journey.

►     ––––       .  .  .      being in this room almost knocks the wind right out of him.

now that they’re both here, subin isn’t really sure how to start, or what they’re supposed to do first. he’s had experience - it’s not like he hasn’t, but being with someone who he’s on uncertain terms with like this, when he’s not really sure if he loves him or not, that’s something that subin is sure will get them both in trouble in the long run.

it seems like haein isn’t really sure what to do or where to go from here either, and that at least gives him some kind of comfort. the atmosphere between them has hardly died down, in fact, subin can feel the desire in him still thrumming at his skin like a beast within ready to claw its way from its shackles. haein looks pretty in this lighting, looked pretty outside, made him frustrated in a way that piqued his interests and although the annoyance at his anger and his outburst is gone now, the desire still remains.

he has to hold himself back from laughing, though. it seems as if haein is far more nervous than he is, though subin is hardly surprised by it. it seems like things are progressing between them even more rapidly than subin could have ever expected. “ did you seriously just say that?” subin raises his eyebrow, which he’s sure that haein can certainly see even in the dim lighting. “ i found out about it through … some people. this place is on the down low.” subin shrugs, figuring that haein can guess what he means from there.

subin spends the next few moments striding around the room, toeing out of his shoes. “ we’re coming here, too. to do things.” he says in amusement, finally taking a look at haein. he can feel his throat dry at the expression on him, as if he’s looking at him for the first time. that primal beast that’s clambering inside of subin is clearly in haein, too.

it takes all of him not to press haein’s body close to his own and break the skin of his lips with a biting kiss when he feels that lingering touch of fingers on his arms, his neck … his cheeks. “ tell me something i don’t know.” subin jokes, but his voice is husky and it isn’t lost on either of them. his breathing turns shallow, and then the world turns them both over. their kiss is magnetic, electrifying and subin’s fingers clasp around haein’s arms in a tight grip.

he keeps their kiss slow, but it’s still hungry in ways. it takes all of him to continue the slowness of their kiss, to guide haein to the bed in exaggerated, sure steps.

and his lips never once leave his when he pulls him down beside him.

Eeep.

Oh god. This was even more than he had ever dared dream of on those dark, lonely nights back when they skirted around their mutual feelings of attractions, neither one wanting — or daring — to take the next step. But here they were, diving into the unknown with one another. It was exhilarating. It was frightening. Completely and wholly fantastic.

It was only due to Subin’s guidance that Haein did not trip over his own feet or back into some piece of furniture, though he nearly loses his balance when he feels the bed on the back of his thighs. Somewhere in the back of his mind his inner voice was screaming, the anxiety hitting and all time high but Haein did his best to ignore it as they lay on the (surprisingly) soft mattress together.

His heart was hammering like mad by the time he pulled back, inhaling deeply through his nose, hands still clutching onto Subin’s shirt. “Um... wow,” Haein said dumbly, trying his best to bring his breathing back to normal as he shyly looked back into the other’s face. “I, uh, you kiss... good.” He cringed internally at how absolutely idiotic he sounded but it was very hard to get his mind back into working order.

“I’m sorry... I’m not usually this dumb,” he murmured, letting a light finger trace over Subin’s cheek and down to his jaw, pausing momentarily before letting his drift down to his neck feeling his pulse. “I mean, I am dumb, but now I’m nervous and dumb. I... don’t want to mess this up for you — us. This will be my first, you know?” Haein flushed a deeper pink, the tips of his ears burning hot with embarrassment.

half baked.

aeri nodded her head, still thinking in her mind what she would need and the amount of time that was left for the two of them. taking the bowl of eggs, she looked to see haein’s reaction before pondering over a thought. “if you need 10…” she repeated out loud while recalling the information. seeing that they would need at least 18 of the eggs to make the croqembouche, aeri thought about how they would have left some for extras. 

