Work Text:
“Okay I obviously have the most rizz out of y’all:” Manon declared, watching Dani and Lara burst out laughing. It was their second and last interview for today, which flew by so quickly, Megan didn’t even complain like she usually did. “Okay who has the least thought?” Lara squinted, as if thinking hard. Megan answered instantly.
“Yoonchae.”
After seeing all heads turn to her and Yoonchae’s mockingly offended face, she quickly added. “I mean she does but like a cute one you know?” She laughed nervously. “Like I can’t imagine her like bold flirting with someone, it’s more like- you know what forget it please.” Megan hid her face in her hands, cheeks red with embarrassment. And Yoonchae?
Yoonchae just laughed. Softly, as if not meant for everyone to hear. Megan was lucky, she was sitting right next to her. She peeked one eye out of her hands to look at Yoonchae. “You’re funny Unnie.” She winked. She fucking winked. Megan just groaned and hid into her hands again.
“Well Megan, I have a next question for you.” The interviewer said, eyes never leaving Megan. Megan nodded, clearing her throat, mildly surprised. “What was it like, you know, finding out you were gonna debut?”
Megan brightened up at the question. She always liked talking about the announcement. “Well first wave of was definitely shock mixed with pride. I finally felt like I achieved something, something I’m proud of.”
The interviewer nodded. “Well I would be surprised too, knowing your contestants talent.” Megan frowned. “Excuse me?”
“Well we all know and now can admit, I think there were better possibilities for an all-rounder.” He said, innocently. Megan felt a sudden pang in her chest. It’s not like she couldn’t handle criticism. But this was different. She didn’t like this situation. And it showed.
“Well um if that’s what you think, I guess that’s your opinion.” She looked down, hands fidgeting, throat tightening. “Are you saying I’m wrong?” The interviewer fought back. “Well I-“
“How many questions are left?” A serious voice cut through Megan’s stuttered answer. It was Yoonchae, who looked like someone just ate her leftovers. The guy raised his eyebrow. “Three I think, but I’d like to continue the conversation I’m having with Me-“
“Next question please.”
Yoonchae wasn’t backing off. Megan looked at her, eyes full of thank and hope. Still, she felt her eyes tearing up. She wasn’t sure if it was because someone clearly doesn’t think she’s good enough to be here and is not afraid to say that to her face, or the fact that Yoonchae, who is always quiet and afraid to speak up, spoke up for her.
“Yeah she’s right, let’s move on.” Sophia said, voice firm.
“Where’s the bathroom please?” Megan blurted out, turning her head to the staff.
She rushed through the hallway, hearing nothing but her pulse in her ears. She pushed the door open, locking herself in one stall. She knew what to do in situations like this. She focused on her breath, well, tried. Her mind kept replaying the conversation. “I think there were better possibilities for an all-rounder.” She balled her hands into fists trying to stop them from trembling. Tears threatened to spill, when she heard the bathroom door fly open as someone quickly walked in.
“Megan?”
A familiar voice filled the silence. The not so perfect English. The sharp edges in her voice. Yoonchae went after her.
“Are you here Megan?”
Usually she liked to handle these situations alone, didn’t want to involve anyone in her shit. But now, she wanted Yoonchae close to her. The lock of the stall clicked before opening softly, Megan sitting on the floor. Yoonchae didn’t say anything, she just rushed next to her, arms open as she wrapped herself around Megan. At that, Megan broke. She buried her face in Yoonchae’s shoulder, her shirt muffling the broken sobs that came out of Megan. They stayed like that for awhile, Megan sobbing the whole time, Yoonchae stroking her back.
After a while, Yoonchae pulled back to see Megan’s tear streaked face. She quickly tucked Megan’s lost strands of hair behind her ear and wiped a tears that escaped in the meantime. Megan’s ears went pink, but she didn’t care. What she did care about, was Yoonchae comforting her and calming her down. Yoonchae smiled softly whispering while stroking Megan’s cheek. “Don’t listen to that guy, he is just jealous that you’re famous now so he can’t be around you.” Megan made a sound, something between a sob and a laugh. “That’s the most random thing ever Chip.” Yoonchae rolled her eyes, smiling. “Whatever, the point is you are good enough unnie, you make katseye the katseye we are,” she looked down, getting shy,”plus I can’t imagine having someone else to turn to. Actually, I don’t think I would want to debut with anyone else, even if it didn’t look that way.” She muttered, not meeting Megan’s gaze. Megan swore her heart melted a bit at that. She barked out a laugh, bursting into another set of tears, this time they were grateful. Yoonchae pouted, catching Megan, who was leaning into her arms. “Hey, it’s okay Mei, I got you now. I promise.”
Megan didn’t know what to say, she never saw Yoonchae act like this. It was always Sophia who comforted all the members, which Megan was grateful for. But Yoonchae, who always stayed uncomfortably quiet when Manon missed home so much, or when Daniela had problems with her family, was now helping Megan through a panic attack. “Thank you Chip, I-“
“Don’t mention it.” Yoonchae said, her voice back to teasing. “Or do, I don’t mind.” She shrugged. Megan gasped dramatically, tears drying already. “Who are you and what did you do to my shy baby Yoonchae?” Yoonchae just giggled, the sound warm with affection. She quickly stood up, offering Megan a hand. “Wanna go get boba? I saw one on the way, plus I already texted Sophia and she said we have the permission to throw it at the guy.” Yoonchae wiggled her eyebrows, as if the offer wasn’t good enough.
Megan beamed.
“Only if you don’t get the chocolate one again because I want some of yours too and I refuse to drink that garbage.” She took Yoonchae’s hand, not letting go even after she stood up. Yoonchae gasped, pretending to be annoyed. “But if I get that one we can throw it at the guys face and it won’t taste good!” She whined. Megan giggled, opening the bathroom door. “You know what, sure, I mean in my opinion,” she mimicked the guy mockingly,”he wouldn’t even get in the academy.”
“Type shit Unnie.”
“Yeah, type shit.”