onemorechansoo | 2015: OCC: Operation Cue Cards (2/2) (for prompt 39) (Reply)

WELCOME BACK HEAD WRITER KIM JONGIN! <3

Chanyeol was actually surprised to come inside the News Department at 8 in the morning with a huge banner and lots of food. Everyone was happily in a circle around the beloved Head Writer, asking him of his health and the work they’re going to tackle today.

He would’ve joined in on the circle to greet his sunbae, but he remembered the worries that his best friend had admitted to them. He knew it’s most likely impolite, but he just went directly to his desk and opened up his PC to start working for the day.

Things in the office were finally slowing down and Chanyeol has already finished writing up 2 news to pass to Minseok (as an assignment) when he felt someone push their seat next to him.

“Not going to greet me, Intern Park?” It was Jongin and his voice sounds like it’s joking. Chanyeol wants to punch him.

Keeping it in for the sake of his Internship (and maybe Baekhyun’s relationship), he stood up and bowed low in front of Jongin. He kept his face void of any emotion, not trusting himself.

“Welcome back, Head Writer Kim Jongin. I hope you’re all well.” Chanyeol bowed just his head this time. “Now, if you’ll excuse me…”

Jongin had grabbed his wrist before Chanyeol could run away to the bathroom. He looked at his face carefully then at the slacks and white long sleeves that Chanyeol had worn (Jongdae and Baekhyun were still asleep when he left so they couldn’t make him change) and frowned.

“Let’s talk for a minute.” Jongin didn’t even wait for an answer and just dragged him to the nearest EXIT stairs. Which was, unsurprisingly, the place where Sehun had talked him into trying to change his style to fit Kyungsoo’s taste.

The moment Jongin closed the door, he gave Chanyeol a look that says spill. Except, Chanyeol doesn’t want to spill so he keeps his mouth shut. This seemed to frustrate him more.

“What’s wrong, Chanyeol? You’re dressed formally when we both know you’re addicted to your skinny jeans and hoodies. Is there something later? Hot date?” Jongin asked and was obviously disappointed when Chanyeol didn’t answer.

It’s not that Chanyeol hated Jongin because he actually liked his sunbae. But it’s more of loyalty and all, knowing this same person had hurt his best friend that caused their Saturday drinking binge.

“Did anything happen? Come on, you can tell me.” Jongin was still holding his arm tightly. “Are you not talking to me because… Is this… is this about Baekhyun?”

Chanyeol had frozen, turned stiff and he knew Jongin felt it as well. Bingo!

“I. We’re going to talk to him later. After work. The both of us.” Jongin told him with a small smile, “So you don’t have to worry.”

Instead, Chanyeol’s vision turned red. “ARE YOU GOING TO BREAK UP WITH HIM?”

Jongin’s eyes widened in surprise from Chanyeol’s outburst, but Chanyeol had taken it for something else.

“HOLY SHIT, YOU ARE! YOU’RE GOING TO BREAK MY BEST FRIEND’S HEART!” Chanyeol was panicking by now. “HOW COULD YOU JUST USE HIM LIKE THAT? YOU COULD’VE JUST REQUESTED A NURSE!”

Jongin was trying to shush him, “I think you--”

“I DON’T THINK, I KNOW! BAEK’S MY BEST FRIEND!” Chanyeol is almost hyperventilating by now. “HE REALLY LOVED YOU TWO! OH MY GOSH!”

“Will you please--” Jongin was trying to shake him to listen, but Chanyeol was already shaking anyway.

“I THOUGHT YOU REALLY LIKED HIM! HE WAS CRYING AND IT BROKE MY HEART AND NOW YOU’RE GOING TO BREAK HIS HEART!” Chanyeol declared, now looking mad.

Jongin fervently hopes that no one will hear this outburst. “CHANYEOL! LISTEN TO ME!”

“WHY SHOULD I, SUNBAE?!” Chanyeol screamed back.

“BECAUSE WE’RE NOT GOING TO BREAK UP WITH BAEKHYUN!” Jongin screamed again, now panting. “Hunnie just wants to apologize for behaving that way and because he knows how much it had hurt Baek. We were to going to apologize and ask him to move in with us.”

“No.” Chanyeol had answered simply.

Jongin raised an eyebrow, “What?”

“No. You can’t take Baekhyun away from me. He’s my best friend. You already had Kyungsoo sunbae, you can’t have Baekhyun too.” Now, Chanyeol was pouting. Jongin is sort-of afraid at his huge change of emotion.

“Chanyeol, if this is about Kyungsoo hyung, I think you just--” Jongin was surprised when he now saw Chanyeol looking sad. Like a puppy that wasn’t allowed to get out of his cage. “Hey?”

“I don’t want to talk anymore.” Chanyeol declared as he tried to move to the exit but Jongin wasn’t having any of it.

“We haven’t even talked yet. You just kept on screaming things that are in no way true. So it’s my turn to talk and you have to listen, at least.” Jongin told him firmly and waited for Chanyeol to slowly nod his head. “Good. Now, we’re going to start on why you look like this.”

Chanyeol frowned, looking up at how Jongin was eyeing his slacks. “Do I look like an idiot, sunbae?”

“Not exactly. It’s just that you look better in your casual clothes and this is a broadcasting station, it’s not like we’re required to wear formal clothes. So why?” Jongin asked and patiently waited for Chanyeol to open up again.

“Sehun hyung told me what--or rather, who Kyungsoo sunbae’s type is.”

When it seemed like Chanyeol wasn’t going to explain more, Jongin prompted, “So he told you about Kyungsoo hyung and Junmyeon hyung. Then?”

“I’m nothing like Junmyeon. Haven’t you noticed, sunbae? I’m like the complete opposite of him. If you look us up in the dictionary, I’d be in the antonyms part. He’s everything I’m not.” Chanyeol sighed, “I’m everything he’s not. I have to at least be like him for Kyungsoo sunbae to notice me.”

“What are you saying? Kyungsoo hyung notices you! He teaches you and brings you coffee.” Jongin was frowning, “And were you trying to change yourself? Is that why you were so quiet?”

“Sehun hyung said Junmyeon sunbae is really quiet and all. Except inside the studio.” Chanyeol explained.

“And is that why you’re also dressed as if you’re going to be serving wine in a restaurant?”

A pout. “Sehun hyung said Junmyeon sunbae likes dressing like this. I mean, I saw him and he looks good. Me, I just look like an idiot. I have no chance to take Kyungsoo sunbae away from him.”

“Chanyeol…” Jongin reached up and ruffled his hair, messing up the gray strands he had carefully fixed earlier this morning. “Sehun had forgotten to tell you quite a few things more about Junmyeon hyung.”

“Like what? What’s more important than that?” Chanyeol asked.

“For starters, Junmyeon hyung may be described as quiet, but he’s also a huge dork. Like his jokes are extremely dull we usually just stare at him. He’s also extremely talkative if you’re friends with him.” Jongin assured him, “Believe me, I would never call Junmyeon hyung quiet.”

“So? I will never be described as quiet. I’m loud and my laugh is deep.”

“Which is hot.” Jongin told him. “Next, Junmyeon hyung’s style in clothes differ with his hair color. He likes to match it up with his color. Back when it was black, he wore sweaters and he looked like a nerd. When it was brown, he looked fairly normal. Now that it’s blonde, he’s going for the hot businessman look. So if your gray hair suits hoodies, go for it.”

“I’m confused.” Chanyeol instinctively reached up and ran his fingers in his hair. “So Junmyeon sunbae doesn’t necessarily wear these sort of clothes?”

Jongin nodded. “But Kyungsoo hyung does have a thing for dyed hair. In fact, I remember him saying he liked your hair. I mean, I think so too.”

Chanyeol blushed, but didn’t say anything.

“And lastly, Junmyeon hyung doesn’t have Kyungsoo hyung anymore because Junmyeon hyung is dating someone else.” Jongin told him, looking mysteriously all of a sudden. “Got it?”

Chanyeol was going to say something else, but the door of the EXIT opened and Kyungsoo was there with three cups of coffee. He had his eyebrows raised and lips in a thin line. This seemed to shock Chanyeol and amuse Jongin.

“Is there anything going on in here?” Kyungsoo asked, taking one coffee and handing it to Jongin. Then the other one he handed to Chanyeol with a smile. “I was looking for both of you and you weren’t in your desks.”

“Oh nothing! I just missed Yeol.” Jongin wrapped an arm around Chanyeol and reached up to mess up his gray hair. Kyungsoo was staring at the motion of his hand by now. “And also talking about Baekhyun.”

Kyungsoo shook his head. “Oh. In that case, I’ll leave you two alone. But Minseok hyung is calling for us to have a meeting for the OBB/CBB shoot this Wednesday.” He took one look at the hand on Chanyeol’s hair before turning around and closing the door.

“Seriously? Chanyeol, do you not get it?” Jongin removed his hand from the taller boy to give him a judging look.

“What should I be getting?” Chanyeol asked with a confused look on his face.

“Ugh!” Jongin groaned and almost banged his head on the wall. “Do you seriously not get how Kyungsoo hyung looks at you?”

“How does he look at me?” Chanyeol asked again, still confused.

“You know what? Never mind, I’m going to let you think about it.” Jongin opened the door and gestured for Chanyeol to go out first. “After you.”

“Thank you, hyung.” Chanyeol bowed as he left the staircase first.

Jongin followed soon after.

Shooting for OBB/CBB is definitely different from an episode shoot. Chanyeol was still trying to analyze the storyboard Jongin had presented, but everyone else were already packing up.

“Do you want me to explain to you how the storyboard works, Chanyeol-ah?” Kyungsoo suddenly asked beside him. A smile graced his sunbae’s lips and Chanyeol was guilty.

“It’s okay, sunbae. I can just ask Jongin hyung to explain it to me later. I don’t want to waste your time.” Chanyeol answered as decently (and lack of stuttering) as possible. He smiled back and hoped his sunbae won’t push.

“I don’t mind, though.” Kyungsoo assured him. “But if you really don’t want to, I understand. I’ll see you later?” Then he disappeared behind the meeting room’s door, leaving Chanyeol confused.

Chanyeol was invited to come to the OBB/CBB shoot. Minseok had informed him that very Monday that he had to come early on Wednesday to help them prepare the cameras. They would be shooting at a studio outside so they would be leaving even earlier.

“6am here, okay?” Minseok told him and Chanyeol could only nod in excitement.

“Yes, sir!” Chanyeol eagerly confirmed, already excited at the prospect of seeing how they film the opening sequence of a program. He had been able to dissect the storyboard earlier (with help from Jongin but still!) and was eager to see how it would come to life.

“Wear comfortable clothes.” Minseok eyed the slacks he was wearing, “We’re going to be running around for this.”

Chanyeol smiled. “I will, sir. I was just experimenting with my clothes.”

Minseok raised his eyebrow and didn’t say anything else. Chanyeol bowed and left the office to go to his desk.

“BAEKHYUNNIE!” Chanyeol had run towards his best friend and took him in a huge hug the moment he saw him. The 9PM News had just finished and for once, Baekhyun was there waiting for him with a huge bag of fries from McDonald’s. “I MISSED YOU!”

Baekhyun laughed and tried to push him away, but not hard enough that he would actually get off. “What got into you?” he asked.

“Nothing. How are you? Did Jongin hyung and Sehun hyung talk to you?” Chanyeol asked as well, finally removing himself from Baekhyun’s personal space to take the fries being handed to him.

“Yeah. We talked earlier at lunch.” Baekhyun nodded, glomping a whole fistfull of fries.

“And?” Chanyeol prompted, eating as much fries as his best friend is. He was just grabbing his bag and then they were off home.

“They asked me to move in.” The way Baekhyun said it didn’t sound like he was happy about it at all.

Chanyeol frowned, grabbed his bag and then dragged Baekhyun out of the station. The moment they were waiting for the bus, he faced his best friend again. “I know. Jongin hyung told me. But what did you answer?”

Baekhyun bit his lip. “I said no.”

Chanyeol was both pleased and confused. “Why, Baek?”

The bus arrived and the both of them got on it, sitting at the very back by the window. Baekhyun got his favorite seat and Chanyeol sat beside him. They were finishing the few fries left when Baekhyun finally spoke again.

“I don’t think we’re ready yet. I mean, what do they really know about me? Plus, I’m still a College student while they’re already working.” Baekhyun sighed, looking at the window to see the Seoul night pass blurrily in front of him. “I think we should be in the same ground. I think we should wait.”

Chanyeol didn’t know what to say so he took Baekhyun’s left hand and held it, intertwining their fingers together. This was something they used to do back when they were children, but it still was comforting and Baekhyun needed all the comfort he could get.

“No matter what you decide, Jongdae and I will be here for you.” Chanyeol whispered reassuringly. Baekhyun didn’t answer and Chanyeol never said anything after. They just sat there, holding hands and waited for their stop.

Tuesday passed in a blurry of permits and scripts. Chanyeol had been tasked to get the permits for cameras, microphones, lighting, tripods and the van. He spent the majority of the morning and half of the afternoon making sure that all the permits were signed and confirmed. Then he photocopied the storyboard and distributed it to all the staff and even the editing team.

When it was time to prepare for the 9PM News, Chanyeol had a pounding headache that couldn’t be cured no matter how much water or candy he took. He was pretty sure he could smash his head to the desk and he wouldn’t even feel the pain.

“You okay there, Chanyeol?” Jongin had asked, looking at him worriedly when the man handed him the flash drive with the script.

“Just a headache, hyung.” Chanyeol answered him, taking the flash drive from Jongin.

“Can you do this? Do you want me to just give this to one of the newest staff? You could lie down in the clinic or something…” Jongin was still looking worriedly at him and Chanyeol took this as a sign that he must look like shit right now.

“No, it’s okay--” But before Chanyeol could protest, someone else had taken the flash drive from his hands. “Huh?”

“Go rest in the clinic. I’ll tell Minseok hyung you’re not feeling well.” It was Kyungsoo sunbae, already wearing the suit he wears for news. His hair was styled up which must’ve meant he had a breaking report. He looked like he wasn’t someone to mess with right now.

“But--”

“You need to be on the best condition for the shoot tomorrow.” Kyungsoo reminded him, handing the flash drive to Jongin again. “Get the newest staff to do this. If they mess up, give them the first warning for termination.”

“But--”

“Yes, hyung. I’ll go now.” Jongin bowed then turned to Chanyeol, “Rest. Got it?”

“I still--”

“Rest, Chanyeol-ah.” And the way Kyungsoo sunbae said it this time left no fight within Chanyeol. “Come on, I’ll take you there.”

