"I need to borrow Mark for a day."

"Okay."

"But it's with someone from Taeyong-hyung's company--"

"Absolutely not."

"Jaehyun, why are you doing this to me?" Sicheng sighs, facepalming. "It's just for a picnic somewhere remote."

"Absolutely not. The picnic is nice, but Neo Entertainment can beat it," Jaehyun grumbles crossing his arms.

The CEO of 127 Entertainment looks far more like an idol than a boss, Sicheng thinks. His friend is a catch for sure, but the only downside is his weird vendetta with Taeyong. Okay, so the companies are rivals? Yes. Is that going to stop Sicheng then? No.

"You need to take Taeyong-hyung out of the equation," Sicheng tries to explain. "I need this for a personal reason. No companies secrets or anything. I just really need Mark. Okay?"

"No."

"Jaehyun--"

"No."

"Okay, fine!" Sicheng slaps the desk, shaking Jaehyun's laptop on top of it with a mighty force.

A glare of absolute death and unforgiving malice is directed right at his friend. Did Jaehyun murder his mom? No. Does it seem that way? Yes. Had someone walked in, Sicheng probably looked like he was holding Jaehyun at gunpoint or something. Maybe he was holding a scythe at his neck?

Sicheng puts a fist on Jaehyun's laptop, putting more force on it by the second.

"Winwin, I'm sorry, geesh!" Jaehyun shrieks, grabbing his poor laptop with wide eyes.

"God, I already have one dumb boss and the only reason you're not dumb boss number two is because you're at least my friend!" Sicheng says with a slight fury to his tone.

Yuta is already a huge stress on his back. Jaehyun doesn't need to add to it. God, maybe Ten should've come. He hasn't even had a conversation with Taeyong yet. Bless his soul if he can even get through this night.

"Okay okay!" Jaehyun says in surrender. "Don't get mad!"

"I'm taking Mark (or performing an amateur kidnapping), and you can't sue me or I'll release pics of your embarrassing SHINee shrine. Is that clear?" Sicheng menacingly demands with a glare.

"Yeah, sure, okay!" Jaehyun waves his arms in defeat. "Only for a day."

Sicheng's glare melts into a calm, polite smile.

"Thank you, CEO Jung. That is all. Mark will come with me this weekend. Have a good night~!"

And with that, Sicheng happily walks out of his office.

"Geesh, how did he know about my shrine!?" Jaehyun whines.

● ● ●

"I need to borrow Sunny for a day."

"Okay."

"But it's with someone from Jaehyun's company-"

"Absolutely not," Taeyong crosses his arms.

Oh for goodness' sake, Sicheng is about to kill a man.

"God! Why are you both equally dumb today?!" Sicheng screams, snapping with a hard rage. "I'm literally going to post every single nude you've ever sent from college on the web today!"

Taeyong gasps in panic, "No you won't!"

"That depends on you, hyung-nim," Sicheng glares.

Again, it's like Sicheng had Taeyong at gunpoint. Literally, it's not like Jaehyun and Taeyong are refusing this to prevent a scandal or anything. They just have some petty rivalry or some shit that Sicheng really can't care about right now. He has bigger pains, like trying not to judo throw Yuta at every chance he gets.

Taeyong gulps.

"Okay, but only for a day."

"Mkay, sweet! I'll be taking Donghyuck this weekend then!" Sicheng again, happily leaves the office space.

The CEO of Neo Entertainment is one beautiful threat, but compared to Taeyong, Sicheng is a raw, dirty, unfiltered threat. Taeyong shudders at how many secrets Sicheng happens to know. Hopefully he won't come back with more demands.

"Wait, but how does he know? I've never told Sicheng about nudes--" Taeyong's eyes widen. "Oh my god, TEN YOU LITTLE SHIT--!"

● ● ●

Kana left some kimbap and chicken soup in the fridge, which Sicheng devours excitedly. He sends a text to Jaemin, Mark, and Donghyuck about the plans for this coming weekend before settling into bed for the night. Man, what a day.

Nestling into his pillow, Sicheng now wonders what he'll have to say to Yuta  the next day to make him allow Jaemin to go on this sort-of spontaneous field trip. Should he ask nicely? Try to go in fierce and bold?

Unlike Taeyong and Jaehyun, they haven't been friends for ages. He can't just bluff and blackmail with some obscure secret he's kept on the down low. Maybe he should just whisk Jaemin away without a notice instead?

