Set in Stone [Minsung]

Chapter 3

[A/N: All credits to Genius lyrics. Also this chapter is long.]

When I gave you a movie ticket, you were just so happy
But now I'm unintentionally pressuring you
I just wanted to be with you, the two of us, together
The tickets were just an excuse.

The next day is just as productive as the first.

Minho's team is crammed inside Chan's studio, the atmosphere heavy with hopelessness. Their lack of ideas despite having seven brains is worrying. None of them have ever felt this futile working on something they have always loved. Chan is slouched over his laptop with his headphones on, but he keeps glancing at the group nervously, disturbed by their collective misery. Unfortunately, as the one who came up with their final project, he isn't allowed to directly help them even though they're his best friends. Even more unfortunately, he has too strong a sense of morality and justice, so he won't contribute the slightest hint of an idea.

"I can't take this anymore!" Changbin cries, slapping his lyric notebook against his forehead. He glowers murderously at Chan. "Hey, why did you give us this theme? It's impossible!"

Chan squints and points at his headphones, signalling that he hadn't heard a thing. Changbin groans loudly, too exhausted to rip Chan's headphones off and scream into his ears. The others sigh in unison.

"I really cannot think of anything," Jisung moans, slouching against the backrest of the sofa. Minho nods in sympathy and agreement.

"Exactly!" Jeongin exclaims, pulling at his snow-coloured hair in agitation. "It's such a gross theme! We're too young for this!"

Seungmin scoffs from the corner he's been crouching in for the past two hours. Hyunjin is beside him, playing with his rings absentmindedly. They both seem just as disappointed as the others. Minho is gladly surprised at how invested they have become in the project, even though they had been so adamantly against it at the beginning. Minho, Hyunjin and Felix still haven't come up with anything for the choreography, which has left them too drained to practise in the dance studio.

"What should we do? We need some kind of muse. Hey, does anyone here want to confess? It'll help us with the project!" Changbin says, his tone half-teasing but mostly serious.

Minho senses his bodyguards stiffen in anticipation, indirectly warning Minho not to do anything dumb. They don't have to worry too much because he doesn't plan on confessing at all, even if it would act as some creative awakening for the team.

Changbin leans over to Chan until he's right in the elder's face. Changbin pokes his own cheek and puts on a sickly sweet grin. Chan grimaces in disgust.

"Channie-hyung, I love you!" Changbin squeals mockingly.

"Ew, disgusting," Chan replies, shoving Changbin backwards so he collapses onto Jisung.

"Hey, so you can hear us!" Changbin yells with a betrayed look.

Chan looks away, acting as if he can't hear anything again. Jisung holds Changbin back from slapping their mentor.

"Okay, so that didn't work. In conclusion, there isn't anything we can do to stimulate our creativity," Felix huffs.

The group falls silent again, internally lamenting their fruitless situation. Minho bites his thumb, scouring his mind for just a slither of a solution. Yeah, he's got nothing at all.

"Okay, nope. Being stuck in this studio isn't doing us any good. Let's go out and clear our heads," Changbin announces, standing up and chucking his notepad at Chan, who yelps and turns to glare at Changbin.