SH 2015: 50 Shades of What? (for marishiny)
For: marishiny
From: ANONYMOUS until May 22, 2015
Title: 50 Shades of What?
Rating: PG
Pairing(s)/Focus: Suho/Kris
Length: 4,595 words
Summary: Kris and Suho finds themselves being considered for the title roles of the movie based from 50 Shades of Grey.
Notes: probably not what the recipient had in mind (and i'm terribly sorry if i strayed [a bit] from your prompt) but i hope you'll still enjoy reading this.
Recently, Kim Jongdae, better known as Chen of the Kpop group EXO, had been always commented on his maturity. Some says it’s because he’s rooming in with the EXO-K leader, Suho. Some thinks it’s because it’s simply time for him to. Others are blaming SM Entertainment for their too strict regulations but most of the fans, especially Chen’s fans, are simply sitting silently, wondering if they should brace themselves or flee to the most remote areas they could think of. They never believed for even a second that their oppa, EXO’s resident troll, the Chensing Machine, is going to be quiet for long. They know he is simply lying low and gathering momentum for something grand that’ll sweep the entire fandom off their feet.
Indeed, he is. That one fateful night, he’s not sure if the fandom will ever get their hands on this particular happening but he couldn’t care a bit. He’s simply proud of himself for managing to land his favourite leaders their first ever Hollywood roles. Isn’t he simply great?
The next morning, Chen cheerfully breezed though schedules amidst the irritable members. He listened and agreed to everything they say to him and a variety program even got him to show his insoles and it got the members worried.
“Jongdae-ya, are you sure you’re not sick or anything?”
“Nope.” He answered Suho’s repeated questions in the same cheerful tone that got even Tao avoiding him.
“You think he put something in our breakfast?” Baekhyun whispered to D.O. who hesitantly shook his head.
“No? I don’t think so. I was there, helping our dorm ahjumma the entire time.” The vocalist replied.
In the back, Tao was still looking at Chen suspiciously. “Maybe he’s got a girlfriend?” He looked at Sehun beside him.
Sehun choked on his iced coffee. “Don’t be ridiculous.” He coughed. “That thing isn’t serious enough for something like that.” He added, pointing to the back of Chen’s head.
The EXO-M leader, Kris, didn’t pay much attention to it despite the warnings from almost all of the members. Even Suho had talked to him about Chen’s strange behaviour he but still ignored it.
Until they got called to the company that afternoon, just after they’ve ended their final filming for the day. The other members were obviously relieved that they might not have anything to do with it but the two leaders were starting to be wary because they were the only ones called.
They went upstairs to the conference room with their manager who was shaking his head and sending them disbelieving glances. He refused to talk when they asked him what is wrong and it made the two of them more nervous. Behind the folds of Kris’ huge jacket, his hand is wrapped around Suho’s, hidden, and before entering the room they sent encouraging glances to each other before letting go.
The two sat there in silence with the manager behind them, Lee Sooman and the CEO in front of them.
Lee Sooman broke the tense atmosphere. “This will be strange but let’s get this done. Open those folders and read the files inside.” He told the two in a strange tone.
The CEO shook his head and went back to reading his own copy of the files again. “I still think there’s a mistake.” He told no one in particular.
Suho reached for his copy first. It’s a draft for a contract about a movie. To say that he’s not excited is a lie. After D.O., the two of them might be the next ones to land a role in a movie production. He just hoped they were going to try for different roles.
“It’s Hollywood.” Sooman interrupts them when they weren’t even done with the first page.
Of course they both looked up, shocked and disbelief on their faces.
“Don’t… get excited.” The CEO shooks his head again. “Continue reading.”
Junmyeon reads faster and when he was done, he tried to keep his face neutral while he closed the folder, seemingly afraid that something’ll come out of it to harm him.
Kris followed later with his signature “bitch” face on. He seems to be equally shocked as Junmyeon, if not more. He turned to his co-leader and whispered, “Who’s role are you taking?”
Suho blinked at Kris. “Anastasia Steele” He whispered back.
Kris nearly crumpled the folder he’s holding. “Fvck. No way. It worked!” He didn’t even apologize for his language or explained what he is talking about.
“Please tell me we’re taking on the same role.” Junmyeon whispered to him frantically. The two elders were pretending not to hear them. They’re both looking up at the ceiling as if it’s the most interesting thing they’d ever seen.
Kris cleared his throat. He wanted to comfort his partner (but the people in that room didn’t know that and he knew better) but he just shrugged. “I’m taking on Christian Grey.”
Suho looked down at the table feeling confused and bewildered. “This… is not a hidden camera, is it?” He bravely asked the manager.
The manager, having known about this beforehand, is just looking at them with sympathy. The Korean leader turned to the two elders, who had averted their gazes to the window.
“Excuse me…” Junmyeon hesitantly calls them but he was ignored.
“Sir?” Kris asked this time.
Lee Sooman slowly turned to them and cleared his throat. “No. This is a hundred percent real. I have no idea how, I’m having my secretary look through it but-“ He sighed and nudged the man beside him.
The CEO grimaced. “We’ve called the director and the production company and yes, it’s not a mistake. They’re expecting the two of you to arrive in the US within this week.”
“Do you know anything about this… book?” Sooman asked them cautiously.
Suho, who had been feeling indignant, broke out in a stammer. “I, uh - I know that this - this is a female role and… why is it given to me?”
Under the table, Kris placed his hand on Junmyeon’s knee to calm him. “Never mind the female role. Do you even have an idea what this book is about?” He asked.
“I don’t know. I heard my Mom and cousins talking about it but I never paid attention to it. Why?”
“All I can say is it’s a waste to refuse this opportunity but then again… you’ll have to think about it very well. Okay? It’s a good opportunity, really. This is Hollywood but-“ The CEO sighed. “We’ll leave you two to talk about it. Join us for coffee upstairs.” He nodded to the manager who looked at Suho and Kris questioningly. Kris nodded at him.
