[N-Q] The ABCs of Eunhyuk and Chaerin
Neutral
Chaerin wondered how Eunhyuk could stay so neutral and continue MCing this radio show after they had fought so bitterly days ago. She still alternated between wanting to tear his head off and wanting to cry. Unfortunately, she could do neither.
Eunhyuk knew she still had not told her members about their relationship as she promised she would since they were still chattering happily about their latest album. More than a few harsh words were exchanged the three nights before over the matter. He could tell Leeteuk felt awkward with the entire situation. (Eunhyuk did tell his members, as he could hide nothing from them anyway.) He wanted to shake her and shout, “I don’t want to fight anymore! I don’t care if you tell your members or not!” But years of MCing experience told him to stay composed - to wait until the appropriate time.
Ought
There are a lot of things Chaerin ought to do, like go over the lyrics for the new demo for the 100th time or set up her new bedroom in their new apartment or practice her Japanese or write the lyrics for her rap. But all of these things, she set aside because leader CL had to take a break some time and let girl Chaerin have some fun with her boyfriend.
Especially when the aforementioned boyfriend knocked on her door with flowers in hand and movie tickets in the other. She thought she ought to let leader CL take her much-needed break and let girl Chaerin experience some of the normal things other girls experience and so she greeted Eunhyuk with a kiss and set the flowers in water before grabbing her bag and setting off with him.
Prepared
“Stop fussing, I’ll be fine,” an increasingly irate Chaerin told Eunhyuk. She loved him, but all this last-minute preparation was unnecessary. They had already knocked and the door was going to open any minute.
“You should know that Kyuhyun will kill you if you so much as smudge his laptop and that all of Leeteuk’s clothes are white, so calling him an angel is good and that Minho has an undying love affair with soccer and-“
“I swear, Hyukjae, if you tell me any more facts about Super Junior or SHINee, I will-Oh, annyeonghaseyo!”
Chaerin bowed politely as the door was suddenly opened. A skinny boy with blonde hair greeted her. She felt a moment of panic - she couldn’t remember anyone being blonde.
Luckily, she was saved when he was unceremoniously nudged aside by an equally skinny, yet exponentially taller boy. “Taemin-ah,” ah, so it was SHINee’s maknae “it’s rude to stare, let them come in!” He turned to face her. Minho, she quickly identified. Minho spotted Eunhyuk behind her. “Hyung, long time no see!” Oh, here comes the bro-hug.
Taemin popped up from behind the door and smiled brightly at her. Is he really older than Minji? He’s so adorable and precious! “Noona, this way,” he said, bowing and motioning her inside. She hesitated and looked back to Eunhyuk. He gave her hand a quick squeeze as he continued his conversation with Minho. With that encouragement, she followed apprehensively.
She entered the living room (‘Oh my god, how are they able to all fit in here without feeling claustrophobic?’) and saw the various members of Super Junior and SHINee sprawled across the couch and the floor in varying states of activity. She was introduced to each member one by one, formally. She determined that all of Super Junior were her oppas, while only Jonghyun and Onew (“Do I call you Jinki-oppa?” Laughter erupted from all sides and Chaerin looked around, confused, as Onew blushed and gave his assent.) were older than her in SHINee. Taemin had taken to calling her noona, which she found adorable (‘Ugh, I’m going to be treating this boy to meals in the future, won’t I? Hello, wallet, you’re about to be infinitely skinny.’). Key was determined to induct her in the “’91 line”, as he liked to call it and she could only vaguely nod as Minho re-entered with Eunhyuk and asked the most important question of the night.
“So what’s for dinner?” Silence. Everyone seemingly ceased all activity as they turned to look at her expectantly. She blinked.
Luckily, Eunhyuk had reached her side and saved her from answering. “What do you mean, what’s for dinner? I thought you all were making dinner!”
“I thought you were bringing dinner!” Donghae replied, poking a finger at his shoulder.
“How did you get that impression?”
“I think, ‘Oh, hyung, we’ll bring dinner!’ was a clear indication that you would bring dinner,” said Heechul, producing a comical imitation of Eunhyuk’s voice.
“Aishhh,” Chaerin said, throwing her hands up in the air. She stood up and sighed. “No one made dinner? What kind of…” Grumbling, she moved toward the kitchen.
The group grew silent as they watched her rummage through the cupboards, muttering to herself. They could hear portions of her murmuring from where they sat, frozen with fascination. “… fifteen people and none of them cooked, aish … milk going to sour too? … needs a mother … almost 30 …”
Jonghyun leaned over to Yesung, whispering, “Hyung, what is she doing?”
“I think she’s cooking,” he whispered in return.
Silence reigned once again as they watched her inspect their entire kitchen, shaking her head in disapproval before putting on an apron.
“She’s glorious,” Ryeowook breathed out in awe.
“Yeah,” the group collectively agreed.
Eunhyuk smiled to himself. That’s my girl.
“I like her, Hyukkie. Where’d you get her and can I have one?”
“You should bring her back over some time…”
In the kitchen, Chaerin opened the refrigerator and bent down to inspect what was inside. Glancing furtively at the living room where they were all watching her intently, she used the refrigerator door to block herself from view. Once hidden, she hurriedly stuck a hand inside her pockets, searching for a piece of paper.
Chaerin sighed with relief when her hand closed around the small rectangle. A small smile appeared on her face as she read through the ingredients of what Eunhyuk had told her once was Super Junior’s favorite food. She took a second to memorize the ingredients before shoving it back in her pocket.
Standing up, she turned to her enraptured audience and declared her intentions. The boys cheered loudly, giving her exaggerated reactions and chanting her name. Chaerin laughed and bowed, playing along before turning back to the counters as they started to play among themselves. Eunhyuk left the group and moved next to her, wrapping his arms around her from behind.
Pressing his lips to her hair, he whispered, “Why are you so amazing?” She shivered as she felt his breath tickle her ear. Turning in his arms, she replied, “You should know better by now.” She touched her lips to his nose in a peck. “A leader is always prepared.”
With that, she shooed him away with a pat on his butt, “And go get Ryeowook and Key - they might actually be helpful in the kitchen unlike everyone else.”
Quit
“I can’t quit Super Junior for you.”
“I can’t quit 2NE1 for you either.”
“I’m willing to lose sleep to see you.”
“I’m willing to learn to use the computer to see you.”
“Okay.”
“Okay.”
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