Okay... So, Here's The Thing...

Chapter 21

It after a painstakingly long few hours that Raven finally finished the first shoot. Then hours later, he was apparently done with the entire thing.

... 

Lukas watched every step of it, from Raven's first shoot with his casual fit; then him going back to change and getting his makeup done for the next shoot; going back to the green screen and cameras again. Repeat and repeat.

Raven didn't seem to be tired at all.

After his casual concept, was a more emo concept. His bangs were made jagged, eyeliner was applied, and he was told to put on a black rock-band shirt and ripped black jeans. Put that all together with the metal chain necklaces— you have an utterly, ridiculously handsome, emo boy.

Lukas was straight. But wasn't he allowed to look at a boy and, like, envy his looks? He certainly wasn't awing the way Raven— nope, he wasn't going further into that road.

Then was a crazy combination of blue-black pants, a neon-colored shirt that hurt Lukas' eyes when he glanced over, and studded boots.

He wasn't sure why anyone thought that was a good look, and he swore Raven himself was grimacing.

Lukas had already been standing up to follow Raven as he headed out to take photos for the outfit.

"You don't have to come for every shoot. You could just chill here. Or even go home." The dark-haired male said.

"Nah, it's fine. I like watching the shoots happen. Get to see all the behind-the-scenes. Plus, I'm waiting for you— I'm not going home before you. Not like I actually have anything to do." He shrugged.

So, he and Raven both walked out.

—

Then came a.... slightly revealing outfit that had Raven questioning if it was possible to skip the particular outfit. Of course, the blonde lady said no in the clipped tone that Lukas found her using every time she opened her mouth.

Raven wore a partly see-through black blouse and fitted white pants, with winged ear cuffs on both ears.

The dark haired male pouted as he came over.

"Isn't this too revealing? Ugh, I don't want to not finish the shoot, but like, they're forcing me to do this." He said, stopping in front of Lukas.

"You... look fucking good though." Lukas mumbled.

"What?"

"Nothing." Lukas smiled innocently.

Raven shot his a suspicious look, before some staff member was calling him over to add final touches to his hair.

—

Lukas sat waiting on a bench, watching Raven finish up the photoshoot with his revealing outfit— which he was both a fan of and not.

He frowned as some staff member walked up to Raven and talked to him, waving her hands around. Lukas couldn't hear from where he was sitting by the cameras, but he could faintly hear that there were words being spoken.

He watched Raven's face change from confusion, to tiredness, to slight anger, to annoyance, to understanding, then back to confusion.

Then the staff member sighed (that Lukas could both see and hear), then walked away. "Never mind!" She called out to the dark haired male, as she walked past Lukas.

He stopped the woman. "What was that about?"

She looked confused.

"What were you talking about to Raven?" He clarified.

She gave him a hard look.

"What were you talking about?" He pressed.

"You don't have to know. And why do you want to know?" She raised an eyebrow at him.

"Because I—"

...I'm worried about him and what you were talking to him about. Raven seemed annoyed. And angry. And tired. And confused. Did I mention annoyed?

"— anyways. I have a VIP pass. I'm technically staff too. What was going on?" He held up his VIP badge.

The woman sighed. "The director wanted Mr. Gwon to do more... well, more seductive poses. I did tell him that wasn't exactly a good decision, but he made me go and tell Mr. Gwon over there. Privately. To do that." She finally answered.

A burst of anger shot through Lukas.

"He's still a minor." Lukas snarled. "Does Eun-sun know about this?" He asked.

"No." The woman admitted. "He's dealing with several meetings today, so CEO Gwon wasn't overseeing the photoshoot today like he'd usually be doing. Especially with his brother here."

She paused.

"A lot of staff here, particularly females are... well, less professional towards him. I do try to stop them, and Mr. Gwon in particular hates them doing that, since, well he's not really attracted to females in the first place— he's very open about that fact, but I'm sure you already know as his friend." She said.

Wait, Raven likes boys? I mean, it's true I've never seen him flirting with girls, but I didn't actually realize— BUT that's besides the point right now!

Lukas sat up, straightening his posture.

"Please tell the director, firmly, that Eun-sun will be finding out about this and luck will not be on his side."

The woman smiled wearily. "Of course."

Lukas watched her go up the director and whisper something in his ear. Then the director's eyes found him and he straight out glared at him.

Lukas smiled back sweetly, feigning ignorance.

—

Finally, the last outfit.

A simple white tank-top shirt and blue jeans, with a few earrings and chain necklaces. Lukas watched as the staff member instructed Raven to pose with a skateboard, then with a spray paint can, then some sculpture Lukas didn't know what it was supposed to be.

Some mangled hybrid of a rock, sheep, house?!

Honestly? It was kinda bizarre what the director was having him do.

What Lukas didn't understand was how everyone seemed to love Raven, but at the same time, they were forcing him to do this and that, and ordering him around every which way.

And after the staff lady had told him earlier, Lukas started to see just how many female staff members were going up to Raven, and not to give him directions of fix up his hair and makeup.

He was disgusted, but he was pleased to see how Raven (politely) pushed away each and everyone of them. 

A/N: not exactly a fan of all the staff members. raise your hand if you feel the same!

(honestly, I was cringing and disgusted by all the staff members-- funny because I'M the one who wrote it all, but like, it's for the plot and for the story moving forward. Not exactly happy with writing Raven (my poor Raven :'( someone pls save him) in those situations, but like... I have to? Being a writer: some parts are just so super fun to write, then some you're cringing, questioning why you even wrote that part, wondering if readers would even be okay with it 😫)