[ him like wow, tobari's type is strange... (zero self-awareness)
he opens his mouth and already begins chewing down on the pancakes. in spite of the mint from the toothpaste still strong in his mouth, the tartness of the berries still end up shining through, and he can't help but let out a contented sound. ] Mm, it's just the right amount of sweetness.
[ almost like second nature, he strips down easily with little command. he lets tobari dress him as needed, but half-way through... he does realize that this feels wrong???? shouldn't two people who are dating (debatable) have a little more tension than this?
he looks back at tobari and suddenly grabs his hands. you are allowed to stare, tobari...
or so rafayel's silent gaze seems to be saying. in reality, he probably looks crazy. ]
[ in between feeding rafayel bites and handing him pieces of clothes to put on, tobari uses the same fork to also feed himself. for this reason only, rafayel is valid in thinking they’re dating for the sheer level of nonchalance tobari has over indirect kisses and having a nearly naked idol in front of him.
but it’s funny that while rafayel is thinking about the importance of ust in their relationship(?), tobari is trying to manage the insane multi-tasking of getting the both of them fed, getting raf dressed, and running a mental timer of how long they have before they leave
and then his hands are seized and he’s being stared at insanely ]
[ NOT THE INDIRECT KISSES!!!! reason #58978 rafayel is being so misled
except, he can only blame himself for relying purely on ( singles inferno voice ) eye contact and banter. jk, his affections on the day-to-day are probably strikingly obvious. you know, aside from tobari himself, who probably thinks rafayel is just permanently on idol mode.
like now when tobari stares and rafayel even gives him a wink.
... when that also doesn't seem to be working, and tobari just gives him that what, his lips easily settle into a slight pout. ] I was trying to give you some extra service. [ he leads tobari's hands to touch over his waist. ] What do you think?
[ it's true, he just thinks that he's being harassed because rafayel is just like this... they're together all the time and this is just how rafayel interacts with him? why would he think that he's any different to anyone else?
briefly, tobari's expression teeters into exasperation over the wink and where his hands are guided... okay................... ]
I think....
[ the corner of his mouth quirks up into a smirk—the only warning before he pinches at rafayel's sides and then tickles him relentlessly ]
You become a real problem for me when you get this bored. Come on, finish getting dressed, we need to get in the car.
Hey, that's cheating...! [ he's already trying to suppress a laugh and keep it cool. but that's incredibly hard when he's also wiggling from side to side trying to avoid his hands. he's retreating away with his hands up— ]
Okay, okay!! Sheesh, instead of a bodyguard, you sure you weren't sent to be my assassin?
[ going to finish changing!!! not happily though!!! ]
[ hilarious... tobari is openly laughing, double-checking that the bag is packed for the day... rafayel's sketchpad for composing, water, melon drink, some candy, spare clothes if they want to try to get dinner like normal people after the shoot... ]
That's true, I have enough of your weaknesses memorized to be good at that, too.
[ but then he'll go and take one more bite of their pancakes once the bag is packed and on his shoulder... he brings the styrofoam over to rafayel, scooping up the last perfect bite and holding it up to his mouth ]
Here, last bite. [ and as if he's just thinking about something - ] It's also colder than I thought it'd be outside. I'm gonna borrow one of your jackets.
[ the cheapest and most nondescript jacket that raf has.............. he doesn't want to deal with fans noticing clothes sharing because they insanely would
upon reflection i think you really can't blame raf for thinking they were dating ]
[ tobari laughs and rafayel plans his revenge for later.
but, it's hard to stay (fake) mad when tobari is so diligent in preparing his bag for the day. even if the sight is one he sees everyday, he can't help but be taken by the idea that tobari's thoughts are filled with him from day to until night (because it's his job). he zips his jacket, and places his face mask on, only pulling it below his chin to get the final bite of pancake.
however, he only ends up biting into half of it, before pushing the rest back to tobari.
with that settled, he'll then reach from around tobari to pull out a similar jacket to the one he's wearing. the only difference is that rafayel's has a hood. ready for the fans to be insane... their brainrot... our brainrot. anyway, he's already helping tobari put it on before he can say no. ]
Actually, I bought this for you from before, so you don't need to bother returning it.