The moment the trio were out of the room, Suho stood up with a frown marring his features. Kris watched him pace around the room.
“I don’t like it. I’m sorry I have to refuse.” Junmyeon stated.
Kris sighed. “First, try searching what it’s all about.” He told him.
Suho took his phone out and did what he was told. Kris gave him five minutes and he was amused to see Suho’s face turn from his pale complexion to a light pink tinge on his cheek then to noticeable red, including the tip of his ears. He nearly slammed the phone on the table, face down.
Kris schooled his features to blank. “And?”
“And- and… and this - that … it will be shown worldwide?”
“It’s just a casting for script reading. There’s little chance we’ll get the roles.” Kris told him.
Suho nodded weakly. He took his phone back and started scrolling again. He put it down after another five minutes.
“It’s not so bad. We’ve done some of the stuff there already -“
“No we didn’t.” Suho - no, Junmyeon hissed.
“The blind fold-“ Kris continued.
“Shut up.”
“And that time in Japan remember? Sure you were drunk but -“
“Stop.” Junmyeon cuts in.
“And I think the preference to do it while I’m fully clothed and you’re entirely naked-“
The Korean leader started walking towards him. “Stop. Damn it. That was yours!”
“- counts as a kink.” Kris finishes it off with an innocent smile. “I didn’t say it was yours.”
Suho tried to kick him but Kris was faster. He managed to back away with the help of the swivel chair. He was about to march towards Kris again but the door opened, admitting the CEO and the manager back.
“So?” The CEO looked at them curiously - Kris at one corner and Suho fuming in the middle of the room.
“I don’t think I could do it.” Suho tells him directly though he was freaking out inside. He’d never dreamt of having to vehemently oppose the management.
The elder man sighed and nodded. “We’re not going to accept it but why don’t you two still go over there and go through the script reading? I think you’ll be able to learn something. Your manager will discuss the schedule with you. I’m going to leave ‘cause I need to attend a meeting.”
Suho - Kim Junmyeon thought he couldn’t be any more shocked but he is. He turned to Kris.
“I’m not doing it.” He told him with conviction before storming out of the room.
Kris and the manager looked at each other.
“I see where he’s coming from.” Manager Lee nodded understandingly.
Kris sighed. “Yeah. But it’ll be a waste not to try it. I mean - we’ll meet Hollywood people here… And I think it’ll be fun though?” He laughed.
The manager nodded and smiled a bit. “Right. But he won’t be pleased if he finds out you’re laughing at him.”
Kris shrugs. He stands up to follow Suho. “Let me talk to him then. Hyung can go back to the dorm first.”
And the manager waves him good luck.
Suho steps in to the familiar chaos of the EXO dormitory. Tao is immediately beside him, pulling him to the sofa and chattering about something ‘mean’ that Baekhyun did. He listened half-heartedly but Tao caught on a minute later.
“Hyung, are you alright?”
Suho patted Tao’s head. “I’m fine. I’m just thinking about some things.”
Tao nodded understandingly. He stopped talking but he didn’t leave the leader’s side. “Why did they call you?” He asked, moments later.
Suho shook his head. “Later, ok?”
Before Tao could respond, Chen barged into the common room and draped himself over Suho’s shoulders.
“Hyung, it’s about a movie isn’t it?” The M vocalist was loud enough for their entire dorm to hear.
Tao sat up, surprised. Baekhyun, Chanyeol and Xiumin curiously peeked out of their room. “What movie? Who’s movie? Really?” They all chorused.
Suho rubbed his face. They won’t learn anything from me, he thought. Kris got out of the shower and all eyes turned towards him. He continued drying his hair with Chen’s ridiculous pink towel.
“Suho and I were invited for a script reading.” He replied, as a matter of fact.
The members approached him, each trying to sit beside him.
“Nothing!” He denied. “It’s nothing. I’ll tell you about it later.”
Chen wasn’t part of the mini chaos around Suho. He stepped back and frowned, wondering if the chance for the script-reading were given to his leaders or if his effort were useless. “Hm… I guess I’d have to ask someone from the External Affairs Department.” He told himself. He left the living room where the members are still not giving up on asking Suho.
They had no choice. The EXO leaders are boarding a flight to the US today. Suho did all he could to delay them that morning. He tried to work in the kitchen only to be chased by the dorm aunt because everyone knew he can’t even cook decent rice. He agreed to join Tao in the shower (no one’s agreeing to that for the past year) and it earned him a glare from the members who are awake because Tao then will surely take that as a sign to ask the other members. He tried helping Xiumin in cleaning his room but he was only yelled at and kicked out because he’s more familiar with disarraying clothes than arranging them. Kris finally intervened and Chen had somehow packed his luggage the night before so he had no more excuse not to ride the van and just pray that it’ll be stuck in traffic long enough for them to miss the plane. It didn’t and the manager had gotten tired of his unspoken rebellion. He was scolded and told on how he is the leader and that he should be acting maturely and such.
“Hyung! I’m an idol. An idol. This thing… can you even imagine what it’ll do to my image?” Junmyeon cried out. He doesn’t usually talk back but this situation is simply out of hand. “And Lee Sooman and the CEO. Those old men are telling us that the final decision is in our hands but you can clearly hear the underlying message on how they’ll be disappointed if we waste such opportunity to meet with famous people. I mean - are they even sure the people we’re meeting are famous?”
“They are. I’m googling them now. I’m not familiar with the works of the director but she seems to have an impressive enough background.” Kris tells him, while he’s busy scrolling on his phone.
And just like that, Suho’s outburst that didn’t even reach its peak was ended. He crossed his arms and sulked on the drive to the airport.
The moment they landed, their manager handed them their itinerary. They’ve separately gone through the script the day before and they’re going to have to go through it together at the hotel.
