CALL ME BABY ERA

The lead up to this pic:

“Seriously?? The lead role?” Kyungsoo’s heart is beating out of his chest. When he read for the role in Pure Love, he figured it was just a good opportunity to practice and at least be considered in the mix for the lead. He thought he might get one of the supporting actor roles, ultimately, if he was cast at all. Now he’s standing in the dorm’s kitchen with Jaehyuk and receiving news that he’s officially been offered the lead.

Jaehyuk smiles at him sincerely, “Yep, that’s what they said. Congratulations, Kyungsoo.”

“But do you think I’m really ready for a lead part?,” he can’t help but blurt out.

“Of course you are. Don’t be so surprised. Remember, you were voted the top idol actor last year by professionals in the drama industry. Your renown is growing.” The manager pats him on the shoulder as he leaves the room.

Kyungsoo’s face hurts from grinning so widely. Just last week, he found out that little tidbit on camera during EXO’s Guerilla Date, and the others had for his shock and genuine gratitude. Jongin understood how much that praise meant to him, though. That night, the dancer had snuck into his bed after it was lights out in the dorm. The younger boy had slid in next to him after checking to make sure Chanyeol was asleep, and they lay side by side just grinning stupidly at each other for a minute. The warm glow of the moon filtered through the window and illuminated Jongin’s dark chocolate eyes, sparkling with mirth, as he told him, “Hyung, I’m so proud of you.”

Kyungsoo had chuckled bashfully at the praise, causing the other to ask, “What, am I not allowed to be proud of my… of you for your accomplishments?” The unspoken word lingered in the air: boyfriend. Neither of them had ever said it – Kyungsoo figured it was because each was still afraid to be the first to use it. The official label didn’t matter to him so much anymore given how well things were going. The word was simultaneously unnecessary and still not enough to describe what they really were to each other.

“Of course you can be proud of me: I really appreciate it,” he’d said shyly. “I didn’t mean to laugh, I just feel awkward when you’re so forthcoming with your admiration.”

“Well I do admire you, so much that I can’t help but gush when I see you so happy,” Jongin said tenderly as he tucked the other’s locks behind his ear. Kyungsoo could only hum contentedly in response and tug the boy closer for an enamored kiss. This was followed by tongues and legs tangling beneath silky sheets, the feel of Jongin writhing under him, quiet moans of his name being chanted over and over again, ‘Kyungsoo, ah, Soo, Soo…’

“Why are you so happy by yourself in the kitchen? What, did someone send a new batch of kimchi for you to make spaghetti with?” inquires Baekhyun, snapping him back to reality.

“No. Shove it, Baek. And make dinner yourself for once. I’m going out tonight.” Kyungsoo leaves with a bounce in his step.

“RUDE!” Baekhyun yells after him.

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For the tenth time, Kyungsoo fiddles with his facemask and cap pulled low over his eyes. The tiny restaurant he’s in should be out of the way enough to avoid the sasaengs, but one never knows. Each time the door jingles announcing a new customer, he flicks his eyes up to see if it’s Jongin. Finally, he arrives, looking way too polished even though he’s only wearing a fitted tee and torn acid-washed jeans that are clinging to him like a second skin. He’s got a facemask but no hat, and his hair is still slightly upswept with product, though it looks like he’s tried to muss it back down in a more casual style. Kyungsoo curses under his breath at how effortlessly gorgeous he looks as Jongin spots him and trots over to his table.

“Hey, sorry I’m late. The shoot went longer than expected. I ran here as fast as I could after.”

“I can tell. You still look like you’re walking off the cover of a magazine,” the older mutters in response, somewhat disgruntled at how recognizable he looks. Oh well, it wasn’t like they were going to be able to be touchy feely here anyway. Kyungsoo still has plenty of sense of self-preservation to avoid being that open when it can’t be considered fan service.

“Thanks – that’s the hope, right?” Jongin’s disarming grin makes him smile in response. Kyungsoo’s glad the younger is beefing up his modeling portfolio and potentially going after some solo modeling projects. ‘He deserves to have something on his own.’ They order their food before Jongin asks him about their reason for meeting up alone. “So what’s the news you wanted to share? You sounded excited over the phone.”

“Ah, I wanted to tell you first, again, before anyone else finds out. Remember the movie I auditioned for last month? Pure Love? I, um, I’ve been offered the lead role.”

“Soo, that’s awesome! I’m so happy for you!”

“Thanks! I’m a little nervous about being a lead, but I’m floored that I’ve even been offered the part. The managers are trying to make sure I can be gone for all of the shooting schedule and just jump in as needed with the tour and our repackage promotions.” Kyungsoo thanks the waiter for their food and starts to eat.

Jongin, on the other hand, freezes. “What do you mean, ‘all of the shooting?’ How’s this one different from the last drama or the other movie? You just filmed during the day and around our other schedules.”

“Well, this movie takes place in Goheung and they’ll be filming on set, so it’s not like I can just film during days and be back at the dorm at nights. The cast and crew are going to live there from mid-June though early August, probably,” he explains between bites. He slows down as he notices Jongin still hasn’t touched his food. He looks up at him quizzically.

“And you’re okay with that. Moving and living 4.5 hours away from Seoul.” The dancer’s tone is flat.

Kyungsoo’s heart aches a bit, due to that distance and the gloomy expression Jongin now wears in place of the previously exuberant one. “I know, it , but it’s work. Sometimes work takes you places you’d prefer not to be, and I can’t control where the movie is set. This is a really big break for me, if I get to do it.”

“Yeah… I know.” Jongin still sounds surly, and Kyungsoo feels like the wind has been stolen right out of his sails.

“I thought you’d be happy for me. You always have been in the past.”

The younger sighs and runs his fingers through his hair, looking like he’s trying to choose the right words before responding. “I’m happy your talents are being recognized, and I think you’d be incredible as a lead actor, you know that. But I’m not going to pretend that I’d be happy with you taking so much time off away from EXO to film, especially when we’ll be in the middle of so many group promotions. I just wish you could do the movie on the side, rather than moving away to film and treating our group performances and promotions as the side activity.”

Kyungsoo bristles at this interpretation of what might happen. “That’s not fair, Jongin. First, we don’t even know if the filming schedule is going to conflict with EXO schedules. If it does, I’m sure SM will tell me I can’t do it. Second, you’re acting like I’m going to brush off my commitments to EXO when I’ve never done that before. Why would you think I’m going to treat acting as my main priority and put the group on the b