Falling into slumber, eyelids growning heavy, Sicheng pictures soft, long unruly hair and a warm smile. He hears the playful, teasing voice of the man he first met on a roof. Not the dark, cold man who looked so closed off in his own building.

He saw Yuta.

There had been a small ember. A small part of Sicheng that was actually amazed this was the man he had to marry. But now, he wasn't sure if he would be able to break it off. It seems the more dangerously he tested Yuta, the more Yuta wanted to keep him. But Sicheng couldn't just play nice for his sake. That would be a disservice to Jaemin.

Sicheng felt some dread at the thought of trading Jaemin for hismself.

● ● ●

Kana is a godsent roomie.

Sicheng barely makes it to work on time due to sleeping in on accident. Luckily, Kana is an angel and packed him food before he left. Seriously, he stayed up really late trying to do Jaemin's bidding.

Sicheng still has no idea what to write for Jaemin's new album, but right now he has more pressing matters to take care of.

"One, two, three-- bum ba bum ba ba!" Sicheng demonstrates in the mirror, Dream behind him following along.

They're practicing the new title song. It's set to come out in a few weeks. They need to finish up the choreo before the MV is filmed since there will be a couple dance scenes. Dream is learning pretty well, but the choreo itself is just a tough piece of work.

"When you get to this point in the first part of the chorus," Sicheng poses so that they can see. "Make sure you suck in your stomach as you swish your torso this way. It doesn't have to be super strong, but you won't wanna move your hips. Now give it a try. One, two, three, four..."

Sicheng observes each one of them carefully. For the most part, there are no issues. Xiaojun is a little slow at some parts due to the fact that he's constantly changing positions. Sicheng takes extra care of him. If anything, he just needs to help Chenle engrave the muscle memory for the hand gestures in his brain. Chenle has a lot of center parts, so his fingers have to be in the right spot while he's on camera. Details, details, details!

"Okay! Nice!" Sicheng nods. "Should we do it from the top then?"

"Yes hyung!" The four smile.

"Alright! 4, 3, 2, 1---"

"WIN RIDE" by Dream

DREAM speed, I gotta take the fast lane
You laze, but I be turnin' the wheels babe
Ridin' on, watch out we're coming
Don't stop me now Imma cruisin', cruising through! (Fullsun)

What I seek? Gotta cross the finish
Got my goal, Imma charge towards it
Take me down but I'll get up and chase so
Don't stop me now Imma cruisin', cruisin' through! (Renjun)

Oooh If you wanna stop I'll go
Put on such a pretty show
You know, I'm driving~ (Chenle)
Oooh If you want give up now
Scream that you can't catch up loud
But don't stop, we're racing~ (Xiaojun)

Told me I can't make it but I ride
Told me I'm weak but I take fire
Said that I'm nothing but don't lie
I became somethin' cause I tried (Fullsun)

So eat dust!
I'm runnin' runnin' runnin'
I, I see bigger bigger comin'
I, I feel it in my bones, feel it in my skin
This time I'll win! (Chenle)
I'm dreamin' dreamin' dreamin'
I, I don't wanna give in
I, I feel it in my bones, feel it in my skin
This time I'll win!
(Yeah yeah, yeah yeah)
This time I'll win! (Renjun)

They said that I'm a hopeless cause, aye
Took a look and told me "take it easy"
But I don't grow if I do it lazy
Don't stop me now, Imma cruisin', cruisin' through! (Xiaojun)

Make or break, gotta stand and go on
Take the pain, be faster, stronger
I'll show you that I'm not just no one
Don't stop me now, Imma cruisin'  cruisin' through! (Chenle)

Oooh If you wanna stop I'll go
Put on such a pretty show
You know, I'm driving~ (Fullsun)
Oooh If you wanna give up now
Scream that you can't catch up loud
But don't stop, we're racing~ (Xiaojun)

Told me I can't make it but I ride
Told me I'm weak but I shine
Said that I'm nothing but don't lie
I became somethin' cause I cried (Renjun)

So eat dust!
I'm runnin' runnin' runnin'
I, I see bigger bigger comin'
I, I feel it in my bones, feel it in my skin
This time I'll win! (Fullsun)
I'm dreamin' dreamin' dreamin'
I, I don't wanna give in
I, I feel it in my bones, feel it in my skin
This time I'll win!
(Yeah yeah, yeah yeah)
This time I'll win! (Xiaojun)