“I’m going to be sick.”
Kris pretended to rub Suho’s back. “Think of it as fan service. We’ve done it plenty of times didn’t we? You’ve done it with D.O., Chen and even Lay.”
Suho glared at him. Their relationship isn’t out in the open and they’ve worked hard for it to be that way. Some of the more perceptive members such as Lay, Chanyeol and Xiumin might have an idea but they took care not to add fuel to the fire. What he didn’t like is when it’s only the two of them, Kris always shows his jealousy and it’s fine with him but not when a manager is around.
“Quiet.” He hissed.
Later that day, Kris was laughing non-stop and Suho’s face is permanently red the entire afternoon. They were reading their lines and - let’s just say that Wu Yifan aka EXO-M leader is too pleased with the whole set up. It’s not helping that their manager has stormed out of the room because he can’t stomach the entire thing.
“Come on, Junmyeon. There’s nothing wrong with your pronunciation but your face is strange.”
Suho threw down his script. The script is already tattered and taped in places in the few hours that they were trying to practice. “Try saying that then. You try it you jerk.” He stood up and rubs the tension off his neck.
“What’s so hard about it?” He picked up the tattered script, laughing. “You just have to look at me, shyly and innocently, though nervous -“ Kris coughed. “- and say, I have some questions, Mr. Grey.”
Suho cringed. “What’s with that script anyway?!”
Kris is still smiling. “Yes. And I’m supposed to tell you, I thought you might. This is an important scene. Just sit down, okay? We’re not doing these half-heartedly.”
And he knows that Kris is right. He’s too proud to half-ass something like these even if every cell in his body doesn’t agree with it.
They met up with the director the next morning. She’s a chatty, middle aged woman. She seemed amused and impressed when she saw them.
“Wow. If the movie is directly gay, I might cast you two right here, right now. You look good together.” She told them after the introductions.
Of course, Suho is flattered because they’re together after all but he wondered if it’s because they were too obvious or the lady is just making nice talks.
“Thank you, we’ll take that as a compliment.” Kris replied and the director’s smile widened.
“Yes it is.” She turned to their manager. “Anyway, I’ll hold my end of the contract of course. For the script reading, there’ll only be me, my assistant, a script writer and of course, a translator if you’ll be needing one.”
“Thank you, but we won’t need one. Wu Yifan and I is proficient enough and Kim Junmyeon will be fine. We can translate for him if there is a need.”
“Right.” The director cheerfully said. “The less people, the better. Then let’s get going. We have all day but I’m excited to see them.” She stood up and led the way up to her personal studio. “This is where I do preliminary shoots and it’s my private studio so no need to be afraid of paparazzi and stuff.”
She waved them over the corner. “You two can sit over there. I’ll call the others here so we can start.”
Suho started to feel dizzy. The two of them are sitting on stools and their audience will be seating behind a long table in front of them. He tried his deep breathing exercises but when he looked at Kris who’s calmly warming up his voice, his nervousness returns. Kris notices and holds his hand but he pulled away because it’s not helping. Plus, the director had returned and she zeroed in on their hands.
“Okay. What my companions want to do is we’re going the choose scenes that we want to see, will that be okay with you?” She smiled at them brightly.
Kris looks at Suho and he nodded hesitantly.
They were given the scripts. The first one was easy enough. It’s the interview scene in the office with Christian Grey and Suho is confident that they did well.
The next one is when Mr. Grey is asking Anastasia Steele to be his mistress. They pulled it well too, with Junmyeon only stammering slightly in the end.
The third one… Junmyeon wanted to cry. Really.
“Uh- This scene is…” Kris laughed and sent Junmyeon a worried look.
“What’s that? That’ll be this hers, right?” The director asked, pointing to the scriptwriter. Kris stood up to show their audience. The director laughed and covered her mouth.
“My goodness. I know you’ll do something like this.”
The scriptwriter looked back innocently. “What? I could’ve given them the worse ones like those scenes where they’re starting to use toys.” She told everyone with fake modesty.
Their manager looked at Kris and asked what it’s about.
“Uhm. It’s the scene where Ms. Anna loses her uh - virginity.” And everyone in the room cracked up.
Kris took Junmyeon’s hand in his, ignoring everyone else because the poor Korean leader looked like he had stopped breathing.
“They’re not laughing at you.” Kris leans in and talks to him in Korean.
“I know.” Junmyeon replied weakly. “Why don’t I just drop dead?” He groaned.
“Want to say no?” The Chinese leader asks.
Junmyeon briefly squeezes Kris’ hands before pulling away. “I think I can do this. Let me stand first.” Then he proceeded to pace from one end of the room to another, behind Kris.
“Oh. Don’t mind him, it’s his way of losing nervousness.” Kris tells the audience, most of whom are giggling.
“Okay. I’m going first, right?” Junmyeon spoke in English but he’s at the end of the room, opposite Kris. There were renewed laughter and someone called him ‘aw~ why is he so cute’. He cleared his throat and closed his eyes as he says his line.
“Well, I’ve not have sex before so I don’t know.” Thankfully, he was able to say it without choking. Kris reads his own lines and to his surprise, it was easier to do the next ones. It took some time for the laughter to completely disappear but by the time they got to their final ‘test scene’, everyone is just watching them quietly.
Anastasia Steele is leaving Christian Grey, it was the final part of book one. The two of them did well, and Junmyeon personally thinks it’s their best one, especially for Kris who fits in Mr. Grey’s cold fury very well. There is applause at the end, their manager and the assistant even cheered, and Junmyeon, still feeling a bit embarrassed, stayed at his corner.
“You did very well, Kim Junmyeon. Get over here.” The director had her wide smile own. “You two are very good!” She told him when she reached out to shake his hands.
“Thank you. We -uh, we had acting lessons.” Suho replied. His eyes darted to Kris who was talking to their manager and the script writer.
