World History Teacher.
Demisexual.
Single.
03/21/1991.
32.
Sheep (WA)
Authored by Redeim.
Offline.
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Post by Anbai Wang on Aug 24, 2020 17:37:31 GMT -8
Anbai looked down at their hands, unsure how to respond but realizing they missed the familiar touch. "I thought about putting it on a chain to make a necklace out of it, but I never got around to actually getting a spare chain." They admitted. "So it's just been waiting in a drawer for me to get around to doing that." Though if we got back together I would not be opposed to just wearing it again. Anbai added mentally. They always preferred rings to necklaces, anyway.
Anbai realized the atmosphere was getting awkward and struggled to find something to talk about. After a few moments of pause, they cleared their throat and asked, "So uh... What was it like in China? Like things you liked, or didn't like, etc."
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Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2020 18:05:41 GMT -8
Jihoon removed his hand. Anbai seemed uncomfortable with the contact and the last thing he wanted to do was make them uncomfortable. So even though it hurt his heart, he jumped into the change of topic feet first. "The food. I loved the food. I mean, I ate so much that I've never eaten before and some was weird and some was nasty but so much of it was amazing," he gushed.
As he spoke he found himself tucking away the ring, maybe it was out of shame, but he didn't feel like having it out was right. His heart was already on his sleeve, he didn't need the key to it hanging out right next to it. "What about you? What's your favorite part of Cedar Beach?"
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World History Teacher.
Demisexual.
Single.
03/21/1991.
32.
Sheep (WA)
Authored by Redeim.
Offline.
|
Post by Anbai Wang on Aug 24, 2020 18:20:30 GMT -8
"Did you try balut?" Anbai asked curiously. They frowned a bit as Jihoon pulled his hand away and tucked away the promise ring. "Or like, fried bugs? Y'know, the weird things people assume every Asian must eat that are actually like... specialty foods. Or foods only the older generations like to eat." They didn't know how to fix this without rambling or straight up telling Jihoon they still had feelings for him.
Anbai let out a quiet laugh at Jihoon's question to them. It seemed almost silly to ask, and they had a feeling Jihoon was also feeling nervous over something. "Um... I guess I like how close it is to Seattle, so I can go into the city without being in the city, and I like the community, too. The school is nice, and has a good GSA." They laughed again, "I don't know how you want me to answer..." They said awkwardly.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2020 19:37:20 GMT -8
"Yeah, I tried all the weird foods. Some of them were really good and some of them weren't. Some of them I'm just happy I can say I tried, but the idea of what it actually was mattered more than the taste so I couldn't enjoy it," Jihoon explained.
He glanced over at Anbai, "I didn't want you to answer a certain way, and you answered my question just fine." He looked forward, watching to road, unsure what else to say. He was disappointed, not with Anbai but with himself. He'd obviously come with expectations, though he hadn't known it, and it was unfair to put those on Anbai. "I'm sorry... I made this weird, right? With the ring and the staying with you... You can drop me off at a hotel, okay?"
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World History Teacher.
Demisexual.
Single.
03/21/1991.
32.
Sheep (WA)
Authored by Redeim.
Offline.
|
Post by Anbai Wang on Aug 24, 2020 21:15:08 GMT -8
Anbai panicked a bit when Jihoon suddenly said he'd be okay going to a hotel, and they waved a hand at Jihoon desperately trying to make him understand without directly saying they still liked him. "No, no, it's not... It's not that. I'm being weird, I'm sorry. It's not you. I just..." They took in a breath, shaking their head and they tried to stop themself from saying more. Anbai slowly released the breath, saying quickly, "I just still like you." they'd close their eyes to avoid seeing the reaction, but Anbai was driving and so they settled for focusing very hard on the road.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2020 21:21:19 GMT -8
Jihoon felt his heart practically explode at the confession. "I mean, I still like you too. That's clear, right? With the wearing the ring and the hug and 'I missed you' at the airport? I'm sorry if it wasn't." He wanted to reach over and hold their hand again but wasn't sure if that's what they wanted or needed right now.
"I'm pretty sure I've only ever been in love once in my life... with you," he confessed.
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World History Teacher.
Demisexual.
Single.
03/21/1991.
32.
Sheep (WA)
Authored by Redeim.
Offline.
|
Post by Anbai Wang on Aug 24, 2020 21:34:58 GMT -8
Anbai let out a shaky breath in relief, not even realizing they'd been holding it while waiting for Jihoon to respond. They blinked quickly, feeling like they could cry from the relief. They shook their head in response to how obvious it was supposed to be. "I... Well as you know, I don't fall in love easily," they said with a nervous laugh, then added quieter, "apparently I don't fall out of love easily, either."
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Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2020 21:40:59 GMT -8
"I know I act like a space cadet, hippy who is all about love, and I do love easily, but I don't 'in love' easily, if that makes sense?" Jihoon was wondering if he was just mixing up languges or if he could make himself make sense. "I love puppies and plants and all people pretty easily, but I don't fall in love with people easily. I love people easily, but that's not the same."
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World History Teacher.
