Chapter Text
"Can you move your neck a little, Seungkwan? Chan, can you tilt your body into Seungkwan like put your head near his neck?"
Soonyoung was crouched with his knees poking a little too hard in his chest as he tried to position his friends. His friends nodded and slowly but surely followed his direction.
Pressing his camera into his nose focusing on his subject, Soonyoung got a few pictures and quickly reposed them. Soonyoung could tell Chan was getting antsy with the hard beats playing in the back and Seungkwan looked exhausted. But, Soonyoung and his grade really needed them to focus.
"Are we almost done, dude? My neck is cramping and if you're gonna play good songs like this." Chan says referencing to Michael Jackson, "I am going to ruin your perfect shoot."
"Okay, I didn't like how you just slandered my entire shoot? That was rude." Soonyoung pouts messing with the lens cap.
"That was a bit rude, Chan. It isn't Soonyoung's fault you got two hours of sleep cause you forgot your final was today." Seungkwan intervenes, "Don't need to be an ass."
Chan frowns, "Can we just hurry?"
Soonyoung nods while slinging his camera around his neck, "Just a little more, okay?"
The two nod and nicely get back into their poses and Soonyoung couldn't be more thankful for his friends. Even if Seungkwan got a little distracted with SZA's Love Galore playing in the back. They finished the shoot quickly enough so Soonyoung had something to turn in.
"Do you think they will come out well? Do you think your teacher is going to finally give you the praise you deserve?" Seungkwan asks as he dabs at his face with a makeup wipe.
Soonyoung shrugs slightly, "Not exactly sure, he's kind of a ass and hates anything that doesn't follow his mindset."
"You're right but hey these are gonna be seriously so sick... I think these and you are amazing. I'll be back after I change and we can go get some food."
Soonyoung thumbs him up as Seungkwan walked away with Chan. Soonyoung was going to have a breakdown cause the photos that he took he hoped they looked great and that he'd be proud but they're is always going to be a flaw. At least, Soonyoung can always find a flaw.
Soonyoung assumed that Seungkwan's hands would be blurry sometimes it wasn't his fault but sometimes Soonyoung wouldn't stay still for a shot. Chan's hair didn't stay as long as it should have and he had a few separate hairs throughout the shoot. The coloration of the background and light didn't cooperate sometimes.
His biggest worry was what his teacher had to say. Soonyoung was in enrolled in his second film camera class this summer and they had to shoot certain photoshoots to fit the theme. The theme of concept was natural lighting so the studio in the school had all the blinds up.
He'd drag Seungkwan and Chan from the windows for portraits to the propped background for a typical shoot. Soonyoung appreciated and loved the history of film but god is it not anxious enough to wait for almost 30 minutes to semi see your shots.
Soonyoung took his Pentax to the separate room to search for the dark bag. The dark bag was used to remove the film from his 35mm. The process could be slow cause you can't open the bag and can only feel around to get everything.
Unrolling the film and curling it up on the film circular rod like always was a quick process. Soonyoung cut the tongue and attached it to small black pole before inserting it into the black cylinder container. He snaps the lids on and makes sure it's tight enough before unzipping the bag.
"Are we waiting till you develop those?" Chan asks, Soonyoung nods as he runs to the sink across the room. Seungkwan and Chan take a seat and get comfortable at the paint crusted tables.
The process of uploading always was relaxing to Soonyoung even if it left his hands feeling a bit grimy and slimy. It was his favorite part of film and for awhile when he first learned film. Soonyoung would always uploaded this girls film while she'd do his prints cause he couldn't figure it out.
The 30 minutes went by smoothly and Soonyoung luckily came out with clear, pretty, unaffected film. Hanging it in the dryer and setting it up for 20 minutes, the three of them were free to leave.
"So, what are we eating today?" Soonyoung asks with a smile, "My favorite little models."
"Sorry, I have to go pick up Mingyu from our apartment and take him to the doctors. You know... last week he fucking twisted his ankle? Over his own shoe?" Seungkwan says with a frown.
