GAWON

She froze.

Slowly, she turned toward the sound system.

Of course.

A quiet sigh escaped her.

Years ago, whenever Riki was annoyed, upset, or simply unwilling to talk about something, the music somehow always ended up louder. Back then, she'd usually roll her eyes, walk over, and turn it back down while he complained about her ruining the atmosphere, but it would only last a few minutes. Making up used to be easier.

Funny how some habits would survive breakups.

Without a word, Chloe made her way over to the speakers and crouched down beside them, lowering the volume to a level that wouldn't shake the entire building. Only then did she glance over at him. "I almost forgot you still do that." She nodded toward the speakers, a faint smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "Almost." Her gaze lingered on where he was sprawled against the mirror. "And for someone who doesn't have my time," she continued, "you've spent a surprisingly large amount of it talking to me." She rose to her feet with an effortless motion, dusting off her hands. "As for my knees," she added, amusement slipping into her voice but also the same cocky attitude he potrayed, "they're perfectly fine. I can't say the same about your dramatic collapse onto the floor the second I walked in." Then she walked back to where her belongings were placed. "Also—", smoothing out her practice pants before stopping herself, you used to complain when I skipped warm-ups, is what she never says doing her stretches. A small exhale, face hiding away any emotion that would indicate for a moment that a sentence like that would send her to the past. A different time. There wasn't much to dwell in though as the choreographer barged inside with the most dramatic look on it's face.

"Sorry I'm late!" the choreographer called, rushing inside with a tablet tucked under one arm. Their eyes brightened immediately upon seeing the two idols. "Perfect! You're both here already. This choreography is pretty intense, so we're going to need a lot of trust and chemistry between you two."

Chloe blinked.

Then slowly looked over at Riki.

"Fantastic! Love the enthusiasm," the choreographer chirped, completely oblivious to the undercurrents as he tapped open a tablet. "Come take a look at the demo tape. We want to capture a very mature, magnetic pull between you two."

"Fantastic! Love the enthusiasm." Chloe almost answered, until Ni-ki's words properly reached her. Right, Grinchy? Her eyes slid sideways, fixing him with a flat look. Really? After everything, that was the nickname he chose to bring back? The glare lasted only a heartbeat before it disappeared as quickly as it came, replaced by the same composed expression she wore everywhere else. As the demo continued, the choreography only grew more demanding. Sharp, synchronized movements melted into slow, fluid transitions, each sequence bringing them closer than the last. Hands found waists, foreheads nearly brushed, and every controlled step relied on complete trust and perfect timing. It wasn't intimacy for the sake of spectacle, it was the kind that required two dancers to surrender every hesitation, to move as though they could already anticipate each other's next breath.

Her gaze drifted back to Ni-ki. To the cough. The bright flush climbing across his cheeks. To the way his confidence had vanished almost instantly. For a brief second, she wondered. Had those feelings never truly disappeared for him either? Or was this simply what he'd become around her? All the sarcasm, the constant push and pull, the endless need to get under her skin... had it always been easier than admitting there was still something unresolved between them? She had never known. Maybe she never would. Whatever answer existed, this wasn't the place to ask for it.

So instead, she did the only thing she could think of to spare him from the awkwardness settling over the room. The corner of her mouth lifted ever so slightly.

"Easy, ducky," she said evenly, as if this were nothing more than another one of their usual exchanges. "Don't get your feathers all ruffled."

MEOVV

chloe: hey what are you doing rn

chloe: pls tell me you're free

chloe: i kinda wanna go on a random drive and get out of the dorm for a bit..

chloe: i'll pay for drive-thru snacks as a bribe

chloe: come with me? 🚗

✒️ plot starter with special guest @asauh

The quiet hum of Chloe's car echoed through the evening streets as she cruised toward Asa's place, one hand resting lazily on the steering wheel while "Anything But Love" by Tate McRae played softly through the speakers. The city lights reflected across the glossy black paint of the luxury car, but she'd long stopped noticing the attention it drew.

A rare evening with no schedules, cameras, or rehearsals was enough to put her in a good mood. Add a late-night drive, greasy drive-thru food, and Asa riding shotgun, and it sounded like the perfect way to end the day.

She pulled up outside the dorm with a grin, flashing the headlights twice before reaching over to unlock the passenger door.

The answer only seemed to confuse her manager more, his gaze moving between them once again.

Before he could ask another question, Chloe finally looked away from Riki long enough to offer her manager a polite smile.

"Could you give us a moment?" she asked. "I'm sure the choreographer should be here soon. Maybe check if they're on the way?"

Still looking slightly bewildered, her manager nodded and quietly excused himself from the room. The door slid shut behind him. Silence. Chloe exhaled softly before turning her full attention back to Riki, her expression settling into its usual calm neutrality. His comment about rejecting the collaboration earned her a small raise of her brow. "That's interesting, because I was just thinking the same thing." When he stepped closer, attempting to crowd her space, Chloe didn't move an inch. She never backed away from him. Not before, and certainly not now. "Don't flatter yourself, Riki. The face is because I just realized I'm going to spend the next few weeks listening to you complain."

