Puppy Love • Seungchan/Chanmin

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Seungmin's heart pounds as Mark clears his throat and reminds the group that they had a show to perform. Suddenly everyone is on their feet, Chan falling into conversation with his bandmates while Seungmin finds himself falling back in line with Seungkwan.

"Do you wanna go grab a drink? You look like you could use it," Seungkwan asks in warm tone.

"Um sure," Seungmin replies. Did he really still look as out of place as he felt?

As if reading his mind Seungkwan answers his thoughts. "You look just as pale as I'm sure I was when I first came to see Vernon play." Seungkwan chuckles softly, "Just take a deep breath and know you'll be ok, you're already better than I was"

Seungmin can feel the invitation to Seungkwan's story in his words, so he inclines his head in curiosity inviting the boy to continue.

"When Vernon first invited me to see him and the boys play," Seungkwan begins as he loops his arm through Seungmin's and encourages him down the stairs, "Vernon didn't even introduce me to his friends, he actually brought me in through the front door of the bar, bought me a drink, said that he needed to run so he could get up on stage and then that was it. I spent an hour just sitting at the bar, nursing my drink and avoiding anyone that came my way. It wasn't until afterwards when Vernon found me shaking and on the verge of tears because I felt so severely out of place that he realised what an ass move that was. If he hadn't apologised and promised to make it up to me so profusely, I probably would have dumped him. To be honest, he's lucky I even stayed the whole set. We'd known each other less than a month and had been dating less than a week, so our relationship was still very fresh. At the end of the day, I knew he didn't mean to hurt me, he just didn't understand that leaving me on my own would give me a panic attack"

"I can relate," Seungmin says, resonating with Seungkwan's words. He was suddenly thankful for Seungkwan's arm looped around his own, it was like a level of reassurance he knew deep down he needed, especially as they push through a door and find themselves flooded with the hub of the bar.

There was warmth and chatter as people mingled about between the stage and the bar. It was strange to think that Chan would be up there soon, guitar in hand, singing his heart out with his band for the world to see. Should he be jealous?

Seungmin shakes his thoughts for now as Seungkwan gives his arm a squeeze. "Do you want anything in particular? Or I can choose for you," Seungkwan prompts as they reach the bar.

Seungmin looks up at the drinks board like it were a maths equation he had no idea how to solve. Sure, he'd drunk before but it was usually cheap beer, shots of spiked jello at a party, or drinks chosen and bought by his parents. "I'll have whatever you're having," Seungmin soon answers politely, though he nearly takes back his words when he hears what Seungkwan orders.

"Two Dirty Shirleys please," Seungkwan smiles, his phone out ready to tap the machine to pay.

Seungmin gasps. "Two what-?"

"Dirty Shirleys. It's like a Shirley Temple but with a bit more of a punch. Trust me, you'll like it," Seungkwan tries to reassure at seeing Seungmin's concerned expression.

Seungmin chews anxiously at his lip, though moments later, he is relieved to find that his drink was actually quite modest considering the name, and tasted pretty sweet too. Together Seungmin and his newfound friend settled onto bar stools at a table under a pretty neon sign of a flamingo in a bowtie.

"So, are you a photographer or something, or do you just like carrying a camera around?" Seungkwan asks, pointing at the camera that hung around his neck. It wasn't terribly bulky, but it was a lot fancier than your average camera. Considering most people opted for photos on their phones, having an actual camera always garnered attention. Seungmin was just happy that it was now serving as a talking point, since he had no idea what else to talk about with Seungkwan.