when donghyuck realized what situation he was in, he pulled away, but miyong only looked at him drunkenly, reaching to kiss him again. before she could, miyong's body was pried off of donghyuck's, a weight being literally and figuratively lifted off of him. 

   to the silver haired male's surprise, mark held her up and saved him from being kissed again. donghyuck wiped his lips, sighing as he watched miyong fall asleep in mark's arms. "where's doyoung?" mark asked. the look on his face made it seem like he was annoyed or mad—most likely both.

   "h-he's outside," he answered timidly, wanting to slap himself for stuttering in front of mark. "open the door," mark ordered. donghyuck didn't bother to complain about how mark was bossing him around as he had just done him two favors. this first being saving him from crashing to the ground, and the second being getting kissed by miyong again.

   donghyuck pushed the door open and noticed doyoung with the car placed in front of the door. he shot donghyuck a worried look when he noticed mark behind him with miyong's body in his arms. the youngest male made a gesture explaining that she was drunk and helped mark bring her body out of the restaurant. "you go ahead, i'll bring her to her car," mark said when donghyuck had helped him enough. 

   "are you sure?" donghyuck asked, hesitant to just leave miyong up to mark. "go on," the raven haired male nodded. "i'm strong enough to bring a woman to her car," he said. though weary, donghyuck slid into the backseat of his car, exchanging a few words about explaining later to doyoung.

   as their car drove off, mark brought miyong to hyunwoo and adjusted her into her seat. hyunwoo thanked him for his kind gesture and bowed to mark before getting in the driver's seat. rather than going back inside immediately, mark leaned against a pillar, running a hand through his hair as he sighed. right when he was about to go back and return to the group of people who were most likely waiting for him, he heard voices from miyong's car and realized that they hadn't left yet.

   although he knew that he shouldn't, he crept closer to the car, staying hidden as he leaned towards it to listen. he didn't know what it was, but something about the entire situation was just so wrong, so he began recording the conversation on his phone. 

   "you got the picture, right?" he heard miyong ask. oddly enough, she didn't sound drunk at all and her words were formed perfectly. "of course. i'll have it published as the top liner on dispatch by noon tomorrow," hyunwoo replied.

   mark stood by the car, hoping to catch any more interesting news. unlike he hoped, they didn't talk much and a few moments later, the car drove off. mark crept out of hiding and stopped the recording. "kang miyong...," mark waited until the vehicle was out of view, "what the fuck are you planning?" 

---

   "mark already agreed to the role?" donghyuck stood up from his seat, gaping in disbelief. doyoung nodded, intertwining his fingers together as he thought. "let's just give it a minute though. i spoke with the director and he said that he would still love to cast you if he can. they called in today to accept the role so there's still time for things to change," he explained.

   donghyuck closed his eyes, momentarily imagining mark as the lead while he played a supporting character. everytime the scene cut, he could see mark coming over to him to rub in his face the fact that he was right and donghyuck couldn't land the most important role. seeing the stupid smirk in his head alone gave him chills, and he decided then that he would never come to terms with such a situation. 

   "when did mark say that he would do it and why hasn't the company released a statement on it yet?" donghyuck asked. "the director said mark's manager called in earlier this evening but asked for the information to not be given to the public yet. apparently mark was waiting for the right time or something," doyoung said, telling donghyuck everything he knew.

   "that son of a bitch," donghyuck gritted, earning a questioning look from the older. "he knew he already got the role and still provoked me," he paced back and forth, having the strong urge to slap mark across the face. then again, when didn't he?

   although doyoung didn't know the full story, he didn't really mind it and figured he was better off not knowing about mark and donghyuck's latest arguments. right at that moment, doyoung's phone rang. director do flashed across the screen and donghyuck held his breath as doyoung answered the phone. "hello?" doyoung asked, waiting for an answer.

   the suspense of wanting to hear what was going on was frustrating. "put it on speaker," donghyuck mouthed to doyoung who caught on quickly. "hello mr. kim," the directors voice boomed through the line suddenly, resulting in doyoung turning the volume down. "any news on the casting?" doyoung got straight to the point, knowing that donghyuck was dying to know if he still had a chance.

