Relieved that Shindong was not probing and just kept silent despite hearing the end of his conversation with Donghae, Hyukjae’s mood remained good as he went to the salon to get his hair dyed.

As he was sitting on the salon chair, he checked both his work and personal schedule. Although the latter was pretty scarce as usual. It’s Wednesday and his only personal schedule after the normal work hours is actually on Saturday for the joint birthday celebration of Leeteuk and Heechul, and he was planning to visit his family on Sunday. That works well anyway because he doesn’t want to make Donghae work on a weekend if not necessary at all. The man has obviously been working very hard already for their comeback.

This is the first time he’s going to message Donghae personally. How should he do it? Just casually or formally? Should he add an emoji?

Finally deciding on what to say after typing and deleting many times, he braced himself and pressed send.

Hyukjae:

Hey, Donghae. I’ve already checked my schedule. I’ll be free tomorrow and on friday.

Donghae:

Hi Hyukjae ! :)

I already have a commitment for tomorrow night, but I’m free on friday as well ^^

Thinking that this kind of feels like they’re arranging for a date and erasing that thought immediately, he replied again.

Hyukjae:

Alright, let’s meet on friday then. I can be at the company at 6pm.

Donghae:

Okay ! See you ~

I’ll reserve a meeting room now ^^

Chuckling at the cute way Donghae sent his messages, unlike how he usually sends messages on their work group chat, Hyukjae is glad he decided to message him personally. Wondering if it’s wise to let himself be comfortable with Donghae as well, he decides that if Donghae is okay with being less professional and more friendly to him, then it’s okay to do it as well.

Hyukjae:

See you! :)

Two days later, Hyukjae found himself rushing to the meeting room much like the time he first saw Donghae almost a month ago.

“I’m really, really, really sorry!” Hyukjae said as soon as he opened the door.

Donghae looked up at him with a surprised expression. “H-Hyukjae!”

“Have you been waiting a long time? I’m sorry, one of the staff spilled something on the couch on the photoshoot so we had to wait till we got a replacement couch with the same pattern and it delayed the shoot. I’m really sorry.”

“It’s fine, Hyukjae. Shindong hyung already told me over the phone. I really don’t mind,” Donghae said, smiling, looking at him with brighter eyes than usual.

Hyukjae sat down, still ashamed, and just now noticed a box of pizza and soft drinks at the table.

“I’m sure you’re already hungry so I ordered some pizza for us to share,” Donghae said, pushing the pizza box to him.

Hyukjae pouted. “Donghae, you really shouldn’t have bothered. I’m already ashamed as it is.”

Donghae chuckled at him. “Then you can treat me to dinner next time.”

Ba-dump.

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