They stayed for another hour before declining an invitation for lunch, then going back to their hotel.
“They’d written some of their comments here.” The manager hands them some paper. “They’ll call us back this evening for another meeting and you’re free until then.”
Suho yawns. He’s emotionally tired and all he wants to do is sleep. “We need to call Lee Sooman though.”
“We can do that after the meeting.”
Kris looks over the papers, “Hyung, I think we need to call him now.”
The video conference was half an hour long and it was mostly the manager and Producer Lee Sooman talking. Near the end of it, the producer asked Kris and Suho how it went.
“We did well, sir. Though I think they won’t give us the roles. Their comments here says that we’re good, we did well and some technicalities but… I don’t think we’ve nailed it.” Kris tells him casually.
Lee Sooman remained silent for a minute before looking back at the camera. “Why do you look so relieved then, Junmyeon-ah?” He asked out of the blue.
Junmyeon was startled .”No- it… uh. Not really.” He smiled awkwardly.
“Anyway. It’s okay.” The producer waved his hand over the screen. “We just wanted you two to have the experience. Anyway, you did well. Have some fun over there and I’ll see you soon, okay?”
As expected, they weren’t given the roles.
“I’ve had thoughts, and the director too, of remaking the movie for the two of you but it’s not a feasible one. I’d just like to say that I’m impressed. You really worked together very well and I’m saying this as a compliment - you have the chemistry. I got to say that your team work is in another level. I’ll be looking forward to your band’s future accomplishments.” The scriptwriter tells them.
They were nodding and listening intently but Kris secretly sends Suho a wink. As if telling him that the chemistry isn’t simply from their team work. As if he wasn’t aware of it.
They received more compliments on their acting. Suho, especially for his perceived professionalism for effectively taking a female role without the need for drag. Kris brings up his tantrums about trying that role and everyone laughs good-naturedly.
And then it’s time for them to leave. “Tell your producer, I’m glad I got to meet you. We’ll keep you two in mind if ever we come upon characters that’ll fit you.” The director winks at them before leaving.
Suho kept in mind to ask Lee Sooman why he had to have them go through such an ordeal if he’s apprehensive about it in the first place.
They’re back in South Korea. And from the way the members are looking at them weirdly, they knew that they’ve been found out.
“Hyung.” Baekhyun hugs him pretentiously. “Whoa. I salute you.”
Junmyeon pushes him off and Baekhyun started laughing. The other members behind him tried hard to hide their laughters and Junmyeon is way past embarrassed. He simply stopped caring.
“Yah. Did you even know what that book was about when you accepted it?” Xiumin asks Suho curiously.
“No, he didn’t.” Kris replied for him and Xiumin walked away, shaking his head and mumbling, ‘it figures’.
Chen approached them, looking proud and pleased. “Hyungs should thank me.” He declared.
“Why?” Suho asked him.
“I got Lee Sooman to sign that proposal for you two. I even mailed it to that director personally.”
Suho had no idea what the kid is even talking about. His phone’s vibration interrupted him.
It’s a text from their manager who had gone straight to the company.
Sooman-seonsangnim remembered. It was Jongdae who was asking him to sign that script reading contract. He says he was too persistent and he thought it was Jongdae’s contract so he signed.”
He showed Kris the text message. The Chinese leader shrugs.
“Just… leave him alone. It’s been done anyway.” He whispers. But Junmyeon couldn’t. He pulled Chen to a corner and confronted him about it.
Chen looks perplexed. “I thought you agreed to it?”
“What?” Suho almost yells.
“Kris hyung said you did. In fact, he was with me when I asked for Lee Sooman’s consent…”
Suho turned to look for Kris. That was why the bastard was enjoying his predicament a bit too much. Said bastard isn’t anywhere in sight. He covered his mouth and tried hard not to scream from frustration and embarrassment. It’s more than a hidden camera alright. His phone vibrated again. Oh look, it’s the bastard.
Honey, believe me. i didn’t mean to harm or embarrass you. Happy anniversary! Looks like you forgot, so I’m reminding you.
His frustration momentarily subsided. Right. It was two days ago. When they were doing that stupid script reading.
Another text arrived.
I know you liked the blind folds. I have one for tonight.
His face immediately warms up. He headed for the door.
“Hyung… where are you going?” Tao blocks him.
“Nowhere. I’m sorry I want to be alone.” He told the Chinese maknae
.
“But… Kris hyung is planning some surprise for uh- you and-“
Suho pushes Tao aside with some difficulty. He marched outside and ignored the members calling after him.
“Tell Kris he can go to hell.” He said without looking back. He’s too embarrassed for any word right now.
Behind him, he can still hear the members talking loudly.
“Are they fighting again?” Luhan asks.
“I think so. You think it had something to do with their trip?”
“Maybe. Did you read that book? Maybe Kris went overboard so Suho’s acting like that?”
Baekhyun answered Xiumin’s question. “Yeah I did read it. Ooh. You have no idea how interesting things are, I wish I’ve seen them read those lines.”
Suho was about to round a corner when someone grabbed him from behind. “Wha-“
“Shh.” It was Kris. Suho started to struggle.
“Happy anniversary.” Kris whispers, laughing again, and he leans down to kiss him. Suho stubbornly kept his lips closed.
“You’ve got to admit, you won’t forget an anniversary like that now.”
Suho elbows him. “Are you kidding me? That’s another major reason why I will be forgetting that stupid date.”
They were still bickering when Kris pulls him back to the dormitory. The surprise was ruined because the maknaes had started eating, Baekhyun had accidentally tripped over a wire and it brought the entire network of fairy lights down. Not to mention that Luhan and Xiumin had knocked over the champagne bottles with a soccer ball.
Kris sighs. “Yup. Another one to cheerfully remind us how we spend our years together.”
Suho can’t help cheering up and laughing. “We’ll have to postpone the blindfold.”
