Chapter Text
Maki sank further into his chair, sitting beside Taki as the team was filming yet another content for their comeback.
He could see, the way Harua was being extremely touchy with Yuma in the front row. Even if he tried to ignore it, the two were way too loud and obvious.
And it annoyed him way too much. Because Harua would flinch if Maki even sat close to him.
He doesn’t understand, why Harua only avoids skinship with him. He remembers Harua being like that in their debut days, but then they got really close as well.
That was before Yuma stepped in, taking away Harua’s attention completely.
Maki hates it, way too much. Because there isn’t anything he can do about it. The members even ship Harua and Yuma. The famous ‘maruz’ couple was also liked by fans a lot.
Nicholas notices Maki’s expression, nudging his shoulder to whisper in his ear. “Bro, please smile in front of the camera”
Maki glares at him. “I am trying my fucking best”
“Guys stop talking” Euijoo mumbles, interrupting the two. “And Maki, stop staring at Yuma and Harua, you also missed your turn earlier. Pay attention”
Maki rolls his eyes, before eventually nodding. Nicholas laughs, slapping his shoulder because Maki just got scolded by their leader.
After filming was over, Maki walked over to Harua who was still in conversation with Yuma. Maki casually puts his arm around Harua, smiling.
Harua turns to him in confusion, before removing his arm. “Need something Maki?”
Maki’s face falls immediately, seeing how Harua physically distanced himself. He doesn’t understand why Harua avoids him like this, but is completely okay clinging to Yuma.
What is it that he doesn’t have for Harua to like him?
“Nothing I just think your hair looks good today” Maki compliments, putting up a smile.
Harua blinks. “Oh? Really? Thanks I guess” he then once again, starts talking to Yuma, forgetting Maki was there too.
Maki sighs, before stepping away. It was impossible to get Harua’s attention when Yuma was around. Maybe he should try later.
Once they get back to the dorms after their schedule was over, Maki casually walks into Harua, Nicholas and Euijoo’s room.
“Yo Nico bro” Maki says, walking over to his bed to sit down, while glancing at Harua who was scrolling on his phone, not paying attention to the two.
“Yeah bro?” Nicholas looks up at him.
“I wanted to get nail art done” Maki says, hoping that would earn him some attention from Harua because that guy loves getting his nails done.
“Oh really? You should ask Rua for designs” Nicholas says, pointing towards Harua. “He helped me pick out too”
Maki smiles immediately, internally thanking Nicholas for giving him a chance to talk to Harua. Maki nods, standing up to walk over to Harua’s bed. “Hey”
“Hmm” Harua says, still not looking away from his phone.
“Any suggestions for nail art?” Maki asks, moving closer to where Harua was.
Harua freezes for a moment, putting his phone down to find Maki close into his personal space. “What”
“Nico said you’re good with designs. Tell me what I should get”
“Do anything. It will look good” Harua says, shrugging before looking back at his phone.
Maki sighs, a frown forming across his face. Could Harua not show even the slightest interest in him?
“But I will do whatever you suggest me” Maki says.
Harua sighs loudly. “Do you really want my suggestions right now? It’s 11pm”
“Alright fine” Maki says, in defeat. “I guess I asked for too much. I ll choose myself then”
Harua is about to apologise, because Maki seriously seemed pissed but before he could get the chance, the guy had stormed out of the room, shutting it close loudly. Harua turns to look at Nicholas, who was just as confused as him.
Euijoo walks into the room, several minutes later. “What’s up with Maki? He looks like he’s going to murder someone today”
“He’s been like that since a while hyung” Harua says, trying not to feel guilty.
“Anyways, I am tired. Nico turn the light off” Euijoo says, walking over to his own bed, laying down.
“But I don’t wanna sleep right now” Nicholas replies. “Do you really need the light off”
“I need to sleep, I have mc practice tomorrow” Euijoo says, sighing.
“Ugh fine I guess” Nicholas says, groaning before he stands up to turn the light off.
After turning the light off, he is walking back to his bed when he stumbles against Euijoo’s bed in the dark, and ends up falling onto him.
“Oops, sorry” Nicholas says, trying to sound guilty.
“Your ass is not sorry” Euijoo exhales, trying to push him off but Nicholas wouldn’t budge.
