Chapter Text
Such a weird kid that boy is Yongguk couldn’t help but think. “Jongup-ah!” He called him again. Third time was a charm because it finally seemed to break the boy out of whatever world he floated off too.
“Hyung?” He blinked.
“Hurry up and get ready, we’re about to go remember?” This kid I swear………
“Oh……….oh right. Sorry……” He got up from the couch and ran to the room he shared with the maknae as Guk just shook his head and made his way to the door.
Zelo was just putting his jacket on as he walked in, “Hey hyung, are you ready yet?”
“No not yet, go on with the others I’ll be out in a sec, just gotta get my jacket and IPod.” The maknae nodded and made his way out their bedroom. Jongup quietly closed the door behind him then kneeling on the floor by his bed, reached under his mattress for the money he hid there.
He counted it again for the umpteenth time hoping somehow there’d be more there than there was last time. There wasn’t. He knew this wouldn’t end well.
He quickly pulled on his favorite jacket and shoved the money into one of the inside pockets, grabbed his IPod from nightstand and made his way to go join the others who were already seated in the car by the time he got out there.
Most of them look annoyed as he squished his way through them to sit back by Zelo.
“Next time you take so long, we’re gonna leave you!” The leader fussed.
“I voted for them leaving!” Youngjae chimed in.
“Sorry hyungs.” Jongup said with a small smile.
Himchan turned around from his seat in the front “Don’t worry Jonguppie, I would never let them leave without you.” He winked at the boy who in turn blushed and turned his head towards the window putting in his earbuds in time to not hear him get fussed at by the leader for flirting with the second maknae.
The boys were off to go shopping. The manager figured they needed to get out of the house and do something since they had a tad bit of downtime at the moment. And since Himchan was constantly nagging him about how he’d throw a fit if he didn’t soon get the chance to add to his wardrobe.
“Like you really need any more shit cluttering up our room!” He was not very fond of the visual’s shopping habits. Or really any of his many habits.
“Fuck you.” Himchan simply stated.
Nobody really paid attention when they were like this. That’s just how they were. Except for Zelo, who couldn’t hold in his giggling. No matter how many visual daggers Yongguk threw at him.
Jongup just stared out the window, listening to his music. He checked the time and prayed to whatever exactly is up there that everything would go as smoothly as he had hoped. This was the perfect opportunity and he couldn’t screw this up.
Just 20 minutes give or take a few. If I do this right it shouldn’t be any more than that. Just in and out.
His own reassurance didn’t help much. It was all he had to go on though so he went with it.
The car came to a stop at the shopping center, but Jongup lost in thought again didn’t seem to notice until Zelo shook his shoulder.
They all pushed and shoved each other (something they did all the time) until they were all outside standing on the pavement arguing over where to go first. Well, mainly Yongguk and Himchan were arguing.
“Umm,” Jongup started by raising his hand, “Why don’t we split up? That way we can all go where we want too."
“Jonguppie that's such a good idea!” He grinned at the younger and lightly ruffled his hair while Yongguk rolled his eyes at the display.
“Hmm I don’t know if that’s a good idea.” Manager Kang was always concerned for their safety.
“Okay then hyung I guess we’re all going to go watch me try on new outfits then?” Himchan commented, knowing full well nobody wanted to do such a thing.
“Yeah……………..why don’t we all split up. I’ll see you guys later.” Their manager walked off towards the nearest food stand.
“Well I guess we’re on our own now, why don’t we all meet up back here in say…….” Youngjae checked his watch, “an hour?”
“Yah, sounds good to me, come on Gukkie I need you to help me find something.” He dragged the leader off in the direction of his favorite store as profanity could be heard coming from the rapper.
“Well hyung, I guess it’s just you and me now.” Zelo smiled at his favorite hyung. Youngjae was already long gone with Daehyun following close behind.
They wondered around to random stores, looking at this and that. Not much was bought other than a few cds and a pair of sunglasses. Zelo was happy to be spending time outside the house with Jongup, even though he didn’t seem too interested in a single thing they looked at, “Jonguppie hyung, are you looking for anything special?”
“Um no, not really. I’m just glad to be out the house you know?” He tried his best to calm his dongsaeng’s worry at his indifference.
“Yeah, I get that. Oooo come look at this!” Zelo seemed excited at everything Jongup noticed. It was really cute.
He tried his best to seem interested………until he looked at the time on his IPod.
Shit. I need to hurry or there might not be time.
As much as he adored this kid, he needed to get away from him. And SOON.