Chapter Text
“I'm going to audition for a dance academy.” KuanJui said as he placed his glass of wine down on the coffee table. Muti had gathered them all after a month of barely seeing each other, besides early in the mornings to use the bathroom, or late at night when two or three of them smoked together in the balcony. Usually, each one of them would be out working in one thing or another, side jobs or social skills.
Haru had been busy all day sketching new designs for nails he would sell online, KuanJui sometimes helped him by modelling with his hands for the photos, so they did exactly that. On the other hand, Jinhyung had been busy attending his vocal lessons and helping other students as a part-time job, Meanwhile, Muti was busy designing outfits for a friend of his that needed assistance with her Youtube content.
Sadly, the oldest had been stressing over the request, because how do you make sense of rhinestone prints on shirts in the year of twenty-twenty-five while looking aesthetic? The clothes given to him were disastrous and he quite didn't know what to do with it. Soon enough, a headache settled behind his forehead, so he called it a day, bought a cheap rosé and called the children to the living room.
“What is there for you to learn if you're already a pro?” Jinhyung asked, genuinely confused. Muti's curiosity also spiked because his second youngest was right. KuanJui had come from a lineage of dancers, learned from a very young age how to absolutely master different type of dance tecniques, even mentoring his own friends.
“Not as a student, but as a teacher. I'll be auditioning as a ballet dancer.” Muti screeched right before Haru could stand up and throw himself to the older dancer.
“Finally!” KuanJui brushed the youngest's caramel dyed hair with one hand as the other held his waist, both trying their best to not fall flat on the floor. Jinhyung by his side, patted his shoulder to show his support. “You've been refusing for the longest time!”
“Well, it's hard to learn ballet, even more to teach it. One mistake and I won't be taken seriously. I must practice hard and do well.”
“I expect you to succeed, then.” KuanJui didn't even hesitate to nod, because not only he was certain and confident over his skills, but Muti was too, and that base support was everything he needed to have hope. “Do you have a space to practice?”
“I have a friend who already teaches, he'll let me use his dance room during the night for the next two weeks, after he's done with his lessons for the kids.” He reassured the oldest. Although, it meant to rearrange his entire schedule to work in the mornings, sleep in the afternoons and dance during the entire night. “Thankfully, I have my choreography already thought of, I just need to perfect it.”
“You'll do well,” Muti straightened his back, looking too serious for a moment. KuanJui stared back. “And this would obviously be a big step for you, in your career. No matter how small or big the impact of this is, I know you're real to yourself and you enjoy this, so I wish you the best, that of course fully knowing how capable you are.” The dancer's mouth corners lifted slowly, stretching the lips and making the now wasted lipgloss shine under the warm lights of the room.
“I'll make you proud, jiejie.” Muti smirked.
“Can I dance with you these two weeks?” Haru was still holding tight onto KuanJui's waist, only lifting his head to stare with his big foxy eyes. KuanJui almost coos but changed his mind after registering the question in his head.
“You nosy little thing!” He barked a laugh. “You want to dance that much, don't you?” Haru whined.
“I'm tired of using my busking sessions as a practice place,” The youngest went back to his own space and sipped on Muti's glass, the oldest let it pass just one time. “I make too many mistakes, and the other guys are not happy about it.”
“I've never seen you making a mistake when we practice together, though?” Jinhyung pointed out.
“Because I take our performances seriously. Busking is fun, but XLOV is more of a duty for me.” Haru stood up and stretched his limbs, suddenly filled with energy. “It's easy, when you eat food for survival, you just eat it. But then you eat something delicious that you really enjoy, and your entire body vibrates in excitement, doesn't it?” KuanJui laughed at the metaphor.
“Careful, baby, your mindset might set you up. Don't look at me like that, what if you get casted while busking on the street and they see you making mistakes?” Haru sat back down with a pout, making them laugh. “Wouldn't it be better to put on a performance on every chance you get? Or, at least to imagine that it's always an XLOV performance?”
“The effort would be the triple, then.” Did he even have the energy for all of that? Haru sipped wine again.
“I don't know about that... Is it really an effort if you truly enjoy it, as you mentioned?” Right, Haru began thinking. The energy his body exuded when performing with them was way different than any other show he had ever put on for anyone. It didn't really feel like he could get bored, much less tired. XLOV performances were the moment he shined the brightest among all his side quests as a dancer.
“This is why I call you mother, isn't it?” Muti softly smiled as his baby admitted defeat.
“Hey! I always learn from all of you too. I'm also living life for the first time ever.” The wine was finished, and the fresh summer air cooled their cheeks down. Although, Muti's headaches hadn't gone away, in fact it only worsened. Maybe his blood pressure?
“Anyways, if I ever get casted on the street, I wouldn't take it.” Jinhyung gasped.
“Even if it was one of the big three?” For someone who had been trying so hard to become an idol, it felt truly shattering to hear the youngest rejecting the idea of making it unto the big screens so easily. The teenager could count with his adorable visuals, impressive dance skills, and his soft respectful personality to make the perfect idol, so why refuse it?
“Even if it was SM offering me the whole package! What if I make it into a group? That would mean I'd have to leave my life behind, and I don't think I could leave this, leave you.”
“As much as I appreciate your loyalty, I would prefer for you to leave and work hard.” Haru shook his head at their leader.
“Why would I leave to be alone with strangers around me? When I can simply dance with Jui jiejie during nights, do Hyun's nails and sip from your wine?” On cue, he sipped for a third time from the other's glass. They laughed.
“You have a point baby, but you need to grow as an artist. You're a genius dancer Ruru, and I wouldn't want you to chain yourself to this when you can become a star.” He sighed. They had all had infinite number of conversations about success before, even though only a few had a clear image of what they were after, Haru simply lived in the moment. Muti theorized during restless nights that him being a teenager made him behave that way.
“What's the point of this, then?” And day by day, a new rebellious personality peeked to the world, only to show how ready he was for creating havoc, and Muti felt the need to correct that.
“Protection,” Her voice came out severe. Jinhyung raised his gaze, noticing the room's mood becoming tense. “It's what it is. I understand you may not yet, but it's not your fault being young and naive. Ruru, I care for you, for all of you, and I don't want you to go what I had to go through while being completely alone.” Haru clenched his jaw. He didn't really want to accept some hard truths.
“What if I'm just happy with this, would you deny me happiness?”
“I can't and will never deny you anything, because you're your own person, but I have a responsibility as your elder, and that is to assure your safety. If leaving us and becoming an idol, or a dancer, or a teacher, or a model, or whatever you want to be, is the way, then I strongly advise you to take it.” They were at loss for words. What ever could they reply to the reality of things? While being together in a made-up haven, gave them stability, it didn't assure them anything for the future.
“Even if I leave, I will still do your nails.” Muti laughed so loud that he startled KuanJui and they laughed even harder.
Of course it hurt him, as the one taking care of them, to see them grow and leave. He had seen many friends leave her side before, but life had an insane number of different outcomes, some were successful, some were not, and Muti knew that all too well. While herself saw the opportunities escaping through his fingers like running water, he knew their youngest had big chances to make it big. If KuanJui became a full-time dance teacher, that was one heavy burden leaving her heart.
“Speaking of that, can I do your nails for your audition?” KuanJui frowned.
“Oh baby, I'm not sure I can wear nails for this type of stablishment,” The dancer's heart hurt at the sight of the youngest's energy shutting down for a second. “But! Uhm, I mean... you could try and make it look natural? Like oval shape and short?” Haru smiled wickedly.
“I'm on a mission now, I'll make you the prettiest and most natural nails you've ever seen in your life!”