WAR of SUNS | Haechan

9. ʀɪᴅᴇꜱ ᴏꜰ ʟᴏᴠᴇ

"No, it's 1,2,3,4,5."

"You couldn't be more wrong. It's obviously 1,2,3,4,5."

It was now Friday and the newest duo were practicing for the upcoming show. And by practicing I mean constantly being at each others throats.

"How does that even make sense?!" Chaewon said in exasperation.
"You're just too stubborn to admit that you might be wrong for once."
"I am not-"

"ENOUGH!"
Both idols were taken aback, silenced by the managers yell.
"I'm sick of your arguing.".
"I'm sorry." They both muttered followed by bows to the obviously stressed manager.
"Oh no, you will be sorry, mark my words."
The manager then proceeded to exit the practice room, leaving the two in confusion.

"That was..."
"Scary"
"Yeah."

Not even sparing any glances to him, Chaewon walked to the opposite side of the practice room.
All Haechan could think about was how Chaewon was his soulmate. He couldn't help but stare at her.

Was she always so pretty?
Wait- stop. You're not even friends.

Things were so weird for Haechan, he even found it hard to argue with her (which was his specialty). It was like the whole world just stopped, and it was now up to Haechan to make a decision. He even took off his sun pendant, too scared to reveal the truth.

"We're doing what?!"
"We're going where?!"

Both the boy and girl were in complete shock, hearing what the manager had to say.

"You heard me right. It's time you two learnt how to get along, so you guys are going to go to the winter carnival together!!" The Manager stated in excitement.

Chaewon was so confused and honestly infuriated that they had decided to do this without consulting her first. "But we have to practice."

"Exactly, I don't think this bonding adventure is the right thing to do right now." Truthfully, he was terrified to spend a whole day with her.

"No, You are not making excuses. This isn't going to work until both of you can learn how to get along. You're going, end of discussion."

"But-"
"No."
"Manager-nim-"
"Get your stuff and head to the car."
Both reluctantly went to grab their stuff, before sulking all the way down to the car.

I can't do this.
Haechan thought to himself.

"Have fun!" The manager called after them as he drove off, leaving them deserted in the carnival.

"I'm this close to firing him."
"Whatever."

They both stood there awkwardly, in silence not knowing what to say. Chaewon thought she should break the ice, but Haechan beat her to it.
"Look, I know you don't really Like me. But we're stuck here together for god-knows how long, so can we please just go and have fun like normal 23 year-olds."
Chaewon shrugged, "Fine, but I get to choose the first game."
Chaewon started jogging of into the depths of the carnival, leaving Haechan behind with a smile forming on his face.
"Wait up!"

For the next 5 hours all they did was have fun. It was like they were making up for loss time as kids, as they became trainees at such a young age. Both of them felt carefree, like there was nothing wrong in their lives. They had even been able to forget about the tension between them, it being long gone as they laughed, teased and played to their hearts content.

"For you," Haechan teased, followed with a bow.
"Why thank you," Chaewon played along with a curtsie.
They both had gotten so tired after playing so many games and running around, they finally decided to take a break and eat ice cream sitting on a bench.

"I don't remember the last time I had that much fun." Haechan leaned back.
"Honestly, me too."
"When did our lives get so busy?"
"I can't remember." Chaewon replied with a deep sigh.
Haechan watched her every move, as she appreciated the beautiful sunset in front of them. Her eyes were full of so much joy, happiness radiating off of her skin as she continuously smiled. Haechan was starting to think there was nothing more beautiful than her.

Seeing her so happy, Haechan was tempted to ask the question he had been too afraid to ask since they re-united, "What happened with us, sunshine?"

Chaewon froze, taken aback by Haechan's about question. Haechan was starting to feel stupid for even bringing up their past, right when it seemed like they were starting to get along.

"You left." Chaewon didn't look at him, she was afraid she would fall apart if she did.
"Chaewon I- it was my chance to debut."
"I know, and I was so happy for you, believe me. But you promised, you promised it wouldn't change anything between us. That we would still be best friends and that I can still come to you when I need you. I needed you Donghyuck, and you completely shut me out."

She used his real name. Haechan hadn't heard that name for what felt like a millennia, and coming from her he understood how much he must have hurt her. "I am so sorry, Chaewon. I didn't even realise what I had done, which makes it even more horrible. All I do know is that I missed you so much, and I would think about you all the time debating whether or not I should contact you. "

Tears stared to form in Chaewon's eyes,"I'm sorry I was so quick to shut you out. I should have tried to talk things out with you instead of running away."
"I'm sorry for not realising that you needed me, I should've have been there for you."
"Can we just start over?" Chaewon asked looking back at the boy, maintaining eye contact.
"Hi I'm Haechan, NCT's cirtified cutie" Chaewon scoffed at Haechan's crazy antics as he began to do aegyo.
"I'm Chaewon, nice to meet you...again."
"Nice to you meet again too, sunshine."
They shook hands, neither of them daring to let go as they gazed into each others eyes.

A familiar black SUV then began pulling up in front of them.
"Hey guys! Did you have fun?" Haechan and Chaewon made eye contact, knowing what's in store for their so-called manager.