my silly kpop non-idols au

Michigan (TVXQ and SUJU)

Special Appearances: Jungshin (CNBLUE) (as the pilot), Suho (EXO), Siwoo (C-CLOWN), Kwanghee (ZE:A)
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in the airport, 10 friends were going to Detroit, Michigan. They were all different from each other but shared a bond that went beyond their diverse interests and backgrounds. They had decided to take this trip together as a sort of reunion, to reconnect after the hustle and bustle of their individual lives had kept them apart. The excitement was palpable as they checked their bags and gathered their boarding passes.

Heechul, the joker of the group, cracked a few jokes to lighten the mood as they waited in line to board the plane. His laughter was contagious, making even the most stoic of airline employees crack a smile. Jaejoong, the charismatic leader, calmly organized the group's seating arrangement, ensuring that everyone had a comfortable spot for the long flight ahead. Leeteuk, ever the responsible one, checked and rechecked their travel documents, making sure that nothing was amiss.

Once settled in their seats, the friends began to reminisce about old times, sharing stories that had them all in stitches. The flight attendants passed out snacks and drinks, and the hum of the aircraft soon melded with their laughter. Yunho, the fitness enthusiast, couldn't resist poking fun at Eunhyuk, who was already complaining about the lack of legroom. Kyuhyun, the music aficionado, pulled out his earphones, offering to share his latest playlist, which was met with a mix of groans and nods of approval.

Many hours later, pilot Jungshin's voice crackled over the intercom, announcing their descent into Detroit. The cabin lights flickered on, and the friends straightened up, blinking away the grogginess that had started to set in. They peered out the windows, the twinkling city lights below a stark contrast to the darkness that had enveloped them for the better part of the journey. The anticipation grew as they felt the aircraft's wheels touch down, the gentle thump followed by the screech of tires on the runway.

Disembarking the plane, they stepped into the bustling airport, the cacophony of voices and the scent of stale air and fast food a stark reminder that they were no longer in their cozy bubble of nostalgia. They gathered their luggage and made their way to the arrivals area, where a large sign with their names in bold letters, held by a beaming Suho, awaited them. He had arrived earlier to prepare their accommodations and was eager to show them around his hometown. His enthusiasm was contagious, and their spirits were immediately lifted.

Suho led them to the car rental counter, only to be met with a puzzled expression from the attendant. After a few moments of confusion, they realized that there had been a mistake in their booking. There was no car reserved for them. The group exchanged glances, a mix of frustration and disbelief. Jaejoong stepped forward to handle the situation, his calm demeanor a stark contrast to the chaos around them. He pulled out his phone and began searching for alternative transportation options while the others waited, trying to stifle their groans.

Finally, with a sense of relief, Jaejoong announced that he had found a nearby car rental service that could help them out. They piled into a shuttle and headed to the off-site location. The ride was quieter than before, the initial excitement of the trip now tempered by the unexpected hiccup. Upon arriving, they were greeted by the friendly owner named Siwoo, who quickly got them set up with a spacious van that could fit all their luggage and the ten of them. The van was a bit worn around the edges, but it had character, and the friends couldn't help but feel that it suited their ragtag group perfectly.

With Siwoo's instructions in hand, they set off into the heart of Detroit. The city was alive with neon lights and the murmur of traffic, a stark contrast to the quiet streets they had left behind in Korea. They drove peacefully through the urban landscape, the smooth hum of the engine lulling some of them into a gentle daze. It was in this tranquil moment that Junsu's eyes lit up as he spotted a small, quirky shop nestled between towering skyscrapers - it was a stuffed toy shop, with a garishly painted clown hanging above the door.

"Guys, look!" he exclaimed, pointing at the shop with childlike excitement. "We have to go there!"

Jaejoong, noticing the glimmer in Junsu's eyes, nodded in agreement. "Alright, we'll make a quick stop. Just don't go crazy," he teased.

Once they parked the van, they spilled out onto the sidewalk, stretching their legs and breathing in the crisp, cool air of the Detroit night. The shop's neon sign flickered, casting an eerie glow on the row of stuffed animals lined up in the window. The clown's smile seemed to stretch even wider as they approached, and Heechul couldn't resist sticking his tongue out at it. The bell above the door jingled merrily as they stepped inside, and the warm scent of plush fabric and dusty nostalgia enveloped them.

Junsu immediately began to explore the aisles, his eyes widening with every turn as he found toys from his childhood, forgotten in the dusty corners. His excitement was infectious, and soon the rest of the group was also rummaging through the shelves, rediscovering treasures from their pasts. The shop owner, a man named Kwanghee, watched them with a knowing smile, used to the curious looks of tourists.

After a while, the pangs of hunger grew too strong to ignore. They had been traveling for hours and the snacks on the plane had been consumed long ago. Heechul suggested they find a place to eat, and Jaejoong pulled out his phone to search for nearby restaurants. His eyes widened as he found a highly rated spot just a few blocks away.

"Guys, I've got a hit," he announced, scrolling through the options. "There's a Korean BBQ place that's supposed to be amazing, and it's not far from here."

The notification from Siwon was a welcome surprise, breaking the spell of nostalgia that had taken over the group. The message contained an address and a simple, "Welcome to Michigan! Can't wait to see you all." The excitement grew as they realized they were about to taste a piece of home in a foreign city. They piled back into the van, eager to satisfy their rumbling stomachs and catch up with the friend who had been unable to join them on the flight.

The van glided through the streets of Detroit, the GPS guiding them to their destination. The neon lights grew sparser as they ventured into a more residential area, and the buildings grew smaller, giving way to cozy-looking houses with well-kept lawns. They pulled up to a quaint, two-story house with a porch light shining invitingly. The house looked like it had seen better days, but it had a charm that immediately made them feel welcome.

Suho stepped out and opened the door to the house, the scent of pine cleaner and faintly burnt incense greeting them as they piled out of the van. The living room was warm and cozy, with a large leather sofa and a TV that looked like it had seen the turn of the millennium. A staircase led up to the bedrooms, and the guys couldn't help but let out a collective sigh of relief as they saw the sight of comfortable beds.

They dragged their luggage inside, the floorboards creaking under the weight of their exhaustion. Each one picked a room, claiming a spot to rest their heads for the night. The chatter died down as they unpacked their bags, the excitement of the day giving way to the inevitable fatigue. Heechul flopped onto the bed, his face buried in the pillow, already half-asleep. Kyuhyun pulled out his phone to call home, the time difference making it morning in Korea. His mother's voice was a gentle lullaby, and soon he too was drifting off.

Leeteuk and Yunho, who had agreed to share a room, unpacked in silence, the rhythm of their movements synchronized from years of living together. They slipped into pajamas and climbed into the queen-sized bed, the softness of the mattress a sweet reprieve from the hard seats of the plane. Kyuhyun and Changmin, the youngest of the group, whispered their goodnights, their energy still buzzing from the adrenaline of travel.