Work Text:
jaein @yooji000128 56m
I love you pic.twitter.com/Eo4bS1TXIAIo
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in reply to @yooji000128
innie @hyunluvr 3m
LEAVE HIM ALONE WEIRDO
“It’s getting worse,” Changbin says, walking in circles in the office while Hyunjin leans back on his seat, calm as ever, which only frustrates his manager even more. “How are you so calm?”
Hyunjin shrugs, still scrolling through the new alleged “stalker’s” Twitter account.
It started just a couple months ago; whenever Hyunjin is off-schedule, there’s always one person describing exactly what he was doing. Soon, the account starts getting attention and people are wondering whether it’s a troll account or an actual stalker. Some fans started speculating that it’s Hyunjin’s own private account. The company released no statements regarding the matter, working meticulously to not get the word around that popular actor and idol, Hwang Hyunjin does in fact have a stalker.
Of course, not everything goes in their company’s favour.
The account once “accidentally” posted a picture of Hyunjin, the idol clearly unaware that his photograph was being taken while simply ordering a coffee. It wouldn’t have been marked suspicious, if their past tweets hadn’t predicted Hyunjin’s activities almost flawlessly. Still, the company refuses to release any statements, hoping the trend dies down.
Then again, not everything goes in their favour.
“He’s coming,” Changbin hurriedly taps Hyunjin to get off his phone and stand to greet the director who had called for the meeting to discuss the recent scandals.
They bow together, not looking up until the director tells them, “I only need Changbin, Hyunjin you may go.”
Hyunjin looks over to see the colour in Changbin disappear at the request, but he nods at Hyunjin nonetheless. He doesn’t sit still outside anymore, worried for Changbin and his employment. None of this was Changbin’s fault, but it didn’t make sense that he would want to speak to Changbin alone when it’s in regards to his situation.
“Hey!” someone calls. Hyunjin jumps on his seat, moving his ear away from the door and halting a stop to his attempt to eavesdrop on the conversation. To his luck, it was only Kim Seungmin, a friend who used to train with him.
“Oh, hey, what’s up?”
“What’s up?” Seungmin mocks, his nasal laugh echoing in the hallway. “Out of all the possible statements the company would give out, a boyfriend is certainly the last one I’d expect.”
“Boyfriend?” Hyunjin repeats.
“I mean, I thought they’d just put you on a show or like a comeback rumour to cover up the stalker headlines or something…” Seungmin carefully explains, watching Hyunjin bemused by the topic. “You are dating someone, right? This isn’t some scheme—?”
“Hyunjin.”
The two idols turn around to see Changbin standing outside the meeting room. Hyunjin opens his mouth to ask the questions firing in his mind, but Changbin beats him to it.
“Hey, Seung, have you finished your album yet?”
“Not yet,” Seungmin responds with a frown, “Having to work with that guy is an absolute nightmare, I don’t know how you do it,” he comments to Hyunjin.
Changbin pouts, “Maybe if you do your lyricist, it’d go better. You’d also have some material to write about.”
“You mean write my lyrics?”
“No.”
Seungmin rolls his eyes, “See you later, Hyunjin and introduce me to your boyfriend later! You,” he glares at Changbin, “I don't know what I’m going to do yet, but it's something you should be afraid of.”
“All because I said you wanted to fuck the producer?!”
“Bye!”
Once Seungmin is out of their sight down the hallway, Changbin turns back around to Hyunjin, guilt etching all over his face. Hyunjin shakes his head as an attempt to reject whatever proposal was discussed between his manager and the director.
“Come follow me to the meeting room,” is all Changbin said out loud before it’s quiet again walking down to the elevator, which only made things in his mind exponentially worse. Hyunjin wonders about all the possibilities, keeping Seungmin’s words in the back of his mind. He wouldn’t be rumoured to be dating someone, that’d be ridiculous. Just like what Seungmin said, out of all the statements the company would release, having a boyfriend would be the last on the list.
“Hyung, you’re killing me,” Hyunjin whines, pressing close as soon as they both enter the elevator.
Changbin takes a deep breath, “I’ll explain as soon as we’re at the meeting room, okay? We need privacy. I can’t let anyone hear about this.”
Despite agreeing, Hyunjin still held his breath until the door closed behind him in the meeting room and Changbin started speaking.
“The company wants to hire a bodyguard for you.”
“A bodyguard!” Hyunjin exclaims. In a softer tone, “Wait, isn’t that good?”
“Well…” Changbin squeaks.
“Hyung,” Hyunjin says, tone no longer playful, “What’s the catch?”
“He’ll be with you every second of everyday—”
“—That’s too much—”
“—He’ll be aware of your surroundings—”
“—I can feel if someone’s taking a picture of me—”
“—He knows what to do in situations, if ever they…”
Hyunjin scoffs now, “A multi-million selling company, and yet they can’t catch the bad guy whose name is out for the public to see?”
“That’s not their real name, you know that. And they’re only in pursuit when you’re either by yourself or with any of our idols—as long as there are no personnels nearby, they don’t do anything.”
It’s quite a funny situation. Save of course for the literal stalker that has been following him for almost a year now, booking in the same hotel rooms and flights, memorizing the same paths Hyunjin takes. It’s scary, Hyunjin admits, and there’s no hiding that. Still, hiring a personal bodyguard—it’s a little ridiculous and quite literally laughable.
“So, you think a bodyguard is the best solution,” Hyunjin mocks. “We’ve tried it before, but that didn’t fix anything. At the end of the day, they got a picture of my toothbrush from my own damn hotel room while a bodyguard sat next to me.”
Changbin nods, acknowledging Hyunjin’s argument, “I know. That’s why we altered the plan to avoid the same mistakes. We came up with a scheme.”
“What kind of scheme?”
“You’re going to pretend to be in a relationship.”
Hyunjin blinks, registering the message. Then he slowly smiles, pointing an accusing finger at his manager, laughing loudly, “What drama do you think you’re plotting? The bodyguard, yeah that was ridiculous already, but fake dating? Come on, hyung, I’m not that naive.”
“I’m not kidding,” Changbin replies. In the three years since Changbin began managing Hyunjin, he’s never seen him as serious as he is now. “This will be your reality until we find your stalker.”
“No.”
The room falls silent. Hyunjin doesn’t back down from Changbin’s glare. He has sacrificed a lot when he became an idol—but his freedom isn’t going to be one of them.
“I’m sorry, but this isn’t negotiable.”
“You realize how insane you sound right?”
“I need you to be safe.”
A knock interrupts Hyunjin before he can further argue with Changbin.
“We’re not done,” Changbin whispers to Hyunjin, walking around the table to attend to the person at the door, “Oh, hey, you’re a bit earlier than I expected.”
“PD-nim said to meet you up here,” the latter says. Hyunjin leans forward, trying to see the unknown male standing before Changbin. His tight lipped forms a grin, head tilted down in comparison to Changbin, but the boy physically looks older than his manager. His time is cut short, turning his back towards the door and pretending to not be interested, when Changbin points at him mid-conversation. It made Hyunjin wonder if they were talking about him, but why would they be talking about him?
Not shortly after, the door clicks and Changbin is back to his seat across Hyunjin, speaking to him again.
“Look, Hyunjin, I’m sorry that this is the company’s solution, but I have no say anymore,” Changbin admits, face deflated out of defeat, “I failed the first few attempts, so this is the company stepping in and…” he sighs, “I did everything I could with my power.”
Truth be told, Hyunjin does feel guilty especially with Changbin’s defeated tone. Whenever the company takes control, he somehow puts the blame on Changbin, which is unfair to his manager despite knowing they both had no words against the decision.
“Who’s outside the door?”
Changbin raises an eyebrow, but Hyunjin doesn’t attempt to fight the stare this time. He chuckles softly, “Bang Chan,” he answers, leaning back to his chair, “A trained bodyguard, he’s Lee Felix’s cousin, and Felix is—”
“Minho-hyung’s trainee, I’m familiar.” Hyunjin interrupts, waving him off and attempting to steer the conversation back to the infamous Bang Chan. “What’s his business with you?”
Jokingly, Changbin smirks, “Didn’t know I also reported to you.”
Hyunjin huffs, getting off the chair.
“Whatever, I’m leaving.”
“Hey,” Changbin stops him just before he can open the door, “Out of 10, how would you rate him?” Hyunjin raises his middle finger up as a response. “Let him in on your way out!”
Soon as he opens the door, Bang Chan is back on his feet. Hyunjin wanted to study the latter a little bit more, but Changbin’s snicker echoes in the back of his mind that all he could offer the brunette was a nod in the direction of the door, a quick bow and a small squeak, quickly running away.
Dispatch @dispatch 4m
Currently no released statements from GWAN Ent regarding speculations that an active artist is dating a commoner https://bit.ly/3DMDfHV
Hyunjin clicks on the article, skimming through the paragraphs and blurred images that he was certain is not him, and then—
“It’s better to not read the comments,” an unfamiliar voice calls after him. Hyunjin quickly locks his phone, turning back to find out who’s peeking behind him. “I’m sorry, I figured you were going to check the article since it was posted like—” (he checks his wrist watch), “Five minutes ago, I didn’t actually read it off your phone.”
“I see you two have met,” another voice speaks up behind Hyunjin. Changbin passes a brown envelope each in front of the two, taking the seat across the discussion table from the newly fake couple. “Contracts,” he states the obvious, “Read through the entirety of it, make changes, reprint, sign, then the show begins.”
“What’s on here, no kissing?” Hyunjin jests.
“If that’s what you want, I’m okay with either way,” Chan offers innocently.
“Great, you can talk amongst yourselves or go to a coffee shop, the last paper is blank to add any notes for rules the company forgot or you wish to have,” Changbin gets up, “I’ll leave you two to it, and when you both are ready, just give me a call.”
White noise fills the room when the door clicks after Changbin, leaving the fake couple in the meeting room by themselves.
Hyunjin nibbles his lip, “Do you want to…”
“Up to you,” Chan answers almost immediately. “I work for you, technically, so whatever you want I’m on board.”
“Okay, calm down, don’t say things like that,” Hyunjin waves his hand, “It makes me feel like I’m paying you.”
“You are paying me.” Chan jerks his head, correcting himself, “Well, the company does.”
“It makes you sound like you're selling yourself, and not in a good way.”
“Oh.”
Hyunjin opens the brown folder, “Let’s read to ourselves first, I guess doing it in here might be better than going out in public where Dispatch can take pictures of us.”
To no surprise, Chan agrees immediately, following Hyunjin in opening the envelope and reading through the contract.
The contract was straightforward, there wasn't a lot of ambiguity—at least none that Hyunjin caught—and sure enough, the most basic rules of fake dating found most commonly in the media are written near the end.
“Hey,” Hyunjin calls, ready to ask Chan an astronomical amount of questions. For instance, why is he doing this? Why did he agree? Can he really put up a fight? Chan has muscles, but he was shorter than average. Also, how much are they paying him that he agreed to fake date him? Did Chan find him attractive, so he agreed? Or was the money such a huge amount that he would be stupid to even think about declining the offer? So many questions, but in the end, he settles with: “Are you allergic to dogs?”
It’s obvious Chan isn’t expecting the question when his face reads taken aback, but still he answers, “No, I’m not. I actually have a dog back home—I mean in Australia, who I miss a lot and I’m already talking too much. Sorry,” he shakes his head violently, chuckling nervously, waving his hand in protest, “Point is—no allergies, love dogs,” he raises a thumb up.
“I have a dog. His name is Kkami. If you want, you can play with him. I know being apart from your dog won’t be the same as petting mine, but he’s nice. I like petting dogs whenever I’m out training for long periods of time.” Softly, Hyunjin smiles, “Also, I don’t mind if you talk about yourself. If we’re going to pretend we’re dating, I think it would be beneficial if I got to know you. Even just a little bit. All I know about you is your full name.”
“And I have a dog in Australia.” They share a small laughter, fighting the white noise for dominance in the room.
“Who are you going to tell about this—us?”
