Chapter Text
Chan was no stranger to pounding headaches, thrumming in his head like club music. His time as a stupid eighteen-year-old had well acquainted him with such afflictions to the point where they had become a necessary factor to his daily routine. Popping aspirin was just as natural as brewing coffee.
However, Chan hadn’t been eighteen for a long time - something he resented being reminded of. This, of course, meant mornings like this served as a grim reminder that Chan hadn’t been that age for seven years. Mornings like this when a jackhammer was persistently drilling into his temple or his brain was pooling into soup in his skull.
Another thing that felt in line with eighteen-year-old Chan was the presence of another body in his bed. This was less of a grim reminder. Chan hadn’t woken up to someone else, except for Chaesun, in an embarrassingly long time. As the body next to him stirred, he felt last night's events defog in his mind.
“Are you sure about this?” Chan muttered, squinting at his reflection in the mirror as Felix gripped his shoulder. The younger boy scanned over Chan’s features, pursing his lips slightly before swaying over to his make-up bag. Changbin watched from the doorframe, a smirk playing on his lips which he attempted to cover with a mug of herbal tea.
“I’ve never been more sure about something in my life,” Felix answered, fishing out a collection of products and laying them out on the bathroom counter, “Well… this and asking out Binnie-hyung.”
Changbin blushed, sipping his tea quietly. Chewing on his lower lip, Felix began his ‘work’ and spoke as he went, “But, yes, I’m positive. Every guy in there is gonna want a piece of you.”
“This,” Felix said, motioning to Chan’s whole face and then the collection of products, “is a guaranteed lay.” He inspected his shades of foundation, trying to match them as best as he could to Chan’s complexion. He eventually settled on one which Chan agreed was the closet and started to apply.
“I love how your main mission is to get me laid,” Chan admitted, watching Felix complete the task at hand. Finishing up with the foundation, Felix stood back and tutted. “When was the last time you fucked, Channie-hyung?”
“Yeah, I don’t need to hear this,” Changbin declared, exiting the room. Felix chuckled slightly, “Acting like a prude as if he didn’t fuck me on the couch last night.” As Felix spoke, he raised his voice to make himself heard. The slam of their shared bedroom door punctuated the conversation as Felix turned back to Chan. “So?”
“I… um... I can’t really remember. I think it was with Sehun,” Chan answered truthfully, feeling his face heat up. Felix didn’t laugh, only a look of pity forming on his face.
“That long?” The blonde boy whispered, scandalised, before reaching for the concealer. Inspecting Chan’s face once more, he added some concealer to a few of Chan’s blemishes. “Look, Chaesun is God’s gift to mankind and I love her with all my heart-”
“But?”
“But… kids are the biggest cockblocks. You don’t want to be blowing someone’s back out whilst worrying if your daughter is gonna burst in the room. How did you and Sehun even manage anyway?”
Felix placed the concealer back into his bag, muttering ‘perfect’ under his breath. Chan thought for a second before replying, “We either did it super-fast or when we knew she was asleep.”
“That is so very sad, hyung. You’re twenty-five years old not fifty,” Felix teased, grabbing some blush, “Where’s the spontaneity? The passion? It’s my duty as your best friend to make sure you live a fun and exciting sex life.”
“I didn’t ask you to do that,”
“And yet, here I am doing it because I am such an amazing friend,” the younger boy pointed out whilst swiping a brush over the blush, “Operation: Get Chan Laid is in your best interest really and there is literally no foreseeable downside. You either a) get laid b) get drunk c) get a well-deserved break or d) all of the above. And, I might add, Chaesun is dealt with because of her amazing godfathers Felix and Changbin offering her a fun night in with us. What could go wrong?”