“Be nice to me, or else I ll crush you in your sleep” Nicholas threatens, throwing his entire weight on the guy below him.
Euijoo turns red, blushing furiously as he tries to kick Nicholas off. “Bitch”
“I see, you want this?” Nicholas smirks, leaning down to be inches apart from Euijoo, whose eyes had gone wide. Even in the dark, Nicholas could make out the flustered expression on the others face.
“Seriously get off” Euijoo mutters, his ears feeling hotter.
Nicholas clings to Euijoo even more, earning punches and kicks across his body from the other. Harua sighs, shaking his head.
“These guys are flirting again. I wish I could change my room” Harua mumbles, putting his earphones in.
The next few days, were even worse for Maki. When he finally got his nails done, he showed them to Harua excitedly. But the other’s reaction was extremely dry.
“Oh you really ended up doing it” Harua says, not sounding very amused. “Well good for you I guess”
Maki frowns. “Hey at least have a proper look at them”
“They’re fine Maki” Harua says. “They are good”
Everyone in the team, gave him better compliments than Harua. Even the stylists and staffs showed more interest in him than Harua. At this point Maki, is fucking sick and tired.
One afternoon, he’s checking the group chat with his idol friends, only to find Matthew lore dropping something really insane.
Unique bros
Matt: guys yall won’t believe
Keeho: do we have tea here
Matt: insane shit bro
Ricky: 👀 it really is crazy
Matt: there’s this crazy shaman, who gave me a love potion the other day.
And I was like what is this bullshit it’s probably just fake
So I gave some to gunwook
And bro has been obsessed with me since then
Keeho: the fuck man? Gunwook had always been in love with u. The shaman is fake
Matt: no bro I tried it again, just in case cause I had my doubts gunwook likes me
I made Jiwoong hyung give the potion to Hao hyung, and since then Hao hyung has been in fucking love with Jiwoong.
Hanbin hyung is going crazzyyyyy because Hao and Hanbin hyung have been dating since ages but Hao hyung is crazy for Jiwoong hyung these days
Keeho: the fuck man, you’re breaking a couple apart for your amusement?!
Matt: chill I was just testing shit out. The effect of the potion wears off within a week
Keeho: I feel bad for hanbin tho
Maki stares at his screen for a while. A love potion? was this shit fucking legit?
There’s no way that’s real.
But if it broke Hanbin and Zhang Hao apart, then the shit must be fucking legit, because those two are like insane in love with each other.
Maki thinks hard about it. A potion which works only for 7 days? Which means it was harmless. It’s only a temporary thing.
He could…he could
Make Harua like him back, even if it’s just for 7 days.
At least those 7 days, Maki would get to feel what it would be like, to finally be loved by Harua.
He turns his phone back on, this time to directly message Matthew.
Maki:
Hey Matt, need more information on how to get that potion…
For educational purposes only…
A few seconds later, Maki gets his reply.
Matt: 👀👀👀
Sure bro
Maki sighs in relief, throwing himself back on his bed, rolling around. He was excited. These 7 days were about to be the best fucking days of his life, where his crush would finally give him some love back.
He thinks, it’s kind of pathetic of him to pull a move like this one, but in his defence, he’s fucking tired of going after Harua, and the other not taking the slightest bit of interest in his life.
So this was his final straw.
Even if it was a temporary thing, he wanted it.
Atleast for 7 days.
2 days later, Matthew sneaks into his dorm at night, delivering the potion to him.
“Whoever you’re giving this to, make sure they drink it before tomorrow or else it will expire” Matthew says, shoving the bottle in Maki’s hands.
“You sure this will work right?” Maki asks, raising an eyebrow.
Matthew lightly pats his shoulder, giving him a reassuring smile in return. “Results are 100% guaranteed. Your target will be locked and head over heels for you!”
Maki takes a deep breath in, looking at the bottle. This entire thing seemed extremely shady to him for some reason. “You sure harua won’t get hurt by this right? No weird side effects?”
Matthew playfully smirks at him. “Harua? I see bro” he nudges his shoulder, teasing him which turns Maki into a red flustered mess.
