Daegu. I've never been, I don't think, and I'm kinda curious to see where you grew up. Is that weird? ㅠㅠ Sorry if it is. ㅠㅠ

Sooyoung lives down there now, so I'm gonna stop in to visit her as well. She said I could crash on her couch while I was there. I'm excited to see her again, I just hope she's doing well.

*****

“Wait...is it working? Oh, uh, this is Kibum!
Sorry I missed your call, please leave me a message
and I’ll get back to you!”

Beep!

“Hey, sweetheart. Just wanted to let you know that I’m leaving the cemetery now. I was able to leave him flowers, they had the ones you wanted. If I can, I’d like to visit him often. Pay my respects, you know? Maybe when you come to visit next year we can come back here together...You’re probably sleeping right now, so just call me when you wake up, I’ll probably still be awake. Sooyoung will probably have me up all night again...heh...Anyways, I miss you, love you, and I’ll talk to you soon, okay? Byeeee…”

*****

May 25, 2011

I. Am. Going. Insane.

Finals are here and I am definitely missing the study closet. It was so nice up there. So warm and cozy. No distractions (other than you, obviously). I could get a lot of studying in. But for whatever reason, there’s nowhere good to study on the campus? I can’t even retreat to Sanderson’s (that coffeeshop on the Boulevard that I can’t ing stop talking about and I have to take you there it’s so good, Merlin’s beard) because, well, you’ll see when you come visit. It’s very distracting ㅋㅋ

Maybe it’s selfish of me to want you here specifically to help me study, but even then, we both know that’s not the only reason

Although, if you were here...I have a feeling I’d get absolutely nothing done ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

Oh, , I just remembered...I have to apply for internships starting in the fall, so we’ll see where that takes me. Hopefully somewhere interesting ㅋㅋ

*****

[12:48 pm]

I know you’re asleep but guess
who just finished his final final!

ㅋㅋ final final

Mom was able to get me tickets
to fly home, since you won’t
be able to take leave ㅠㅠ

The time difference should be a
bit more tolerable, so hopefully
we can talk more often

[7:01 am]

 

Congrats on finishing your
finals! I’m so proud of you!
And I’m sorry I can’t take
leave ㅠㅠ

It’s okay, babe

Did I wake you?

Don’t worry about it. Can
you call?

ㅠㅠ...No, I’m waiting for
Dad...he wanted to talk to me
about something...I don’t know
what yet

Good luck with that

ㅎㅎthanks

*****

July 2, 2011

We're gonna be jumping out of planes again today. With parachutes, obviously. My favorite training exercise ㅋㅋ It reminds me a lot of flying even if it's not quite the same. The rush is similar enough….makes me wonder if I'll ever get to fly again…

In other news, Minseok is engaged. Told me last night. They are just going really fast with this relationship, but then maybe I just think that because it took us an eternity and a half to admit that we liked each other ㅎㅎㅎ Oh well, I'm happy for them. I still don't know how Mom and Dad feel about it, but if they're moving back over here directly after the wedding like they're planning, then...Well, I think it's safe to say they're not too pleased. Which I'm sure is a huge shock to us all.

What the most is that I don't think it's the best decision now for you to come here, if my parents really will be here...I'll keep you updated, though.

*****

“You have three unheard messages.
First unheard message."

“Hi, Minho!~”

“Hey, Jjong, give me back my phone!”

“Come get it!” Crack! “I apparated to my old room, so we’ve got a minute. How are you?~ I hope you’re well. I miss your dumb face. Hopefully we can -- " Crack! "Ow! Kibum!”

Beep!

“Second unheard message.”

“So sorry about that. Jjong and I are back to our usual bull, obviously.”

“You can stop sitting on me, I’m not gonna try anything.”

“Yeah, I believe you...We’re heading to Diagon Alley soon. For nothing in particular, we’re just bored. Then I think we're meeting up with Pierre and Phillipe later?"

"Yeah."

"Wish you were here, of course.”

“Aww, so sappy.”

“Shut up, Jjong. I’ll talk to you soon, okay? Love you!~”

Beep!

“Third unheard message.”

“Hey, honey, just calling to let you know that we’ve finally bought our tickets. Minseok and Felicity won’t be joining us, since her parents want her to stay over here after they’re married. We’ll arrive on November 11th, so we’ll have a house by the time you’re discharged and you’ll be able to move right in! Your father and I are both excited to be going home. He’s got another job lined up already. We’re both so excited, but I already said that. Love you, call us when you can, okay? We’d like to get everything sorted out soon. Love you, bye!”

