The clay vase, smooth and elegant, sat carefully wrapped on the passenger seat of Kei's car. It had taken a week to perfect, but the result was worth it. The intricate carvings along the surface, inspired by subtle musical notes, made the piece a harmonious blend of Kei's artistry and Sung's world. He hadn't needed to deliver it personally, but Sung's personal invitation to tour the dance studio had piqued his curiosity. And he was still bored with life.

Kei adjusted his scarf as he stepped out of his car, the cool breeze of Seoul brushing past him. The building Sung had directed him to was unassuming from the outside, not unlike any other skyscraper in the district. But the moment he stepped in, the energy shifted. Lots of people and lots of movement.

Sung was waiting in the lobby to give him access. He was dressed in casual yet stylish athleisure—a loose gray hoodie and black joggers. His face lit up when he saw Kei.

"You made it!" Sung greeted, his usual cheerful tone laced with excitement. "Did you bring it?"

Kei held up the carefully wrapped vase and replied jokingly. "I did. It's a good thing I'm curious, or you will never get a personal delivery from me."

Sung laughed, motioning for Kei to follow him. "Curiosity is good! You opened the world of pottery to me. I wanted to show you where the K-pop industry magic happens. You're about to see the real blood, sweat, and tears of K-pop. It's not all glamor, you know."

As they walked through the halls, Sung pointed out various rooms. One had vocal coaches working with a few members of another group. Another studio had a sound engineer tweaking tracks. Finally, they arrived at the main rehearsal space for Sung's group, a sprawling room with mirrored walls and a polished wooden floor. Atlantis, Sung's group, was the leading act of their company and naturally had the best facilities in the building. Six other members of the group were scattered around, some stretching, others practicing intricate choreography with their choreographer.

"This is it," Sung said, gesturing to the space. "Where we spend most of our time, at least five hours each round."

Kei's eyes swept across the room. "I am sure it's intense," he said. "I've seen performances, but I never thought about what goes into them."

"A lot of caffeine and sweat and a little madness," Sung replied with a grin. "Come on, I'll introduce you."

The introductions were brief but warm. Most of the members were polite, curious about Kei's work as Sung explained the vase's creation. Finnian, the bandmate for whom the vase was intended, was especially enthusiastic.

"This is amazing," Finnian said, carefully unwrapping the gift. "I've been hearing about you from Sung and following your work. Sung said you're a genius with clay, but this... this is a treasure."

Kei inclined his head. "I'm glad you like it. Sung mentioned you recently got interested in art. It's always rewarding to make something for someone who appreciates it."

"He's being modest," Sung chimed in. "I've seen him work. The guy's a magician."

Kei smirked slightly, but before he could reply, another voice chimed in. "A magician? Now that's something I'd like to see for myself."

Kei turned to find Junnie, another of Sung's bandmates, approaching. Junnie was the tallest in the group and dressed in a checkered shirt, tank top and torn jeans for dance practice. His golden buzzcut and multiple golden earrings were eye catching. He extended a hand to Kei, his smile charming but with a hint of mischief. "I'm Junnie. Big fan of art—especially when it's as good as yours."

Kei shook his hand, offering a polite and reserved nod. "Nice to meet you. Are you an art collector?"

"Not officially," Junnie replied, his eyes sparkling with genuine interest. "But I draw and I dabble in this and that. I'd love to visit your gallery on our next off day. I hope to get a personal tour from you?"

Sung, standing just behind Junnie, stiffened slightly and protested. "Junnie, Kei's a busy guy. He doesn't have time to entertain your whims."

Junnie glanced over his shoulder, a teasing grin playing on his lips, his tone light but edged with playful challenge. He placed one hand on Kei's shoulder and leaned slightly into Sung's space as if to provoke him further. "Chill, Sung. I'm just asking."

Kei chuckled softly, sensing the tension. He also noticed Finnian glancing their way with curiosity. Not wanting further attention, he replied. "You're welcome to visit the gallery of course. I can arrange for a private tour."

Junnie's smile widened. "I'll hold you to that."

The choreographer clapped his hands. "Break's over! Let's go from the top."

Sung turned to Kei. "Stay and watch for a bit. I want you to see us in action."

Kei nodded, seating himself on one of the wooden benches at the back of the room. The music started, a high-energy beat that filled the room. Atlantis lived up to their reputation and moved as one, their synchronization flawless even during rehearsal. Kei couldn't help but be impressed by their dedication and precision.

After an hour, the rehearsal wrapped up, and Sung approached Kei, his hair damp with sweat. "What do you think?" he asked, grabbing a fresh towel from the rack.

"You're incredible," Kei admitted. "The effort and passion you all put into this is so inspiring."

Sung's eyes crinkled as he smiled warmly, his genuine delight shining through. "It's like how I feel about your work," he said, his voice quieter and a little shy. Kei paused for a moment, taken aback by the sincerity in Sung's tone. He felt a flicker of warmth stir within him, a rare sensation for his usual calm self. It was disarming, but not unpleasant.

"You know, I didn't DM you randomly." Sung admitted.

Kei raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"I saw you at the gala for the L... brand presenting your latest collab work with them," Sung admitted, fidgeting slightly. "You were so calm, so... grounded even on stage. And your work... it's like it has a soul of its own. I couldn't stop thinking about...it."

Kei's expression softened, the usual reserved demeanor giving way to something warmer. "You should have said something then."

"I don't think I would've had the courage," Sung confessed, with his usual humor and honesty. "My manager would have killed me if I drew unwanted attention at the gala too. But I'm glad I reached out afterwards. There is so much I want to learn about... I mean... from you."

For the first time in what felt like years, Kei felt a sense of excitement that had nothing to do with pottery. Sung's candid and enthusiastic spirit was indeed infectious. "Maybe I have something to learn from you as well," he said with a faint smile, a spark of interest lighting his eyes.

As they left the studio, Junnie waved goodbye at Kei and signaled that he will call him. Sung continued to nudge Kei out of the room. He felt a tinge of something unfamiliar—possessiveness, maybe? He wasn't sure. All he knew was that he didn't want to share Kei's attention just yet, not even with his band members.

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