“Oh god” Maki shoves him. “Seriously, just tell me”
“He’s just gonna be love sick. Extremely clingy and there probably won’t be a minute where he isn’t obsessed with you” Matthew says.
Maki’s lips curve up into a smile. “Thanks Matt, you’re a life saver”
“Hope you enjoy” Matthew says, patting his shoulder before walking out the door.
Maki closes the door, to head over to the kitchen, only for his heart to drop to his ass, seeing Harua in there who looks up at him, with furrowed eyebrows.
“You’re still awake?” Harua asks.
“I could ask you the same” Maki says, nervously as he tries to hide the bottle.
“I was waiting for juju hyung” Harua says. “Nicholas keeps eating my braincells away talking about him. Hyung said he will be back in 5 minutes. I ll go inside then”
Maki nods, moving over to the fridge to place the bottle inside and walks over to stand next to Harua. “Are you gonna sleep after this?”
Harua sighs. “Just came here to make some orange juice for myself then I ll get to sleep”
Drink. Harua was making a drink. This was the perfect chance to mix that potion into his drink without Harua getting suspicious.
“Aren’t you tired though?” Maki asks.
“I kinda am” Harua says, his voice suddenly softer than usual which surprised Maki. “But I can’t bother everyone now-“
“I can make it for you” Maki suddenly speaks up. “Like I was here to make some for myself anyway” he quickly adds in.
Harua raises an eyebrow. “Can I trust you?”
“Of course” Maki rolls his eyes, pushing Harua away and out of the kitchen.
When Harua is out of his sight, he finally starts making the drink. Within seconds, he blends the juice, squeezing in oranges, and then starts pouring it out in two glasses.
Just when he’s about to head over to the fridge, the door to the dorm is swung open, making Maki’s heart drop to his ass. He puts a hand up to his chest, taking in deep breaths at Euijoo’s sudden arrival.
Euijoo blinks, staring at Maki. “Why do you look like you have seen a ghost? Do I look that wrecked?”
Maki panics, forcing a laugh. “Juju hyung!”
“You’re acting weird” Euijoo raises an eyebrow. He walks over seeing that he was making orange juice. “Woah, who is this for?”
“Harua” Maki says immediately.
Euijoo looks up at him, with a teasing smirk. “I see” he nods. “Can you make me some too? Please I need energy”
“Sure hyung” Maki says, putting up the most convincing-I-am-not-doing-anything-suspicious-in-the-kitchen-behind-everyone’s-back smile.
“Bring it in our room, luckily Harua lives there too” Euijoo says, winking before he walks over to their room.
The moment Euijoo disappears, Maki works fast. He immediately reaches for the fridge, taking the potion out and mixes it completely with Harua’s drink.
After emptying the bottle, he throws it away, leaving no signs of his suspicious activity.
He puts both of their drinks in separate trays, in order to not mix it, and takes them in their rooms, holding them both separately, making sure to place the right tray on Harua’s side.
He kicks the door open, walking inside. Euijoo was still getting changed, as Harua looks up at Maki’s arrival.
“Thanks Maki” Harua says politely. “You didn’t have to but you did”
Maki blushes, running a hand through his hair nervously after placing the trays down on their night stand. “It’s okay I wanted to. The right one is yours”
Harua nods. “Okay, thanks once again”
“Remember to drink the right one” Maki says once again, this time earning a suspicious eyebrow raise from Harua before he turns around and walks straight to the door, shutting it close immediately.
Harua watches him leave, before diverting his attention back to scrolling. Soon Euijoo walks out of the door, and Nicholas’s eyes were looking at him up and down.
“Stop staring, you idiot” Euijoo mutters, glaring at him.
“Your body looks nice” Nicholas compliments. “Sexy juju-“
Euijoo picks up a pillow, throwing it hard towards Nicholas who started laughing seeing the flustered look on Euijoo’s face.
His eyes fall onto the drinks on the night stand. “Finally, thankgod Maki brought them here already”
Euijoo reaches forward grabbing the drink with one hand and chugs it down almost immediately, making Harua look up at him surprise.
“Hyung, slow down” Harua laughs.
“It tastes a bit weird though” Euijoo says, gagging before putting the glass down. “Does the other one taste the same?”
Harua looks at the nightstand, to see that Euijoo had picked up his glass instead.
