‣ shopping centre

@☘︎┊nie baekhyun ᵒ Chanyeol was beyond excited to see Baekhyun outside of the Academy. It made everything better, now he could really try impressing Baekhyun. Bouncing lightly on his heels, he sees the jacket, smiling. “Oh! That’ll look very nice on ya!” Blinking when he hears what Baekhyun has to say, looking down at the clothes in his arms, the color in his face instantly draining then turning red. He looks at the other, unsure of how to respond, stuttering out incoherent words. “I-its not for me! I-i have two older sisters. B-baek don’t tease me like that.” He whines, following after him with a small pout on his face.

If he had any say, he would leave the clothes and just lock himself in his room. This was embarrassing. “D-do you have any plans after this? We can hang out! I promised you that banana pudding and I made one last night so it’s still good. Please Baekhyun?”

@☁︎┊lan chanyeol ᵇ Baekhyun bit down the immediate retort that had followed upon hearing the jarring term. The omega had heard from the security guard that the beta had been outside the storeroom until being thrown out. It hadn't exactly been news to the former; Baekhyun recalled the vague aroma of flowers mixed with a nutty smell. It was a plain, non-overbearing scent that had some comfort to it. He had neither needed nor expected the other to stay.

Baekhyun pursed his lips, focusing on the present. He adjusted his eyepatch that had gone askew in the bump, touching it lightly on the bottom so it was securely fastened over the damaged tissue underneath.

Cocking a brow at the beta's question, Baekhyun lifted his hand to show the winter jacket clutched between his fingers. "Interesting fashion choice you have there, " the janitor remarked, eyeing the array of female articles strewn over the taller's arms. There was even a pair of neon yoga pants peeking out from underneath a pink fur coat. He stared blankly up at the taller, face devoid of any expression to indicate if he was teasing. "The fitting rooms are behind you. Better try those yoga pants on before you have to exchange them."

Without another word, he headed to the nearest mirror instead to slide into the down, assessing its fit on him.

@☘︎┊nie baekhyun ᵒ Ah. It was the most interesting time of the year. Or as his sisters like to call it ‘Gifting season from their younger brother time.’ Sighing to himself, Chanyeol rubbed the back of his neck. Not really sure what he was going to pay for his siblings, they had pretty much everything they could ever want. Clumsily making his way to the mall, of course not missing the occasional trip, scrapes to his cheeks, or even dropping his wallet. It was the worst time of the year. Sighing as he somehow made it to the mall in one piece. Chanyeol took off his beanie. He looked like a puff ball with the new jacket his mother sent him. Looking around, the beta fidgets with his anxiety ring, soon putting earplugs into his ears to muffle the sounds.

The mall was lively, more than Chanyeol expected. He hated super huge crowds, fiddling with his anxiety ring, Chanyeol made it into the closest clothing store. One he frequented every so often, sighing to himself, he made his way inside. Greeting the workers with a shy smile, making sure to say his hellos and checking in on them. Chanyeol walked over to the women section, looking even more confused about whay was in style or season. One of the workers coming over to help the confused beta. She showed him jackets, shirts, pants, all of which Chanyeol grabbed a few things here and there.

Looking up, Chanyeol squeaks when he sees his soon to be best friend. Making his way over with clothes in hand, he walks over, clearing his throat to catch the others attention. Blinking when Baekhyun walks straight into him, he grins cheekily. “Hello~” he chuckles softly. “Nice to see ya.” Whining at the small shove, he steps back. “Hello bestie. Whatcha buying?”

@☁︎┊lan chanyeol ᵇ Eye on the mall ahead, Baekhyun strode with purpose. Ever since his jacket got taken by a Lan professor, he had to rely on another one — a gift he received from... someone he was close to — that was one size too small. The janitor could no longer rely on that; the weather was unforgiving. He kept his frozen hands in his pockets, pressing his arms close to his shivering body. The eyepatch was surprisingly useful for shielding his damaged skin against the blistering cold.

The entrance was within reach; Baekhyun pushed in, loosening his shoulders in the immediate warmth that enveloped him. Spotting the nearest clothing store, he swerved among window shoppers and bystanders alike, wrapped in their own world and without care for time. With the thought of purchasing a down jacket, he went straight to the section, sifting through the options hanging on the rack. He wasn't one to be particular about his clothing — as long as they fir. Focusing on the jackets, he didn't hear the footsteps approaching him and a soft cough to announce their presence.