*****

October 31, 2011

I am cursing our time difference yet again. I wish you were awake and here so I didn't have to stew in my anticipation while I wait for you to wake up but! I just got off the phone with a woman named Margery who is the Head of Costuming Design at Gershwin Theater on Broadway! She accepted my internship application! I'm going to be designing costumes on Broadway! Apparently, there's a whole division of wizarding people who literally put magic into Broadway, whether it be the costumes or the set design or whatever, and I get to be one of them I can't believe it…., I wish you were here...

*****

How'd your first day go?

Great! It was mainly just a backstage tour, but even that was super cool...maybe I'm just overly excited

I mean, I don't know if I'd call it overly excited. In my opinion, you have every right to be!

You're too sweet

You like it

So what if I do?

ㅋㅋ

So, how's your day?

Not sure yet. Couldn't sleep, so I'm just waiting for the alarm to wake us up

Why couldn't you sleep?

Ah, there's the bell. Gotta go. Get some rest, Bum~ I'll talk to you soon~

*****

December 9, 2011

Can't sleep again…

I hate not being able to be near you, you know? There's literally an entire ocean and a ing continent between us...I just...This is gonna sound lame but I miss physical affection. Specifically from you, obviously, but from everyone else too.

It .

I haven't had a moment to myself in almost what? A year and a half? But I don't think I've ever been this lonely.

I didn't think it'd be this isolating.

I know there are other wizards here. I know it, but I can't...I can't go to them. With them. I don't know where they are. I wish I did. I wish I knew where to look. Maybe then I wouldn't feel so out of place.

I just want to feel at home somewhere. And I know where I belong, but I don't know how long it'll take me to get back to you.

I'm sorry. I don't want to be upset...I'm just aching to be with you again.

I'm sorry.

*****

"You've reached the phone of Choi Minho.
Unfortunately, they are not available.
Please leave your message after the tone."

Beep!

"Hey...hey, babe...guess what...you only have fifty-two days to go! You're almost free! And, well, I know you'll be living with your parents for a bit, but we can work on sorting everything out after you're out of the Marines. We'll be fine, you'll see! We're almost there! Happy New Year, love! I'll see you soon, I hope. Bye~"

*****

February 22, 2012

Sorry I haven't been able to write until just now, but I'm home now. Just fell into bed. Mom and Dad picked me up from Pohang and took me back to the new house, which funnily enough, is just down the street from where we used to live before we moved to Manchester.

I'm glad I gave you my wand. I don't know what they did with all my Hogwarts stuff. Maybe they gave it to Minseok and Felicity...

Oh, damn, I just noticed I'm still in my uniform. ㅎㅎ I guess I should change, huh? But I'm already so comfortable in bed, and it's been such a long day...

*****

[12:49am]

 

I'm sorry. they want you to
what now

ㅋㅋㅋ go on a date
with a girl. Woman.
Whatever.

Are you going to?

No?? Why? Are you
jealous?

Of course I am

ㅎㅎ

Cute

Shut the up

ㅋㅋㅋ babe you know
even if I were to go absolutely
nothing would happen

Yeah obviously. I'm just
jealous that someone else
is possibly gonna go on a
date with you

Bum

I know, I know

Obviously I'd want to go
on a date with you. Several,
in fact. As many as you’ll
tolerate

wait

What

Why can't we?

Uh ㅋㅋ I think we know
why

What if we did a phone
date? Both of us going out to
eat, talking on the phone the
whole time? It could work, right?

Maybe…

Right now~?

Min, I can't. It's almost 1 am
and I have an 8 am class

Oh...right

We can plan another time

Just for now...no girls

ㅎㅎㅎ I'll try to restrain
myself

ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

*****

April 12, 2012

I just had a weird thought...two years ago today, you had to deal with a giant ing squid and some grindylows...three years ago today I was in Uganda preparing for that dumb competition...the craziest thing I did today was to change up my coffee order at Sandersons and you haven't woken up yet...Are we boring now? ㅋㅋ

It's honestly stupid how much I miss you. Come be boring with me~

*****

“Wait...is it working? Oh, uh, this is Kibum!
Sorry I missed your call, please leave me a message
and I’ll get back to you!”

Beep!

“First of all, I'd like to apologize in advance because I feel like all I do is rant to you nowadays but...holy ...I...Dad...Dad introduced me to the assistant coach who just *happened* to have his daughter there. Joohyun, I think her name was. It doesn't ing matter. It was so…so awkward. I could barely meet her eyes. It was so obvious that they were trying to set us up. I don't even know if she was interested. I *barely* remember what she looks like, I...I'm sorry, I'll stop...You started working on the dress for...for the Cinderella play, right? How is that going? Have you started on the other costumes yet? Oh, ...incoming call. It's Sooyoung. I'm gonna take this. Love you, sorry for ranting at you! Bye!"