But it doesn’t matter, since the drink was same in both of the glasses. Harua picks up the other glass, tasting it. “It seems fine hyung”
“Maybe my tastebuds have expired” Euijoo says, sighing. “Anyways, I’ll still remember to thank Maki tomorrow. He’s really nice”
“Yeah, of course he is” Harua replies back.
“Okay, enough of Maki talk now” Nicholas cuts in. “Juju, you’re allowed in my bed tonight”
Euijoo whips his head towards him, grabbing another pillow before attacking him with it. Harua sighs watching the two. They did this every single night, and he’s tired of this.
Because they did all this flirting without being in a relationship.
A while after fighting Nicholas off, Euijoo was tucked in Nicholas’s bed, clinging to him as they both fell asleep. Harua gives him one final look before turning the lights off.
The next morning was extremely chaotic from the get go. Because the moment Euijoo opened his eyes, he harshly pushed Nicholas off from the bed, sending him to the ground.
The loud thud, wakes Harua up from his sleep as well, who sits up widening his eyes in panic looking at Nicholas who was on the floor, groaning in pain.
“The fuck juju” Nicholas sits up. “Alright I am sorry if I was taking too much space but you didn’t have to throw me-“
“Why were you clinging to me?!” Euijoo asks, anger and annoyance laced in his tone.
Nicholas blinks, confused by his tone. “Why are you mad? We almost sleep like this everyday-“
“Everyday?! I sleep with you everyday?!”
Nicholas turns to look at Harua, who was confused as well seeing the way Euijoo was behaving right after waking up.
“Juju” Nicholas sighs, standing up to move closer to Euijoo, who immediately backs away.
“I don’t want you near me” Euijoo says.
Nicholas was more than confused right now. Euijoo was completely fine last night, they were cuddling the entire night, and now suddenly Euijoo had a problem being near him?
“What’s wrong with you?” Nicholas asks.
“Where’s Maki” Euijoo asks, standing up from his bed.
Harua frowns. “Why are you trying to find Maki right after waking up”
“I need Maki. Right now. I need to see him. I need him-“
Harua stands up, grabbing Euijoo’s shoulders. “Hyung, relax”
“Tell me, where is Maki, right now” Euijoo asks, completely ignoring Nicholas who stood beside him, in complete shock.
“He must be outside hyung, in the living room having breakfast, get changed then you can meet him-“
Euijoo doesn’t wait but rushes to the bathroom immediately, shutting the door loudly leaving Harua and Nicholas frozen in their places.
Nicholas turns around. “Is it just me or he seems a bit out of his mind this morning?”
“Another one of his mood swings? Perhaps?” Harua says, sighing.
“Why is he trying to find Maki though” Nicholas says, in a barely audible mumble.
Maki was wide awake early today, because from day onwards till next week, Harua would finally show him some affection. He dresses up well, before stepping out of the room. Most of the members were up, chattering as they cooked breakfast.
He stands next to the kitchen counter, as K, Taki, Yuma and Fuma crowd near the stove.
He’s pulled out of his thoughts, when he hears the leader shout his name at the top of his lungs. Maki spins around to find Euijoo running towards him.
He widens his eyes as Euijoo jumps on him, wrapping his arms around him tightly almost making him loose balance.
“Hyung?” Maki asks, now carrying Euijoo by holding his hips up. “You alright?”
Slowly Harua, Nicholas and Jo follow, squinting their eyes at the scene in front. Even fuma and others were now looking at the way Euijoo was clinging to Maki in front of everyone like that, which was extremely rare.
“Maki” Euijoo says, in a soft yet slightly flirtatious voice, while still being carried by him. His hands move over to tuck some hair strands behind Maki’s ears, which makes him freeze.
Okay what the fuck was happening?
“Euijoo!” Nicholas calls out, walking up to them as his face falls. “What are you doing?”
Harua also stood there, his entire body stiff and feet glued to the floor in one place, rapidly blinking. What the fuck was wrong with Euijoo? And why was he suddenly all over Maki this early in the morning, flirting?!
Euijoo glares at Nicholas, before turning back to look at Maki. He jumps out of Maki’s hold, only to stand beside him and connect their hands together.
