Summary: Eunwoo dreads the day Bin legally turns into an adult. 

Morning: Third Monday of May 2017

"We should do something different for Bin's coming of age day." Jinjin suddenly declared from his place on the dorm couch. "None of the traditional stuff we did before with Eunwoo when he turned into an adult."

Not surprisingly, Myung Jun echoed his sentiments enthusiastically from his perch on the kitchen counter while snacking on a bowl of cereal. "I agree. Let's break from tradition this year. What do you have in mind?"

"Well, I was thinking of going clubbing. There's this -"

"Wait a minute. I'm the one who's turning into an adult. Why don't I get to choose what we're going to do today?" Bin muttered, feeling annoyed that the band elders were discussing plans as if they were already carved in stone without consulting with him first. "Maybe, I like having things done traditionally."

Jinjin dismissed him with a wave of his hand, lips curling. "Traditional is boring. You turning into an adult is a very good excuse to go out tonight. Even manager-nim can't say no since we're supposedly on hiatus."

"And if I don't want to go?" Bin grumbled. It was so typical of the two oldest members to use any excuse so they could to do something theywanted. He didn't appreciate having his coming of age day being used as a smokescreen for their devious plans.

"Why would you not want to go?" Myung Jun was looking at the oldest member of the group's maknae line like he sprouted a second head.

Bin frowned, shrugging. "I just -" He turned to his best friend, sitting cross-legged on the floor a few feet away from him. "Hyung, help me."

Eunwoo had been trying to ignore the exchange the entire time in the best way he knew how; by pretending to be so engrossed in the book he was reading for class. In truth, he had known of Jinjin's plans days before, the group leader having discussed the possibility of doing something different for Bin's coming of age with him first. According to Jinjin, he was trying to get a feel for what Bin would go for to celebrate being an adult by talking to his closest friend in the band. But Eunwoo wasn't as helpful as Jinjin thought he was going to be, refusing to offer any suggestion or any opinion about the ideas he came up with. By the end of their basically one-sided discussion, the group leader left him in a huff, mumbling about fuddy-duddies with no sense of fun.

"Why are you even asking for Eunwoo's help?" Myung Jun rolled his eyes in exasperation. "His idea of a fun celebration will be staying at home, gnawing on Hoshigi chicken and binge-drinking cola."

Eunwoo pressed his lips together, not allowing himself to rise to MJ's usual baiting. There was absolutely nothing wrong with a night of chicken and cola safely tucked within the confines of their apartment, right? No crowds to worry about. No persistent paparazzis or overzealous fansite owners to elude. No chance for ruinous scandals to happen. No chance for Bin to discover a more exciting life outside of ASTRO... and him.

"Eunwoo, hyung." Bin prompted him with a forceful nudge on the shoulder when he didn't react.

Outwardly, he appeared oblivious; his porcelain mask of a face remaining beautiful and blank. But inside, he was a quivering mess of guilt and fear. Guilt because if he sided with Bin, it wouldn't be because he thought his best friend's idea was what was best for him. It was going to be because it was what was best for Eunwoo and his selfish need to keep Bin attached to him. His initial reply to Jinjin's suggestion was proof enough that he exercised more influence over his best friend's thinking than he originally thought. And fear, because if he agreed with the band elders and supported the idea of a night out clubbing, the circumstances were going to be completely out of his control. There was no way of knowing how Bin would take to the crowd... the alcohol... the girls... What if he enjoyed it too much and kept wanting more?

"Bin, I think that -" Eunwoo's reply was cut short by the sound of the security door chiming open.

The two youngest band members burst in smiling and out of breath, pink-cheeked from being outside in the brisk air and still dressed in their school uniforms.

"Happy coming of age day, Binnie-hyung!" The greeting was delivered with such childlike aplomb, Bin couldn't help but smile back. Rocky handed him a bunch of pink carnations, more appropriate for Parents' Day than his own coming of age, but he loved them nonetheless. Sanha shyly chucked him a box of the green tea based cologne he had once admired from Jinjin's extensive fragrance collection. Now, he had his own bottle.

"Wow, thanks." He beamed at Rocky and Sanha, overwhelmed by their thoughtfulness. And then he frowned disapprovingly, " Wait. Why aren't the two of you in school?"

The two exchanged sheepish looks.

"Well, it's Hanlim's Foundation Day, remember? And lunch break came early so we -" Sanha attempted to explain, softening up the hyungs by reasoning out that they were technically not having classes anyway.

