lgcminkyu

[lgcminkyu]

SPRING CLEANING PART 7 : ALTERNATIVE UNIVERSE. Cho Minkyu, in the League of Legends universe.

In a universe woven with ancient magic, warring factions, and gods walking in shadow, Cho Minkyu is born as a mischievous illusionist from Ionia known across Runeterra as The Trickster of Blossoms. Cloaked in flowing silk robes laced with fox motifs and violet petals, Minkyu weaves beauty and chaos into one. His power drawn from the Spirit Blossom realm itself. He is a dual-natured champion: a performer by day, a ghost-lit rogue by night.

Born in the once-quiet village of Hirai near the Ionian coast, Minkyu grew up without a father, raised by a gentle priestess mother and tasked with protecting his younger sister from the dark forces encroaching their lands. The weight of war pushed him to develop his illusion magic at an early age, not to harm, but to distract, to confuse, to protect. His powers manifest as glowing butterfly trails, shifting clones, and laughter that echoes in empty corridors, luring enemies astray. He doesn’t fight with brute force, he plays with perception, like a mask that never quite settles.

Despite the danger, Minkyu remains unapologetically playful. He flirts with enemies mid-fight, throws glitter bombs that explode in hallucinations, and mocks death with a grin. But underneath that chaos lies the same heart: one that yearns for real connection, for someone who sees the boy behind the magic. He avoids his own grief through constant levity, just as in the real world, but here, that avoidance can cost lives.

He still treasures love, though it's more fleeting here, scattered like cherry blossoms in the wind. He dreams of someone who might walk into the Spirit Realm just to find him. His friendships are few, but fierce, he protects those he loves with the same illusions he uses to entertain.

And when asked if he’s afraid of war or death, he simply smiles and says, "What’s life without a little drama?"

[lgcminkyu]

Of course, it was to be expected. So much so that Minkyu couldn’t help but laugh, one of those full-bodied, unrestrained laughs born from pure amusement. He wiggled his hand free from Seyoon’s grip, only to promptly stuff the taco into his friend’s mouth with playful triumph.

“I’m still single,” he said, voice light, though there was something resolute behind the words. “As if someone like me could ever get anyone to genuinely like me.” And he didn’t say it out of pity, nor from a place of self-loathing. It wasn’t a veiled request for comfort or kindness either. He spoke it like a truth long settled into his bones, the product of countless quiet disappointments tucked beneath a well-worn smile.

“But I told myself: no more meaningless flings,” he added, reaching for another taco, this time bringing it to his own lips. The spice and warmth of the food grounded him, made the admission feel less heavy than it might have otherwise.

“I mean,” he continued with a small, mischievous glint returning to his gaze, “look on the bright side. The next time you sleep with someone, you’ll have so much tension built up, you’ll probably go absolutely wild.”

Ah, yes, his habits.

"Well, I am eating slightly healthier thanks to having groupmates who are willing to cook." Still chomping his way through too many bags of potato chips, though. He had a stash hidden underneath his bed and reached for a bite every time the stress was high and he couldn't use his usual methods to deal with his problems. "Haven't been smoking because I told Haemin I'd quit. It's been surprisingly easy, actually. Guess I never needed cigarettes that much in the first place."

But those weren't really the habit they were getting at, eh?

"Yeah, no, I am dying. I can't screw fellow TZers and they are all that I have access to, honestly. It was super hard in the beginning because I am not meant to live like a monk."

Actually.

"You down to quench my thirst?" He clasped Minkyu's hand - the taco-wielding one - with both of his. "You are still single, right?" Because he didn't go after taken people.

[lgcminkyu]

He won’t lie, his head feels a little dizzy from all the mingling scents, his senses blurred beneath layers of florals, spices, and strange unnamed notes. The air itself feels heavy with perfume, each inhale a gamble. When he first heard they’d be creating their own fragrances, he imagined something a touch more elegant, maybe even romantic, especially considering who Jino is crafting his for.

Minkyu, on the other hand, has no particular someone in mind. But he’s here, fully present, heart warm for the quiet spark of love blooming in his friend. Still, the haze of reverie slips away the moment the words reach him, pulling him gently back to earth.

“Nope, never. First time experience.” he replies with a soft chuckle, reaching for one of the small glass vials lined up before him. He gives it a tentative sniff, only to immediately recoil, nose wrinkling in displeasure as his expression morphs into mild horror.

