Chapter Text
ZEN:
Anyone here?
ZEN:
My director just called.
ZEN:
I got an awesome new part with some famous actress…
Jaehee Kang has entered the chatroom
ZEN:
Sound girl or something…?
Jaehee Kang:
Hello.
ZEN:
Hey, are you ready for my next musical? The recording will air on TV!
Jaehee Kang:
(excitement emoji)
To see Zen’s perfect acting
Jaehee Kang:
And beautiful voice
Jaehee Kang:
In such HD and perfect audio?
MC has entered the chatroom
MC:
A new role? That’s amazing!
Jaehee Kang:
I hope you’ll watch it with me, MC.
ZEN:
Since the special isn’t live, I can watch it with you.
Jaehee Kang:
Maybe we can make a viewing party?
707 has entered the chatroom
MC:
Awesome!
MC:
God Seven has graced us with his presence~~!!
707:
7
707:
0
707:
7!!!!!
ZEN:
(… emoji)
You two are ridiculous.
707:
(large font) You’re doing a production with…
707:
The one and only
ZEN:
Just say it.
707:
ECHO GIRL?!?!?!??!?!?!?!
(love emoji)
ZEN:
Echo girl! That was her name…
Jaehee Kang:
I think I heard something about her somewhere.
Jumin Han has entered the chatroom
Jumin Han:
Hello.
ZEN:
Ugh. I was just feeling better about myself.
MC:
Did something happen?
707:
You don’t think you have MCDS, do you?!
Jaehee Kang:
(… emoji)
Jumin Han:
(… emoji)
ZEN:
I’m not Yoosung;;
ZEN:
Anyway, what do you guys know about ‘Echo Girl?’
Jumin Han:
I believe she might have done some modeling for C&R a while ago.
Jumin Han:
Assistant Kang, check our records and find everything you can about her.
ZEN:
Don’t send Jaehee back to work on her break!!
Jumin Han:
This shouldn’t take more than ten minutes, right, Assistant Kang?
Jaehee Kang:
(sad emoji)
Yes, Mr. Han;;
Jaehee Kang has left the chatroom
ZEN:
Jumin Han, I can’t believe you! You’re a terrible boss!
MC:
I think Jumin’s just trying to help… But it might be a bit far;;
Jumin Han:
Thank you for your understanding.
ZEN:
It’s still not alright for Jaehee;;
ZEN:
I have to go now;;;; It was nice talking to you, MC.
MC:
Bye! We’ll be cheering you on while you rehearse!
ZEN:
Gosh, you really are cute;;
707:
(love emoji)
ZEN has left the chatroom
Jumin Han has left the chatroom
707:
Lolol they left
MC:
I wish they’d stop fighting…
707:
Yeah. But what can you do? They’ve always been like this.
MC:
Why so serious, Seven?
707:
Just got a lot of work
MC:
Then eat some HBC!!!
707:
I almost forgot about the
707:
Honey
707:
Buddha
707:
Chips!!!!
MC:
Go! Talk to you when you finish!
MC has left the chatroom
707 has left the chatroom
In the glow of the computer screen, Saeyoung set his phone down next to the keyboard. He looked at the code scrolling in front of him and sighed. Procrastination was always an option.
“What’s wrong, brother? Aren’t you going to do your job? Or should I do it for you?” Saeran’s voice came from the doorway. Taking a sip of tea, he leaned against it casually. The material of the chair shifted as Saeyoung turned himself around. Procrastination would have to wait.
Ever since Saeran had come back from Magenta, things had been a bit strained between them. Of course, all the therapy was helping them both, but it was still a rocky path to recovery. They each had their quirks, and it took some adjusting, especially when they got in their weird challenges. They were both talented with computers, so they sometimes raced to see who could hack some system faster (with MC as their referee, of course). The three of them had become unsurprisingly close. MC matched Saeyoung’s silliness and Saeran’s gentleness easily. She was no mediator, though; she seemed to bring out the qualities each brother appreciated in the other.
“I’m good, but thanks,” his breath caught and he paused, “What do you think of MC?” He tried to check in on Saeran’s relationship with the RFA members as much as possible (he couldn’t exactly have his brother ruin the RFA’s dynamic), but his questions were never this direct. He probably just blurted it as he thought of MC.
“Kind of sudden, but okay. She’s nice… I suppose.” Saeran looked away and took a swig of tea. The arm holding the tea cup crossed over his body. Ahh, defensive… Interesting. 2048 will have to wait, more fun to procrastinate by talking to Sae, Saeyoung thought. He faked a surprised gasp and put his fingers to his temples. Saeran glared at him as he brought his mug back to waist level.
“What the hell are you doing?”
“Reading your mind using our twin telepathy,” Saeyoung said, grinning widely, “I can sense you’re lying!”
“About what? She is a nice person.”
“That’s not all you think about her, hmmmm? Am I right?” Saeyoung smiled even wider and dropped his hands. This was so much better than boring code.
“Yeah. I think she’s understanding,” Saeran scoffed.
“Aaaaand? What else?”
“Nothing else.” He dared to prod further.
“Yeah, right. And the sky’s green.”
“Just drop it.” His face twitched in irritation.
“Oh, come on, we both know you’re not saying something. You can tell your favorite brother!” The need to distract himself had faded, but his curiosity about Saeran’s actual opinion had only grown. What was he hiding?
“I SAID, DROP IT!” Saeran’s face was twisted into an angry shout. Have I gone too far…? Saeyoung wondered, reeling back. Something was engraved deep in Saeran’s expression; his posture was offensive, sure, but his eyes looked awfully defensive. Something occurred to Saeyoung.
“Do you have a crush on her?” Saeran looked like he was about to explode. Whether he was ready to shout up a storm or tell him the truth, Saeyoung had no idea. Just when Saeran had opened and closed his mouth for the third time in a row, trying to say something, he stormed off.