“You kill my daughter,”
Felix could only gasp in horror. They continued to talk as Felix did Chan’s make-up. By the time they were done, Chan had partly accepted that Felix did have some form of a point and even if he didn’t get laid, he still was getting a break from parenting duty. Looking in the mirror, Chan admitted that Felix had done a damn good job with the make-up and felt a little more confident about tonight. It wasn’t over-the-top, a look that Chan would’ve hated, instead understated, and showed off Chan’s piercing eyes. Felix had also added a few sparkling gems under his eyes, something Chan had initially protested but was now coming around to. What he hadn't come around to was Felix's suggestions of wardrobe, deeming Chan's clothes as 'way too straight' before suggesting a crop-top. Chan immediately declined and after a few minutes of discussion, Felix had pulled out a pair of leather pants Chan never wore and insisted he wore them. They did look good though, Chan couldn't deny that and after another fight against the crop-top, Chan had opted for a simple white shirt to go with. It was slightly oversized and, when partially unbuttoned, showed off Chan's chest nicely.
“Hey, Binnie! Can we get an outsider’s opinion?” Felix hollered, leaning against the bathroom counter, and slipping his make-up products back into the bag. The brown-haired boy entered quickly, his eyes widening as he saw Chan.
“Wow,”
“Hot, right?”
“Really hot. I’d fuck you, hyung,”
“I’m right here,” Chan whined, a smile breaking out at how nonchalantly Changbin had said that “And so is Felix.”
“No, he has a point,” Felix added, smirking, “If you weren’t you, I’d climb you like a tree.”
“Gee! Thanks for that, Lix,”
♫
Annoyingly, Felix had been right about the make-up. He’d been painfully accurate because right now, there was an insanely attractive man talking to Chan at the bar and buying him a drink. His hair was parted neatly at the middle with brown bangs covering piercing cat-like eyes and his soft pink lips were contorted in a charming smirk. He’d come up a few minutes before, lingering but not speaking. Ordering a drink and taking overt glances towards Chan. He wanted him to know he was looking, that he was interested. Chan was interested too, seeing the boy's graceful movements on the dance floor and the way his clothes hugged his sculpted body. It was the choker that had sealed the deal though, the band of black fabric emphasising his Adam's apple perfectly. Something so simple yet so incredibly attractive. And then, he’d walked up.
“I’m Minho, by the way,” the man added, grinning and meeting Chan’s eyes.
“Chan,”
The music around them was so deafening that Chan couldn’t make out exactly what Minho had said after that, but it sounded along the lines of ‘pretty name’. Chan shrugged it off as the bartender came back with their drinks - two rum and Cokes. Chan didn’t particularly like the drink, but Minho was paying and after a while, the taste would become arbitrary.
“I really like your make-up,” Chan definitely heard that as he nursed his drink. He could feel his ears heat up at the compliment. Minho seemed to notice the slight flush and slid himself slightly closer to Chan.
“Thank you. It’s… uh… I didn’t actually do it. My friend...he’s really good with make-up,” Chan explained, laughing nervously in response to Minho gradually closing the gap between them. He took another long sip of his drink.
“Some friend,” Minho quipped, “If only my friends would do my make-up that good… or at all.”
Chan’s mind could barely catch up with his mouth as he uttered the next words, “I think you’re more than alright without the make-up.”
He wasn't lying. Minho's bare face was gorgeous, his skin practically untouched save for a few beauty marks.
“Is that so?” The grin widened.
The shots he’d done at Felix and Binnie’s as well as the vodka tonic he’d started with were starting to take hold of Chan. He felt bold now. He wasn’t in the mood to tip-toe around the subject with subtle allusions.
“You’re really beautiful,” Chan admitted, not meeting Minho’s gaze. He watched as the other boy’s feet stepped closer to him and felt his hips brush with his.
“Someone’s forward,” Minho hummed, snaking his fingers against Chan’s hand, “Is it alright if I’m forward too?”
Chan felt his heart quicken as Minho finished speaking, his voice low and smooth. The way he spoke was utterly intoxicating to Chan. Taken aback, Chan nodded and swallowed hard. Minho turned his body towards the other boy and leant into his ear.