“That sea-flower thing is definitely not mine,” he declares, setting it down with theatrical care. A laugh escapes him as he continues browsing.

“I’m more of a vanilla-scented guy,” he says, glancing sideways at Jino with a grin that tugs at the corners of his mouth. “What about you? Got any preferences?” He lifts another vial, hesitating for half a breath, silently hoping this next one won’t betray him the same way.

SMELLS LIKE ROMANCE     ⋆       @lgcminkyu     /        

“what is your signature scent?” the questionnaire the workers had given him and minkyu was staring him square in the eye.

way to catch him off guard — jino had been picking up the dropper in each of the glass bottles laid out in front of them, suddenly startled out of his own mindless fumblings. he had half the mind of bailing — ready to escape for an easy cope out at the front of the store with the brand’s own conceptualized signature scents. things like smells, colognes, and the like had never been a strong suit for him. he had always thought that, at the end of the day, as long as he smelled clean that that would be it. now, as he reads the labels on each of the bottles before them, he feels himself start to sink a little deeper into confusion.

at the end of the day, his real motive had been to buy something that reminded him of minseo but doubling the fun by dragging minkyu alongside him — the internet-approved romeo and his flair for  romance was only an added bonus!

what had started as some casual perfume-shopping had turned into a whole workshop, now seated side by side with the different blends of scents in front of them, jino had begun to doubt his mission: him a perfumist? who would have thought.

“have you made your own perfume before, minkyu?” 

[lgcminkyu]

This. This was everything Minkyu had imagined and so much more. The pulse of the music thrummed in the air like electricity, people’s laughter blending with beats that echoed through the night. The atmosphere was alive, vibrant, overflowing with something he hadn’t tasted in months: freedom. Real, unfiltered, soul-deep fun.

Work had weighed heavily on his shoulders for what felt like forever, days blending into each other in a rhythm that allowed little space for joy. But here, now, at this concert surrounded by strangers who didn’t care who he was or what title he carried, he felt untethered.

So when Dom started whining, dramatic as ever, as if joy itself were a crime, Minkyu couldn’t help the laugh that erupted from him. A loud, full-bodied sound..

“The only illegal thing here is you not joining in!” he shouted gleefully, already grabbing Dom’s hand, pulling him with a grin toward the rush of moving bodies.

Without missing a beat, he fell into step with the rhythm, feet pounding the ground, eyes curved into crescents of pure delight. “Come on, man. Pull that stick out of your ass, seriously. Even fifty-year-olds know how to let loose better than you!”

* mosh pit w. @lgcminkyu ,

when dom bought tickets to this rock concert, he didn’t think it was the equivalent to selling his soul to the devil.

they’d gotten there early ( at his insistence ) and found themselves close to the front. “see,” he’d told minkyu then. “if we came any later, we wouldn’t be anywhere near the stage.” … yeah, that came to bite him in the ass when the band started playing.

it was LOUD. capital L-O-U-D. LOUD. and if he wasn’t going to go deaf, he was certainly going in other ways because, at one point, the crowd began to move a lot. the people around them were jumping up and down and bumping into him, which made him bump into minkyu and—

“hey, watch it!”

for some reason, that made things worse. people were shoving at one another, running into each other, running in circles as if they’d lost their damn minds. was this some sort of demon summoning ritual???

“what the hell is going on?” he yelled in minkyu’s ear. “what are they doing? this looks illegal! we need to get out of here!”

[lgcminkyu]

Well. A part of him had expected this. Another, quieter, more hopeful part had wished for something different, anything really. A flicker of warmth, a crack in the facade. Some emotion. Some humanity. But instead, she delivered that all-too-familiar, indifferent reply. Just a flat “OK.”

And true to Minkyu’s nature, the dismay registered instantly, painting itself across his face like a dramatic canvas: eyes wide, brows arched high, lips parted in sheer disbelief. It was theatrical, yes, but every bit of it was real. “What do you mean, OK?” he echoed, voice sharpening, disbelief curdling into frustration.

His gaze followed her as she turned away, retreating back into whatever task she had deemed more important than the moment they were in. The blatant dismissal lit something under his skin. Still, he didn’t back down. If anything, he leaned into the storm building in his chest, his voice rising just enough to ensure it reached her.

