Healing

XVIII - karaoke

Hello! It's been so long I don't even remember how to update here but I picked up the story again and this time I'll finish it, so if you're still there, reading... more updates will come soon.

Sorry for the long wait!

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Jinyoung has always been a loner; if he ever had friends, it was never more than one person at a time. He cannot remember a time when he went to a restaurant with a group to enjoy a meal while joking and laughing out loud. This day, with Jaebeom, Jackson, and Mark, is a first for Jinyoung, and he is enjoying it more than he ever imagined he could. Even his hangover feels insignificant when the food is this delicious and the company even better.

Their laughter is so loud that Jinyoung's sides hurt. He eventually has to take a break, asking them to stop for a moment just so he can breathe. Jaebeom watches him with such fond eyes, a permanent smile on his face as his hand rests softly and casually on Jinyoung's thigh—a comforting weight, grounding and warm.

"We should go somewhere else after this," Jackson suggests as they finish the fried rice, made after they've polished off all the chicken and cheese. "What about a noraebang?"

Mark raises his eyebrows, considering the idea before nodding once he deems the proposition worthy.

Jinyoung has seen it in dramas; he remembers his classmates back in school going to a noraebang after class and spending hours singing their favourite songs. He was never invited to go along. The only times he's ever set foot in a karaoke room were when he went alone to a coin noraebang to sing away his sorrows. He remembers crying more than singing in those small rooms—they were more like cabins, really.

With other people? Never. With friends? He can't even fully comprehend the concept.

"What do you think? Would you like to go?" Jaebeom asks him, giving his thigh a little squeeze to bring him back to the present.

"Bear in mind, Jaebeom can get really into it. It's hard to get the mic away from him then," Mark points out, making Jaebeom turn to glare at the eldest of the group with an expression of utter betrayal.

"I do not monopolise the mic!" Jaebeom gasps, evidently offended.

"You do," Jackson nods solemnly, his joking demeanour replaced by mock seriousness. "It's why I always end up as the backup dancer and Mark plays the tambourine. Once you get in the mood, you don't let go."

Jaebeom gapes, horrified by this betrayal from his friends. Jinyoung finds it hilarious and laughs out loud, suddenly eager to see the spectacle for himself. "We have to go, just to see hyung being consumed by the music," Jinyoung teases, only to earn a playful glare from Jaebeom. "Just promise you'll sing a duet with me before you forget we're even there."

"You can also dance with me!" Jackson suggests, bouncing in his seat with excitement.

"He's a great dancer; he can do a triple spin!" Jaebeom adds, filled with spite at Jinyoung's defection.

"That's a low blow, hyung. You monopolise the mic while sober; I only do a triple spin when I'm pissed drunk. You can't compare the two," Jinyoung explains, shaking his head in mock disappointment.

Mark lets out a high-pitched, loud laugh before Jaebeom can reply.

"Let's do it. I can't wait to see how Jaebeomie acts with Jinyoung there," Mark declares, smiling happily as he closes the deal for them all.

It isn't difficult to find a noraebang in Hongdae. Mark and Jackson lead the way while Jinyoung falls into step with Jaebeom a few paces behind. A soft smile plays on his lips as he watches the couple pay for the room, so Jinyoung offers to get the refreshments. It doesn't surprise him when Jaebeom joins him at the fridge to check the options.