Baby Don't Stop

Chapter Eight

Ten and Taeyong ride in the car to the company in silence. Ten was too nervous to say anything.
As they arrive at the company Taeyong can see the swarm of reporters and fans gathered around the front of the building. Just waiting to get a shot of Taeyong and Ten. The driver doesn't even go near the front but instead pulls around back to let them into the building.
When they get in the building the quickly head up to their manager's office.
"Now this vlive was originally going to be in a couple days and it was going to be about your comeback. We still want it to be about the comeback and fun but this is also a good opportunity for the both of you to answer any questions people might have about you two. We'll give you as much time as you want but try to at least do an hour."
Ten and Taeyong both nod. Taeyong can see Ten reach up and grab his necklace. He always wore this black corded necklace with a pendant on it.
Without saying a word as they walked Taeyong reached up and grabbed one of Ten's hands and gave it a squeeze. Ten realized what he had been doing and quickly reached to drop the necklace back in his shirt.
"I've always wondered. Where did you get that necklace from?" Taeyong asks curiously.
But before Ten can answer they are both being swept off on their separate ways to get their makeup done.
Ten could feel himself start to panic about everything. He hadn't been on the internet yet, but while he was having his hair done he opened up his phone to the article the company had put out. All he saw where lines and lines of hateful comments. There were some supportive comments here and there but most were awful. Ten quickly shut off his phone and had to calm his racing heart. Soon without realizing it he had pulled out the necklace and was playing with the charm again.
As he waited for Taeyong in the studio he couldn't help but start pacing.
It was not long after he started that he felt a hand on his shoulder. Taeyong's face is also full of worry. "What's the matter?"
"I just- Taeyong." Ten takes a deep breath.
"If you are going to suggest I back out again just forget about it. It's not happening."
"But," Ten is still unconsciously fiddling with the necklace. "I don't think you know how bad it is going to be."
"Oh I think I do. Which is why I can't let you face it by yourself." Taeyong reaches up to grasp both of Ten's hands in his own. Effectively pulling his hands away from the necklace.
"But-" Ten starts but Taeyong cuts him off.
"Stop trying to push me away."
Neither of them say a word after that as they stare into one another's eyes, trying to tell each other all that they couldn't or wouldn't say out loud.
Their manager pokes his head in, "You guys are good to start." He sees Ten and Taeyong's intertwined hands and quickly ducks back out.
Taeyong pulls Ten over to where the phone is set up. "Don't worry. We will just act like we normally do. You ready?"
Ten just nods back.
Taeyong has to let go of Ten's hands to start the vLive.
"Hello," Taeyong says into the camera. "Hello everyone!" he gives a small wave.
Ten's eyes still haven't left Taeyong, even if he wanted to he was too scared to look at the comments.
Taeyong reaches forward into a bag Ten hadn't seen. He quickly shows it to Ten. Inside is a bunch of different sweets and treats for them.
Taeyong puts the bag back down and goes back to reading the comments. Under the table he rests his hand on Ten's thigh.
Great, now not only was his heart beating fast because he was so worried but now it was trying to win a Guinness world record for fastest heartbeat.
But Taeyong putting his hand on Ten's thigh helped pull him out of his trance and he was able to look at the camera. "Hi," he can hear the breathlessness in his voice and tries again a little more firmly. "Hi."
"Lets introduce ourselves. Hello, I am NCT Leader Taeyong." Taeyong gives the camera a small bow.
"Hello, I am NCT's Ten." Ten manages to blurt out.
Taeyong is still reading comments while Ten leans back in his seat. "Oh, yes." He turns to Ten and smiles, "The fans say that your hair looks really nice today and I agree."
This triggered a small smile on Ten's face. "All of you have a biased opinion."
Taeyong's smile gets bigger. He shrugs, "You're right." And turns back to reading the comments. "Ten listens to all kinds of music. Ten turn on one of your songs."
"Ah," Ten pulls out his phone. "I have been listening to this song by Echae en Route called Uneasy Romance." He starts to play the song and sets his phone down on the table.
"We also have sweets." He takes out some of the treats from the bag and sets them on the table."
Ten points at one of the bags, "What is this one?"
"Ah, this one?" Taeyong picks up the wrapping and Ten nods. "I am not sure. You want to try it?" Ten nods again.
Taeyong spends a moment to rip open the packaging. Inside is a couple of small chocolates. Taeyong takes a couple of them and offers them to Ten.
When Ten tries to grab them Taeyong pulls them away. "Ah." Ten looks at the camera before looking back at Taeyong. He hesitantly opens his mouth and Taeyong feeds the chocolates to him.
"How does it taste? Is it good?" Taeyong is grinning from ear to ear. Probably at the blush that is slowly working its way across Ten's face.
"Yeah, it is really rich."
"I can't read this, what does it say?" Taeyong asks. He passes the package to Ten and grabs some of the chocolate to put in his own mouth. He leans over Ten as Ten tries to read the description. Their shoulders are crossed and lightly touching.
"That's not in any language I know." Ten laughs and passes it back to Taeyong.
Ten reaches out and grabs what looks like some macaroons.
He reads the description. "This is English." He reads on.
Taeyong watches him. Ten is acting more and more like he normally did.
"Here try one." Ten takes one of the Macaroons out and holds it out. Taeyong opens his mouth and waits.
Ten quickly puts the macaroon in Taeyong's mouth. Taeyong can't eat the whole thing in one bite and has to pull it back out after he takes a small bite. "Oh its good." He offers his to Ten but he already has his own in his hands.
The song changes to a more upbeat song. "Oh, this is Havana by Camila Cabello." Taeyong says. "Ten, you should dance."
Ten gives a short chuckle before shaking his head. "I don't know."
"Please Ten!" Taeyong turns to the phone. "All of the comments want you to dance."
Ten stands up. "Okay hold on," he pushes down his pant legs. "This song is very sexy." He shakes his head as he walks over to give himself space.
As he starts to dance Taeyong decides to start shouting encouragement. "Yes! Whooo!"
Ten has to put his face in his hands to hide his blush. He was doing a sexy dance in front of his crush. Was there any way for him not to blush?
He stands up straight and comes over to Taeyong to take the camera from him. "Now it's your turn." He waves Taeyong out to the floor.
Taeyong does a couple moves and some hip rolls before coming back over to Ten and taking the camera.
As they sit back down Taeyong leans forward again to read the comments. "Ah, yes." He turns to Ten and reaches his arm to lay on the back of Ten's chair. "They want to know about us."
Ten, who had just put some more chocolate in his mouth motions for Taeyong to continue. Although he is scared. He should have listened to Taeyong when he wanted to plan all this stuff out. He leans forward so he can also read some of the comments.