“Could you, just for once, stop pretending you're made of gold while the rest of us are dirt beneath your feet?” His tone was clipped, but not cruel. Honest. Raw. “It’s exhausting, the way you look down on everyone. It’s ugly, the way you treat people who just ... ” He cut himself off for a moment, jaw tightening, eyes narrowing as the weight of his words settled between them.

“... who just want to connect.”

In complete honesty, Yuxi had long passed her capacity for socialisation. Her off days already consisted of a revolving door of faces and her work days worse still, what with the same faces with the crowds of staff and fans and everyone in between, all compounding onto all the other sources of stress in her personal life — little wonder her patience ran so thin. She had enough on her plate; the last thing she needed was to further deplete her social battery.

It already took her everything to not shut herself back into her studio, much less get drawn into conversation all while the world around her crashed and burned. Unfortunately, Minkyu seemed intent on not getting the memo, flocking around her, blabbering about the rundown on the historical background of some meme he was trying to show her.

Humouring him, she glanced at his screen and gave it a quick read. "OK," she said flatly, expression unchanged. And promptly went straight back to her food, earbuds going in as she opened a stream for the news.

[lgcminkyu]

Kyoka is simply too precious; always has been, always will be. There’s something so effortlessly sweet about her, something that tugs at the softest parts of Minkyu’s heart and makes him want to squish her cheeks like she’s some beloved plushie plucked from a dreamy arcade booth. But instead of acting on that impulse, he simply beams, eyes aglow with quiet affection, and settles himself before her.

"You know I’m always yours to experiment on," he says with a cheerful lilt, his voice light and easy. There’s a glimmer in his eye as he turns just enough to glance up at her, that signature sparkle woven into the curves of his smile, as if the moment itself were lit from within. “Can I ask what this masterpiece is inspired by? Is it from a new anime? A manga I haven’t heard of yet?"

౨ৎ my strongest suit with @lgcminkyu

She glances over at him, squinting, opens her mouth, then closes it, retuning to her book. She glances at him again, squints at him again, opens her mouth again, then closes it again. And again. And again. Finally: “Can I borrow your head?”

It takes her a moment to process how weird she just sound to Minkyu, but once it clicks Kyoka’s furiously apologizing. “Not like borrow borrow you know, but I saw this hairstyle here also and I really really want to see if it can be done in real life which is why I asked and not because I want your head like that or anything since I can’t- I don’t have eyes in the back of my head to see, you know, of what I’m doing if that makes sense.” She rattles in one breath.

[lgcminkyu]

OPEN PLOTS! if any of these interest you, hit the like button or comment which one you're interested in and I'll be hitting you up for plotting. c:

Blood is thicker than water. ( 0 / 1 ) Requirements: late 01er or younger, female, last name must be Cho.

His beloved younger sister. Raised by a devoted single mother after their father left to start a new family, Minkyu has always been fiercely protective of his family, especially his sister.

Club Of The Lonely People. Requirements: any muse who’s single and lonely, this is just for fun!!

Minkyu recently started a boys and girls scouts club called COTLP - a group for those unlucky in love. With cookies, movies, and plenty of fun, a good time is always guaranteed.

We are in this together. Requirements: must have attended Hanlim Arts.

These are people he met during his time as a student at Hanlim. Whether they’re close friends or the opposite, I’m open to exploring any potential connections and developments!

Fake or not. ( 0 / 1 ) Requirements: female, 02er or older.

They’re known as the closest of friends, so close, in fact, that they jokingly call each other husband and wife. Some people even suspect they might be a couple because of their closeness, but their bond is purely platonic. From playful flirting to lighthearted banter, they share it all.

Feels like home. Requirements: Busan native.

People he’s known from his time in Busan. Childhood friends, childhood crushes, silly childhood rivalries, anything is possible!

Flirting 101. ( 0 / 1 ) Requirements: 02er or older.

Your muse is either terrible at flirting or unlucky in love. Luckily, Minkyu is also unlucky in love, but his flirting skills are top-notch. He takes it upon himself to help your muse by teaching them everything about being charming and just the right amount of flirty.

Lean on me. ( 0 / 1 ) Requirements: none.

While Minkyu often seems carefree and lighthearted, he has a serious side that few people get to see. Your muse knows this well; they’ve experienced it firsthand and built a bond of trust where they can openly share their feelings, even during tough times. He’s always there to listen or offer a shoulder to lean on.

