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The practice room was filled with the familiar hum of music and the sound of sneakers squeaking against polished floors. The vocal unit was deep into rehearsals for the Caratland unit swap, doing their best to embody the Hip-Hop team’s energy while covering LALALI.
To be fair, they weren’t doing badly. But to Vernon—who had been dragged in to watch from the back of the room—it was hilarious. Seungkwan was over-enunciating every word like he was starring in a rap musical, Joshua looked like he was about to break into laughter at any second, and Woozi, ever the perfectionist, kept scowling like sheer willpower alone could make them sound like Mingyu and Wonwoo.
Vernon sat against the wall, arms crossed as he watched the chaos unfold.
And then Seungkwan, as if sensing his amusement, suddenly turned on his heel mid-verse and stalked straight toward him.
Vernon’s eyebrows lifted slightly. “Oh no.”
“Oh yes,” Seungkwan shot back with a mischievous glint in his eye.
Without hesitation, Seungkwan closed the distance, rapping aggressively in Vernon’s face. He emphasized every syllable with exaggerated movements, stepping closer and closer until Vernon had no choice but to lean back against the wall, blinking at the sheer commitment radiating from Seungkwan.
Joshua was the first to break, doubling over in laughter. “Why are you going so hard right now?”
“Because I can,” Seungkwan huffed, before getting even closer—so close Vernon could feel his breath.
Vernon let out a laugh, shaking his head. “You’re actually insane.”
“Insanely talented,” Seungkwan corrected, grinning.
And then Jeonghan, ever the instigator, casually stretched from his spot on the floor and dropped the bomb.
“At this point, you might as well give him a lap dance.”
The room erupted. Woozi groaned into his hands, Joshua let out a wheeze, and DK was on the floor, pounding the ground like it was the funniest thing he’d ever heard.
Seungkwan rolled his eyes, waving a dismissive hand as he walked back to the center of the room. “Yeah, yeah, keep laughing.”
Vernon chuckled, shaking his head as practice went on. He didn’t think much of it after that.
The night had settled over the dorm, quiet and still. The usual hum of voices and music had faded as everyone retreated to their rooms, and now the only sounds were the occasional rustle of a page turning or the soft clink of dishes being put away in the kitchen.
Vernon and Seungkwan, however, weren’t ready to call it a night just yet. After a long day of rehearsals, they found themselves hanging out in the living room, one of the few places in the dorm that felt like it belonged to them alone. Most of the others had already gone to bed, and the dim lighting and cozy atmosphere made the space feel relaxed, almost private.
Seungkwan sat cross-legged on the couch, scrolling through his phone while Vernon leaned against the armrest, eyes half-closed as he looked out the window. They were winding down after a long day, the comfort of being in each other’s company with no rehearsals or cameras weighing them down.
“So,” Vernon started, breaking the silence, his tone light but playful, “where's my actual lap dance?”
It had started as a joke earlier, during practice when Seungkwan had gotten a little too close while rapping, and Jeonghan had jokingly suggested that Seungkwan give Vernon a lap dance. Everyone had laughed, and it had been forgotten soon after. Or so Vernon thought.
Seungkwan didn’t look up from his phone immediately, but the silence stretched just a little too long. Vernon frowned, glancing over at him.
“You’re actually going to do it, aren’t you?” Vernon said, already feeling a strange mix of embarrassment and amusement.
Seungkwan finally looked up from his phone, a wicked grin spreading across his face. “Oh, I totally am.”
Vernon blinked, not quite believing it. “No way. You’re messing with me.”
“Wanna bet?” Seungkwan quipped, standing up in one fluid motion.
Vernon’s eyes widened in disbelief as Seungkwan grabbed his phone from the couch and pulled up Spotify with a look of intense concentration. “Okay, okay,” Vernon started, suddenly feeling nervous, “this was just a joke, remember?”
Seungkwan didn’t even acknowledge him as he paced around the living room, completely ignoring the comment. Vernon thought he might still be safe—after all, they were just two guys hanging out—but when Seungkwan turned toward him with a look that could only be described as determined, Vernon’s heart skipped a beat.
“Wait, no—” Vernon said, standing up and raising his hands in mock surrender. “You really don’t have to—”
Seungkwan raised an eyebrow. “Too late for that now.”
Before Vernon could protest any further, Seungkwan took him by surprise, shoving him gently but firmly back into the armchair with a grin that screamed mischief.
“What the hell, Seungkwan?” Vernon sputtered, eyes wide.
Seungkwan, unfazed, adjusted the playlist with a focused expression as the first beats of the song started to thump through the speakers. He looked over at Vernon with a cocky grin.
“Hope you’re ready.”
Vernon swallowed, looking between Seungkwan and the song now blasting through the room. He felt a strange, nervous excitement building in his chest. “You’re seriously gonna go through with this?”
Seungkwan, in response, shot him an exaggerated wink and then proceeded to start dancing.
At first, Vernon just sat there, absolutely speechless. Seungkwan’s movements were smooth, almost absurdly fluid, like he was born to perform like this. Every exaggerated hip thrust, every twirl and dip, was executed with complete and utter confidence.
And for some insane reason, Vernon couldn’t look away.
Seungkwan clearly wasn’t holding back. He had a look in his eyes that was as playful as it was determined, and Vernon knew, deep down, that he was getting what he’d asked for.
This was happening.
As the song reached its chorus, Seungkwan closed the distance between them, leaning down toward Vernon with a teasing smile. “Don’t look so nervous,” he said, his voice low and playful. “You wanted this.”
Vernon, who was struggling to process everything happening, shook his head in disbelief. “I didn’t think you’d actually do it.”
Seungkwan’s laugh rang through the room as he pulled away, twirling and rolling his shoulders as the music continued to pulse through the speakers. He was enjoying every second of it.
By now, Vernon couldn’t help but laugh at how ridiculous the situation was. Seungkwan, his teammate, was giving him a lap dance in their own living room, without a care in the world.
“You’re insane,” Vernon finally said, letting out a breathless laugh.
Seungkwan paused mid-spin and looked at him, face lighting up with an almost dangerous smile. “Yeah, but look who’s laughing now.”
Vernon raised an eyebrow. “Oh, you’re definitely going to regret this.”
Seungkwan ignored him, diving right back into his ridiculous routine. By now, Vernon was laughing so hard that he had to clutch the armrest to keep himself from falling out of the chair. It was so over-the-top, yet Seungkwan was pulling it off, and it was absolutely impossible to stop smiling.
The song eventually ended, and Seungkwan stood back, breathing heavily but smiling like he’d just won the world’s funniest prize. He held out a hand. “How was that?”
Vernon leaned forward, his face still flushed from laughing. “I’m never going to live this down, am I?”
Seungkwan’s grin only grew wider. “Nope. And you’re definitely never asking me for a lap dance again.”
Vernon sighed dramatically. “What have I gotten myself into?”
“You wanted it, remember?” Seungkwan said, clearly satisfied with himself.
Vernon could only shake his head as Seungkwan flopped back onto the couch, his chest rising and falling with the remnants of his performance. He couldn’t deny that, in some strange way, it had been worth it.
See who’s laughing now, Vernon.