“Yeah. We’ll have too.” Kris sighed again.
From: ANONYMOUS until May 22, 2015
Title: 50 Shades of What?
Rating: PG
Pairing(s)/Focus: Suho/Kris
Length: 4,595 words
Summary: Kris and Suho finds themselves being considered for the title roles of the movie based from 50 Shades of Grey.
Notes: probably not what the recipient had in mind (and i'm terribly sorry if i strayed [a bit] from your prompt) but i hope you'll still enjoy reading this.
Recently, Kim Jongdae, better known as Chen of the Kpop group EXO, had been always commented on his maturity. Some says it’s because he’s rooming in with the EXO-K leader, Suho. Some thinks it’s because it’s simply time for him to. Others are blaming SM Entertainment for their too strict regulations but most of the fans, especially Chen’s fans, are simply sitting silently, wondering if they should brace themselves or flee to the most remote areas they could think of. They never believed for even a second that their oppa, EXO’s resident troll, the Chensing Machine, is going to be quiet for long. They know he is simply lying low and gathering momentum for something grand that’ll sweep the entire fandom off their feet.
Indeed, he is. That one fateful night, he’s not sure if the fandom will ever get their hands on this particular happening but he couldn’t care a bit. He’s simply proud of himself for managing to land his favourite leaders their first ever Hollywood roles. Isn’t he simply great?
The next morning, Chen cheerfully breezed though schedules amidst the irritable members. He listened and agreed to everything they say to him and a variety program even got him to show his insoles and it got the members worried.
“Jongdae-ya, are you sure you’re not sick or anything?”
“Nope.” He answered Suho’s repeated questions in the same cheerful tone that got even Tao avoiding him.
“You think he put something in our breakfast?” Baekhyun whispered to D.O. who hesitantly shook his head.
“No? I don’t think so. I was there, helping our dorm ahjumma the entire time.” The vocalist replied.
In the back, Tao was still looking at Chen suspiciously. “Maybe he’s got a girlfriend?” He looked at Sehun beside him.
Sehun choked on his iced coffee. “Don’t be ridiculous.” He coughed. “That thing isn’t serious enough for something like that.” He added, pointing to the back of Chen’s head.
The EXO-M leader, Kris, didn’t pay much attention to it despite the warnings from almost all of the members. Even Suho had talked to him about Chen’s strange behaviour he but still ignored it.
Until they got called to the company that afternoon, just after they’ve ended their final filming for the day. The other members were obviously relieved that they might not have anything to do with it but the two leaders were starting to be wary because they were the only ones called.
They went upstairs to the conference room with their manager who was shaking his head and sending them disbelieving glances. He refused to talk when they asked him what is wrong and it made the two of them more nervous. Behind the folds of Kris’ huge jacket, his hand is wrapped around Suho’s, hidden, and before entering the room they sent encouraging glances to each other before letting go.
The two sat there in silence with the manager behind them, Lee Sooman and the CEO in front of them.
Lee Sooman broke the tense atmosphere. “This will be strange but let’s get this done. Open those folders and read the files inside.” He told the two in a strange tone.
The CEO shook his head and went back to reading his own copy of the files again. “I still think there’s a mistake.” He told no one in particular.
Suho reached for his copy first. It’s a draft for a contract about a movie. To say that he’s not excited is a lie. After D.O., the two of them might be the next ones to land a role in a movie production. He just hoped they were going to try for different roles.
“It’s Hollywood.” Sooman interrupts them when they weren’t even done with the first page.
Of course they both looked up, shocked and disbelief on their faces.
“Don’t… get excited.” The CEO shooks his head again. “Continue reading.”
Junmyeon reads faster and when he was done, he tried to keep his face neutral while he closed the folder, seemingly afraid that something’ll come out of it to harm him.
Kris followed later with his signature “bitch” face on. He seems to be equally shocked as Junmyeon, if not more. He turned to his co-leader and whispered, “Who’s role are you taking?”
Suho blinked at Kris. “Anastasia Steele” He whispered back.
Kris nearly crumpled the folder he’s holding. “Fvck. No way. It worked!” He didn’t even apologize for his language or explained what he is talking about.
“Please tell me we’re taking on the same role.” Junmyeon whispered to him frantically. The two elders were pretending not to hear them. They’re both looking up at the ceiling as if it’s the most interesting thing they’d ever seen.
Kris cleared his throat. He wanted to comfort his partner (but the people in that room didn’t know that and he knew better) but he just shrugged. “I’m taking on Christian Grey.”
Suho looked down at the table feeling confused and bewildered. “This… is not a hidden camera, is it?” He bravely asked the manager.
The manager, having known about this beforehand, is just looking at them with sympathy. The Korean leader turned to the two elders, who had averted their gazes to the window.
“Excuse me…” Junmyeon hesitantly calls them but he was ignored.
“Sir?” Kris asked this time.
Lee Sooman slowly turned to them and cleared his throat. “No. This is a hundred percent real. I have no idea how, I’m having my secretary look through it but-“ He sighed and nudged the man beside him.
The CEO grimaced. “We’ve called the director and the production company and yes, it’s not a mistake. They’re expecting the two of you to arrive in the US within this week.”
“Do you know anything about this… book?” Sooman asked them cautiously.
Suho, who had been feeling indignant, broke out in a stammer. “I, uh - I know that this - this is a female role and… why is it given to me?”
Under the table, Kris placed his hand on Junmyeon’s knee to calm him. “Never mind the female role. Do you even have an idea what this book is about?” He asked.
“I don’t know. I heard my Mom and cousins talking about it but I never paid attention to it. Why?”
“All I can say is it’s a waste to refuse this opportunity but then again… you’ll have to think about it very well. Okay? It’s a good opportunity, really. This is Hollywood but-“ The CEO sighed. “We’ll leave you two to talk about it. Join us for coffee upstairs.” He nodded to the manager who looked at Suho and Kris questioningly. Kris nodded at him.