The battery in you is dead (Chenle)
Ride, take a chance, reach it (Xiaojun)
They say we ain't nothin' but
The one thing that I can trust (Renjun)
We ride, we roll, we cruise... (Fullsun)

Ahh~ Eat my dust! (Fullsun)
I'm workin' workin' workin'
I, I be paid and I'm learnin'
I, I feel it in my bones, feel it in my skin
This time I'll win! (Renjun)
I'm chasin' chasin' chasin'
I, I'll burn rubber racin'
I, I feel it in my bones, feel it in my skin
This time I'll win! (Chenle)
I feel it in my bones, feel it in my skin
This time I'll win! (Xiaojun & Everyone)
(Yeah yeah, yeah yeah)
This time I'll win! (Fullsun)

"Okay~" Sicheng claps.

The four boys topple over eachother, breathing heavily. The new album's concept seemed a little more fast paced than 'Kingka'. Sicheng and the other choreographers had fun developing the moves, but the vocals were pretty strong. Donghyuck was always particularly winded after singing his high notes. Usually they're not a problem, but this time they're going to have to figure out what to do so he can breathe.

"Come on over," Sicheng walks to the opposite end of the room to take a camera off of a tripod.

The four wobble over to him like sleepy toddlers. Xiaojun hands everyone water bottles as they monitor the performance footage. Sicheng looks on with them.

"This part at the prechorus," Chenle pauses the video. "Do think it would look better if two of us left the stage?"

"That's a good idea," Xiaojun nods.

"Mmm we could, but can you dash to your positions before the chorus? It's a little quick," Sicheng says. "Ah. Also, Renjun, your foot isn't turned the right way---"

"No wait, why is Donghyuck-hyung's face like that?" Chenle points and laughs at the very, very unfortunate derp face on Donghyuck.

"Wah! Hey!" Donghyuck dives for the camera in embarrassment.

"Hold it still!" Renjun urges Chenle as he grabs his phone to take a picture.

"Let go!" Donghyuck screams.

"It's so unfortunate, hyung! Let us see!" Chenle demands.

"No!"

"Stay still!" Renjun shouts.

"Guys, guys! You're gonna break the camera!" Xiaojun tries to stop them.

Sicheng groans with a smile.

Well, it's good that they seem to be full of energy. He wouldn't have be surprised if they had been dead tired due to recording and photoshoots. Maybe Sicheng should buy them a cake after the new promotions end.

After things settled down, Sicheng pulls Donghyuck aside for a moment.

"What's up hyung?" The tanned smiles.

"Did Doyoung-hyung tell you about this weekend?"

"Oh, the picnic? Yeah!" Donghyuck nods excitedly, curly brown hair swooshing along.

"Great! But did he tell you who it's with?" Sicheng asks.

"No? Who?"

"Well, you're going to hang out with Na Jaemin and Lee Mark of Limitless--"

"I'M MEETING WHO!?!" Donghyuck squeaks.

"Na Jae--"

"I GET TO MEET NA JAEMIN!" Donghyuck screams.

"What?!" Renjun walks over.

"That's not fair!" Chenle pouts from where he's sitting with Xiaojun up against the mirrors.

"Hyung, what's going on?" Xiaojun asks.

"Donghyuck and I are going on a picnic with Lee Mark and Na Jaemin this weekend," Sicheng explains. "Na Jaemin is writing a new album and wanted to spend some time with other idols for inspiration."

Renjun raises a brow, "That's a strange reaso--"

"I'll go!" Donghyuck's eyes shine like stars.

"What!? Me too!" Chenle begs.

"Lee Mark is from Limitless right?" Renjun says. "I think there's a few members in that group that are the same age as me. Are they coming along too?"

Sicheng holds out his hands in defense as he's immediately cornered by all four members of Dream. They're asking him questions and closing in on him by the minute. Gosh, is this what a zombie apocalypse feels like?

Xiaojun steps closer.

"Does Limitless have Chinese members?"

Sicheng sweats, "Yes, two, but--"

"I wanna meet Na Jaemin! Can I come?" Chenle sends him puppy eyes and a big, cute pout.

Sicheng laughs nervously, "Aha, um well---"

"How many members are my age?" Renjun interrogates him with curiosity.

"Two, but--"

"Where is the picnic?!" Donghyuck demands.

Sicheng shoves them all.

"LET ME BREATHE PLEASE!"