The janitor grabbed a size off the rack and turned right towards the fitting rooms, only to knock his head into what felt like a concrete wall. He let out a small grunt. The smaller raised his head to meet the intruder's, narrowing his eye in startle. "Clumsy pup." His neck was strained awkwardly; Baekhyun gave the taller a small shove to create distance between them. "You're too close."

@☁︎┊lan hinata ᵇ Taeyong trailed behind Hinata as they reached the fruits aisle, watching her run off to the apples selection. Seeing her concentrated expression as she picked the best fruits brought a smile to his face. He looked away, scanning the area for the fruits he was looking for.

He eventually pinpointed it some distance away. He glided to the strawberry aisle and carefully looked at the available options. After careful inspection, he eventually found a box filled with plump, juicy strawberries that had no bruises or overripeness.

Nodding to himself, he took the box and placed it in his basket. He checked the other strawberries and found another box that met his criteria. He also placed that in the basket.

Satisfied with the amount, he glanced around the fruits aisle, quickly locating the beta. He quickly made his way to her side again, just in time to catch her asking a question.

He pondered the inquiry for a bit. Then, he typed on his phone.

‘Meat and vegetables. Maybe some snacks too. A few boxes of cooling patches while we’re at it.’

() as of current, she would technically be the fourth friend he has kekw although two of those friends he considers to be more sister-like hahaha

@☘︎┊nie taeyong ᵃ Hinata stifled a quiet laugh as she nods and begin to led the way to the fruit aisle, the lingering amusement from the male alpha earlier expression still flickering in her eyes. Once there, her focus shifted entirely. She scanned over the vibrant displays of various kind of fruits, her lips pursed slightly as she weighed her options.

Her eyes locked onto the apples— idea struck on as she stepped closer, inspecting each one with care. She picked up an apple, turning it slowly within her palm, her gaze sharp as if judging it on some unspoken standard. Satisfied, she began dropping them into a plastic bag— one, two, three— until the bag was packed full. With a swift twist, she tied it off and placed it in her basket.

The short beta didn't pause, grabbing another plastic bag and reaching for a different variety of apples. She loaded them with the same focused precision, her brows furrowed slightly in concentration. The world around her seemed to fade as she moved with practiced ease, her hands quick and deliberate.

By the time she finished, her basket was noticeably heavier but she didn't seem to mind. With a small nod of approval, she adjusted the basket on her arm. Two bag of apples are just enough for what she wanting to do and turn her head to look at Taeyong over her shoulder, flashing him her sweet smiles. "What are you planning on getting, Taey? I'm done grabbing with my things though."

() Can be one and only hinata friend then. They seems to be getting along easy for some reason :eyes:

@☁︎┊lan hinata ᵇ noticing her line of sight, taeyong followed her gaze to the top of the shelf. it was undoubtedly tall, much higher than hinata could reach. though, he could reach it.

he was about to put down the baskets and help when hinata suddenly climbed the shelf. his eyes widened in alarm, arms flailing. the baskets on his shoulder and elbow shifted with his movement.

he glanced around frantically to make sure no one witness the scene, arm outstretched behind hinata just in case she lost support. an inaudible sigh of relief left him when she landed back on the floor, fixing her with a stern look that's not unlike a mother chastising her child.

exhaling slowly and shaking his head, taeyong typed on his phone in response to heejin's plan.

'i do need to get some stuff, but we can grab the fruits first. i also have something to take from there anyway.'

he nodded towards the fruits aisle, adjusting the basket on his shoulder as he waited for hinata to lead the way.

() i'm down for that!! this lil guy needs more friends anyway hehehe

@☘︎┊nie taeyong ᵃ Hinata turn her head, doe glossy eyes scanning over quick to read the alpha male text on the screen, her lips pursing in thought as she eyed the cereal aisle, considering what to grab next. She scanned the rows of boxes, her fingers absentmindedly brushing over a few. But then, her gaze flickered upward, locking onto a box perched at the very top shelf.

Without a word to Taeyong, she stepped forward and adjusting her lighter basket on her arm, glancing around for a brief moment before carefully step onto the bottom shelf for balance as she begin to climbed up.

