ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗥  𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗧𝗘𝗘𝗡
─◌✰್ 𝗌𝖾𝗎𝗇𝗀𝗆𝗂𝗇 𝗂𝗌 𝖺 𝖽𝖺𝖽

the.official.hwang okay what's with that emoji?
> huats.up what, the dumpling? that's you! 🥰
> the.official.hwang @huats.up no, the dog with the leash... 😒
> ramenoodlaska @the.official.hwang well u are a stinky animal. you have to be kept on a leash.
> sk8terjj @the.official.hwang you got the dog in you, yk 😉
> ramenoodlaska @sk8terjj don't say that to him, j, he'll get an even bigger head.

nomnominnie you mean the stray dog we found, right...?
> the.official.hwang and junjie and jiao...?
> mymymy @nomnominnie what's up with the dog in the pic, anyway?
> minniemouse- @huats.up omg hua, is he our new pet??
> dingdonghong @nomnominnie @the.official.hwang @huats.up please don't say you kidnapped it...
> bin.there.done.that @nomnominnie @the.official.hwang no idiots, she's saying YOU'RE dogs 🙄

catdad_lee i'm not your dog 🙄
> matchatess bark for me bitch haha
> ryerye @matchatess except he totally would... i bet @changaroo97 would bark for us too, since he's a wolf
> huats.up @matchatess caught him just for u, tess
> minniemouse- @robin_is_a_penguin @catdad_lee is a mutt for sure
> robin_is_a_penguin @minniemouse- with mange and fleas 🪰
> catdad_lee sometimes i wonder why i'm friends with any of you

Oh god, today was the day. And Changbin had absolutely nothing to wear.

He stared at himself in the mirror, fixing his black button-up for the twenty-fifth time in the past ten minutes.

Why had he just now realized that all of his clothes were woefully unfit for the occasion? For any occasion involving you, actually? In fact, how had he let himself be seen by you in any of this frumpy crap?

He ran a hand through his hair, which was already sweaty from trying on so many different outfits. He should have packed a suit, or even a tux. He'd known - or at least convinced himself - that he would be taking you on at least one date during your time here. So why had he neglected to pack anything that didn't make him look like a baked potato?

"Dammit, Changbin," he muttered to himself, hands forming two fists at his sides as he kicked the carpeted floor of the cabin. "Get your shit together!"

"You're sure as hell right about that!"

Changbin looked up to see Seungmin, Felix, and Han walk into his and Hyunjin's room.

"What are you guys doing here?" he asked suspiciously. "I need to leave in ten minutes, you're distracting me."

"Distracting you from what, having a mental breakdown?" Seungmin scoffed, taking a seat on Changbin's bed.

"Seungmin, be nice," Felix sighed. "We're here because we want to make sure you're okay, Bin."

"What makes you think I'm not?" Changbin protested, but he knew he wasn't fooling anyone. He was pacing in front of the mirror, drenched in sweat. He was more soaked through than he got during hardcore workouts. That was not normal.

"And since we - well, two of us - are in relationships, we thought we could give you some advice!" Han supplied.

"Hey, I'm in a relationship! Of sorts!" Seungmin complained.

"A relationship 'of sorts' doesn't count." Felix shot his friend a stern look. "Besides, we're not here to solve your relationship problems, we're here for Bin."

"Yeah, what's going on with you, Bin?" Han asked as he sat next to Seungmin. "You're freaking out. This is Lanhua we're talking about, you know her!"

"Yeah, she's pretty cool, as far as rich girls go," Seungmin agreed. "And you're absolutely obsessed with her."

"And she's obsessed with you, too!" Felix reminded him hastily.

"Yeah, that's the problem!" Changbin burst out. "I can't fuck up! Like I've messed up basically every other chance I've had with her. She must think I'm some melodramatic, self-conscious idiot who she has to walk on eggshells around. Or she might just think I'm a complete clown. I don't know which one is worse."

"Or, she thinks you're a funny, cool guy that she's been into for months now," Felix countered. "From what Laska has told me about Lanhua's feelings, she's just as nervous as you."

