Dance practice was awkward, to say the least.

Jisung didn't interact with anyone but Chenle.

Chenle wanted to know more about Ray, which was the best decision he had in a while. Jisung spoke about him with a bright look in his eyes, he really liked Ray, he obviously mad him really happy.

He was happy his best friend finally had a friend outside the group, he couldn't stand seeing him lonely.

Chenle turned his attention towards the others when he noticed them being unusually silent.

They were all listening in on their convo, sharing the same guilty expression.

Mark sighed before getting up and making his way towards Jisung who stopped talking and changed facial expression as the leader sat next to him.

"So, where is Ray from?" Mark asked.

Jisung's eyes lit up again, knowing Mark long enough to know this was his way to apologize without actually saying the words "I'm sorry"

"He's from Canada! Just like you!" He said. Mark's eyes went a little wide, he looked a little excited about this new information.

The other members made their way towards them to hear more about Jisung's friend.

Moral of the story, they all went back to the dorm in a better mood. Much to the Manager's relief.

Once they were home Jisung lounged on the couch on his phone while Haechan ordered takeout. A Discord notification popped in which caught his attention.

Do-Ray-Mi

Hey Sung, are you still at work?

Jiji

No, just got off in fact. Shouldn't you be asleep?🤨

Do-Ray-Mi

I slept for a few hours... today is worst than others.

Jiji

I want to help you, tho I can't do that without the knowledge of what tears down your mentality.

Of course, you have no obligation to tell me. I'll still do my best to help you either way.

Jisung was going to wait until Ray told him himself. Tho, Ray's bad mentality days are getting more frequent and it's getting him worried.

Do-Ray-Mi

I'm scared, you'll see me differently once you find out.

Im not exaggerating when I tell you that you're my only friend.

Jiji

I promise I won't see you differently.

Do-Ray-Mi

I'm trans, female to male.

My dysphoria has been getting to me harder than usual these days.

Jisung?

Are you there?

... It's been 10 minutes...

Please don't leave me...

Incoming call from Jiji

Ray answered it with shaky hands.

"Jisung?" His voice came out a bit shaky.

"I'm sorry, I wanted to go to my room for privacy but my... family held me back for dinner questions." Jisung's voice rang from the other side of Ray's PC.

His body froze before turning to his wall, to a specific poster.

An NCT Dream poster.

Tunnel vision onto the youngest member on the poster.

"Ray..?" Jisung said snapping him out of his gaze.

"It's alright, I'm just happy you're still with me." Ray responded, still shaken up... by everything.

"You being yourself isn't gonna scare me away." Jisung said making Ray smile.

"Thank you..."

"Your voice is very deep, how long have you been on testosterone?" Jisung broke the ice.

Ray's eyes brighten at the question.

"Two years, I started at 17 years old. My voice was already deep to begin with."

"Have you gotten any surgeries yet?" Jisung was eager to know more about Ray.

"No, I'm saving up to pay for my top surgery." Ray responded.

"So you wear a binder?"

"Yep, speaking of which, I should take it off..." Ray said before leaving his PC to take his binder off, he hesitated, dysphoria was kicking his ass.

Better this than bruised ribs He reminded himself before taking off the binder. He still kept on his hoodie.

"Okay I'm back" he told Jisung who waited patiently.

"Do you forget to take it off often?" Jisung asked him.

Ray sighed, "yeah, I feel more comfortable when my... you know... aren't noticable."

Jisung chuckled, "understandable, no worries, I'll remind you constantly!"

Ray went quiet for a second, "... will you really?" It might some seem like a big deal, but to Ray, it meant the world. This is the first time someone's shown him any form of care in almost 3 years.

"Of course, that's what friends are for right?" Jisung said.

Ray grinned, "I wish you could see the smile on my face right now."

"Why can't I?" Jisug suddenly said, it left his mouth before he was able to stop it. His heart started racing, was he really about to reveal his identity?

Ray stayed silent for a bit, he turned back to the poster on his wall and back to his PC.

"Maybe we should give it more time, get more comfortable voice chatting." Ray said.

Jisung sighed in relief yet felt a bit disappointed.

"Alright, baby steps."

"JISUNG COME GET DINNER!!!" Jaemin yelled from the hallway. Jisung jumped because he KNOWS Ray heard that.

"Ray, I gotta go. My brother just called me down for dinner." Jisung said.

Ray chuckled, recognizing Jaemin's voice "eat well!".

They hung up and Jisung made his way downstairs in a good mood. Ray's chuckle replaying in his mind on loop.