“we won’t need the whole bowl, but the extra eggs are there just in case. it’s better to be safe than sorry.” she separated the eggs into smaller bowls so that there was one for haein and one for her. “10 for you and 8 for me.” aeri told him while making sure that she had given the right number of eggs for the both of them.

soon after, aeri began to prepare the choux pastry as she preheated the oven. while repeating to herself the first set of steps, she began searching for the hand mixer. “where’s the hand mixer…?” she muttered under her breath before deciding to ask haein about it. “have you seen the— oh! never mind, i saw it!” aeri rushed towards the hand mixer and brought it closer to her work station before she began turning the machine on. 

Of course. Backup eggs. And backups for their backups. Haein was glad that Aeri seemed to have her head on straight. Perhaps this wouldn’t go tits up after all. He went through a mental check list of what he needed, muttering under his breath as he picked them up. “Vanilla beans, milk, eggs, cornstarch, sugar, salt, oh can’t forget a bowl, saucepans... a whisk!”

There was a spring in his step as he measured all the ingredients and started preparing the custard. “Just starting the vanilla infused milk,” Haein called out to his partner. Something he had learned whilst watching cooking shows was that communication was just as important as good food. “I estimate the custard will be in the chiller in like, twenty-thirty minutes. If I finish early I could help you pipe the choux. Unless they’re already in the oven, then never mind.” He laughed brightly trying not to appear as panicked as he felt.

The smell of the vanilla was heavenly. Now came the hardest part: adding the warm milk to his egg mixture whilst simultaneously heating it over a water bath and beating it constantly. “Oh man! I really wish I had another set of arms. Why couldn’t I have been some kind of special mutant?” Haein inhaled deeply, plonking the bowl over the simmering saucepan as he began to add the milk glancing over at Aeri.

►     ––––       .  .  .      haein doesn’t seem to be taking this as seriously as he is  -  or maybe he really does just look at it in a completely different way.  subin has to keep watching him, searching his eyes for any sign of misgiving or hesitation .. but there is none.  there’s only a certainty that leaves subin’s mouth dry and his eyes in awe at the confidence of it.  " that’s not  -“ subin sighs.  he knows that haein’s right, but the thought of possibly hurting him in the long run just because he isn’t sure … it sets him on edge.  ” i mean, you’re right i guess … i just don’t .. want to hurt you? but if you’re sure …“

things between them seem .. unfinished.  are they boyfriends now? haein seems to have no problem calling him sexy and the tension in the air seems to suddenly be so thick, you can cut it with a knife.  haein shudders and subin’s lips curl up into a smile  -  he may be convinced that haein doeesn’t know what he’s getting himself into, trying to date subin when subin isn’t really sure what it is that he feels.  but things are changing between them already, set into motion by a little fight sprung up between them out of a lack of communication.

and they’ll likely change even more by the end of the night.

truthfully, subin doesn’t expect haein to take him up on his offer.  after all, it was halfway a joke and they’re still trying to figure out what they are and what they could be.  subin forgets that sleeping with someone doesn’t have to be synonymous with a pure love, and it’s true that he’s already admitted that part of what he feels for haein is … physical.  carnal.  he still hesitates, but that all ends when haein squeezes his thigh and touches him teasingly, making him shudder all his own.

it’s true.  tonight, things will be changing between them drastically.  subin has to squint his eyes at haein’s question, thinking about where he could take them where they won’t cause trouble.  and then he’s up on his feet, thinking only of the don’t ask, don’t tell motto in the heart of seoul’s down low, lgbt community.  surely there’s a place for them there.  ” come on.“ he whispers, squeezing haein’s hip.

it isn’t long before they find themselves locked in a room somewhere where no one will find them.  just the two of them.

This was happening. This was really happening.

Haein wasn’t sure how he’d gotten here but now it was really hitting home that it was real. He hadn’t actually thought it all out, what he would do once the two of them were alone. His eyes travelled around the hotel (motel?) room taking in the... dark, yet sultry colour palette that alluded to what the main function of these rooms were. The lighting was intimate, casting a soft glow on them both as Haein stood awkwardly in the middle of the room fiddling with his sleeves.