Demisexual.
Single.
03/21/1991.
32.
Sheep (WA)
Authored by Redeim.
Offline.
|
Post by Anbai Wang on Sept 29, 2020 20:34:35 GMT -8
Anbai looked to Jihoon for a moment before returning their eyes to the road. They raised an eyebrow and grinned mischievously. "It sounds to me like someone might also be demi and never knew it..." Anbai teased lightly. "Because in seriousness, I am the exact same way." They shrugged, "And to be fair, no one has really seriously tried to date me since we broke up, but like... I haven't been in love since you." It felt weird to admit it, and a quick glance in the rearview mirror confirmed they were blushing a bit, but still they forced themself to continue. "I love plenty of people though. But I'm not in love with anyone." But you. They added mentally.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 30, 2020 11:05:04 GMT -8
Jihoon quirked his head, "I'm not sure I really understand the demi thing, but that's because I've never been interested in finding a label for myself, and I didn't want to get incorrect information about you. So I waited for you to tell me who you were."
He turned and looked out the window, "I've dated a few people since we broke up, and I did love them, I did... but I was never in love with them."
"I am in love love though. I am in love with you, still. I never stopped. I know that's a lot to put on you, and it's not fair, but if possible, I'd like to be with you again." Jihoon said, offering his hand to Anbai.
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World History Teacher.
Demisexual.
Single.
03/21/1991.
32.
Sheep (WA)
Authored by Redeim.
Offline.
|
Post by Anbai Wang on Nov 6, 2020 13:25:27 GMT -8
"I'm not trying to force a label on you. If you don't want one, that's fine. I was just stating." Anbai explained, responding quickly but not harshly. They debated how to continue to make sure Jihoon knew they weren't upset or anything, but instead got distracted by what Jihoon said, stopping themself from swerving off the road. "I-What?!" They squeaked, hiding most of their face (besides the eyes) behind a hand. They debated how to respond. 'I love you too?' 'I want to be with you, too?' ... It all sounded like... not enough.
Finally, after Anbai got their heart to stop beating so fast and they could better focus on the road again, both hands on the steering wheel, they replied softly, "I've been waiting to hear you say that."
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Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2020 8:55:27 GMT -8
"I didn't think you were trying to label me, so don't worry. I understand why people create and want labels, but because of my moms, I just don't think they ever mattered to me. I respect your use of a label, like you respect my not using a label," Jihoon said.
He held his breath at Anbai's reaction. He knew it had been an unfair thing to say, and he felt selfish for saying it, but whenever he saw Anbai, he couldn't help himself. He smiled softly, "then I'm glad I said it."
He pulled his hand back, trying not to feel hurt that they hadn't taken it when he'd offered. He turned his eyes to the passing scenery, realizing just how selfish he was being. First, he'd asked Anbai to pick him up at the airport out of the blue and house him for an indeterminate amount of time, and then he'd gone and confessed that he still had feelings for them.
"I'm sorry..." Jihoon said quietly, not turning to face them.
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World History Teacher.
Demisexual.
Single.
03/21/1991.
32.
Sheep (WA)
Authored by Redeim.
Offline.
|
Post by Anbai Wang on Dec 10, 2020 10:11:30 GMT -8
Anbai realized only as Jihoon pulled back his hand that he had been offering it, and was debating if they should just take it back and hold on to Jihoon's hand. They had missed holding hands with him, missed having a relationship with him, but Anbai also knew they couldn't just open up fully to him again. But why? Their brain questioned. You broke up mutually because he was pursuing his career... Can you fault him for that? They couldn't come up with an answer before processing that Jihoon had apologized for something.
Anbai took Jihoon's hand into theirs, eyes still focused on the road besides a glance to find where Jihoon had put his hand, and asked, "Sorry for what?"
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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2020 9:37:24 GMT -8
Jihoon felt his heart lift when Anbai took his hand. He looked over at them, "I'm sorry for being so selfish. We broke up because I selfishly pursued my career, then I call you out of the blue and ask you to pick me up and house me, then I ask you to take me back... I just feel..." He trailed off and lifted Anbai's hand to press a soft kiss to the back of it. "I feel incredibly lucky to have you in my life and like an absolute jerk for treating you the way I have. I'm sorry."
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World History Teacher.
Demisexual.
Single.
03/21/1991.
32.
Sheep (WA)
Authored by Redeim.
Offline.
|
Post by Anbai Wang on Jan 11, 2021 18:38:22 GMT -8
Anbai shook their head. "That's not selfish. You were offered a job, and it was a job you really wanted. I'm not mad at you for leaving. I had been a little sad, maybe? Because I didn't know when I'd get to see you again. But we broke up because we didn't want a long-distance relationship to potentially ruin what we had, not because we hated each other or I was mad at you. And, if I really didn't want to house you, I would have found you a hotel no matter the price range. And would have... I don't know... Called you an Uber? Or something?" Anbai felt like they were rambling because of the kiss. It was sweet and romantic and made them not able to think properly. "Basically if I didn't want to see you again or felt you were a jerk, you would know."
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