“N-No, it’s okay, sunbae! You must be busy!” Chanyeol protested, but Kyungsoo was already holding onto his arm to help him stand up.

The walk towards the clinic located in their floor was quiet. Kyungsoo was shorter, but he was still holding onto Chanyeol’s arm and elbow as if he could carry him if ever he collapsed. When they got inside, the nurse directed Chanyeol to lie on one of the beds and Kyungsoo watched over him.

It was only when the nurse declared that Chanyeol has to take a nap that Kyungsoo finally left with a promise of telling Baekhyun to come get him.

Chanyeol fell asleep to the thoughts of how warm Kyungsoo small hands are on his elbows.

True to Kyungsoo’s words, Baekhyun had arrived in the clinic at 7PM (the end of his shift was 9PM, why was he here?) with the kimchi jjigae that Chanyeol likes. He unwrapped the bowl and the egg rolls and kimchi in front of him.

“Kyungsoo hyung told me you’d be here.” Baekhyun told him, watching Chanyeol devour the bowl of kimchi jjiggae.

Chanyeol hummed in between bites of the egg rolls.

“He went directly to the Drama Department Head to tell them that I will visit my friend in the clinic so I should be let go earlier.” Baekhyun continued and the way he was saying it made Chanyeol feel like he should be understanding something.

As soon as Chanyeol was finished eating and the nurse had taken his temperature, he was told to go home with promises to drink as much water as he could that night. Baekhyun assured her that he would make Chanyeol do so.

“You have a shooting tomorrow morning?” Baekhyun asked the moment they sat down at the back of the bus. He looked at his friend’s still pale face.

“Yeah. I have to be here at 6am. Can you wake me up at 4, Baek?” Chanyeol asked, looking at him with a pout. “I promise to drink medicine if I ever I really don’t feel well tomorrow!”

Baekhyun sighed, knowing he couldn’t stop Chanyeol from going. Plus, how many chances would any of them ever have at getting to see an OBB/CBB shoot in person? So he nodded and promised that he will.

Chanyeol was feeling loads better the moment he woke up. Baekhyun had fed him congee and made him drink litres of water throughout the night, effectively making him better. He knew he owed his best friend a lot.

“Hey Baek, go to sleep. I’m awake already.” Chanyeol had whispered to his sleeping friend, curled up on his bed. He tucked him in the blanket with a smile before leaving to prepare himself.

True to Jongin’s words, Chanyeol did look better in hoodies and jeans. Today, he opted to wear his school’s red hoodie with his favorite ripped jeans. Hopefully the skin revealed isn’t too much of an issue with Minseok. Then he just dried his hair and didn’t style it up, too lazy to spend anymore time with it.

In a few minutes, Chanyeol was out the door and walking to the bus stop.

Chanyeol was earlier than most staff. There were only a few people in the office (aside from the night staff of the programs) and they were all drinking coffee while packing up the camera and other things they would need.

“Early?” Jongin was obviously still half-asleep when he stood beside Chanyeol seeing as his eyes were still half-closed. He could also smell the sweet scent of mint chocolate in the cup Jongin was holding.

“Not drinking coffee?” Chanyeol inquired, wondering if he should get coffee, too.

“I'd get sleepy if I drink coffee. Chocolate wakes me up.” Jongin told him, taking a long sip from his cup. “Do you want to get coffee? We still have 10 minutes before Minseok hyung arrives and start ordering us around.”

“Sure, hyung! Let me just--” Chanyeol was surprised to see Kyungsoo standing behind them with two cups of coffee. “Good morning, Kyungsoo sunbae! Thank you for taking care of me yesterday. And for telling Baekhyun too.” He bowed and gave his sunbae the biggest smile he could.

Kyungsoo shook his head. “No worries! Glad to be of help. Did you get home well? Are you feeling alright now?” He handed Chanyeol a cup of coffee. “The same as last time.”

Chanyeol’s eyes widened. “Thank you so much, sunbae! Jongin hyung and I were just about to buy some.” he reached up and ruffled his hair, Kyungsoo’s eyes following the action. “

“No problem.”

Jongin snorted beside them.

Minseok definitely came after 10 minutes and started barking orders. Everyone became too busy to talk some more so they went and did their tasks, preparing to be able to leave by exactly 6am. Their Director hates being late after all.

Chanyeol was tasked to pack the black curtains they were going to use and to bring them at the back of the van. He had finished earlier and Minseok told him to get in and arrange the boxes the others would most likely dump at the back again.

“Don’t overwork yourself, Chanyeol. We wouldn’t want the last 3 weeks of your Internship to be of you sick, right?” Minseok told him and although he was kidding, Chanyeol could tell that was his boss’ way of saying he was worried.

Like last time, Minseok told him to just watch how they shoot and not to worry about helping for now. They arrived at the studio and immediately started unpacking and setting up the wall, taking out the black curtain.

Chanyeol sat at the furthest wall and watched as everyone helped in setting up. Jongin was talking to Kyungsoo at the right as the latter was being dolled-up by the stylist. Minseok was directing the camera men on where to angle the shots.

Honestly, Chanyeol did love this part where the whole team prepare to shoot a 30 second (each so 1 minute whole) clip for an opening and closing of a show, but they were still doing their best.

Minseok had shot as many angles as he could of Kyungsoo in front of the black curtain and had called for a 5 minute break to change the backdrop. They had already spent an hour shooting and they were sweating even if the air conditioner was in full blast.

“Chanyeol!” Minseok called. Chanyeol ran to him as fast as he could.

He had been noting down the different camera angles that Minseok had called for with an intention to search through his notes for them. He definitely remembered a few, but not too well. His specialty had always been in radio.

“Yes, boss?” Chanyeol asked.

“Will you buy a cup of coffee and any sandwich for Kyungsoo? He said he only drank coffee this morning.” Minseok told him as he handed over 50,000 won. “The idiot is going to collapse if he’s going to continue starving himself.”

Chanyeol bowed. “Yes, sir!” Not able to stop himself, he sneaked a peak at Kyungsoo who was being fanned and was being pushed to drink water by one of the PAs. He definitely looked like he was sick and this made Chanyeol worried.

Running as fast as he could to the nearest convenience store (Why is the studio in the middle of nowhere? Seriously? No fastfood or restaurant nearby? Where is this place?), Chanyeol grabbed 2 sandwiches (one BLT and one Tuna, just in case) and then asked the cashier where the coffee was.

“1 cup, sir?” The cashier asked, raising a cup.

Chanyeol nodded, handing over the money that Minseok had given him.

“Please wait.” The cashier went ahead and made the coffee then went back to him to charge him for the food. As soon as the order was completed with the heated sandwiches and a cup of coffee in Chanyeol’s hand, the cashier chirped, “Thank you and come again next time!”

Due to the coffee, Chanyeol couldn’t run back this time as he had to make sure it wouldn’t spill. He walked as slowly as his long legs could take him until he finally reached the damned studio and rode the elevator.

“Why is this place so far from civilization?” Chanyeol whined to himself while alone in the elevator.

“There you are!” One of the PA exclaimed when the door of elevator opened. “Give Anchor Do the food, please! And hurry up, we have to start shooting again in 10 minutes!”

Chanyeol bowed and left the elevator, letting the PA take his place. Then he walked towards the studio and looked around for Kyungsoo. He was still right where he was when he left so he headed over there, making sure he didn't bump into any camera men or PAs that were running around.

“Coffee, sunbae?” Chanyeol handed over the cup of coffee to a pale-looking Kyungsoo, who looked up slowly. “They didn't have your favorite kind so I just asked for brewed. And which sandwich would you like? BLT or Tuna sandwich? I wasn’t sure so I took both.” He said as he showed both sandwiches.

Kyungsoo stared, holding the coffee in one hand. “Which one would you eat, Chanyeol?” he asked.

“Uh...” Why was he asking this? “BLT. I like BLT. Bacon is love! After fries, of course.”

Kyungsoo smiled a little, obviously amused. “I’ll take the Tuna then and you can eat the BLT.” He took the sandwich that had Tuna on the wrapper and opened it.

“Sunbae! You shouldn’t just give me the BLT if you like it! I don’t have to eat and boss Minseok had me buy these for you.” Chanyeol said, pushing the BLT in Kyungsoo’s hand.

“I like Tuna better, don’t worry.” Kyungsoo assured him. “And I told you that you should eat it. Did you even have breakfast?”

Chanyeol shook his head.

“Then it’s settled. You were sick yesterday so you have to eat properly.” Kyungsoo announced, now smiling brightly. “Now sit beside me and eat.”

Chanyeol wouldn’t complain, of course. And although his heart was beating wildly and he may have messed up his sandwich, it was really nice just sitting beside his sunbae while eating.

Filming wrapped up after 5 hours with lunch break. They had ordered from KFC and had all eaten together in a huge circle on the floor. Chanyeol was placed beside Jongin and Kyungsoo and he loved it because the two put an effort in including him in the conversation.

When they were all done filming and had packed up their belongings and the props, they took the elevator in groups. Chanyeol stayed with Minseok who stayed with Jongin and Kyungsoo so all 4 of them took the last elevator down.

“Hey hyung, I’m going to take Chanyeol with me back in the station, is that okay?” Kyungsoo asked. Both Minseok and Jongin raised an eyebrow while Chanyeol looked confused. “I’m a bit sleepy, so I need someone to ride with me so I won’t get bored.”

“Sure. Take him with you so he won’t have to be cramped in with the cameras at the back.” Minseok assured him and then turned to Chanyeol, “Make sure Kyungsoo doesn’t fall asleep or else you’re dead--both physically and metaphorically. Okay?”

“Yes, sir!” Chanyeol replied.

Jongin still had his eyebrow raised as Kyungsoo smiled at Chanyeol.

“Talk to me, okay?” Kyungsoo told Chanyeol the moment the two of them were already inside the car with their seatbelts safely fastened. "It gets a little lonely and it’s a long drive from here to the station."

“Sure, sunbae! But what do you want me to talk about?” Chanyeol asked. "I mean, I talk a lot, most my friends said so. But is there anything specific you want me to talk about?”

Kyungsoo stifled a huge smile. “Anything. How about you tell me about yourself?”

Chanyeol frowned (Kyungsoo saw this through the mirror and smiled again). “Didn’t we already have this conversation before, sunbae?”

“Maybe, but tell me about yourself. You said you play musical instruments?” Kyungsoo asked.

“I told you that?” Chanyeol tried to remember their conversation before, but all he could remember was Kyungsoo’s face as he listened to him. “I play the guitar, piano and drums.”

“Wow. Really?” Kyungsoo actually looked impressed even if his eyes were still concentrated on the road. “Will you play for me sometime? I’m sure Inkigayo’s PD would let us use some of the instruments.”

Chanyeol felt himself heat up. “U-Uh, sure! I’m not any good, though!”

“I heard from a very reliable source that you’re actually pretty good at them.”

“BYUN BAEKHYUN!” Chanyeol guessed.

“Nope.” Kyungsoo laughed, “Don’t guess, it ruins the surprise. So, will you?”

“I… I’m. I’m really not good at it, sunbae. Please don’t expect too much.” Chanyeol told him. His heart thumping dangerously fast in his chest.

“I don’t care, I just want to see you play.” Kyungsoo assured him, smiling. “So, will you Chanyeol? Will you play for me?”

Chanyeol closed his eyes in embarrassment and said, “I’ll play for you, sunbae.” And only for you.

Jongin had cornered Chanyeol the moment he arrived in the office. Kyungsoo was called in for a breaking news so Chanyeol went up to their floor alone only to find Jongin waiting for him. Even though he was taller, their Head Writer was more coordinated with his limbs than he is so he found himself inside the EXIT stairs again.

“Is there anything you need, Jongin hyung?” Chanyeol asked because he was pretty sure he hadn’t said or done anything (yet) that would warrant him being kidnapped. “Are you and Baekhyun alright?”

“This is not about me, Chanyeol. This is about you.” Jongin told him.

“Me?” Chanyeol looked confused. Again. It seems like this has become his default expression the moment he entered SBS News Department.

“Yes.” Jongin sighed dramatically, “And Kyungsoo hyung.”

Chanyeol stiffened at this. He was hoping that Jongin, or anyone for that matter, would never bring it up. So what if he has this huge crush on Anchor Do Kyungsoo? He was only an about to graduate University student on an Internship, while Do Kyungsoo is the nation’s youngest male news anchor with 6 awards already under his belt.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, hyung.” Chanyeol said defensively, but he was shaking and it was probably obvious to the other man.

“Please, I’m not blind. You like Kyungsoo hyung.” Jongin said with an eyebrow raised, “Why are you denying it?”

Chanyeol shook his head. “I’m not denying I may or may not have feelings for Kyungsoo sunbae. It’s just that I don’t think it’s something we should talk about. It’s not like there’s anything that would happen regarding it.”

“That is why I’m talking to you right now!” Honestly, Jongin doesn’t know why he cared so much. But then again, he and Sehun are dating Chanyeol’s best friend so he has to at least be on the boy’s good graces (plus Chanyeol is adorable, he wants to adopt him). “Your Internship will end in 2 weeks and a half. Do you have any plans?”

“Plans?” Chanyeol looked thoughtful and Jongin was hopeful for a moment. “I was thinking of taking the media exams in all 3 major television stations and then for some cable stations. I’ll also apply to all the radio stations, I guess.”

Jongin wanted to bang his head to the wall again. “That’s good for you, Chanyeol. I’m pretty sure you’ll pass all the exams. But, I was talking about the plans regarding your confession to Kyungsoo hyung.”

At this, Chanyeol looked flustered, “Plans? Me? What? Why? No! I’m not going to confess, hyung! Why would I? Oh my gosh! Why?”

“Uh, because you like him?” The way Jongin said this was so sarcastic, it didn’t suit him.

“I don’t have any right, hyung. Kyungsoo sunbae is too good for me.” Chanyeol would be crying right now if he wasn’t still flustered. And as a rule, he doesn’t cry in front of anyone else but Baekhyun and Jongdae.

“Why is Kyungsoo hyung too good for you? I think you’re good enough for him!” Jongin told him. “Tell me, Chanyeol. Then maybe I’ll understand.”

Chanyeol took a deep breath. “Because I like him. I liked him even when he didn’t know who I was. At first, it was because he inspired me to work and not be a bum. Then, it was because he was amazing on screen with a voice so beautiful. Then, when I met him in real life, I fell for him all over again because he was nice to me and didn’t make me feel left out.”