“Everyone, I have an announcement to make” Euijoo says.
Maki’s legs were starting to go weak. He looks around at everyone’s confused faces and then at Euijoo, who had a different glint in his eyes today. Everything was finally making sense to him. There was only one explanation for everything happening right now.
Harua didn’t drink the potion.
Because Euijoo had taken it instead. That was the only reason for this mad behaviour right now.
“From today onwards, I want everyone to stay the fuck away from Maki” Euijoo says, gripping Maki’s hand tighter. “Because he’s the love of my life, and I cannot stand anyone near the love of my life”
K slaps a hand to his mouth. “What the hell”
“Euijoo?” Fuma was even more surprised.
Maki shuts his eyes close tightly, regretting everything. No way he has fucked up this hard. Out of everyone, Euijoo had to drink it?
Because Maki was in deep shit now. He doesn’t know if this plan worked for Harua, but one thing is for sure.
Nicholas would kill himself in the coming 7 days.
Maki slowly glances towards Harua who somehow had the same look, which Nicholas had on his face right now.
“Maki” Euijoo turns Maki’s head towards himself. “Look at me okay. Only me. You’re only my boyfriend”
Maki gulps, a frown on his face. The love potion was actually pretty strong, because he could see the way Euijoo was looking at him right now, with his gaze full of love, lust and extreme desperation for the younger.
He could have had this all, with Harua. Only if he made sure that Harua drank from the right glass. He should have stood there and monitored it rather than leaving last night. How could he let something like this happen? This whole thing was extremely risky to begin with.
Euijoo had his arms wrapped around Maki completely, leaning himself onto him. Maki makes the mistake of accidentally meeting Nicholas’s eyes, who looked like he would break down into tears any moment.
“I am going back” Nicholas says, his voice barely audible before turning around to head back to the room. Taki tries calling him, reminding that everyone was about to have breakfast but Nicholas refused to listen.
Harua on the other hand, was speechless and frozen in one place. It didn’t make sense to him why Euijoo would suddenly be in love with Maki like this.
He thinks it’s a prank. So he steps forward to where the two are, grabbing Euijoo’s hand to pull him away from Maki.
“Euijoo hyung” Harua calls, not failing to notice the other’s annoyance at being separated from Maki.
“What”
“Can I talk to you?”
Euijoo rolls his eyes. “Talk here, in front of Maki. I am not leaving him”
Harua groans. “Hyung, what’s up with you? Are you feeling okay?”
“I am perfectly fine”
“Why are you suddenly in love with Maki today after waking up? Is this a prank or something?” Harua asks, annoyed.
Euijoo widens his eyes, before laughing. “You think my love for Maki is a joke? Let me prove to you that it’s not!”
Harua’s mouth hangs open as Euijoo steps back to pull Maki against him. Almost everyone is shocked to their core when Euijoo places a hand on Maki’s face, pulling him in for a kiss.
Maki panics, putting a hand on his mouth as Euijoo inches closer with eyes wide. “H-hyung what are you doing”
Euijoo pulls Maki’s hand away from his face. “What? I need to prove Harua that my feelings for you aren’t a prank-“
“Euijoo hyung this isn’t necessary!” Harua speaks up. “Stop this”
“You have a problem?” Euijoo tilts his head sideways to look at Harua. “I like him, and you can’t stop me if I want to kiss him”
Maki internally wants to slap himself, because this was only turning into a bigger mess. He grabs Euijoo by his neck, turning him towards himself. “Hyung–let’s not do stuff like that in front of everyone okay?”
At Maki’s answer, Harua’s jaw drops before he looks back at the others standing there in disbelief. “Did you all know they’re dating?!” He’s asks everyone while pointing towards them.
Harua feels hurt suddenly. Were Euijoo and Maki a thing already and only he didn’t know? All along he thought Euijoo likes Nicholas, but here the truth was far from that.
And apparently it seemed as if Maki liked Euijoo too, because why else was he saying this to Euijoo right now.
And now he doesn’t understand why Maki was all around him, when he actually likes Euijoo instead.
“Trust me we also found out today” Taki adds in, putting a hand on Harua’s shoulder.
Luckily, Euijoo had his inkigayo schedule, so he had to leave. Maki releases a breath which he had been holding the entire time, when Euijoo finally gives him some physical space.