Chan heaves, shrugging, “Felix already knows. That’s how I got the job.” (Hyunjin doesn’t know why that title irks him, despite that it’s the right term to use.) “I guess, no else. My family is in Australia, they barely keep up with K-Media, so I’m safe, I guess. You?”
“I don’t know yet,” Hyunjin answers truthfully. “Most of my friends are idols or, I guess, as you put it, working for me. Plus the contract—the other one, for artists—says that I have to be careful with what infos I share, because of moles and whatnot.”
Hyunjin goes back to scan the papers further, snorting loudly as he reads:
IV.X Under any circumstances that a real relationship sprouts out of the scheme, the contract will be terminated immediately and no contact between the signatories will be tolerated.
“What’s funny?”
“Isn’t it funny how they add shit like “don't fall in love” as if we can control our feelings?” Hyunjin shakes his head, “If we become friends, do not fall in love with me, I’d actually like to keep “a commoner” as a friend.”
Chan smiles, “Will do.”
“I’m Hyunjin, by the way.”
“I-I know—”
“Yeah, but, you know me as Hyunjin on the camera, the idol, actor, model or whatever else,” Hyunjin bites on his lip, “Can’t I just be cliché for one second and introduce myself as Hyunjin and put all those titles behind?”
Chan smiles softly, “I’m Chan. I guess you can call me ‘hyung’, if so desired.”
innie @hyunluvr 4h
when hyunjin shows us his bf im not gonna act fake and be like “i want him😍😍” like the rest of u all no bitch im killing myself
As it turns out, planning to fake your entire relationship is harder than it seems compared to the media. Perhaps it’s because of Hyunjin’s occupation, but he doesn’t remember seeing any of the main characters plan a whole day to read a legal contract together, make amendments, discuss locations of dates from the past and possible future, vacation spots they enjoy, and visit each other’s places. There were evidently more factors to consider before an idol can attempt to write their own pretend relationship.
But maybe, it’s okay because Chan makes the meeting somehow bearable.
seungminnie ❣️
since when was it okay for ONE person to look good in EVERYTHING !????
hello to you too hyunjin
hi my boyfriend is attractve have u heard?
yeah but have U heard i'm a clover who relies on DISPATCH to know what's going on w my friend?
if u don't introduce me soon i’m dumping u as my best friend istg
aw
maybe u can ask jisung if he qualifies ur best friend criteria
reading his name already enrages me so no
ok how about bf applications
get back to smooching ur bf or smthn
Ur so mean </3
when’s ur day off so i can introduce u?
idk but i have to record today i just remembered
fuck i hope he’s not in today
doubt it
gee golly thanks for cheering me up friend
wish me luck please 🥺
good luck getting dick so you stop acting like you have a stick up your ass? 🥺
i hate u and i hope u trip on a rock, fall off a cliff and get impaled by a sharp stick byeeee xx
that’s so graphic
i hope u stop pretending u dont have feelings for our producer<3
🖕🏼
“The stars look real, huh?”
Hyunjin snorts, looking at the backdrop of stars Changbin had set up. To make the story believable to the netizens, the company had thought of sending anonymous tips slowly to a popular website with a large amount of following. It has already started. Dropping the news that an idol is supposedly dating a commoner was only the beginning. Uploading the pictures for the media to see? A bigger news than a scandalous stalker, at least for the netizens.
Faking a couple of shots for a show is easy when your company has millions of props in stock and the staff don’t ask questions as to why an idol with no upcoming comeback is using the studio set for a photoshoot. Changbin has convinced a friend to help change the fake couple’s hair and makeup according to the timeline, making it look like the two have been seeing each other way longer before netizens got a hold of their story. It’s hard to trust anyone in the industry, especially with a scheme as huge as a pretend relationship, but they make it work. It was an easy breeze setting the whole relationship up. Throughout photoshoots and changing outfits and hair, Hyunjin actually had the chance to get to know Chan during their pseudo dates and (supposedly) mimed conversations.
“Okay—stop, stop!” Changbin calls, “Hyung, it’s obvious you’re faking it.” (Chan apologizes repeatedly.) “Let’s try it again where you two actually talk to each other and see where it takes us, okay?” The fake couple agrees, looking at each other again with a small smile. “Alright make it believable I’m a creep taking pictures.”
Hyunjin also had the pleasure to check Chan out whenever he wears a tuxedo one size too tight, or when he’s wearing casual clothes, even when he’s wearing a totally incompatible jeans and shirt. It was ridiculous! He looked good in everything!
Now, they’re here, and fake cuddling under a fake blanket of stars on a fake bench while the fake breeze of air touches Hyunjin’s cheeks. At least his laugh is genuine.
“Do you like stars?” Hyunjin indulges.
Chan nods, excitedly. “Who doesn’t?”
“When I was a trainee, I would always look at the stars,” Hyunjin blushes when he sees how Chan is staring at him like he’s speaking a foreign language, “Hey—stop looking at me like that! I know I’m an idol, but I’m more or less just like any other guy.”
“I’m sorry.”
Hyunjin’s smile falters, “For what?”
“I don’t know,” Chan shrugs, “I guess, to some extent, before I took the job, I assumed you would be a snob—like one of those idols who never look back to their roots or look down at everyone. I mean, shit, that sounds wrong. It’s just that—” he struggles to find the precise word he’s looking for, hesitating to say whatever is on the tip of his tongue. “Obviously, the cameras would show genuine and kind actions, but a lot of people can fake that, you know?”
“You think I fake it?” Hyunjin asks, his tone offended by Chan's sharp tongue.
“Not just you, I assumed that every one of the idols do,” Chan admits, “Weren’t you trained to do social etiquettes—like, how to behave, how to stand, how to respond to everything?”
“Hyung,” Hyunjin says, but it isn’t towards Chan. “Can we cut today off early? I’m tired.”
If anything, what he’s asking of Changbin is only adding icing to Chan’s loose assumption on him. In his defence, he isn’t made of plastic. Yes, the relationship, the stars, the setting—everything in that room may all be fake, but he can’t fake his way until the end of the day without showing how upset he was listening to Chan’s words. It might be one of the hardest things to swallow for Hyunjin, but he hasn’t completely wrapped his head around the fact that strangers see him on the internet and either love him or hate him for it. Having one of those strangers say it right in front of his face without any basis of judgment? He just needed a bit of time to process it.
innie @hyunluvr 16m
That should be me, holding your hand
That should be me, making you laugh
That should be me, this is so sad
That should be me, feeling your kiss
That should be m—
“Hyunjin!” Jisung claps in front of his face. The idol blinks, registering that he’s in the studio and not with Chan. Even if his words have been echoing inside his brain for two days, never leaving once. “You okay? You were out of tune and I said we’ll retake and you didn’t sing, like at all.”
“Yeah, sorry, just—” Just what, exactly? he wondersz “Boyfriend stuff.”
His producer raises an eyebrow, “Let’s take a break.” Hyunjin grumps, putting his headset on the microphone and exiting the closed room with Jisung.
“Anything you want to share?” Jisung asks, throwing a water bottle at him.
“Did you ever—I don’t know—judge me or Seungmin before getting to know us, or working with us?”
“You want me to be honest?”
Hyunjin groans, throwing his body on the couch. “See, now I know you’re going to say something bad!”
“It’s not bad!” Jisung argues, lifting Hyunjin’s legs for him to sit on the couch. “I’m only human, Hyunjin, whether you’re an idol or not, I would’ve judged you if I walked past you either way.”
Hyunjin frowns.
“You can’t take that away from human nature. We were born to a prejudiced society. If I had kept believing in those baseless judgments I had on all of you, then you can say I’m a bad person. But I’ve grown past that, I screamed at you already for having a pretty face—” Hyunjin attempts to kick him, Jisung only laughs, “And I know you differently now, you’re my friend as well as a co-worker.
“If you want a euphemism, prejudice is just a first impression sugarcoated to make it nicer.”
“Fuck, that actually make sense.”
Jisung hums. “Anything else you want to share?”
“What was your first impression of Seungmin?” Hyunjin grins, knowing the exasperated sigh Jisung let out was a result of his annoyance and also the reason his forehead throbs after Jisung flicks him.
“Go warm up your vocals.”
bang chan hyung
are you busy?
Hey
I’m just about to go to bed actually
oh okay
nevermind
it can wait
I’m still up, no need to brush me off
What can I do for you?
want to grab something to eat?
At almost midnight?
i just finished dance practice
it’s okay if not
The contract says that I have to accompany you
Can I pick you up?
you drive?
Yeah!
okay
i’m just gonna take a shower at the company
Alright, I’ll be right there when you’re done
I’m here
After greetings were exchanged, it was silent between the two again. The air is almost suffocating from the discomfort of their last interaction. On top of that, they broke the internet yesterday when the pictures were anonymously tipped to Dispatch. All they need is for Hyunjin and the company to confirm the rumours.
The silence is almost unbearable, and it doesn’t get any better when the radio starts playing Hyunjin’s recent song. He closes his eyes, unable to hide any embarrassment from hearing his own voice on the radio. It doesn’t help that Chan had based his judgment on him from the songs playing on the radio. Maybe. He isn’t sure Chan has listened to his songs.
“Can we change stations?”
Chan pouts, “But I like this song.”
Hyunjin blinks at him, “You listen to my songs?”
“After that—fall out, I suppose it was—I felt terrible,” Chan confesses, “So, I listened to a bunch of your songs. I heard from Felix’s mentor, Minho, right?” (he waits for Hyunjin’s nod, mostly to confirm if he’s still listening to him talk.) “And he told me that you write your songs based on your experience and such, also your choreography sometimes. And I realized how shitty I sounded when I told you that I judged you based on your occupation.”
“I mean if we’re going to judge based on occupation, look at me—I’m a bodyguard-slash-fake-boyfriend to an idol.”
Hyunjin laughs, shaking his head. “I overreacted,” he admits quietly. “I talked to a friend, he said something like first impressions are the euphemism of prejudice, and in a way—it’s true, and I can’t get angry at you for your first impression,” he exhales a sharp breath, “As long as you’re willing to change it as we get to know each other.”
Chan stops the car, pulling the handbrake, “Should we start here?”
Hyunjin looks out— “You’re not going to murder me, are you?”
His bodyguard snorts, running to assist him out his door, “I interrupted your story about the stars, so I grabbed a couple of food from a convenient store, and hope we can eat out, look at the stars and tell me why you did when you were a trainee?” he continues, grabbing a basket and a blanket on the back seat. “I also hope this isn’t too cheesy for our official fake first date?”
“It’s very cheesy,” Hyunjin indulges, taking Chan’s hand with his, “But I like cheesy.”
“I only have one rule,” Chan begins, a glint of a teasing smirk curving near the corner of his lips, “Don’t fall in love with me.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.”
hj @hyunespriv03 2017-01-18
i really wish one day after i debut i can still go out and watch the stars like today :( it’s so beautiful i wish i could live this moment again sighhh
“When I was a trainee, I would always look at the stars,” Hyunjin begins again. They’re on the grass instead of a bench. They’re sitting on opposite sides of the blanket instead of cuddling. They’re eating real fruits instead of props. With all the differences, what matters most is the genuinity of their conversation staying the same. “I had my journal with me, and I’d always write whenever I’m looking at the stars. I still do, not as much as I used to obviously, with lack of free time, practicing until the sun’s up again, all that stuff.”
“What do you write about?”
“Whatever is on my mind, used to rant a lot about training, or what I’m up to, what’s currently trending, who I hang out with the most or who I was hanging out with while looking at the stars. It just—it reminds me of my process, good and bad. Sometimes when I reread some entries, I would see dried up water circles of my tears,” he chuckles, shaking his head at himself. “I don’t know, I like what I write, and when I feel down, I read through the pages and realize how far I’ve gone.
“How about you?”
Chan hums, urging Hyunjin to clarify his question.
“You like stars, don’t you? Why?”
“It’s silly.”
Hyunjin pouts, “I told you mine and now, you’re obligated to tell me yours!”
“Ever since I was a kid, I’d just be entranced by the stars. One time, my family and I were out surrounded by penguins and all I kept looking at were the stars.