"She doesn't seem like the kind of person to settle," Seungmin chimed in. "She spent three times as long as the rest of us choosing the ugliest pumpkin. Why? Oh yeah, because you came up with the idea."

"See?? She really likes you!" Han beamed. "Robin told me she picked out the perfect dress for tonight, and she's been holed up in her room doing her makeup for two hours."

"Yeah, she still hasn't come out," Changbin muttered. Despite himself, his heart fluttered at the thought. Was it true? Were you nervous too? If so, selfishly, that made him feel better.

"You really think she's into me?" he queried distantly, staring at the door. Just across the hall, you were getting ready too. He itched to see you. He knew you would look stunning, no matter what you wore.

"She's pretty straightforward," Felix observed. "Not so much as Alaska or Tessa I think, but she wouldn't waste her time."

"She's creepily efficient." Seungmin shuddered. "She showed me how to make the rice a whole two minutes faster last night, as if it was some groundbreaking feat. Like, it's just two minutes, you know?"

Changbin found himself smiling at the small anecdote. Just talking about you lifted his spirits.

"You're right, I'm freaking out about nothing." He let his breath out in a long whoosh. "Thanks guys, you're all a huge help."

All three of his friends stood up, slapping him on the shoulders as they went.

"If you don't come out in the next five minutes, we're sending Hyunjin in to forcibly remove you!" Han added cheerfully, as he exited last.

"You weren't supposed to tell him!" Seungmin cried, and Changbin heard the sound of a slap, as Seungmin must have hit Han on the arm.

"Ow!! Felix, Seungmin hit me!"

"Did you deserve it, though?"

"Of course not!"

"Then hit him back?"

"Ow, Han what the hell??"

Changbin rolled his eyes as he shut the door loudly behind them. As annoying as they were, he had to admit they had settled his nerves in a way he wouldn't have been able to do by himself.

He gave himself one last precursory once-over, checking his teeth to make sure there was no food in there, and ruffling his hair so it was in between casual and put-together.

He was ready.

And actually, he was kind of excited.

Suddenly, he heard a soft, yet firm knock at his door.

"Bin?" Your cautious voice sounded through the thick wood. "Are you still in there? Our reservation is in twenty minutes, we should probably go."

"Ah, yeah I'm all ready!" Changbin tugged on the one pair of presentable shoes that he'd brought with him, and yanked open the door.

The sight that welcomed him actually stole his breath.

You stood before him, brown eyes blown wide with a mix of eagerness and nerves. Your hair was tied up in an elaborate twist, with white pearls adorning your ears. Your dress was a pure black silk, with pearl-beaded straps to match your earrings. You stood an extra three inches taller than usual in white strappy heels, almost a head taller than him.

Holy hell, you looked absolutely showstopping.

"I- oh my gosh, Hua," he choked out, his chest constricting so violently he could hardly speak.

"D-do I look okay?" You played with your dress strap, clearly nervous. "Because you look incredible." Your gaze roved his chest, down his legs, then up to his face, your eyes so dark they were practically black.

"You look... spectacular." He reached out and took your hand, pressing a kiss to the back of it.

"I didn't know you were so old-fashioned," you laughed, biting your lower lip. It was then that he noticed the grapey-toned lip tint that graced your plump mouth. And... now he was staring. Again.

"You are ravishing," he breathed, gripping your hand tightly in his. He was not letting go of you all night. Partially for fear that another man would try to take you, but mostly because he was so proud to say that you were with him. How the hell did he get so lucky?

You giggled quietly, an uncharacteristically girlish sound, before kissing to his cheek. He wanted to reach up and touch it, knowing that you had left a grape-colored stain.

What was his life?

"You ready to go, Gorgeous?" He grinned up at you. He assumed most men would hate the idea of being shorter than their girlfriend, but he loved it. Honestly, he just loved being with you. Whether you were shorter or taller, he wanted it. And those mile-long legs were doing it for him, that much was clear.

"Of course." You beamed back, your smile radiating into his soul. Jesus, how was he going to last the whole night with you looking and acting the way you were?

He led you out of the cabin and towards his car. He wasn't sure if it was against your work rules for you to take a night away from the campsite, but he'd convinced you that it would be fine. It was an entire week into the training camp, and everything had been going swimmingly. You deserved a night on the town.

