ATEEZ 9th Member AU

Not So Awkward

Nari and San try to act as normal as possible

Nari bit her lip as she walked into the company. They had to start preparing for their comeback this week. This meant intense, long dance practices. Vocal lessons, rap lessons, recording sessions, meetings about the concepts and different ideas, the style and the overall vibe they wanted to portray. She had hoped they would be busy enough to wipe away any awkwardness between her and San.

She had asked to come alone today, despite the protests of Yunho and Mingi who wanted to come with her. She really just needed a moment to prepare herself. She had holed away in her room for the rest of the day yesterday, only coming out to use the bathroom. Yunho had been a saint; sitting in there with her, bringing her food and keeping her occupied. He only left when Seonghwa and Hongjoong had finally decided to call it a night and go to bed.

"Just don't want you to feel alone, little dove." He had said with a wide grin. She understood and was more than grateful for the distraction he'd provided, but she was really okay. Sure, she was hurt and sad, but deep down she knew this was what was best right now. She had no intention of walking in and ignoring San or brining up what had happened. It was a private matter settled between them and while the members knew it wasn't the outcome everyone had been hoping for, they knew it wasn't their place to try and change their minds; just support the two of them the best they could.

She plastered a smile on her face, hoping that the minimal makeup she had worn today was enough to cover her puffy eyes up. She didn't need the whole company knowing about her hardships. She politely greeted the lady at the front desk who handed her a coffee. She raised a brow. "Yunho said that you'd be tired, he dropped this off a few moments ago and told me not to let you through until you took it." Nari snorted but smiled and took a sip of the bitter drink.

She walked towards the practice room, taking in a deep breath before pushing the door open. She was greeted by everyone in the room and she was happy to see they were all acting same as usual. Wooyoung and Yeosang were messing around with San, Hongjoong and Seonghwa were deep in conversation—probably about the practice today—Yunho and Mingi were already dancing to some random song they had pulled up on the computer and Jongho was warming up his voice.

"Good morning, my precious boys!" She sing-songed, skipping into the room and changing her shoes. She tightened her now pink hair in it's ponytail and started stretching. "Noona! We have vocal lessons today!" Jongho said with a smile and she nodded, groaning. "I hate doing them with you. You're always better." She teased and he scoffed, sitting down across from her, grabbing her hands and gently pulling her forward.

"You could learn a lot from a youngster like me." He said with a grin and she rolled her eyes. "You're barely that much older than me, Jong." She said and he shrugged. "Still better at singing." He winked and she smacked his leg. "I like your hair! When'd you do that?" Wooyoung said, looking at her from across the way. "Yunho did it yesterday. Kept me busy. Not sure if the company will approve but what's done is done." She shrugged and Hongjoong shook his blue head.

She scrunched up her nose, sticking out her tongue. "At least I don't look like a blueberry." She muttered and Hongjoong narrowed his eyes but she jumped up, skipping over to Mingi and Yunho. "What song are we starting with?" She asked and Yunho shrugged. "That's what Hongjoong hyung and Seonghwa hyung are supposed to be telling us. We're just having fun right now." He said and Nari nodded. Fun sounded like, well, fun.

She peeked a glance over at San who was currently taking pictures with Yeosang. "Nar, come take a picture with us." He said suddenly and she faltered a little bit. She honestly hadn't expected San to talk to her unless it was absolutely necessary but here he was, talking as if nothing had happened. That's what she had wanted though, right?

"C'mon, babo. ATINY misses you." She timidly made her way over, sitting next to San and he pulled her closer, the three of them making cute faces as he snapped the pictures. "You have a pimple." Yeosang said, poking her cheek. "Yah!" She narrowed her eyes, putting her hand up to her cheek and San laughed. "You don't. You look great. Even though we're just practicing. C'mon, I think we're starting."

He jumped up and Nari raised a brow. This was not the San she was expecting. She was happy that he was acting like they had before they started dating, but she had fully expected his petty, sulky self. She had expected passive aggressive words and him glaring at her or avoiding her all together. She smiled to herself as she stood up. He really was trying. And it gave her some hope.

"Inception. We're going to start with that one." Hongjoong said, walking around and pointing to where everyone's place was. It was a grueling day, learning new choreography for three songs and vocal lessons to top it off and by the time they were all ready to leave for the day, Nari was exhausted. But in a good way. She felt accomplished. "I say we all go out to eat because I really don't feel like cooking." Seonghwa said and Nari giggled, patting his back. "Poor oppa, you're getting so old."

He narrowed his eyes at her but the small grin on his face let her know he was happy to be teased again. "Let's go! There's a ramen place around the corner and it shouldn't take long to get our food. Then, we sleep!" Mingi said, raising his arm as if he was leading the group of them into war. They all followed behind, making light conversation.

Nari sat next to Wooyoung and Yeosang, San sitting across from them. She was happy that they were all conversing like the old days, before they had debuted. She was more than relived that there wasn't even a hint of tension or awkwardness. She leaned back in her seat, a warm smile on her face, her hands over her stomach. "You alright?" Wooyoung whispered in her ear and she nodded, looking around the table as everyone continued to laugh and joke around.

"I'm more than okay."