   "nothing has been decided yet as i'm still discussing matters with mr. suh, but i'm working on squeezing in an opportunity for mr. lee to get the role instead. i'd like to hold a meeting tomorrow to talk more about it and if that's alright, i'll send the details via text," mr. do said. doyoung glanced at donghyuck to check on what he thought about it. after seeing him nod his head up and down eagerly, doyoung grinned, "yes thank you, that would be perfect."

   shortly after, they hung up and donghyuck cheered excitedly. "i still have a chance to get the role," he smiled, randomly feeling the effect of the wine he had drank hours before. "don't get too excited," doyoung warned, reminding him that it was possible for him to not get the role as well. 

   "i'm going home now, it's been a long day," the ravenette exclaimed, grabbing his bag. "don't stay up too late, okay? luckily you don't have too early schedules, but i don't want you sleepy all day either," doyoung told him. "okay, okay," donghyuck sighed, standing up so he could see him off at the door. "i'll talk to you tomorrow," he waved, watching doyoung's retreating figure until he couldn't any longer.

   when the door shut behind him and he was left in solitude, he showered and changed into some more comfortable clothes, plopping down on his bed to read over the script of 'first love'. even though it hadn't been decided that he would take the male lead's role, it didn't hurt to start memorizing the lines just in case.

   "there are potentially quite a lot of sex scenes," donghyuck noted, cheeks turning pink as he tried to count. while filming the scene didn't mean actually having sex with the other actor, he still had to seem like he was doing it and moan in the same way that he would. it was rather embarrassing but getting the role and doing it professionally was better than having mark rub in his face that he wasn't playing lead.

   speaking of mark, donghyuck still didn't understand why the canadian had done him so many favors. he could've easily let donghyuck fall or let miyong kiss him again, knowing that he was uncomfortable with it. yet, he didn't. instead, he went out of his way to help donghyuck and even ended up bringing miyong to her car by himself. while he knew that mark honestly wasn't the monster that he always invisioned him as, and was actually quite a decent human being when he wanted to be, the sudden change of attitude towards donghyuck was too strange to not grow suspicious of. "why is he acting nice?" donghyuck pondered, chewing on the inside of his cheek.

   his thoughts came to an abrupt stop when he thought of a reasonable excuse. "he's acting nice before striking. he has to be trying to make me trust him so i can become weak and fall for his trap," he said out loud in the empty room.

   he had to admit that the idea was a little silly. but he could never be too safe when it came to mark and his crazy antics to disturb donghyuck. that night, donghyuck fell asleep while still questioning mark's actions, sprawled out on his bed. the script was tightly hugged to his chest as the lamp cast a warm glow onto the room.

   when morning came, donghyuck was awoken to the sound of his phone ringing. "yes?" he asked, voice dry and in need of water. "the meeting about 'first love' is in two hours so i'm calling to let you know that i'll be picking you up soon," doyoung said, car horns coming through the line loud and clear. donghyuck internally panicked for a moment, very aware that he wasn't prepared to go anywhere.

   "i'm guessing you aren't ready yet?" doyoung practically sighed. donghyuck chuckled, hoping to ease his way out of getting scolded, "you know me so well." "i already figured as much," doyoung began, voice steady, "i'll help you get ready so be out of bed and dressed by the time i get there. traffic is bad today so i'll take longer than usual."

   before donghyuck had a chance to respond, doyoung hung up, leaving the younger with no excuse but to get up. he placed the script which he had been reading until he fell asleep onto the nightstand next to his bed, standing up afterwards to get changed.

   knowing that mark would most likely be there, donghyuck put together a more formal outfit than what he would wear on a normal day. he wore navy trousers and a silk button up white shirt. accessories followed, but they were ones that he wore occasionally. he put on a few silver bands onto his fingers, careful not to go over the top. meanwhile a simple silver necklace hung around his neck.

   right when he was double checking his look in the mirror, his doorbell rang. alerting him that doyoung arrived. he quickly opened the door and let doyoung in who immediately went to kitchen and washed his hands. "do whatever else you need to do to get ready, i'll make you breakfast so you don't starve," he demanded.

   "i'm on a diet," donghyuck reminded him. doyoung looked at him sternly, "unless you want your stomach to grumble during our important meeting in front of everyone, i suggest you eat anyways," he said. just on cue, donghyuck's stomach grumbled and he patted his baby tummy. "fine," he frowned, going to the bathroom to apply makeup. 

