The room was heavy with silence. It was a large room, white and modern, with two long tables opposite each other. It was generally used for meetings and was now serving as a silly courtroom for the managers and company to make a decision on what to do about the incident in the dancing studio. On the left side was the choreographer, all alone on the large table. Luhan couldn’t help but feel a bit sorry for the lone guy.

On the right side sat all the EXO members with Luhan and Xiumin in the middle. Between the two tables stood one of the high-end managers, a man who was in charge of overseeing discipline for all idol groups that worked at SM Entertainment. Luhan had only spoken to him once or twice, as a greeting, but had heard about him a lot during his trainee years.

He was said to be very dramatic and proud. He was a tall and fat man, with golden glasses perched at the end of his nose. He was now pacing back and forth between the tables. He had heard the two stories in silence and now seemed to be contemplating his decision, or so Luhan had thought.

But that had been 5 minutes ago and the never ending silence was suffocating Luhan. He wasn’t a loud person but the nervous feeling in his stomach and the man’s pacing was starting to make him anxious. He knew that he would have to suffer consequences for punching the guy but he couldn’t help but worry about what exactly they would be. Suho had assured him that it would be noted as self-defense, but Luhan wasn’t so sure.

From the corner of his eye, he saw Sehun fidgeting next to him. Now, Sehun.

Luhan was close friends with Sehun, they both liked the same video games and the younger boy was sweet. He had always been courteous to Luhan and at times was funny. They both liked bubble tea and even visited the bubble tea shop together a few times. But his behavior recently had been just bizarre.

He would follow Luhan around everywhere and would always do things for him. He even made Luhan’s bed for him once! The company had given them a few days off before the hearing to relax from the ‘trauma’ of the event and Luhan had intended to spend it with Lay and Xiumin. It had been ages since he had spoken to Lay because of their busy schedule and Luhan had felt bad for ignoring him, after all, he considered Lay to be the member he was closest to after Xiumin.

But, Sehun hadn’t left him alone long enough to even say Hi to Lay, let alone have a full conversation with the boy. Furthermore, Sehun had started to tag alone with him and Xiumin when they went on their coffee trips. He didn’t seem to get that these trips were only for the both of them, despite Luhan’s obvious sarcasm on the topic. He had talked to Xiumin about it but the boy had just laughed it off, saying he shouldn’t be so mean to the maknae and that he personally, didn’t mind if anyone joined them on their trips. That just made Luhan feel like a heartless bastard and he had tried to be nicer to Sehun.

It lasted for an hour before he got annoyed at Sehun for sorting out his socks drawer.

I’m going to have to talk to him about it, Luhan thought as he glanced at the boy next to him. He turned back to Xiumin and saw the older boy staring ahead, his face blank. Luhan could tell the boy was thinking about something upsetting from the way he was biting his lips. He only did that when he was nervous or upset. Luhan put a hand on Xiumin’s thigh and patted it lightly, to comfort him.

Xiumin gave him a quick smile before holding Luhan’s hand. Luhan smiled and looked forward. The guy was still pacing. Ugh. When would this torture end?

He began to pick at a loose strand on his pants when the man suddenly yelled out. “I have come to a decision!” Luhan jumped slightly, startled. “The choreographer is guilty!” He yelled out again. “The girly boy is also guilty!”

Luhan was seriously getting pissed off by everyone calling him a girl. Especially since he considered himself to be the manliest out of all the members. “The choreographer will not work for SM Entertainment anymore.” He announced. “B-but sir,” The choreographer started. “NO BUTS!” The man yelled loudly. Jesus Christ. This guy was dramatic all right.

“You,” The man pointed at Luhan. “Your punishment is that you will lose one of your day-offs, and will be confined to your bedroom.” He said loudly. Luhan nodded, trying to look properly chastised. He was going to be ing grounded? How childish.

“Dismissed!” He said waving his hands as if to shoo them away. All the EXO members walked out one by one. Xiumin let go of Luhan’s hand as he stood up. Luhan felt the empty air and felt cold. He got up and grabbed the shorter boy’s hand again. Xiumin turned back and looked at him before squeezing Luhan’s hand and they walked out together.