“S-so,” he stammered, eyes looking everywhere but Subin. “How did you know about this place? It’s uh, it’s pretty nice. Hopefully it’s clean since, you know, people come here to... uh, do things.” Haein cleared his throat as his eyes finally landed on the man in front of him. God. Subin looked really, really good.

The way the light played over his features just served to highlight just how handsome he was. The way his hair fell across his brow made his fingers itch to run through it, to feel the soft silkiness flow through them. And his eyes, oh his eyes, they were mesmerising. At that moment they seemed to flicker with an internal fire, hiding a hungry want, something distinctly primal within his soul.

Like a moth towards a flame, Haein stepped in closer, hands tentatively running up Subin’s arms to cup his face. “You’re stupid handsome, you know that right?” he murmured. His heart hammered away in his rib cage, blood rushing like the crashing ocean in his ears. “Driving me crazy... looking like that, looking at me like that...”

►     ––––       .  .  .  it takes a few minutes for him to calm down, but even then, there’s still the tell tale prickle of annoyance raising the hair on the back of his neck and the gooseflesh that runs its way up his arms.  he wants to understand what made haein react so violently when subin knows that the other isn’t prone to excessive overreacting.  when it comes to anger, subin is the more likely culprit, the angry one and the one bound to lose his temper.  but perhaps that just goes to show him how much haein actually cares for him, actually … likes him.

though it doesn’t change the fact that this situation could have gone a completely different way.  subin clears his throat now that he’s done snapping at haein in all of his annoyance, trying to rid himself of the gooseflesh and the frustration that makes his blood run hot.  

he shakes his head.  he hadn’t taken haein to be an idiot.  " do you think it’s easy to just forget my feelings?“ he hisses  -  so much for trying to calm himself of his annoyance.  ” you yelled at me because you were upset.  do you think i’m that shallow?“ subin looks at him in disbelief with a set to his jaw.  what a frustrating night.  and to imagine, subin just thought they were going out for ramyeon.  so much for that  -  now he’s hungry, frustrated, and hot blooded.

” i care.“ he mutters, keeping his eyes narrowed.  ” i wanted to be good.  i wanted to love you.“ but haein speaks of attraction and subin can’t deny the obvious, letting out a sigh.  more than once and even now, the heat of frustration has bubbled through him and settled in his belly, a struggle that he’s been trying to keep to himself.  and to be fair, subin is attracted to more, like the way haein always seems to find him in a crowd with a smile wide.  both things that he needs.  right now though, he’s just feeling that.  frustration.  ” are you sure you want me like this?“ he mutters through his teeth.  ” even though i’m not sure if it’s just  -  …“ sexual? friendship?

the comment takes him off guard.  the heat rears in him.  ” oh really.“  subin asks in a rather sarcastic tone, though the smirk is hard to hide.  kneeling down next to haein, he whispers in his ear.  ” then go somewhere with me.  let’s take this conversation somewhere more ..“  he looks around the alley.  ” private.“

“Are you sure you want me like this?”

Does he want him like this? The answer is yes. Haein does want him like this. Even if it means that it may not last and it may not be love, but life is too short to be sitting on the fence. “I do want you... even though you’re not sure what you’re feeling right now, I still want to be with you. We can figure things out together, you know?”

Haein’s hair on the nape of his neck stand straight up as Subin whispers in his ear making him shiver visibly, a dark flush spreading over his cheeks. The tone of his voice tells him there will be less talking and more... doing if he should take him up on the offer. He looks into the eyes of his friend, biting his lip nervously as he wrestles with himself internally for a few moments before nodding slowly.

“Yes,” he squeaks, clearing his throat immediately after. “Y-yeah, let’s go somewhere,” Haein repeats meeting Subin’s gaze squarely showing him that he was 110% serious. Mustering his courage he reaches out to squeeze one of the other’s thighs lightly, letting his hand trail off teasingly. He stands up with a shaky breath, wondering if he was getting in over his head.