“I guess, in a way, stars symbolize my youth, and how far away I’ve gone,” he says softly, eyes glued to the stars, “Growing up, we had to move a lot from Australia and back, wherever my dad's business was taking us and whenever we had to move, I just look at the stars, and wished everyday for it to get better.
“Stars change,” Chan goes on. “So does life, so I guess that kind of helps me cope.”
Chan laughs, “Silly, isn’t it?”
“I think it’s silly that you said ‘my youth’ when you’re only 24.”
“That’s old!”
“It is not that old!”
“But you agree, it’s old.”
“Being an adult means making mature decisions, I’m sure anyone mature wouldn’t agree to be a bodyguard while fake dating an idol.”
“I guess I have some time left to be reckless.”
“Oh my god, you are not dying nor are you old, stop talking like that!” Both he and Chan share a small laugh, ending with a sigh. Hyunjin backtracks on Chan’s words. “You and your family were surrounded by penguins?”
“Oh, there's a story behind that…”
hj @hyunespriv03 1m
i can’t believe i still remember my password here
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hj @hyunespriv03 33s
tonight was great :)
At first, Hyunjin is reluctant when Changbin urges him to introduce Chan to the other idols, more specifically to Seungmin who has not stopped goading him about meeting his boyfriend. Hyunjin understands the necessity of introducing his fake boyfriend to his idol friends. It has been a couple of months since they had officially released the statement of their relationship, and “it’s been six months” since they started dating, whatever six months ago was.
The problem isn’t Seungmin’s persistence, it’s that— Seungmin knows Hyunjin. Despite spending most of his time with Chan since the announcement—whether it was for his job, or just to hangout, and gotten to know the latter quite well—he fears that if he introduces Chan anytime soon, Seungmin will one way or another find out the truth about their scheme.
Which is why, Hyunjin prepared a set of questions he thinks Seungmin might ask and altogether avoid any scenarios of him figuring it all out, no matter how ridiculous the questions were. Although, he’d be lying if he doesn’t admit that he added a couple of questions he was curious about.
“I had one boyfriend, no girlfriends before this,” Chan answers admittedly, after biting a laugh. He and Chan were over at his dorm provided by the company in hopes for privacy, making sure to tell him to be attentive to his surroundings before entering the building. Chan hasn’t made an appearance to the public yet, and the stalker has been surprisingly quiet, the point remains that Hyunjin and his staff believe that his stalker knows where he lives hence following his every step. “You?”
“Me?” Hyunjin repeats, pointing at himself. “Oh, I have um, I never actually dated anyone,” he laughs awkwardly.
“Really?” Chan asks, amused.
“It’s not that shocking, I am an idol, there’s certain rules and our schedule is hectic, blah blah blah.”
“That’s fair, but you’re also gorgeous,” Chan blushes a beet red as soon as he says it, playing with the food he brought to Hyunjin’s dorm while the younger male scratches the back of his neck, biting his lip. “I mean— you are beautiful, objectively speaking, so I just thought, you know, there was at least a date or two.”
“Well, I didn’t want to date anyone yet and when I did, I already started training, and I had that dating ban for two years after debuting, so really I only had this year to find one, but—” he shakes his head, rambling on, “With the schedule and fans, it’s hard to find time to date and probably much, much harder to find someone who understands half the shit I have to do.”
“So, if you weren’t set up with me, you’d date a fellow idol?”
Hyunjin shrugs, “Maybe? Yes? No? I don’t know! How did we even get here?”
Chan grins, shaking his head and the nerves away, “Just wanted to get to know you. Let’s get to the next question.”
“What did you do before you agreed to this?”
“I actually just graduated from theatre school.”
“Oh, so you want to be an actor?”
“Theatre actor,” he clarifies. “I also do crew, actually.”
“Why’d you choose theatre?”
“There’s something so rewarding hearing the audience’s live reaction. You understand, right? Performing in front of your fans, it’s a lot more fulfilling when they’re there. I think I feed off of the cheers.”
“Yeah, I get that,” Hyunjin beams, “I guess, we have a lot more things in common than I initially thought, huh?”
GWAN Entertainment @GWAN_ent 13m
SEUNGMIN
The 1st Studio Album
[ My Universe ]
#승민 #SEUNGMIN
#MyUniverse
“Seungmin,” Hyunjin introduces, pointing at the idol, “This is my boyfriend, Chan-hyung. And Jisung. Not sure if you’ve heard of him yet, but he's our producer.”
“Pleasure to meet you both,” Chan bows, enthusiastically. Then, “Are you two also—”
“No!” Seungmin denies almost immediately, punching the producer on his gut to stop him from laughing. “We are co-workers, that’s it. That’s why we’re here. In the studio. He’s teaching me. High,” he screeches, “And low,” he grumbles. “Nothing weird.”
“You didn’t even let him finish his question,” Jisung goads, avoiding eye contact to further irritate the younger male. “We’re a co-workers to lovers kind of deal. Hi, nice to meet you, too. I heard you’re an actor,” he drags on, preventing Seungmin from denying his initial statement.
Hyunjin pulls Seungmin with him away from the two as they talk about Chan’s occupation—mostly to get out of earshot, but also to avoid Seungmin from hitting Jisung again.
“What do you think of him?”
“Fucking annoying,” he exasperates. “You know, if he wasn’t attractive I would’ve punched him on his pretty face already.”
“I meant my boyfriend,” Hyunjin clarifies, “But let's go back to—”
“I don't see the reason why we have to,” Seungmin brushes off, immediately diverting the topic back to who it's supposed to be about, “Chan-ssi sounds great. He’s also cute.”
Hyunjin punches him playfully, “Mine. Yours is next to him.”
“I don’t like Jisung that way!” he whispers harshly through gritted teeth. “I don’t even like Jisung, at all.”
The latter only giggles, “I won’t be surprised if one of these days, during a hangout or even at your comeback’s afterparty, you and Jisung get so intoxicated that you sleep together.”
“Do you fantasize about my sex life a lot?”
Hyunjin rolls his eyes. “Deny all you want, I know you want to get in his pants.”
It’s Seungmin’s turn to roll his eyes, ignoring Hyunjin’s remark. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’re averting my attention away from your boyfriend.”
“Am not!”
“So, how’d you two meet?”
Hyunjin manages to answer Seungmin’s questions without hesitation or troubles. The fake story they had created was easy enough to follow through and remember, he’s sure Chan was telling the same story to Jisung. Or that they’re talking about something else, but considering their eyes kept lingering where Seungmin and Hyunjin were sitting makes him think otherwise.
“God, I’m gonna throw up.”
“What?” Hyunjin panics, “Should I call the doctor?”
“Not literally!” Seungmin quickly clarifies. “I meant by the way Chan-ssi is staring at you. It’s so cute, it’s disgusting, I could throw up.”
“Hey! I don’t say anything when Jisung is staring at you.”
“He does not!”
“Seungmin, do you honestly believe I’m just pushing you to go out with him or talk like normal people without bickering just to annoy you?”
Without hesitation, Seungmin answers: “Yes.”
“No!” Hyunjin almost screeches. “I’ve seen the way Jisung stares at you whenever you’re not looking, I honestly believe he likes you.”
For once, Seungmin is quiet. Had Hyunjin paid less attention, he wouldn’t have noticed the tug on the end of Seungmin’s lip when Hyunjin’s words dawned on him. He doesn’t say anything, not especially after Seungmin shakes his head to wipe the smile off, pretending to be unfazed. He’ll let Seungmin figure it out. Just like he’ll try to figure out what Seungmin meant when he said that Chan was staring at him.
It has to be an act, right? After all, Chan is an actor.
innie @hyunluvr 39m
are you el gee bee tee https://bit.ly/39UuZYH
Hyunjin snorts, shutting the door behind Chan. “You’re asking me for a week off?”
“Don’t laugh,” Chan pouts, following Hyunjin to the kitchen.
“Have you eaten?”
The latter nods, before backing up his request, “I was going to do this after I graduated, but I got offered this job, now I’m three months overdue to pack the rest of my things and clean up so my family can rent the apartment out to other people. So, I really have to do it soon and bring my items back here to live with Felix.”
“Okay, I still don’t get why you’re asking me for a week off.”
Chan raises his eyebrow, staring at Hyunjin like the answer is obvious, “I work for you. You know, I’m your bodyguard, right? I’m not just your fake boyfriend.”
Hyunjin purses his lips. He definitely forgot about that part of the deal. With the amount of time they spend together, if anything to Hyunjin, Chan is just a new friend he had met at work who he hangs out with quite often. Maybe even more often than his actual friends, but Chan is his fake boyfriend. That he doesn’t forget. Changbin teased that he was just using that excuse to hang out with his crush. (“I don’t have a crush on him!” “If you say so.” Maybe it’s Changbin’s lack of response to Hyunjin’s annoyance that infuriated him even more. Not that he wanted to be teased more, he was glad Changbin had stopped. Really, he was!)
“Why don’t I come with you?” he requests. Chan dubiously stares at him and Hyunjin shrugs, “I mean, if I can’t go out without you here for a week, I might as well leave with you so I can still interact with real people.”
“You can still leave your house,” Chan almost laughs. “I’m just saying, be more careful without me around.”
“I needed a week off anyway,” Hyunjin ensures, slumping back to his living room’s couch. “After Seungmin’s comeback, the company will start overworking me for my own comeback, yada yada, so a week away may be nice.”
Chan, still seated on the barstool by the countertops, taps awkwardly on the edge. Hyunjin bites his lip. Chan probably wanted the week off from his job, and away from Hyunjin. He can’t pinpoint why that upset him.
“Actually, never mind. I could probably—”
“I could drive so it’s safer for you,” Chan interrupts. “It will be approximately four hours. We’ll have to stay in a hotel for a couple nights while they thoroughly clean the apartment. The other days, I’ll be doing rough cleaning, or we— if you want to help?”
“Are you accepting my request to use me?”
“Hey, if anything, you’re the one using me for the public’s eye,” Chan jokes.
Hyunjin gets off the couch, “So, when do we leave?”
manager :p
can i take a week off
take two whats stopping you
what
chanhyung already asked me
go for two weeks, stay there for one more week by yourself
it’s nice to have some alone time
damn just say u want to get rid of me
i want to get rid of you ❤️
HEY
come on
seungmin is actually done with his choreography with minhohyung so he’s finally free 😔
i need the break too
fine
i’ll take 2 weeks off
get a hotel room they’re nice 😜
you get a hotel room
already booked 🤪
“You’re bringing all of this?!”
It isn’t much. At least, Hyunjin thinks it isn’t. He only has two luggages and a backpack and he figures, since he will be taking the plane back, it won’t be an issue to bring a couple more clothes and bags, giving Chan more space in his rented car when returning by himself.
“Changbin-hyung suggested I stay away for two weeks, which is basically throwing me away so he can spend time with Minho-hyung,” before Chan could speak, Hyunjin brushed him off, “Oh, they're dating. But don’t you worry, it’s my vacation, so you don’t have to stay. You actually have two weeks off, too.”
They enter the car together, “Ready for an adventure, my love?”
Hyunjin snorts, holding Chan’s hand with his, “Absolutely, sweetheart.”
If being completely honest, Hyunjin second guessed coming with Chan the morning of. After debating with himself the pros and cons of staying with his fake boyfriend slash friend for five months now, he listed quite a few cons. For instance, they’ve only really hung out for a couple hours per day, then they’ll take some time off. It’s never longer than half a day, and especially not just by themselves. He can only imagine how awkward it would be after a few hours in the car alone. But, one of the pros was a hot spring in the hotel Chan booked, and for Hyunjin, that swayed every other trouble he had.
And maybe it was a good decision after all. Chan hasn’t made their time inside the car awkward. He’s playing music not sung by Hyunjin, because he knows Hyunjin feels awkward hearing his own voice on the radio. He keeps the mood alive by firing up conversations, one after another. He mentions his dog in Australia, which Hyunjin finds out is a girl, and jokes that they should set up their dogs.
It goes on well for a while. Chan started talking about his first road trip with his family:
“I’m the oldest of three, so I was guaranteed a good seat,” he shakes his head, laughing at the memory, “Which is basically anything but the middle seat.