Harua glances at Maki, before turning around to also go back into his room, refusing to look at Maki any longer.
He doesn’t understand why he’s feeling like this, he couldn’t even explain the feeling into words.
But he felt uncomfortable by whatever was happening.
Maki steps out into the balcony, immediately pulling out his phone to dial Matthew’s number.
He needed a solution for his fuck up because there’s no way in hell he could let this happen for 7 days straight.
This would ruin his potential chances with Harua, and also..
Nicholas was suddenly shutting himself out, refusing to talk to anyone. Maki thinks it’s all his fault, for being selfish. He was ruining things for others because of his selfishness.
Matthew finally picks up his call. “Sup bro”
“Matt, everything is fucked up”
“What do you mean?”
“Someone else drank the potion instead of Harua, everything is a mess at our place” Maki sighs.
“Wait what?! How could you be so careless about this bro. Who drank it?”
“Euijoo hyung”
“Oh fuck” Matthew gasps. “So now what’s the situation, he’s smitten with you?”
“Not only smitten, he thinks I am his boyfriend. And it’s ruining my chances with Harua completely”
“Shit man” Matthew says.
“Is there anyway to undo the potion? Like any other potion which could wear off its effects?” Maki asks, hopeful.
“I don’t know bro” Matthew replies. “Can’t you handle Euijoo as your boyfriend for like a week? How bad would it be-“
“Bro! Nicholas is losing it completely. And Harua also had a very weird reaction to us this morning! I cannot let this happen for a day even!”
“Maki, at least give me some time then. How the hell am I supposed to magically fix all your problems. I told you to be careful with it”
“Do something Matt, I am literally so stressed right now!” Maki says, releasing another exhausted sigh.
“Ricky and I will go and visit the shaman soon, but you would at least have to wait till tomorrow for any kind of response” Matthew says.
“Alright thanks man” Maki says. “Please contact me as soon as you can”
He puts the phone down sighing loudly, but the moment he turns around he almost jumps seeing Taki standing there leaning against the wall with his arms folded.
Fuck. Did Taki hear him?
“Maki…what exactly did you do?” Taki says, his voice serious as he walks over to him.
Maki laughs nervously. He is so fucked. “How much did you hear?”
“You tried giving Harua some potion but Euijoo hyung drank it instead” Taki replies. “What the hell are you trying to do?”
Maki facepalms loudly, before shutting the door to the balcony before anyone else could over hear them. He drags Taki away from the door, making him sit on the floor next to the railing.
He starts explaining the entire situation to Taki, since he was busted anyways. He tells him that Matthew had told him about this love potion which could make the drinker fall in love temporarily.
“Are you that desperate for Harua’s affection?” Taki asks. “You were seriously going to make him fall for you in this way?”
“What else could I do” Maki says. “I like him a lot but he doesn’t give two shits about me”
“Did you ever think that if you ended up giving the potion to Harua, and let’s say he did show love and affection towards you for 7 days, what would you do after that? The spell is going to wear off eventually, wouldn’t it hurt you more?”
“I just want to experience it once!” Maki says, exhaling a frustrated sigh. “It hurts me even now too, it wouldn’t matter”
Taki sighs, patting his shoulder. He was starting to feel bad for Maki now, because he seemed helpless.
“So what now? Euijoo hyung is in love with you instead” Taki says.
“I know” Maki facepalms. “It’s a huge mess”
“I wonder how Nicholas is holding up” Taki adds, still patting Maki’s arm. “Anyway, what’s the solution? Or are we going to see hyung flirt with you for the next 7 days?”
“Waiting for Matthew’s response. He will look for some solution”
“Nico hyung” Harua says, pulling the blanket from over Nicholas’s head who was curled up in bed, tear stains on his face. “The hell is wrong with you”
Nicholas sniffs, pulling the blanket over him before he starts crying again. Harua sighs, sitting down on his bed.
“Can you at least stop crying? Why are you even crying?”