"How did we even do that?" Chan asks with a confused expression, "How can.. he even do that?"
Seungkwan shrugs, "I don't know but he's an idiot and I am in love with him so! You owe me later, Soonyoung. Love you!"
"Love you, be safe and text me when you get home."
Soonyoung couldn't be mad at Seungkwan being in love and happy. He was young and a freshman in college. He deserves all that college cliche bullshit. But, Soonyoung can't believe he's in an apartment for his first year like he was really lucky.
"What about you, Chan? Is your boy toy going to steal you away from me?" Soonyoung pouts while slipping his arm around Chan's neck.
Chan's ears start to turn slightly pink as he shakes his head, "He isn't.. you know that he isn't even that!"
"But you for sure are in love with him! So, it all counts and he's in love with you. I've known him since he was a baby, trust me he isn't that hard to read." Soonyoung claims, "He's still a baby."
Chan rolls his eyes, "I want a large ass box of pizza. Pepperoni please with breadsticks! I know you didn't eat last night so get two things of breadsticks."
Soonyoung agrees only cause Chan was cute and seeing how excited he gets when pizza arrives is cuter. Soonyoung's roommates would probably enjoy the pizza as well.
The two walk back to Soonyoung's car and Chan argues to drive them back the apartments only cause his parents have his car now. They thought that since it was his first year he really didn't need his car down there. He had to focus on school and his "peers."
"Do you think Jeonghan and Seokmin are going to be there?" Chan asks, "Same with Jun?"
Soonyoung was lucky enough to keep his close friends with him and live with them with no problem. He was still surprised how they all ended up going to the same school. Jeonghan was a senior, he majors in Acting and has a minor in marketing and business.
Soonyoung had met Jeonghan in high school and was beyond ecstatic to find out the older was going to Parsons. Soonyoung and Jeonghan are too different people in every sense of the being but Jeonghan makes Soonyoung so happy.
Seokmin is a sophomore like Mingyu, he was passionate about acting and singing. So, it only made sense for Seokmin to be a theatre major with singing or business on the side. Soonyoung couldn't exactly remember the details only cause Seokmin is frantic about it.
Jun is Soonyoung's same aged friend who moved to the US when they were all in middle school. He had long choppy brown hair and all the girls were in love with him cause he looked like some famous K-pop idol. Jun dabbles in many artistic ways, with dancing, singing and acting. He also has a good way with kids and could teach as well. Soonyoung knows he's undecided but he also knows he could succeed in everything.
The four of them moved in together when Seokmin got the permission from his mom. Soonyoung likes living with them cause they're all different but get along really well.
"They should be there. Jun just got back from Shenzhen like yesterday?" Soonyoung says while pulling at thread on the seat, "He's been sleeping since he got back, at least I hope he's asleep and isn't dead."
Chan rolls his eyes as he scans Soonyoung's ID into the parking garage near the apartments. Chan pulls in smoothly and removes the keys quickly out the ignition.
"Okay good! He'll be hungry whenever he wakes up so be quick!"
Chan practically disappears upstairs before Soonyoung can even retrieve his camera bag out of the car. Chan was close with his friends and Jeonghan adored the hell out of him so no wonder he was excited.
Soonyoung slowly but surely made it up to his apartment which luckily had the door propped open. It had to be Seokmin's doing cause nobody would cram their van between a door.
"Soonyoungie!" Jeonghan yells from the couch with pizza on his lap, "Nice of you to join us, I don't know why you even took that film class at a different level. I hate that fucking teacher."
Soonyoung nods as he takes a seat at the counter where Seokmin was, "I hate him too but I want to get better at film."
"You're already good at film, silly." Seokmin states with a grin, "Best photographer I know."
"I'm sure I'm the only photography major you know?" Soonyoung says with an arched brow.
"The only photography major with a minor in business and dabbles in dance and singing and journalism." Seokmin corrects patting Soonyoung's back, "Most versatile guy I know next to Jun."
