The Not so Ugly Duckling

Triple update 3/3!

"Stooooppppp, are you a head researcher or a hairstylist?" Youngjae swatted Himchan's hands away from his hair.

"Well aren't you a grumpy cat," Himchan rolled his eyes and scoffed. "Are you mad that Daehyun isn't here to see you all prettied up?"

Youngjae glared and punched Himchan lightly on the arm before adjusting his dark gray blue suit. Today was the day. The day where he would present and like hell he would look like a slob. Finally the normal Yoo Youngjae was back. His jet black hair was styled up, his glasses tossed aside, his clothes fit him so well he looked like he walked off Paris Fashion Week. His dark sultry eyes now free for all to see, his pink sausage lips were pressed into a tight line. He would be lying if he said that he wasn't a little miffed that Daehyun wasn't there to cheer him on, but he understood that Daehyun had work to do. Important work. More important than cheering his friend, he guessed. Okay, he was a little butt hurt. The only good thing that came out of it was that Youngjae could dress normally without the worry of Daehyun. Youngjae would admit that he loved Daehyun and had affections for the man, but that did not mean what so ever that he would allow Daehyun to jump on him and have his way. And knowing his penchant for pretty things, Daehyun would do exactly that. But it wouldn't be because he loved or wanted a relationship with Youngjae. It was because Youngjae was a nice peice of ass.

"The crowd is all yours," Zelo smiled as he peeked through the curtain. "Good luck hyung!"

Youngjae took another deep breath. Opening the curtain to be presented by a crowd of reporters and bombarded Youngjae with a crowd of questions. Youngjae's eyes squint at the sudden presence of bright light. God he hated this. He hated these vultures attacking him with incoherent words and questions. He hated feeling as if he was pushed up against the wall. He hated this, but he refused to let him overwhelm him. Too many people were supporting him. Himchan. Zelo. Jongup. Yongguk. Daehyun. His friends had his back and he would not let them down. He would not let himself down.

"Hello ladies and gentleman," Woojin stood beside Youngjae. A business polite smile painted across his lips. "I'd like to present to you the lead researcher of our upcoming medication, Mr. Yoo Youngjae," The crowd enclosed upon Youngjae. "You clean up nicely, Mr. Yoo." Woojin whispered in the younger's ear, Youngjae gagging in disgust.

Youngjae snorted at Woojin. Like he would let this prick make him nervous. Youngjae puffed out his chest and began talking, going through the powerpoint presentation with ease. Noting how the medical board was absorbing all his words and scrutinizing every one of them. How the press were frantically writing every word he said as if they were from the Holy Bible itself. His flow was going well, everything seemed to be going well. His confidence was swelling. His rapid heart beating outside of his chest, but the smiles on Himchan's and Zelo's faces soothing his fears and insecurity. But he truly wished Daehyun was there. That smug look on his face would make Youngjae feel at ease. His beautiful smile, making a smile grow on his own face. He flipped to the next slide of his presentation, ready to continue his shpeel, only to find the slide blank.

Youngjae's eyes went wide with shock. He knew he planned and set up his powerpoint ahead of time. He double checked. Tripled check. Hell he would have guarded the powerpoint projector if it didn't make him look insane. But now it was gone. The slide detailing his results, findings, all his data. Gone. Without his proof, his words were mere fluff. All talk and no bite. Youngjae's mind went blank. His eyebrows furrowed and the press was looking at him confused. The medical board giving Youngjae a hardened glare. He felt sweat began to form on his forehead, his rapid heart beat began to increase again. Youngjae glanced to see a smug look on Woojin's face at Youngjae's panic. Youngjae glared at said man. Knowing exactly where his missing slide went.