“Dance with me,”
“I’m a terrible dancer,” Chan resisted, leaving Minho to chuckle before he grabbed Chan by the wrist and led him to the floor. “Well, you’re in luck ‘cause I just happen to be an excellent teacher.”
♫
The way Minho moved on the dancefloor was a sight to behold. He allowed the music to completely overtake him and flow through his body, moving with ease yet precision. Chan felt completely stiff next to him and wondered as to why Minho was still dancing with him.
He felt ridiculous.
“Loosen up,” Minho suggested, pulling Chan closer to him, and guiding the uncomfortable boy’s hands onto his hips, “Don’t think, just do.”
“Easy for you to say,” Chan answered, “You’re at home here,” Minho smirked, spinning around, and melting into Chan’s body. “I guess you’re too pretty to also be a good dancer. But you’re not terrible either.” Their bodies pressed flush against one another with Chan gasping at the sudden and intense contact.
With the help of alcohol, inhibitions started to melt away and soon, the two boys were dancing in unison. Minho stayed pressed up against Chan’s body whilst Chan kept his hands tight on Minho’s hips. The more confident boy’s loose shirt had started to slip off his shoulder, revealing his collarbone. The skin gleamed under the pulsing lights and Chan couldn’t resist. Despite being a little taller, Minho had lowered his body so that his neck was directly in line with Chan’s mouth. And so, Chan leaned in, kissing Minho’s neck softly at first.
“That’s more like it,” Minho laughed, a small gasp escaping his lips as Chan began to suck at the skin. They continued like this with the music blaring around them and Chan being intent to leave a mark on Minho’s golden complexion.
“I couldn’t help myself. Sorry,” Chan confessed, pulling away from Minho’s neck. The taller boy turned back to face Chan, pressing their hips together tightly and whispering, “Don’t apologise for doing something like that. Just kiss me instead.”
It would’ve been rude to decline.
♫
The events of the evening began to blend themselves together and before Chan could realise it, he was unlocking the door to his apartment with Minho following closely behind.
As soon as the door shut, Minho latched himself back onto Chan, kissing him needily. Stroking his waist, Chan motioned for Minho to jump up. The boy obliged, hooking his arms around Chan’s neck and his legs around his waist. Chan held him up, silently thanking that he still regularly worked out, and led him towards his bedroom.
“I want you so bad,” Minho groaned, sinking into Chan’s mattress as he was lowered down. Chan hastily undid the buttons to Minho’s shirt, reassuring, “Only a little longer, baby.”
“Baby,” Minho laughed, testing the word on his tongue, “I like that.”
That was about the last thing Chan could really remember. Obviously, he remembered having sex with Minho, and even if he didn’t Minho’s sleeping body next to him was an indicator, but not in much detail. He could recall how it felt, how Minho sounded and how much he’d needed it. Not much else.
“Morning,” Minho said softly, rolling over to face Chan, “You been up for long?” Chan shook his head, stroking Minho’s hair gently. His brown hair had become spiky from the way he'd slept and it was... endearing? Someone so intimidating and confident last night looked so unbelievably cute right now. The other boy melted into his touch, laughing to himself.
“What?” Chan asked.
“Nothing… just got deja-vu?”
“You do this often?” His tone was playful, still running his fingers through Minho’s hair.
“Not particularly. Only with the attractive guys,”
Chan admitted that he could get used to this, seeing Minho like this but Felix’s words echoed in his mind.
“Whatever you do, Channie, don’t get attached. This is just a one-night stand.”
“What if I really like him?”
“If you do this right, you’ll barely know him.”
He did barely know Minho. The more he thought about it, the weirder it was. He knew Minho’s name, his age, which was twenty-four, and that was about it. Despite that, he’d still seen Minho naked, he’d still had sex with Minho. He tried not to dwell on how backwards it felt to him. Maybe, he wasn’t cut out for hook-up culture.