Soonyoung smiles widely, "What a great compliment, thank you."
"That sounded very sarcastic but I'll take it! But, seriously why'd you take that class again with him?" Jeonghan asks cramming a breadstick into his mouth.
"Before I answer that, when you guys order pizza? Chan and I were planning to order one for us." Soonyoung asks, "It's weird how we had the same idea."
"No it's not, Chan texted me saying that you guys were going to come home and Jeonghan needed to order a pizza ASAP." Seokmin laughs as he uncaps a liter of Coke, "You know Jeonghan does anything for him."
Chan shrugs, "What can I say? Jeonghan adores me."
"My baby." Jeonghan coos feeding a breadstick to Chan.
Soonyoung rolls his eyes, "Also, I took the class again because I like film and want to get better at it. It's all about practice."
"Your film got stuck in your camera and you cried for two hours." Seokmin blurts, "Didn't it stress you out?"
Soonyoung nods, "I thought we were going to forget about that."
"You think I could forget your chubby cheeks all swollen and your face all pink from crying? It's like seeing a kicked puppy." Jeonghan mutters lowly, "You try looking at yourself crying."
"But anyway! I really do like film and the whole history and art of it. Even if my teacher is and will always be a dick. I like the process and experience." Soonyoung explains.
"Speaking of that teacher, what'd you get on the last project? With shadows and shit how'd that go?" Chan asks cramming another slice of pizza into his mouth.
"I got a B- on it? It was higher than my last project which was C. So, it's progressing but he still had negative comments." Soonyoung shrugs, "You get used to them."
"God, I wanna kick his ass." Jeonghan claims angrily.
Soonyoung loves his friends, cause even if he gets moody sometimes because of projects he does. His friends always support and go through with his ideas and mood swings. Maybe it's only cause they can all relate to the frustration, but Soonyoung is always thankful for their kind words and heart.
"Don't, I gotta pass the class!" Soonyoung mummers with a teasing smile, "It'll be okay."
Jeonghan sticks his finger out, "Come crying to me and I'm gonna kick his ass."
Soonyoung nods, "Ditto."
The four tried to keep as quiet as they could till Jun finally woke up. But, with Jeonghan tainting them with Mario Party it was a little harder. Jun appeared during a mini game they were incredibly invested in.
Soonyoung forgot Jun's hair was a platinum blond now. Since, he figured if he went back home with grape colored hair. His mom would have a fit but she ended up having a bigger fit at his practically white hair.
"Greetings," Chan says as he hands over a slice of pizza, "Saved this for you."
Jun smiles softly as he lowers himself next to Soonyoung who moved to the floor for Mario Party. His head fell into Soonyoung's open shoulder, Jun yawned as he started eating.
"God, you're so tired still? Couldn't sleep?" Seokmin asks softly, "Were we too loud?"
Jun shakes his head, "Not at all, just couldn't get back to sleep."
"You did sleep for I think about 10 hours? 13?" Jeonghan asks, "It was just a long ass time. I thought you died."
Even though, Jun was the same age as Soonyoung a lot of people couldn't help but look after him. He had big puppy dog eyes and a goofy personality, it was hard to not want to take care of him 24/7.
Jun shrugs, "Did you at least check my pulse to make sure I wasn't dead?"
"Of course! We sent Soonyoung in there plenty of times." Seokmin boasts proudly as he holds out controller for Jun, "Play for me while I take a piss, okay?"
Jun replaced Seokmin for a few turns which was fine cause Jun isn't as loud as Seokmin is when it comes to this. Soonyoung finally won and could successfully end playing for awhile.
"Do you have a concert tonight?" Chan asks curiously with an arched brow, "Any shows?"
Soonyoung nods, "My Day, it's at The Apollo this time. I got permission from Sungjin and I have to get my photo pass from the box office!"
Chan grins widely as he looks at Jeonghan who has the same shit eating grin. Then, it goes to Jun and Seokmin sporting the same creepy grins.
