As the months passed, Daniel and Changjo became closer. Changjo didn’t try to come close to Daniel, but they always ended up together. He still kept hearing those three words over and over again, but he pushed them away.

They had been practicing and rehearsing for their new mini album. They have spent most of their days either in the recording studio or the dance practice room. Daniel was helping Changjo to sing his part, even though it wasn’t much, but he always felt bad when he always ends up singing so much. He hears Ricky complain about him singing so much, and even though Changjo doesn’t say anything, he can tell that he wants more as well.

They are becoming closer, but Changjo notices that Daniel is becoming even more secretive. Minsoo and he are always missing together, and when he looks for them, they are nowhere to be seen. Despite that, he feels like he is becoming closer to Daniel and the rest of the group as well, but even more so with him. He feels like now he is truly seeing how childish yet mature he can be.

“Why do I have to do this?” Changjo rolled his eyes as he looked over to Daniel who was sitting in the salon chair next to him. “Why can’t I keep my straight hair?” He whined. Changjo couldn’t help but chuckle at his hyung acting like a child.

“If you don’t like it, why don’t you tell Andy?” Daniel sighed and let his arms fall. “And haven’t you gotten a perm before?”

“I don’t want to disappoint him.” He then started to twiddle his fingers. “I know that Andy wants me to have curly hair for the comeback, but I just think that it won't look right since he wants full on curls.” Changjo didn’t say anything. He waited for Daniel to continue. “What if it looks ugly and people hate me for it?” Daniel shrunk into his chair, regretting his words. Changjo was left a little dumbfounded. He had always worried about his own appearance, but he never thought that Daniel would worry about his own. He always acted confident around the cameras and even at the dorm. He felt weird. He put his hand on Daniel’s shoulder and waited for Daniel to look at him.

“Niel,” he stopped himself, “Daniel. It does not matter what happens to your hair. Our Angels will love you no matter what and the group will still be okay with it. You’re not going to change your face, height, gender, just your hair. After a while, they’ll straighten it anyway.” Daniel sat there for a moment as he let a small smile grace his lips. He then started to laugh before poking Changjo.

“Why would they change my gender, silly?” Changjo smiled and laughed along too. He didn’t like to see Daniel sad; he loved it more when he smiled.

“What if they ask you to be in a drama, but say that you have to be a girl?! Then you would have to change gender!” Daniel couldn’t help but to fall into a fit of giggles at the maknae’s words. Changjo laughed as well, and poked at Daniel.

“Why would I change my gender for that!?” Daniel asked, trying to level his laughter. “They can just put me in a bunch of make-up and edit the footage. Why would I even take that job?!” Changjo laughed as well. He knew that, but he just wanted to make Daniel laugh.

“You wouldn’t need that much make-up, you look pretty as it is.” Daniel’s laughter stopped, but before he could say anything, the stylist came in.

“Are you ready Niel?” She asked. Daniel merely nodded before looking forward. Changjo didn’t leave though; he just stayed and kept him company.

-*-

“What happened to your hair?” Asked L Joe. Chunji came and looked before falling into a fit of giggles. Minsoo couldn’t help but laugh as well. He was looking at his own son looking like a poodle, and even though he didn’t want to, he laughed as well.

“You look like a poodle!” Ricky pointed and lay on the floor and kicked his legs in the air. Changjo glanced over at Daniel before lightly tugging him to Daniel’s room.

“I told you it would look ugly,” Daniel said lowly. Changjo didn’t know if he should say anything, or more so, he didn’t know what to say. He watched as Daniel slowly slid to the floor before letting his head hang back and hit the door. Changjo just sat, and waited to see if he would move. He didn’t cry though. In all this time that he has known Daniel, he has never seen him cry. He doesn’t know why he expected him to cry this time, if it as just his hair.

“Will it help if I shave my head?” Daniel’s head snapped up and he stared at Changjo dumbfounded, eyes wide and mouth slightly agape. Changjo’s face was serious though.

“What is wrong with you?!” Called out Daniel. Changjo didn’t respond, he just stared straight at Daniel. “Just because I don’t like MY hair doesn’t mean that you should get rid of yours.  Sure, it’s sweet and all, but it’s also stupid.” Daniel shook his head. “What made you even think of that?” Changjo merely shrugged and looked away, trying to prevent a smile from growing.