“It was heavenly for a while, my siblings and I were so excited—first time we’re going somewhere far!” Hyunjin smiles fondly, watching Chan grip the steering wheel, like he’s still that same kid excited to go back on a road trip. So much innocence and pure heart. Like the world has never hurt him. “But we’re kids, so that didn’t last long. Guess who’s at fault?”
Hyunjin hums, “The youngest?”
Chan shakes his head.
“The middle, then?”
Chan still shakes his head.
Hyunjin’s mouth hangs open, “No way, you did?”
“Now that I think about it,” Chan reasons, “It was the wasp’s fault.”
“Right, blame it on nature.”
“No really!” he argues, “I pointed it out, my brother who was stuck in the middle tried to kill it, but slapped my sister accidentally, and then accidentally jabbed me while trying to apologize. Then, we were screaming and we had to pull over.”
Chan is laughing but all Hyunjin could respond with was a mouth hanging wide open at the story.
“That must’ve been horrible!”
“Eh? It wasn’t anything new, we were used to loud and screaming,” Chan shrugs, “How about you?”
“Oh, no, I don’t have any siblings,” Hyunjin frowns. “My parents never took me out on a road trip, we just flew so the only game I know is Tetris on the plane.”
“How about a tour?”
“My first concert,” Hyunjin exclaims after thinking for a while, “I was only with Changbin-hyung, and believe it or not, despite how much we joke with each other now, we were super awkward.
“I don’t know why, I guess Changbin-hyung noticed how awkward I was being, and he started joking around, telling me stories about his family, we played games, just a bunch of stuff,” Hyunjin smiles at the memory. “I suppose it also became chaotic after Changbin-hyung initiated a game, and we were up each other’s throats, smacking heads. It was brutal.”
“Well, we can't smack each other’s heads, I don't want to crash,” Chan joshes, “So what are some other games?”
“How about this,” Hyunjin proposes, “Let’s play a game where we look for red cars, and whoever points at fewer cars will treat the winner, um, dinner for the entire trip.”
“You’re on.”
“Red car on your left!” Hyunjin quickly points out, “Ha ha! One point for me.”
Chan just smiles endearingly at him.
hj @hyunespriv03 3m
free food 😋
pic.twitter.com/5ff739beb
|
sky<3 @hw4nger 1m
YOURE ON A VACATION??????? WITH YOUR BOYFRIEND????????
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hj @hyunespriv03 29s
i forgot u hve a stan acc for me
Settling in Chan’s apartment worked out smoothly for them, save for choosing who sleeps where. Much to Hyunjin’s dismay, Chan insists on sleeping on the couch out in the living room so Hyunjin can take the room. Although he appreciates Chan’s offer, he still feels guilty for jumping on his week off and taking his comfortable bed.
So, despite the cozy bed, Hyunjin couldn’t find it in him to fall asleep knowing Chan is sleeping on a tattered couch. He sneaks out the room to see if Chan did, but he’s hoping he’s still up so he can curse cliches and offer to share the bed.
“Hyung?” he calls out—quiet enough as to not wake Chan if he was sleeping, but hopefully clear to hear if he was still awake. Hyunjin watches the couch for any signs of movement, but he’s disappointed to see no response. He begins retreating back to his room. Maybe he can text some of his friends back in Seoul instead.
“Can’t sleep?”
He turns around, the couch still unmoved, but in the kitchen, Chan is sitting on the counter with a drink in his hand.
“You’re awake,” Hyunjin remarks. “That was redundant.”
Full disclosure: Hyunjin knows his fake boyfriend is attractive, and he acknowledged it the first time he saw Chan. But he’s never seen him under dimmed kitchen lights, wearing pyjamas printed with multiple tiny polar bears, and smiling softly, that it sends mixed signals to his brain and more specifically to his stomach. Since when was Chan cute?
Knocking him out of his thoughts, Chan invites him to the kitchen, where he aimlessly points around as if to ask where the glasses are. Chan catches on, getting off the stool and grabbing one for Hyunjin.
“I couldn't sleep, so I thought a glass of warm milk would help,” he explains, “You want some?”
“No, that’s okay. I was just hoping to drink water.”
Chan takes the water jug out of the fridge, and lets Hyunjin pour himself a glass of water.
“Can’t sleep because of the couch?”
“No,” Chan giggles. Again—since when was Chan cute? “Just have a lot of thoughts.”
“May I interest you as a listener?” Hyunjin proposes.
Chan shakes his head, “Don’t want to bother you.”
“How about this:” he continues to prod, “If you want to tell me anything, I’m open to listen. If not, I can keep you company until we both sleep.”
“I miss my family that’s all,” Chan begins once they settle down on the living room’s couch. “It’s silly, because we’re not a big family, we’re a fair size, but being with two siblings is a lot different compared to being alone.”
“Is it because we’re here?”
“It’s tough to be the oldest. It took me a while to have the courage to tell my parents I wanted to move out.”
“I could relate to that,” Hyunjin chimes in. “My mom was almost in tears when I told her I’m going to be living at the company’s dorm and it’s not even an hour away from our house.”
Chan laughs, agreeing. “Yeah, exactly! Except, for me it was my dad who got emotional.” He sighs, “But telling my siblings was much worse. They were still young, I didn't know if we’ll be able to keep in touch. I was already anxious to move out, but thinking about my siblings without me, figuring things out in high school, it gave me a reason to stall. I could be there for them, giving them advice, but if I decide to move out, what will happen?”
“So, you didn’t want to lose that good relationship with them?”
“Oh, no. My siblings and I never had a good relationship,” Chan brutally answers. “At least, not before I moved out. We fought a lot! I told you that, we made the house a mess. But that’s normal for siblings. When I moved out, we would talk on the phone, not as often as I hoped, but I guess university made me more mature and being apart actually helped us build a stronger relationship.”
The fake couple shifted their positions. Instead of sitting next to each other, they face each other, backs on either side of the couch. Hyunjin fiddles the hem of his shirt, feet playing with Chan’s softly.
“Did you ever wish for a sibling?”
“Of course,” Hyunjin answers. “I liked getting all the attention, don’t get me wrong, but when I watch shows with sibling representation, I get jealous. I wished I also had someone to rant about how irritating my parents were.”
Chan snorts. “Media representation of siblings is actually so far from real life.”
Hyunjin barely had the time to roll his eyes when Chan’s phone started ringing.
“Oh shoot.”
“What?”
“I forgot to tell my siblings you’re coming with me, and they want to FaceTime.”
“Don’t worry about me,” Hyunjin insists. “I’ll be fine here, you can go in the room for some privacy.”
Chan curts his head, running to the door but stopping just before he twists the knob. “Do you want to meet them?”
Hyunjin blinks, unsure how to respond. On the one hand, it’d be rude to decline Chan’s invitation, on the other, how exactly is he supposed to introduce himself?
Chan must’ve caught on, when he returns to the couch, the phone is still ringing in his hand. “I’ll tell them you’re my friend, and we’ll find answers for any other questions later.”
“Okay,” he mouths, grinning.
Chan makes a V-sign, smiling and answers the call to see a teenage girl doing the same pose on the screen. Hyunjin assumes that his sister held the pose until Chan answered.
“Took you long enough.”
For the most part, Chan’s sister doesn't ask why he’s sitting in the living room at almost midnight. Hyunjin only came up in the conversation when she saw a glimpse of him when he crouched down to pick up his glass of water and leaned too far back that he was seen on the screen.
Much to his surprise, Chan’s sister didn’t recognize Hyunjin. He knows that he isn’t particularly a popular solo artist internationally. She may have heard of him, but to remember the artist who sang an OST or played a role in a drama is hardly significant. So, the couple were honest about their relationship to her. It was nice to be true to his relationship. The past few months have been exhausting—having to write down every single lie of their pretend relationship, making sure he doesn't screw up a detail, it was too much work. But, that night, while Chan and his sister throw playful insults at one another through the screen, Hyunjin is at peace.
GWAN Entertainment @GWAN_ent 9h
SEUNGMIN
[ My Universe ]
TEASER PICTURE
#승민 #SEUNGMIN
#MyUniverse
When Hyunjin wakes up the next morning, he’s lying on the bed in Chan’s room. He frowns, confused if he had dreamt about meeting Chan’s sister or that Chan was an adorable older brother. He barely has time to register the sun when an arm drapes on his waist. There was no need to turn around—logically, there was only one person that would make sense to be hugging him. Still he turns around to face Chan, hair ruffled by the pillows that it reached its natural state of curls, mouth slightly open and sleeping peacefully.
He’s unsure how they ended up sleeping on the same bed, or why Chan is comfortable enough to hug him through it but he presumes it was his own doing. He faintly remembers getting carried—or did he walk to the room?—and holding Chan’s hand—Chan wouldn't have carried him, right?—and begging him to stay—and oh my god, he carried him.
It all comes back to Hyunjin, as if he was drunk the night before and has a hangover. Chan and his siblings were talking all night, casually trying to include Hyunjin in the conversation, but the siblings were too energetic at two in the morning, and Hyunjin is weak without coffee to sustain him, so he fell asleep on Chan’s shoulder. Sometime later, he was woken up when Chan asked him if he could carry Hyunjin back to his room.
Oh my god, Chan carried him. It still hasn’t sunk in.
Hyunjin’s cheek burns. When Chan wakes up, he hopes he’s awake enough to deny that the hot print on his skin from Chan’s fingertips wasn't the reason for the blush on his cheeks.
Too bad for him, Chan wakes up not even merely seconds later, meeting Hyunjin’s eyes, and in matching sizes.
“I—,” he stumbles getting up quickly off the bed—falling in the process, feet entangling with the blanket he drags with him on the floor, but picks himself up after a small struggle and kicks the blanket to set himself free. He breathes heavily, like he had just woken up next to a one-night stand, and is unsure how to converse properly. “You asked me to sleep here, insisted even, so I lied down for just a bit until you sleep so I can go back out—really, I meant to sleep on the couch—”
“Hyung, it’s fine,” Hyunjin tries to calm him down. “I was just not expecting you to be cuddly.”
“Oh,” Chan mumbles, growing timid. “I usually sleep with a pillow. Sorry. During my sleep, I must’ve thought you were…”
“I didn’t mind it.”
“What?”
“I just mean… tonight, if you’re cool with it, I wouldn’t mind sleeping on the same bed…” Hyunjin cowers on the bed, “And cuddle or whatever,” he mumbles. “If it comes naturally—we don’t have to be in that position going to bed.”
“Okay.”
“Okay?”
“Yep.”
“Cool.”
“I’m going to go buy ingredients and prepare breakfast.”
“Good call.”
Hyunjin breathes out of his mouth, inhaling sharply before falling back to bed, muffling his screams behind the pillow.
manager :p
i cuddle you, right?
i wish to be cuddling my bf rn
good for you
but we do cuddle, right?
yeah i guess
ok cool
because friends cuddle
right?
sure
why the sudden question?
is minhohyung looking over ur shoulder?
it’s 9am, if he’s still in bed something has gone terribly wrong
no he’s making breakfast my little chef
he’s taller than u?
just get with it hyunjin
chanhyung and i cuddled last night
oh.
and i mightve suggested we could cuddle every night now
oh?
so im trying to find a loophole that friends cuddle and thats all it is
oh!
can u say something more than oh?
ohhhhh
if i could fire u, i would
so you like him?
no!
i mean
hes a good cuddler
he’s also a nice friend
oh and hes a good brother to his siblings
it’s actually quite adorable, last night we talked to his sister and he was so sweet
u know we’re one sentence away from u realizing u have a big fat crush on him right?
i don’t like him it’s against the contract
..but contract aside?
i gotta go
Hyunjin exits the shower. Almost immediately, Chan’s cooking fills his nose. Dammit, he’s good at cooking, too, he almost texts Changbin. Then, he realizes if Changbin was with him, he would’ve hit him in the head. So instead, he decided to be honest once and for all. To himself, because Changbin can not know about his feelings for Chan. Ah, shit, he has a crush on Chan. This time, he screams into the towel.