The moment the trio were out of the room, Suho stood up with a frown marring his features. Kris watched him pace around the room.
“I don’t like it. I’m sorry I have to refuse.” Junmyeon stated.
Kris sighed. “First, try searching what it’s all about.” He told him.
Suho took his phone out and did what he was told. Kris gave him five minutes and he was amused to see Suho’s face turn from his pale complexion to a light pink tinge on his cheek then to noticeable red, including the tip of his ears. He nearly slammed the phone on the table, face down.
Kris schooled his features to blank. “And?”
“And- and… and this - that … it will be shown worldwide?”
“It’s just a casting for script reading. There’s little chance we’ll get the roles.” Kris told him.
Suho nodded weakly. He took his phone back and started scrolling again. He put it down after another five minutes.
“It’s not so bad. We’ve done some of the stuff there already -“
“No we didn’t.” Suho - no, Junmyeon hissed.
“The blind fold-“ Kris continued.
“Shut up.”
“And that time in Japan remember? Sure you were drunk but -“
“Stop.” Junmyeon cuts in.
“And I think the preference to do it while I’m fully clothed and you’re entirely naked-“
The Korean leader started walking towards him. “Stop. Damn it. That was yours!”
“- counts as a kink.” Kris finishes it off with an innocent smile. “I didn’t say it was yours.”
Suho tried to kick him but Kris was faster. He managed to back away with the help of the swivel chair. He was about to march towards Kris again but the door opened, admitting the CEO and the manager back.
“So?” The CEO looked at them curiously - Kris at one corner and Suho fuming in the middle of the room.
“I don’t think I could do it.” Suho tells him directly though he was freaking out inside. He’d never dreamt of having to vehemently oppose the management.
The elder man sighed and nodded. “We’re not going to accept it but why don’t you two still go over there and go through the script reading? I think you’ll be able to learn something. Your manager will discuss the schedule with you. I’m going to leave ‘cause I need to attend a meeting.”
Suho - Kim Junmyeon thought he couldn’t be any more shocked but he is. He turned to Kris.
“I’m not doing it.” He told him with conviction before storming out of the room.
Kris and the manager looked at each other.
“I see where he’s coming from.” Manager Lee nodded understandingly.
Kris sighed. “Yeah. But it’ll be a waste not to try it. I mean - we’ll meet Hollywood people here… And I think it’ll be fun though?” He laughed.
The manager nodded and smiled a bit. “Right. But he won’t be pleased if he finds out you’re laughing at him.”
Kris shrugs. He stands up to follow Suho. “Let me talk to him then. Hyung can go back to the dorm first.”
And the manager waves him good luck.
Suho steps in to the familiar chaos of the EXO dormitory. Tao is immediately beside him, pulling him to the sofa and chattering about something ‘mean’ that Baekhyun did. He listened half-heartedly but Tao caught on a minute later.
“Hyung, are you alright?”
Suho patted Tao’s head. “I’m fine. I’m just thinking about some things.”
Tao nodded understandingly. He stopped talking but he didn’t leave the leader’s side. “Why did they call you?” He asked, moments later.
Suho shook his head. “Later, ok?”
Before Tao could respond, Chen barged into the common room and draped himself over Suho’s shoulders.
“Hyung, it’s about a movie isn’t it?” The M vocalist was loud enough for their entire dorm to hear.
Tao sat up, surprised. Baekhyun, Chanyeol and Xiumin curiously peeked out of their room. “What movie? Who’s movie? Really?” They all chorused.
Suho rubbed his face. They won’t learn anything from me, he thought. Kris got out of the shower and all eyes turned towards him. He continued drying his hair with Chen’s ridiculous pink towel.
“Suho and I were invited for a script reading.” He replied, as a matter of fact.
The members approached him, each trying to sit beside him.
“Nothing!” He denied. “It’s nothing. I’ll tell you about it later.”
Chen wasn’t part of the mini chaos around Suho. He stepped back and frowned, wondering if the chance for the script-reading were given to his leaders or if his effort were useless. “Hm… I guess I’d have to ask someone from the External Affairs Department.” He told himself. He left the living room where the members are still not giving up on asking Suho.
They had no choice. The EXO leaders are boarding a flight to the US today. Suho did all he could to delay them that morning. He tried to work in the kitchen only to be chased by the dorm aunt because everyone knew he can’t even cook decent rice. He agreed to join Tao in the shower (no one’s agreeing to that for the past year) and it earned him a glare from the members who are awake because Tao then will surely take that as a sign to ask the other members. He tried helping Xiumin in cleaning his room but he was only yelled at and kicked out because he’s more familiar with disarraying clothes than arranging them. Kris finally intervened and Chen had somehow packed his luggage the night before so he had no more excuse not to ride the van and just pray that it’ll be stuck in traffic long enough for them to miss the plane. It didn’t and the manager had gotten tired of his unspoken rebellion. He was scolded and told on how he is the leader and that he should be acting maturely and such.
“Hyung! I’m an idol. An idol. This thing… can you even imagine what it’ll do to my image?” Junmyeon cried out. He doesn’t usually talk back but this situation is simply out of hand. “And Lee Sooman and the CEO. Those old men are telling us that the final decision is in our hands but you can clearly hear the underlying message on how they’ll be disappointed if we waste such opportunity to meet with famous people. I mean - are they even sure the people we’re meeting are famous?”
“They are. I’m googling them now. I’m not familiar with the works of the director but she seems to have an impressive enough background.” Kris tells him, while he’s busy scrolling on his phone.
And just like that, Suho’s outburst that didn’t even reach its peak was ended. He crossed his arms and sulked on the drive to the airport.
The moment they landed, their manager handed them their itinerary. They’ve separately gone through the script the day before and they’re going to have to go through it together at the hotel.
“I’m going to be sick.”
