Chapter 13 - Flat Tire

Jin laughed and helped Shun to stand before taking his lips again. Maneuvering them to the couch, he hovered Shun and deepened the kiss. Stroking his tongue inside the hot mouth, he heard the moan from the raven haired man. His fingers slipped under the studio shirt to touch heated skin. Shun gasped, pulling away from soft lips.

"J… Jin," he panted and felt kisses at his neck.

Jin wanted so much, but he forced himself to pull away. Sighing, he licked his lips and threw an arm over the back of the couch. He pulled the young man up by cupping the back of Shun's neck to leave one more kiss.

"What is this, Shun?"

"Huh?" Shun questioned with his whole world focused on those lips, that voice, and those touches.

He felt the flick to his nose and he rubbed it with a frown.

"When you leave, you cannot tell anyone we kissed. This has to remain a secret."

"…"

"…"

"Shun?"

"Why?"

"Is this not just thank you kisses?" Jin questioned and searched Shun's face.

'… Right…' Shun sighed and dropped his shoulders.

"Of course," he forced a smile. He looked away and found his heart hurting. He could feel his nose twitching from the warmth of tears prickling at his eyes. He felt fingers carding through his raven locks and he turned to look at soft green eyes. A warm palm cupped his cheek and a gentle smile was aimed at him.

"Do you want this to be more?" Jin questioned quietly.

"I…" he started and he closed his eyes for a moment. Opening his eyes, he sang softly, "If I speak up, If I reach out would you, would you take my hand, would you listen to what I have to say, baby. Don't let this be lost chances."

Shun finished and waited to see what the perfect idol would do. He saw those green eyes closed and his heart wavered, but the palm against his cheek kept him in grounded. Jin searched his face and opened his mouth, but before he could speak, Shun's phone rang.

Pulling away, Shun cleared his throat and picked up.

"Ah Dong?"

"Where are you?! They are here!" Wen Dong whispered harshly.

"What? Who?" He questioned with furrowed brows.

"The recruiters! They just showed up and we were all surprised. Hurry! You got 5 other people left to go before they leave."

"Coming! Thank you, Ah Dong!"

Shun hung up and ran to the front door but paused to see Jin looking at him from the hallway. Smiling, he bowed in thanks and left with his heart heavy and mind racing. Jumping in his car, he drove as fast as he could to the studio. By the time he got there, the recruiters were walking out of the door.

"Ms. Fire and Mr. Juno," He panted, "Hello."

"Ah, it's that wet noodle," Ms Fire remembered, "We're you slacking?"

"I was getting singing lessons," Shun explained and saw the screen popped up on his phone.

*Use points?*

'What for?'

"That is no excuse to not be in the studio," Fire tsked shaking her head.

*Use points?*

"Come, let's get back Juno."

"Wait! Can I just-"

*Use points?*

"It's too late. Good luck next time kid."

*Use points?*

He watched them get into the car.

*Use points?*

They started their car.

*Use points?*

*Use points?*

*Use points?*

*Use points?*

"Okay!" He groaned and could not believe he ruined everything. The car pulled into the street and-

*Points used- flat tire*

Shun just blinked and stared as the car received a flat tire that caused the recruiters to pull over across the street. Fire and Juno got out of their car to stare at the flat tire, before turning to look at him. He watched them walk up to him and Fire sighed.

"Alright, let's hear you while we wait for someone to fix our tire."

'What luck! Such strange magic!'

Holding the door open for them, he saw Wen Dong and Ping Ping staring with wide eyes and opened mouths. He sent them a thumbs up and they grinned widely at him, glad for his chance.

Positioning himself, he danced and sang to the song his managers gave them. He felt confident in his dancing, at least enough to not have the nickname wet noodle. When he was done, he heard the claps from his fellow mates and he smiled at his managers. The recruiters were whispering and then Juno spoke up.

"You've improved a lot from the last time we saw you, wet noodle. Give us a ballad now."

'Still wet noodle?!'

Using all the skills Suu Jin gave him, Shun sang the ballad that he had fallen in love with from the man he sang it to. Whatever it was, whatever they were, Shun really liked Jin and he hoped maybe the idol liked him back.

'But he has so many better choices than me...'

When he finished, his eyes were watery and he took a deep breath, pushing away his emotions. This was not the time to get all emotional. He needed to get recruited and have a better chance at becoming an idol!

"Sometimes things like this would happen and it would mess up your performance, but you have to think of all the hard work you did. All the sweat, time, and people counting on you to do well. Do not let someone mess up your concentration Shun," Suu Jin, the idol prince told him.

'Get a hold of yourself!' He reprimanded himself.

Gritting his teeth, he waited for the verdict. The recruiters turned to the managers and they spoke for a while. After what felt like hours, the recruiters said their goodbyes and left.

"Well," Manager Quang rubbed his chin, "Looks like we have a few of you going."

The trainees waited for the announcements of who was chosen, but their manager was really holding the tension in the air. Shun was sweating from where he stood waiting to see if he completed one of the tasks given. Manager Ling pushed her friend and smiled at the trainees.

"Xiong Shun, Ping Ping, and…"

'Wen Dong?' Shun grinned.

"Kiki."

Shun felt his grin fell quickly off his face. He heard the congratulations and pats on his backs, but his eyes were looking for his friend. He saw Wen Dong smiled at him, but Ping and him were surrounded by the trainees that it felt like they were so far away from his childhood friend.

'Ah Dong…'