‣ studio

@kim heechul ❜ momo watched while everyone went off to do their own thing after the show was over, the guests talking with each other and whoever else was on the show, and she stuck her fingers into the sleeves of her jacket, glancing around the room with every hope of not seeming like she was waiting for anything, or anyone, in particular. she gave a little wave to the people she knew, flashed a smile to the crew, and bowed respectfully to the other comedians in the room. that is, until she saw heechul making his way over.

"of course i came," she spoke up quietly, her eyes sparkling a little while she brought her hand from her jacket, the warmth of his hand seeping into her own. it felt a little different this time, being so open about their relationship, but it didn't feel wrong. if anything, it felt like a weight was lifted off her chest, enough that she was alright with being that way with him in public. "i wanted to come support you! i dont have any schedules today, so i got permission to come surprise you here. i hope thats alright." the girl dipped her head, realizing in that moment that she hadn't really thought of how he would've felt. lifting her head again, momo offered a small smile. "it was a really good show, i think."

@hirai momo ❜ the moment recording was done, genuinely done, with the guests thanked for their time and excused, heechul rose from his seat, having ended up somewhere around the middle of the room rather than near the front. he approached the guests, clasping hands, offering a word or two. it was normal, if not for just how terse he must have seemed when his only thought was in getting to her. this time, kyunghoon just clapped him on the back and offered him an out with a greeting to the actress he had actually known before filming.

his strides were as long as his legs would allow, carrying him past the cameras and the staff, the latter seeming to consciously step away and offer him a clear path. "you came," he murmured, still steps from her, and his brows raised toward his hairline and the folded edge of the beanie. the older idol stopped just before her, reached out with a hand, and took her fingers into his grasp none too discreetly this time when there was no question that all the hands on stage knew the nature of their relationship now. "i really wasn't expecting it. you're not missing any schedules doing this, are you?"

@kim heechul ❜ the second a sound came from heechul's lips, the girl lifted up her hand and pressed one finger to her lips, eyes sparkling a little playfully while scolding him over it. even if some of the others had known she would be there, it really wouldn't be any good for them to out themselves. so instead, she adjusted how she was sitting on the floor, patted at her jacket, and sank down to watch the show.

between genuine questions, laughs, and stolen glances, momo was enjoying her time. she had never been in the audience of a show like this before, only having participated in a gag show and been on episodes of things like that, other than watching the episodes on television when they were airing. it was different, being able to watch from a live audience. she had to be a bit more conscious of herself, but it was a lot easier to relax around the people there. the stylists heechul so affectionately called "the kims" kept her company, as they had a few times before while he was busy. it was somewhere toward the end of filming that momo realized just how happy she was that her day was spent with him, even if during this chunk of time he was a busy and unable to be with her. she got to have a look into what his crazy life was like. when the ending words were being said, momo clapped with the others after the cameras stopped recording and the lights went up, everyone rising from their spots, but momo stood there for a second, unsure what to do or where to go.

@hirai momo ❜ "you-" heechul murmured, thoughtless, his body lurching forward as if he was halfway out of his seat. the others were in varying stages of taking their spots, hodong adjusting his costume and pushing up his sleeves, and youngchul glancing to the same place his seatmate had a second earlier. the idol settled once more, composed himself for the camera, save for a wry smile with the corner of his mouth tucked into his cheek. she had his attention. hell, she would have had all of it if not for the last call for marks. he mouthed his "hey" in silence and waved to momo, the gesture fleeting when hodong was soon blocking his line of sight. he wouldn't be surprised if it was on purpose.

but the show was to go on, whether heechul was focused or not- after all, the guests for the episode only had so much time in their own schedules. it was janghoon, from the back of the classroom set, who subtly called attention to the fact that "psycho" must be too busy daydreaming to pay much attention when more than half of the guests were men. taller men at that. at one point he had made a pretty convincing attempt at offering a finger heart, his voice almost genuine at that little display of aegyo, and for the viewers at home no one would know that the way he swung it out to the cameras first was something meant for her first. well, if not for the way sangmin asked if it was, "meant for momo." heechul's eyes flashed wide, the guests laughed, hodong snorted- it was a gag, even if he could see her, sitting there behind the cameras, supporting him and nothing less.

@kim heechul ❜ momo had already gotten all of the teasing earlier, when all of her members heard the news. she, unfortunately, didnt have a way to get out of everything, having to deal with whatever went her way. it wasn't too bad: her members were supportive and she didnt exactly feel the need to keep everything a secret. she had seen the articles, what fans had said, no doubt, but she had learned to turn a blind eye to it all. it wasn't the first time she had seen hate for something in her life, and even when the news had come out, she knew it wouldn't be the last time. so frankly, she just went on with her life.

managing to get into a cab and head off toward the set for knowing brothers, momo had gotten clearance to surprise heechul the day the news had come out. it had all been, on some level, arranged, but she couldn't help but feel giddy anyway. after paying for the cab, then making her way into the studio, she was pleased to know that he had already gone back for makeup. she snuck in amongst the staff, giving little waves to the producers and sitting amongst the others, her large puffy coat still on while waiting for the show to begin. but then, he walked out and took his seat, seemingly engrossed in his own thoughts before finally turning his head to see her. momo lifted her hand, fingers peeking from the edge of her sleeve, and waved to the man, a wide smile on her lips, though she figured to stay silent while things seemed to be getting started.

@hirai momo ❜ the "news" was out by the time heechul stepped on set for knowing bros. it hadn't exactly been a secret before then; it was a rumor first, and one that most elf had thrown out as being ridiculous even before both companies denied it, but hodong had given him a very physical jab in the ribs for it and kyunghoon had opened his mouth to make a joke that heechul never heard. neither did anyone else for that matter. it was far more tame when they all ribbed him about it on the show that day. he was still in his favorite track jacket the second he sat in the stylist's chair, youngchul only having just finished. when heechul caught him looking, thumbing his glasses further up his nose, the older comedian opened his mouth to speak. "get it all out now," the idol muttered with a sidelong glance. but nothing came of it besides a pat on the shoulder heechul could tell himself was purely congratulatory. that was better than the divisive comments on the articles.

it was some time before the stylist, all smiles for him, had released him from the chair with his hair and makeup done. heechul dressed himself, swapping out his track jacket for layered shirts beneath the dark uniform blazer for the day. he fixed his sleeves as he made his way out to the open side of the set first, not noticing anything amiss other than the gaffer standing on one of the desks to fix a blown bulb prior to the start of filming. he was engrossed in thought and his phone sat silent in his pocket, only thanks to having turned off the vibrations hours ago when one of his closest friends had resumed blowing up the group chat. the call for places on the set sent heechul toward his usual desk. he fixed a strand of blonde hair beneath his beanie, tucking it out of the way, when he caught sight of a familiar face he didn't expect to see today of all days.