Just wanna have fun. ( 0 / 1 ) Requirements: none.

Noraebang is their go-to spot. When they need to unwind from practice, they head to the nearby coin noraebang, grab some fried chicken together, or visit the nearest arcade. Whenever these two hang out, the mood is always light. Sometimes all you need is to treat yourself to a good time.

[lgcminkyu]

“Oh, you,” Minkyu laughs, his voice catching on the edge of something nearly bashful, eyes momentarily flicking away as if to hide the faint warmth creeping up his neck. “Look at you, nearly making me blush with those words. A real sweet talker, aren’t you?”

As much as he thrives on compliments, basks in words of affirmation like sunlight on skin, they still manage to curl something tender in his chest, leave him feeling like one of those love-struck boys from the shoujo anime he used to watch under the covers late at night.

It's not that the feeling means anything, but even so, it lingers, warm and fluttering.

Still, none of that matters the moment Hyoseop speaks again. Minkyu’s brows shoot up in visible disbelief, his head tilting with dramatic flair as he stares at him as though he’s just said the most ludicrous thing in the universe. “What do you mean not a big idol yet? Hello? You’re in Type Zero ... THE boyband of boybands. The standard. And you, my dear hyung, are slaying every step of the way.”

His grin is wide as he takes a seat at the table, all youthful brightness and unfiltered sincerity as the pot is placed between them. There’s something so deeply comfortable in this moment, in the ease of conversation and the quiet clatter of shared space.

“I wish I could take you up on that offer, to always cook for me,” he muses, reaching for the ladle and scooping generous portions into their plates with practiced care, “but it’s hard to make that work when you’re off charming hearts and touring somewhere in China, isn’t it?”

He casts Hyoseop a teasing glance, mischief tucked behind his lashes. “Unless, of course, you don’t mind dropping everything just to fly over to my place and cook for me. I wouldn’t complain. Not one bit.”

[lgcminkyu]

🎧 CHO MINKYU’S HEARTBEAT MIXTAPE.

Kyun by Hinatazaka46

This track is pure sunshine in music form: bright, bouncy, full of sparkling innocence. He connects deeply with how overly sweet and sparkly the song is, because that’s exactly how he feels inside when he likes someone. It’s soft chaos, head-in-the-clouds energy. It reminds him of those early moments of affection when everything feels possible. The bubbly idol energy makes him feel like he’s starring in a cutesy anime scene; running late, toast in mouth, crashing into someone who just might be his destiny. When life gets too heavy or serious, he puts this on and lets it lift him.

Love Me Like That by Sam Kim

This song hits his softest, most hidden side. He’s known for being loud, charming, full of mischief and noise. But behind the jokes and smiles, there’s a quiet ache for something deeper, something softer. It speaks to the version of him that just wants to be held without needing to explain why he’s tired. He listens to it at night, when the city hums low and his apartment finally goes still, when he’s lying on his back staring at the ceiling and wondering if he’s too complicated to love fully. He wonders if someone will ever love every part of him, even the messy, overthinking, hidden pieces he’s spent years trying to smile over.

Renai Circulation by Kana Hanazawa

This one’s just pure Minkyu energy: sweet, iconic, and the perfect touch of slightly chaotic. It reminds him of the early days of stan Twitter, anime gifs, viral Tiktok dances, and that soft, sparkling, slightly extra side of himself he shows to friends or fans. He plays it when he’s feeling playful or when the world feels too heavy and he needs something to lift the corners of his mood. It’s his personal Kuromi hoodie, bubble tea in hand, pink heart emoji aesthetic. When he’s stressed or overwhelmed, blasting this song and dancing around like a cartoon character is his reset button; it shakes off the seriousness he tries too hard to ignore.

Some by Soyou & Junggigo

Minkyu loves the almost-lovers storyline of this song. A bit too much, maybe. There’s something painfully familiar about that limbo between friendship and something more. He relates to the way the song tiptoes around the truth, how the lyrics are careful and dreamy, like they’re afraid of breaking whatever fragile thing exists between two people who are pretending they don’t feel what they do. He listens to it when he’s wrapped in his blanket at 2 a.m., eyes glued to his phone, overthinking someone who either shouldn’t be on his mind … or someone he wishes would just call. It’s soft, a little flirty, and a little sad, like him on the days he smiles too wide to hide what he won’t say out loud.