"Decided to play hooky?" Myung Jun finished for him, hopping out of his stool to walk towards the two, intent on delivering a tongue-lashing that would put them to shame. "If the school calls the agency..."

Rocky pursed his lips. Really, the older ones make such a big deal out of something so small. It's not like anyone would even notice they were gone. "We just ducked out to get Binnie-hyung gifts."

"I can gander a guess at who thought of this cockamamie idea." Myung Jun glared at Sanha's general direction, knowing the youngest's penchant for tomfoolery. 

Sanha was aghast. "What? Why me?"

"You -" 

"Well, so much for not keeping to tradition." Jinjin interrupted, rising from his seat and causing MJ to choke back on a invective he was about to blurt out. Rocky and Sanha froze mid-cringe thinking that Jinjin was going to join in their MJ-hyung's impending rampage, maybe even deliver resounding smacks on the backs of their heads. Strangely enough, the band leader seemed nonplussed by the two youngest members' little stunt when he would normally be blowing up in their faces by now. So intent was he on the thought of a night out that he was eyeing Bin's haul from the maknaes with amusement rather than disdain; never mind the fact they escaped from school to get them. "But then... Why not combine the traditional with the new?"

Bin glanced up at him, eyes narrowed in suspicion. "What do you mean?"

Jinjin tapped at his chin thoughtfully. "Hmmm. So you already got the flowers and the perfume. That's two of the three traditional gifts for your coming of age. All that's left is the kiss."

Eunwoo had to restrain himself from throwing his book at the leader's head. 

"Well, I-"

"That's it! We're definitely going clubbing! We'll get you your first adult kiss before the day ends!" Jinjin said in a tone that brooked no argument. He had a stubborn streak a mile long and the others knew that once he had made up his mind about something, there wasn't much they could do to change it. He was slow that way.

"But I -" 

"No, no buts. The adults are going out tonight!" 

"Clubbing? Can I come too?" Rocky smiled hopefully in the direction of their band leader. The opportunity to show off his dance moves in an actual club setting  was far too attractive an idea not to try asking to be included.

"I'm sorry. Didn't you hear what I just said? It's the adults  who are going out."

"But I look like an adult. You guys said so." Rocky countered.

"If Rocky-hyung gets to go, I should go too." Sanha butted in.

But the look Jinjin sent them shot their hopes down before they even took flight. "Not a chance. You're both grounded for playing hooky today."

Sanha bristled indignantly at being punished when their intention for leaving school was good. "But we -"

"Ah, come on hyung!" Rocky was flailing at the unfairness of it all.

Jinjin looked down on his watch, purposely ignoring their complaints. Beside him, Myung Jun had on one of his famous self-satisfied smirks. The lines on the leader's forehead deepened when he saw the time. "And you have exactly twenty minutes to get back to school before all hell breaks loose."

"Ah, geez."

Rocky and Sanha collided with each other in their haste to get to the door, both of them crashing down awkwardly on the floor from the impact. It was Rocky who managed to pick himself up first, pulling Sanha back on his feet and literally throwing him out into the hallway. There was another crash and a pained oof that was loud enough to be heard from where they were gathered in the living room; one or the other of the two probably falling down again at some point during their mad dash.

Bin threw Jinjin a look of pure disgust when he saw him giggling. "That was mean. They left school for me. That should count for something."

"In a perfect world, yes." Jinjin replied, completely unfazed. He was already whipping out his phone and going through his contact list. "Unfortunately for them, they don't live in such a world. Anyway, the rest of you, whatever it is that you have planned for tonight - CANCEL. I'm making the necessary arrangements."

Eunwoo somehow found the courage to protest, using the only reason he could at the time. There was no way he was going to get himself involved in this fiasco, even if it is for Bin. "I... I can't go. I have exams tomorrow."

"Pffft." Myung Jun countered. "You have exams everyday. And you always do well on them... everyday."

"But this is in a major subject. I can't just -"

"You're going." Jinjin declared with finality. "You're going because if you don't, Bin's not going and he's the reason why we're even going out in the first place."

"Hyung, we don't have to go. I'm fine just being here. We can order out and..."

"See? SEE!" Jinjin threw his hands up in the hair, the phone almost slipping from his grasp. "This is precisely the reason why we need to take you out. You're turning into Eunwoo. You're starting to think too much like him. Boring and staid. It's freaky!"

