flare in the dark | changlix

1.

it's the alarm that jolts him awake.

customisable ringtones are probably chan's favourite perk of modern technology, but he hates that the only sound potent enough to wake him up is a cursed trap remix of the mii channel theme. each note has been altered to sound painfully out of tune, and it only takes a few minutes until he's across the room, ready to smash his phone to bits. the screen glares at him in return, flashing the numbers 04:52 AM onto his haggard face.

oh well, he thinks to himself. at least i'm on time.

the toothpaste he's been using for the last 2 years still tastes like minty grape, but for the first time this morning he's noticed a hidden scent beneath all the sugary flavourings. a quick wipe down of his face and he's out the door, scuffing the back heel of his yeezys and tugging a hoodie drawstring. the short walk from the dorms to the JYP building is pleasant, allowing chan to take a breather as he watches the sun slowly make its way into the blue sky.

life as a trainee is largely routine: he spends most of his time in the training rooms or the tiny studio that JYP PD-nim has so graciously extended to him for long-term use. chan hurts a little inside at the implication that he'll be here for a long time, but rumors of a survival show in the works have been flying around recently and he hopes that he'll be allowed to participate. he's no stranger to cameras: the annual trainee showcase he's now a regular attendee of is always his motivation and point of working toward. after so long at JYP entertainment, he's grown comfortable to the lights shining in his face and the calculated stares of his seniors from the seats. chan thinks that this year he'll request to perform a stage with han jisung and seo changbin, two fellow trainees who have become his close friends. they met each other a few months ago, and he marvels at how quickly they bonded over hip-hop and music production. together the trio 3RACHA was born: a space for the teenagers to express themselves the best way they know how, music.

chan nods or bows at everyone he walks past, making a beeline for the kitchen. there he fixes himself a bowl of hot ramyeon, fingers drumming lightly on the marble counter as the noodles seep in the hot water. the feeling of chili lingering in his mouth even ten minutes later makes him wonder exactly how the manufacturers manage to make the flavour sauce impossibly spicy yet delicious.

he opens the door of a training room to find jisung wilding around and changbin huddled in the corner, staring into his phone if not just his lap. chan yells "GOOD MORNING!", getting both of them to look up and stop in their tracks. jisung immediately runs over and attempts to punch him in the stomach, giggling the whole time.

"hello, hyung," he beams wide.

chan can't help but sigh. "have you eaten?" he inquires.

jisung's face falls a little, taking the time to look over his shoulder at the sullen figure behind them both.

"he woke up late and we didn't have time to stop by the market on the way," the younger explains. "if i get really hungry i'll slip out later and buy some onigiri."

chan looks at jisung sadly, watches the way his face settles into an expression much more tired than it should be. the mouth split apart with a smile just moments ago now wilts into a faded expression as the boy loses to his own thoughts. chan remembers the first name he met jisung; he was all smiles and jokes, cheeks bursting with baby fat that he still hasn't quite grown out of, eyes sparkling with the energy of youth. his bright orange hair, sectioned into a middle part flopped over his forehead, constantly getting into his eyes as he jumped around.

golden boy; eyes warm like the earth, spirit glowing like the sun. did you always shine so bright?

however, he doesn't have long to wallow around depressedly because changbin gets up and walks towards the other two males, poking them in the back.