But he wanted this. He had wanted this for a long time. To be alone with Subin.

►     ––––       .  .  .      like this, with a sullen and pouting look, haein looks younger than his age.  he looks more like a child, put out because he’s being told no  -  defiant and angry, and that throws subin off.  at least after a few moments, he manages to look ashamed and exposed, embarrassed for his outburst and oddly like he’s waiting for subin’s reactions to his confession.  

maybe subin hadn’t done this right at all.  he watches haein sink to the ground and it’s like his own heart sinks with him, boiling in a pit of his stomach acid.  it almost makes him feel sick to see haein like this, because  -  well, he meant what he said, but did he say it in the wrong way? did haein misunderstand? subin is tired of living his life misunderstood and with too many people afraid of what he’ll say next.  

it’s such a tiring situation.  all that subin can do is sigh and sink to the ground beside him as he hears haein’s murmured apology.  what was he supposed to do with that? confessing can be terrifying.  subin understands, but to say it all in anger? “ you could have been more upfront with me.” he says flatly, now crouched beside haein with a small grunt of effort.  “ how was i supposed to know you were trying to tell me your feelings just because of that question?”

that’s a load of bullshit.  subin is a lot more observant than he seems, but it’s the truth that he wanted to hear what haein was really thinking before jumping to conclusions.  why was that so wrong? why, heaven forbid, wasn’t he allowed to be unsure of his own feelings for awhile  -  given how confused they both were, about where they stand and it’s not like he’s had much experience dating before  -  period, let alone with another man.  he just wanted to be sure.

he’s cursing himself, but that didn’t make what haein did right, either.  they both made mistakes here.  “ what?” subin asks incredulously now, surprised by the question.  “ did you not hear what i just said?” a flare up of the annoyance and the anger he tried to keep buried deep in him makes his tone sharp, his eyes narrow.  “ i told you already.  i like you, too.  we’re friends.  and …” he trails off for a second.  “ i’m attracted.  in a lot of ways.  i didn’t say get lost and i sure as hell didn’t call you a mistake.”

Haein’s mind continued to swirl around and around inside his skull as he watched Subin meekly awaiting his judgement. And he deserved it. Blowing up without knowing all the facts... yikes. He wasn’t one to jump the gun but that was precisely what he had done. Whatever the other thought of him he probably deserved every bit of it.

He nods and pokes the pavement with a finger as he listens to his friend. Subin made a good point. Several good points in fact. He should’ve just been frank with him, honest in a cool, calm, and collected manner. If he’d only done that then this whole mess could’ve been avoided. Man, was he an idiot or what?

As Subin narrowed his eyes, Haein flinched at the sound of annoyance in his voice, wrinkling his nose. The last few words made him look up hopefully his hand reaching out to grab onto his jacket gently. “You like me? Still? Even after all the dumb things I said?” He smiled though it wavered after a few seconds.

“I... I don’t mind you not knowing if you love me or not. Hell, we’re both young. But, Subin, I really do like you and— and want to be with you. We’re both attracted to each other, right? So... why not? Unless it’s because I’m a complete and utter dolt.” Haein bit his lip and looked at the other, hope daring to twinkle in his eyes.

cram school 2 threads needed !!

@lgcahri

@lgcjinseo

@lgcdoha

masterchef:

@lgcaeri

current threads:

crumbs with @lgchyunbin

acting starter for @lgchanbyul

confessions with @lgcsubin

there aren’t that many people who could handle his energy and his inability to sit still, zooming around the kitchen. hyunbin always had a knack for trouble, whether he invites it on his own or not. haein doesn’t seem to mind though, hyunbin usually gravitates towards these types of older trainees—at the end of the day, he just likes being spoiled. the other is occupied with the cookies right, but usually, it’s easier to get his attention.