Sparkle by RADWIMPS

This one makes him emotional in ways he can’t even begin to explain; not fully, not out loud. It feels like time standing still, like watching the world move in slow motion while your heart runs too fast. The opening notes alone are enough to make him pause, to let himself feel without needing to name it. It reminds him of how fleeting everything is; how people, places, moments, and even feelings can pass like shooting stars, brilliant and gone before you realize it. The lyrics make him think of the people he misses, the versions of himself he’s left behind. It's cinematic, aching, quiet, vast. It's what he imagines his soul might sound like if it had a melody.

[lgcminkyu]

The sharp edge in Yoojin’s voice was enough to coax out yet another of Minkyu’s delightfully exaggerated, almost theatrical performances. Minkyu lifted a hand to his chest, his features softening into a mock expression of wounded innocence, eyes widening in a way that recalled a small, scolded puppy.

“My, my. Your voice is so harsh, so cutting ... it could slice through onions as if they were mere whispers!”

But then, like a sudden sunbeam breaking through a storm, that mischievous, Cheshire-cat grin curved across his lips, boyish and disarming. “Though, I must admit, there’s something undeniably magnetic about it. The way your voice deepens and sharpens. It’s strangely… alluring.”

Of course, Minkyu caught the subtle, lingering glance that swept over him, from head to toe, igniting a spark that propelled him forward, closing the space between them until he stood by Yoojin’s side. His eyes crinkled with laughter.

“If I’m as fragile and pale as a sheet of untouched paper,” he said softly, tugging lightly at his pullover, “then surely you must feed me, or I’ll wither away.” A playful nudge followed, gentle yet insistent. “Come, let us get some tteokbokki, the kind drowning in that molten cheese. And this will be my treat. Surely, that’s an offer you can’t refuse!”

yoojin always took pride in being this collected, calm person. it’d take a lot for him to feel really annoyed by someone (and he was friends with dom, of all people). but somehow, minkyu seemed to be an exception to every rule, because it was gratuitous that he would feel that way by just sharing the same space with him.

of course someone could point out and justify it by saying yoojin felt like a fool when the two of them first met some time ago, but it was just a small interaction with no more than them as witnesses that it would hardly taint whatever they could have in the future.

universe my ass, he thought.

and yet that present - and unfortunate, in yoojin’s thoughts - meeting made him roll his eyes and look at minkyu with a bored expression, his words coming out with unnecessary harshness, “i’m not made of glass, of course i’m not hurt.”

he glanced down at him, quickly checking minkyu and it wasn’t for some kind of worry - no, he wasn’t worried, mind you - nor something else. his eyes just did that, they roamed, it was perfectly normal. “unlike you, who look as thin and white as sheet of paper.”

see, there was a side of him that was nice. he wasn’t just ready to show it to that wicked guy.

[lgcminkyu]

For a moment, Minkyu wonders if this is really Rowon’s apartment or some kind of staged set he’s pretending to call home. It’s stark and empty; no pictures, no personal touches, nothing to suggest anyone actually lives here. The place feels lifeless, almost eerie in its silence.

He’s about to joke that maybe Rowon is a serial killer after all, judging by how cold and bare everything is, but a harsh cough steals the words away. Instead, he manages a quiet, wheezing thank you when Rowon says he’s getting him water.

After a few sips, Minkyu summons enough strength to sit up on the bed, his eyes flickering around the room. “Honestly, I’m surprised you even have a bed.” he says, sarcasm slipping through despite the roughness in his voice, making it sound half-hearted.

He doesn’t press further. There’s clearly a reason Rowon lives like this, and Minkyu doesn’t have the energy to ask why.

Instead, he tugs at his pullover, voice softer now. “Do you maybe have something comfortable I can change into? I feel way too warm in this. And maybe some soup. Or … um … anything to eat, really.” Because he can’t remember the last time he actually ate.

“and risk anyone else seeing you like this? never.” his first step is unsteady. unsure, almost. a cold gust warps around them, warning them of what’s to come if they continue. rowon ignores the signs, as he always does, and readjusts. tries again.

his second step stabilizes them.