Figuring out if Hyunjin had a crush or not on Chan was not the biggest challenge for him as it turns out. No, the biggest challenge of the day is trying to figure out how to continue their relationship without making it awkward or too flirty. Has he even been flirting? Was there ever a grey line of friendly to romantic? Did Hyunjin have a crush on him from the beginning?
“Think quieter,” Chan muses, passing the broom over. Hyunjin blinks, returning back to reality and grabbing the broom from Chan’s hold.
Earlier during breakfast, Chan had laid out their plan for the day, minimal cleaning, just enough so that the cleaners won’t have a hard time tomorrow, and clearing out the shelves. Overall, making sure the apartment would be easy enough to clean and be habitable by the time they leave tomorrow.
“You okay?” Chan asks, holding on to the broom until Hyunjin gives him an answer.
“Yeah. Changbin-hyung just texted me about my schedule, kinda bummed me out.” Not a complete lie—Changbin did text him and he was bummed out due to their conversation. Liking Chan isn’t dreadful. In fact, Hyunjin is giddy about having a crush. However, in another lifetime, he and Chan would meet in different circumstances and not be prohibited from liking each other. Ironic now to be both lovers of the stars, when the stars betrayed them.
Chan hums. “Once we’re done here, I’ll take you out to dinner. Get your mind off everything, yeah?”
Hyunjin smiles, despite a lingering thought in the back of his mind screaming at him to get a grip. “Yeah, okay.” Curse his crush.
Chan has a method where he turns any tedious task into amusing. Hyunjin first witnessed that when they were reading the contracts. It was subtle, Hyunjin didn’t even notice it at first, but slowly the meeting room they first met at, started replacing the white noise to Chan’s soft humming, and without realizing, Hyunjin’s foot was tapping on beat. And it made reading their fake dating contract more bearable.
Today, while cleaning Chan’s apartment, he bumps his hip with Hyunjin’s. Hyunjin raises an eyebrow, shaking his head at the teasing smile Chan shoots at him and bumps his hip right back. He realizes it was a little harder than Chan’s initial bump when he loses balance for a bit having to step back. Their childish game doesn’t end quite yet, continuing to bump hips while they wipe the cabinets clean.
After clearing the furniture off the living room, Chan tells Hyunjin to wear something comfortable for their dinner. It wasn’t evening quite yet, but Hyunjin didn’t mind abandoning the remaining tasks to hopefully get his mind off his new profound crush on the older.
“So, where are we going?” Hyunjin asks, hopping in Chan’s car. Chan only grins, only offering vague answers that presses Hyunjin to keep guessing until either Chan gets annoyed and tells him anyway, or—a slimmer chance, but—he actually gets the place right.
“Put on this blindfold.”
“What—?” Hyunjin protests, “I am not wearing a blindfold and a mask, I would look suspicious!”
“To who?!” Chan exasperates.
“To everyone,” he answers, as a matter of factly. “I have to lay low, you know I’m being stalked.”
“I’m sorry to break it to you, but I doubt anyone in that cafe would know who you are, much less care why you’re hiding your whole face.”
Hyunjin puffs, pretending to be offended, but he doesn’t get carried away with that act as he grins, prodding, “So, we’re going to a cafe?”
Chan opens his mouth, pointing a finger up to the ceiling. Hyunjin could visibly see Chan’s expression shift from confused to defeated, and simply giving up and nodding.
“But you don’t know the kind of cafe,” he argues, picking up the loose cloth. “So, blindfold?”
If it weren’t for the round eyes and a childish pout, Hyunjin wouldn’t have been easily swayed by Chan’s request. Although, he’s more than sure that he only agrees to wear a blindfold because—as Changbin had worded it in the morning—he has a big fat crush on Chan.
Hyunjin isn’t sure how long they’ve been in the car for, or how far Chan drove out the town that no one would know him. Of course, Hyunjin knows he isn’t that popular. Sometimes, he still gets awkward when people recognize him on the street. But to have Chan so sure that the people at the mysterious cafe wouldn’t know him did make him wonder where they were headed.
The car stops. Hyunjin waves his hand around, trying to feel if Chan is still in the car. Chan’s hands hold his, removing them from touching something soft… and wet?
“Let’s get your hands off my face, if that’s okay.” Hyunjin offers a tight-lipped grin, apologizing. “I’ll go to the other side, don’t worry, I’ll only be gone for two seconds, you won’t even notice.”
Chan does go around the car within a few seconds. Immediately, Hyunjin hears Chan guiding him while he holds his hand. One foot after another. A bell rings above him, indicating that they’re inside the cafe. He faintly hears tapping on a wooden floor, and panting, and Hyunjin had a guess, before a bark echoes in the room. Hyunjin doesn’t wait for Chan to remove his blindfold, eyes welling up at the sight of dogs.
He falls on the ground, the dogs running to his lap.
“You…”
“I know it’s not Kkami,” Chan explains, fidgeting in his spot, “I didn’t know how a phone call would’ve gone, or who should I even call, to bring Kkami here so I just thought, dogs would at least keep your mind off the whole schedule and the whole mess in the city,” he chuckles nervously, still waiting for Hyunjin to say something so he keeps babbling on. “It's your vacation. Enjoy it while it lasts or whatever—”
Hyunjin stands up, crouching down so he could nestle his head on Chan’s shoulder. “Thank you,” he whispers. Chan pats him on the back awkwardly at first, but Hyunjin doesn't let go. Not until Chan finally wraps his arms and hugs Hyunjin just as tight as he did.
“We’ve talked about my siblings,” Chan continues, “Why don’t we talk about yours?”
Hyunjin rolls his eyes, grinning like a fool, and wiping his eyes off the few shedded tears.
“Buy me a drink first.”
“Right, of course, just,” he points at the open space, “Pick a cage and I’ll be right with you.”
He picks the open-roofed cage with two energetic chihuahuas, reminding him of his own dogs. He picks up the puppy to pet on his lap, glancing at the counter where he faintly hears the old lady greets Chan by his name and how she’s missed seeing him around.
“Ah, it’s all work in the city, I have to make ends meet.”
The old lady points at his cage, forcing Hyunjin to look elsewhere, biting his lip as he concentrates on listening to what they’re saying instead of the dog yapping on his lap.
“And you brought a cute friend over.”
“Yeah,” Chan goes along with the lady. “He’s actually my boyfriend, we're just here to visit my old apartment.”
Hyunjin pretends to be nonchalant at the introduction, but he’s sure his ears would’ve betrayed him anyway. Chan had mentioned no one would know him in this side of town, so he isn’t sure why Chan insisted on introducing him as his boyfriend. He can’t say he’s complaining either, as the label rolls off Chan’s tongue so naturally he wishes it’s real.
“Iced americano for you,” Chan hands him the cup, jumping over the walls of the cage and taking the other dog to his lap. “Really chose the most vicious ones, huh?”
Hyunjin blinks. “My Kkami is a chihuahua.”
Chan’s eyes widen, mouth falling open again when the words get caught on the back of his throat. “Oh, I didn’t mean–I just–you know—”
“Relax,” Hyunjin teases, “I apologize often to Kkami whenever he starts barking after I provoke him actually,” he holds the dog’s ears down, as he piercely whispers, “I know they’re little spawns of satan.”
“Are you covering his ears?”
“I can’t let them know what I think about them, Kkami already stares at me like he’s waiting for an opportunity. One dog is enough.”
Chan smiles, adjusting his position in the cage as he shifts to a new topic. “So, has it always been just you and Kkami?”
“No,” Hyunjin answers, smiling sadly. “I, uh—Kkomi, he passed away before I adopted Kkami.”
There’s a moment of silence. Hyunjin fears he’d have to spend the afternoon with a pity look from Chan, saying an “I’m sorry” or “That’s sad” like he always hears whenever he mentions the death of his pet.
“He must've been beautiful.”
But Chan is different.
“He was,” Hyunjin agrees, taking his phone out, “I actually have a few pictures of him still in my phone.” He sits next to Chan, biting his lip, “Want to see?”
Chan scoots closer, “I’d love to.”
Hyunjin scrolls through his photos, pointing at the pictures he has of his pet, mentioning a story or two of what he remembers when he was young with Kkomi. He’s halfway through his sentence when Chan kisses his cheek. His eyes widen, slowly turning his head to face Chan.
“What—”
“I—” Chan stammers, “I got carried away with the pretending, and told halmoni we were dating, so I thought I’d have to clean up the act.”
“Oh.” If he doesn’t succeed in hiding his disappointment, Chan doesn’t point it out. “Okay,” he nods, kissing Chan’s cheek back. He’s as surprised as Chan when he realizes what he did. There is no reason for him to return the kiss, and the blush on his cheeks due to his crush on Chan isn’t something he could exactly play off.
Chan offers him a small smile, “Good–good acting.”
“Yeah,” Hyunjin concedes, “All an act.”
GWAN Entertainment @GWAN_Ent 14h
SEUNGMIN
[ My Universe ]
TITLE TRACK TEASER
#승민 #SEUNGMIN
#MyUniverse #NOVEL
The hotel room is beautiful. In the lobby, Hyunjin's eyes glues immediately at the chandelier above, lighting up the room. There’s a fireplace by the elevator, accompanied by a few leather couches. He stands next to Chan at the counter, barely taking any word out of the attendee as he skims through the amenities of their hotel room.
“Bang-nim,” the attendee bows, finishing up, “Here are your keys. Please enjoy your stay.”
“Thank you,” Chan says, and Hyunjin echoes. “You okay?”
Hyunjin blinks, “Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?”
“Felix’s friend works here and I kind of talked to her already about booking a room in this hotel even before I decided to officially go and I didn’t think you’d tag along,” Chan explains, looking everywhere but Hyunjin as they wait for the elevators. “But I did get a company card when we started, um, this, so if you want a different hotel—”
“Hyung, you’re fine,” Hyunjin sedates, pointing at a bullet point on the paper given at front, “There's a hot spring.”
“Maybe we can go down there sometime.”
Hyunjin agrees. “So, you text Felix’s friend often?”
“Oh, no, not really.”
“She just knows your schedule then.”
“Yeah, her girlfriend,” Chan emphasizes to make a point. Hyunjin’s ears redden at the slight suggestion that he sounds like a jealous boyfriend— fake boyfriend, “And I were in theatre together, so I’m closer to her and we talk often in our old theatre group chat.”
They arrive in the room fine. It had two beds, which Hyunjin admits the sleeping situation disappointed him, but he doesn’t let Chan see it, in fear that he would think it’s because Hyunjin didn’t like the hotel. The hotel is fine as it is, Hyunjin had just expected he could live in cliches with fake dating and one bed for them to share. He supposed they already shared a bed when they stayed at Chan’s apartment.
“We don’t have an agenda for the day, so want to stay in and watch a bunch of movies?”
“Sure,” Hyunjin hops on his bed. “What are we watching? Should we get some snacks?”
“You’re sitting there?”
“Yes?” he raises an eyebrow, “Why?”
“I just…” he points to his left, “There’s a space here, the TV is anchored closer to me. I thought you could…”
“Did you want me to…?”
“I mean, it’s free…”
“So, I should probably…”
“Come sit here,” Chan invites directly, patting the space next to him. “Better for your… neck.”
Hyunjin giggles, jumping on Chan’s bed. “Nice save,” he grins, “You just want to cuddle.”
Chan rolls his eyes, pulling Hyunjin closer to him. He takes a sharp deep breath, clenching his jaw. Before he knows it, his heartbeat eased and he’s at peace in Chan’s arms; his slow and calm breathing influences Hyunjin. Hugging Chan is warm, it’s relaxed, but not slack. It’s like when a kid dreams of lying on clouds. Soft, supported, safe.
Chan’s hug is like drinking hot chocolate on a cold winter day. It's exciting, a highlight of your day, a substitute for comfort. You enjoy it for the time being, the warmth accompanying you through the brisk of cold. Once you finish it, the cold comes back, it's dreadful, like you have to stand in the freezing weather to suffer. So you go back, for that slight chance of feeling an abundance of joy. Chan’s hugs are addicting, and Hyunjin is feeble to stop himself from being dependent.