Kris pretended to rub Suho’s back. “Think of it as fan service. We’ve done it plenty of times didn’t we? You’ve done it with D.O., Chen and even Lay.”
Suho glared at him. Their relationship isn’t out in the open and they’ve worked hard for it to be that way. Some of the more perceptive members such as Lay, Chanyeol and Xiumin might have an idea but they took care not to add fuel to the fire. What he didn’t like is when it’s only the two of them, Kris always shows his jealousy and it’s fine with him but not when a manager is around.
“Quiet.” He hissed.
Later that day, Kris was laughing non-stop and Suho’s face is permanently red the entire afternoon. They were reading their lines and - let’s just say that Wu Yifan aka EXO-M leader is too pleased with the whole set up. It’s not helping that their manager has stormed out of the room because he can’t stomach the entire thing.
“Come on, Junmyeon. There’s nothing wrong with your pronunciation but your face is strange.”
Suho threw down his script. The script is already tattered and taped in places in the few hours that they were trying to practice. “Try saying that then. You try it you jerk.” He stood up and rubs the tension off his neck.
“What’s so hard about it?” He picked up the tattered script, laughing. “You just have to look at me, shyly and innocently, though nervous -“ Kris coughed. “- and say, I have some questions, Mr. Grey.”
Suho cringed. “What’s with that script anyway?!”
Kris is still smiling. “Yes. And I’m supposed to tell you, I thought you might. This is an important scene. Just sit down, okay? We’re not doing these half-heartedly.”
And he knows that Kris is right. He’s too proud to half-ass something like these even if every cell in his body doesn’t agree with it.
They met up with the director the next morning. She’s a chatty, middle aged woman. She seemed amused and impressed when she saw them.
“Wow. If the movie is directly gay, I might cast you two right here, right now. You look good together.” She told them after the introductions.
Of course, Suho is flattered because they’re together after all but he wondered if it’s because they were too obvious or the lady is just making nice talks.
“Thank you, we’ll take that as a compliment.” Kris replied and the director’s smile widened.
“Yes it is.” She turned to their manager. “Anyway, I’ll hold my end of the contract of course. For the script reading, there’ll only be me, my assistant, a script writer and of course, a translator if you’ll be needing one.”
“Thank you, but we won’t need one. Wu Yifan and I is proficient enough and Kim Junmyeon will be fine. We can translate for him if there is a need.”
“Right.” The director cheerfully said. “The less people, the better. Then let’s get going. We have all day but I’m excited to see them.” She stood up and led the way up to her personal studio. “This is where I do preliminary shoots and it’s my private studio so no need to be afraid of paparazzi and stuff.”
She waved them over the corner. “You two can sit over there. I’ll call the others here so we can start.”
Suho started to feel dizzy. The two of them are sitting on stools and their audience will be seating behind a long table in front of them. He tried his deep breathing exercises but when he looked at Kris who’s calmly warming up his voice, his nervousness returns. Kris notices and holds his hand but he pulled away because it’s not helping. Plus, the director had returned and she zeroed in on their hands.
“Okay. What my companions want to do is we’re going the choose scenes that we want to see, will that be okay with you?” She smiled at them brightly.
Kris looks at Suho and he nodded hesitantly.
They were given the scripts. The first one was easy enough. It’s the interview scene in the office with Christian Grey and Suho is confident that they did well.
The next one is when Mr. Grey is asking Anastasia Steele to be his mistress. They pulled it well too, with Junmyeon only stammering slightly in the end.
The third one… Junmyeon wanted to cry. Really.
“Uh- This scene is…” Kris laughed and sent Junmyeon a worried look.
“What’s that? That’ll be this hers, right?” The director asked, pointing to the scriptwriter. Kris stood up to show their audience. The director laughed and covered her mouth.
“My goodness. I know you’ll do something like this.”
The scriptwriter looked back innocently. “What? I could’ve given them the worse ones like those scenes where they’re starting to use toys.” She told everyone with fake modesty.
Their manager looked at Kris and asked what it’s about.
“Uhm. It’s the scene where Ms. Anna loses her uh - virginity.” And everyone in the room cracked up.
Kris took Junmyeon’s hand in his, ignoring everyone else because the poor Korean leader looked like he had stopped breathing.
“They’re not laughing at you.” Kris leans in and talks to him in Korean.
“I know.” Junmyeon replied weakly. “Why don’t I just drop dead?” He groaned.
“Want to say no?” The Chinese leader asks.
Junmyeon briefly squeezes Kris’ hands before pulling away. “I think I can do this. Let me stand first.” Then he proceeded to pace from one end of the room to another, behind Kris.
“Oh. Don’t mind him, it’s his way of losing nervousness.” Kris tells the audience, most of whom are giggling.
“Okay. I’m going first, right?” Junmyeon spoke in English but he’s at the end of the room, opposite Kris. There were renewed laughter and someone called him ‘aw~ why is he so cute’. He cleared his throat and closed his eyes as he says his line.
“Well, I’ve not have sex before so I don’t know.” Thankfully, he was able to say it without choking. Kris reads his own lines and to his surprise, it was easier to do the next ones. It took some time for the laughter to completely disappear but by the time they got to their final ‘test scene’, everyone is just watching them quietly.
Anastasia Steele is leaving Christian Grey, it was the final part of book one. The two of them did well, and Junmyeon personally thinks it’s their best one, especially for Kris who fits in Mr. Grey’s cold fury very well. There is applause at the end, their manager and the assistant even cheered, and Junmyeon, still feeling a bit embarrassed, stayed at his corner.
“You did very well, Kim Junmyeon. Get over here.” The director had her wide smile own. “You two are very good!” She told him when she reached out to shake his hands.
“Thank you. We -uh, we had acting lessons.” Suho replied. His eyes darted to Kris who was talking to their manager and the script writer.
They stayed for another hour before declining an invitation for lunch, then going back to their hotel.