Minho had been his litmus test. And yet, Chan didn’t want to end this experiment so soon.
“Is it okay if I have a shower before I go?” Minho asked, sitting up and stretching his arms. Chan nodded, “That’s fine. Oh… um… do you want me to cook you anything?”
Minho clambered out of the bed, turning to Chan, and shaking his head. “Don’t worry. I’ll be out of here soon.”
Chan rolled onto his back, sighing quietly to himself. Minho entered the bathroom and soon after, the familiar noise of the shower filled the room.
Minho was true to his word, having a quick shower and slipping on last night’s clothes with ease. As he grabbed his phone from the bedside table, an idea suddenly sprouted in Chan’s mind.
“Could I… Could I get your number… maybe?” Chan cringed as he spoke. Maybe he shouldn’t say the first things that come to mind. Minho looked awkward, before giving a pitiful smile.
“Look, Chan,” he began, and Chan knew where this was headed, “You’re really sweet and… last night was great… but this was a one-time thing for me.”
“No, don’t worry, I understand,”
“Sorry,”
With that, Minho left the way he’d been carried in. Chan collapsed back into his bed with a grunt and buried his face into his pillow.
“Idiot,”
After a few minutes of wallowing in humiliation, the familiar chime of a notification snapped Chan back into reality.
Jisung [10:12]
hyung, don’t hate me but…
...we’re really short staffed today and i told soyoung that you could fill in
Chan let out an irritated whine. He’d been hoping to spend the day reading scripts his agent had sent him as well as nursing the hangover he’d received. Listening to Jisung prattle on when he was in a good mood was patience testing enough so Chan wasn’t eager to find out how it felt when he was hungover.
Jisung [10:12]
she said she’d pay you extra if you helped out
That helped sweeten things a little. Running his fingers through his hair, Chan began to type his response.
You [10:13]
I’ll be there at 11, okay?
Jisung [10:13]
YOURE A LIFE SAVER I LOVE YOU HYUNG
♫
The instant Chan entered the backroom to grab his apron, Jisung enveloped him in a forceful hug. The older boy grunted, softly returning the hug before re-adjusting his dark sunglasses.
“What’s with the eyewear?” Jisung asked, removing his arms from Chan’s body, and leaning back against some cardboard boxes, “Has the weather gotten better?”
It hadn’t.
Chan rubbed the back of his neck, looking down the hall to see if it was just him and Jisung. “I went out last night.”
“Ah,” Jisung nodded, turning to exit the backroom before stopping in his tracks, “Wait! You? Chan? Went out? To a club? And are hungover?”
His voice raised an octave in surprise as the situation washed over him. Chan immediately went to shush Jisung as a wide grin broke out on the younger’s face. “I will literally kill you if you keep talking so loud.”
“Sorry,” Jisung answered in a stage whisper, “It’s just… you never go out, hyung. You’re like allergic to nightclubs.”
“It was Felix’s idea,” Chan explained, regretting he’d even said yes to coming into work today, “It was part of his big mission to get me laid.”
“Did you?” Jisung leaned in close, desperate for an answer. He was beaming with a wide giddy smile.
“That’s none of your business,”
“Boo, you’re no fun,” Jisung sulked, backing away from Chan, “What are workplace friends for if not for sharing sexual conquests?”
“I didn’t conquer him,” Chan replied without hesitation before realising where’d he gone wrong. Jisung’s eyes widened and his jaw slacked.
“So, you did!” the younger boy exclaimed, giggling to himself. As he was about to ask a follow-up question, a timer on his phone chimed.
“Looks like we better get out there, Ji,” Chan pointed out, grabbing an apron off a peg, and tying it around his waist, “And, I’m about ninety per cent sure sex talk isn’t really encouraged around customers.”
“Lucky for you, hyung, I am master of the metaphor,”
Chan could only dread what this shift was going to entail.