“i want to be the only one who has the privilege to see this side of cho minkyu.” it sounds like an admission, but he doesn’t know what exactly he’s admitting. “promise,” he adds a moment later. quietly. so quietly that it could’ve been mistaken as the wind.

he pushes on.

minkyu’s flat feels more like a home. it’s lived in. there are plushies, figurines, things that tell a visitor exactly what he finds comfortable. compared to that, rowon’s flat is bleak; his walls are ward white with nothing—not even a scratch—upon its surface. there’s nothing on the black marble countertops, nothing in the cabinets, no pictures, no decor, no colour.

and no couch. there’s no use for one. he doesn’t have guests over, and he’s never here long enough to lounge.

so he lays minkyu on his bed—white sheets and white pillows that smell faintly of a generic fabric softener and not the usual cologne he specifically wears around minkyu.

“i’ll get you some water.”

[lgcminkyu]

There’s a reason Minkyu’s always held such a soft spot for Jino. First: he’s hardworking, takes the job seriously, listens well, picks things up fast. Second: his sense of direction is just as hopeless as Minkyu’s. And third: he spoils Minkyu with praise that always seems to hit the right spot, whether he means to or not.

So Minkyu can’t help the grin that spreads across his face, one hand waving dismissively at the compliment, though it’s clear he's flattered. A little bashful, even. Because, really, this is just a guest role. Nothing grand, nothing that quite compares to the weight of the characters he’s played before.

“You’re way too biased,” he laughs. “But I’d never turn down pork belly. A good barbecue’s always a yes, espeeeeeeecially if someone else is footing the bill.”

He tosses Jino a playful look, but it doesn’t last long. His expression shifts, softening, turning more focused, as his gaze settles fully on him. His own time on set may be done, but Jino’s isn’t. And if there’s one thing Minkyu values more than praise, it’s helping the people he cares about succeed.

“From what I’ve seen, you’re doing well balancing out the character’s tone,” he begins, voice lowering into something more sincere. “But your expressions, those need more depth. You have to really step into them. Immerse yourself. Let the character live through you, not beside you.”

He steps closer, resting his hands gently on Jino’s shoulders like a mentor grounding his student. “The audience doesn’t go easy on anyone. So give them everything. Every moment, every scene. That’s how you leave an impression.”

his laughter is curbed, teasing grin at the cusp of another tirade of chuckles if only paused to interject with a sudden remark: “wait — who are you in this scenario? because you’re definitely luke in my book forget anakin, he’s the bad guy!”

though, he was one of the coolest bad guys of the century — he could never portray minkyu as the bad guy, never. 

his enthusiasm stills at the mention of minkyu’s final scene. it had been a joy to sneak onto minkyu’s set whenever he had some down time to watch the elder in action, having taken every moment he could because when would be the next time he would get to see the other’s talent unfold right before his very eyes. it was a chance of the lifetime, for jino, at least.

“damn, and i thought i’d get to see just one more scene of yours. is that why everyone’s been talking about a goodbye dinner? have you decided what you wanted? i heard the staff saying they wanted pork belly.” he nods his head, “very main character energy, yes, i can see a baeksang ‘best supporting actor’ award in your future. if no one sheds a tear, they weren’t watching it right!”

he feels bashful once the question turns to him, it was still a role he had to actually step into and get used to — much like the first, at least with this one, he had more than a single line. “yea, he’s an interesting one. i’m still trying to wrap my head around him, whether he’s too cocky or too wary, it’s kind of hard to find a good balance but the director’s been giving me some good feedback.”

[lgcminkyu]

Minkyu’s eyes widen, round with that soft wounded look; confusion clouds his features, brows drawing together as if trying to make sense of Rowon’s words.

A lie, he thinks.

Everything has changed, he wants to say, there are so many things I can’t do anymore. So many things I don’t know how to say. But he swallows it. Keeps it all buried, where hurt tends to go when there’s no room to speak it aloud.

Change, after all, has never been kind to him. He’s the type to cling to the familiar, to struggle against the tide rather than drift with it. And though he’s tried to remain neutral, tried to keep his balance, it seems even that hasn’t gone unnoticed.

"Rowon," he says finally, voice quieter than usual, almost level but not quite. “I don’t think this is the right place to talk about this.”

His gaze drops, falling to the script in his hands. The words blur into nothing, a scrambled mess of ink that no longer makes sense. “And if there’s something specific you think I’m doing … something I should understand, then you need to be clear about it.”

it’d be easy to get under dongwook’s skin, but rowon has a feeling that any sort of in-character quip would be met with a swift out-of-character shut down. minkyu doesn’t seem to be in a playful bantering mood today, and quite frankly, rowon isn’t either.