   "your fridge is practically empty, donghyuck. it's time to go grocery shopping!" doyoung called from the kitchen. the sounds of a knife repeatedly hitting the cutting board was heard in the background. "okay hyung!" donghyuck yelled back, adding the finishing touches by moisturizing his lips. he inwardly groaned as he hated shopping and many other duties that came with being an adult. he had only been living in his current flat for a year because his last address got leaked. in total, he had been living alone since he first made his acting debut and his career completely sky-rocketed.

   within the next hour, donghyuck managed to finish doing his hair and makeup, as well as eat and fill his stomach. the vegetable and egg omelette that doyoung made was exactly what he needed.

   by the time donghyuck was ready to go, they had just enough time to arrive at the set up place for their meeting. the drive there was mostly silent as donghyuck was too sleepy to talk and didn't want to listen to the radio in case the same thing as the day before happened. when they made it to their destination, donghyuck wordlessly stepped out of the car and rode up the elevator with doyoung at his side.

   the elevator stopped at the twenty-fourth floor, and they walked down a long hallway before doyoung pushed open a door. donghyuck had already received a lecture in the car to treat mark like he treated everyone else, so he smiled at mark when they locked gazes rather than glaring at him.

   "lee haechan and kim doyoung," mr. do greeted, shaking both of their hands and showing them where to sit. they were inside a regular sized office room and seated at an office table. mr. do sat at the head of the table while johnny and doyoung sat at his left and right, and mark and donghyuck sat next to their respective managers, across the table from eachother. donghyuck couldn't say that he was mad at the seating positions as he would be able to glare at mark all he wanted without getting caught.

   "it's a pleasure to finally meet you all in person," mr. do said, pushing his glasses up his nose. "likewise," mark answered politely, giving donghyuck the urge to gag. "we should start talking about the whole reason why we are all here today, correct?" mr. do asked, pulling out a few files from his briefcase.

   no one answered his question, but it was okay. it was more of a rhetorical question that didn't have an answer anyway. everyone held their breath as mr. do cleared his throat, "as for the role...," he began, suspense and tension so thick in the room that donghyuck could barely breathe. he wished he could snatch the leaflet that mr. do was slowly flipping through out of his hand and look for the answer him self, but instead, he neatly kept his hands in his lap. "it has been decided that we will hold a camera test before coming up with our final decisions."

   mark and donghyuck both groaned at the same time. neither of them had been able to keep it in, and both of them received kicks on the shin under the table from their managers. 

   "i'm sorry that it has to come to this, but it's not everyday that goldenstar entertainment's top two celebrities show up for the lead role in a drama. of course whoever doesn't get the role will get the second male lead and a promising spot to be the male lead in our next work, but for now a camera test is our only solution," mr. do said. "i have better chemistry with the female lead," donghyuck blurted out before thinking.

   mark laughed at him while mr. do avoided his gaze. he heard doyoung curse under his breath next to him as well as the regret slowly sank it. "the female lead hasn't been decided yet," doyoung whispered in donghyuck's ear, explaining the situation to him. "oh," he blushed, looking down. it was one thing to embarrass yourself in front of people, but it was another to embarrass yourself in front of your rival, and mark was practically if not literally, donghyuck's rival.

   "any questions?" mr. do asked, thankfully taking everyone's focus off of donghyuck. johnny raised his hand and mr. do nudged his head towards him. "since mark was called in first to accept the role, shouldn't it be given to him?" johnny was a pretty gentle person and personally donghyuck liked him. yet, there was nothing he wouldn't do for mark and while donghyuck admired it, it did get in the way of his own benefit from time to time.

   mr. do cracked his knuckles before answering, "well, it is true that mark accepted the position first, but the role was never finalized and given to him. therefore, it would only be fair to give haechan a chance as well." the other four in the room nodded and only a few more simple questions were asked before they decided on the date for the camera test. donghyuck and mark had three days to practice before it was time.

