But What Else Can I Do?

Not By The Moon

Jaebeom stared awestruck, as Youngjae giggled wildly and played with his hair. Jackson was first to react, jumping up from his seat and skipping over. "Hiiii, welcome to the mad house" he said gesturing to the others around him and pulling Youngjae into a tight hug, the boy shouted loudly and tried to wriggle away but his beautiful smile stayed plastered on his face. Jaebeom felt his own mouth twitch in response, he looked over and caught sight of Jinyoung's stony face.

 The jealously and hurt clear, he caught Jaebeom's eyes and he offered a reassuring smile, but it was ignored. Jinyoung cleared his throat, wiping all emotions from his face. "This isn't the mad house, the kids aren't here" he scoffed. Jaebeom and Mark nodded in agreement, a loud shriek from the newest member caught Jaebeom's attention again, he snapped his head round at the unfamiliar noise. He wore a scandalised look, slapping wildly out at Jackson, finally connecting with his chest, his mouth suddenly transformed into a perfect 'O' as he stepped back shocked.

 Jackson dropped to the floor dramatically playing dead, eyes wide open and unblinking, "He pinched my bum!" Youngjae giggled nervously as he stared down at the limp figure sprawled out on the floor "I'm so sorry" Youngjae mumbled. Youngjae looked at Mark with large worried eyes as he patted his arm gently laughing, "Don't worry Youngjae, he has never been this quiet, we're thankful honestly" Jinyoung said attempting a warm smile.

 Youngjae settled slightly, smiling broadly again and stepping away from Mark. "Heyy" Jackson whined from the floor, pouting up at Jinyoung. "Don't be like that!" he moaned, shifting back so he could pinch and grab at Jinyoung's calves. "Yahhh! Don't!" Jinyoung flinched and yelled in response, jerking his body away.

The loud rabble was finally broken by the receptionist coming in and ushering them into a room on the right. Jaebeom watched as Mark and Youngjae spoke animatedly giggling here and there. Despite the boys striking beauty never once leaving Jaebeom's mind, he had obviously made no lasting effect on him, so he stayed silent just observing the others, afraid to embarrass himself.

Turns out I am a third wheel to two dates he thought, how ironic, he smirked to himself, as he plonked himself down on the U shaped couch at the back of the room. Jinyoung had already taken the parental role and was setting the machine up whilst Jackson and Mark bickered about what song to do loudly. Jinyoung intervened and Jackson's song 100 Ways began to fill the room, two of them were singing passionately and the other two were swaying and dancing beside them.

Jaebeom sat back, enjoying the whirling chaos in front of him, Mark was now on Jackson's back screech-singing whilst Jackson attempted to dance and Jinyoung sitting on the floor in front of him singing along. He was so caught up watching how happy his friends were, he forgot that there were five of them for a moment, he whipped his head round quickly, eyes settling on Youngjae who had perched himself the other side of the sofa. 

Jaebeom admired him for a while, the way his blonde hair hung framing his face, his sharp jawline only visible from the side, the way his shoulders moved when he giggled... Just at that moment, Youngjae turned his eyes meeting Jaebeom's. The fire in his heart fizzled and cracked as the air left his lungs. When Youngjae broke into a huge grin, he felt like his insides had melted completely, he gave a big smile back, thankful the dark room was hiding the blush in his cheeks.

He glanced back at the chaotic mess on the floor before shrugging at Youngjae and chuckling lightly. Youngjae suddenly moved over and he panicked like a deer in headlights, sinking further into the chair. Jaebeom swallowed nervously, unable to remove the lump from his throat, "How're you coping with this?" he asked genuinely.

Youngjae's eyes sparkled in the light, "I love it" he breathed, turning to give him a shy tight lipped smile. "Didn't want to join in?" Youngjae asked, raising an eyebrow. Jaebeom laughed, sitting forward "Not on a Jackson song" he stated and they both laughed. Youngjae run his hand through his hair nervously, eyes flicking back to Mark every few seconds. "I'm sorry but you seem really familiar" Youngjae suddenly stuttered, as the shrieking came to end around them.

 Jaebeom chewed his lip, a mix of emotions flowing through him, the sight of Youngjae seemed to have put his brain in shutdown. "So do you" he said, turning and patting his shoulder. "But I don't think we've met" he said, trying to keep his voice steady, he wasn't a very good liar. Youngjae smiled and nodded as he turned away as if lost in thought.

Jinyoung flopped down onto the chair beside Jaebeom, a huge grin plastered across his face as Jackson promptly fell into his lap breathing heavy. There was a delighted squeal as Mark fell into Youngjae the other side of him. "It's been too long" Jinyoung said after a while breaking the happy silence, he was sat up with Jackson snuggled in his lap, he had closed his eyes whilst Jinyoung played with his hair. "We need to do this more especially with us all away and Jackson's tour" Mark said sadly.

"We'll only be away two weeks" Jaebeom reassured him and Jackson pouted beneath Jinyoung's soft strokes "My tour isn't even confirmed either" he gazed up at Jinyoung, clicking his tongue playfully "Plus you'll have the kids and Youngjae" he said winking at him. Youngjae's cheeks blushed a deep red and he hung his head in embarrassment. "I didn't say I was going to be lonely" Mark spat, "I said I'll miss you guys specifically" he whined, rolling around the chair.

"Ewwww" Jackson yelled, pretending to vomit on the floor. "Maybe you won't have to miss us" Jinyoung said, recoiling from Jackson. "I was actually going to ask you to accompany me" he said in a small voice. Both Jackson and Mark sat up, exchanging bewildered looks. "Yahh!" Jaebeom yelled, smacking Jinyoung's arm. "I was going to ask him! He can't accompany us both!" he whined, sliding back on the chair and slipping into a sulk.

 "Accompany you to what?" Jackson said offended. "Our school reunion, we're going home for two weeks for a break and to see everyone" Jinyoung explained huffing "Except neither of us have partners to take and we didn't want to look like complete failures" Jinyoung groaned, shrugging and joining Jaebeom in his sulk. 

"Why didn't you ask me?" Jackson said, a hint of hurt and disappointment in his voice. "You're an idol" stated Jinyoung flatly. "I'm an artist" Jackson spat back, "and?" he shrugged. "And I didn't think it was appropriate to ask you to pretend to be my boyfriend for an event and ruin your career" Jinyoung snapped back, his cheeks beginning to flush. 

Jaebeom knew they should leave, give them their privacy but they all seemed glued into their seats unable to move. "Well it is appropriate, and I'll gladly take you" Jackson said, giving Jinyoung a small smile, "There now Mark can take JB and everyone's happy" he grinned scanning the room, four confused faces stared back at him. "What?" Jackson said.