“Wahhhh!” Baekhyun said. “Finally! I thought I was going to die of boredom in there.” Chanyeol laughed. “Same. How long did he pace around for?” He joked. They were back at the dorm. “8 minutes, 38 seconds. I got so bored, I started to count.” Kai said numbly, as he collapsed on the couch. “I feel so deprived of energy right now.” Tao moaned, mispronouncing ‘deprived’. He too collapsed next to Kai. Baekhyun immediately imitated the boy emphasizing the word ‘deprived’ and Tao threw a pillow back at him as a reflex.

“Well, it could have been much worse. You got off lightly, Luhan.” Suho said warmly. “That manager dude was ridiculous though.” Sehun scoffed. Lay laughed lightly. “I agree.”

“I guess I’ll make lunch now.” D.O. announced. Chanyeol got up. “I’ll help. I’ve been learning.” He explained to the members he said before running off after the shorter boy. Chanyeol? In the Kitchen? Somehow, Luhan didn’t think this would end well.

“Anyway, Luhan hyung, how do you feel? You got grounded.” Baekhyun taunted. “Aish, this kid. I’m going to die of boredom.” Luhan whined, pitying himself. “Don’t worry, Luhan. I’ll keep you company.” Xiumin said wrapping an arm around his shoulder. Luhan smiled. “Yeah, hyung, we can move the Xbox there as well.” Sehun added wrapping his arm around Luhan’s shoulder as well. Luhan inwardly groaned. Not this again.

“Well, I’m going to spend that day shopping.” Kris said from the couch. “Thanks for the support man.” Luhan said kicking Kris. “Ah!” Kris said grabbing his leg. Xiumin laughed, removing his arm from Luhan’s shoulder. “Are you okay Kris? Do you need a bandage?” He said extravagantly, pretending to be extremely worried.

Luhan laughed and shrugged out of Sehun’s grasp, not noticing the boy’s face fall. He walked to Kris and pretended to examine the boy’s leg. “Hmmm, you might want to get that checked out, Kris.” He said, a saccharine smile on his face.

“ of you two.” Kris said before standing up to go to the bathroom. Luhan and Xiumin collapsed in a fit of giggles as Kris tripped over a discarded toy on the way there. “Cool guy!” Luhan yelled after him.

~

It was later in the evening when Luhan was moving his things out of the closet. He was finally moving back in with D.O. and Xiumin. He felt unexpectedly sad. He had gotten used to the two lively boys and their silly way of living. “Hyung, I’m going to miss you!” Baekhyun said, pretending to wipe away a tear as he lay on Chanyeol’s bed. “Yeah, yeah.” Luhan rolled his eyes. Never mind, he couldn’t wait to get out of here. “Where’s Chanyeol?” Luhan asked, finding it odd to see Baekhyun without the taller boy.

“He’s helping out D.O. for dinner.” Baekhyun shrugged. “Again?” Luhan asked surprised. Chanyeol must be serious about the cooking thing. “Yeah.” Baekhyun said and looked like he was about to say something else when Sehun barged in. “I got you a glass of water, hyung!” He told Luhan before handing him a glass of water. “But I didn’t ask for water.” Luhan said, raising an eyebrow at the boy.

“Oh, then who did?” Sehun said, obviously pretending to be confused. “It was probably Suho. You should go find him.” Luhan said, trying to get the boy out of the room. “Never mind. You can have this glass.” Sehun said offering it to him. Luhan eyed it. “No thanks, I’m not thirsty.” He said before turning around. “Hey, I’ll have it.” Baekhyun said. Sehun glared at the boy. “It’s not for you.” He said sulkily. “But I’m thirsty.” Baekhyun said getting up. “Just give it to him, Sehun.” Luhan said, weary from the two boys. Sehun handed over the glass to Baekhyun.

“Hey hyung. Do you want to play Call of Duty with me later?” Sehun asked. “Can’t. I’m moving back into Xiumin and D.O.’s room. I need to sort my stuff out.” Luhan replied, not even listening to the boy anymore.  “Well, I could help you!” Sehun said eagerly. “I don’t need you, I have Xiumin.” Luhan said immediately, not even thinking about what he was saying as he contemplated whether to take his hat. Chanyeol had accidently spilled juice on it and it now smelled strange. Ditch it, he thought.

