Nicholas drags EJ into the chaos of a downtown fashion market—and turns their day into a full-blown runway show.

*****

"This looks like it costs more than my rent."

"Which is exactly the energy we want to give. Come on!"

*****

EJ had faced many challenges as a leader—sleepless nights, back-to-back practices, herding eight chaotic boys like cats—but this was new.

"Why are we here again?" he asked, glancing nervously at the endless rows of racks, colors, and overenthusiastic vendors calling out deals.

Nicholas, already three steps ahead and rifling through a pile of jackets, looked back at him with pure fashion-fueled determination. "Because, hyung, I've seen your closet. You need help."

"I like my closet," EJ muttered.

"It's giving 'office intern who lost his way.' You deserve better."

Before EJ could protest, Nicholas shoved a black oversized coat into his arms.

"Try this. You're tall, you can pull this off."

"This looks like it costs more than my rent."

"Which is exactly the energy we want to give. Come on!"

Nicholas had entered full stylist mode. He zigzagged through booths, layering shirts over sweaters, slapping hats on EJ's head, and judging everything with the intensity of a fashion week critic.

"Okay, no. Not that. That beige washes you out."

"What does that even mean?"

"It means you look like a tired almond, hyung."

EJ blinked. "A tired... almond?"

Nicholas didn't reply. He was too busy holding up a mirror and styling a scarf around EJ's neck. "Now this is the look. Street chic. Power CEO who also dances."

EJ looked at his reflection. The scarf did kinda make him look cooler. Like he belonged in a music video.

"I don't hate this," he admitted.

Nicholas beamed. "That's the spirit!"

They spent the next hour bouncing from stall to stall—Nicholas explaining what worked with what, what colors to avoid, how layering was an art form, and how socks were never to be ignored

By the time they hit their fourth shop, EJ had officially stopped resisting.

Partly because Nicholas had the stamina of a personal shopper possessed. Partly because... well, it was kind of cute, the way Nicholas lit up when he found a piece he liked for him. The dramatic gasp, the sparkle in his eyes. And the subtle, teasing, very unnecessary pet names.

"Try this, baby."

EJ choked. "What did you just call me?"

Nicholas grinned, completely unfazed. "Leader. Baby. What's the difference?"

EJ opened his mouth to argue—but then Nicholas leaned in and adjusted the collar of the shirt he'd just put on him. His fingers brushed EJ's neck. The grin turned into something a little softer. "You look good, hyung."

EJ coughed and looked away. "You need to stop doing that."

"Doing what?"

"Acting like we're filming a romantic drama."

Nicholas tilted his head. "Aren't we?"

EJ was not blushing. That was just the lighting.

At one point, EJ tried to escape.

"I'm just gonna check out that food stall—"

"Nope. We're styling your shoes next."

"Can't I eat first?"

"Fashion is hunger."

"...I don't think that's healthy."

Nicholas paused, then added, "Okay, fine. Snack break. But then—accessories."

EJ bought them sweet pancakes and they sat on the curb, people-watching. For a moment, the energy calmed. They talked about music, future concepts, the upcoming shoot.

Their chaos peaked at a vintage store near the edge of the market. Nicholas had found a suspiciously sparkly mesh shirt and was insisting EJ just try it on.

"No one will see! Just the store owner. And me."

"That's worse!"

"But imagine the stage outfits! You could eat the members up with this look!"

EJ gave him a deadpan stare. "This looks like something Harua would cry over."

Nicholas winked. "Exactly."

Eventually, they settled on more reasonable pieces. A crisp dark jacket, a pair of gold-rimmed sunglasses, and two simple silver rings.

"One for you," Nicholas said, slipping one onto EJ's finger. "And one for me. Couple rings. For fashion. Obviously."

EJ stared at him. "Obviously."

But he didn't take it off.

"You're good at this," EJ said eventually.

Nicholas glanced over. "At fashion?"

"At making people feel like they belong in it."

Nicholas looked a little surprised—then smiled. "That's the goal, hyung."

After the break, Nicholas picked out a simple silver chain and handed it to EJ.

"Final touch. Leader, but make it subtle glam."

EJ looked at the chain, then at Nicholas. "You know... you'd make a great stylist one day."

Nicholas grinned. "Please. I plan to be the idol and the stylist."

They left the market with three shopping bags, one scarf worn proudly around EJ's neck, and matching rings that Nicholas insisted were "just for vibes."

Back at the dorm, the chaos resumed instantly.

The door barely swung open before Maki screeched.

"WHO IS THIS MAN? THIS ISN'T EJ."

Taki squinted dramatically. "He's hot. Did we get a new member?"

Yuma looked personally offended. "Was this Nicholas's doing?! I told you not to let him near the leader!"

Harua gasped. "Wait... are those matching rings? Are you guys DATING?"

Nicholas shrugged, completely chill. "Wouldn't you like to know."

EJ slung an arm over Nicholas's shoulder, half to shut everyone up, half because—well—it felt right. "Relax. We just went shopping."

Fuma raised an eyebrow. "Just shopping?"

EJ nodded.

Nicholas smirked. "Shopping, flirting, stealing my heart, all that."

Taki fell over dramatically. "I KNEW IT."

Jo entered with snacks, looked at the scene, blinked, and walked back out.

—

Later that night, the two of them were sitting on the dorm rooftop, watching the city lights.

Nicholas nudged him. "You had fun, right?"

EJ looked at him. "Honestly... yeah. It's been a while since I laughed that much."

Nicholas leaned his head against EJ's shoulder. "You should laugh more. It suits you, sweetheart."

EJ turned to look at him. "You're really committing to the pet names, huh?"

Nicholas just grinned. "You haven't told me to stop."

EJ smiled.

"...Don't."

The next day, EJ wore the scarf again—and the ring—and casually called Nicholas "honey" in front of everyone. Taki screamed. Maki dropped his cereal. Nicholas? Smirked like he won the game.