“being able to become someone else completely,” he echoes, letting the words roll off his tongue in careful consideration—as if he doesn’t already know what he’s about to say. “is that what you’re doing here?” rowon lifts his eyes from the notepad. “acting?”

he doesn’t mean from the script.

“you can still be comfortable around me. nothing has changed.” that is a lie. he knows it from the carefully calculated the distance, knows it from the words unspoken. but it still stands to say, i don’t want to be distant.

but i can’t be the only one who stays.

[lgcminkyu]

He sees it: the flicker of surprise that dances across Rowon’s face the moment Minkyu slips into character, embodying someone entirely unlike himself. It’s subtle, but unmistakable. And for a heartbeat, Minkyu feels the urge to gloat, to flash that familiar grin, the I told you so kind that usually follows when he proves a point.

But this time, he doesn’t. Instead, he simply scrunches his nose at Rowon’s laughter, brushing off the moment with a slight tilt of his head.

“That’s the mark of a good actor,” he says, casually. “Being able to become someone else completely.”

He lets the words hang for a moment before leaning over, eyes narrowing with interest at the messy scrawl across Rowon’s notepad.

“Hm. I think Dongwook would definitely get ticked off if the guy doesn’t take his duties seriously,” he muses, tracing the edge of the page. “Like … cracking jokes at the worst times, calling his superiors ‘uncle’ or ‘auntie’ just to get under their skin. Acting distracted, disinterested. Avoiding responsibility like it’s contagious.”

He glances up at Rowon, a brow lifted slightly, that familiar look on his face: is this actually helpful?

if rowon has one fatal flaw, it’s his inability to perceive people outside of the neat little boxes he has shoved them in.

minkyu’s box—aptly labeled cute, clingy, and charismatic—has long been sealed shut, so when minkyu pitches his voice lower and calls him a fool, rowon is - naturally - taken aback. sure, he’s read through the script, and sure, he knows what bae dongwook is like, but to see minkyu shapeshift into this grunt of a man … it’s surprising to say the least. best new actor well deserved.

his lips twitch.

and then he laughs—he can’t help it.

“i’m not laughing at your performance—” rowon presses his lips together, but a smile still slips through. “ah, how could they do that to you? your face is too endearing to play a character like that.” it’s another attempt to ease the awkwardness, but the silence afterwards is killer.

delight fades from his features.

he returns to square one.

“i’ve been trying to come up with ways to annoy cherry’s character.” diversion, brilliant. rowon drags his notepad over with the words ways to annoy boyeon written across the top. the first point reads slurping at an empty iced drink. the second point is blank. “what would annoy bae dongwook if he’s with a playful nepotism hire?”

[lgcminkyu]

shattered delusion.

If there’s one trait Minkyu likes to claim ( whether it’s rooted in truth or the comforting haze of delusion ) it’s that he gets along with everyone. Personalities, temperaments, moods, he prides himself on adapting with ease. Everyone warms up to him eventually. Or so he believes.

Admittedly, @lgcyuxi has proven a tougher puzzle to crack. A little guarded, harder to read. But Minkyu is convinced it’s only a matter of time; one or two more shared moments and even her icy composure will begin to thaw under the relentless sunshine of his charm. After all, walls were made to crumble, and he considers himself a specialist in making that happen.

So he does what he always does: jumps headfirst into the moment, no hesitation. Loud, animated, never in a way that begs for attention, but somehow always drawing it regardless. His phone flails in the air like a flag of truce as he nudges it toward her, eyes wide with exaggerated excitement.

“Look! You have to see this meme! it’s hilaaaaaaarious!”

[lgcminkyu]

There it is: that unmistakable shine in Jino’s eyes, full of fire and promise. It tugs Minkyu straight back to his own beginning, to the rush of landing his first role, the quiet awe of being praised by someone more experienced. A smile creeps onto his lips, gentler than usual, edged with the faintest brush of nostalgia.

But the sentiment doesn’t linger long; Jino’s laugh is infectious, and soon Minkyu is joining in, his own chuckle spilling out with ease.“Anakin Skywalker surpassed Master Yoda eventually, too,” he says with a faux-solemn nod, voice laced with mischief, like a mentor bestowing great wisdom. But the moment cracks with another laugh. “Yeah, I’m done. That was my final scene, actually.”