not that hyunbin minds, really. he knows how important these cookies are—there’s a chance they can garner more attention to their name by letting fans taste their lovely cookies! it’s why hyunbin is sitting on his hands at the moment, hoping he doesn’t mess whatever haein seems to be doing. it’s difficult, he’s curious and asking rapid questions. “the mixing phase. that sounds incredibly intense. i’m here for it.”

hyunbin listens with interest, letting out an ‘oh’ as haein continues to explain. “do you bake often, hyung? because if so, it’s pretty tempting to nab a few of your cookies for myself now.” he’s only joking, of course. hopefully. “you have a point! i think a star would be nice—since we’re, you know, legacy’s stars? ah! can we do fireworks? or is that too hard to draw on a simple cookie… i’ve never tried.”

it’s hard not to like hyunbin. his enthusiasm was contagious and in all honesty haein could use some energy during these cold, dark, winter months. it was also nice to receive 110% of his attention, making him feel important and more of hyung since he was prone to acting younger than he actually was. 

“the mixing isn’t actually that intense. or you know, it shouldn’t be since I don’t want to clean up cookie dough that escapes the bowl,” haein replies with a laugh. “if anything happens it’s your job to mop it up so... be careful. don’t want the staff to come here and scold us.” he made a face before beckoning the other over to put an apron over his head, tying it neatly behind his back.

►     ––––       .  .  .       he doesn’t think he’s ever seen haein quite so … irritable? angry? what the fuck did he say that made him like this? subin narrows his eyes at haein’s behaviour, at the quick way his hands work enough to make the broth from his bowl spill out onto the table.  he wants to tell him that he’s wasting it, especially considering the fact that ramen costs money and that’s something that they’ve both struggled to come by at different points in their life.

but more than that, subin wants to understand what it is that he did so wrong.  he only spoke the truth  -  tried to cover his own feelings about the playful kiss he planted on haein’s cheek because god only knows he doesn’t even understand his feelings for him in the first place.  it’s not like subin’s much experienced in all of this, and … there’s so much more at stake here than hurt feelings and broken hearts.

“ you know why.” subin protests, narrowing his eyes slightly at haein’s attitude.  “ i just  -” he doesn’t even get the chance to explain properly, not before haein’s confessing exactly what it was that had worried him.  a could be, if he took a step forward.  it’s while all these thoughts run through his head about whether or not he actually does want something more that haein’s putting his hands on him roughly, angrily  -  enough to make him shove his hands back on instinct.  

“ can you chill out?” he hisses into the night air, standing up after him and stalking just a step behind.  his hand is tight as it grips haein’s shoulder, trying to force him to turn and face him and give him a chance to fucking talk without haein spitting venom.  “ i only spoke the truth.  people kiss in photobooths; i thought it was playing around or for fanservice.  that’s what they put the photobooths at the party for.”  his blood is pumping through him and subin finds himself just as angry, his grip on haein’s shoulder twice as tight as when he gripped at his jacket.  

so he lets him go.  “ you never give me a chance to talk.  you’re always bulldozing over me and saying what the fuck you want to, without hearing me.  what’s wrong with you?  you like me? is that how you treat someone you like?”  subin runs his hands through his hair and scratches at his head in frustration, eyes narrowed as he takes a minute to glower off into the empty street.  

when he finally looks back at haein, subin’s not smiling.  “ i didn’t want to tell you i like you until i was sure.  because i think you’re cute, and because i like being around you doesn’t mean i love you.  i don’t want to make a mistake.”  he backs away one step, two.  “ i like you but i wanted to love you first before i said anything.  sorry that’s fucked up for me to do.”

Haein felt like a prickly pear, his blood still seething from his outburst. He turned to face Subin, a sullen expression on his face as he crossed his arms, suddenly feeling exposed. What would the fallout be from his emotional outpouring? He didn’t know and he wasn’t looking forward to it in particular. Now that he wasn’t seeing red anymore, Haein was aware that his friend was going to pay him back in kind.