He didn’t notice Sehun leave the room until he heard the door click. “Finally.” He groaned.

“That was harsh, hyung.” Baekhyun said, now sitting cross legged on the floor. “I can’t stand him. He’s always following me around. Do I look like a mother? I don’t need him to do all that stuff for me as well. It’s infuriating.” Luhan said waving his arms in frustration. “I think he admires you. He thinks of you as a role model. It’s kind of sweet actually.” Baekhyun said, obviously not having heard Luhan’s mini rant. “I don’t care. It’s annoying the way he follows me.” Luhan retorted. “That’s funny.” Baekhyun said.

Luhan turned around, confused. “What’s funny?”

Baekhyun shook his head. “It’s just that the way that Sehun acts around you is exactly the way that you act around Minseok hyung.” He said.
 

Luhan froze. He had never thought about it like that. Had he been that annoying? “Oh my god, am I that embarrassing?” He said, a horrified expression on his face. “I don’t think Minseok hyung minds it that much. He’s actually got patience, unlike you.” Baekhyun said shrugging. “Hey! I have patience.” Luhan argued. Baekhyun imitated the punch, acting like a wild beast. “I believe you hyung, I really do.” He concluded, his voice too sincere for him to be speaking the truth.

Luhan rolled his eyes, “Whatever.”

~

As he was putting his stuff into the closet, back in his old room, he felt relaxed. D.O. was already in the room and was watching a movie, ignoring them as usual. Xiumin was helping him fold the clothes. It was blissfully quiet. “Ah, I missed this room.” Luhan said breathing deeply. Xiumin laughed. “Why? Was it really that bad with Baekhyun and Chanyeol?” He asked curiously.

Luhan shook his head. “Not bad, it’s just, they never seem to run out of energy. It’s always so loud and they make such a mess out of everything. Honestly.” He finished. Xiumin shrugged. “Chenchen complained about them as well.” He said. Chenchen? Xiumin must have seen the confused look on his face. “It’s a nickname that Baekhyun or Tao, I don’t know who, someone, made for Chen.” He explained. “Chenchen.” Luhan liked it. “How cute.”

Xiumin nodded and they went back to blissful silence as they worked. Suddenly Chanyeol stormed into the room. “Hyung!” He yelled. Luhan jumped. “What?” He asked. “How could you just leave without saying goodbye?” Chanyeol said pouting. He looked ridiculous, such a tall boy with such a deep voice, pouting. Kinda cute but more ridiculous. “Bye.” Luhan offered him. Chanyeol shook his head. “Seriously, this hyung.” Chanyeol shook his head before grabbing Luhan and lifting him up and twirling him. Xiumin laughed from behind them. “Ya! Put me down!” He yelled, smacking the tall boy.

“Fine, fine!” Chanyeol put him down. “Don’t be a stranger! Come back to the room once in a while to help clean up okay?” He said. Luhan couldn’t help a smile come to his face. “Yeah, yeah. Don’t be so lazy.” He said but he ruffled the boy’s hair and patted him before pushing him out.

Xiumin was laughing on the bed. “What are you laughing at?” Luhan said teasingly. “You just overwhelmed me with your manliness when Yeol lifted you up.” Xiumin said. “Whatever. I’m manlier than you.” Luhan said.

Xiumin just smirked. “D.O. didn’t even notice it.” He said suddenly, his eyes wide.. Luhan turned to look and saw the owl-eyed boy still focused on the movie. “Wah, that guy. He just has his own little world.” Luhan said, shaking his head. Then glancing back at Xiumin, he couldn’t help but laugh. Soon, they were both collapsed in laughter, neither of them sure about what exactly they were laughing for.

D.O. still didn’t look at them.

~~

No plot really, I just wanted to continue a bit from the last chapter.

I feel so bad about Sehun right now, poor baby. I’m sorry, you can have tao or kai or suho. It may seem like I don't like Sehun but I love him. Just telling in case.

Literally, D.O. doesn’t care. He even said so in the Call Me Baby MV.

Thanks for the lovely comments and new subscribers! Much appreciated!!