“Hyung. Jongin hyung, I actually really like Kyungsoo sunbae. I may actually be a little bit in love with him.” Chanyeol smiled, “I’m in love with him even if he doesn't feel the same way. I’m in love with him even if after this Internship, he wouldn’t remember a Park Chanyeol.”

“What’s this emergency meeting about?” Sehun asked, meeting Jongin in the unused bathroom of the second floor. “Are you feeling alright? Do you need to go to the doctor?”

Jongin shook his head. “Not me, Hun. I’m feeling fine, just pretty sore still. I’m talking about Chanyeol and Kyungsoo hyung.”

“Nini… we shouldn’t intercept--”

“Chanyeol doesn’t even plan to confess to Kyungsoo hyung!” Jongin insisted. “His Internship is ending soon and he doesn’t even plan to confess and we both know that Kyungsoo hyung has no plans of ever talking about his feelings with Chanyeol either!”

Sighing, Sehun leaned on the wall. “What exactly are you trying to say, Jongin? Do you want us to persuade them to confess to each other or something?” he asked. There were times that Jongin was too nice for his own good, so he ends up trying to help others. This was one of those times, apparently.

“No. Let’s confess to Kyungsoo hyung for Chanyeol!” Jongin answered, eyes bright with excitement. He had obviously thought about this before.

“Uh. What?” Sehun was sort of hoping he didn’t hear what he thought he heard.

“See, Chanyeol wouldn’t willingly talk to Kyungsoo about his feelings, you know? But if we tell Kyungsoo hyung his feelings with Kyungsoo hyung thinking that it was him…” Jongin paused as if waiting for Sehun to react so he nodded. “Then Chanyeol will have no choice but to admit his feelings!”

Sehun doesn't really like this too much. He wasn’t very fond of having to intercept with other people’s problems. But he can’t say no to Jongin and he knew Baekhyun would like it if he helped his best friend.

“What exactly are you planning to use? I’m pretty sure you already have an idea formed in that head of yours.” Sehun raised an eyebrow at him because with Jongin’s smile, he was sure he does.

“What is Chanyeol’s job--the only job that is truly his--while working in this station? What is that job that has a direct connection to Kyungsoo hyung’s job as a news anchor? What is this job that Chanyeol has control over and Kyungsoo hyung would definitely read?”

Sehun’s eyes widened.

Jongin smiled winningly at him, “Prompter.”

Chanyeol was wary of how Jongin hadn’t brought up the topic of Kyungsoo during the past two days. Ever since their conversation on Thursday, the other man just smiled at him whenever they saw each other. Now it was Friday with the 9PM News done and Jongin still just smiled whenever he saw Chanyeol sneaking glances at Kyungsoo.

“I’m actually sort of afraid of what Jongin hyung is planning. He just smiles at me, Baek!” Chanyeol whined to his best friend while they’re on the way home.

“Jonginnie hyung’s smile is so pretty though, right?” Baekhyun just asked back with a small smile on his lips. He was trying to look innocent (he kind of failed) and this made Chanyeol raise an eyebrow at him.

“What do you know about this, Byun Baekhyun?” Chanyeol demanded, eyes staring right at him as if he was analyzing the shorter man. But all Baekhyun did was smile back at him and shrugged. “Stop smiling and answer me!”

“Sorry, Yeol, no can do.” Baekhyun stopped the creepy smiles and patted Chanyeol’s back, as if this would comfort the taller boy. “You’ll find out soon enough, I guess.”

Chanyeol didn’t look at all comforted. “How soon is soon?” If this has anything to do with Byun Baekhyun then it’s definitely not good. Or at least it was something that would only bring Chanyeol trouble.

“Very soon.” Baekhyun only answered mysteriously.

Chanyeol was on high alert come Monday, since Baekhyun made sure to remind him that there’s only 2 weeks left for his Internship. This was the same thing that Jongin said last time too, and he knew it wasn’t a coincidence.

“Scripts for the prompter, Chanyeol.” Jongin told him, handing over the flash drive. “Make sure there’s no mistakes. I think one of the reporter only used his iPhone to type up the report, so there’s bound to be typos.”

“Reporter Han, again?” Chanyeol asked because the last time the man used his iPhone his headline said KOREAN TOURIST ORGASMS instead of KOREAN TOURISM ORGANISATION. This particular event was still the topic of jokes between the Writing team.

Jongin nodded and sighed. “I swear the man needs to actually start using the company issued notebook. What’s the use of a laptop if he’s not going to use it?”

“It’s a good source of entertainment, though.” Chanyeol noted to make sure he checked that article 3 times more than usual. “I’ll start working on this now, Jongin hyung.”

“Sure, sure.” Jongin just patted his head, ruffling the hair and then left.

Chanyeol was about to connect the flash drive when someone patted his shoulder. He looked at the person and smiled when he saw who it was. “Oh hi, sunbae! What brings you here? Boss just went to have a talk with the Chairman. He’ll be back soon.”

Kyungsoo smiled at him. “Really? I was going to talk to him, but it can wait until later. Tell him I was looking for him?”

“Sure!” As if Chanyeol could deny Kyungsoo anything at all. “I’ll let him know, sunbae.”

“Thanks, Chanyeol!” Then Kyungsoo paused before he reached out and ruffled Chanyeol’s hair the same way Jongin did, except softer and lingering. “I’ll see you later.”

Chanyeol nodded and watched as Kyungsoo left the office.

Half-way through the 9PM News with their female anchor reading about the latest issue with the government, Chanyeol was scrolling down the next script for Kyungsoo to read. Then suddenly,he felt a tap to his shoulder. A surprise because everyone in the control room were usually too busy and he was never bothered before due to his task.

“Chanyeol? We need someone to run to the closet and bring the extra microphone. Anchor Jung’s seemed to have some trouble.” Jongin whispered to him and at that, they called for a 40-second break while they aired a few footage. “Go get it and bring it to Junmyeon hyung, will you? I’ll take over here.”

Chanyeol nodded and stood up, immediately running over to the other side of the floor. It was a long run even with his long legs, and he knew he took more than 40 seconds already by the time he arrived at the studio. He walked back inside the control booth and handed over the extra microphone to a hissing Junmyeon.

By the time he was back at his seat, Chanyeol saw Jongin grin at him. He frowned but took over the seat and wore his headphones to listen to which lines were being aired right now. It was Anchor Do reading the latest police shootings of item #25 and Chanyeol was about to change and scroll down when he noticed what else was on the screen.

Because right there in between items #24 and #25 was a sentence he was pretty sure wasn’t there earlier. It was a sentence he was sure it didn’t belong in the News Department at all, even.

Right there, smack dab in the middle of two items was:
I LIKED YOU EVEN WHEN YOU HAD NO IDEA WHO I WAS, SUNBAE.

For the first time in Chanyeol’s life, he didn’t know whether he should scream in anger at the obviousness of the message, bury himself alive right there and then, or kill a certain Man named Kim Jongin.

Jongin was smiling brightly at him, Baekhyun had a shit eating grin on his face and Sehun looked uninterested. They were locked in the EXIT staircase (again) and Chanyeol was flopping around in front of them. Both in obvious anger and embarrassment.

“How could you do this to me?” Chanyeol whined, not even caring that he was being childish in front of two of his sunbaes and his best friend. He honestly doesn’t know how to feel right now so he should have some leeway, at least.

“What’s wrong?” Baekhyun asked, obviously pleased.

“Kyungsoo sunbae would think it was me who wrote that message!” Chanyeol all but screamed. He could feel the creeping of mortification on his face at the thought that Kyungsoo read that and thought it was him professing his feelings for the man.

“That was the point.” Jongin told him with a bright smile, “Because you wouldn’t do anything to let your feelings be known, so we decided to do it for you.”

Chanyeol wailed some more.

Chanyeol was staring determinedly at the screen of his desktop, with the words of Kim Jongin still running around inside his head. He’s honestly and thoroughly confused that he didn’t even notice that said Kim Jongin had arrived and handed him the flash drive for that day’s news items.

“Chanyeol? Are you alright?” Jongin waved a hand on his face. “Do you want me to call Baekhyun for you?”

Chanyeol shook his head. “I’m alright, hyung. I’m just… thinking.” He took the flash drive and connected it to his PC, waiting for it to load.

Jongin seemed to have understood what Chanyeol meant and patted his head. “I’m sorry, Chanyeol. It’s for the best. You’re going to leave soon and it’s better to know what would’ve happened instead of living on What Ifs, okay?”

Chanyeol shrugged, not particularly excited about the prospect of knowing that Kyungsoo sunbae had read that confession. And he had read it, he was sure, because the man hasn’t dropped by his desk or even looked him in the eye since yesterday. He even goes directly to Minseok’s office instead of asking Chanyeol if his boss was in.

“Kyungsoo sunbae seems to hate me already, though.” Chanyeol told Jongin, eyes downcast.

“He doesn’t.” Jongin assured him, “And if he does, then why not just see this to the end?”

Chanyeol sniffed, trying to fight back the wails threatening to come up again. “I’ll write the next confession, Jongin hyung. Will you trust me to write my own feelings this time?”

Jongin smiled as though stifling a laugh. “Sure, sure. I want to see how cheesy you can be.”

Chanyeol snorted and pushed the man away. “Go away. Go back to your desk, sunbae. I’ll finish this up.”

“Good luck, Chanyeol.” Jongin ruffled his hair again, messing up the straight gray hair that Jongdae had spent half an hour perfecting.

“Thanks, hyung.”

Right at the door of the office, Kyungsoo stood there watching before turning around and leaving the room.

Like yesterday, Chanyeol sneaked the line in between Item #24 and Item #25 because he was sure Kyungsoo is always in-charge of that particular part. His heart was beating as he read and re-read the one sentence and hoped that it wouldn’t be too much.

YOU INSPIRE ME, SUNBAE.

Chanyeol blushed and he can almost hear Jongin giggling at the message. It was the most innocent and most safe message he could send because yesterday was far too forward.

Chanyeol sincerely hoped that Kyungsoo would understand what he meant.

Chanyeol had come in to work feeling like the death had crawled all over him. He wasn’t able to sleep the whole night properly due to hi, worrying about what Kyungsoo sunbae had thought about his words.

When Kyungsoo had obviously read it, Chanyeol felt like he was on fire. He was so nervous and even more so when Kyungsoo didn’t even acknowledge him after the show. The man had just bowed at everyone before disappearing.

The moment Chanyeol got inside the office, he went directly to Minseok’s office to greet his boss then sat at his desk. Honestly, he didn’t want to do it anymore. He just wanted to forget about the messages and hoped that Kyungsoo would, too. But he knew Jongin would do something about it and finish what he calls Operation Cue Cards: Tell Do Kyungsoo Your Feelings. Or OCC as they had dubbed it.

(They weren’t even using cue cards, Chanyeol doesn’t understand why Jongin hyung decided to use that name.)

“Chanyeol?” Minseok called from the office and then went in again when Chanyeol stood up to follow him.

“Yes, sir?” Chanyeol asked.

“Take this to Kyungsoo. He needs these files, but my connection is fucking up.” Minseok handed him a bunch of papers that looked like research. “Then when you’re done, prepare a list of potential guest with their credentials for episode 3.”

“Yes, sir.” Chanyeol grabbed the stack of papers, bowed and left the room. He was nervous because ever since the first message on Monday, he hasn’t had a single conversation with Kyungsoo. Whether it was intentional or not, he wanted to at least have a clue what was to be expected.

After being let in the office, Chanyeol headed straight to Kyungsoo’s desk. The man was on the phone, discussing what seems to be a news break.

“Sure, sure. We can include that after--No! That’s not--Sure. Fine.” Kyungsoo hummed as he listened to whatever the man was saying. He turned to where Chanyeol was awkwardly standing with the stack of paper. “Junmyeon hyung, wait. Someone’s here for me. Yes?” He directed the last word to Chanyeol.

“Boss Minseok sent me to give you these. He said he was going to email them to you, but his connection isn’t working properly.” Chanyeol explained and placed the stack of papers on the free space of Kyungsoo’s desk. “Is there anything else you need?”

“No, it’s fine. Thank you.” Kyungsoo answered him sharply then turned back to his phone and continued his conversation with Junmyeon.

Chanyeol slowly turned around, a heavy feeling settling in his stomach. Kyungsoo sunbae has never been this cold to him even when he was new and this treatment was both new and painful. He didn’t know what to do.

But he knew exactly what he should use for today’s message and he hoped that Kyungsoo wouldn’t get even angrier at him. It is the truth, though, why lie? He was beginning to feel the deadline of his time (and chance) with Anchor Do Kyungsoo.

When Jongin brought the flash drive for today’s news items, he gave Chanyeol a raised eyebrow as he excitedly copied and pasted the message in between item #24 and item #25.

YOU’RE BEAUTIFUL ON AND OFF SCREEN, SUNBAE.

Chanyeol hoped that Do Kyungsoo would realize that meant this, meant every word he typed up for him to read. Because they’re all true.

Just two more days!

Chanyeol knew what he was going to tell Kyungsoo for the fourth day, the day before the actual confession. They sounded cheesy as hell and were not exactly new because he was sure the last three were as cheesy as this one.

“You’re in a good mood.” Sehun remarked when Chanyeol arrived inside the control booth. Their sound engineer raised an eyebrow at him when he just smiled. “Your smile is creepy, Park Chanyeol.”

“Thanks, Sehun hyung!” Chanyeol just answered, sitting on his seat.

He was debating whether to use the message or not. Kyungsoo sunbae had basically ignored his existence ever since the first message last Monday and it’s Thursday night now. But Chanyeol wanted to see through this, even if he wasn’t the one that started it.

With a deep breath, Chanyeol did his job. He listened carefully, scrolled with precision and calmed his heartbeat as good as he could.

In between item #24 and item #25 is the line: YOU’RE AMAZING WHETHER ON DOCUMENTS OR ON NEWS, SUNBAE.

Chanyeol is sort-of afraid he’s becoming too presumptuous and too annoying, but he didn’t know what to do. He’s learned to expect nothing and hope that maybe tomorrow, Kyungsoo would either reject him or give him a chance.

“You look like you’re dying.” Baekhyun remarked when he saw Chanyeol already putting on his shoes at 8 in the morning, way too early than usual. He stood behind his friend, admiring the lighter shade of gray that he and Jongdae had worked on yesterday night. “Do you have a shooting or something?”

“Nah, our Club supervisor called.” Chanyeol sighed, remembering the call he got at 6am. “It turns out that our juniors violated a school code and aired a pornographic video for the morning updates. I’m going to kill them.”

“What?!” Baekhyun sounded shocked. “Do they plan to ruin our fucking image?!”

