double dealing - nct, chensung

⇄ 8 ⇄

"you guys are live in 5 minutes!" a voice announced as make-up artists ran across the filming aera to do the very last little touch-ups.

nct was filming a show today, in order to promote their new 'universe' album.

and as usually with nct, things were messy, making the producers stress quite a lot.

"guys, stop moving around!" the producer yelled, pulling onto his hair in nervousness. "and someone please find me yoo jaesuk! he's our special guest and he needs to be there in 10 minutes maximum!"

jjisung sighed at all the agitation around him.

he didn't even understand why they would need to participate to a damn show featuring yoo jaesuk, a famous and influential tv personality, just to promote their album. like, was it even necessary? they had already beaten their past record of pre-orders, and this was already huge for a nct album that wasn't even complete since sicheng and lucas were missing.

"jisung?" the youngest member lifted his head, looking at his leader who passed an arm around his shoulders with a small smile.

"yes, hyung?"

"do you feel okay? are you sure you want to participate in the show?" taeyong asked, concerned for his member.

"yes, i'm alright, hyung." jisung nodded.

"are you sure?" taeyong raised a brow. "because if you feel somehow uneasy or something, you don't have to participate. we'll find something to say to explain why you're not here since the fans don't know about... i mean... you know?"

"it's okay, hyung." jisung assured.

"i really mean it, jisung. if you don't feel like participate, i don't want you to force yourself. and you don't have to worry about the managers, i'll have that covered." taeyong continued, trying to understand what was going through jisung's mind at the moment.

but the younger boy let no emotion show through his features, just like he had learnt in all those years participating in illegal activities.

"30 SECONDS!!" a yell disturbed their conversation as all the nct members started gathering in front of the cameras, jisung and taeyong soon following them.

"jisung, this is your last chance."

"i'm good, hyung. thanks." jisung concluded, heading to the spot that he had been assigned right next to chenle.

taeyong stared at his youngest member for a few seconds. he wasn't stupid. he knew jisung wasn't as fine as he supposedly said. your parents' death couldn't leave you totally indifferent. and the way his eyes kept looking in every direction made taeyong guess that the boy had a lot on his mind, and not only pleasant things.

"20 SECONDS!"

jisung passed a hand through his hair, his eyes catching a glance of yoo jaesuk arriving while being on the phone.

"ji, are you okay?" a small hand tugged on his sleeve, making the boy look down at the boy that had called him.