the curtain falls (i can't catch my breath),

and my feelings grow complicated (i breathe out),

did i mess up today?

it didn't take long for word to spread throughout the company. by then, even the idols were bustling about the rumors. there were skeptical looks being thrown around everywhere, people sizing each other up to see if anyone looked off. as if being gay meant you had a big fat sticker on your forehead. jiyoo couldn't help but feel pressured as he watched the boys perform on stage. he didn't want anyone to pay any particular attention to them, but it was the three's last stage so that idea sunk quickly.

there were many congratulatory praises towards the vocal line for their "without you" promotions. as much as jiyoo was proud of the rookies, he couldn't help but want to coddle the two boys from any stares. unknowingly, he found himself asking his colleague to drive the couple home right after they had finished their day, staying behind with taeil just so they could be out of harm's way. 

once the boys left for the dorm with red velvet, jiyoo's shoulders dropped in relief. the probability of the two boys being outed had lessened considerably, and he couldn't thank his female coworker any more without her feeling burdened. with taeil by his side he soon sent the boy off to the waiting room after an interview to return his stage clothes and change. 

there was a celebration at home and he still had a list of things to get in preparation. he wanted the youngsters to have something to remember for their very last stage, and he thought gathering all the rookies together and having a party would be the best idea after a rough few months. he was waiting outside the door when a phone call came from jeno and he walked away momentarily.

"did your hyungs get home safely?" he asked right away, pacing down the hall.

"yes but we need lettuce and peppers," the boy informed with a bit of urgency.

"hyung, can you get us soda too?" came what sounded like mark's voice.

he was soon intercepted by yuta and there was a bit of shuffling before he heard the other's voice, "appa!"

"i told you not to call me that," jiyoo groaned. he turned and saw some members from exo entering taeil's room and he waved to them in a friendly manner before turning his attention back to his phone. "what is it now?"

"appa, we need peppers and garlic," yuta said after a long wait.

back inside the room, taeil was looping his belt around his jeans. chanyeol plopped on the couch with baekhyun by his side, restings his arms comfortably on the top of the sofa.

"you guys worked really hard. it showed," baekhyun spoke up, all smiles. "all of your training wasn't for nothing."

taeil felt his ears burn at the compliment. it was true. he had worked his off to get where he was, and he doubted anyone else deserved the praise more than him. although he was quiet, he heard everything. he trained and trained until his vocal chords grew tired, and then he would sing some more. he lived for the stage and he woke up every day to use his voice. he finally made it.

"thank you," taeil said bashfully.

"you guys couldn't have ended promotions at a better time," spoke chanyeol with a smug smile. "something big is about to drop in the company."

taeil used a makeup wipe to remove the thick foundation off of his cheeks, sporting a perplexed look. "what do you mean?"

"it's probably gonna be bigger than your guys' yuzhi scandal!"

he saw baekhyun elbow him in the gut, the other boy giving him a sharp look afterwards. taeil couldn't help but feel a bit ashamed at the talk of their group's scandal. it wasn't the first time something bad broke out about them, and they were still just starting out. though, he couldn't hide his relief at the thought of having something bigger cover it all as a scapegoat. 

without taeil even asking, chanyeol leaned forward and continued, "are you ready for this?"

"yah, why are you trying to gossip right after the kid's show?" came an annoyed baekhyun.

"hush. he's part of the company so he should know! it'll affect him too when the stocks go down." chanyeol hissed and turned back to the newbie. "word is that there's a gay couple."

taeil paled but took a seat next to the man, eyes wide. "you're kidding! managers or..?"

"you guys gossip like a bunch of middle-aged ladies," baekhyun groaned, walking out the door. "i'm out."

chanyeol, seeing his partner in crime exit, began rushing to get the information out. "idols! two guys, can you believe it? kind of gross. my manager posted the picture in our group chat.."

the man fiddled with his phone before pulling the picture up. taeil took it with both hands and inspected it, feeling goosebumps rise on his arms. there was something oddly familiar about the highlighter beanie one of the boys wore, but he couldn't pin it on anyone just yet. even the thought of it had his body shivering from the thought of someone being so brave and doing that out in public, two guys no less!

chanyeol pocketed the device and stood up after his work was done, saying one last thing before leaving, "let's keep an eye out for those queers. fighting!"

taeil threw his fist up as a cheer before the other left his room co