"Did I miss something?" Soonyoung asks softly, "What happened?"
"That Weewoo guy is gonna be at that concert tonight!" Seokmin announces, "He tweeted it."
"Weewoo?" Soonyoung asks a little puzzled, who the hell was Weewoo?
"He means Wonwoo," Jeonghan says as he pats Seokmin's head for trying, "Guy who goes to the Art Institute."
Soonyoung choked on the Coke that he barely got a sip of. Wonwoo. The Wonwoo. Was going to be at the same show as him? Soonyoung had to fathom what exactly was coming out of Jeonghan's mouth.
Wonwoo Jeon, 21 years old, an astounding face and prefers film over digital. You could say Soonyoung knows a lot about him, but he's never really talked to Wonwoo.
Soonyoung kind of met Wonwoo cause of a Pierce the Veil concert in 2011. Wonwoo was asking where to meet their opener on Soonyoung's instagram post cause Wonwoo's show was after his. Then, Wonwoo followed Soonyoung on Instagram and that was it.
Wonwoo has been doing concert photography for three years, which is a year shorter than Soonyoung. But, Wonwoo has publications to support him and Soonyoung just bugs the fuck out of everybody for a press pass. The two both follow each other on every social media account but never spoke.
Soonyoung always finds himself checking Wonwoo's twitter for posts of his work. Or, just funny tweets cause even if Wonwoo looked angry most of the times he was funny and relatable. Soonyoung would think he's a very outgoing person and can make friends easily but with his admiration for Wonwoo it's a little harder.
"When did he say he was going?" Soonyoung asks, "Today?"
"Jeon_WW tweeted around 1pm the following words." Jun announces, "Going to the My Day show today w my friends so excited to see middle school girls lose their shit."
Soonyoung's mouth drops a little, "Holy shit! I've never gotten to share the pit with him before."
"Pit?" Seokmin asks, "Oh the front of the stage!"
Soonyoung nods, "I'm glad you figured that out yourself, Seok."
"So, who are you gonna take?" Chan asks with an arched brow, "Can I go?"
"It's only cause he's gonna be there." Jeonghan teases while ruffling Chan's hair, "Just take Chan okay?"
Chan's cheeks burn a soft pink as he looks down at his jeans, "Can I go?"
Soonyoung can't help but laugh, "Of course, if I get to play matchmaker it's okay with me."
Soonyoung still couldn't believe he'd be in the pit with Wonwoo today. Maybe, today would be his chance to stop fucking around and actually talk to him. But, Wonwoo might have his usual circular frames on tomorrow and that might mess up Soonyoung's confidence.
Jeonghan suggests watching movies to pass time till Soonyoung had to leave for the show. They managed to cram in X-Men and half a Harry Potter movie in before Soonyoung got a text from the venue saying his pass was there.
"C'mon Chanford! It's time to go!" Soonyoung yells as he grabs his camera bag and keys that Jeonghan had set by the door earlier.
"Please be safe and Chan you make sure Soonyoung doesn't do anything. Also, don't be so loud! Jun just fell back asleep!" Jeonghan whispers, "Go on."
Soonyoung waves goodbye as he ushers Chan down the stairs of the apartment building practically running. This was the day where Soonyoung was going to physically talk to Wonwoo and not just like his photos on Instagram.
Apollo Theater, which was only 34 minutes away by subway felt like an hour ride with how anxious Soonyoung felt. Wonwoo. Wonwoo. Wonwoo. That was the only thing on his mind and he didn't mind it one bit.
"You're blacking out. You're that excited to meet the man of your dreams?" Chan teases as the subway pulls to an abrupt stop.
Soonyoung rolls his eyes, "Back at you asshole, is Minghao gonna be there?"
Chan's cheeks flush red at the name actually being dropped, "Shut up."
"No! If I'm gonna be teased, you are too. It only makes sense." Soonyoung snorts as he grabs Chan by the wrist. The Apollo was only 2 minutes by walking distance.
