How To Stan an Idol: A Guide by Lee Taeyong (Jaeyong)

Part 8

I created this fic with Idreamt_once on Ao3 and she write a lot of it so basically all credit goes to her. GO READ HER FICS

Taeyong was beyond nervous. He was sitting in the van, off to the first joint dance practice with both groups. Taeyong was anxious with good reason. First, Jaehyun. That was enough explanation itself. Second, Taeyong had no idea how his members would behave around Elemental. He needed to make sure to reign them in, especially Yukhei. Third, he was very invested in keeping Sicheng and Yuta's relationship a secret, and that was going to be difficult. Lastly, Taeyong reminded himself, Jisung cannot go into full-fanboy mode when Chenle appears.

"Why don't they have an elevator?" Johnny complained. They were on the third floor with two more to go.

"Imagine my thighs if I had to climb like this to train everyday," Jisung muttered.

"Just leave me here, I can't go on. Don't let me go, Jack" Renjun gasped dramatically to Jaemin, who reached a hand out for Renjun.

"Can you guys move it or do I have to shove you out of my way?" Taeil rolled his eyes.

"I'll never let you go, Rose!" Jaemin responded, completely ignoring Taeil.

"I hope you both drown," Yukhei wheezed.

"Guys, can we act like our age and not our intelligence level?" Taeyong finally asked.

"That was a good one," a voice suddenly said. At the top of the staircase stood...

"Chenle!" Jisung screeched.

"Jisung!" Chenle screeched back. Jisung pushed past Taeil and bounced up the stairs. Chenle grabbed Jisung's hand and ran away. The rest of Dante's Inferno stood there awkwardly, watching the maknaes. Well, that's one problem solved, Taeyong thought.

"Someone's got their love life figured out," Taeil muttered as they continued to ascend the stairs. They followed the high-pitched laughing to a practice room. Seven boys sat in a circle, watching Chenle present his new best friend. Another one stood before the mirrors, running the choreography. One of the seven suddenly turned and noticed Taeyong in the doorway.

"Jaehyun!" he yelled. The male in front of the mirror didn't turn.

"What, Donghyuck?" Jaehyun replied, slightly out of breath.

"The door," Donghyuck replied. Jaehyun turned.

"Oh, shit, I mean, uh, hi! Come in, y'all," Jaehyun finally said, running a hand through his damp hair. Awkward silence, since Taeyong was thinking about how Jaehyun should never do that, in case he gives him a heart attack. Noticing Taeyong's gay panic, Taeil decides to take control.

"Hey," Taeil said, stepping in the practice room. Taeyong startled back into reality and followed Taeil.

"I'm Taeyong, nice to meet you all!" Taeyong said, pointedly not looking in Jaehyun's direction. Jaehyun didn't seem to notice.

"Well, I guess introductions are in order," Jaehyun said, "We already know Jisung."

"And we know Chenle," Taeyong replied.

"So I guess I'll start, I'm Jaehyun, leader,"

Taeyong considered the dance rehearsal so far "pretty smooth", except for the mirror glances at Jaehyun. Those tight jeans should be illegal. There was no way Taeyong would get through this without having cardiac arrest. When the choreographer finally let them have a break, Yukhei grabbed Taeyong's arm and dragged him to the restroom.