“I fucking know, right. I’m going to go there and murder their ears. Then maybe also cut off their hands so they won’t be able to do anything.” Chanyeol was seething with anger and Baekhyun knew that. He hasn’t really seen his friend like this in a long time because when it happens, a mad Chanyeol is a really mad Chanyeol.

“Give them a good beating then kick them out of the club. Can’t we just recruit from the freshmen?” Baekhyun suggested, grabbing Chanyeol’s bag and handing it over to him. “Do you want me to come with you?”

“Nah, I can handle it.” Which means Chanyeol will really scream their ears off. Fun.

“Okay. Call me if you need anything, okay? Like a signature or someone who will bail you out of jail.” Baekhyun said, not even joking at all.

“Sure, I’ll remember, Baek!” Chanyeol ruffled his best friend’s hair before shouldering his bag and leaving the apartment.

Do Kyungsoo’s life is pretty much the repetition of yesterday over and over again. It has been this ever since he accepted the job to be the 9PM News anchor of SBS. It’s a very prestigious title that he knew he should be proud of, but it was also a rock that kept him down.

“Thank you for the hard work!” Kyungsoo bowed to the staff of the midnight talk show he hosts. It was already past 1AM and he still has the 8AM News to host the following day. He usually doesn’t do the 8AM news, but sometimes the usual anchor has to go overseas and he has to fill up the position. It’s not bad, he just doesn’t like the chirpy atmosphere of the studio.

“Thank you for the hard work too, Kyungsoo. I know you’re tired.” Minseok had gone down from the control booth to pat his back, looking apologetic. “Go get some sleep and I’ll send someone to wake you up for breakfast tomorrow, okay?”

Kyungsoo nodded at his Director and went out of the studio. There’s a floor for sleeping quarters for staff that has to work early the next morning or just need a nap. Kyungsoo has a room dedicated for him that he sometime feels it’s his home instead of the one located a few kilometers away from here.

He just washed his face, brushed his teeth and changed his clothes before flopping down on the bed without even opening an alarm clock. He knew someone would wake him up anyway.

At exactly 6:30am, someone knocked on Kyungsoo’s door. At exactly 6:55am, Kyungsoo was awake, teeth brushed, shower taken and clothes changed so he could go down and someone could fuss over him.

“Coffee and pancakes, Anchor Do.” One of the PA of the 8AM News handed him the tray of food while his hair was being fixed. It was just the way he liked it with extra syrup and lots of butter, Minseok must have ordered this for him.

“Thanks.” Kyungsoo smiled at the PA and cocked his head to the right, unable to bow in return. He sipped the coffee and loved the way the caffeine immediately woke up his senses.

Today was a Friday, last day of the week and Kyungsoo was extremely glad it was. He couldn’t wait to go home and sleep the whole Saturday away.

The 8AM News isn’t as serious as the 9PM News with some feature news integrated in the line-up, some entertainment news and even some greetings. His co-anchor there wasn’t Anchor Jung but Anchor Bae.

“Do you need more coffee? I got one of the PAs to brew you the one our Chairman got when he visited Italy.” Minseok had come inside the dressing room to check-up on him. He was carrying a mug himself, which meant the coffee was good.

“Sure. Get someone to fill my cup after the segment so I can drown myself.” Kyungsoo told him and it wasn’t a joke, but he did need coffee in his system before they finish the 8AM News.

Minseok raised his cup in agreement and went out of the dressing room to leave Kyungsoo alone. Soon, however, in between bites of pancakes, a PA arrived to hand him the copy of the script to read over.

8AM News was lighter than 9PM News and this allows Kyungsoo to sometimes smile on camera, and let him enjoy being on air for a few minutes. This lets him forget anything else and let the time pass by.

After 8AM News, Kyungsoo goes to get proper breakfast because he’s in for a long trip to Studio C wherein they’ll be filming the episode of a talk show he hosts. Usually it’s aired live, but because of his other recordings Kyungsoo has to do this one recorded. They have about 200 people in the audience made up of old men and women and some students here for a field trip.

“Anchor Do, filming will start in an hour. We need to touch-up your make-up and find a new suit.” One of the PAs of the show told him, script being handed over to him. “Here is the topic for today and a few suggested questions with some research, as well.”

“...Racism?” Kyungsoo raised an eyebrow at the PA. “We’re doing racism for today’s topic? Are you serious?”

The PA shrugged, “We thought it would be a good chance to use a topic like this on a recorded episode so we could edit anything that goes too extreme. Is there anything wrong, Anchor Do?”

“Is Korea really ready for racism to be a topic right now?” Kyungsoo threw the script on the floor. “This is not the time to be talking about racism! Change the topic!”

“But--” The PA looked surprised and panicked, trying to pick up the script on the floor.

Kyungsoo sighed, trying to reign in his anger and feelings. He knew it isn’t the time to be mad right now. “Bring me the Head PD and the Head Writer, I’m going to have a chat with them and why they deem to tell me the topic only now.” He spun back to face his desk, appetite forgotten.

After a half hour discussion with the PD and the writer regarding the issue at hand, Kyungsoo managed to get them to change the topic. They have a backup topic on hand so it’s not too much of a big deal.

“Now isn’t the right time for this. Have you forgotten how I became known, Lee PD?” Kyungsoo asked the man, taller and older than he was. However, Kyungsoo was the sunbae.

“The… documentary, Anchor Do. I remember. That’s why I--”

“No. It’s not the right time. We can’t just tackle racism out of nowhere like this.” Kyungsoo tsk-ed at the man. “You can start researching next week. We’ll tackle issues related to racism until we get at the main core. We’re not going to jump into it suddenly.”

“Yes, Anchor Do.” The man bowed his head. “I’ll talk to the other staff, Anchor Do.”

“Good. See you in a few minutes, Lee PD.” Kyungsoo tilted his head and dismissed them.

Words of a PD are usually set in stone, but in News the anchor has some say. Luckily, Kyungsoo is a well-known and well-respected figure in the news field so the PD can’t afford to lose him as a host. Losing Kyungsoo means losing viewers and the trustworthiness of the show.

Minseok arrived just after 1PM, two bowls of jjajjangmyun on hand. Kyungsoo had just finished shooting the episode for almost 4 hours and he sincerely hoped that this would be good. The audience joined in on the discussion and he proved to the staff that the topic of racism isn’t the right time to tackle yet.

“You look deadbeat.” Minseok told him as he laid down the bowl of food on the table. “Do you want me to get you some coffee?”

Kyungsoo nodded his head as he grabbed the bowl to shake it. “Yeah, I’m just so tired right now. The fact that it’s Friday is the only good thing that keeps me going, honestly. I just want to go home and sleep all day.”

Minseok chuckled as he started to open his food. “Plan anything for the weekend?” he asked.

Taking a bite of his own, Kyungsoo thought of long sleep on his bed and drama marathon on his laptop. Friday sure is good. “Same as usual,” he answers. “Anyway, 9PM News today, are there any news that can be connected to racism? Unfair treatment? Anything?”

Minseok pondered. “Huh, not sure. I can send Chanyeol to you with the list of the leads, if you want. When he gets here, of course.”

The name had Kyungsoo pause, without Minseok noticing luckily. “He’s not here yet? Isn’t he usually here early?” Kyungsoo tried to ask as nonchalantly as possible. He was hoping he just came off as curious and not interested.

“He usually does. But today he asked if he could come a little later, something about trouble in University.” Minseok explained, still too busy eating. “He’ll be back around 2PM or something, I think. I specifically told him to come at that time to prepare for tonight’s news.”

Kyungsoo hummed to let Minseok know he was listening. But honestly, his mind was already supplying thoughts of the past week of 9PM News with Chanyeol. And he knew it was Chanyeol because only the boy handles his prompter and only the boy calls him sunbae.

The first message on Monday took him by surprise. At first he didn’t understand and it took a few seconds before his brain supplied what it meant. And by that time he had no idea what to do already.

The second, third and fourth were unexpected but not unwelcome. They, however, were confusing. Why would Chanyeol even send him messages like that? Why would the Intern be sending him messages that made Kyungsoo feel things? Sure the boy admitted to seeing him as an idol, but those messages don't feel like that.

And tonight, tonight is Friday. What should Kyungsoo expect anymore?

“Are you alright, Kyungsoo?” Minseok waved a hand in front of his face and this managed to snap him out of his thoughts on Chanyeol. “Do you want to take a nap?”

Kyungsoo shook his head. “I’m okay, hyung. Just thinking.”

Kyungsoo wondered if it’s alright to expect, to look forward and to be excited to read what Intern Park Chanyeol’s next message would be.

After finishing their lunch, Minseok brought Kyungsoo to the nearby coffee shop to buy their drink. This was probably his third cup of the day, but he needed it. Especially if he had to look through the script for tonight’s news.

“Same as usual, Anchor Do and Director Kim?” The cashier asked, already used to their orders seeing as they’re almost here everyday ever since they started working in SBS.

“Sure. Give me some brown sugar, though.” Minseok told him and turned to Kyungsoo.

“Same for me.” Kyungsoo smiled as he handed his money to the cashier. He thought of Chanyeol and wondered if the boy had already bought coffee. He’d be here in a few moments… he shook his head, knowing that thinking about the boy will bring him nothing but trouble.

Talking to Minseok feels like talking to an older brother, and Kyungsoo enjoys the few minutes they have while waiting for their coffee. Because as soon as they get back to the station, it’ll have to be work again.

“So? Anything new lately?” Minseok asked, nudging his arm. “I see you’ve become quite close with my Intern.”

If Kyungsoo wasn’t professional and dignified, he would’ve sputtered. “What do you mean, hyung? I’m just nice to him!” he tried to sound not too defensive. Because he was just, he was nice to Chanyeol.

“I just noticed that you tend to be nicer to him than anyone else and you seek him out, not the other way around.” Minseok explained and when he saw the horrified look on Kyungsoo’s face, he added, “Hey, it’s not a bad thing. Chanyeol is really talented in this field. I just noticed because you normally shy away from interaction with other people.”

“I’m not supposed to favor anyone, hyung.” Kyungsoo told him. But he knew he wasn’t favoring Chanyeol because Chanyeol really is talented, he just likes talking to the boy because… well...

Minseok snorted, “Please, Kyungsoo. Don’t fool yourself.”

Their conversation was interrupted when the barista called for their names and handed them their coffee. They sipped on it to make sure they liked the taste before they finally walked back towards the station. Neither of them tried to bring up the topic, but they didn’t need to.

“Boss Kim!” Chanyeol greeted, all smiles in his white shirt, black and white striped jacket, white skinny jeans and black snapback that covers what seemed to be a lighter shade of gray. Kyungsoo wanted to drool, but he managed to stop himself when the boy turned to greet him. “Good day, Anchor Do.”

“Oh. Chanyeol. How was the emergency?” Minseok asked, stepping to the side to let Chanyeol stand in between them. “Have you sorted it out?”

“Yes, sir. Just some juniors planning to ruin my club.” Chanyeol answered with a smile and Kyungsoo’s heart wanted to stop beating and just rest. It was too much. The whole outfit and hair and smile was too much. Who even allowed this Intern to dress like this? Who even allowed this Intern to be like this? He shouldn’t be charming at all!

“Wow. Juniors these days!” Minseok tsk-ed and patted Chanyeol’s back. Kyungsoo wanted to do the same thing. “I’m really glad you’re not one of those juniors, Chanyeol. All of us, even Anchor Do, are glad you chose SBS News for your Internship. Right Kyungoo?”

Kyungsoo snapped out of his thoughts and saw Minseok and Chanyeol looking expectantly at him. He couldn’t honestly remember what they were saying, his eyes too busy admiring the way those gray strands look beneath the cap.

“Yeah, what hyung said.” He replied, smiling slightly before bowing. “I have to leave you both. I forgot I had to buy something outside. I’ll see you all later.” He didn’t give them a chance to reply as he turned around and left.

Kyungsoo didn’t really know where to go, but he knew he had to go fast. He can’t stay in the vicinity of Chanyeol and not go crazy. He was going crazy and his mask was breaking. It won’t be long before the boy calls out on him for staring too long and too hard. Better to run away now than face that.

He took the long detour to his office while hoping he wouldn’t run into anyone because he can’t really talk right now. Luckily, he didn’t bump into anyone he knew and was able to get inside his office quietly.

Sadly, he really couldn't run away because soon it was 8PM and he was in the dressing room to get ready. Anchor Jung was there with a smile for him before turning to face the mirror.

“Excited for the weekend, oppa?” Jung Soojung asked.

“So much. How about you? Any plans with your boyfriend?” Kyungsoo asked back, letting the stylist fix his hair.

Conversation was drowned with the sound of hair dryer so the two dropped them and concentrated on themselves. After more than half an hour, they were all ready and just waiting to be put on standby.

The door flew open and came Kyungsoo’s worst (or best, really) nightmare. Chanyeol had the jacket tied to his waist and was just wearing a plain white shirt. He had dropped the snapback and the light gray strands were almost silver in the light, messy.

“Your scripts, Anchor Do and Anchor Jung.” Chanyeol handed them each before bowing. Then he disappeared from the door.

“Wipe your drool, oppa.” Soojung teased, a smirk on her lips. “You’re being too obvious. The Intern is cute, though. I’ll give you that. I had no idea you want in his tight pants, though.”

“Soojung-ah!” Kyungsoo was scandalized that his hoobae would even say anything like this.

“What, oppa?” She asked innocently, or as innocently as she could look like.

Kyungsoo shook his head. “Nothing. Let’s just read this.”

They turned to the script, reading the lines to practice them so they wouldn’t be caught off-guard later. Kyungsoo reached item #24 and item #25 in the script and wondered what Chanyeol would say today.

Soon enough the same boy he was thinking of opened the door to inform them of the start of the 9PM News. He disappeared and ran as fast as he came that Kyungsoo wondered if there was anything wrong, seeing as Chanyeol doesn’t usually run that fast from him.

Maybe because you’ve been ignoring him and treating him like he has an illness, his conscience told him and he shook his head, hoping to be rid of these thoughts. He and Soojung walked towards the studio with their scripts and arrived just in time before the opening.

“AIRING IN 3! 2! 1!” Minseok screamed through the earpiece they were all wearing. Just as he said 1, the opening of the 9PM News could be heard and they were live, the light at the door blinking red.

Usually Kyungsoo paid a hundred percent attention into the news casting, just in case there’s an emergency or anything wrong. Today though, he couldn’t concentrate enough because he could feel himself counting down the news items until he could reach the one in between #24 and #25. So he read with as much professionalism as he could and hoped none from the Board would call him on his sloppy work.