Of course, the entire gang was outside waiting. They all stood by his car to send you off like a gaggle of middle-aged parents sending their kids to prom. Seungmin even had his camera.

"You're such a dad!" Changbin yelled at his friend, feeling his cheeks warm. He might as well be wearing khaki shorts and a polo, because he was acting like a whole father.

"Smile!" Seungmin ignored him, as his camera flashed. "Wow, look at these, Ren! So cute! We're gonna have to scrapbook them."

"Aww, so cute!" Ren smiled at the pictures. "I'll hang them on the fridge!"

"Geez!" You covered your eyes as the white light beamed around you. "Is this what it feels like to be chased by paparazzi?"

"Yeah, if the paparazzi was your dad." Changbin glowered Seungmin, before leading you to the passenger side door.

"You look so gorgeous, Hua!!" Mya cried, wiping pretend - or were they pretend? - tears from her eyes.

"A literal angel!!" Riley cheered. She was standing next to Chan, looking incredibly comfortable with him. Maybe those two would be going on a date next?

"Those billion hours locking me outside of our room paid off!" JJ cheered. "Now I can finally take a nap!"

"She kicked you out, too?" Hyunjin glanced at your friend, who was wearing a cozy beige jacket with the hood pulled all the way up.

JJ nodded with a sigh.

Hyunjin offered a hand, a grin spreading across his face. "You wanna go back there and claim what's ours?"

JJ raised a brow at him, but surprisingly accepted. "Sure, sounds good."

You caught Tessa's mystified expression, but before you could say anything, Changbin opened the door for you.

"For you, M'Lady." He winked, clearly enjoying his role as gentleman for the evening.

"Bye Hua!!" Alaska practically screamed into the growing darkness. "Bring me back some pasta!"

"Or some fancy wine!" Tessa yelled.

"Or cake!" Mya cheered.

"She's not bringing any of you freaks food." Changbin glared at them all, before gently closing your door behind you, and walking to his side of the car. "Now leave us alone, and get a life!"

"But you are our life, Binnie!" Robin clutched her heart, causing Han to double over with laughter. "This is a big moment for us!"

"And for me, as your dad," Seungmin nodded.

"Us, my ass," Changbin growled. He was over dealing with all of his friend's antics when he just wanted to spend some quality time with you, for once.

Felix grinned at him supportively. "Have a good time, Bin! Tell us all about it when you get home!"

"Don't stay out too late!" Chan said cheekily, and Changbin groaned. Screw Seungmin and his shit, here came the real dad speech. "I will ask Hyun what time you get back."

"You're such an old man." Riley slapped his arm. "Let them have fun!"

"Stay out as late as you want!" Alaska encouraged. "Just bring me back some chicken pesto and I'll be happy."

"We're not even going to an Italian restaurant, Laska," Changbin sighed, resigning himself to this pointless conversation.

"Okay, but you should leave!" Renee cautioned. "Hua said your reservation was for 6:30, isn't that in like ten minutes?"

Changbin checked his phone and nodded. "If we're late, I'm blaming all of you idiots. Thanks, Renee." He waved at everyone, before climbing into the driver's seat.

As they drove away, the entire crew waved, Han, Felix, and Seungmin even trying to chase the car down the dirt path a few dozen feet.

"I should've tried to hit them," Changbin grumbled as the two of you made your way to the restaurant.

You laughed, causing all the tension in his body to dissolve. "You can't hit the Sunshine Twins, Bin. I think that's like, a mortal sin. Seungmin on the other hand..." you joked.

"We can't hit Seungmin either, he might come back to haunt us." He snorted, a smile spreading across his face despite himself. He couldn't really be upset could he? Here he was, sitting next to the most gorgeous girl in the entire world, on the way to take her to dinner.

"What is this place, anyway?" he asked curiously. You had been the one to choose the location, even though you'd never been in the area. You had mentioned having some contacts at a few great places nearby, and that he should just trust you.

"It's an Italian place called Divino!" you said, enthusiasm practically oozing from you. "One of my former coworkers owns the place! It's funny where your friends end up, isn't it?"