“They’d written some of their comments here.” The manager hands them some paper. “They’ll call us back this evening for another meeting and you’re free until then.”
Suho yawns. He’s emotionally tired and all he wants to do is sleep. “We need to call Lee Sooman though.”
“We can do that after the meeting.”
Kris looks over the papers, “Hyung, I think we need to call him now.”
The video conference was half an hour long and it was mostly the manager and Producer Lee Sooman talking. Near the end of it, the producer asked Kris and Suho how it went.
“We did well, sir. Though I think they won’t give us the roles. Their comments here says that we’re good, we did well and some technicalities but… I don’t think we’ve nailed it.” Kris tells him casually.
Lee Sooman remained silent for a minute before looking back at the camera. “Why do you look so relieved then, Junmyeon-ah?” He asked out of the blue.
Junmyeon was startled .”No- it… uh. Not really.” He smiled awkwardly.
“Anyway. It’s okay.” The producer waved his hand over the screen. “We just wanted you two to have the experience. Anyway, you did well. Have some fun over there and I’ll see you soon, okay?”
As expected, they weren’t given the roles.
“I’ve had thoughts, and the director too, of remaking the movie for the two of you but it’s not a feasible one. I’d just like to say that I’m impressed. You really worked together very well and I’m saying this as a compliment - you have the chemistry. I got to say that your team work is in another level. I’ll be looking forward to your band’s future accomplishments.” The scriptwriter tells them.
They were nodding and listening intently but Kris secretly sends Suho a wink. As if telling him that the chemistry isn’t simply from their team work. As if he wasn’t aware of it.
They received more compliments on their acting. Suho, especially for his perceived professionalism for effectively taking a female role without the need for drag. Kris brings up his tantrums about trying that role and everyone laughs good-naturedly.
And then it’s time for them to leave. “Tell your producer, I’m glad I got to meet you. We’ll keep you two in mind if ever we come upon characters that’ll fit you.” The director winks at them before leaving.
Suho kept in mind to ask Lee Sooman why he had to have them go through such an ordeal if he’s apprehensive about it in the first place.
They’re back in South Korea. And from the way the members are looking at them weirdly, they knew that they’ve been found out.
“Hyung.” Baekhyun hugs him pretentiously. “Whoa. I salute you.”
Junmyeon pushes him off and Baekhyun started laughing. The other members behind him tried hard to hide their laughters and Junmyeon is way past embarrassed. He simply stopped caring.
“Yah. Did you even know what that book was about when you accepted it?” Xiumin asks Suho curiously.
“No, he didn’t.” Kris replied for him and Xiumin walked away, shaking his head and mumbling, ‘it figures’.
Chen approached them, looking proud and pleased. “Hyungs should thank me.” He declared.
“Why?” Suho asked him.
“I got Lee Sooman to sign that proposal for you two. I even mailed it to that director personally.”
Suho had no idea what the kid is even talking about. His phone’s vibration interrupted him.
It’s a text from their manager who had gone straight to the company.
Sooman-seonsangnim remembered. It was Jongdae who was asking him to sign that script reading contract. He says he was too persistent and he thought it was Jongdae’s contract so he signed.”
He showed Kris the text message. The Chinese leader shrugs.
“Just… leave him alone. It’s been done anyway.” He whispers. But Junmyeon couldn’t. He pulled Chen to a corner and confronted him about it.
Chen looks perplexed. “I thought you agreed to it?”
“What?” Suho almost yells.
“Kris hyung said you did. In fact, he was with me when I asked for Lee Sooman’s consent…”
Suho turned to look for Kris. That was why the bastard was enjoying his predicament a bit too much. Said bastard isn’t anywhere in sight. He covered his mouth and tried hard not to scream from frustration and embarrassment. It’s more than a hidden camera alright. His phone vibrated again. Oh look, it’s the bastard.
Honey, believe me. i didn’t mean to harm or embarrass you. Happy anniversary! Looks like you forgot, so I’m reminding you.
His frustration momentarily subsided. Right. It was two days ago. When they were doing that stupid script reading.
Another text arrived.
I know you liked the blind folds. I have one for tonight.
His face immediately warms up. He headed for the door.
“Hyung… where are you going?” Tao blocks him.
“Nowhere. I’m sorry I want to be alone.” He told the Chinese maknae
.
“But… Kris hyung is planning some surprise for uh- you and-“
Suho pushes Tao aside with some difficulty. He marched outside and ignored the members calling after him.
“Tell Kris he can go to hell.” He said without looking back. He’s too embarrassed for any word right now.
Behind him, he can still hear the members talking loudly.
“Are they fighting again?” Luhan asks.
“I think so. You think it had something to do with their trip?”
“Maybe. Did you read that book? Maybe Kris went overboard so Suho’s acting like that?”
Baekhyun answered Xiumin’s question. “Yeah I did read it. Ooh. You have no idea how interesting things are, I wish I’ve seen them read those lines.”
Suho was about to round a corner when someone grabbed him from behind. “Wha-“
“Shh.” It was Kris. Suho started to struggle.
“Happy anniversary.” Kris whispers, laughing again, and he leans down to kiss him. Suho stubbornly kept his lips closed.
“You’ve got to admit, you won’t forget an anniversary like that now.”
Suho elbows him. “Are you kidding me? That’s another major reason why I will be forgetting that stupid date.”
They were still bickering when Kris pulls him back to the dormitory. The surprise was ruined because the maknaes had started eating, Baekhyun had accidentally tripped over a wire and it brought the entire network of fairy lights down. Not to mention that Luhan and Xiumin had knocked over the champagne bottles with a soccer ball.
Kris sighs. “Yup. Another one to cheerfully remind us how we spend our years together.”
Suho can’t help cheering up and laughing. “We’ll have to postpone the blindfold.”
“Yeah. We’ll have too.” Kris sighed again.