Just 10 more news items before #24.

“--police has searched the whole building, but found no trace of--”

Just 5 more news items before #24.

“--the Government wishes the whole country not to panic--”

Just 2 more news items before #24.

“--arrested for murder of 4 of the family members--”

Finally #24!

“--everyone has agreed that a vote would take place by next Monday--”

Just a few more scrolls of the news and he would be able to see the message. Just a few more.

“--regarding the decision on this bill--.”

Kyungsoo could see it, see the red font that Chanyeol always uses, but he couldn’t read it yet because he would lose the words he was currently saying.

“We’ll bring you the latest updates next week--”

There it is! Finally! He could see the words and his heart thumped wildly in his chest while his stomach did flip-flops.

“I LOVE YOU, SUNBAE.”

Kyungsoo paused and blinked as Soojung, who was off-camera, turned to look at him with wide eyes. Everyone in the whole studio and probably inside the control booth looked at him with wide eyes, as well.

Kyungsoo could feel the panic rise in his throat as he realized what he had done, what he had said. He coughed and smiled at the camera then continued with news item #25.

He would deal with the mess later and hope the Board doesn’t fuck him up.

Chanyeol knew the exact moment his blood ran cold. He felt his hands shake as he determinedly continued his job. He had wanted the ground to swallow him up and chew him out, but it didn’t. He was left to continue scrolling through the news items, listening to Kyungsoo’s voice.

He could hear Minseok cursing in his seat beside him and knew the man was mad.

Chanyeol honestly regretted ever agreeing to do this. He regretted doing this shit and confessing his feelings because he’s achieved nothing but have Kyungsoo sunbae act cold to him and get his sunbae in trouble.

“One more fucking week, Park Chanyeol.” He whispered to himself, glad that everyone is busy with the live program going on.

“WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!” Chanyeol heard Minseok yell. He was about to enter the office to pick-up his bag, but he ducked to the nearest wall when he heard his boss yell.

“I’m sorry, hyung.” It was Kyungsoo apologizing and he sounded so weak and small that Chanyeol could feel his guts being squeezed in guilt. “I’m really sorry, hyung.”

“I DON’T CARE HOW MANY TIMES YOU APOLOGIZE. WHY DID YOU MAKE THAT MISTAKE ON AIR?” Minseok continued yelling. “THE BOARD IS GOING TO SHIT AT US FOR MESSING THIS UP. WE’D BE LUCKY IF THEY DON’T SUSPEND US!”

“I’m so sorry, hyung. Please tell them it’s my fault. I’ll take responsibility.” Kyungsoo apologized again and Chanyeol hated it.

Why hadn’t the man told him whose fault it was? Why hadn’t Kyungsoo admitted that Chanyeol had written those words and he had accidentally read them? It’s not Kyungsoo’s fault at all because he was trained to read everything without parenthesis on the prompter.

“WRITE A FUCKING EXPLANATION BEFORE THE NEXT PROGRAM AND PREPARE A PUBLIC APOLOGY.” Minseok was still yelling, but he took a deep breath. “We’re hella lucky you just confessed on air and didn’t curse. Holy shit, I want to turn into puddle right now than receive the backlash.’

“I’m really sorry, hyung. I’ll explain to the Board so they won’t suspend you, too.” Kyungsoo apologized again.

Chanyeol had half a mind to just barge in and tell Minseok it was his fault. Then he had a thought, a simple and disturbing thought, that maybe Kyungsoo hasn’t admitted who wrote the confession because he didn’t want to say to whom the confession was for. Maybe Kyungsoo was trying to stop having any rumours about the two of them or any connection between the two of them, at all. Maybe Kyungsoo didn’t want to drag his name with Chanyeol’s.

With these thoughts in mind, he felt the tears threatening to fall no matter how many times he tried not to. So he turned around and ran away, leaving his bag and everything inside. He could just smooch off of Baekhyun for the whole weekend and pay his best friend on Monday.

He knew he should admit it was his fault that Kyungsoo is being yelled at and might face a suspension, but he would never drag down Kyungsoo’s name along with his. He wouldn’t let his name tarnish Kyungsoo’s name.

So with that, he ran towards the entrance where Baekhyun was waiting for him and cried.

“WHAT THE FUCKING HELL DID YOU JUST DO, PARK CHANYEOL?!” It was 7AM on Saturday morning that one Kim Jongdae screamed so loud, Baekhyun came out of his room with a baseball bat in his hand.

“Whozit? Whozit?” Baekhyun mumbled, bat in hand and eyes still half-way closed.

“It’s nothing, Baek. Go back to sleep.” Chanyeol told his best friend as he walked towards the kitchen counter, ignoring Jongdae’s burning glare. He knew he was going to get it so he wasn’t concerned (too much).

“Nothing? You call this nothing?” Jongdae screeched and this seemed to wake Baekhyun up a bit more as he drowsily shook his head to stare at Chanyeol. “You dyed your fucking hair black! YOU JUST DYED YOUR HAIR BLACK!”

“It’s my hair and I was born with black hair. I don’t see the problem.” Chanyeol replied, turning on the stove as soon as he placed the pan on it. He could at least make breakfast for his friends.

“We worked hella fucking hard to get the right shade of gray a few days ago and now, not even a week after that, you dye it black?!” Jongdae looked really mad now and Chanyeol was feeling half-guilty. He knew his friend did the hard work. “And black?! Of all hair colors?! You look like you’re about to go to your first day of High School!”

But Chanyeol only shrugged, hoping his silence would calm Jongdae. Baekhyun still hasn’t said anything even though he was standing just beside the angry Jongdae. Chanyeol cracked three eggs and decided to cook Jongdae’s favorite egg roll.

“You must be kidding me!” Jongdae exclaimed once more before he entered his room and slammed the door shut, lock clicking in place.

Chanyeol could only sigh, hoping Jongdae isn’t too mad. He doesn’t really want to fight with his friend when he decided that morning that he would dye his hair back to black. Sure he was expecting some yells and maybe a few punches, but he wasn’t expecting Jongdae to actually just lock himself in his room.

“You know Jongdae isn’t mad, right? He’s just upset, Yeol.” Baekhyun finally said, “Just like I am because we did work hard on your hair and we loved it. We would’ve been happy if you at least kept it longer like that.”

Chanyeol looked at his friend sadly. “Kyungsoo sunbae likes dyed hair, Baek.” he whispered and he honestly doesn’t know what he wanted to achieve by saying that out loud.

“So what? You decided to dye your hair to black so?”

“So I wouldn’t attract any attention. So I would just blend in with the others.” Chanyeol told him. “So I can run away without turning back, without anyone noticing.”

Instead of answering, Baek slapped his arm and smiled at him. Then he too, turned around and entered his room without slamming and locking it. Chanyeol felt a little better at that.

Jongdae never went out of the room to eat the egg roll and kimchi fried rice that Chanyeol had cooked specially for him. He never left the room and just locked himself in the whole day, only going out when he needed to go to the washroom. Then in the afternoon, he left and never came back.

“Do you think Jongdae is really mad at me, Baek?” Chanyeol asked at Sunday night when Jongdae hasn’t returned yet. They already finished dinner and were about to turn in for the night.

“Either he is or he’s not, I don’t know. He’s probably at his boyfriend’s so you don’t have to worry about him, okay?” Baekhyun patted his back, “Just worry about yourself for now.”

Chanyeol nodded as he left the kitchen to go wash up.

If Chanyeol could just stay at home the whole week, he would’ve have. But he couldn’t. So come Monday, he dressed himself as normal as he could with a black shirt and a pair of normal jeans. He brought his school’s jacket just in case, but other than that he looked as normal as he could.

“You can do it.” Chanyeol whispered to himself in front of the mirror. “You will do it, Park Chanyeol.”

Sighing, he grabbed his phone and the borrowed money from Baekhyun before leaving the house. The walk towards the bus stop feels like a death sentence being served.

The bus ride wasn’t long and the stop was near the office so he tried walking as slow as he could, hoping to prolong the time he would be spending inside the office. He honestly doesn’t know what to expect and it makes him cold with fear.

“Good morning, sir.” Chanyeol greeted his supervisor.

Minseok looked up and smiled at him. “Oh hey, you changed your hair color.”

Chanyeol smiled awkwardly. “I’m going back to Uni in a week, sir. My Internship is ending this Friday so I have to go back to being a student and setting up an example to my lovely juniors.”

“Ah, the juniors. Tsk. They’re going to loose a really great president when you graduate, Chanyeol.” Minseok told him with a small smile, but he looked serious. “Are you planning to apply here when you graduate, Chanyeol?”

No, was on the tip of Chanyeol’s tongue. He loved it here, loved news and loved broadcasting. But in here there is Do Kyungsoo and he’s sure the man doesn’t want to see him at all. He wouldn’t burden the man with his presence when the man had helped him so much already.

“I'm planning to apply everywhere, sir. In all departments of all television or radio station that would accept my resume.” Chanyeol answered as carefully and as neutrally as possible.

Minseok nodded. “Good idea. Use me as a reference, Intern Park. Even though I would love to have you here, I won’t deny a talented student like you the best opportunities.”

Chanyeol felt like he was going to cry because that was the nicest thing anyone has ever told him and he feels guilty because he was the one at fault during the live news last Friday.

“Thank you so much, sir!” Chanyeol bowed down deeply because it was the only thing he could do, “Thank you so much, sir! I really appreciate it, sir! Thank you so much!”

When Chanyeol saw Minseok enter his office followed by Jongin, Sehun and Kyungsoo, he had no idea what to think. They all had serious looks on their faces, Kyungsoo sunbae even more so. Whatever they were talking about seemed to be hush-hush because when one PA tried to open the door, it was locked and the blinds were closed.

Sighing, he just continued working on the documents Minseok needed for the awards ceremony his boss was going to attend. He tried to ignore it, ignore the thoughts of what the meeting meant, but it was hard not to.

Especially since it was only after 2 hours that the door of the office was finally opened with Jongin and Sehun looking worriedly at a Kyungsoo who was biting his lip nervously.

Chanyeol immediately assumed the worst.

Holy shit, did I get him fired? Is he suspended? Is he suffering because of me? Chanyeol could hear the thoughts whirling in his head, making him dizzy with nerves as his hands sweated.

If Chanyeol wasn’t already determined to hide away from Kyungsoo’s eyes from this day on, he would be determined to do so now. He knew the man wouldn’t want to even lay his eyes on him, especially if he got in trouble because of him.

Intern Park Chanyeol would disappear in Anchor Do Kyungsoo’s life.

“The Board decided that you will just apologize on today’s news to see the reaction of the viewers.” Minseok explained the moment the four of them had seated themselves in his office. He turned on the recorder of his phone to record the meeting. “No one had really reported your minor slip-up so it isn’t a big deal. But the Board still wants you to apologize so as not to lose any credibility for the station as well as yours.”

Kyungsoo who was seated at the right nodded. “Yes, hyung. Will there be a script or should I write it?”

“Write it. Short, precise and apologetic enough.” Minseok answered, writing that note on his planner. “I’ll check it before we have it posted on your prompter, alright? It’ll be placed right at the very start after we finish with the Highlights.”

Kyungsoo nodded again, writing down the reminder on his phone. “Anything else, hyung?”

“Just that. And a reminder to please not say anything not allowed to be said on a 9PM News ever again. Those things are suited for drama or variety programs, even!” Minseok shook his head. “Any questions?”

“How long?” Kyungsoo asked and Minseok turned to Jongin as if asking him.

“30 seconds should do it.” Jongin answered, “We have quite a lot of news so we can’t spare a minute. We can cut down on one program plugging today to insert this.”

“Okay. Done.” Minseok noted that down as well. “Anything else?”

Kyungsoo shook his head. “I’m good.”

“Next on the list of things to talk about... “ Minseok checked his notes, “Lock the door, Sehun.”

Sehun stood up and locked the door before returning to his seat to raise an eyebrow at Minseok. “What’s this all about, hyung? Something secret?” he asked.

“Not too much of a secret, but I don’t want Chanyeol to overhear.” Minseok answered and didn’t notice the way Kyungsoo flinched at the name. “Our beloved Intern Park will be done with his Internship this Friday. It’s time for evaluations.”

Jongin took a peek at Kyungsoo and was pleased to see the slightly distraught face on the man’s face. He was worried their confession was all for nothing and Kyungsoo didn’t return the feelings, but he was sure the man does. Especially since Kyungsoo had looked so happy on Friday night even when he got yelled at for the mistake on air.

“I want to take him in and hire him on the spot.” Minseok shared his thought, “He’s really good and really responsible. He managed to understand all tasks that was given to him and more. He’d be a very good addition to the team.”

Jongin excitedly added, “He has a flair for writing! I read the news he wrote while I was gone and A+. I think with a little more training and he would do well on his own, whether he goes for field reporter or studio writer like me.”

“Not to mention he gets along well with everyone in the department. That goes a long way in this industry.” Sehun added because even though he doesn’t see the Intern much due to his job, he sees enough. Chanyeol is good with people and people love him.

“True.” Minseok turned to look at Kyungsoo, “I trust Chanyeol and he hasn’t betrayed that trust. What’s your thought on this, Kyungsoo?”

Kyungsoo finally looked up and cleared his throat. “I think it would be fantastic if we hired him for SBS 9PM News team, in your team, hyung. He’s really talented in news because he knows what to say. He’s like what you said, responsible and trustworthy. He would be a great addition to the team.”

Minseok furrowed his eyebrows. “I can hear a but after your sentence, Kyungsoo.”

“But,” Kyungsoo finally smiled, just a little. As if he couldn’t help it. “I don’t want Chanyeol to follow the path I chose to take, to choose something he’s good at and not what he really wanted.”

Jongin smiled at this, understanding what he meant. Baekhyun had told him about Chanyeol even before they met the Intern after all.

“Chanyeol should go into radio. He’s a really great DJ, I borrowed copies from our Broadcast Club and listened to it.” Kyungsoo actually flushed at this and Jongin decided to drill the man on this later. “He’s extremely good at speaking, mixing music and not to mention, he loves it. I think we should let him choose.”

Minseok nodded, writing them down. “I will put these into mind when I write his grades for the Internship on Friday. Anything else to add?” he looked around and no one answered so he jotted some more.

“There will be a party on Friday, by the way. A sort of goodbye party for this batch of Interns. The variety department arranged it and we’re going to do it in the cafeteria. The bosses of all Interns are coming and some other staff,” Jongin informed Minseok before turning to Kyungsoo, “You’re going too, right Kyungsoo hyung? Minseok hyung might be Chanyeol’s boss, but you were equally as important to his Internship.”

