Chapter Text
Kangmin takes multiple deep breaths, unable to keep his body calm and still at the thought of talking to his sunbaenims. He stares down at the large bag of gifts he is clenching tightly in his fists. He mutters random patterns of words and sounds under his breath, questioning stares sent his direction in the midst of it. He glances at the large and imposing paper sign labeled with ‘PENTAGON’ upon it, and he feels a tinge of regret of even thinking of coming to their waiting room, let alone with anything with him. But he’s here. It’s too late to turn back and with that in mind, he knocks on their door, hoping for the best. There’s a beat of silence before a voice grants him permission to enter, which he does rather meekly.
He immediately does a full ninety-degree bow, not wanting to seem impolite for suddenly intruding on them during the waiting time. The people in the room are left speechless, blinking in confusion, before one of them snaps out of it and their face breaks out into a full grin and he tugs the younger boy into his grip. “You’re so cute!” He exclaims.
Kangmin flushes at the sudden compliment but accepts it nonetheless. “Thank you, Yeoone-sunbaenim.”
The man rapidly shakes his head. “No need to be so formal! Just hyung is fine, Kangmin-ah,” he explains.
Kangmin gently pulls his head away from the older’s chest — god they’re all so tall — and tilts his head, like that of a naive and curious puppy. “I…okay then, Yeoone-hyung!”
Yeoone’s expression brightens up even more if it’s even humanly possible, and at that moment the other seven members of Pentagon’s brains seem to catch up with what’s currently happening and Hui rushes over to where the two are, promptly pulling his member away from the younger boy. “Give the kid some space,” he lightly scolds, although there is no heat in his voice.
“Ah! Hui-sunbaenim! I brought you all gifts!” Kangmin hollers unnecessarily loud.
Hui gives the boy a small smile. “I see. Thank you, Kangmin-ah,” he responds kindly. “By the way, how old are you, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“Oh, I was born in 2003… I’m 18 right now,” he states.
Jinho looks at him intently. “We have an eleven-year age gap… Jeez, I feel so old now,” he mutters mostly to himself, although Kangmin decides to respond.
“There’s nothing wrong with that, sunbaenim! Besides, you don’t look a day older than twenty!” He smiles brightly, handing him the gift at the same time.
Jinho chuckles in response. “Thanks, Kangmin-ah,” he replies.
Kangmin shrugs it off and remembers what he wanted to say to his sunbaenims in the first place.
“Your performance today was super amazing! Thank you for not making us pay to see it,” he cracks a joke in the midst of his nervousness.
Hongseok’s gaze softens when he spots the boy’s fingers twitching and his legs tensing up. He pats the younger’s head and smiles gently at him, pulling him into a hug. Kangmin quietly sputters at the sudden action, but takes it as it is; he doesn’t look too much into it. He lets the older wrap around his torso, his large hands comfortingly patting his back. Kangmin relaxes into his touch, letting out a sigh of content. Hongseok suddenly lifts him off his feet and the younger yelps at the motion. Hongseok responds with a small chuckle as he sits down and places him back down on his lap bridal style. He tilts his head at Kangmin and lightly runs his fingers through the boy’s hair. Kangmin stares into the other’s eyes before breaking away, flushing at the pseudo-staring contest; Hongseok doesn’t seem too fazed, instead opting to chuckle at the younger.
The silence is broken when Hongseok asks, “Can we get your number?”
Kangmin giggles. “Sure, sunbaenim!”
His bright cheeks, glowing skin, sweater paws, and charming eye smile make all of them coo, and they do end up exchanging numbers, and in the middle of it all, his group comes to pick him up. Respectfully bowing to their sunbaenim, they watch in curiosity as their maknae Kangmin skips and walks with a pep in his step for the rest of the way out of the building. They don't question it, however, as they know from personal experience just how easy it is for people to warm up to Kangmin easily.