He doesn't recognize the movie, only remembers nodding when Chan gasps excitedly by the availability of the film. The climax flashes before his eyes, the falling action following right after. Then, he waits for the resolution, and he cries before he even realizes what the movie is about. He doesn't know why, but he holds Chan close to his chest, and he pretends for a moment that nothing is changing. No changes in his dry eyes, nor the way Chan is holding him, and most especially pretends there were no changes with his heart, even though he hopes to one day give it to Chan.
innie @hyunluvr 6m
hyune has been so quiet 👁👁
“Do you like theatre?”
Hyunjin hums, putting his book down. He’s sitting on his own bed. The events from last night never once mentioned during the day.
“I mentioned yesterday that my old theatre friends and I still keep up with each other and they insisted on buying me a ticket for a play they’re doing right now,” he shows off the stub.
“So, you have a ticket?”
“Well, I told them I was with someone so,” he reveals another ticket behind. “Totally cool if you’re not into it. The play is about girls who paint luminous watches falling ill because of a mysterious disease. I've seen it before, different cast and crew of course.”
“Sure, I’m in.”
“Cool, uh, the play starts at 7pm, it probably won’t end until 9 or 10pm, if you want to grab dinner now?”
“Okay,” he closes the book, jumping out of bed. “I’ll take a quick shower and we’ll go.”
If Chan says anything after, Hyunjin doesn't hear them. In order to forget his crush—possibly bigger than crush—on Chan, he figures cutting their conversations short wouldn’t raise any other suggestions of said feelings. Being accused to be jealous of Felix’s friend, who he finds out is actually a lesbian, is enough for Hyunjin to tell himself to keep his trap shut. If anything his words speak louder than his actions, and he’s afraid he might accidentally spill out that he likes Chan.
They eat dinner at a food chain by the theatre. Chan mentions it’s where he used to eat with a couple of friends for days on end whenever they had to stay late. He also talks about his previous productions. Plan thrown away the window, Hyunjin melts at the stories Chan had in store for him, chiming in whenever there’s an opening.
He played in an ensemble for two years, sharing stories about how they have to match energy, to be united in order to excel on stage. Hyunjin admires Chan’s passion as he talks about his experience as an ensemble, and he admires it even more when he talks about the lead roles he had.
Chan talks like a little child, drawing a picture with his hands for Hyunjin to follow, and his eyes shine brighter than the stars.
“What?” Chan asks all of a sudden. Hyunjin blinks. “You’re just staring at me, look I’m blushing,” he teases.
Hyunjin rolls his eyes. “Is it time to go?”
Chan hurries, checking the time on his phone. “Ah, we should.”
They stand in line, waiting for the house to open. Chan tells him that his friend is the director of the play. Talked about how he met him back when he took a gap year and volunteered at this exact theatre as a set crew, while his friend was a hired assistant director. They became friends almost immediately. Although he couldn’t meet him before the play, a man in a tuxedo approaches them as soon as the play ends and they leave the house.
Chan immediately surges for a hug, Hyunjin stepping back to let the two catch up. They only stop when his friend looks past Chan and to the boy behind him.
“Oh, uh, hyung, this is…” Chan stops, scrambling to find the right word to introduce Hyunjin.
“Hyunjin,” he says. “Chan’s boyfriend.”
His friend’s mouth hangs open, punching Chan’s arm lightly as if teasing him.
“Oh, nice!” He compliments, but it sounds facetious. “Sorry. I’m Younghyun. I’ve worked with Chan for a couple of plays. Down to earth guy, you’re lucky. The joke is more towards him, he’s a little shy when it comes to boys.”
Chan shakes his head, ears reddening and smiling shyly. “Stop it.”
“Yeah, he didn’t flirt, I had to do it,” Hyunjin jumps in, laughing lightly when Chan gasps. “I’m kidding, he tries.” Younghyun laughs along, meeting their hands in the middle for a high-five.
“Listen, we have to clean up backstage, give notes and set up. We don’t have a matinee tomorrow but it will take an hour or two, you know the drill, but I’d really want to catch up. How long are you two staying here for?”
“We don’t have any big plans tomorrow,” Hyunjin contributes. “So, you can hangout with Chan-hyung tonight, or whenever, I can take a cab back to the hotel.”
“I was hoping you’d come with,” Younghyun offers.
Chan glances at Hyunjin, waiting for his response.
“Oh, me? Um, are you sure?”
“Please,” Younghyun laughs, “I’d love to share some embarrassing stories of this guy.”
“Ha ha,” Chan sarcastically joins in the laughter. “We’ll wait for you out here.”
Younghyun pats their backs, waving at other people who came to watch his production as he walks back to the green room and gathers the crew.
“Hey,” Chan pulls Hyunjin back, “We don’t have to stay if you don’t want to.”
“Do you want us to go?” Hyunjin asks, “Or do you want me to go?”
“No!” Chan disagrees, “You’ve just been quiet this morning, I thought I did something, or that you wanted to be alone.”
“I’m sorry,” Hyunjin mumbles, “I was not in the mood this morning, but I’m okay now. Plus, your hyung sounds like I could get a few funny stories to tell when we’re back in Seoul.”
GWAN Entertainment @GWAN_Ent 2s
hyunofficial new Instagram post instagram.com/p/bb10415d66f43
Hyunjin wakes up massaging his head. Next to him, Chan is splayed out on the bed, shirtless. Hyunjin gasps, checking under the blanket and sighing in relief to find he’s still fully clothed.
He remembers last night started off slow. Younghyun was trying to break the ice, and they kept drinking until it melted. His memories jump from one conversation to another, trying hard to wrap his head around the previous night’s events.
Groaning, he goes into the bathroom, washing his face to clear his mind. Younghyun told them stories about Chan’s mistakes on stage, which resulted in Chan trying to shut him up with his own hand. Then, he asked questions about their relationship which were answered differently by the both of them. Younghyun just laughed at the differences, saying they’re too drunk. Hyunjin sighs, and a memory flashes in his mind again.
He touches his lips.
No! They didn’t. They couldn’t have. Right?
He closes his eyes, trying to recall last night’s events again. He fell on the bed, pulling Chan with him and giggling uncontrollably. Seungmin always said he’s a high pitch giggler whenever he’s drunk. And—
Oh god.
Hyunjin desperately tries to rack his brain to push more memories, but he couldn’t pin if he initiated the kiss or if they both leaned in. It wouldn’t make sense if both of them did, so— fuck— he initiated the kiss. He kissed Chan.
“Hyunjin?” Chan knocks on the bathroom door. Hyunjin whips his head, “Are you there?”
Hyunjin stares at himself in the mirror. Mentally slapping himself, he washes his face to wake up. “Yeah, I’ll be right out.”
When he leaves the bathroom, Chan is seated on the bed, staring at the floor and unmoving. “Did we kiss?” he asks.
“Um,” Hyunjin clears his throat, “I, uh, think so.”
Chan opens his mouth, but doesn’t say anything.
“We don’t have to talk about it,” Hyunjin suggests, “We were drunk, we kissed, it happened.”
“I’m sorry.”
Sorry?
“Did you not want to kiss me?”
Chan doesn’t say anything again. Hyunjin bites his lip.
“I’m going to take a shower and um,” he sighs, “I should text Changbin-hyung. Yes,” he thinks out loud, “I posted a picture where we were last night on Instagram. Fuck, I’m gonna be in so much trouble.”
He picks up some clothes from his bag, not caring if they matched or not. “I’ll be busy the rest of the day, so don’t you worry about me,” he continues, still digressing. He checks the clothes he picked up, cursing when he realizes it’s a tanktop and shorts. “I’m going to the hot spring, actually,” he says to cover his tracks. “Yeah, I’ll eat,” he checks his phone, “Oh wow, it is way past lunch. So I’ll go eat two meals, I guess. Then I’ll go to the hot springs.”
“Hyunjin,” Chan calls. Hyunjin doesn’t turn around, resisting to turn away from the bathroom’s door. “Uh, call me if you need anything.”
He expected too much.
“Will do.”
manager :p
hyung?
don’t worry too much abt it
we deleted it already
you did?
yeah, have you checked your sns?
no um
i just woke up
listen hyun, you can post whatever you want but you have to blur out your surroundings
for someone being stalked, you’re pretty careless
sorry
i’ll make sure not to do it again
look, i dont want to take away your freedom but while you're on a holiday, the company is forbidding you to post anything. but if you want to post something, you can send the picture to me first to make sure it’s not gonna put you in trouble
Okay
im sorry again
enjoy the rest of your trip kid
Hyunjin has his eyes closed when he hears someone muttering a couple of ow’s here and there. He opens his eyes to see Chan sit on the opposite side of him, smiling sheepishly, and awkwardly placing his arms on the edge of the spring before ultimately bringing them down and wincing again at the touch of hot water on his skin.
“Hi,” Chan says first.
“Hey.”
“I know you didn’t call, I just thought you might want company.”
“I’m okay.” Hyunjin hums, “I wouldn’t say no to you, though.”
Curse his crush, honestly. Not one single muscle in him had the courage to get up, leave and just forget about the whole trip. All the screaming at himself doesn’t work, when Chan is right there, in front of him, smiling with his lip tight forming a line. It feels like mockery and a big laugh for the universe to keep pushing his crush onto him, and have that said crush not reciprocate his feelings.
“I did want to kiss you.”
Hyunjin blinks.
“I actually strongly believe that I initiated the kiss because I think I have feelings for you,” Chan confesses. “I don’t think—I mean, I do, think, I’m human and I have a subconscious, so of course, I think and—you know what, that’s way off topic. What I mean to say is that,” he pauses, “I do know that I have feelings for you.”
Shocked is an understatement to what he’s currently feeling; it doesn’t even cover half of his emotions. Confused is definitely up there, too, and pleased, maybe even amused at how Chan is still whining at the contact of the water to his skin. With all the mixture of emotions in his brain, possibly his heart as well, he couldn’t form a response.
“I was–I am sorry because I shouldn’t have taken advantage of you. We were both drunk, but that isn’t an excuse for me to kiss you and—”
“I wanted it, too,” Hyunjin interrupts, biting his lip. “You believe you initiated the kiss, but I think I initiated it because I like you, too.”
“You're not just saying that, right?”
“If you’re asking if I’m confessing because you confessed, no,” Hyunjin replies. “But I do admit, I would have never confessed if you hadn’t.”
“Oh.”
Hyunjin plays with the water, pouting his lips. “Since when?”
“Uh, I guess I was physically attracted to you, since I saw you inside Changbin’s office for my meeting, and I realized I liked like you at the dog café? Maybe?” Chan estimates, “Honestly, I probably had a crush on you before then, I just… well, it’s hard to know what is real when we’re supposed to be dating.”
“You must be a terrible method actor then.”
Chan snorts. “It’s true actually, I’m not. In one of my classes, we had an assignment—”
“Hyung.”
“I don’t mean it as I don’t know what’s real, I know I do like you and I realized when we didn’t have to pretend.”
“Hyung,” Hyunjin repeats, swimming his way over to sit next to Chan. “Stop talking nonsense, I get it.”
Chan nods, mumbling an apology. “How about you?”
“I don’t know,” he answers, truthfully, “I first admitted it to myself the day after we talked to your siblings, but I think just like you, I make a terrible method actor so it happened before I knew it.”
“I’m not that terrible,” Chan mumbles. Hyunjin giggles, leaning his head on the blond’s shoulder. “What do we do now?”
Hyunjin grimaces at the thought. The contract is clear in his mind, and there are endless possible actions his company is willing to do to shut down his relationship—is it even a relationship?
“Hyung—”
“Can I kiss you?”
Hyunjin’s face falls. Once the words register in his brain, he smiles shyly, stumbling through his words, “You want to kiss me?”
“I want to kiss you and remember it,” Chan quips.
Hyunjin grins, leaning in slowly, careful to not ruin the moment. All his troubles vanish with the wind, when Chan grabs his neck, pulling him close and closes the gap between their lips.
The kiss is careful, so delicate and fragile. They move in harmony. If hugging Chan was addicting, kissing him is that and more. His heart swoons, mind hazy. It’s as if his brain had stopped working and all it could think of is Chan. And his lips. And kissing him. And Chan.
