______________________

| December 29th, Tuesday, 2020|

Who doesn't like to be productive? Sure, getting up from your comfy bed on a gloomy morning may seem like a challenge (it truly is), but once you do it, it only gets better! The feeling of accomplishment you get after getting everything done is definitely worth it.

Hence why Annie was feeling delightful despite being extremely tired. Let's say waking up at 5 a.m, recording three performances and an episode of a variety show wasn't very energising.

As always, though, that was the perfect scenario to compose a bop. Besides, the girl had one more plan for the day, and it involved her boyfriend.

Tell Chan about their relationship.

The girl forced herself to stay at the company till up late so it was sure no one else beside the three of them were present. There were a few trainees and security, of course, but no one that would burst inside the room like Remi or Han, for example.

"Why does Chris have to be a night owl? How is he even awake when he woke up before me!? And I'm pretty sure he didn't sleep at the station either."

Annie dropped her head on the table, closing her eyes.

A minute later, there was a knock on the door.

"Yes? Come in."

Her posture immediately straightened upon seeing a boy slowly opening the door with a grin.

"Hi, honey."

"Min!"

She got up to hug him tightly, sliding both arms around his waist as he placed one hand behind her head.

"Please don't caress my hair, I'll end up sleeping in your arms."

The two laughed.

Ah, right.

Remember how Annie was brainwashing herself into thinking her drunk act would make them get closer? Funny enough, it did. Lee Know did get surprised after hearing her call his actual name, more so when she started using nicknames, but it was crystal clear he felt good.

Turns out both of them tend to be the lovely and clingy type once they get the chance (and the intimacy) to do so. They weren't really the type to kiss, though, only hugs and pecks – at least for now.

"Channie said he's free, should we go?"

"Hm."

She let go, turning away to organise everything.

"Should we go for 'rock, paper, scissors' to decide who's telling him?"

"Haerim."

The girl pouted.

"...of course I'll be the one saying it. He's my leader and I'm the one who asked you out. It's my duty to protect you."

His eyes darkened in the best way possible.

"Ohh! What a man!"

Annie teased, lightly tickling him.

"Shut up, let's go."

Minho pushed her outside before closing the studio's door.

It didn't take much for them to reach Chan's own studio.

"Minho, hey! And Annie? What are you doing here?"

"Hey."

"Well, hello to you too."

She got inside ignoring the elder's stunned expression.

"Ah, sorry. It's just unexpected to see you here this late, it's nearly two in the morning."

"She's part of the reason I wanted to talk to you."

Bangchan looked back and forth between the two. He was probably the only one inside the entire company that didn't think these two hated each other.

"Did they actually get in trouble this time?" – He thought, not noticing the kids sitting beside each other on the sofa.

"We're dating."

"Dude!"

Annie jumped from her seat while nudging the male.

"What?! I told you I would be the one to say it!"

"Not like that!"

"How, then? You wanted me to tell him the full story about how you fell for me?"

He raised an eyebrow and she scoffed.

"You mean how you kept chasing me around until I gave in?"

"When did I ever do that?!"

"Guys..."

Chan's voice was rather quiet.

"You told me yourself you liked me first!"

"That's because–"

"Guys!"

The two shut up once his tone became louder.

"Mind to explain?"

Chan crossed his arms, a tension suddenly rising up.

"Uh...so...we decided to start seeing each other with romantic feelings last Tuesday."

Minho explained.

"You sound like an article written by dispatch."

Annie snickered while trying to suppress a laugh.

Although he was doing his best to keep up the serious act, Chan couldn't help but let out a stifled laugh too.

"Alright, I see."

The couple exchanged confused glances.

"That's it? Aren't you going to freak out? Ask how we are dating if we hate each other?"

She questioned, baffled.

"I never thought you two hated each other. Actually..."

They leaned forward, curious.

"I always knew Lee Know had a thing for you...but I can say I never expected you to like him back."

"Eh!?"

Said boy yelled so loud, the other two had to thank the engineers for making the walls soundproof.

"I mean, maybe it wasn't obvious, but I know you two very well so..."

Annie grinned.

"So? When did he start liking me? Did he have an unrequited love for years?"

"Shut up!"

"That's what I wanna know! When did you start liking him? And why?"

"Hey!"

The two friends laughed at Minho's frustration. It wasn't often you could witness such a scene.

"My bad. We'll talk later."

He turned to the girl, who subtly nodded.

"I understood that."

"I promise we'll only say good things."

Annie scooted closer, giving him a side hug. He locked eyes with her, caressing her hands.

Meanwhile, unlike many others who'd yell at them for being lovey-dovey, Chan felt extremely happy seeing the two in love.

"Wait. If you came all the way here and waited until late night to tell me...does this mean no else knows?"

Annie hesitantly nodded.

"And your dating ban...is this why you were so in favour of Changbin and Jaein?"

"Yeah...despite them not working out."

Chan stared at the ground for a minute, thinking about everything that could happen.

"Shouldn't you tell your members at least? And get their permission like Changbin did? I don't think they'd say no."

Jaein would.

"I know, but..."

How do I tell him?

How do I tell him I don't think my leader would support me without sounding like an ungrateful bitch?

Should I just say I don't want to hurt Jaein because she likes Minho?

"An, is there something I'm not aware of?"

Annie looked up at the sudden tone change.

Minho held her hand, assuring it was fine.

"I'm just scared that they won't support us."

"I see...that's reasonable. What about you? Is there a reason why you don't want to tell the other guys?"

Annie gulped. That was her request too, was Chan upset? Does he think Minho doesn't trust them?

"Actu-"

"Nothing much, you know, just the thrill of a secret relationship."

The leader chuckled.

"Acceptable. Very Lee Know of you."

He's an excellent liar.

"Well, I appreciate you two trusting me with this, thank you. An, you should give it a try, maybe it won't be as bad as you think."

Chan clapped his hands, using his chair to stand in front of the computer again.

"I will, and thank you for being cool about it."

"Congrats to the couple! I'll treat you guys to something nice when we get the chance."

"The chance is always there."

Lee Know joked.

"Now go! You two aren't used to staying up late, you should head back to the dorms."

Annie shook her head.

"Let's go together."

"I still have a few things to do."

She raised an eyebrow while crossing her arms.

"I'm pretty sure you can leave it for tomorrow."

"Fine, just because I don't want you two getting caught."

He closed all the tabs and turned off the computer, quickly throwing everything inside his backpack.

"By the way..."

Chan started once they walked outside.

"Have you two kissed yet?"

"Chan!" "Chris!"

__________________________