♫
“So, this country you conquered, how hot was it?” Jisung asked as the customer he’d been serving walked over to their table. Chan stopped cleaning the counters to roll his eyes and reply, “Excuse me, Jisung?”
“This country,” he grinned, opening the cash register, and slipping a few notes in, “How hot was it?”
“I’m not playing your games,” Chan snapped back, spying a customer, and strolling over to man the register, “How can I help you, ma’am?”
Jisung hung back, taking over Chan’s job of cleaning the counters and listening out for the woman’s order so he could begin making it.
“God, hyung, for a guy who spent all of last night conquering, you sure are acting like a pacifist,” Jisung teased, hearing the words ‘caramel macchiato’ drift from the woman’s lips. Thoroughly accustomed to making the drink, Jisung waltzed over to the milk steamer.
“That’ll be 5000 won,” Chan smiled, taking the woman’s money, and placing it into the register, “It’ll be right with you.” Walking past Jisung, he leaned in to whisper, “You are the most unprofessional person I’ve ever worked with.”
“If you tell me what went down, I’ll stop,” Jisung reasoned, watching the milk closely as he steamed it whilst Chan moved over to the espresso machine.
“Quit holding my job hostage,”
“Dramatic much?”
Chan turned back to stare daggers at Jisung who was finishing up with the milk. Fed up, Chan left Jisung to finish making the drink whilst he went to clean up some tables. As he left, he turned back to Jisung, “I’ll tell you everything after I’m done with these tables,”
Jisung beamed back pleasantly before continuing with the drink.
♫
“His name was Minho,” Chan began, scanning his eyes over the people enjoying their coffees, “We met at Opal.”
“And you fucked,” Jisung finished, eliciting a heavy, world-weary sigh from Chan. “Yes Jisung, we fucked. Are we done now?”
Chan looked over to Jisung, expecting the answer but not fully ruling out the other possibility. The younger boy only shook his head, thinking for a moment before opening his mouth again. “Was it any good?”
“You are such a pervert,”
“That’s not an answer,”
“Yes, he was good… he was really good,” Chan answered, feeling his face burn up, “He was really sweet too and my god, he was just… breath-taking.”
Chan could feel Jisung’s smirk. Leave it to him to talk about a one-night stand and get all gooey-eyed. Even if he didn’t want to admit it and was trying his best to take his mind off it, Minho had done something indescribable to Chan.
“Did you get his number?” Jisung questioned, spying a customer walking in and his face brightening, “Oh! Let me take this?”
“You never offer to ta-,” Chan began, his eyes flicking over to the entrance, “Oh… and no, I didn’t get his number.”
Of course, Jisung would want to take this one. The moment Chan spied the head of blonde hair, he understood why Jisung was so eager.
Latte Guy.
A nickname coined by Jisung after the drink he always ordered. He was a regular here, stopping by every day to get a latte and when it was his shift, to be bombarded by Jisung. Chan watched from afar as Latte Guy walked up to the counter, a smile growing on his face as he recognised Jisung was working the counter.
“Heya!” Jisung chimed, flashing his signature grin to Latte Guy, “The usual?”
“You know me too well,” Latte Guy shot back, sliding the money over. Jisung took the money and Chan spied the completely not obvious way Jisung brushed his fingertips over Latte Guy’s hands. Jisung would not shut up about those hands and, after Jisung had drunk a little too much, he would not shut up about what he wanted those hands to do to him.
“You say that, but I don’t think I even know your name,” A development, Chan noted. He pulled his phone out, pretending to text someone as he listened intently to their conversation. Despite all his annoying habits and unbearable snark, Jisung deserved to find love with the undeniably handsome guy with a latte addiction.
“Well… Jisung,” Latte Guy began, leaning in to read Jisung’s name tag, “I’m Hyunjin.”
“It’s nice to properly meet you, Hyunjin,” Jisung grinned, his smile painfully wide which he was desperately trying to downplay, “I’ll get your latte right to you.”