Before the kiss could’ve escalated further, they pull away, giggling like two teenagers in love.
Hyunjin swims to straddle himself on Chan’s lap, leaning in first the second time around (or he supposes, third time). Their bodies pressed together against the walls of the hotspring. Chan’s lips were soft and warm, parted slightly allowing Hyunjin’s tongue to slip in.
In the morning, Hyunjin wakes up next to Chan, drunk and dazed from the night before. Heart content and felt like he was found and belonged with the boy sleeping next to him.
innie @hyunluvr 6m
it’s weird for u all to spread a picture around when we dont even know for sure if it’s him and the person he’s dating
|
sky<3 @hw4nger 1m
stop spreading shit that makes people curious. try investing on a priv non-oomf ❤️
When Hyunjin wakes up the second time that morning, it’s by Chan attempting to break free from their cuddle.
“Leaving me like a one night stand, hyung?” Hyunjin teases, opening his eyes to meet Chan’s smiling ones.
“I wanted to prepare us some breakfast.”
“We’re in a hotel, you’re picking up food from the lobby.”
“Romantic, right?”
Hyunjin grins, “Oh, I’m swooning.”
Chan draws Hyunjin in, kissing him softly. Although Hyunjin can’t even consider it a kiss when he could barely tone his smile down nor kiss him back.
“I’ll go wash up, then we’ll go get breakfast?”
Hyunjin complies, giving one last peck. And another just because he can now. Chan leaves the bed but not before getting one last kiss on Hyunjin's cheek. Kissing Chan might be electrifying, but kisses from Chan on his cheeks are much more exhilarating and it always leaves Hyunjin with a huge smile on his face he can’t seem to wipe off.
Until he checks his phone.
manager :p
When you return to Seoul, immediately go to the company.
why? what happened
Have you not been on Twitter all day?
no and why are u texting like it’s ur first day again??
it’s weird for you to be all formal again
Drive back to Seoul. Now. PD-nim’s order.
hyung whats going on
Your stalker posted a picture of you and Chan-hyung making out.
Hyunjin doesn’t tell Chan. It's not the picture that is the problem—it’s the contract that they both signed. It's Hyunjin’s future in the company and Chan’s chances outside in the theatre industry. GWAN Entertainment is huge and powerful. If given a reason to, they would annihilate everyone in the industry, and even outside, to make sure they stay on top.
Of course, he’s never had an issue with them, being too afraid of the consequences and stakes of his job. But he’s heard rumours within the building and he doesn’t want to make the wrong move and end up to be one of those rumours.
Next to him, Chan grabs his hand, eyes still focused on the road and he realizes the other half of the risk. His relationship—or whatever it is they still have yet to figure out—is the one at stake, and Hyunjin can’t think of risking him for his job. At the same time, he’s worked hard to be where he is, his status, his position, his career—and he’s not sure whether it’s worth to risk that over a boy he’s met only half a year ago.
The car ride is quiet. Hyunjin refuses to talk about the reason why they had to drive back all of the sudden. In the hotel room, Hyunjin booked it from his bed to open the bathroom, stopping Chan halfway through brushing his teeth, and urged him to go back today because of a work emergency. Chan didn't ask any further questions when Hyunjin said it’s the director’s order.
Now, Hyunjin is looking at his hand intertwined with Chan’s, while Chan offers him a few small smiles down the road. At least he has this time to appreciate Chan, enjoy every minute that is left with him.
jisungie 👎🏼
hey, i saw the chaos on twitter
text me back, i just wanna make sure you’re okay :(
“Why are you quitting?” the director demands.
Hyunjin remains standing near the door. “I can’t promise that a clause in the contract wouldn’t be breached.”
“Clause IV.X?”
Hyunjin doesn’t say anything.
“Please sit down,” the director says calmly, which only frightens him even more. He expects a scream, calling him irresponsible, taking away his social media privileges, and forcing him into a hiatus. Instead, he shows him a folder, labelled Bang Chan . “Open this for me.”
Hyunjin swallows, taking the folder off the director’s hands. Inside the folder is a contract signed by Chan, but the layout is different from the fake dating contract they had signed together.
“Read Clause VI.I,” the director orders him.
He flips through the pages to find the clause, shaking at every flip. “Nevertheless if the ruse fails or succeeds, the signatory will be offered multiple screen productions to act in, within and outside of the company’s label and will be given a name in the film industry.” The next words fall harder to utter, so he whispers them weakly, “Requested by Bang Chan.”
The room is cold. Hyunjin takes short, cut breaths, desperately trying to not cry. It’s all an act, he says to himself. The director goes around his table to sit in front of his desk.
“Nothing was real.”
“He’s an actor, Hyunjin,” he whispers, leaning in Hyunjin’s face to help him hear it clearer. To help him realize what mistake he’s about to be making.
“May I please be excused?”
“Okay,” he leaned back to his desk, allowing Hyunjin to get up abruptly, tears already falling down his cheeks. How could he be so naive?
“Before you go,” the director stops him, “We found the stalker. I guess he got too excited to upload the pictures, we were able to track him. He's detained now. You’re free.”
Hyunjin turns around again, “What’s his name?”
“Yang Jeongin.”
sky<3 @hyunsclover 3m
holy fuck you really can’t trust anyone on stan twt
His friends come and go Hyunjin’s dorm. First it was Changbin, along with his boyfriend, bringing him some groceries upon hearing their “breakup”, or moreso, as Minho told him, Chan hadn't heard anything from him, and he decided to contact his friends in hopes of hearing what was going on.
Hyunjin laughs at that, he has connections with known people already. Next, he’ll be adapting productions and maybe even go on a big screen. Every reminder of Chan makes him feel so stupid for believing any words, any actions. Changbin and Minho shared a look before putting the groceries in the right spot of the kitchen, and telling Hyunjin to contact them whenever.
Seungmin comes in after, surprisingly with Jisung and not bantering as per usual, but he doesn’t have the energy to tease them and just accept the hug they give him. He breaks down to tears upon contact. For the days he’s isolated himself from everyone, he hasn’t been numb, too dried up to feel sad or happy, he couldn’t even cry. But hearing the words “We heard about your breakup” come out over and over again from his friends had been his tipping point.
It wasn’t a breakup, he wanted to shout at them, it was never real, even though he thought it was for a while, but Chan had tricks up his sleeves and he was a fool to believe every single one of them.
Changbin comes back a second time. This time, he’s alone and he brings takeout, instead of having Minho cook in the kitchen.
“Hey.”
“Did you know?” Hyunjin had the guts to ask him now that they're alone.
Changbin drops the food on the table, distributing them as he responds, “No.” Hyunjin doesn’t know if he should believe him. After all, he has been too trusting, and that led him to betrayal. “Not until Chan-hyung told me.”
Hyunjin grabs the food and Changbin’s hands to stop him from moving back and attempt to avoid eye contact when he answers his question. “You talked to him?”
“PD-nim did after you’ve been gone a couple of days. I think he was making sure you two don’t run into each other,” he explains. Hyunjin lets go of his hand, opening the takeout box. “He walked up to me afterwards, confessed about the contract after telling me everything that happened during your trip. Why didn’t you tell me you like him?”
“I didn’t want you to cover up for me,” Hyunjin tries to smile, “You’re a terrible liar.”
“I am,” Changbin agrees. For a short amount of time, the room is filled with small laughter. “He’s been begging to talk to you.”
“I don’t want to talk to him.”
“That’s what I said.” Hyunjin almost snaps his neck by the quick turn to look at Changbin. “More or less, I told him you probably need time alone.”
Changbin frowns. “What if he does like you back?” he insinuates. “What if, sure, he had a second contract he didn’t tell you about, but he still likes you genuinely and you’re letting a chance for love walk away?”
Hyunjin sighs, stabbing his food. “I don’t know,” he mumbles. “Do I still have a job to come back to?”
“It’s still in the talks,” Changbin admits. “You haven't been in contact with Chan-hyung, right?”
“He called a couple of times a few days ago but,” Hyunjin pauses, swallowing his food, “He stopped.”
“Must be after PD-nim talked to him.”
“Why are you making a case for him?” Hyunjin grills him. “You know it’s fake, you know he’s an actor, you know about the contracts, so why? Did he ask you to?
“Hyunjin—” he begins, but Hyunjin is already putting his food back down and burying himself under the blanket.
“Close the drapes when you leave, please.”
He holds himself steady until he hears footsteps and cartons being piled together. Only then did he let a few tears fall, but still stopped himself from the hiccups.
“I’m not great at reading people,” Changbin admits. Hyunjin rolls his eyes under the blanket, wiping his tears away, “But I do know what it looks like when someone truly admires a person and talks about them. It’s pitiful you’re blinded by the contract that you can’t see that Chan-hyung genuinely likes you.” The door opens, “I’ll keep trying to convince the board to let you stay in the company.”
Recent Calls
channie hyung ♡ (2) 3 days ago
Missed call
Hyunjin wakes up to a knock on his door. He knows if it was one of his friends, they’d just walk in with the keys Changbin had. He wonders if it’s Chan, but he doesn’t let his hopes up when a deep voice calls his name.
“Hyunjin-ah? Are you there?”
Timidly, he opens the door to reveal Felix on the other side.
“Felix?”
He smiles sweetly, gently offering a tupperware of what seems like brownies. “I heard about um,” he looks around before continuing, “The breakup.”
Hyunjin opens the door slightly more open just to let Felix in but still not show himself—a habit he grew to do when his stalker watched his every move. He supposes it isn't necessary now.
“Um, thanks for this, and sorry about the uh,” he points at the tissues on the coffee table and half emptied instant food.
“That’s okay, you don’t have to apologize.” Bless Felix and his angel heart. Curse that he’s as sweet as his cousin.
“How is he?” Hyunjin asks once they’re settled in the living room. Felix definitely doesn’t expect the question, and Hyunjin isn’t sure if he had expected the words to come out of his mouth nor is he ready for the answer. But he’s been wanting to ask all his friends, even more especially when Changbin was over yesterday.
“Oh, he’s uh,” Felix bites his lip, “He’s leaving.”
Hyunjin stares at the younger male, unsure how to respond. Had he heard him right? If he did, should he laugh? Call himself pathetic for thinking that the contract meant nothing to Chan like he had hoped for? Or maybe should he cry? Just like Changbin said, his chance of love is gone because he didn’t do shit about it.
“What do you mean?”
“He packed his things today, said he’ll find a job with Younghyun-hyung. He was sure he could find an acting gig there and—”
“Why?” Hyunjin snaps, eyes straining with his tears.
“It’s been hard for him as well,” Felix frowns. “You haven't reached out, he thinks you hate him after all the contract. At least with Younghyun-hyung and the theatre—”
“Theatre,” Hyunjin repeats. “The contract…” he pauses. “I have to go.”
“What? Are you going after him?”
“No.” Hyunjin gets off the couch, running to his bedroom. Felix cluelessly follows behind, “Can you drive?”
“Um no—”
“Then, we'll just have to run to the company.”
Recent Calls
channie hyung ♡ (3) 4 minutes ago
Outgoing call
“Hyunjin?” Seungmin calls, his smile faltering and stopping his conversation with a short black haired man in front of him. “Are you supposed to be here?”
“Where’s Changbin-hyung?”
“At the board meeting, advocating for you to stay in the company.”
“Is PD-nim there?”
“Yeah.”
“What room?”
“Hyunjin–”
“What room?” he repeats, almost screaming the second time around.
“325.”
“Thank you,” he trails, already running to the elevator. “Felix will explain…” he looks around, “When he gets here he was just right behind me.”
Seungmin raises an eyebrow, following Hyunjin’s actions with his eyes. Before the elevators close, he sees Felix arrive breathless and using Seungmin—and Jisung?—for support.
Hyunjin taps on the elevator floor, stomach twisting with every second that passes. He thinks of what he should say, or if he should just wing it. If he barges in with his argument and the entire board is in that meeting, his whole career wouldn’t just be jeopardized, it’d be safe to say it’s gone.
