MiSun found the boy’s apartment really comfy. The atmosphere was so relaxed and chilled out, noone made a fuss or minded that she’d come over basically unannounced. It was obvious that Zelo had relayed what she had said to Youngjae, as the minute he came into the living area where she was sat watching TV with Jongup, he gave her a big hug and apologised.

“Its ok Youngjae, I promise it’s fine. you did nothing wrong...” She grinned “although maybe next time ask me yourself instead of forcing Zelo-ah to do it” MiSun added a quick wink and laughed at the look on Youngjae’s face. Teasing him is funny when he turns bright red like that.

They all hung out for a while longer, until Youngjae got bored and went to find something else to do. Zelo made himself comfortable in between MiSun and Jongup. They were each sitting on either end of the sofa and Zelo had decided to lie across them, head in MiSun’s lap, and legs across Jongup’s, while hugging one of the cushions that were scattered about. MiSun decided she was really comfortable like this.

 

 

MiSun opened her eyes, to find the room dark, lit only from the glow pouring from one of the doors behind the sofa. She was curled up on the sofa, head on a cushion, and someone had kindly covered her in a blanket. I must have fallen asleep. I wonder where everyone is.

She sat up and stretched, folding the blanket beside her. She followed the source of light to the kitchen, but noone was around. Searching around, it seemed no-one was awake, and after catching the time on the kitchen clock, she wasn’t surprised, as it was late - or early, depending on your point of view. She wrote a quick thank you note on the notepad on the table, explaining that she’d gone home and she’ll see them soon. As quietly as she could, she exited the apartment and crossed the hall to her own home, climbing straight into bed, falling asleep quickly.

Daehyun smiled as he heard the front door closing softly, and settled down to sleep.

 

At noon the next day, MiSun found herself outside a cute little food place in a popular area of the city. Liking the look of the outside already, she walked through the door, a bell announcing her arrival. She hoped her friend had arrived already, since the place was very busy. It didn’t look like there were any free seats, and everyone was chattering happily as they waited for their food to arrive. Looking around, a bit overwhelmed, but loving the atmosphere, MiSun spotted a pair of arms waving around. Her gaze followed the arms down to a cute face, a big pair of glasses, and light brown hair tied haphazardly in a bun. She recognised her childhood friend immediately and grinned while squeezing her way through to the table. She looks just the same as ever.
 

“MiSun!” Risa pulled her into a hug the minute she was close enough. “OhmygodIhaventseenyouinforeverIcan’tbelieveyou’rehomehowareyouImissedyousomuch!”

Laughing, Misun extricated herself from the hug and pulled her friend down back into her seat as she sat down opposite. “You need to breathe more Risa, If I didn’t know you so well, I wouldn’t be able to understand a word you just said.” She held her friend’s hands across the table “I’m fine, I missed you too! I’m glad to be back!”

“Lets order food, then you can tell me everything!” Risa waved her arms in the air, nearly knocking the waitress flying. “Oops! Imsosorryareyouok?” The waitress just laughed, and nodded before getting back to her work. MiSun couldn’t help but laugh at the ‘oops’ face Risa pulled across the table.

They ordered food, and once they were settled with a drink each, they started talking.

 

MiSun and Risa had been best friends since they were at school. Each had moved around a bit, and no matter where they’d been, or how long it had been since they’d seen each other, they never grew apart. MiSun had lived in other countries and still spoke to Risa nearly every day. There was even a period of about six months where they’d had no contact at all, and when they’d finally caught up again, it was like nothing had changed. Risa was her closest friend, and MiSun was grateful for that. She was her constant support, and she valued her friendship above almost anything.

 

Once they’d caught up on everything that had happened, the conversation turned to what MiSun was doing now she was home, and what she was planning on doing now she’d settled into her new place. MiSun had told Risa about the guys living across from her, and Risa, though glad she’d made friends, wanted to meet these new people before her best friend had a chance to be hurt. Again.

“I had an appointment with that publisher this morning.”

“Oooh! How did it go?”

“Good. I think. I shared my ideas with them, and it seems they liked what they saw. They want me to write a series of books for them.”

“Daebak! See? I said that you had nothing to worry about.”

“Yeah. I still have to find a job in the meantime though.”

“Oh sweetie, you have nothing to worry about with your experience, besides, I wanted to talk to you about that...”