Hyunjin chuckled lightly, his eyes crinkling into credits, with Chan noticing a light blush playing on his cheeks. He quietly said goodbye and walked over to find a table.
“Just go over there and ask him out already,” Chan advised as Jisung walked up to him, his eyes glinting with sheer unabashed joy.
“Are you stupid, hyung?” Jisung blurted out, immediately minding his volume and quieting down, “We’ve literally only spoken about coffee. He would be so weirded out.”
“I think he likes you too,”
“Do not say that to me,” Jisung warned, “I will die right here.” The younger boy turned to watch as Hyunjin sat down at his table and mindlessly flicked through his phone. “He’s just so pretty and all I wanna do is hold his hand and cuddle him.”
“I distinctly remember you saying you wanted to do something else to him last Saturday,” Chan teased as he watched Jisung’s face flush. The younger hit him playfully before beginning to make Hyunjin’s latte. Chan thought it was hilarious how much care Jisung put into the latte as if Hyunjin would notice if the milk measurements were an ounce off.
“Anyway, we’re getting distracted from your night with Minho,” Jisung reminded Chan, then suddenly panicking as he realised he’d screwed up a measurement. Gently pouring some milk out, he turned to Chan, “Go on.”
“Well… I asked for his number this morning, but he just gave that usual spiel about it being a one-night stand and all. It was really awkward… I could tell he was uncomfortable by the whole thing,” Chan relayed, cringing internally as he recalled the morning’s events, particularly Minho’s smile that seemed so filled with pity.
“Ouch, that’s rough, hyung,” Jisung sympathised, continuing his precise preparation of the coffee, “If I could play Devil’s Advocate though, the whole ‘no strings attached’ thing kinda comes with a one-night stand and a number definitely is a string.”
Chan nodded in agreement, a fact he knew deep down and probably should’ve kept in mind when thinking about asking Minho for his number.
“I don’t think I’m cut out for this whole thing,” Chan speculated, running his hands through his hair, and looking off into the distance, “You have sex with someone, and you share such an intimate part of yourself with them and then you just kinda have to leave. I find it weird.”
“I know you have a kid, but you sound middle-aged,” Jisung laughed, adding the finishing touches to the latte.
“I think I’m just old-fashioned about things,” Chan responded, rolling his eyes at Jisung’s teases, “Besides, I think I really liked what little stuff I knew about him.”
♫
“I met someone last night,” Minho admitted, slotting his dance clothes into his bag. He’d always been cryptic with his relationships, especially with Seungmin, but in recent months, he’d felt the desire to talk more openly. Reconnecting with Seungmin had potentially spurred on this sudden change in character. The past was the past and Minho wanted to be a better, less closed-off version of himself. Seungmin was definitely under that philosophy. After getting a few coffees and catching up, Seungmin had introduced Minho to his boyfriend, Jeongin. Minho hadn’t even felt the jealousy he thought he would’ve felt. He mostly felt happy that Seungmin had found someone to make him smile again. That’s all he really wanted for Seungmin.
“That’s good,” Seungmin said, eating his lunch politely on the couch, “Where?”
“Opal,” Minho answered, zipping his bag shut and walking over to join Seungmin on the couch. He was surprised Hyunjin hadn’t mentioned it to Seungmin, it was his idea after all.
"You and your hand have been in a very intimate relationship this past year, Minho, but you should get out there. Flirt, fuck, french, whatever you want,"
"I'm not sure, Jinnie. Is it best to go into the deep end straight away?"
"This isn't the dating pool... this is like the hook-up jacuzzi. Completely different things,"
"If you say so,"
"Seungmin moved on... you should too. How long's it been since you hooked up with someone?"
"I'm not answering that... And, I don't need to move on from Seungmin. It's not like I've remained celibate since we broke up. I'm just not looking for a relationship right now,"
"Is that really the truth or are you just scared? Just go out tonight. For me? There's no obligation for you to actually sleep with someone, but think of it like it's a push in the right direction. Get back out there,"
"Okay, but if my kidneys get stolen, I'm blaming you,"
The younger boy gave a knowing look to Minho after his answer.