Soonyoung always liked shooting at The Apollo cause the way the seats curve up in a pretty formation. The stage is wide enough and low enough for Soonyoung to move comfortably. Soonyoung also knows every worker at The Apollo, it's like a home away from home for him.
When the two finally arrived, they saw a line wrapped around the block of kids in their makeshift and official My Day shirts. Soonyoung liked shooting for My Day, only cause he knew one of the band members.
Soonyoung used to dance with the lead singer, Sungjin 'Jax' Park. Soonyoung went to school with Sungjin for a little, he was friends with his sister and even dated. Soonyoung liked Sungjin, he was goofy and barely could dance but he could sing his ass off.
So, anytime Sungjin has a show he makes sure that Soonyoung gets a photo pass. It's great too since their band is taking off and was even on Warped this year.
"Yo! Anthony, where's my pass?" Soonyoung asks as the ticket booth, "I know I have one!"
Anthony, 34, a white man with a receding hairline who likes to pretend he doesn't like Soonyoung and enjoy his witty personality. Soonyoung met Anthony when he was sixteen and started doing concert photography. Now, they're best pals or enemies like Anthony says.
"Right here, you don't have to yell. He need a ticket again?" Anthony asks pointing to Chan.
Chan nods, "Thank you!"
Anthony rolls his eyes as he slides Chan's ticket and Soonyoung's lanyard. Soonyoung blows a kiss to Anthony making him flinch as they headed towards the entrance. Soonyoung made eye contact with Minghao and waved before Wonwoo had turned around.
"Wah, that was close. Okay, so I'm assuming Minghao will be at the barricade with you. So, make your move kid." Soonyoung grins as he pats his cheek, "You got this."
"We already dance together, Soonyoung. It's not like I don't know him already." Chan mumbles leaning against the railing between the two, "I'll be okay."
"Last time, he tried to talk to you at the studio. You just stared and nodded." Soonyoung scoffs, "Did you forget?"
Chan pinches Soonyoung's cheek between his fingers, "Shut up and go wait in the pit."
"Ah, ah! I gotta clean my lens first, can you let go? Please?" Soonyoung whines while tryna get his cheek back from Chan.
Chan lets go quickly, "Of course."
Soonyoung unwraps a lens wipe pack with his teeth quickly wiping the dust off. Soonyoung found this pack of 500 of lens wipes at a store for $5 and has been a changed man ever since.
People started filling in slowly, along with a few more photographers. Soonyoung could see Minghao's head in the crowd with Wonwoo and another guy. Wonwoo looked so good, and Soonyoung hated it.
"Here they come," Soonyoung half sings, "I'm gonna die!"
Chan pats Soonyoung's shoulder reassuringly with a smile, "You're gonna kick ass! I know this is a big thing for you to be with him. But, you're also doing your job okay? Gotta focus."
Soonyoung as he starts to move closer to the stage. He sees the guard let Wonwoo into the pit, and he looked cute yet comfy. His glasses were falling on his nose as he was scrolling through his twitter (Soonyoung was definitely looking at the reflection).
The show was slowly starting, Soonyoung flinched a little when he heard Sungjin's loud ass guitar. Sungjin's hair was choppy, long and in his eyes when he went to the mic. His other members, Soonyoung had yet to remember all their names were grinning.
"New York! How y'all doing tonight?" The guitarist, his name wasn't familiar still.
The crowd yelps in response, and the guitarist grins bigger. Soonyoung thumbs at his on button and holds at the lens, he starts off small by snapping photos of their instruments and hands (For a series later, maybe?).
Soonyoung moves around the others as My Day kept talking. The only other person who was taking photos was Wonwoo. Soonyoung could see Wonwoo crouched down underneath the bassist's mic. He was focusing on the details of the flowers wrapped around the pole. A good move.
After a small talking ment, that's when the other photographers grow flustered. The four bodies spread out and Soonyoung goes to action. My Day stages are always bright lights, energetic and lots of movement. Soonyoung liked how they upgraded their lights cause he was a thot for lights.