Kyungsoo was about to say something, but Minseok had already beat him to it.

“You’re going, Kyungsoo. Don’t fight me on this. Chanyeol was as much my Intern as he was yours.” Minseok raised an eyebrow at him, “Right?” He sounded challenging and Kyungsoo hated that tone of voice.

“I’ll be busy on Friday with the 9PM News and then the next program--”

“It will start after the 9PM News and before your next program. You’ll have plenty of time to get ready.” Jongin turned to Minseok, “You’re going, right hyung? You’re the Director and you can go so that must mean the host can go, too.”

Kyungsoo couldn’t help himself that he groaned and buried his face in his palms. He honestly have no idea what to do now. Chanyeol has confessed and Kyungsoo doesn’t know what to do. The ball is in his court, but he has no idea what to do with it.

“Kyungsoo,” Minseok called him so Kyungsoo had to drop his hands and look at the man in front of him. “I want you to be very honest with me, alright?”

Kyungsoo nodded slowly, as if he wasn’t sure he was doing the right thing.

“Do you like Chanyeol?” Minseok asked directly.

Groaning again, he buried his face in his palms and decided that living like this sounds perfectly fine. He can still breathe with his palms covering his face after all. Maybe he should have someone sew this permanently.

“Hyung, you know Chanyeol really likes you, right?” Jongin asked beside him. “He really likes you. So, do you like him too? Or are you just nice to him because he’s a hoobae?”

Kyungsoo wanted the ground to swallow him up at this very moment.

“Do you really want Chanyeol to just finish his Internship here, maybe get a job elsewhere and never find out what you really feel? Are you just going to let it go?” Jongin asked and promptly smacked Sehun’s thighs for humming Frozen’s Let It Go. “Think about it, hyung.”

“Chanyeol’s a good kid.” Minseok added and nothing else. He didn’t need to add anything else because Kyungsoo knew what his boss meant by that.

“Why are you all on his side?” Kyungsoo demanded, finally looking up.

“Please, have you looked at the guy?” Sehun scoffed, arms crossed and eyebrow raised. “If we’re not dating Baekhyun, I would’ve suggested to Jongin that we bang Chanyeol.”

Jongin gasped and not because of what Sehun said (because if they didn’t really like Baekhyun and hoped that their relationship worked, he would bang the boy too), but because Kyungsoo had all but lunged to Sehun with his hands on Sehun’s neck.

“Don’t you fucking dare!” Kyungsoo said lowly, almost a growl.

However, instead of looking like he’s about to die, Sehun was smirking. “Why not, hyung? Chanyeol’s not yours, is he?”

“I will make sure Jongin has no dick to ride tonight!” Kyungsoo threatened, but Jongin had luckily intercepted before he could put into his threat into actions. It’s not unheard of for Kyungsoo to do that, after all.

“Hyung, calm down!”

Minseok sighed from where he sat. “Kyungsoo, just admit you like Chanyeol and please don’t maim our sound engineer. We need him for tonight’s show.”

After Jongin had finally separated Kyungsoo from Sehun, he sat in between them and made sure the other could not reach the other. It took maybe a few minutes and Minseok was glad because he could feel a headache coming already.

“I’m not sure if he really likes me or because… well, or because he looks up to me.” Kyungsoo finally opens up with a sigh. “Yes, I do like Chanyeol maybe a little bit. But I’m not sure if a little bit is even enough when he probably still see me as his idol.”

“Soo-ah.” Kyungsoo abruptly looked up at Minseok, surprised at the use of his nickname. One he hasn’t heard for so long ever since he gave up on documentary and went for news casting.

“Don’t give up until you tried, okay?” Minseok reminded him.

Chanyeol was panicking because he had no idea what to make of off the meeting that had taken place. He decided to go out to the garden for some fresh air and maybe he won’t feel so stuffy.

The garden looked wonderful and he would’ve enjoyed it better if he didn’t hear sobs and sniffles from his right. Curious, he looked for the source of the interruption of his peace and found someone sitting on the bench with his head in between his knees.

“Excuse me? Are you alright?” Chanyeol asked because even though he would’ve wanted his peace, he’s not cruel enough to kick someone who’s already down.

“I’m not.” The man sobbed again and finally looked up to Chanyeol. “Oh. Intern Park.”

Chanyeol was going to ask him if he needed anything when he realized who’s the one crying with his face bloated and eyes red. It was Floor Director Kim Junmyeon. And he didn’t recognize the man because he dyed his hair black and cut his hair to look like some sort of bowl cut. Not to mention, he was wearing a white and red striped sweater.

It seemed like Junmyeon noticed him looking and sobbed some more. “I do! I do look ugly! I do look like a freak! I look like a nerd! He was right! You must hate me, too!” he wailed, which was something Chanyeol didn’t think the man was capable of doing. Then again, he didn’t expect the man to look like he’s about to sing children songs.

It took about half an hour before Chanyeol was able to calm Junmyeon down for the man to tell him what was wrong. They must’ve looked like quite a pair if someone had seen them.

“My boyfriend hates me.” Junmyeon sniffed, using Chanyeol’s handkerchief to blow his nose on. “He hates me.” His face started scrunching up again, looking like he was about to cry.

“Hey, don’t cry sir.” Chanyeol rubbed the man’s back.

“Call me hyung or sunbae, Intern Park. I don’t feel consoled enough if you call me sir.” Junmyeon told him, sniffing in between words. He looked like right mess with his teary eyes, red nose, swollen cheeks and scrunched up forehead. But he looked nice too, because he was so honest with his feelings.

“Yes, hyung.” Chanyeol agreed, choosing that mostly because he didn’t want to use sunbae since it reminded him of someone (three guesses who). “Why does your boyfriend hate you, hyung?”

Junmyeon didn’t answer and just gestured to his hair and then the rest of him. Then he promptly started tearing up again. It was a sight Chanyeol didn’t know he would ever see.

“What about you?” he decided to ask again, hoping it’s more specific this time.

“He. We. Well. We dated when I was blonde, you know?” Junmyeon started explaining, “And he said I looked hot? Good? I don’t know. But this morning when he saw that I dyed my hair back to black, he screamed at me and walked out on me. He said we’re done! He said I shouldn’t look for him anymore! He hates me now!”

Chanyeol suddenly remembered Jongdae and felt guilty because of what he did to his friend. Instead of berating himself for his own decision, he continued rubbing Junmyeon’s back in what he hoped was a comforting way.

“Hey, hyung, you’re not ugly. You aren’t no matter what your hair color is, okay?” Chanyeol hoped he could be of help to the man. He didn’t like seeing him weak like this. “Black is good!”

Junmyeon raised an eyebrow at him. “You dyed yours black, too. Are you telling me Kyungsoo didn’t get mad at you for it?”

Chanyeol blinked. “Kyungsoo sunbae? Why would he get mad?”

Junmyeon snorted before he stood up, dusting his pants. “Let’s buy ice cream, I’ll treat you.”

Chanyeol looked so happy, he knew he was showing his hyung his creepy grin. Ice cream can make anything feel better, after all!

Chanyeol didn’t really plan it, but Junmyeon started hanging out in his desk a lot. After they bought ice cream and went back, the man decided Chanyeol was going to be his next best friend and promptly sat down beside him on the desk. He said he didn’t have any program for Monday besides the 9PM News so he has time to spare.

“It’s okay, right? I just don’t want to be alone right now…” Junmyeon explained, his face still bloated and his eyes still red no matter how many ice he had already put on them. “Do you mind?”

“Of course not, hyung!” Chanyeol shook his head as he opened the document he was working on earlier. “Just come and sit anytime!”

Junmyeon gave him a huge smile that could probably rival Chanyeol’s own smile in creepiness. But he couldn’t say it out loud because he doesn’t know if he has a right to and if Junmyeon could accept it right now.

“Thank you so much, Yeol!” Junmyeon reached out and ruffled his hair.

Junmyeon was actually a great help whether Chanyeol admitted it or not. He has no training in news writing, but he’s been in the industry enough to pick up a point or two so he helped Chanyeol on the articles he’s written.

“Are you collecting sunbaes, Chanyeol?” Minseok asked when he dropped by his Intern’s desk to hand over some materials to be photocopied. “You always seem to have a sunbae watching over you.”

“I hope you don’t mind, Minseok hyung!” Junmyeon said, throwing an arm around Chanyeol’s shoulders. They shared a smile.

“I don’t mind as long as he gets the job done and you don’t miss any programs.” Minseok answered and then bid them a good bye.

Jongin had the same reaction when he stopped by to hand over the flash drive for that night’s prompter. He too raised an eyebrow at how Junmyeon was almost hanging off of Chanyeol’s arm as the two of them stare at the monitor and share a laugh.

“Why are you charming all the staff, Chanyeol? Planning to give up on Kyungsoo hyung?” Jongin asked and didn’t pretend that he was asking the boy on his feelings for Kyungsoo.

“Chen broke up with me, Nini.” Junmyeon told Jongin with a pout.

Jongin’s eyes grew wide as he looked to Junmyeon and then to Chanyeol. “What? Why? When? How?! Are you okay, hyung?” he asked hurriedly.

Junmyeon shook his head, the tears already threatening to fall again, but luckily Chanyeol was there to hand over tissue to him. “Thanks, Yeol.” he then turned to Jongin, “This morning. He hates me now, Nini!”

“Oh, hyung…” Jongin wrapped his arms around Junmyeon for a hug. “Feel better, alright? I’m sure Chanyeol here won’t let you be too sad. I have to go though, tell me everything later hyung?”

Junmyeon nodded so Jongin finally walked out of the office, but he bumped to Kyungsoo along the way. The man was just standing there and didn’t even apologize when Jongin almost hurt himself.

“Hyung! It hurts!” Jongin whined, but received no response. “Hey, hyung?” he turned to look at where his hyung was staring and almost had to fight back a laugh. Chanyeol’s hand was rubbing circles on Junmyeon’s back as the older man looked up at him with a smile.

“I thought Junmyeon hyung was still dating Chen.” Kyungsoo turned to face Jongin, eyes narrowed.

Jongin grinned, “They broke up already! Didn’t you hear, hyung?” Then he was even more pleased when Kyungsoo promptly turned around and left the office towards who knows where.

It wasn’t that Chanyeol meant for it to happen, it just did. He wasn’t too pleased, but he wasn’t bothered as well. But Kim Junmyeon has become a constant in his last week of Internship by always sticking close to him.

“Are you going to wear black again, Yeol?” Junmyeon asked at the end of that Monday’s 9PM News. “Let’s wear black again tomorrow. To mourn for our lost love. To mourn for our dyed hair. To mourn for everything we ever hoped to achieve.”

“Uh.” Chanyeol didn’t know what to say. Was Junmyeon hyung drunk?

“We can be The Black Bros.” Junmyeon said, pleased. “Black tomorrow, okay?”

“Sure, hyung. Whatever you say.” Chanyeol decided that agreeing is probably his best bet right now. He doubted his hyung was in his right mind, probably still trying to get over the pain earlier. But he had no idea if this Junmyeon is better than the crying Junmyeon from earlier.

“Ready, Yeol?” Baekhyun called when Chanyeol was near enough. He took in his best friend’s appearance and raised an eyebrow. “What’s up with you?”

“A sunbae from my department decided we’re going to be bros.” Chanyeol told him, shaking his head. “I don’t know if it’s a bad thing or a good thing yet, though.”

“Why did he say so?” Baekhyun asked the moment they sat inside the bus. He handed Chanyeol the donut that he had saved earlier.

“Thanks, Baek! You’re the best!” Chanyeol eagerly took the offered food and took a large bite. “It seemed like his boyfriend broke up with him for something silly because Junmyeon hyung dyed his hair.”

Baekhyun froze. “Junmyeon… hyung?”

Chanyeol nodded. “Our Floor Director Kim Junmyeon hyung. The blonde one? Now his hair is black. He looks kinda ridiculous, I’ll give the boyfriend that.”

Baekhyun cursed and muttered under his breath that Chanyeol didn’t catch. “Well, Park Chanyeol, you’re in luck. Jongdae will be home tomorrow morning so you can start apologizing.”

“Really? How did you know?!” Chanyeol asked, already forming plans in his head of what to say and do to make Jongdae forgive him. He really hates having a fight with his closest friends.

Baekhyun shrugged. “I have my ways.”

Jongdae did come home the following morning (Chanyeol woke up early in hopes of seeing his friend), but he didn’t acknowledge Chanyeol at all. He took one look at the prepared breakfast before entering his room and slamming the door hard.

Chanyeol was so pained he couldn’t even eat the food he had cooked and just wrote a note for Baekhyun to eat them later. He went directly to the shower and prepared to go to work.

Junmyeon was wearing black when Chanyeol saw him that morning. The smiling face he bid goodbye last night was gone, though and was replaced with a face that was obviously crying a few minutes ago.

“Did something happen, hyung?” Chanyeol asked, handing him tissue.

“He didn’t come to my place this morning.” Junmyeon whispered, “He must really hate me.” The tears were rolling down his cheeks again, sniffing a bit too loud.

“Hey, hyung.” Chanyeol wrapped his arms around Junmyeon even though the man was older and his sunbae. He knew what a warm, honest hug could do and it was the only thing he could offer right now. “Don’t cry too much, hyung. Your eyes will hurt.”

Junmyeon, who had his face on Chanyeol’s black hoodie, nodded and didn’t say anything else for a long time.

Chanyeol slowly realized that Junmyeon would continue following him around unless he says otherwise. He would’ve been complaining, honestly, but he doesn’t have the heart to tell him not to. Plus, Junmyeon is a good help when he’s not crying.

Also, it seemed that Chanyeol doesn’t need to avoid Kyungsoo because the man does it for himself. At first he thought it was just a coincidence that he hasn’t seen the man the whole Monday and Tuesday.

Then come Wednesday with Junmyeon deciding they would be wearing black t-shirt and skinny jeans. Chanyeol thought he looked nice in it, but he thought Junmyeon looked like a grandpa trying to fit in. He didn’t say it out loud though.

That day Chanyeol saw Kyungsoo for the first time outside of studio. They were walking towards each other in the hallway, but instead of continuing, Kyungsoo had turn around and walked back to his office without a word.

Hurt and disappointed, even though Chanyeol was the one who decided to run away from Kyungsoo, he had come back to his desk where Junmyeon was waiting, dejectedly.