“So, you slept with someone, hyung?” Seungmin clarified, a grin playing on his lips.
“What makes you say that?” Minho questioned, nabbing a piece of food from Seungmin’s place, and looking guilty as if Seungmin had caught him in the act.
“Because I’ve been to Opal and I’ve slept with people at Opal,” The younger boy responded matter-of-factly, “If you go to Opal, you’re looking for to get laid.”
“Did you meet Jeongin at Opal?”
“No, I met him at the library,”
“Minnie, that’s downright filthy,” Minho laughed whilst Seungmin scoffed, finishing his meal, and sliding it onto the coffee table. They fell into a comfortable silence for a while. Silences like this had been unbearably awkward for Minho a few months ago, but he’d grown to find something pleasant in the silence. Seungmin’s presence was comforting. That was something Minho had known for a long time. He’d had many comfortable silences with Seungmin.
“I just wanted to get back into that whole ‘world’... that’s why I went to Opal,” Minho finally spoke up. Seungmin nodded, understanding Minho’s predicament. He was the person who could understand the most.
“Well, it sounds like you certainly got back into that ‘world’,” The light-brown haired boy stated, “What was his name?”
“Chan,”
“Do you want to see him again?” Seungmin inquired, standing up and grabbing the plate before wandering over to the kitchen. Minho’s eyes followed him as he went.
“No, of course not,” Minho quickly replied.
“That bad, huh?” Seungmin burst out laughing, placing the plate inside the dishwasher, and briskly washing his hands.
“No… not like that. It’s just… well, you of all people should know,” Minho explained, his voice growing quieter and more reserved. He could feel Seungmin’s eyes on him, most likely a troubled look on his face.
Silence fell between the two again, but this felt much more charged than the previous.
“Are you okay, Minho?”
The older boy’s head whipped up from his lap at this question. He was unsure what Seungmin was implying from it. His tone suggested worry but what was there to worry about? Minho was perfectly fine.
“Of course, I am… Why?” Minho answered, looking a little confused. Seungmin strolled over to the sofa and placed a comforting hand on Minho’s shoulder.
“I just want to make sure you’re okay,”
♫
Chan watched the doors to the school impatiently, drumming his fingers on his steering wheel. Sighing and leaning back into his seat, he reached over for his phone.
You [16:15]
Are you sure you dropped Chae off at the right school?
Felix [16:15]
of course
what kind of godfather do you think i am?
You [16:15]
Okay, okay.
Just double-checking.
Oh, wait. Here she is now.
Chan slipped his phone into his pocket and gave a beaming smile towards the little girl exiting the school. She was dressed in ballet clothing, with a baby blue backpack swung lazily over her shoulder. Chan’s expression faltered as he saw how she was walking, head craned at the floor and moving slowly. Unlocking the car, he gave a soft smile as she opened the door and clambered in.
“Hey Sunshine,” he hummed, “Is everything okay?”
Chaesun didn’t answer, a frown stretched over her face. Twisting his body, Chan grabbed a chocolate bar from the back seat and waved it near Chaesun. After a few shakes, she gingerly took the bar and started to unwrap it.
“We don’t have to talk if that’s what you want,” Chan compromised, sticking his keys in the ignition, and watching his rear-view mirror as he prepared to reverse, “But, can you at least tell me you’re okay?”
“I’m fine,” She sulked, biting into the chocolate bar, “My ballet teacher is being a-”
“Chae… we don’t call people names,” Chan warned, looking over to his daughter and raising an eyebrow. Chaesun rolled her eyes before taking a deep breath and correcting herself. “Ballet class is really unfair.”