The so-called group visual flinched at the remark as if he'd been physically hit. Bin glanced at him in sympathy; hand reaching out to offer support. He stopped midway when he noticed his best friend inching away.

"I just don't see the reason why we should make a big deal out of this." Bin finally mumbled, withdrawing his hand, utterly frustrated that he was being made to feel like crap for offering a differing opinion. Being an adult was supposed to be about finally being heard; of finally being considered an equal; of finally being thought to be competent enough to make his own decisions. So why were those things being taken away from him?

That got Jinjin to blow up, glaring at the two best friends as if they were in a conspiracy to get him upset. "I swear I'm surrounded by ingrates. You're both going. Is that understood? Why I even bother educating the both of you in the ways of the world, I would never - " Their leader turned away, muttering curses under his breath and lamenting the lack of gratitude he got. He walked into the room he shared with three of the other group members, slamming the door closed in his annoyance.

"Now, look what you both did!" Myung Jun reared up at the best friends angrily. "I'm surprised at you Moon Bin. Your Jinjin-hyung and I don't do this for just anyone, you know? You can be a bit more appreciative." And then with a pivot that would have put any haughty supermodel to shame, the eldest member stomped his way into the room he shared with Jinjin, slamming the door a second time for good measure.

Left alone in the living room to ponder what just happened, Eunwoo felt the air between him and Bin grow hot and stifling. He knew his friend was looking at him, trying to gauge just how affected he was about what was said during the discussion. Eunwoo was aware that he was far too sensitive for his own good and often took badly to any criticism that was directed at him. He had never quite mastered the art of letting things slide.

"Hyung, I'm sorry you had to be dragged into this." Bin swallowed hard, peering at his band mates' face; gone too placid to be considered normal even by Eunwoo's own standards. Jinjin's words hurt and he knew they cut deeper than what his best friend was allowing himself to show at the moment. 

Eunwoo surprised himself by schooling his mouth into a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, but hoped it would at least comfort Bin's worries. This day wasn't about him after all. "It's fine. I'm going to go see what I can make for dinner. I don't want Rocky and Sanha having to fend for themselves while we're out." 

He rose shakily on his feet; telling himself that the tremors he felt were from sitting on the floor for a long time rather than the dread he felt for the night ahead. He sought solitude in the kitchen, finding comfort in the commonplace chore of cooking. Bin, blessedly, had the good sense not to follow him to try and engage him in another discussion about what had happened. Eunwoo didn't even realize he was holding his breath until he heard himself sigh at the sound of another door closing - this time of the room he shared with Bin. 

"I'm a good friend." He said to himself, hoping that by saying it out loud he would begin to believe that it was true. He was going to be supportive for Bin. For today, he was going to set aside his personal feelings and misgivings to make sure that his best friend had the time of his life. He was going to go through the rest of the day faking it. At least, it was something that he was already good at. Never mind if he was dying inside.

Late Evening: Third Monday of May 2017

"You look really nice." Eunwoo didn't bother reigning in his admiration at how his best friend was turned out for the night.

Bin had chosen to wear a red pullover made of the softest cashmere blend, black trousers with his Doc Martens and then topped the entire ensemble off with a soft, brown leather jacket that Eunwoo had loaned him. 

"I feel like a poser." Bin commented, gazing at his reflection on the floor-length mirror attached to their door. He hadn't really gotten used to the idea of dressing up; the group wardrobe kept mostly casual and comfortable by their stylists. He turned to Eunwoo, raising an eyebrow up at his clothes. "Are you really wearing that out?"

"Yeah. It's comfy." Eunwoo smiled as he plucked at his rolled up sleeves. Dressed completely opposite of Bin, he had donned black jeans and a dark-gray shirt that was way too conservative for a night out dancing. But Jinjin had given him very specific instructions to go dim when he took him aside to talk that afternoon. In Jinjin parlance, it basically meant do everything he could to recede into the background and not get noticed. It was to be Bin who was going to be the center of attention tonight. Eunwoo was to skulk in the shadows. Not a problem. He never wanted to be a spectacle anyway.

Bin's reflection showed him worrying at his lower lip, eyes dark and downcast. 

"What's wrong?" Eunwoo couldn't help asking.

"I remember last year when you had your coming of age day." He scratched at the back of his head embarrassed by the memories he dredged up. "We didn't prepare anything for you. I mean, not like this."

