A/N: Inspired by that 10th anniversary photoshoot. Dedicated to a newfound friend on tumblr, pure-kaypop. 

Chapter 9: Family Photo

If Jonghyun weren't his close same-age friend, Changhyun would've put him in a chokehold and kept at it until he fell unconscious. But because he is, he can only give the cameras a forced grin and bear with it.

It started that morning with the 'family portrait' photography session. He can see Jonghyun's eyes widen and that bored expression transform into an openly pleased smile when Niel-hyung comes out, the very picture of a youthful schoolboy with his hair dyed bright red and matching striped tie. His contentment later translates into a possessive left hand that refuses to leave its preferred place on Niel-hyung's shoulder. Changhyun knows there is strength in numbers, so he purposefully comes in late, forcing Jonghyun to sling the other arm over his shoulder in a show of brotherly camaraderie. 

He gives himself a mental pat on the back for his quick thinking. Now there will be fewer, if any, Angels wondering why Changjo is being extra clingy to just one person. 

His relief is short-lived, however, when Jonghyun withdraws his arm from where it's limply hanging off Changhyun, and that sneaky left hand keeps brushing closer to Niel-hyung's nape every time Jonghyun makes a gesture with it. Inevitably, Changhyun catches a glimpse of those callused fingertips absent-mindedly the side of the older man's neck and hears the startled little gasp it produces. His cheeks feel a little hot.

In between outfit changes, Changhyun decides he and Jonghyun really need to sit down and talk this out, man to man. Reasonably, like adults.

"And?" In front of the maknae, who shamelessly acts as if he's done nothing wrong, Changhyun is quickly forgetting his resolve to deal with things peacefully. "You think Niel-hyung and I should tone it down since we're being filmed?"

He makes do with a finger jabbing into Jonghyun's ridiculously solid chest. Oof. Cautiously retracting his hand, he wiggles the finger experimentally and tries not to wince too much. "I said you should tone it down! Don't bring up Niel-hyung; he's been well-behaved all day." Their main dancer's eyebrows arch up and he laughs. He has yet to ask what's so funny before the back of his head gets slapped. The hit is unexpected and makes his head throb painfully, but he's too scared to turn around. Old habits die hard.

"It seems our cute and lovely Ricky has grown up so well he can talk down to his older members, huh," comes an ominous voice behind him. Changhyun closes his eyes and prays to the heavens for forbearance.

His mood is black by the time they head out for the picnic concept pictorial. The makeup and hair stylists, even the outfit coordinators had all praised his attractiveness and coaxed him to snap out of his sullen mood, but their sweet words are no match for the silent tantrum he's in the middle of throwing. Never mind dialing down the ambiguous mood between the two; anyone with eyes would immediately spot how unnecessarily close they walked together, Jonghyun's hand lightly grasping Niel's elbow as he leans and murmurs something directly in the other man's ear. Niel-hyung, the klutz that he is, trips on nothing, but is pulled back right away and into Jonghyun's chest while he stutters his apology and thanks. The scene raises goosebumps on his skin, and not the good kind.

If he didn't know better, Changhyun might think he's stumbled on the set of a romcom. Were the two of them always this wrapped up in their own world? Half of him kind of wishes they weren't on the job right now so he could gush about it and film it for posterity (he really needs more blackmail material if he wants to make it alive through their next big anniversary), but the other half is too aware that the staff are watching and are probably confirming whatever doubts they've had since... well, Jonghyun has always been more than a little suspicious but it wasn't to this extent before! 

Once the small picnic mat is laid down on the patch of grass designated for the shoot, he scrabbles for a seat next to Niel-hyung. Although he can't do anything about Jonghyun, at the very least, he should protect Niel-hyung's image. Their maknae crosses his arms and frowns. As if he's made up his mind, he settles in the far corner of the mat and pulls on Niel's arm, patting the space in front of him. Niel-hyung obediently follows, wiggling around until he's comfortably nestled in Jonghyun's arms, their two bodies pressed so tightly together Changhyun feels like they've already merged into one person.

"Changhyun, hurry up and get into a pose!" Chanhee-hyung's voice carries a hint of teasing laughter. "If you're so worried about those two, why don't you just block them off in front?" Unable to keep the sourness out of his face, Changhyun reluctantly plops down and angles himself to make the scene behind him appear more discreet. The oldest two members take turns chuckling at his expense, remarking on the pitiful expression he wears and the way he's unconsciously wringing his hands together.

His troubles, unfortunately, don't end with that. With the picnic basket in front of them, Jonghyun cranes his neck to get a better look from where he's positioned behind Niel. Seeing the maknae's cheek nearly nuzzling Niel-hyung's shoulder, knowing that hidden safely behind him are their limbs tangled together in broad daylight, Changhyun's sure he's going to die of a mini heart attack. Or an aneurysm. He tries to rein in the distress he knows is leaking out of his flustered face but it's no good. Minsoo-hyung exchanges glances with him, and his eyes stray to where Niel-hyung and Jonghyun are, but he doesn't do anything. When he looks back, Jonghyun, bless his soul, is still mere centimeters away and his lips are about to say something Changhyun knows he really doesn't want to be within earshot of.

Your place or mine?

Changhyun short-circuits. Numbly, he stands up, much to the surprise of the staff and the rest of s, and walks out.

--

Ten minute later, he's viciously chewing on a piece of old bread. He refuses to talk to the two of them. Niel-hyung watches him cautiously, Jonghyun calculatingly. He doesn't care if the baguette is a week old.

The rest of the shoot passes in a blur. Somehow he gets by with the minimum number of fake smiles. They are all teeth and no happiness.

At the end of it all, Minsoo-hyung looks every bit as tired as he feels, and he realizes maybe it wasn't just him who was worried the entire time.

"Playing chaperone is too hard," Changhyun complains to Chanhee-hyung and Minsoo-hyung. The other two are predictably gone, and the recent memory of Jonghyun's seductive whisper sends a chill up his spine. The oldest member sighs next to him and grunts in wordless agreement. 

Chanhee-hyung merely clucks his disapproval at them. "You guys are going to have to do better than that," he says, unimpressed. "Who's going to take charge while I'm away?" The mention of his impending military enlistment makes Changhyun's mouth open in shock. He's completely forgotten their lead vocalist would be leaving for military service soon. 

Not wanting to disappoint, Changhyun takes notes diligently and endures Minsoo-hyung's cackling ("Hey, are you taking a course right now? Why so serious about this?"). Chanhee-hyung's tips prove useful, and he hopes he can remember them until they send him off for duty.

Someone's got to hold the fort down in the meantime.