Soonyoung wedged his prism and his kaleidoscope glasses between his left hand as he balances his camera. Soonyoung does enjoy a practical concert photo with lights and raw emotion but if he can distort a image, he'll do so.
Soonyoung found himself near Wonwoo also holding a prism against the lens catching the green lights. Soonyoung was here for his job, so he couldn't stay near Wonwoo all night but the two slowly ended up helping each other out throughout the night.
Wonwoo's 50mm got jammed and Soonyoung offered his up. They even let each other walk and get closer shots if they needed too. Soonyoung even nudged Wonwoo to move out the way of some guy with a 70-200mm lens who kept swinging it around.
Sungjin finished up the last song with a long guitar solo and before Soonyoung knew it he had nearly 2,000 photos to go through tonight. So, it was a successful night for Soonyoung.
"How'd it go?" Chan asks dabbing at the sweat on his forehead, "Get a lot of pictures?"
Soonyoung nods as he rotates the switch to get a quick glimpse of some of his photos. Soonyoung usually preferred to look at his photos on his computer cause the quality and photo is bigger.
"Yah, he's looking at you. You were right his facial features are insane." Chan mumbles in awe, "He really is handsome."
Soonyoung feels himself choke, "You're joking? Right?"
Chan shakes his head, "No, he's literally coming over."
Soonyoung keeps his head down as he keeps scrolling through the photos, he couldn't look up his neck felt stuck.
"Hey, not to be a creep but are you soon_photos?" Wonwoo asks, his voice was so low and so smooth.
Soonyoung pivots to be eye to eye with Wonwoo who was smiling a bit. His lips were incredibly pink, how the hell were they so pink?
"Y-yeah, you're photosbyww." Soonyoung admits, "I didn't recognize you till the end cause you know all the lights and we have cameras in our face."
That was a total lie but Wonwoo didn't need to know Soonyoung knew he was here like three hours before the concert.
"Really? You recognized me? Am I that famous now?" Wonwoo says teasingly, "But I can't deny that I already knew who you were. By the way you were unpacking your lens wipe, you're famous for that."
"Really? I had no idea." Soonyoung laughs, "I think I'm the only one who doesn't use the wipes and spray bottle."
Wonwoo chuckles lowly, "Yeah, after I saw you use those. I tossed my bottle and wipes out cause they make the lens foggy."
Soonyoung nods enthusiastically, "Yes! Yes! That's why I had to make the switch. Wah, of course you'd know the beauty of that stuff."
Wonwoo cocks his head, "Why would I know?"
Soonyoung shrugs as he starts to rock on his heels nervously, "Cause, you're Wonwoo. You're insanely talented and smart with your work. You're smart with that stuff."
Wonwoo grins as pushes up his glasses, "And you're not? Your photos of your friend Jeonghan I think? With the kaleidoscope glasses made me buy some right after."
Wonwoo tilts his bag to show a pair of black glasses just like Soonyoung's in the pocket. Soonyoung knows he's obviously blushing after that statement.
"Don't try and flatter me, dude. You really changed the game after that. People spend hours for that edit, and you used some simple $5 frames." Wonwoo boasts, "That's art."
"Wonwoo! Stop talking a mile a minute and just invite the dude to IHOP. I'm starving!" his friend, Vernon yells loudly.
Chan was tucked underneath Minghao's arm, and Soonyoung couldn't help but smile cause they were both successful with their goals today.
"Do you wanna go to IHOP with us? We can talk about that old guy who kept trying to knock us out with his 70-200mm." Wonwoo asks with a soft smile.
"Yeah! Dude, he turned so hard I swear he was gonna kill us. He's risky with a 70-200mm at a rock show but maybe that's his thing?" Soonyoung laughs as he follows Wonwoo out of the pit.
Score 1 for Soonyoung getting over his fear of talking to Wonwoo. It was only the beginning right?