“How come?” Chan inquired, turning out on the road. Chaesun leant over to switch on the music system, turning it on quietly. A smile broke out on her face as a Twice song began to play throughout the car. Chaesun was an avid Twice fan and Chan was starting to pray for his wallet with the amount of merch and albums Chaesun would ask for each birthday.
“He kept making me redo moves in front of everyone. And he was so mean about it,” Chaesun explained, huffing and sitting back in her seat, “Nothing I did was good.”
“That’s not true,” Chan quickly said, looking over to the deflated little girl, “Your mommy was a really great dancer. It’s in your blood.”
“You’re not… maybe I’ve got your blood, dad,”
“I’m just gonna pretend I didn’t hear that. Anyway, do you want me to talk to your teacher?” Chan suggested, scanning Chaesun’s face for a reaction. She simply responded with a shrug and said, “I guess.”
“I won’t if you don’t want me to, Chae. I just want you to enjoy your classes.”
“Okay… just don’t be weird.”
Chan scoffed at the snarkiness his daughter was exhibiting. He assumed Felix had been teaching her this when he left him to babysit. Rolling his eyes, he replied, “I’ll be super grown-up about it.”
♫
After dropping Chaesun off at school. Chan decided that it would be the perfect time to talk to her ballet teacher. Whipping out his phone, he shot a quick text to Jisung.
You [08:24]
Hey Ji, I gotta sort some stuff out with Chae’s teacher so can you tell Soyoung I’ll be late?
Jisung [08:25]
got it hyung! (👍 ͡❛ ͜ʖ ͡❛)👍
Chan smiled at the little flourish from Jisung, exiting his car and walking towards the schools’ dance studio. It was a relatively small building about a minute walk from the main school building. Chan strolled along a small pathway, sandwiched between neatly manicured lawns and colour-coded flowers. He was pleased that he’d managed to get Chaesun into an elementary school that was so aesthetically pleasing. If they took this much care about how their exterior was, they were probably doing the best with their teaching. Well, except for this one dance teacher, but Chan would set that right.
Pushing open the door to the dance studio, Chan entered a small modern reception area. A man sat at the desk typing, looking up at Chan.
“How can I help you, sir?” He asked, giving his perfected salesman smile.
“I was wondering if I could talk to the ballet teacher you have here. I’m not sure when his hours are but if you could arrange a meeting that would be great,” Chan explained. The receptionist nodded and spoke up again, “Well, you’re in luck. He just got in. I’ll go ask him if he’s free. Just have a seat there.”
He motioned to an uncomfortable-looking grey couch to the left of the desk. Chan thanked the receptionist and sat down as he walked off to get the teacher. As he presumed, the couch was thoroughly uncomfortable with scratchy cushions that had no give. Hopefully, he wouldn’t have to be here long. Chan could hear the receptionist’s muffled voice as his phone chimed in his pocket.
Felix [08:32]
how’d the meeting go?
You [08:32]
Just about to have it.
Felix [08:33]
don’t be too mean, channie-hyung
you can be scary sometimes
You [08:33]
I’m going to be perfectly civil.
Felix [08:33]
i doubt that
“He’s got a spare few minutes if that’s okay,” the receptionist said, tearing Chan’s eyes away from his phone. Chan stood up and nodded. “That’s perfect. It won’t take long.”
“Great! He’s just down the hall to the right,” the man explained, motioning to a hallway on the right of the room. Chan thanked him again and set off down the hallway.
Stopping at the door to the ballet room, Chan peered in through the small window. His eyes settled on the back of a brown-haired man, looking at his phone. Chan knocked politely, hearing a muffled ‘come in’ from the man inside.
As Chan entered, the man turned to face him, meeting eyes, and freezing instantly. And then Chan froze too. He recognised those eyes. He’d started into those eyes. He knew those lips. He’d kissed those lips.
“Chan. What are you doing here?” Minho asked, looking incredibly uncomfortable. Chan probably looked as dumbstruck as he did.
This had to be some sick joke.