*****

June 29, 2012

Why why why are they like this? I'm really running out of excuses now, and I can't think of any response besides "No" but Mom is starting to get annoyed by that. She says she just wants to see me happy, but can't she see how stressed out she's making me every time she asks if I'm interested in any of the girls I see?

this is so frustrating. I'm sorry for venting to you but I just...I don't know…what do I even do, really, I just...I'm at a loss.

I know they won't react well, but things are actually the smoothest they've ever been since I got my Hogwarts letter. They don't look at me like they're disappointed anymore. In fact, I think they're proud of me, which is all I ever wanted. If I tell them, I'll break their heart. Ruin whatever this is.

But...I can't deal with this for much longer. I feel like…well, I don't know, actually. I just know it's not good.

I wish I were braver.

*****

[8:24am]

 

You know I understand, right?

Coming out is nerve-wracking

You should take your time

Whenever you're ready

Every time I think I'm ready,
I freeze up

I just know it won't be good

Do you have anywhere to go?

I don't know

Sooyoung's, maybe. But Daegu
is quite the drive and I doubt
Dad will let me take the car.

Taemin is close, right? Or Jinki.

Taemin is serving right now.

Jinki is just the next town over

Does he know?

Yeah

I told him when we first met up.
He's fine with it

Well that's good at least

Yeah

, why does this so much

I wish I could help more ㅠㅠ

Don't worry about me, babe.

I'll figure this out eventually

*****

September 1, 2012

Huh…Hogwarts students are probably boarding the train right now. Is it weird that I'm jealous of them? I miss you and Ana and you and my dumb roommates and you...life was so much simpler back then. Even if it didn't seem like it, it was.

Oh god, what if there were a Peeves here. I think Tiffany (my dorm sup) would lose her ...

**********

"Hello?"

Minho froze, his eyes blown wide, as he started to open the door to Dad's car. "What are you doing up?"

Kibum groaned and heaved a heavy sigh. "Your ringtone is loud because I hate missing your calls, so you woke me up."

"I'm sorry, babe. I was just gonna leave a voicemail." Kibum hummed sleepily as Minho slid into the driver's seat. "It's nice to hear your voice, though."

"I bet it is." Minho chuckled, starting the car. Something rustled on Kibum's end. Maybe he was sitting up in bed. "Where are you going?"

"You're not gonna like this."

There was a slight hesitation before Kibum asked "What?" His voice was sharper. Clearer. More awake than before.

Minho rested his forehead on the steering wheel, closing his eyes in preparation for his reaction. "Dad set me up on a date with the girl I told you about. The daughter of the assistant coach. He didn’t tell me until like an hour ago" Several agonizing seconds passed before Kibum cleared his throat. "Please don't be mad at me."

"I'm not."

He was.

Minho lifted his head, sighing heavily as he looked across the street to the setting sun. For a split second, he was back on his broom, Kibum holding onto him as they soared toward the sunset. He blinked, returning to the harsh reality of his current, unfortunate situation.

"You're gonna have to tell them. Someday."

"I know." Minho gulped, blinking away the tears stinging his eyes.

"I'm not trying to rush you, love -- "

“Yeah..."

"I just don't know what you're waiting for."

Truth be told, neither did he. What? Would a perfect situation arise someday? Would his parents suddenly be understanding? Would they automatically love Kibum now, just because he did? Not that that worked before…

He let out a long sigh, and Kibum sighed with him. "I'm sorry."

"What for?"

Something clicked. Kibum's light on his nightstand, probably. "I know you're stressed as right now. I didn't mean to add to it."

"You're not."

Kibum chuckled, the low sound soothing his building anxiety. "You don't have to lie to me." Minho worried his bottom lip, holding back a small smile. "Let me know how the date goes. I hope the girl knows how lucky she is."

Minho snorted. "Honestly, Bum."

"Please, you're a catch." Minho rolled his eyes. "If you don't care about being rude, you'll text me the whole time."

"You know I will."

He sighed, a smile coloring his voice now. "Good luck."

"Thanks. I love you."

"Love you, too."

Minho pulled his phone away from his ear, reluctantly hanging up on Kibum. He tossed it into the passenger seat before he gripped the steering wheel with both hands, gritting his teeth as he shook it for a few tense seconds.

He huffed loudly as he released the wheel, shifted into gear, and started down the road, turning the music up to drown out his racing thoughts.