After a cold hike and a few hours of sitting around at the hotel, going to the bar across the street seemed like a good way to wrap up the day. That was, if something wasn’t nagging at the back of Jongin’s head.

“You sure you don’t want to come?”

Chaeyeon smiles weakly, shaking her head, “Go on and have fun.”

“But—”

“Go. I think I just need some time alone.”

Jongin nods, a slight smile on his face. So he shrugs on a jacket, ditches his glasses for contacts, styles his hair to the side, and heads out with the other guys. It wasn’t like just doing a guy’s night out was weird, but Chaeyeon had become one of the guys.

“Where’s Chaeyeon?” Kyungsoo yawned, eyes a little swollen hinting at his nap.

“She’s staying in tonight.”

“Shame.” Minseok ruffled his hair, making something in the pit of Jongin’s stomach lurch. Out of all the times to mess around with her feelings, this would be the worst time. But Jongin said nothing as they walk across the street.

Everyone else chattered, the bar food and drinks warming them up, and Jongin dove into his fried chicken, nearly burning his tongue.

“You seem like you’re in a good mood.” Junmyeon grinned after downing some beer. “Better than before, at least.”

“Ah, that’s because Chaeyeon—”

“Shut it, Baekhyun.” Kyungsoo yawned, sipping from his own glass. “It’s a touchy subject.”

Baekhyun, for once, actually listened and snapped his mouth shut, but a hint of a smile stays curled on his face. Chanyeol grinned at that.

Luhan was about to add in a comment, but a girl comes up to him, all smiles and coy touches, and he’s instantly preoccupied. Jongin grinned at the sight, pushing his hair back as more and more of the guys get approached or choose to approach other peopl