"Aw no," Changbin sighed, and you glanced at him, alarmed.

"What's up?" you questioned. "Is that not good? I thought you liked pasta."

"Ah, it's nothing," he groaned. "I just lied to Alaska and told her we weren't going to an Italian place. Now she's gonna be mad if we don't bring her back pasta."

You shrugged. "We can do that, right? Hangry Alaska is..."

"The worst," Changbin finished, and you snickered in response. He chuckled, reaching over and placing a hand on your bare thigh. Wow, your dress was short. How had he not noticed that until now? He really was nervous.

You smiled shyly, placing your hand on top of his. He could tell it was slightly clammy, and that calmed him even further. And as he pulled into a parking space at Divino, he was feeling something almost akin to confidence.

As the two of you entered the restaurant, he was so damn enamored with you. Your glossy dark hair reflected off the dim, romantic light, your lightly rosy cheeks complementing the flowers that decorated each table. Your eyes were lit with an enthusiastic shine, as you strode forward to kiss your friend on the cheek, as she greeted you at the door.

"Lanhua!" the woman cried, hurrying forward to embrace you. She was a good five inches shorter than you with dyed-auburn hair and smooth matte lipstick. She was about ten years older than both of you, donning a crisp gray pantsuit and stilettos.

"Nana!" you exclaimed, gracing her with a smile that covered your entire face. "It's been such a long time, how are you?"

"Amazing, Dear," your friend gushed, leading you towards the desk to check in. "We already have your whole table set up, so there's no need to speak with the hostess. You asked for the seat in the corner, correct?"

You nodded, still smiling demurely as you gazed around the restaurant.

The entire place was a rom-com come to life. Dim, orangey lighting caressed the room. A dozen stunning oak-brown tables sat cleanly spaced, so each guest had their own space. The bar sat right behind the hostess desk, covered with the fanciest wines, champagnes, and fine alcohol Changbin had ever seen. One bottle probably cost three-months rent at his apartment. Couples whispered to each other seductively across their table, or sat cozied up to one another in a booth. They all wore suits and dresses that were certainly from stores he'd never set foot in.

Should he be here? Changbin swallowed hard at the thought. All these people were just casually dropping insane amounts of money like it was a regular Saturday night, but this was all new to him. It wasn't that he was poor, far from it actually. He made a comfortable amount of money working as a producer, and even his tattoo shop was taking off. His aforementioned rent was nothing to sneeze at. But this was a whole new level, one that he wasn't entirely comfortable with.

But judging by the way you practically glided past each table, talking giddily yet professionally to Nana, you were comfortable.

More than comfortable. You were on your turf, in your element.

Every eye followed you as the three of you walked by. Every man - yes, even the taken ones - and a couple women, eyed you as you passed, gazes raking over your stunning appearance.

Even amongst the glitz and glam that was Divino, you were the glittering star, drawing everyone in with your glow. Changbin unconsciously gripped your hand tighter as he walked with you to the table in the far back corner, further away from everyone else.

"Here you are!" Nana beamed, and you smiled back, sliding into the booth seat, careful not to wrinkle your dress.

"Thank you, Nana." You didn't release Changbin's hand as you got comfortable. "This place is beautiful, I'm so glad I could come."

"We're the grateful ones," Nana assured her. "Let me know if you need anything!"

After Nana left, you began perusing the wine list, babbling on and on about the different kinds, which had a richer flavor, and which could be considered light, and some even bubbly or woodsy.

But Changbin couldn't bring himself to listen. Because all he could think was that, as hard as he tried... he didn't fit in here.

He should go.

laska's note —
naurrrr why does changbin feel like he should leave?? he was just starting to feel confident! meanwhile, lanhua is killing it! clearly, this is much more her vibe than the woods, or even the beach. changbin bagged himself a woman of class, but he's not sure he fits in that world! i really hope he can either tough it out for hua's sake, or maybe talk to her about it! and let's not discount the fact that hua knows bin pretty well, and she can probably tell how he's feeling! what do you think the two of them will do? i wanna hear all your thoughts in the comments! 👀

𝖭𝖤𝖷𝖳 𝖴𝖯：
𝟮𝟬- 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗺𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗲
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