As quickly as his rage had built it faded to nothing leaving behind an unpleasant feeling of shame and guilt in the pit of his stomach. Haein sniffed and wiped his nose on his sleeve feeling remarkably empty. When Subin moved away from him his heart twisted, slowly causing him to crumble, sinking down to hug his knees as he buried his face in them unable to look at the other.

Wow.

He had fucked up. And not just fucked up, but massively fucked up. How was he supposed set things right? Haein could feel the tears pricking the corner of his eyes, threatening to roll down his face. His chest felt tight, constricted, his breaths shaky as he willed himself to calm down. It was hard. Knowing that he’d burned one of his closest friends who could show him the door (and he wouldn’t blame him) made his heart race.

“I’m sorry.” It came out muffled from underneath his arms. Inhaling deeply Haein lifted his head and looked up at Subin before wiping his eyes with his sleeve. “I’m sorry,” he repeated before lowering his head and looking at the pavement as he remained sitting. “I— I— I spoke without knowing your side of things. I hurt you. I just... I was scared and lashed out. I’m sorry, Subin.”

dorm room buddies please hmu for some threads! haein is very excited to finally be part of the agency and would love to chit chat with his new friends c: @lgcalec​ @lgcxminseok​ @lgcyejun​

acting mission! looking for two people to possibly thread with concerning the voice acting workshops :3c

Woah.

The sports festival was huge. Haein didn’t think he’d seen this many trainees all at once since the Halloween bash. It was all rather exciting and the atmosphere was contagious, especially when he noticed all the fans sitting around in the bleachers waving banners and whatnot. How freakin’ cool. He wondered if there were any fans here for him even though he hadn’t really made himself stand out among the other trainees. Either way, he hoped that he would perform well in his chosen activities.

The activity list had caught Haein by surprise when it was first introduced. He wasn’t exactly the most sport inclined person and seeing the different activities really hit the point home. What could he choose that would limit the embarrassment of possible failure? The team sports had seemed pretty cool, and bowling wasn’t exactly strenuous (like hurdles) but on the off chance where he could be throwing ten frames of gutter balls, he didn’t want to be the reason the team lost.

Eventually he settled for individual archery (hey, who didn’t want to feel like Robin Hood?) and prayed that he wasn’t going to skewer anyone with a stray arrow. Luckily they’d get some basic training on how to hold the bow and aim so Haein wasn't too worried.

His slot to shoot was shortly after noon. Haein could see the target way down at the other end, wondering how on earth he was supposed to hit it from where he was stood. Upon hearing the signal, he took a deep breath lifting his bow and nocking the arrow. He pulled the string back to his the side of his chin before releasing.

Schwip.

Where did it go? Haein looked at the screen. Six points. That was actually pretty decent for his first go! Maybe he wasn’t about to embarrass himself in front of everyone. He got himself ready for the next round.

Four. Five. Six. Two. Seven. Five. Six. Three. Ten.

►     ––––       .  .  .      he quickly mixes his ramen, a little excited for the spice and the taste of the noodles on his tongue  -  but haein really doesn’t seem that interested in the food before them.  subin already knew that haein was in a mood, but to turn down ramen? 

he decides to eat his own, figuring that haein will just talk whenever he’s ready, but the question itself makes him practically choke on his food.  kiss? what kiss?

“ you mean when i kissed your cheek? in the photo booth?” subin asks incredulously, allowing the rest of his noodles to fall from his chopsticks and to idle in the broth for a moment.  his eyes narrow slightly at haein’s reddened cheeks, trying to grasp whatever it is that he’s confused over.  “ everyone kisses cheeks in photo booths ..” he mutters awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck.

haein thought there was more to it.  and maybe there was, maybe there is, but it’s a maybe that subin hasn’t allowed himself to think about.  between the fear and the doubt, wondering whether or not he actually had feelings for haein or just found him nice to look at sometimes was something that he always forced himself to swallow.  

god, he thanks whatever higher power there is that the tables outside the convenience store are all empty and that there’s no one walking the streets.  “ … why?” subin asks finally, forcing himself to look at haein’s reddened cheeks once more.  he knows the answer even without asking, but he just  -  has to make sure.  should he joke, though? ask him if he’s just so touch deprived that he gets horny from a kiss on the cheek or should he just let him say the truth?

should they keep dancing around what could be?

