Instances
Requested by anonymous: Hiii helloooooo 👋!! I know you didn’t even write this request yet 👉https://www.tumblr.com/i-dared-myself/773155354439778304/ BUT it inspired me to ask if you could do something similar but sorta like 'moments the 9th member questioned if her members were actually ✨️just friends✨️ of hers' or 'the members being too in love with her to be subtle and she questioning it all' ykwim??? 😋
The first instance in which you questioned your relationship with the other members was, unfortunately, on camera. It was to be edited before uploading, thank goodness, or else the shipping would have been off the charts.
The group had been given costumes for another one of the role-playing games, and everyone was arguing over who was to be which role.
“Obviously you’ll be the princess,” Jisung says as he hands you your dress. It’s big and poofy and a tiny piece of you is squealing that this is your childhood dream come true.
“Okay.” You accept the clothes and slip into a changing room. When you return, none of the others have gotten dressed yet. They’re still in normal clothes.
“I could totally take Jeongin in a fight,” Hyunjin exclaims, tossing his hip to the side.
Changbin gives him a skeptical look. “Still…”
Minho rolls his eyes. “Really? What about Chan? You think you could defeat him too?”
Hyunjin’s gaze flicks over the older man before he nods. “Yeah.”
Chan shakes his head and scoffs. “Just put the costume on. We need to hurry this up.”
Hyunjin groans, but obeys. He grabs one of the many sets of clothing and bustles off with it.
“Are you guys almost done yet?” you impatiently ask. “Hurry this up.”
Felix brightens. “Help us choose! Who should be the prince?”
You shrug and pull out your phone. “Doesn’t matter to me.”
You hear Seungmin mutter something before your chin is tilted up and away from your phone screen. You’re staring up at him, face burning as his tongue wets his lips.
“Help us decide?” His eyelids fluter almost all the way shut. “Please, princess?”
You regain your bearings and swat his hand away. You gather your skirts up and stomp away, sneering at him. The camera crew splits up so some of them follow you.
“What was that?” Jisung scowls at Seungmin. “You’re cheating.”
Seungmin’s shoulders shake as he laughs. He smiles enough that his lips lift up to show his gums, eyes wrinkling shut. “Maybe it wasn’t for the game. Maybe I did it for me.”
You choke on absolutely nothing and fumble with your phone. It drops and just before it hits the ground, Changbin scoops it up and presses it into your grip.
“Go get ready, okay?” He smiles gently. “We’ll be there in a minute.”
So you rush off to the set, sitting on the couch. It has been designed to look like a medieval castle, with a stone fireplace in the back.
Eventually the others file in, and you’re surprised at the costumes everyone has been forced into.
Chan appears to be dressed as a knight, although the chest plate is hanging at an odd angle. His eyebrows are pinched together slightly as he attempts to fix it.
Hyunjin is sporting a bright blue dress with more sparkles than yours. You’re instantly jealous, even more so when you notice his giant wings.
Changbin got the short stick. He’s dressed in a dragon onesie with the hood pulled up over his head.
Jisung sits next to you on the couch, a weird hat with a feather on it placed precariously on his head. He’s holding a strange instrument that resembles a guitar.
Minho has a wig on that flows down to his waist. His dress is a dark green and it’s rumbled near his shoulder from him constantly fiddling with it.
Jeongin is next to him, on a throne it seems. A crown sits atop his head as he adjusts his pants.
Felix sits at Minho and Jeongin’s feet, legs crossed beneath him. He has a smaller version of Jeongin’s crown and a tiny frown.
Seungmin has long black robes and a fake beard. He keeps tripping over the robes as he makes his way to his designated spot.
“Everyone’s here,” the manager says. “This is similar to the family video, but without the missions. Try to maintain your roles the whole time, but if anything happens we’ll just edit it out.”
“So we’re just chatting, in character?” Chan summarizes. When the manager nods, Chan smiles and faces the group. “Everyone introduce themselves!”
You slowly stand, smoothing out your dress. “I am the beautiful princess. I am the fairest in the land, well-known for my hotness.”
Seungmin strokes his beard, humming. “You’re lucky we don’t have any frogs.”
You stick your tongue out at him as you sit back down. Felix stands next, clearing his throat.
“I am Prince Felix!” he announces, spreading his arms dramatically. “Son of King Jeongin and Queen Minho! Fiancé to Princess-“
“Hold on,” you interrupt, making Jisung snicker. “When was that part of the characters?”
The staff all shrug and motion for Felix to continue.
Felix saunters over to you, kneeling and taking your hand. He raises the back of it to his lips, pressing the softest of kisses to it.
Then he looks up, and your breath catches at the intensity in his eyes.
“My son!” Minho snaps. “You little bastard, get over here!”
The staff wearily say a reminder to watch the language. But you know it will be edited out regardless.
“Who’s next?” Chan questions.
Jeongin gets to his feet and adjusts his crown. “I’m the king! I have announced his engagement to her, but um, I love harems. I’m still looking for my own if she-“
Minho slaps his arm, scowling. “And what about me, huh?”
