fluid: haobin

12

hanbin stares into the mirror, checking over his outfit one last time. a black blazer, white button-up, and jeans, it looked casual but dressy enough. and he hoped it suited a certain someone's taste.

his phone rings, and he smiles when he sees the caller's name.

"hey matthew, what's up?"

"hey hyung, i wanted to let you know that jiwoong hyung and i are gonna be a bit late because of traffic. the reservation is originally for 6:15 but we have to arrive by 6:00 to confirm. jiwoong hyung and i are held up in traffic so we can't make it there in time. do you think you and hao hyung are gonna be ok just getting the table and waiting until we come?"

"yeah, that's fine. drive safe!"

"thanks, bye!"

the time was now 4:43 so hanbin could get to the studio close to 5:10 and arrive at the restaurant by 5:50.

"hello?" hao speaks from the other line.

"hey hyung, i'm going to arrive at the studio by 5:10, just wanted to give a heads up."

"oh, ok."

"i'll text you when i leave my house, bye!"

hao hangs up the call and quickly gets to finishing his last bit of work, which only took about 5 minutes.

"don't you have to go soon?" taerae asks from his place from across the table. "i remember you have to meet them by 6 and the drive is a bit long from here."

"hanbin said he would pick me up at 5:10, what time is it now?"

"4:55. go get changed and then i wanna do your hair," the younger demands while gesturing to the door. "that place is fancy, so you're gonna need all the help you can get."

"i hate you, you know that?" the chinese glares at the other, who only sticks his tongue out.

"love you too."

.

.

.

staring at the mirror, the manager makes adjustments to his outfit. the white knit sweater had a few sequins sprinkled throughout the front, black slacks, and loafers. it wasn't the most formal but was the best he could put together with the rest of his clothes at the laundry.

he exits his office and walks back to where he and taerae had been working.

"dang, you look good," the younger whistles when the older comes into view. "new sweater?"

"just haven't had a reason to wear it."

"mhm, and i'm sure hanbin will like it," the korean smirks at the other's reaction. a raised fist, lasered eyes, and straight expression, seem like the normal reaction to getting exposed. "follow me to my office."

they walk down the hallway and the smell of lemon febreze hits his nose when the door opens. unlike his own room, which had white walls, black furniture, and a few grey accents here and there, taerae's had pale yellow walls, green chairs, and a blue ikea desk. it only took a glimpse between the two offices to see the difference between their personalities.

"welcome to salon de taerae, please take a seat here," the younger jokes as he motions to one of the cushioned chairs. "now, could you describe what look you're going for?"

"anything you think fits my outfit," hao shrugs. he didn't know much about hair and usually opted to leave his hair in its natural fluffy way.

"then, i'm going to curl your bangs," taerae's fingers take hold of the front hair in their usual nimble way. "and straighten the rest. good?"