“Are you alright, Chanyeollie?” Junmyeon asked the moment he came back. He must look like a wreck if the man actually noticed something. “Do you want me to get you coffee?”

Chanyeol shook his head. Coffee reminds him of Kyungsoo sunbae and how the man seemed to know exactly when he needed a cup. Right now is not that moment.

“Should we continue with the script, hyung?” Chanyeol asked, pertaining to the script that Minseok had given him to study. Junmyeon was helping him decode the notes written for the floor director.

“I’ll buy you ice cream later.” Junmyeon promised before launching on his explanation on why reading the description of a scene is important no matter the length of it.

Chanyeol knew he shouldn’t expect anything, especially not when he had decided to confess on air. Not when he accidentally got his sunbae in trouble for a broadcast mistake. Not when he, himself, had decided to hide from his sunbae.

It does, however, still hurt when Minseok had ordered him to ask Kyungsoo about going for a coffee with them.

“Are you going too, Intern Park?” Kyungsoo asked without even looking at him, typing on his computer.

“Yes, sir. Boss Minseok, Jongin hyung, Sehun hyung and Junmyeon hyung will be there as well.” Chanyeol explained, intentionally listing down the others so Kyungsoo wouldn’t mistaken this as something else.

“No thanks, then.” Kyungsoo replied, “I’ll tell Minseok why.”

Chanyeol nodded as he turned around.

Chanyeol’s heart broke at the thought that he had really fucked things up with his idol, with the guy he really liked. He wished he didn’t say anything now, he wished he had kept his mouth shut after the first time that Jongin aired the confession. Maybe if he didn’t mess anything, Kyungsoo sunbae would still be smiling up at him and offering him coffee.

It’s too late, though. There’s only a day left before his Internship ends and before he disappears in front of Anchor Do’s eyes.

Minseok was enjoying his second cup of coffee for the day while reading the script for the 3rd episode when the door of his office banged open with a slightly teary Do Kyungsoo. It was a sight he hasn’t seen in a long while, ever since the boy finished his Internship here actually, so he was more than slightly worried what had happened.

“Are you okay? Do you need water?” Minseok asked, standing up to help Kyungsoo sit down on the couch. He patted the boy’s head. “Water? Coffee? Tea?”

Kyungsoo shook his head three times before looking up at Minseok. “Hyung, I--” he hiccuped and looked irritated now than teary. “I think I messed things up.”

“Messed up what?” Minseok raised an eyebrow as he sat down properly. The door was locked so he knew they could talk properly and judging by the ruffled look that Kyungsoo was sporting, the boy needed a long one. “Tell me, Soo.”

“I think… I think Chanyeol likes Junmyeon hyung.” Kyungsoo finally said, cringing at his own words.

“Are you being serious right now, Soo? You know who Junmyeon is dating.” Minseok shook his head, “Not to mention, I thought we already agreed that Chanyeol likes you not Junmyeon. They only got close this week.”

“Exactly! They got close this week and Chanyeol decided that Junmyeon hyung is way better than I am, stupid hair style and all.” Kyungsoo said in an outburst, probably surprising even himself. “

Minseok wanted to bang himself to the wall really hard right now, not understanding how Kyungsoo doesn’t see how much the Intern likes him. “Kyungsoo, not everyone is obsessed with hair like you.” was what he only said.

“Chanyeol doesn’t talk to me anymore.” Kyungsoo shot back.

“Because you’re the one who decided you’ll be cold to him.” Minseok answered patiently, hoping his patience won’t snap. He’s surrounded by oblivious idiots.

“How was I to know he was serious with his confession?” Kyungsoo voiced out because that was something he had worried himself about the whole week. “He’s the one avoiding me now, though.”

“Kyungsoo, of course he would avoid you, you haven’t--” Minseok sighed. He could feel a headache brewing and combined with the two cups of coffee had drank, he knew he would be cranky in a few minutes.

“Hyung, what should I do?” Kyungsoo asked, looking like he was honestly really confused and really worried. And no matter how much Minseok is annoyed that Kyungsoo doesn’t understand, he knew he can’t deny him an answer.

“Chanyeol has confessed to you, Kyungsoo. He had made his feelings clear. How about you repay that sentiment?” Minseok stood up and patted Kyungsoo’s head. “Who knows, maybe you’ll be surprised?”

Jongin was typing up a ticket to the IT so they could fix his slow connection when Kyungsoo appeared in front of him. Surprised, he almost fell down his seat because how many times had Kyungsoo walked to this side of the office? Never since Jongin started working in SBS, that’s how far he could remember.

“Anything I could help you with, Anchor Do?” Jongin asked cheerfully as he slid back to his seat.

Kyungsoo just blinked at him then said, “Come with me.” Without even waiting for an answer, he turned around and walked towards the EXIT staircase of the office.

Jongin furrowed his eyebrow in wonder. “What does he want?” he asked himself as he sent the ticket and locked his PC to follow the man.

The moment Jongin entered the staircase, Kyungsoo had slammed the door shut and demanded, “You’re going to help me confess to Chanyeol even if I have to kill you.”

Frozen at the surprising declaration and the obvious threat, he took a few seconds before his brain managed to catch up, “Wait. What are you going to confess to Chanyeollie in the first place?” Jongin asked, a bit teasing and also wondering exactly what this ambush was for.

“Chanyeollie…?” Kyungsoo, however, was distracted.

Sighing, Jongin continued, “Hyung, Kyungsoo hyung, Soo hyung?” he called and called until finally the older man looked at him. “What’s this about?”

Kyungsoo cleared his throat. “I’m going to answer Chanyeol’s confession from last week before Junmyeon hyung takes him.”

“You think Junmyeon hyung wants Chanyeollie?” Jongin repeated the nickname because it was obvious Kyungsoo both liked it and hated that Jongin gets to use it.

“I know Junmyeon hyung wants him! Have you seen the way he clings to Chanyeol?” Kyungsoo all but screamed before finally taking a deep breathe. “I’m going to confess to Chanyeol that I… I…”

“Yes, hyung? You what?” Jongin smirked, enjoying this. It’s not everyday that Anchor Do stutters after all.

Kyungsoo hits his arm and grinned when Jongin yelped at the sudden pain. “I like Chanyeol and I want to ask him out on a date.” He finished fast, not giving Jongin the chance to savor the outcome of his own plan. “And you’re going to help me.”

“Help you with what, though?” Jongin asked, rubbing his arm.

Kyungsoo smirked this time and Jongin was honestly a bit scared. Kyungsoo is usually nice, but a smirk that feral doesn’t bode well for the receiver.

“How’s your handwriting skills, Head Writer Kim Jongin?”

When Chanyeol woke up, there was a sense of dread in his every breath. He was so tempted not to come in and just stay in bed all day long, hoping that he won’t have to go through today. Sadly, he can’t.

“PARK FUCKING CHANYEOL!” Baekhyun screamed in his ear when it was past 10 minutes and he hasn’t stood up. If he knew his best friend would do this, he definitely would have stood up earlier.

“THAT HURTS!” It really does. He could hear a thrum in his left ear and hope it’s not something serious. He rubbed a hand on his forehead and pushed the other boy away, hearing him slump on the floor with a thud. “I will change my lock, just you see.”

“As if you will.” Baekhyun snorted, “And if you do, I’ll just break it down.”

Chanyeol doesn’t doubt that Baekhyun will. It’s probably why he and Jongdae haven’t changed their door’s lock no matter how much they’ve wanted. “Fine, fine. Whatever. Now get out of my room.”

“I won’t get up unless you stand up.” Baekhyun challenged, crossing his arms on his chest. “Unless you want me to start rapping right here, right now?”

Chanyeol was about to roll over and get some more sleep when he heard Baekhyun’s threat and he knows Baekhyun, he knows the smaller man will definitely do it. Chanyeol’s not in the mood for his ears to suffer some more.

“Fine, fine. I’m getting up. Damnit.” Chanyeol cursed the last under his breath. He grabbed his towel and change of clothes to enter the shower.

Baekhyun hadn’t left the room until Chanyeol was inside the shower with the water running. Smugly, he left the room and prepared breakfast.

After 30 minutes or so with Baekhyun already dressed and breakfast prepared, Chanyeol came out in a dark blue knitted turtleneck and black long coat. He still had his black ripped jeans on so he doesn’t look too formal. Baekhyun smirked and whistled.

“Looking good.” he remarked, sliding the plate of pancakes on Chanyeol’s seat. “You should wear that hat thing. The one we got you for your birthday.”

Chanyeol frowned at him as he sat down. “I’m trying to look sort-of formal because I have to take that Internship photo with the staff and I didn’t want to look like I’m going to a funeral.”

“Aw,” Baekhyun faked cooed. “What will your black bro say? Abandoned in his black bro-ness?”

Chanyeol grunted and ignored his best friend. He must’ve gotten laid if he’s this energetic this morning. He immediately poured copious amount of butter and probably half of the content of their maple syrup on his plate before eating.

“You’re no fun when you ignore me.” Baekhyun pouted, sitting down and eating his own breakfast with less butter and syrup. “You’re going to the Goodbye Party later, right?”

“Mayb--Fuck you!” Chanyeol groaned because the smaller boy had kicked him under the table. “Stop playing footsie with me.”

“Come to the party or I’ll drag your sorry non-existent ass there.” Baekhyun demanded and that was that.

“We’ll miss having you around, Chanyeol-ah!” Jongin greeted the moment Minseok handed him the sealed envelope of his Internship evaluation. The man had flung his body to Chanyeol’s in a hug. “Come visit us sometimes, okay?”

Chanyeol chuckled because yes, he probably shouldn’t come back here, but he will miss the people and the work load he had grown accustomed to. He hugged his hyung back and twirled them around, earning another laugh.

“Maybe, hyung. If you’ll treat me lunch?” Chanyeol joked and let go of Jongin.

“Fine, fine.” Jongin agreed, “Only if you treat me back when you get your first pay!”

Sehun swung by the office right at that moment and patted Chanyeol on the back. “We’ll miss you, kid. But you’d probably see us around.” he winked and didn’t even let anyone reply before walking out of the room again.

“Your boyfriend is weird, Jongin hyung.” Chanyeol remarked.

Jongin grinned. “Which boyfriend are we talking about?”

“Both! Definitely both.” Chanyeol replied and the both of them laughed.

Minseok, who was just watching from the corner, finally walked towards Chanyeol since he gave the boy the letter. “You’re really going to be missed, Intern Park. Do consider applying here, okay?” he said sincerely.

Chanyeol grinned. “Yes, sir!” And it hurts because he knew he was lying, he’s never going to set foot inside SBS 9PM News office again if he could help it.

Junmyeon suddenly appeared from the doorway, just finished with the noon show. “Hey, ready for lunch Chanyeol?” he called and grinned, “You look nice. What’s up today?”

“Chanyeol’s last day.” Jongin answered, “And the photos for his Internship.”

“Did you already take the photos?” Junmyeon asked, walking inside now. He had obviously taken the Black Bros thing to heart because he was wearing black from head to toe.

“We were just about to. Do you want to join us?” Minseok asked politely and Jongin glared.

“Sure!” Junmyeon immediately went to Chanyeol’s left side while Minseok was on the right side. Jongin had no choice but to stand beside Minseok.

One of the PAs took the photo and they didn’t stop until they were sure Chanyeol had a lot to choose from. From formal it had become a joke and Chanyeol was honestly pleased to be able to see his sunbaes this way. Except one sunbae, the one he really wanted to see.

Watching his last 9PM News program was more than heartbreaking. He honestly didn’t know it would be this painful to know that it was the last time.

“Here’s the script for tonight. Reporter Han is at it again with his typos. Check, please.” Jongin shook his head.

This is Chanyeol’s last time to receive the script from Jongin.

“Here are your scripts, Anchor Do and Anchor Jung.”

This is Chanyeol’s last time to distribute the script to all the staff. Most especially to Anchor Do Kyungsoo.

"WE'RE AIRING IN 5 MINUTES! GET THE ANCHORS HERE!”

This is Chanyeol’s last time to hear Junmyeon hyung screaming during live broadcast.

“We’re starting in 5 minutes, Anchor Do and Anchor Jung!”

This is Chanyeol’s last time to call for the anchors and then hurry up to the control booth.

“AIRING IN 3! 2! 1!”

This is Chanyeol’s last time to hear Minseok call for the live broadcast. His last time to hear the opening sequence inside the studio itself.

“--updates will be made by our Field Reporter Lee. How is--”

This is Chanyeol’s last time to be the one to handle Anchor Do’s prompter. His last time to see the man he had idolized for years, live in his element.

“Thank you for the hard work! See you all on Monday!”

This is Chanyeol’s last time at SBS 9PM News.

Chanyeol was supposed to attend the Goodbye Party for all the Interns in their batch. He was, he really was. He didn’t even bring his bag, just his cellphone in case of emergency. He had finished up early, the last time he would clean up the mess in the News Department. However, he still won’t be going.

Turning around and almost running, he didn’t see who was in front of him and promptly bumped to each other. Luckily, none of them fell to the floor so it didn’t hurt much.

“I’m so sorry, I wasn’t looking--” Chanyeol blinked when he saw Junmyeon standing in front of him. “Oh, hyung. I’m sorry for bumping to you. I wasn’t looking where I was going--”

“You look like you saw a ghost.” Junmyeon remarked, eyebrow raised. “Plus, I’m pretty sure the party is that way, not here. Or did you get lost?” There was a teasing tone to his voice, something that tells Chanyeol his sunbae knows why even though he shouldn’t have any idea.

“I’m going home, hyung. I’m not feeling too well.” Chanyeol lied.

“Oh. Then I’ll bring you home. I’m already leaving too, anyway. I was just going to say goodbye to you.” Junmyeon smiled, “Last day and all that.”

Chanyeol returned the smile, although not as nicely as his hyung did. “Thanks, hyung. I appreciate it. I also appreciate the ride home. Can I just go pick-up my things?”

Nodding, Junmyeon indicated to the elevator. “Sure, I’ll just wait for you in my car. It’s still where I parked it earlier. You remember right?”

“Thanks, hyung!” Then Chanyeol walked as fast as he could towards the stairs, he didn’t have enough patience right now to wait for the elevator. It was just 5 levels up anyway, it won’t hurt.

Chanyeol was supposed to attend the party, he really was. But on the way, he saw Jongin hyung talking to Kyungsoo hyung. They were both smiling and obviously on the way towards the party. Kyungsoo attending the party meant Chanyeol shouldn’t. He had gone a whole week not interacting with his sunbae and only talking to him as little as possible, he knew he shouldn’t ruin it now.