Felix hides a laugh, ducking his head. “My father is trying to steal my fiancée!”
“Hey, maybe she’s into DILFs.” Seungmin shrugs. He clears his throat and deepens his voice in an imitation of a wizard. “I mean, maybe she’s down to fuck a daddy.”
The staff all facepalm and mutter out reminders to calm down a little.
“Wouldn’t that be me, then?” Chan lifts a hand into the air hesitantly. “I think I’m more daddy than Jeongin.”
“No. You’re the knight that swore to forever remain a virgin,” Jisung sternly says. “Stay in character!”
“When did I-“ Chan cuts himself off with a heavy sigh. “Fine. Whatever.
“Shut up, virgin boy!” Hyunjin waves his arms to get everyone attention. “What about me? Don’t I get a love interest? What if I run off with the princess? It could be so dramatic and scandalous and-“
“You can get the wizard.” Changbin points to Seungmin. “You both have magic.”
Hyunjin rolls his eyes and groans. “But I don’t want the old wizard!”
Felix gathers you in his arms, dipping you slightly. “Please don’t leave me for my father. Uh, he has herpes.”
Jeongin splutters out a protest. “I do not have herpes!”
“Maybe it’s from that harem you’re putting together,” Minho grumbles. His chin rests on his fist.
Felix falls to his knees, wrapping his arms around you. “Please! I can’t stand the humiliation!”
“Yes please,” Jisung randomly says from the back. When Chan narrows his eyes at him, Jisung’s face turns bright red.
“I think it would be even more scandalous if I ran off with the princess,” Minho chimes in. “Instead of evil step-mother, I’m the hot step-mom. Except not step-mom.”
“No,” Hyunjin immediately says. “It should be me since I’m supposed to get them their happily ever after. So it would be hilarious if she runs off into the sunset with me.”
“Or what if I don’t have an affair, and just marry the prince,” you suggest, much to Felix’s delight.
Seungmin considers it for a moment before snorting. “Nah. Boring.”
“I challenge thee!” Jisung shouts at Felix. “A duel to the death! For her hand in marriage!”
You’re still wondering what is going on, when you’re suddenly hoisted over Changbin’s head. Your skirts fall into his face.
“I am the evil dragon, here to kidnap the princess and keep her in my lair!” he cries. “None shall best me!”
Felix gasps and covers his mouth. “Someone kill him! He’s stealing my wife-to-be!”
Chan levels his sword (pool noodle) at the fearsome beast (Changbin). “I shall defeat him and regain your fiancée! For the low price of some gold and maybe her hand in marriage.”
Felix purses his lips before shrugging. “I can live with sharing. Do it!”
Changbin starts laughing maniacally and spins around to sprint away. Because he can’t see with your dress in the way, he promptly smacks into a wall and collapses on the ground.
Chan gently places his foot on Changbin’s back, lifting his weapon proudly in the air. “I did it!”
Half the staff have left at this point. The remaining ones seem to be on the verge of tears.
“What if we just all share.” Jisung looks to Felix with his suggestion. “We all marry the princess, and each other.”
Hyunjin wrinkles his nose. “I guess it’s okay.”
“Let’s just scrap this whole idea actually,” the manager says. “Go home, everyone.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The second instance was, unfortunately, on stage.
You had been unaware of changes to the set, and when you were about to make your entrance, smoke machines were activated. You wander out from the cloud, joining the others on stage. You wheeze slightly, which causes Hyunjin to side-eye you.
“Seungmin,” you mutter from behind him as everyone takes their places for the first song.
“What?” He gets into the opening position.
“The smoke machine triggered my asthma and I don’t have my inhaler,” you say as you mimic his stance.
“Huh?” Seungmin stumbles over the first move as the song begins. Throughout the entirety of the song, you struggle to keep up. It’s difficult when your chest feels so tight.
Not to mention the lack of air.
When it finally finishes, you slump, hands on your knees as you gasp over and over again. Jeongin pats your back worriedly, looking to Chan for guidance. Seungmin whispers into Chan’s ear as Jisung and Minho distract the crowd off to the side.
“Inhaler?” Chan rushes to you. “You have asthma?”
“It’s no big deal.” You wave a hand before sucking in as deep a breath as you can. It comes out of you in a desperate cough. “It hasn’t been bad for a couple years so I just-“
“Save your air,” Chan cuts you off. He straightens and checks for a staff member. When he finds one who’s close enough to the stage, he motions them over.
They seem confused, but do approach.
“Take her backstage and get her a medic,” Chan orders. He lifts a finger to brandish at you. “And fucking stay there until we get back.”
You wince at his tone, but walk away. You go down the steps and shuffle backstage. The crowd roars in bewilderment, but Felix diverts their attention with his abs.
The rest of the show goes by without you. You have your phone to amuse you, but it doesn’t help with the nauseating ball of nerves in your stomach.
Chan seemed really mad. What if you got kicked out of the group for this? You missed a whole concert.
Finally, they come back to see you. You can’t tell what they’re saying, since they’re all talking at once.