His smile falters slightly, eyes drifting for just a second. “Kinda sucks my character died so soon,” he admits with a resigned sigh, then lifts his shoulders in a shrug. “But hey, he went out for a good cause. Very heroic. Very main character energy, you know?” A grin. "Do you like your character?"

the compliments fall on flustered ears; an easy reddening that’s hard to conceal as minkyu all but buries him in flattery. and like the humble (ha!) guy he is, jino eats it all up with an eager, happy-go-lucky grin. 

���really?” his eyes practically shine like diamonds at the commentary. sure, he had heard plenty of feedback from the director and that should have been enough to inflate his ego for a fortnight but hearing the same from your peers — nay, one of your seniors in the industry was a completely different rush of endorphins to practically float him to the sky above.

he scoffs, arm wrestling its way around minkyu’s neck once he reaches the older male. “now i know you’re jerking me around, i’ve got lightyears to go if i even want to catch up to your coat-tails.” his laughter falls beneath a breath as he steers minkyu away from the clearing set as they switch to a different scene. “have you already finished filming your scenes for the day?”

[lgcminkyu]

A burst of laughter escapes Minkyu, bright and bubbling, when Hyoseop barely sips the vanilla soda before shoving it back like it’s betrayed him. It’s the kind of laugh that curls with mischief, full of knowing amusement. Because of course Minkyu suspected he wouldn’t like it. That is half the fun.

He’s ready with a cheeky remark, lips parting; only to freeze entirely when a smooch lands squarely on his forehead. The push that follows does little to shake him from the stunned stillness, hand slowly rising to press against the spot like he’s trying to preserve it. “Whoa,” he says at last, voice coated in theatrical awe. “I can’t believe the Cha Hyoseop just kissed me. Do you know how many fans would sell their souls to be in my place right now?”

He spins forward with a flourish, twirling toward the cabinets as though on a stage, gathering plates and utensils with exaggerated flair. When he returns to Hyoseop’s side, there’s a familiar grin tugging at his lips, the kind that’s half gratitude, half mischief. He leans in slightly, sniffing at the food with the reverence of someone admiring a masterpiece. “Have you ever considered becoming my full-time chef? I’d pay well! Benefits include unlimited adoration and very loud praise.”

lgcminkyu

His brows knit together, a dramatic little pout lingering on his lips as he peers up at Hyoseop, mock betrayal etched into every line of his face. “And here I thought we had something special, hyung,” Minkyu laments, voice tinged with exaggerated sorrow. “Never imagined you'd doubt my intentions like this.” A theatrical sniffle follows, as he unscrews the cap from the soda bottle and takes a sip; eyes gleaming with mischief the moment he hands it back. “See? Still alive. Feeling great, even.” He grins wide, as if he's just tasted nectar from the gods. “You need to open your heart to new experiences, you know.” When Hyoseop’s hand ruffles through his hair, Minkyu leans in, arms looping firmly around his waist, clinging like a content panda unwilling to let go. There’s something unshakably warm about the moment, simple yet soft, comfort blooming. His head shakes with infantile protest, nose brushing against Hyoseop’s shoulder. “We just got comfy,” The words half-whined and half-murmured. “I don’t wanna mooooove.”

“never know what’s hiding behind that pretty face of yours, you could be secretly evil”. hyoseop doesn’t think minkyu’s poisoned it, but vanilla sounds so bizarre that hyoseop wouldn’t be surprised minkyu is offering it simply to get rid of it. part of hyoseop wishes the younger just admits it tastes bad and that hyoseop isn’t forced to give the drink a try.

“i don’t like being open-minded when it comes to things i put in my mouth” hyoseop was surprisingly enough not the type of guy to try new food and drinks, he preferred drinking and eating what he already knew and had tasted before. minkyu continus on with how hyoseop should taste it, so hyoseop accepts defeat and takes a sip. it’s a tiny sip, but as soon as he swallows he gives the other the bottle “i don’t like it, you drink it”.

“what happened to being hungry and impatient for food?” he attempts looking down at the other. “did holding on to me really win over the smell of my food? oh how i’m honored”. and the forehead kiss he hesitated earlier actually happens now, he places a smooch on the top of the other’s head and then... proceeds to push the other way “plate the table, i’m getting hungry”.