Eunwoo nodded. He didn't really want to think back on what he missed out on lest he felt sore or envious. Last year, was a very different time for all of them.  "Our circumstances weren't good then, Bin. A year ago, most of us couldn't even afford groceries let alone small luxuries like gifts or flowers."

Bin fiddled with the buttons on his leather jacket, avoiding Eunwoo's piercing gaze from meeting his on the mirror. "I know that. Still, we could have done something. I could have done something more."

They could have, yes. But the truth was that the others simply loved Bin more. It was just how things were within their group dynamic and Eunwoo had already resigned himself to the fact that he would always be second place to his best friend. It would be a waste of effort to even be upset about it. But there was something about his coming of age last year that made it special.

"I still have the drawing you made for me." Eunwoo grinned at the memory of the hastily scribbled token Bin had done for him on the spot. If not for the fact that they were broadcasting live at the time, he would have given him a bone-crushing hug for the effort.

Bin groaned covering his face with his hands. "You should have thrown that away, hyung."

"I keep everything you give me, Bin. Everything."

He wasn't exaggerating too. Eunwoo wasn't the type to hoard things, but refuses to let go of the various bits and bobs that Bin gave to him during the course of their friendship. He kept the scraps of paper where they scribbled notes to each other; none of the messages containing anything special in particular, but he enjoyed reading them again when he had the time. He tucked away the colorful candy wrappers; reminders of the times he or Bin managed to sneak in sweets into the dorm. He treasured the cheap, plastic toys, keyrings, buttons and postcards that Bin manages to pick up at novelty stores whenever he happened to wander on his own. That picture Bin drew of flowers and a bottle of perfume for his coming of age day meant the most to him. Sure, his best friend may have thought it was a joke at the time but to Eunwoo, the picture was a representation of what Bin had hoped to give him but couldn't, so he came up with the next best thing. To most, these items were negligible. And yet Eunwoo cherished them because in those moments when Bin was doodling on a piece of paper or buying worthless trinkets, he was thinking of him. Andthat was everything.

"I'm sorry I haven't been a better friend, Eunwoo. You deserved a night out like this too when you had your coming of age."

"Then you can enjoy this night for both of us." Eunwoo declared, placing his hands on Bin's shoulders as he stood beside him.

Bin reached up to entwine his fingers with those of his best friend. Being tactile was a habit they formed during the early stages of ASTRO, needing someone to serve as an anchor when it felt like the world was rushing past them in a pace they couldn't cope up with. Now, it was just comforting knowing the other was physically there. They stared at the image they cast on the mirror. Eunwoo couldn't help but think that they do look good together.

If only...

Frantic knocking on the door startled both of them. Bin the handle to reveal, their band leader smirking. He gave Bin's clothes an approving nod. "Not bad." Then Jinjin pursed his lips at Eunwoo, satisfied that for once he wasn't in danger of upstaging anyone with his presence as he was wont to do just by existing. "Are you two about ready to go?"

"I guess." Bin mumbled.

Eunwoo gave him an encouraging pat on the back. "You guys go ahead and wait for our Uber. I just need to talk to Rocky and Sanha and then I'll be down."

Bin suddenly looked alarmed, thinking it was some kind of ploy his best friend thought of to get out of the trip at the last minute. He grabbed at Eunwoo's arm, eyes wide with unspoken fear. "Let's go down together."

"What are you? Three? We're just going down to the lobby for the car I ordered. There's no need for a babysitter." Jinjin rolled his eyes.

"Oi! Let's go!" Myung Jun's booming voice carried from the hallway into their room. "The car will be here any minute!"

"Go on." Eunwoo nudged Bin forward, watching as Jinjin threw an arm over him to drag him out of the apartment. "I'll be quick."

Sanha and Rocky were in the living room sulking with their arms crossed over their chests when they passed. They had just finished the dinner their Eunwoo-hyung made for them and were now supposedly doing homework. Their school books were laid out at the coffee table with their notebooks and pens scattered over them, but the two youngest were too busy glaring their displeasure at being left behind to bother with school stuff.

Eunwoo cleared out a space on the table so he could perch there and talk to the maknaes face to face. "Look, I know you kids are upset at being left behind. But I have a surprise for you."

"You changed your mind?" Rocky piped up, face brightening suddenly. He exchanged a hopeful smile with Sanha. "We can get dressed in two minutes!"