“Euijoo likes Maki” Nicholas cries, his voice cracking. “Euijoo is in love with Maki. My heart is hurting so much”
“Forget them hyung” Harua scoffs. “They didn’t even bother telling anyone they were dating. Sneaky shits”
Nicholas for some reason, cries harder, clutching the fabric of the blanket in his hands tighter. “I can’t see it, I think I will die”
Harua silently watches the way Nicholas was crying his eyes out. He felt bad for him, because Euijoo was seriously mean for playing with Nicholas’s feelings like that, only to be dating Maki.
And Harua, feels enraged now. How could Maki even agree to date Euijoo? Almost everyone knows in the team that Nicholas and Euijoo have something for each other. No one dares to break them apart.
And Maki had the audacity? He also had the audacity to give Harua the impression that he was interested in him. He mentally scoffs at the thought.
Maki was pathetic.
Harua stands up, patting Nicholas’s arm. “Stay strong hyung, please don’t cry”
He turns around to walk out of the door. He feels like strangling Maki right now, for playing with other’s feelings like this.
They had online fan calls to attend today. Maki had his usual seat beside Harua. They both make eye contact before Harua looks away.
It was pissing Harua off for some reason, the way Maki was so unbothered right now, after ripping Euijoo apart from Nicholas like that.
Nicholas was forced to attend the fan call too, with swollen eyes. Harua feels bad for him, he didn’t deserve that.
“Harua can you pass me the marker?” Maki asks after his fan call, since he needed to sign the album.
Harua glares at him before grabbing the marker and throwing it towards him with full force, hitting his arm.
“Ouch” Maki frowns. “What’s wrong with you”
Harua doesn’t reply, but just glares at him. Just then, Euijoo arrives back and skips all the way to Maki.
What Harua didn’t expect, was Euijoo straight up sitting down on Maki’s lap, in front of everyone. From across the room, Harua could see the way Nicholas’s face had lost all color. Harua himself, was also getting extremely annoyed by their PDA.
“H-hyung can you get off?!” Maki panics, turning red.
“Why? I missed you so much” Euijoo says, leaning towards his face.
Harua feels his heart’s pace quicken all of a sudden. Because the two looked like they were about to kiss right now in front of everyone.
A weird sinking feeling starts pooling in his gut, which he doesn’t understand at all. The sight was uncomfortable to watch surely.
But he couldn’t figure out the exact reason why it was completely throwing him off, seeing them like that.
The rest of their schedule, is spent like that. Euijoo requested the staff to place his seat beside Maki so he could hold his hand.
Nicholas meanwhile, was feeling more and more sick by every passing second. Thankfully his calls ended first, and he immediately excused himself from the scene.
How Harua wishes he could leave too, because it was extremely unpleasant to see the way Euijoo was cheesing out right now, being next to Maki.
Maki meanwhile, kept spamming texts to Matthew asking for any update on the solution as Euijoo held one of his hands beside him.
When it’s time to sleep, Euijoo forcefully drags Maki to his own room.
“Hyung, I won’t be comfortable please” Maki pleads.
Euijoo holds him tighter. “What are you saying? We will sleep together Maki”
“Your bed is too small” Maki tries reasoning.
“Then that’s great. We can cuddle up” Euijoo says, winking at Maki before pulling him inside.
Harua and Nicholas both turn their heads towards the two at their arrival. Harua’s heartbeat starts fluctuating, seeing the scene in front of him.
Euijoo was holding onto Maki tightly, dragging him towards his bed. Nicholas who was trying his hardest to ignore it, finally stands up from his place.
“Euijoo, you can stop it now” Nicholas says, grabbing Euijoo’s hand to make him face him.
Maki stands there, shutting his eyes close for a moment as he face palms. He should have told Nicholas about the love potion.
Euijoo cocks an eyebrow at Nicholas. “Stop what?”
“Acting like you’re in love with Maki. You’re trying to make me jealous right? It worked okay. Now please stop it” Nicholas pleads.
Euijoo laughs. “Why would I want to make you jealous? What is wrong with you Nicholas?”
“Because it’s obvious we both like each other!” Nicholas says. “I am admitting it first okay?! Fuck my ego, I like you Euijoo”
Euijoo stood there unaffected and unamused. “Okay? Does that change a thing for me? Maki and I are still together”
Nicholas stares at him in disbelief, stepping forward to yank him towards himself.
“Stop playing with my feelings Byun Euijoo!”