The room is just one lock away. Hyunjin stares at the shadows illuminated on the opaque windows of the room. One move, one word and his whole career is gone. He swallows up the courage, opening the door to an empty room with only Changbin cleaning up the papers.
“Hyunjin? What are you doing here?”
“Where’s PD-nim? What happened to the meeting?”
“He’s back in his office, I assume. As for the meeting, your ban is lifted,” he smiles proudly. “You’re free to work back on Monday.” His face scrunches up again, “But what are you doing here right now?”
“Felix is explaining it to Seungmin who’s with Jisung on the main floor, I have to talk to PD-nim.”
“Felix?” Changbin asks more to himself than to Hyunjin who had already left the room in a hurry. Even more confused, he whispers, “Seungmin with Jisung?”
Hyunjin reaches the office. No time to lose now. When he opens the big doors, it’s just the director on his chair, flipping through what seems like paperwork. He smiles at Hyunjin when he sees him, which fuels his rage.
“You lied.”
The director pouts. “Care to elaborate?”
“Chan-hyung’s contract. You added that clause in there, you made it look like he agreed for fame by “requesting” to have a name in the industry.”
“Don’t say such silly things now.”
“But you made a flimsy mistake,” Hyunjin accuses. “Chan-hyung doesn’t want to act on screen, he likes to perform in front of a live audience.”
“Must’ve been a typo.”
“A typo,” the idol scoffs, “A multimillion selling company makes a typo on a legal binding document.”
“What do you want me to say?”
“I want you to admit that you lied and to break a few more contracts.”
“I’m not letting you date him.”
“Fine.”
“Fine!” the director provokes.
The room grows cold, the director and Hyunjin refusing to bat an eye and silence overtakes the two.
“I quit,” Hyunjin says firmly after a few seconds. “Since your company has no courtesy in following contracts, I’ll be breaking my own. I’d rather be under a company that doesn’t justify breaching a contract than a well-known, monstrous one.”
“You’ll never find anything as good as this!” The director shouts after Hyunjin, but he doesn’t turn around.
His heartbeat races, and he takes small deep breaths to calm himself down. He walks to the elevator, weak and breathless, like he had taken a sharp object out of his heart and he’s finally free again. When he opens them again, it’s due to his phone ringing, and Chan’s name on his screen.
“Hyung?” he answers.
“Hyunjin.” Chan’s voice quivers, but a sigh of relief follows. “Is everything okay?”
“Are you staying there?”
The other line falls quiet. The elevator door rings. Hyunjin waits for the elevator door to open. Chan stands on the other side.
“I drove back as soon as Felix called.”
“You’re here.”
“I’d be out of your sight if you don’t get out of that eleva—”
Hyunjin runs to Chan’s arms. He isn’t sure where the tears are coming from, although he was sure he was dried out of tears the past few days.
“You’re here,” he repeats. Hopefully by saying it again, it would dawn on him that Chan is here. With him. Inside a terrible company, but nonetheless, he’s here.
“I am.”
“And you still like me?”
Chan chuckles, “I do, very much still like you.”
“Good,” he hugs him tighter. He missed this. “Me too.”
Dispatch @dispatch 4w
Soloist Hwang Hyunjin quits GWAN Entertainment, after suing the director for breaching contracts https://bit.ly/3kZsA5x
“I’m officially jobless,” Seungmin groans, lying on Hyunjin’s couch at his new place. He had finished his three weeks of promotion, during which Hyunjin attempted to take the current director of the company down and moved out of the dorms provided by the company to a small apartment he and Chan found.
“Lots of other companies would be willing to sign with you, you’re amazing,” Jisung tries to console him. “That’s what they all say anyway, there must be some truth in it.” Seungmin throws a pillow to his face.
“How about you?” Seungmin asks, looking at Hyunjin.
“Me?” he clarifies, “Oh, uh, I don’t know. I’m really enjoying my time at the dog shelter.”
“After you declined my offer to volunteer at a cat shelter,” Minho muttered under his breath.
“I’m allergic to cats!” Hyunjin argues. Chan chuckles, pulling him to lean back on the loveseat. “I might go to a university, actually.”
“Really?” Chan marvels.
“Yeah, get a degree and then a job, or something.”
“You don’t need a degree to get a job, look at Jisung for example.”
Four of them turn to Seungmin, excluding Jisung, raising an unspoken question. It’s Minho who asks it out loud. “Since when do you know shit about Jisung?”
“When Hyunjin was on hiatus, we had no one else to talk to,” Jisung answers for Seungmin when his whole face turns white.
Minho is about to ask a follow up question when the oven rings and Hyunjin, with the help of Chan, goes back to the kitchen to prepare their meal and the four were left throwing playful banters at one another.
“What are you going to study?”
Hyunjin shrugs. “I don’t know yet. There are a lot of other things I worry about. For instance, would I even be good at school again? I haven't done any exams for years, what if I fall behind or how do you even study anymore? Does that change generation to generation?”
“Hey,” Chan holds him down. “I took a couple gap years too, I’ll be here when you go back to university. I’ll help you study and whatever else you need.”
“Thanks.” Smirking he adds, “Stress reliever?”
“Keep it in your pants.”
“Oh, that’s exactly where it’s going.”
Chan shakes his head, hiding the blush in his cheeks. “How about a detective?”
“A detective?” Hyunjin repeats, “When have I ever expressed interest in becoming a detective?”
His boyfriend shrugs, “You noticed the mistake with the contracts.”
“I wasn’t even a good detective, I’m just in love with you that I remember every little thing you say and it clicked.” Chan grins. He doesn’t know if it’s possible, but Chan’s face might’ve gone even more red. “What?”
“You’re in love with me?”
“Oh,” Hyunjin mumbles. He pretends to think about it, but in truth, he has admitted it to himself for a while now, just finding a way to say it out loud. He didn’t plan it to slip out, but with how they admitted they liked each other, it felt natural and right. “Yeah, I am.”
“Good,” Chan exclaims, walking closer to Hyunjin, “Because I’m in love with you, too.”
Chan leans in first, as he always does, and Hyunjin wraps his arms around Chan’s shoulders. They only stop kissing when Seungmin gets off the couch, screaming for everyone to look at his phone.
“JYPE is asking me to sign with them. Quick— are they a good company?” He asks more towards Jisung than the crowd.
Brutally honest, he answers, “No,” (Seungmin frowns a little), “All companies are terrible money freaks, but they have to be better than GWAN, right?”
“That’s good enough for me!” Seungmin cheers, hugging Jisung. He clears his throat, pushing Jisung off his body when he realizes the stares darted at the both of them, and once again screaming, “I have a job!”
SEUNGMIN @tmdals 2m
SEUNGMIN Star Lost M/V
#승민 #SEUNGMIN
#StarLost #SeungminDebut
Instead of a huge party like Seungmin’s new company had planned for his re-debut, he decided to hold a small gathering with a few friends and staff who worked behind the scenes to make his debut successful. Despite the number, Hyunjin still feels like an odd one out; he’s now known for being the ex-idol who took down one of the biggest companies and decided to continue education instead of finding a new company to debut at. Some have said it’s because they fear Hyunjin’s fervor to take them down, some gossip said Hyunjin was never offered a job by any companies.
Beside him, Chan holds his hand, nonchalant to the people’s reaction in the room when they first enter. And just by a small smile offered by his boyfriend, he could take a deep breath and focus only on Seungmin.
“Congratulations Kim Seungmin,” Minho says first when they’re all met up in the middle.
“Thank you,” Seungmin responds, taking the bouquet of flowers Minho had offered him. “How’s dance class?”
“Surprisingly, the kids are much easier to teach than you two ever were,” he quips, referring to Hyunjin and Seungmin. “And how’s my boyfriend as a manager?”
“A constant nagger,” Seungmin complains, “How did you keep up with him!?”
Hyunjin chuckles, “As time goes by, you start to pretend he’s just some white noise.”
“I feel like that was a dig on me,” Changbin pouts, appearing behind them. Minho kisses his cheek, telling him it was nothing and giving him a bigger bouquet of flowers than the one he offered Seungmin.
“What?” he snarls, “I’m not going to give a smaller one for my boyfriend.”
“Solid protocol,” Seungmin concurs.
“Hey, speaking of boyfriends,” Hyunjin teases, spotting Jisung in the crowd bowing at every person congratulating him for producing Seungmin’s new song. “Here comes yours.”
“He is not my boyfriend,” Seungmin grumbles, but his smile doesn't fade despite his tone.
“Are you serious?” Chan interrogates, “Hyun and I have been real dating for five months, and you two still haven’t figured your shit out?”
“It’s—” Seungmin sighs, giving up on coming up with a defence, “Whatever.”
“What did I miss?” Jisung chimes in. Hyunjin glances at Seungmin who doesn’t seem fazed by their previous conversation.
“A drink, obviously,” he answers instead, offering a glass to the latecomer and calling the attention of the room. “To everyone who worked hard to make this happen. I’d like to thank you all. Without you, I wouldn’t have another chance to do what I love.”
“And to Kim Seungmin,” Jisung adds, smiling endearingly at him, “Without him, we wouldn’t even have anything to work on,” that earns him a couple of laughs in the room, “Congratulations.”
During the applause, he whispers something to Seungmin’s ear, inaudible to Hyunjin. But Seungmin hugs him tight, smiling brighter than he’s ever seen before.
He pulls Chan out of the crowd who had let loose on the dance floor.
“What’s up?”
“Do you think Seungmin and Jisung are dating?”
“I—” Hyunjin turns him around to show the two dancing slowly to a rather fast tempo. “Huh?”
“Right!” he giggles, copying the two on their corner, dancing softly off-beat. “Have you been paying attention to the lyrics?”
Chan hums, letting Hyunjin continue his train of thought.
“I imagine you in the night sky,” Hyunjin recites, “You comforting me somewhere.”
“Reminds me of a certain first date.”
“First fake date,” he corrects.
“We should go again,” Chan suggests, “This time for real.”
Hyunjin grins, “I’d like that.” Then, with a snark, he adds, “Maybe this time it won’t be because you judged me based on my occupation.”
“I apologized!” Chan justifies.
He giggles, kissing Chan’s cheek, “It’s cute how you still get over defensive even a year after.”
“I hate you,” he teases, attempting to frown but Hyunjin’s smile reflect on his face.
“Mhmm,” Hyunjin agrees, “I love you, too, my star.”
“My star?” Chan repeats.
"Do you prefer commoner?"
Chan pulls him close, caressing his cheek with his thumb.
“Happy one year since our fake relationship, a fellow commoner,” Chan jests, “I love you.”
Hyunjin smiles shyly, closing his eyes and leaning in the touch. He inches closer before taking initiative and kisses Chan, slowly and delicately.
People kiss for many reasons—it could be for family, for friends, or for romance, but all of them are meant to express love. Hyunjin and Chan had kissed plenty of times, but this one (Hyunjin smiles through their kiss), it has to be his favourite.
hyunjin @8815915 3m
You got me feeling star lost pic.twitter.com/afacbb04669
(Seungmin wakes up, adjusting his eyes with the sun's reflection to his eyes and observing the room. He recalls the event from last night, making sense of the pounding on his head. Next to him, a man lies naked—which doesn’t startle him at the very least.
“Hey,” he taps the man, attempting to wake him up.
The latter grumbles, opening one eye, “Morning sex?” Seungmin pushes him away, suppressing himself from joining in with the soft laughter. “I’m kidding,” he mumbles, opening his arms for Seungmin to snuggle in, “C'mere.”
“Not today, I have to attend a radio show tonight and I have to drill for tomorrow’s comeback stage.”
“5 more minutes.”
“Noooo,” Seungmin whines, “You can’t drag me to bed with you just because your job is done.”
He grumbles again, opening both eyes this time. “Fine,” he says, kissing Seungmin on his lips. Morning breath be damned, Seungmin enjoys every minute kissing him. “You don’t know how much I held myself back last night from doing that.”
“Remind me again whose idea it was to keep our relationship to ourselves?”
He pouts, “I just didn’t want anyone to think I’m using you for fame.”
“Jisung,” Seungmin calls his name, “We’ve been dating since we were in high school. No one is going to think that.”)