The Three Worst Secrets

Daddy Loses His Cool

WARNING IN THIS CHAPTER FOR GENERAL ICKINESS

"Minnie? Drink some water." Something cold pressed into his lip. He suckled the liquid automatically, only realizing how thirsty he was as it ran soothingly down his throat.

"... Time is it?"

Changbin's laugh, it sounded so good, even with his head pounding. "It's about noon. You want to shower and borrow some of Lixie-loo's clothes?"

"Showers are... hard." More laughter, he smiled almost against his will. "Yeah. Okay."

"Up then. Here, I'll help you." Changbin's muscular arms around his ribs- they shouldn't be doing so much to his heart. It was probably the alcohol still running through his veins.

The shorter crab-walked him into the bathroom, depositing his limp form against the edge of the sink while he started the shower.

"Get in. There are clothes beside you. Felix wants to do your make-up after, if you're down. He said he's got some new eyeshadow?"

"Mmm..."

"Please don't fall down in there."

"Yeah right."

"Really Minnie. I'll be right outside and if I hear you fall I WILL come in and save you from potential death."

"Alright, alright I get it." He glanced up and caught the shorter's eye before he walked out "Thank you Bin."

"Nothing to thank me for."

The shower went fine. He did notice an absence of bruising on his pale skin as he dried off though. The full-length mirror beside the towel cupboard hadn't fogged up even a little, and he'd never been without marks. Not as far back as he could remember.

The sight made him itchy.

Felix descended on him like a predator as soon as he walked out, dragging him by a wrist into the bedroom. Changbin followed easily behind, staring at his phone.

"Sit still just for a little."

"Mmm."

An hour later the freckled boy was done, leaning away and sighing happily. "You make me feel like I'm better at this then I really am."

"What do you mean?"

Bin glanced up, doing a swift double-take and gasping. "That's perfect! That's what I want to paint. Can I take a picture of you for reference?"

"Really? Hungover, make-up me is better than normal me?"

"No, no of course not. It's just one side of you. All your sides are perfect Min. Just want to paint this one."

"Fine. Whatever."

The two younger boys giggled as he screwed up the first few images by crossing his eyes and sticking out his tongue. They sobered slowly when he dropped the act, Changbin quickly and quietly taking at least ten pictures while he looked down and around.

"I don't know how to pose. Are you done?"

"Yeah. I have enough. Thanks Minnie."

"No trouble. You're the one doing all the work on this project anyway. I should be thanking you."

"You BOTH should be thanking ME." Felix snipped, putting his brushes and palettes away. "I'm the real artist here after all."

Minho didn't want to go home. He knew he'd have to eventually- and was a little glad that his parents couldn't reach him since they got rid of his original phone. The three boys lazed around, watching old cartoons and eating small bowls of Felix's favorite cereal.