A couple days later Myungsoo and Sungjong were called in for a meeting with the executive. That usually wasn’t a good thing to meet with Executive Choi. He only met with them when someone was in trouble or if he had a sensitive proposition like that time he wanted noona to kiss someone for the music video. Sungjong couldn’t help but feel dread deep in his stomach the whole way there.

            It was just Sungjong and Myungsoo in the car. Sungjong had thought that, being the elder of them, Myungsoo would take the front, but he crawled into the middle seat and sat beside Sungjong. He didn’t seem nervous at all. Sungjong couldn’t stop wondering why it was just them, though. He was being paranoid, but he couldn’t help but worry that Choi somehow knew. How could he though?

            “You’re so tense Sungjongie,” Myungsoo said suddenly. “I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about.”

            He brought his hands up to Sungjong’s shoulders then and started massaging the tension out of them. Sungjong went to pull away, but Myungsoo pulled him back. He didn’t even look at Sungjong. He just stared out the window of the van as he casually rubbed his shoulders. Sungjong closed his eyes and felt himself start to breathe easier.

            Being around Myungsoo lately was like flipping a coin. Sungjong either felt extremely uncomfortable or as in this situation; pacified. Myungsoo was the cause for all his stress, but he was also his only relief. His disease and his cure all wrapped into one.

            Sungjong bathed himself in Myungsoo’s calming glow, but the nerves came back once they finally reached the board room. They both bowed before sitting next to each other and waiting for Executive Choi to start. Sungjong hid his shaky hands under the table.

            “Hello boys,” Executive Choi said warmly. He didn’t sound upset. Sungjong only became more worried as he realized what this meant. If they weren’t there to be scolded they were there to be given a proposition of some sort. “I would like to start off by saying that you are both doing a fantastic job.”

            They bowed in thanks and waited for him to continue.

            “You must be wondering why I brought you two in today so I’ll get down to it. You and the rest of the band made a recent appearance on M! Countdown and your win received a lot of good talk on the internet. But there was also a lot of talk about the two of you in particular.”

            Sungjong tried to control his expression. Under the table his hands clenched together painfully.

            “The fans couldn’t stop talking about the apparent affection between the two of you. I watched the show of course and saw that you guys were very close both before and after the win.”

            “I’m sorry,” Sungjong blurted out. He was wrong. They were getting in trouble. The fans were probably upset.

            He tried not to make a surprised sound when Myungsoo’s hand found his knee under the table and squeezed it comfortingly; except Sungjong wasn’t comforted by the sensation Myungsoo’s gentle touch sent through his body. Heat rushed to his face.

            “Don’t be sorry Sungjong,” Executive Choi laughed. “The fans went crazy for it. I would think you would know this by now, but fans like to see you guys close together. They like to pretend you are in love and will one day get married and live happily ever after.”

            “We’re just friends, though,” Sungjong said quickly. Maybe a little too quickly he realized as Myungsoo gave him a look.

            “Oh I don’t doubt it,” Choi laughed again. Apparently this whole situation was hilarious. “The reason why I called you in was to tell you that I want you to keep it up. If anything you could even get a little touchier when you are on camera. We want to keep these fans interested, keep them fantasizing and writing their little stories on the internet. The more they talk about the two of you the more popularity you will gain.”

            They both looked at him in silence. Sungjong’s silence was brought on by shock. Myungsoo’s seemed to be brought on by his thoughts. Sungjong wished he knew what he was thinking. He realized that Myungsoo’s hand was no longer resting on his knee.

            “Also keep in mind that the band’s overall popularity will rise too.”

            Sungjong wasn’t sure what to say. There was never a question asked. Choi didn’t want to know if they were comfortable with this; he just wanted them to do as he said. The meeting was over just like that.

            They said nothing to each other on the way to the apartment. Myungsoo just seemed thoughtful the whole time. Sungjong didn’t want to interrupt his thoughts.

            In the elevator Sungjong couldn’t take the silence anymore.

            “Myungsoo…” he started.

            “It’s going to be okay, Jongie.” Myungsoo’s soft voice interrupted.

            Sungjong had no idea what he meant by it, but he felt comforted. He didn’t know how to continue so he just nodded and kept his mouth shut.

            “How was your meeting?” Sunggyu asked as soon as they entered their home. “What was it about?”

            “Jeez hyung, can’t you let us settle first and eat some food,” Myungsoo said lightheartedly. Maybe he wasn’t bothered after all.

            Sunggyu wanted to say something, but he just walked away mumbling to himself about how he should be in every meeting. Sungjong felt relieved and hoped that Sunggyu wouldn’t ask them again. Maybe he could get noona to distract him.

            “Don’t worry I’ll throw some catnip on him. Noona will take care of the rest,” Myungsoo joked as if he had been reading Sungjong’s thoughts.

            He laughed brightly at his jest. “We don’t own any catnip.”

            “Chocolate syrup?” Myungsoo suggested with a smirk.

            Sungjong nodded with a smile. “Chocolate syrup it is. Cover me. I’m going in!”

            Sungjong made his way to the kitchen by pressing his back to the wall and sidling along it silently, like he was James Bond. He felt pride bubbling in his chest as Myungsoo laughed warmly and followed; repeating his moves and speaking in code.

            “This is 007 to base,” Myungsoo whispered into his wrist as if he had some sort of spy gadget there. “008 and I are about to enter the kitchen. Our target… chocolate syrup. Level of danger….high. Possiblity of failure… zero. Over and out. Cchhhh.” He made a ridiculous feedback sound at the end and Sungjong covered his mouth as he laughed.

            “008 to base,” Sungjong continued. “007 apparently thinks that James Bond uses super noisy walkie talkies. Over and out. CHHHH.”

            Myungsoo pushed Sungjong a little with a laugh.

            “Are we going to go throw some chocolate on Sunggyu or what, Jongie?”

            They lost the spy act and all but ran into the kitchen; laughing the whole time.

            This was the Myungsoo that was his best friend. The Myungsoo the others didn’t always get to see. The Myungsoo that Sungjong was trying not to fall in love with.

            He was failing miserably.