“Kyungsoo sunbae will be happier if he doesn’t end the week with seeing me.” Chanyeol murmurs to himself, the sound echoing along the empty staircase along with his heavy footsteps.

Luckily, he had cleaned his desk earlier so he didn’t have to do it now with only little time before Baekhyun comes down to look for him. All he did was pick up his bag and the box of his belongings and went to wait for the elevator.

Soon, he was at the 1st floor parking lot of SBS where employees with high ranks have priority in parking. Junmyeon has always parked on the same spot ever since the man had given him a ride the other day so he knew where to find him.

“Chanyeol-ah!” Junmyeon had called when Chanyeol saw him. He was waiting by the hood, probably looking for him in case he missed the car. Chanyeol hates how Junmyeon is so sweet because it makes him hate the man’s boyfriend for hurting him.

“Thank you for waiting, hyung.” Chanyeol smiled as Junmyeon opened the back door for him to place his box. Then Junmyeon went around and sat on the driver seat while Chanyeol closed the back door and took the passenger seat. “You’re going home early, hyung.”

“I’m going to go surprise my boyfriend and beg for forgiveness, I guess?” was Junmyeon’s answer as he started the engine.

Chanyeol had turned on the radio and it was tuned in to KBS Radio. “Listening to the competition, hyung?” he asked.

Junmyeon chuckled, “Listening to the love of my life, more like it.” And he didn’t say anymore.

They were already near the guard‘s station when Junmyeon suddenly stopped and Chanyeol was lucky they weren’t moving fast because he forgot to fasten his seatbelt again.

Chanyeol turned to Junmyeon, “Hyung? What’s wrong?”

But Junmyeon wasn’t looking at him. “Kyungsoo? What the hell--?”

Chanyeol had stiffened at the name, but followed Junmyeon’s eyes. There, in front of the car, was Anchor Do and he was breathing fast, a palm raised as if saying wait. He was holding what seemed to be…

“Cue cards?” Junmyeon looked at Chanyeol. “I haven’t seen cue cards in years. What is he doing with it? I’ll go check on him--” But he wasn’t able to because Junmyeon’s phone was ringing with Kyungsoo’s name flashing on it. “Kyungsoo?”

“Do not get out the car and make sure that Chanyeol looks at the messages.” Then the line was cut.

“What did he say, hyung?” Chanyeol was looking in front and watched how Kyungsoo placed his phone back in his pocket.

“Don’t get out of the car and you should read the messages.” Junmyeon repeated, confused as well.

Chanyeol saw how Kyungsoo composed himself and raised the cue cards he was holding.

On the first card read, DEAR INTERN PARK CHANYEOL

“It is for you.” Junmyeon whispered.

Kyungsoo changed the cue card. I DON’T KNOW HOW TO START, BUT MAYBE I SHOULD DO IT WITH A THANK YOU.

Chanyeol was confused. Honestly and thoroughly confused because what did he mean? Thank you for what? For the Internship? For the help? For the confession? For the bother?

YOU SAW ME AS DO KYUNGSOO AND NOT SBS ANCHOR DO. YOU KNOW WHO I AM AND WHO I WAS BEFORE. SO, THANK YOU FOR ACCEPTING ME.

Kyungsoo was smiling by then even though Chanyeol still looked like he doesn’t know what’s happening.

I GUESS I’M SORRY TOO, FOR IGNORING YOU LAST WEEK. I THOUGHT YOU DIDN’T MEAN IT. I WAS AFRAID YOU DIDN’T MEAN IT.

Chanyeol could feel his heart beat double because that he knows what Kyungsoo meant. He watched as the man pretended to clutch as his chest before smiling and changing the cards again.

SO TODAY, I’LL RETURN THE FAVOR…

Kyungsoo raised one finger and then changed the cue card.

I LIKED YOU EVEN WHEN YOU JUST SAW ME AS A SUNBAE, CHANYEOL-AH.

Kyungsoo raised two fingers now then changed the card again.

YOU CHALLENGE ME, CHANYEOL.

Chanyeol’s heart really feel like it would fall by now. His hands are sweating even when the car’s air conditioner is on full blast. Then Kyungsoo raised three and Chanyeol read the next.

YOU’RE BEAUTIFUL WHETHER YOU’RE BROWN OR RED OR GRAY OR BLACK HAIRED, PARK CHANYEOL. ~~i prefer the gray though~~

Kyungsoo look like he’s shaking by the time he raises four fingers and changed the cue card.

YOU’RE GOING TO BE AMAZING WHETHER ON TV OR RADIO BROADCASTING, CHANYEOLLIE.

By now, Chanyeol knew he was shaking just as much as Kyungsoo was when the man raised all 5 of his fingers and held the cue cards in both hands.

I LOVE YOU, INTERN PARK. WILL YOU GO OUT WITH ME?

Chanyeol didn’t need to wait for anything as he immediately got out of the car and ran to where Kyungsoo was standing. He grabbed the cue cards and threw it away so he could wrap his arms around the smaller man.

“Sunbae, sunbae do you mean it?” he whispered, almost afraid. As if the whole thing was just a product of his imagination.

“I love you, Park Chanyeol.” was all Kyungsoo said.

Chanyeol didn’t need to wait for anything else because he held Kyungsoo’s small face in his large palms and kissed his idol, his sunbae, the man he was in love with.

Watching from the car was Kim Junmyeon, dabbing his eyes with tissue as he witnessed what was probably the sweetest thing in life. Hurriedly, he grabbed his phone and dialed the number he knew by heart.

“What the hell do you--”

“I love you.” Junmyeon whispered to his phone and the silence on the other line meant the other had heard.

Chanyeol has no idea how to feel when he walked up the stage with his Mom by his side to receive his diploma and various awards from the school. He doesn’t know how to feel when he shook the hands of many officers and professors, every one of them giving him a smile and a small pat at the back.

When he sat down, the last among the three of them, he turned to his friends. “I’m confused. I feel so… I don’t know how to feel,” he said, hoping it meant something.

Surprisingly, Jongdae just enveloped them both in a bone crushing hug. The angle was weird because they were separated by chairs, but it definitely felt nice. Baekhyun didn’t even make any sarcastic remark or wiggle himself out of the way.

“I can’t believe we’re finally done with this shithole.” Baekhyun finally whispered when a few minutes had passed by and the end of the distribution of diploma was almost done. This earned him laughs from both Chanyeol and Jongdae.

“Please, if there’s someone who’s allowed to call this a shithole. It’s definitely not you. Or me. Or Chanyeol.” Jongdae replied, releasing the two of them to fix his toga. “We all enjoyed Uni and we all finished it with style. I’m so proud of us.”

Baekhyun rolled his eyes. “You’re such a drama queen, Dae.”

“As if you’re not.” Jongdae shot back.

Their conversation was cut short because the distribution of diploma was done and there was someone speaking in front. Silently, they reached for each other’s hands and held them tight.

No matter how many times they fight over whatever little thing there is, Baekhyun and Jongdae and Chanyeol are still the best of friends.

“Are you guys attending the grad party tonight? Cause if you’re not then I’m not either.” Baekhyun asked the moment they were all out of the hall.

When the whole ceremony was over, they were ambushed by their numerous fans and Broadcasting club members. It was a long hugging session and thank yous before they were able to excuse themselves enough to be ambushed by their professors. It was another hugging session and promises to update them before they were able to leave the hall to the hallway.

Their parents then took the chance to come up to them and hug them tight, tears obvious in their eyes. This was something they didn’t want rush so they basked on their parent’s obvious pride. Finally, they promised to come by Chanyeol’s parent’s restaurant for a celebratory dinner for all three families.

They just removed their toga and returned it before walking out of the crowded hall. Finally, they were able to exit the building as they planned to have lunch together. A sort-of first lunch as responsible unemployed citizens of the country meal that Baekhyun had proposed.

Jongdae shook his head. “Nah, I’m not up for partying right now.”

“Me too.” Chanyeol agreed, “We can just go home after the dinner at my parent’s.”

Baekhyun cooed. “Aw! Look at us being adults!” That earned him a glare from both of them.

Chanyeol was supposed to ask where they were going for lunch, but something caught his eye in the flock of people passing by beside him.

A huge smile on Kyungsoo’s heart shaped lips bloomed when the he caught Chanyeol looking and then a wave. Chanyeol waved back and then bowed to Junmyeon who was standing beside Kyungsoo.

“Kyungsoo sunbae and Junmyeon hyung are here!” Chanyeol declared, excited and about to run over when he saw Jongdae run pass by him and onto the arms of… Junmyeon hyung? “What?”

“Congratulations, Chen-Chen!” Junmyeon greeted, kissing Jongdae’s forehead and then a peck on his lips. He raised the bouquet of flowers he brought. “You look great, baby!”

“..Chen-Chen?” Chanyeol repeated, confused.

Jongdae laughed, so bright and so happy that Chanyeol didn’t even know he could make that sound. “Cheesy. And you brought me flowers! Thank you.”

“What.” Chanyeol turned to Baekhyun who has his arms crossed. “What.”

“Jongdae! I think you broke Chanyeol!” Baekhyun just yelled then lightly punched Chanyeol’s arm. “Close your mouth. You look like an idiot. More than usual.”

When Chanyeol had finally closed his mouth and realized the insult, Kyungsoo, Jongdae and Junmyeon had already walked to them. Junmyeon’s arm were wrapped around Jongdae’s shoulders while Jongdae had his on Junmyeon’s waist.

Junmyeon was the first one to speak, “Chanyeol, this is my boyfriend, Chen. Or Kim Jongdae, as you know him. Congratulations on the graduation, by the way.”

“You already know Junmyeon hyung so I won’t have to introduce him, right?” Jongdae smirked, obviously pleased at Chanyeol’s reaction. He wouldn’t put it past Jongdae to actually plan this just to see his face.

“Junmyeon hyung is the guy you wear those leather jackets for?” Chanyeol asked his friend.

“Yup. He likes them.” Jongdae winked at Junmyeon who just blushed.

Chanyeol turned to Junmyeon this time, “Jongdae is the asshole that broke your heart because you changed your hair color?”

Junmyeon nodded.

“I’m not an asshole!” Jongdae glared at his boyfriend. “I’m not an asshole, am I?”

“Yes you are.” Chanyeol interrupted before Junmyeon could answer. “Did you know how bloated hyung’s face is when he cried because of you for days, asshole?”

Jongdae pouted and Junmyeon just kissed his boyfriend’s cheeks to appease him. Baekhyun laughed beside him while Kyungsoo just smiled patiently at the side.

Then suddenly, as if Chanyeol just realized something, “Hey. What’s up with you guys hiding who your boyfriends are from me?” he demanded and the two just looked away. “That’s unfair, you knew about my crush on Kyungsoo sunbae while the two of you just--”

“Oh, look! Nini and Hun are here! Bye!” Baekhyun interrupted with a wave and a too huge smile. “I’ll message you all where we’ll get lunch. Bye!’

“Oops! I just remembered that Junmyeon hyung and I had to go. Uh, somewhere.” Jongdae smiled and waved good bye as well, dragging his boyfriend with him. “I’ll see you all later at a very late lunch!”

Chanyeol shook his head at his friend’s actions and just turned to Kyungsoo who hasn’t said anything, just standing there and waiting for him. Then Kyungsoo suddenly spread his arms.

“You’re not going to come running to my arms, Yeol?” he asked, tilting his head a bit as if confused. He still had that infuriatingly cute heart-shaped smile on his face.

Chanyeol raised an eyebrow and spread his arms as well. “Shouldn’t you be running to my arms, sunbae? You’d look good in my arms.”

Kyungsoo snorted before walking to Chanyeol and wrapping his arms around him. He does fit well in Chanyeol’s arms, his head tucked under Chanyeol’s chin and his own arms wrapped around the other’s waist.

“Congratulations on your graduation, Yeol.” Kyungsoo said, his breathe on Chanyeol’s chest. “I brought a gift for you. I’m sorry it’s not flowers, but I hope you still like it.”

“I like anything you give me, sunbae.” Chanyeol replied, letting go of the embrace, but didn’t move away. “So? Where is it? Where’s my gift?”

Kyungsoo took out an envelope from his bag. “Promise me you won’t open this until you’re home, okay? I’ll find out if you do it earlier, believe me. Promise?” he held out his pinky finger and Chanyeol eagerly agreed.

“Is it money? How much is it? What is it, sunbae?” Chanyeol asked, holding onto the sealed envelope.

Kyungsoo unwillingly snorted, “You just have to be patient, Park Chanyeol.”

Chanyeol whined, “I’m not patient though.”

“Let me distract you, then.” Kyungsoo took Chanyeol’s hand in his. “How about some coffee and waffles? I doubt we’ll be eating lunch any time soon by look on those five.”

“Bet you 50,000 won they’re going to fuck.” Chanyeol said and then earned a slap to his arm. “Sunbae!”

“We can’t bet if I’m agreeing with your guess.” Kyungsoo pointed out. “Now, coffee?”

Chanyeol smiled, “Coffee.”

The seven of them did meet for a very late lunch three hours after they separated. All five of them look freshly showered that Chanyeol and Kyungsoo both bursted out laughing the moment all of them sat at the table.

“What?” Baekhyun asked, confused.

“Is there anything on my face?” Jongdae added looking equally as confused.

Chanyeol handed Kyungsoo 50,000 won and Kyungsoo handed Chanyeol 50,000 won as well.

Dinner went well with his family. His parents had cooked more than enough for all of them to be fed. Baekhyun had gone back to his usual ways of glomping almost an entire box of pizza and Jongdae had almost eaten the whole bowl of the pasta his Mom had made.

Everyone finished at past 3AM so Chanyeol was a little too sleepy when he got dressed for bed. As he was folding his clothes, he noticed the envelope that Kyungsoo sunbae gave him on his desk.

“I’m home now, right?” Chanyeol murmured to himself as he carefully opened the envelope and unfolded the letter.

Dear Mr. Park Chanyeol,

Greetings!

After reviewing the recorded files of your radio broadcasts, we would like to invite you for a full-time position as the host of our station’s newest radio program that will target youths like yourself. The program will be airing for two hours every Monday to Friday at a still undecided slot.

Other information on the program, the staff and the benefits are on the second page. Directions regarding the position are on the third page. For any question, you may contact us at the phone number and email address below this page.

We hope to hear from you soon as we are all excited for you to come work with us here in SBS Radio.

Kind Regards,
Lee Hanna
SBS Radio Station Manager

Note:
Character Reference and Broadcast copy c/o:
Do Kyungsoo
SBS News Anchor and Host

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