She stretched her short arm as far as she could, reaching up just enough to grab the box, her fingertips brushing the edge. With a quick motion, she pulled it down, landing gracefully back on the floor. The cereal was exactly what she wanted—nothing fancy but comforting.

"This one," she said simply, her tone matter-of-fact as she slid the box into her basket, glancing back at Taeyong with a wide smiles, eyes slightly crescent as she do so. Then, she continued her search, eyes scanning the aisles again, her lips still pursed in thought as she pondered her next purchase. "Eh maybe grab couple of fruits and we are good to go too. Unless you want to buy something."

() hehehe lets make them meet each other more. It can be a growing friendship for them

@☁︎┊lan hinata ᵇ a gravelly chuckle left taeyong at hinata's proposal, not at all minding the set-up. he checked the items in the basket and picked out the chips and chocolate bars, putting them in the new basket that the beta brought over. he readjusted the basket on his shoulder—still heavy, but not as much as it was before. he could handle it.

taeyong raised a brow in intrigue at the teasing tone and suggestive brow waggle. however, before he could type anything on his phone, hinata had turned around and started down a new aisle. his smile turned into a full-on grin, shaking his head at the beta's mischief as he quickly followed after her.

although, he made a quick dive for another basket. this one would be for heejin. he hung the basket from the crook of his elbow and jogged over to hinata's side.

taeyong looked over the varied selection of cereals, immediately spotting the brand heejin liked. he smiled and grabbed a pack of koko krunch, carefully sliding that into his own basket. he adjusted hinata's basket on his shoulder before typing on his phone again, playing the message on speaker.

'what other items do you need?'

() let's do both nyEHEHE

@☘︎┊nie taeyong ᵃ Hinata quirked an eyebrow as she glanced at the screen then at the basket Taeyong was holding, her smirk growing. "Yeah, you take the heavy one, and I'll grab the lighter stuff," she said with a casual shrug, reaching for another basket.

When she noticed the amusement in his countenance, her own turned playful. With her lower lip slightly jutted out, she leaned slightly closer, her voice taking on a teasing lilt. "Why? You wanted to go shopping together with me instead?" She raised her eyebrows and wiggled them suggestively, clearly enjoying the moment.

Without waiting for a response, she spun on her heel, heading toward the aisle of cereal, her laughter barely contained. "Come on then~ we can do that now that I have an empty basket in my hand~"

() phones can talk if you put as text to audio option. But we can be goofy in our hand sign too if you wanna HAHAHAHA

@☁︎┊lan hinata ᵇ Taeyong widened his eyes and quickly took the basket from Hinata, a grunt of surprise leaving him at the weight on his shoulder. He leaned his body to the side, making sure the basket wouldn’t fall as he typed on his phone. He then let the phone speak his message.

‘Another basket would be a good idea.’

He glanced at the basket filled with items and typed again.

‘Is this all the items that you need? Seems like you went ahead without me.’

There was amusement in the way his eyes light up and his smile graced his features.

() I totally didn’t forget phones can talk lOL

@☘︎┊nie taeyong ᵃ Hinata shifted the basket on her arm, which was filled to the brim with an assortment of items—several packets of instant ramen, a few cartons of strawberry milk and a stash of course some chips and chocolate bars precariously balanced on top.

As Taeyong approached to her, she blinked when the alpha suddenly pulled his phone and couldn't but to squint to see the text. At the word she then look at him with one brow slightly arch.

"I've been waiting long enough to start debating if I need a second basket," she remarked, her tone laced with mild sarcasm and her button nose slightly scrunched up, disbelief by this man way of greeting. "Please save me from my misery from carrying such a heavy basket please."

@☁︎┊lan hinata ᵇ () LMAO CLAIMING MONEY IS CRAZYYY It’s okay TY will take it out of his pocket hahaha

Taeyong was up and out the door before Hinata’s message, on his way to the shopping centre when she finally responded. He needed to buy strawberries for Heejin anyway, so whether Hinata agreed or not, he would need to get moving.

Taeyong moved fast, eventually reaching the shopping centre. Curiously, he checked the entrance for the person he was supposed to meet up with. He noticed a girl idling by the automatic door and checked his phone. Hinata’s profile picture matched the waiting lady’s countenance.

Taeyong approached Hinata, a smile on his lips as he waved. He typed on his phone, showing it to the Lan member.

‘Did I keep you waiting?’