Harua in the meanwhile, stands up from his place to drag Maki out of the room, while Euijoo is distracted with Nicholas.
Maki is dragged out until they’re in the living room, which is completely vacant at this hour. Harua pants hard, finally releasing Maki’s wrist harshly.
“What the fuck are you doing!” Harua shouts at him.
Maki blinks, trying to register Harua’s tone. “Why are you shouting?”
“You’re hurting Nicholas” Harua glares at him. “Stop playing your stupid little games Maki!”
“I am not playing any game Harua!” Maki defends.
“What’s this whole you and Euijoo hyung dating drama? What are you both scheming?”
“We’re not scheming anything-“
Harua steps forward, grabbing Maki’s collar. “You really like getting attention from everyone right. I wasn’t giving you much so you chose Euijoo hyung instead”
Maki’s eyes widen before anger envelops him. “Of course. You weren’t giving me, I had to seek it from someone else!”
Harua is surprised at his words. He was hoping Maki would apologise for whatever he was playing at, but he didn’t expect the other to admit it.
Harua was beyond hurt now. He could physically feel his chest hurt right now.
“So I am easily replaceable?” Harua asks, scoffing. “Or maybe perhaps I was just a backup you know, in case the Euijoo hyung plan didn’t work-“
“What the fuck” Maki mutters.
“And now that it did” Harua says, as hot tears glaze in his eyes. “You’re finally happy”
“Why are you making yourself the victim?” Maki shouts at him, causing Harua to flinch. “You don’t care about me, and now that Euijoo hyung is openly showing me affection, which something you can never do, you’re bitter about it!”
Harua releases a humourless laugh, shaking his head. “Who said I don’t care about you?”
Maki pauses, to blink. “You don’t”
“Forget it” Harua says, stepping back.
“No” Maki grabs his wrist, pulling him towards himself until their faces are extremely close. Harua’s pupils go wide at the sudden proximity. “Tell me, do you even care about me? When have you ever shown me an ounce of affection?!”
“I am not an expressive person!” Harua says.
“Just with me” Maki scoffs. “You will stick around with Yuma, Jo, Taki and others. But if I am close to you, you fucking hate it!”
“Because I don’t know how to act around you!” Harua shouts back, staring up at Maki who stood there frozen, rapidly blinking.
The moment Harua realises what he said he takes a step back, heat rushing to his face.
“What is that supposed to mean?” Maki asks, tilting his head down.
Harua shoves him away, before walking off. Maki keeps calling his name but Harua storms back into the room, shutting the door loudly, only to be met with Euijoo and Nicholas arguing.
“I am telling you one last time Nicholas, I don’t fucking like you. Maki is the one I like and am dating so stop whatever nonsense you’re saying right now!”
Nicholas’s eyes were full of tears, as he finally gives up arguing with him. He sniffs turning around to head over to his bed. Euijoo scoffs, glaring at him before he grabs his pillow to head over to Maki’s room.
It’s already the next day, and still there’s no response from Matthew. Maki looks to his side to find Euijoo pressed against him. He sighs, putting his phone down.
Everything was still a mess.
He detaches Euijoo from himself to get changed and head out. The moment he steps out, he finds Nicholas leaning against the kitchen counter, his hair a mess and eyes swollen.
He quietly walks over, tapping his shoulder. Nicholas meets his eyes, and his expression turns into an angry and irritated one all of sudden.
“I didn’t expect this from you” Nicholas says, his tone cold. “I thought you knew, how much I like Euijoo and still-“
“Hey hold up” Maki grabs his arm, which Nicholas harshly releases, looking at him with hatred. “I know how much you two like each other and trust me I am not breaking you guys apart”
Nicholas scoffs. “Seriously fuck off, you’re worst than an enemy”
“Nicholas! Can you hear me out!” Maki raises his voice in frustration.
“I don’t need any bullshit reasoning. Everything is in front of me” Nicholas says, staring at him with his eyebrows furrowed. “Thanks for being a really good best friend, and stealing away the guy I love”
He hits Maki’s shoulder with his own as he storms out of the kitchen back into his own room. Maki grabs a fistful of his hair, leaning his weight on the kitchen counter before groaning loudly.
“The fuck is this mess”