"Feel my pain," Doyoung, who had slipped into the practice room unknowingly, leans up against the wall.

Sicheng heaves a tired sigh.

● ● ●

The weekend came, and a lot of unplanned things happened.

"Where are we going, hyung?" Jeno asks from the backseat.

(He's unplanned thing number one.)

"To a picnic at a national park," Sicheng replies.

"Thanks for helping us meet up, hyung," Mark sheepishly smiles from the driver's side.

"No problem," Sicheng tells him. "Why not do it since I work with both groups?"

"Ge, Ge!" Hendery yells from the back. "Can we eat some of the snacks?"

(There's unplanned thing number two.)

"Don't eat all of it! Don't make a mess too. You know Ten hates to vacuum this van!" Sicheng hollers back.

"Thanks Ge!" Yangyang munches on some chips and sips his Caprisun.

(And there it is: unplanned thing number three.)

"Hyung," a tap on his shoulder catches Sicheng's attention. "Are we ordering chicken?"

"Again with the chicken?!" Jeno turns to Jisung in shock.

(Great, there's unplanned thing number four.)

Right, so, er...

Sicheng somehow has the entirety of Limitless in a van right now. Note that Sicheng is not kidnapping them! They all came completely of their own accord. Once word got out that Mark was meeting Na Jaemin and Dream's Fullsun in the dorm, the other members got curious and decided to come along. Besides, they didn't have anything to do at the dorm anyways. They just told Ten to adjust the schedule.

Poor Ten. Sicheng can only imagine if Jaehyun found out about that. They'd be in for a long talk. Hopefully he doesn't find out soon. Jaehyun may let it go if some time has passed.

Once they're parked at the national park, Sicheng explains that he's reserved an AirBnB that's nearby. They're going to spend the day at the park and then rest up at the AirBnB before returning.

"Fullsun and Na Jaemin should be at the rest stop over here," Sicheng gestures.

Everyone nods, putting on their hats and sunglasses. A few put on some masks, but Sicheng bets that they'll take it off at some point. They're essentially hiking for the whole day. It'll be hard to breathe with that. Good thing this national park is pretty big. It'll be difficult to run into any fans here anyways.

As they approach the rest stop, Sicheng's eyes nearly pop out of his head.

At the rest stop was Miyu and Jaemin. Sicheng had asked her to drive Jaemin. That's not the shocking part though. The real problem is Doyoung. He was in charge of bringing Donghyuck.

Except...

"Why is everyone here!?" Sicheng gasps at the entirety of Dream waving at him.

"Hi Ge!" Chenle cheerfully greets them.

"We came along since there was space in the car," Renjun explains.

"I was bored," Xiaojun admits.

"...uh, the more the merrier?" Donghyuck laughs.

"Doyoung-hyung, what's going on?" Sicheng face palms.

"I should be asking you that," Doyoung eyes the mess of Limiless following behind him.

Oh great, so now Taeyong will also kill him!

"This didn't really go as I planned..." Sicheng groans for the hundredth time this week.

Jaemin grins at them.

_________________________________________

(A/n: I'M BACK! NEW CHAPTER!

Hiya lovelies! I've been busy with college lately so I haven't found time to write. I hope you guys are doing well these days.

I wrote a new song! It's inspired by Ridin', but other than the racing concept, the song is completely something else. I enjoy writing songs for Dream cause I'm in love with their group concept of encouraging young people to act more. It makes for really fun songs!

If you remember, Limitless has another song other than Chivalry. It's called Fresh Flow, and it's rap based. I wonder if you wanted me to write it...?

I hope this chapter was an okay length. I understand if you think it was short. I do too, aha!

Question: Which track video out of Earthquake, Dreaming, and Miracle do you like more? Please also tell me your first thoughts on Let's Play Ball!

Answer: I love all of the tracks honestly. The new album is bomb! If I had to choose a favorite video though, it would be between Earthquake and Dreaming. Dreaming had so many gentle lights, and it matched with the slight lullaby vibes I got from the song. Earthquake on the other hand had a really fun wardrobe, Taeil screen time, and a really interesting background set.

Also, I didn't really like Let's Play Ball initially. The melody didn't connect in my head at first, and I felt like it was listening to Punch for the first time again. However, I love it now! It's pretty hype and the concept outfits are to DIE for. Note that I was also sick when I first heard Let's Play Ball too.

That's it lovelies! See you in the next chapter! )

The DUALITY OF THIS GROUP: