#showprinterslove2k18

ಠ_ಠ

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Baekhyun didn't know how to feel, maybe numb was the best way to describe it.

He messed up once. A small mishap. Perhaps the only people that noticed were the conductor, pianists, teachers, and him. That wasn't the problem.

And it wasn't that he shouldn't have messed up. Yes, the part was easy. Yes, he has played with a group before (he's the concertmaster in his orchestra, for heaven's sake!)

But Park Chanyeol wasn't supposed to be sitting right where Baekhyun decided to look. And he certainly wasn't supposed to be staring back.

He probably would have froze on the spot, if Jongin—who was sitting beside the giant—hadn't winked at him.

The simple gesture had snapped the boy out of his stupor and had allowed him to not completely make a fool of himself. Yet.

Speaking of Jongin, he was sitting on the stage, legs dangling off the side, waiting for Baekhyun to finish packing up. "You did well," he noted.

"Thank you." The sound of Baekhyun zipping up his case was shrill against the mellow background. Baekhyun came over and sat down next to Jongin, copying his position. "It was fun."

"When are you leaving?" Jongin hit the side of the stage with his heel, then winced.

"Not until later. There are refreshments in the cafeteria, and I was thinking about getting some when most of the people clear out. They always buy way too much, so I'm not concerned." Baekhyun laughed.

Jongin only smiled, his foot tapping a steady beat. Thump. Thump. Thump.

The room was empty, and Baekhyun just sat there and listened as Jongin counted away the seconds.

"Play something."

Baekhyun started. "Hm?"

"Play something, anything. I want to listen." Jongin nudged the black case in between them.

"But I just put it up." Baekhyun sighed, then changed his mind. "Fine. I owe you anyways."

"What have I done?" Jongin was genuinely puzzled.

"You were my friend, weren't you? I owe you for that. Jongdae told me that I could trust you with my life." He unzipped his case again.

Suddenly, laughing could be heard from behind the stage. Baekhyun grumbled, "Well there goes our moment."

The laughter stopped, only to be replaced by the sound of kissing.

"Ick," Jongin complained. "Sound carries around here."

"It does," Baekhyun agreed, pulling out his violin and plucking the open strings, hearing the familiar fifths that echoed off. "Like that."

Heavy footsteps walked onto the stage, curious. He stood there, upset at the sight in front of him. The brunet, with his violin and the sun kissed male, smiling at each other brightly; genuinely. He shook his head. It didn't matter. It never mattered, and would never matter. He walked back quickly; stiffly. Warm arms wrapped around him, but it wasn't the same, and would never be the same.

Baekhyun cracked his knuckles. "Any suggestion? Classical? Modern?"

"Four thirty-three." Jongin grinned wryly.

"Okay." Baekhyun shrugged, setting the violin and bow in his lap. He pulled out his phone and set a timer.

"Didn't think you'd actually agree."

"Shh." Baekhyun placed a finger to his lips. "Tacet, remember?"

They sat there and waited. Then waited some more.

They didn't say anything when two newcomers—the very people who were behind the stage—came out and joined them, one on either side. Baekhyun simply scooted closer to Jongin and hugged his instrument closer. The four of them just sat there. And when two more people came in through the heavy double doors, they walked onto the stage wordlessly and sat down as well.

And when Baekhyun looked up again, and saw five other people sitting around him solemnly, he held back a laugh. Jongin shifted into a better position, the fabric of his jeans sliding along the stage floor. A wrapper crinkled in Minseok's hand. Jongdae let out a nose whistle, then looked around guiltily to see if anyone noticed. They did. Kyungsoo looked up at the lights, then squinted. Then he decided he was breathing too loudly, and chose to hold his breath. Chanyeol and Baekhyun engaged in a staring contest. It was childish, and stupid. And not to mention completely useless, but it was a battle of pride.

When the timer went off, Jongdae yelped and almost fell off the stage. Minseok started, then steadied him. Kyungsoo let out his breath, and Jongin stood up. The only people that didn't move were Chanyeol and Baekhyun, who didn't seem to notice the change in the environment at all. Jongin reached out and shut the pesky alarm off.

Minseok stared at the two unresponsive males. "What's up with them? Is this some sort of battle for pride.

Jongdae shrugged. "I'm honestly impressed."

Kyungsoo sniffed. "I'm not."

Jongin studied Kyungsoo carefully. "Don't be so negative," he urged.

Kyungsoo rounded on him. "You wouldn't know, would you Kai?" He spat the name out like it was a curse.

"Kyungsoo..." Jongin sighed.

"Don't Kyungsoo me!"

"Guys, just calm down." Minseok murmured.

"No!" Kyungsoo fumed.

"Who's Kai?" Jongdae asked.

"None of your business!" Kyungsoo glared.

Baekhyun and Chanyeol were completely oblivious to it all, still lost in their own competition.

"Baek! Chanyeol! Snap out of it!" Jongin yelled, grabbing Chanyeol by the shoulder and yanking him back.

"Ow! Kim Jongin! What was that?" Chanyeol shook his head when his suddenly found himself on his back.

"Huh?" Baekhyun finally blinked. "My eyes..." he groaned, rubbing at them.

"What was this even about?" asked Minseok. "I come in here and see the four of you just sitting here, doing absolutely nothing."

"John Cage," Baekhyun replied simply, packing his violin back up again. "Alright, no more private concerts."

"Encore!" Jongdae joked.

"No."  Baekhyun tossed a spare program at his head. "No encores."

- § -

Fun, right?

4'33" is a great piece. :')

This book... I have no idea what I'm doing anymore. I have way too many projects going on...

Me: I'm going to write!

Me after I look at my to-do-list: I think I can squeeze it in the week after next week? But I have *insert random event that just happened to be there* to do.

Me: *jumps off cliff because I have zero time management skills*

...

...

...

Halp. I need to be saved from myself.

Psst... I have a collab account with Princessaurora2004 now! (@SmallDeer_EXOLight) Why does it not tag? I'm following it! Hmph.

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