“I can try for a GD look, you know, how he shaved his head?” He made a quick motion above his head and looked at Daniel who was looking off into space. “What?” Daniel quickly shook his head.

“I’m trying to imagine you bald. Don’t do it.” He then went on to laugh. Changjo laughed as well, happy to have Daniel smile again.

“We haven’t eaten yet,” Changjo mentions. Daniel nods as realization hits him, but his face was hesitant. “I’ll get us some food; you just wait here and make it comfortable to eat.” He nodded before Changjo got up and left, leaving Niel smiling like a fool.

“His hair!” Changjo twitched as he heard Chunji and Ricky continuously laughing. Neither L Joe nor Minsoo were in sight. “What were they thinking?!” Changjo quickly came up behind Ricky and grabbed him firmly.

“What’s wrong?” Chunji asked. Changjo just turned his angry glare towards his hyung. “What’s up with you?” Changjo squeezed Ricky’s shoulder tighter, causing him to flinch and whine.

“Let go, Changjo!” He didn’t let up though. He just leaned down and whispered lowly.

“He didn’t want it, Andy asked for it. It wasn’t his choice, so stop making fun of him and calling him ugly.” He then looked at Ricky. “You have the ears of a Chimpanzee.” He then turned to Chunji. “You look ing creepy with your incessant smiling.” Chunji was about to get up and speak, but Changjo just grabbed onto his shoulder as well and pushed him back down. “Remember that I know how to fight.” They didn’t move, so he left them alone and went into the kitchen.

L Joe and Minsoo were there just talking as they waited for their ramen to cook. They looked over to Changjo before smiling and waving a hello, but they were ignored. He instead found some ramen and took out some eggs, bok choy, and some cheese before starting to make it.

“What’s wrong?” L Joe questioned. Changjo didn’t answer him, so he laid a hand onto his shoulder only for him to smack it away. “Why are you being so mean?” Changjo scoffed before chucking bitterly.

“Like your one to talk.” He continued cooking until Minsoo came up beside him.

“What’s going on?” Changjo sighed in frustration before looking at them angrily.

“What’s wrong with you guys?” They looked at each other before looking back at Changjo. “It was rude and mean to just laugh at Niel after he was forced to get that hair that he didn’t want. And here you guys are, laughing at him and calling him names. So before you ask me what is wrong with me, ask what’s ing wrong with yourselves.” He quickly turned back around to finish making his ramen before taking it with him back to Daniel’s room.

He found Daniel laying pillows on the floor with his music incredibly loud. He noticed Changjo come in, so he turned it down and helped him bring the food in.

“Thank you!” Changjo just smiled and nodded. They sat and started to eat, talking every now and then, but mostly just enjoying the music and the food. After they had finished, they just sat there, and talked for a while before just falling into silence and listening to the music.

Knock. Knock.

They both looked over to the door and saw Minsoo peek his head through the door.

“Hey, Niel. Can I talk to you for a moment?” Daniel quickly nodded without hesitation before leaving Changjo alone in the room. Changjo felt alone after, and just picked at his plate.

“Are you okay?” Minsoo asked. Daniel nodded, but Minsoo gave him a look. “I just want to make sure that you’re okay. I know that the others were a little mean, and so was I for laughing, but I just want to make sure you’re okay.” He put his hand atop the head of curls. “I don’t want my little man to take his hair to seriously. You look cute as a poodle.” Daniel gasped before pouting and crossing his arms.

“I am not a poodle.” Minsoo laughed at how his seventeen year old son could still act like a five year old.

“You know the fans will call you a poodle.” Minsoo just laughed at seeing his son pout even more. “Don’t worry about it. They’re just going to start cooing over you saying that they will want you as a pet.” Daniel tried to pout some more, but he couldn’t, so he just sighed. Minsoo laughed before wrapping him in a tight hug. “My son still acts like a child.” Daniel merely laughed before hugging him back.

“Hey guys, our manager is here.” Daniel and Minsoo looked to see L Joe and Changjo at the door. They nodded before heading over, Minsoo’s arm around Daniel’s shoulder. Changjo just walked behind them, straight faced, yet anger in his eyes. He didn’t notice another pair of eyes of jealousy pointed at the two as well.