“Everyone kisses cheeks in photo booths...”

Haein crinkled his nose at the reply, stirring his ramen a little bit more vigorously than needed causing droplets of soup to splash onto the plastic table they were sat at. No, he really didn’t like that answer at all. It made him feel like his preoccupation with the kiss was too unproportionate for what it was, after all it just sounded like it was something friendly... nothing more. How disappointing.

He huffed softly and continued to eat his ramen as he pondered on how best to answer Subin. “Why what?” Haein finally snapped, dropping his chopsticks into the bowl and folding his arms as he looked the other in the eye. “Why am I asking? Or why has it been on my mind? Oh gee, I don’t know. Maybe it has to do something with you being stupidly cute and my heart feeling like it’s doing the mambo every time you’re nearby.”

The words come out a lot harsher than he expected but he really didn’t care at the moment, his blood was boiling and he was annoyed. If Subin was going to play it off as something that everyone did then, so help him god, was he going to get it off his chest. Haein frowned, shifting in his chair to lean in and grab hold of the other’s jacket giving it a little shake.

crumbs

honestly, hyunbin probably shouldn’t be left in the kitchen all on his own. for once, if he isn’t raiding the fridge or watching other people cook (and promptly stealing what they made afterwards), he’s probably messing up the kitchen. it’s not his fault he doesn’t have in skills in cooking—his talent lies elsewhere, and that’s perfectly fine! not everyone will be good at everything, he’ll just have to find someone else to cook in his stead. either that, or he begs them to buy him food.

this time around though, hyunbin is eager to contribute. after all, it has to do with fangifts—there’s no way hyunbin won’t do anything when it comes to making gifts for fans! he wasn’t sure what to do at first, his mind is racing with ideas that he inevitably has to shut down because he doesn’t exactly have the budget for that, or it’s something that he can’t create easily. it isn’t until ( @lgchaein ) suggested cookies that hyunbin finally settled on that. he doesn’t know whether what he bakes will be good, but there’s no harm in trying, right?

“should we make it christmas themed?” he asks, swinging over to haein’s side, taking a peek at the bowl before the older. “what are you making, hyung? is that the icing? can i help?” hyunbin hovers over haein with an interested glint in his eyes, wondering whether he can properly do something to help or if he’ll just keep asking questions until he gets kicked out. haein is nicer than that though, so that probably won’t happen anytime soon. “i can help decorate… i think i’m creative enough for that!”

the prospect of making something that would be given out to the fans was exciting. even though haein was rather sure that there weren’t many people who knew who was but maybe this would be the perfect opportunity to become a little bit more well known. his athletic prowess was a bit of a concern since he didn’t have any but he could damn well make some tasty cookies and write a nice message on the tags. that is, if hyunbin didn’t accidentally set the oven on fire first.

haein had confidence in the other, his energy matching his own and his enthusiasm endearing him immensely. he was just a tad concerned when it felt like he had a tiny whirlwind in the kitchen zooming about asking questions at a million kilometres an hour. on one his many zoomies haein stopped what he was doing and gently grabbed hyunbin by the shoulders, hooking out a stool for him to sit on and placing him on it like a small child. “now don’t move. I’m almost done with the ingredients, then we can move onto the mixing phase.”

“what I’m doing, my young padawan, is prepping everything we need for the cookie dough—just a simple sugar cookie dough—so we can just add everything to a bowl without worrying.” haein smiled at him as he placed the bowls in the correct order. “as for christmas themed... aren’t we filming after the new year though? wouldn’t it be better if they were new year’s themed? my idea was just to keep the actual cookie simple, like a circle or a star, and write ‘happy new year’ or ‘2021′ on it. is it too... little? boring? ”