 

 

 

Meanwhile, Daehyun was struggling with the new choreography Jongup was trying to teach him. He hadn’t gotten much sleep last night, not able to fall asleep until MiSun had left in the early hours, and it was taking its toll. His voice was a bit croaky, and his body just didn’t want to do what it was told. He collapsed onto the floor, throwing his arms and legs out like a starfish, trying to catch his breath.

“Its not working Jongup-ah. I’m sorry.”

“Its ok hyung, you’ll get it” Jongup smiled down at him before sitting down beside him, wiping the sweat from his face.

He was only teaching them a new dance as practice, they hadn’t been told what the new song was going to be yet, since Yongguk was at the company, working on it with the producers at the moment. Still, Daehyun didn’t normally find it this hard to keep up.

Youngjae opened the door and walked in, plopping himself next to Dae on the floor, opposite Jongup. He handed them both a bottle of water, and leant back on his hands.

“Hows it going?”

Daehyun just frowned.

“That badly huh? Damn. Maybe you should take a break, have some lunch, you’ve been at it all morning without stopping.” Jae looked slightly worried at how hard Daehyun was pushing himself and he didn’t know why. “Himchan made lunch for us all.”

“No thanks, I need to get this.” Daehyun stood up, drinking half the bottle of water before dropping it in the corner and turning the music back on.

 

Jae walked out of the practice room in a slight daze, nearly bumping right into Himchan, who was heading the other way.

“Heya youngjae-ah, what’s the matter?”

“Dae...”

“Dae... what? What did that Busan idiot do now?”

“Dae...” Youngjae blinked, still slightly stunned. “I think Dae just turned down food!”

Zelo came running over, making sure he’d just overheard correctly, Himchan looked as surprised as Jae felt.

“He’s worrying me, hyung, he’s been spending more and more time in there, and now this? I know he didn’t sleep much last night either.”

“Right.” Himchan took a deep breath and marched into the practice room. The door swung shut behind him, and moments later, he came marching out, pulling Daehyun by his ear into the kitchen.

 

“OW! Hyung! Yah! Why - that HURTS!” Daehyun scrambled after Himchan. “YAH!”

Youngjae just followed, laughing at the sight, with Jongup following, his grin wider than usual.

“Don’t you ‘yah’ me Jung Daehyun. You will eat, and you’ll be happy about it! I cooked this food, and I won’t have you rejecting it just because you want to work yourself into the ground and feel sorry for yourself.” He pushed Daehyun into his usual seat and placed a bowl in front of him. Daehyun just looked around at the mixture of amusement and worry on everyone’s faces. Even Zelo’s forehead was creased in concern.

“I said EAT!” Himchan was looking quite scary now, and with a final glance around, Daehyun started shovelling the rice in front of him. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief and sat down, helping themselves to food too.

“I don’t get what the dig deal is.” Daehyun mumbled around the food in his mouth. “Its only one meal.”

“Dae. I’ve never known you to turn down food. it worries me”  Wow, Jae really does look worried. “You’ve been trapped in that practice room for hours, you didn’t eat breakfast, you didn’t sleep. What’s going on?”

Daehyun swallowed the food that was in his mouth, poking at the food in his bowl with his chopsticks.

“Dae, please. We wanna help.”

“I just...I don’t want us to fail. With this new comeback so soon...I want to win that award.”

“We all do hyung, why so badly though? You’ll make yourself ill, pushing yourself so hard.” Zelo blinked at him from across the table.

Daehyun looked into his bowl, as if it would save him from this awkward situation. Jae noticed Daehyun turning slowly very red, and smirked. Maybe I know what this is about afterall.

“Well if we win that award, wouldn’t we be ‘established’”

Jae couldn’t help but laugh, and the others looked up at him, frowning.

Himchan looked confused. “What does he mean?”

“Do you remember the agreement we made at the start? The ‘we won’t date until we’re established’ one?”

Jongup laughed, finally cottoning on, and whispered to Zelo, who grinned at Daehyun. Daehyun was now so red he looked about ready to burst into flames in embarrassment.

Himchan blinked, still not getting it, frowning that he was the last one to understand. Youngjae decided to spell it out for him.

“Dae doesn’t want to break the promise, but he does want to date. MiSun.”

Himchan burst into loud laughter, slinging his arm around Daehyun’s shoulders. “So its for a girl...right, I should’ve know. I understand, just take it easy ok?” He grinned evilly “She’s not gonna want you if you burn yourself out now” The table erupted into laughter and Daehyun frowned, but just shoved a big spoonful of rice in his mouth instead of saying anything.

 

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