Chan stands there with his arms crossed. You swallow as you glance up at him, twisting your hands anxiously.
“You never told me you have asthma,” he eventually says. The others stop their rambling so he can speak.
You blink last the tears threatening to form. “I’m sorry, I just- I get it if you want to kick me out now and- and-“
“Oh!” His eyes widen and he wraps his arms around you reassuringly. “No, that’s not what I meant. We were just worried, baby.”
“The whole show, all I could think about was you,” Changbin adds.
“When are you not thinking about her?” Seungmin mumbles.
You’re still just staring at them blankly, because Chan called you baby. Did it slip out? Is there meaning behind it?
“Honey?” Jeongin places his chin on your shoulder once Chan steps away. “How are you feeling?”
Is this a thing now? Are nicknames what everyone’s doing these days?
“Better,” you respond. You push past the thoughts swirling in your head. “It wasn’t bad enough that I almost died, but I’ll be feeling it for a couple days.”
“Where’s your inhaler, love?” Hyunjin questions, circling his thumb over the top of your hand.
Your brain short-circuits. “Uh. In- In the dorms. But it expired a year ago.”
“We’ll get you a new one tonight, doll,” Minho promises.
“Will you carry it around at all times, angel?” Changbin asks softly.
You manage to whisper out an affirmation, unsure of what’s going on.
“Good girl,” Felix remarks, slipping on his jacket.
“I’m gonna-“ you cough, “go wait in the van.”
Jisung flashes you a worried look. “We’ll be there after we change, sunshine.”
“We have our phones if you need us, darling.” Seungmin smiles fondly at you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And the third was, fortunately, alone. It was when you finally addressed everything, as well.
About a month after the concert, the nicknames were still a thing. They used your name in public, but anytime you were alone they refused.
It was always Hand me the butter, baby or Wanna go shopping, doll?
But what makes you snap is when you break your wrist. Not just the injury itself, but how they react.
You come out of a turn unbalanced and fall, landing on your hand. You yelp at the sudden throbbing pain in your wrist once, and then they rush you to the hospital.
You are put into a cast and sent home, loopy on pain medication. You had apparently broken your wrist, although you found it hard to believe. No matter how many times they showed you your X-ray, you couldn’t comprehend it.
Jeongin said that was the medication talking.
So you sit on the couch, staring at the cast. It’s a pale blue colour that’s frankly depressing.
“You ready for bed yet, angel?” Changbin asks gently. He rubs your shoulder soothingly.
“Not yet.” You look up from it to the television, watching whatever show Jisung had thrown on.
“I’ll wake you when it’s time for your next dose of pain killers, baby.” The bags under Chan’s eyes have never seemed larger. “How are you feeling now?”
“Good.” You lean back against the couch. You slide off it after a moment, resting on the floor. “Tired.”
“Then go sleep, doll,” Minho chides. He sighs and shakes his head. “Honestly…”
“Don’t wanna sleep,” you stubbornly say. You try to cross your arms to further prove your point, but whimper when you bend your arm the wrong way.
Seungmin jumps to attention and whips around. He eases your limbs down and squeezes your non-injured hand. “You need rest! Just go to bed, darling!”
“I can’t tie my hair back,” you mutter angrily. Your face heats at the admission. “So I’m just going to never sleep and that way I won’t have to deal with it.”
Hyunjin squints at you. “Yeah, she’s out of it.”
“I’ll tie it for you, honey,” Jeongin tells you. He arranges himself behind you, running his fingers through your hair. “Does anyone have a hair elastic?”
Felix peels one off his wrist and hands it over. He strokes his thumb over your cheek comfortingly. “Are you sure you’re okay? Do you need your inhaler? Are you good to sleep alone tonight?”
You nod, making Jeongin groan as he loses his progress. “I’m fine, Felix. Jeez…”
Chan’s tone sharpens. “Baby, is something wrong?”
“You guys have just been so weird lately,” you slur, the exhaustion from the day and the medication getting to you more then you’re trying to let on. “Pet names and acting all worried and shit.”
Jisung splutters. “No we’re not! We’re normal!”
Hyunjin shoots him a filthy look. “Ignore him.”
“In truth, we’ve realized something,” Changbin carefully says.
Seungmin rubs at his face. “I guess we’re doing this.”
You’re limp at the feeling of Jeongin toying with your hair. You can barely put the thoughts together to say, “Huh?”
“We like you.” Minho pauses the show you had forgotten about. He faces you, expression serious. “And we understand if you don’t want to date because we work together.”
“Or because there’s eight of us.” Jeongin chuckles.
You swallow and glance down at your lap. “It’s okay.”
Felix shifts. “Uh, okay then…”
You stare into nothing for a second before standing, your hair complete. You lean down to kiss Jeongin. “Goodnight.”
Jeongin blinks after you pull away. “Uh… Sweet dreams.”
So you kiss everyone goodnight before wandering up the stairs to bed. They all watch you go before Changbin sighs.
“She’s too tired and drugged up to realize we’re not actually dating yet, isn’t she.”
Jisung hums his agreement. “We’ll tell her in the morning.”