She held his gaze for another second before letting out a quiet sigh.

"So let's save the fight for after warm-ups, okay?"

Without waiting for an answer, Chloe turned and walked toward the side of the studio where she had left her things. She placed her bag down carefully before pulling her hoodie over her head, revealing the fitted practice clothes underneath.

She froze.

Slowly, she turned toward the sound system.

Of course.

A quiet sigh escaped her.

Years ago, whenever Riki was annoyed, upset, or simply unwilling to talk about something, the music somehow always ended up louder. Back then, she'd usually roll her eyes, walk over, and turn it back down while he complained about her ruining the atmosphere, but it would only last a few minutes. Making up used to be easier.

Funny how some habits would survive breakups.

Without a word, Chloe made her way over to the speakers and crouched down beside them, lowering the volume to a level that wouldn't shake the entire building. Only then did she glance over at him. "I almost forgot you still do that." She nodded toward the speakers, a faint smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "Almost." Her gaze lingered on where he was sprawled against the mirror. "And for someone who doesn't have my time," she continued, "you've spent a surprisingly large amount of it talking to me." She rose to her feet with an effortless motion, dusting off her hands. "As for my knees," she added, amusement slipping into her voice but also the same cocky attitude he potrayed, "they're perfectly fine. I can't say the same about your dramatic collapse onto the floor the second I walked in." Then she walked back to where her belongings were placed. "Also—", smoothing out her practice pants before stopping herself, you used to complain when I skipped warm-ups, is what she never says doing her stretches. A small exhale, face hiding away any emotion that would indicate for a moment that a sentence like that would send her to the past. A different time. There wasn't much to dwell in though as the choreographer barged inside with the most dramatic look on it's face.

"Sorry I'm late!" the choreographer called, rushing inside with a tablet tucked under one arm. Their eyes brightened immediately upon seeing the two idols. "Perfect! You're both here already. This choreography is pretty intense, so we're going to need a lot of trust and chemistry between you two."

Chloe blinked.

Then slowly looked over at Riki.

The opportunity arrived unexpectedly. When Gawon first heard about the special collaboration stage, she treated it like any other schedule. It was a chance to perform alongside a well-known idol from another group, something that would bring attention to both artists. The details were kept under wraps, including the identity of her partner, but she didn't think much of it. Whoever it was, she would do her job well. A few days later, coffee in hand, she made her way through the halls of the practice building with her manager. The upcoming performance occupied her thoughts more than the mystery partner did. Between promotions, training, and endless schedules, there hadn't been much time to dwell on anything else. The studio door slid open. And she stopped. Standing by the mirrors was not a stranger. Not simply a fellow idol. It was Ni-ki. The boy she had been closest to before circumstances had forced them apart. The relationship had ended years ago, sacrificed for a debut, and she had no choice but to protect. Back then, the decision hadn't belonged to either of them. The shock lasted only a moment. Because this wasn't the first time they had crossed paths since then. Unfortunately. Recent encounters had been filled with tension, sharp remarks, and the kind of bickering that came from two people who knew each other too well. Every conversation somehow became an argument. Every interaction felt like a battle, and neither wanted to admit they were fighting.

And now they were expected to perform together.

Weeks of rehearsals.

Partner choreography.

Hours spent in the same room.

Gawon's grip tightened slightly around her coffee cup as their eyes met across the studio. Of all the idols in the industry. Of all the possible partners. It had to be him.

For the first time since hearing about the collaboration, she seriously considered turning around and walking right back out the door.

The universe clearly had a sense of humor.

Unfortunately for her, Ni-ki looked like he had already realized the exact same thing.

✒️ plot starter with special guest @nikiminaj7

Gawon.

The answer only seemed to confuse her manager more, his gaze moving between them once again.

Before he could ask another question, Chloe finally looked away from Riki long enough to offer her manager a polite smile.

"Could you give us a moment?" she asked. "I'm sure the choreographer should be here soon. Maybe check if they're on the way?"

Still looking slightly bewildered, her manager nodded and quietly excused himself from the room. The door slid shut behind him. Silence. Chloe exhaled softly before turning her full attention back to Riki, her expression settling into its usual calm neutrality. His comment about rejecting the collaboration earned her a small raise of her brow. "That's interesting, because I was just thinking the same thing." When he stepped closer, attempting to crowd her space, Chloe didn't move an inch. She never backed away from him. Not before, and certainly not now. "Don't flatter yourself, Riki. The face is because I just realized I'm going to spend the next few weeks listening to you complain."

She held his gaze for another second before letting out a quiet sigh.

"So let's save the fight for after warm-ups, okay?"

Without waiting for an answer, Chloe turned and walked toward the side of the studio where she had left her things. She placed her bag down carefully before pulling her hoodie over her head, revealing the fitted practice clothes underneath.