   "did you check the estimated value of 'first love'?" donghyuck asked doyoung as they left the office room and walked towards the elevator to head back down. "i did," doyoung's eyebrows shot up, but he didn't look excited. far from it actually. "it seems like it'll be korea's next top drama for mature audiences," he said. donghyuck sighed, he needed this role. 

   the younger male bit down on his bottom lip, "do you think i stand a chance against mark?" he asked, voice slightly timid as all confidence was gone. doyoung was surprised to hear donghyuck like this as he was usually extremely sure of himself when it came to his acting skills. sadly, he couldn't tell donghyuck that he was confident he would make it. "i...," doyoung rubbed donghyuck's shoulder while he came up with something to say, "i think you should try crazy hard and not beat yourself up about it if you don't make it. and remember that whatever the result is, you're still korea's top actor and you have many more drama opportunities right in front of you."

   donghyuck looked up at doyoung and smiled, "thanks hyung." neither of them got a chance to enjoy the moment as suddenly, their phones went off. "hello this is kim doyoung, manger from goldenstar entertainment," he answered, signaling for donghyuck not to pick up yet.

   aggressive speaking could be heard over the line and it only got louder to the point where doyoung yanked the phone away from his ear. "i'm sorry sir, a dating scandal? ...with whom? alright, i'll be sure to keep our phones off for the time being. ...i'll set up the meeting, i apologize for the inconvenience," doyoung hung up, stuffing his phone in his pocket with a sigh. "what's going on?" donghyuck asked.

   doyoung didn't answer as he began fishing through his backpack, pulling out a baseball cap and a black mask. "put these on," he instructed, handing the items to donghyuck. donghyuck listened wordlessly, knowing better than to doubt his manager. his phone began ringing again but doyoung stopped him from answering, "don't answer that. just... give me your phone and keep your head down."

   hearing those words, donghyuck realized the inevitable had happened. he had somehow gotten himself in a scandal. the ravenette must've noticed the look of panic on his face because he patted his back, "you can check what happened when we get in the car." 

   with that, doyoung gently, yet steadily pulled donghyuck out of the building. he kept one hand protectively around his wrist and led them outside. on their way out, people stared and whispered to their friends. phones were used to record them and a group of fans began following them outside.

   "don't worry," doyoung said as he noticed how tense donghyuck had gotten, "the team called for security outside. there might be some reporters, but don't answer any of their questions and get in the car." "okay," donghyuck said, hating how his voice gave away how scared he really was.

   ever since his debut as an actor five years ago which was an instant hit, he'd managed to get himself in only one scandal. he became an adult that night and got himself drunk while celebrating out with friends. luckily, he didn't do much aside from stumble around the street and give doyoung a drunken call, but knowing what it felt like to suddenly have all the press' attention, donghyuck promised himself to try his hardest and steer clear from getting in scandals as long as he could.

   before doyoung or donghyuck got a chance to open the door, they burst open. flashing lights were immediately in donghyuck's face and he wished he had asked doyoung for sunglasses. a group of reporters with mics and cameras came towards donghyuck, asking him questions.

   at that moment, even if donghyuck wanted to, he wasn't able to answer their questions. the world spun around him and his vision blurred. doyoung who had been by his side the whole time, suddenly felt far. all he could hear were the voices of the reporters shouting questions at him, hoping for a response from the one and only lee haechan.

   he struggled to walk but forced his feet to move forward anyway through the crowd. doyoung helped him get in the car and he faintly said thank you. the car door shut, protecting him from the excitement only a door away. doyoung walked around the car sliding in the drivers' seat next to him. it only took a moment for the car to start moving, pulling away from riot that nearly started.

   "are you okay?" doyoung asked when there was a safe distance between them and the press. "is it true?" donghyuck asked, voice quivering. "is what true?" doyoung had an idea of what donghyuck was referring to but he wanted to make sure anyway. "can i have my phone? i won't answer any calls," donghyuck promised. the ravenette hesitantly nodded his head and handed the younger his phone.

   he opened up a searching tab and typed his name into the search bar, pressing the first article that popped up. a gasp fell from him lips as his eyes widened and he stared at the enlarged picture. 

   he had his arms wrapped around miyong's waist and her arms were wrapped tightly around his neck. their lips met in a kiss. from the picture, no one could tell that it was a short one and that miyong had been drunk while it happened.

   fear dissolved as realization dawned upon donghyuck and he grew angry. there had been three people during the situation; kang miyong, himself, and mark lee.

-----

word count: 3624

the later chapters are better ngl lmao

✎ ---- dreaminghyuck⤾