"Eh well, no. You're still grounded." The scowl he got back from both of them came so alarmingly quick that had Eunwoo blinked, he would have missed it. "But I did order you guys some Hoshigi chicken. It'll arrive in a few minutes. Play nice with each other and share."

Rocky rolled his eyes. "We're not children, you know? Sanha and I can manage to act like civilized human beings when you guys are away."

"Didn't we just catch the two of you last night giving each other noogies when we arrived after buying groceries?"

"Ah well, that was -"

"Anyways..." Eunwoo took out his wallet, gathering the necessary amount for the delivery. "Here's the payment for the chicken." He handed the cash to Rocky for safekeeping. The faces in front of him brightened again considerably, knowing they had something yummy to look forward to. "I'm gonna go now, okay. You two will be fine here, right?"

Rocky and Sanha both nodded, but it appeared as if Sanha had something more to say.

"Sanha? What is it?"

"Hyung, if Bin-hyung doesn't want to go out clubbing, why does Jinjin-hyung insist he go? "

Eunwoo shrugged. "I honestly don't know."

He had a few ideas, of course. One, that Jinjin was just big bully, forcing his own ideas on to the rest of the members simply because he had some authority over them. Myung Jun acting as his deputy certainly didn't help any. Two, that Jinjin was feeling antsy being cooped up in the apartment and he needed a valid reason to go out and unwind and Bin's coming of age was a good a reason as any. Three, that the group leader was genuinely proud of having Bin turn into an adult and wanted the chance to show him off. The fourth theory, however, was something Eunwoo couldn't even begin to consider without feeling his heart race. He had known of Jinjin paying close attention to the relationships that were forming within the group dynamic. Maybe, the group leader had planned this excursion all along just to test his some of his suspicions?

"I have to go." Eunwoo stood, clutching at his back pockets to make sure that his wallet and phone were tucked where they were supposed to be. "Don't wait up, okay? You have school tomorrow."

"Nae!"

"Those left overs are to be packed neatly and then placed in the fridge, alright?"

"What leftovers? We plan to eat all the chicken." Sanha quipped cheekily.

Satisfied that the two youngest were going to be preoccupied with homework and enough food not to cause any trouble, he made his way down to the lobby. He found Jinjin currently in discussion with whom he assumed to be their Uber driver for the night. Myung Jun was checking on some messages on his phone, occasionally giggling to himself at something he just read. Bin had his head down, hands tucked inside the pockets of his jacket while he traced the tile lines with the toe of his boot. A large four-door luxury sedan was parked a few feet away from them.

"Ah, there he is!" Jinjin exclaimed. The driver went back inside the car to unlock the doors and the four of them filed into the vehicle. Jinjin rode shot gun while the other three were crowded in the back. "You will not believe where I got us into." He whipped around his seat to wink at them. "Club Octagon!"

They were impressed. Located in the fashionable district of Gangnam, the club is well-known to elite EDM  enthusiasts and it featured only the best local and international DJ's. The club also has a reputation for being popular with idols, some of the more famous ones even dropping by and having impromptu mini-concerts and raves within.

"How'd you manage that?" Myung Jun still sounded skeptical even if their car was already wending its way in the direction of Gangnam.

"Told the club host that we were from ASTRO." Jinjin replied matter-of-factly.  "Apparently, the manager knows who we are and... BAM! Personal invites for tonight!"

"Impressive, Leader-nim."

"Thank you. Thank you. I do try." Jinjin gave himself a congratulatory pat on the shoulder. "I can't wait to see which of our sunbae-nims might be there. Wouldn't hurt to promote intergroup relations. And oh, I heard the girls there are really... like REALLY hot!"

Bin, at least, seemed to be perking up; the enthusiasm of the two older members finally rubbing off on him. "It does sound cool, doesn't it?" He directed his question at Eunwoo, left hand automatically coming to rest on his best friend's right arm. His anchor.

Eunwoo smiled obligingly, somewhat bouyed up by the fact that Bin no longer appeared terrified at the thought of the night ahead. "Your first time in a club and you get to go to the best one. Definitely cool."

*******************************

They were expected. As soon as their car stopped in front of the club doors, a young woman teetering on impossibly high heels with a headset and a tablet approached the vehicle, peering into the tinted windows excitedly. She was escorted by a burly-looking bouncer who towered over her; all solid muscle with thick arms and legs. Jinjin emerged first and as soon as his blonde head popped out, several camera flashbulbs all went off at th