[ not the half a bite of pancake... tobari tilts his head in confusion but he doesn't want to waste it, so sure, he'll eat the rest.
except he's blinking in surprise when rafayel brings out a jacket for him.... why are they matching........ they don't have time to bicker about this so he'll just slip his arms into the jacket anyway ]
.... I thought I told you to stop spending money on me....
[ do they have this argument in every au. i think so ]
[ he's probably heard this before and he swiftly decides, he doesn't like hearing it, soooo. ]
Come on, let's head out. Is it okay if I put the accessories on in the car?
[ he's now carefully zipping tobari up, taking his time as he's letting his knuckles touch his body. when he's done, he smiles as he latches the top button over the zipper; tobari zipped up to under his chin is somehow really cute to him. ]
I said you have better things to save for. [ grumbling!! but also, ] .... thanks.
[ HE CAN'T BE INCONSIDERATE. he doesn't want rafayel to think that it's wasted on him... it's a nice jacket... so he frowns even as he lets rafayel zip him all the way up....
still, he'll reach up to gently pinch raf's cheek before letting go. he's a pain but he's tobari's pain ]
Mm, that's fine. There'll be a makeup artist on set.
[ but he'll grab their bag as well the keys, moving to head out and expecting rafayel to follow. ]
As long as I have my music, it’s not like I’ll ever starve. Probably. [ so it’s not for tobari to worry about, or so he thinks. he’s about to pat him on the head, but is beat out by the way tobari pinches his cheek. hey… he’s the older one?
he gently pushes his shoulder against tobari’s in a petty revenge as he moves past him. though, not before he grabs a drink packet out of the cabinet for tobari. health drink… since it’s cold out, he figures he will need his vitamins and herbal supplements. he tucks it into his jacket pocket as he follows him out.
it’s nice to be able to commute together. while he dutifully moved to sit in the back seat, it’s not without him already trying to help tobari put his seatbelt on from behind… ]
Is it the same makeup artist from last time? They didn’t go back to Yori? [ you thought i wouldn’t mention him here. ntr… ]
[ the way that rafayel is like 'probably' but tobari has already prepared in advance for the possibility that one day he might get tired of idol life and tobari needs to have a specific number for raf to have saved up to make sure he never is at risk of being a starving artist................... tobari like 'you can retire comfortably when you hit x amount of dollars and i will not be terrified for you' like a worrywart
not the health drink... truly tobari's horrible lungs persist in every universe. he'll catch the seatbelt after raf is trying to help him put it on, huffing out a breath ]
I got it, Raf. [ even if he finds the assistance endearing...
and then he immediately scowls at the mention of yori ] Same one, but I can't convince her to drop him as a client even though he's an ass. So she still worked with him on his last editorial shoot... but she does good work. It takes skill to take such a putrid person and cover up all his shit.
[ grumble mumble......... yori probably looked great even though he's a BITCH ]
[ this is why tobari gets called mommybari... he can't even complain
tobari is managing his finances, while he is managing tobari's health. despite how resistant he is to schedules in general, and how prone he was to absorbed by his own whims— it's true that he did his best to also ensure tobari was being taken care of. was the venue warm enough? did he bring him an extra heat pack? scarf?
but, maybe it's easier to worry about him, when all his items are so well taken care of. it's why he doesn't think twice about trying to help him with his seatbelt. even if there may be an ulterior motive to it. he has to spice up their relationship (there is no relationship). ]
You say that, but I saw you staring. [ a pout as he releases his hold of the seatbelt as soon as tobari clicks it into place. he settles back into his seat with a small sigh, like he's a pet that's been abandoned all day. ] ... That other shoot you mentioned the other day, don't decline it.
[ he probably yapped about how he wasn't interested and how it had nothing to do with music,
[ raf is so thoughtful… it is what occasionally makes tobari wonder if they could make this work outside of just their tie to each other’s employment… and then he decides that he shouldn’t think about something like that when rafayel is clearly doing all this just to play (lol)
but he is glad that they’re best friends 🥺
and best friends support each other in their pursuits of being sexy. even though tobari also glances at rafayel through the rear view mirror for a second. then he sighs, beginning to drive ]
Of course you can.
[ an easy agreement. fuck yori ]
But you don’t need to take on that work just to compete with him, you know… Once you let him get in your head, he’s already winning.
[ tobari’s solution is to just avoid thinking about yori at all!!!! ]
even if it isn't a lie. even if they weren't romantically involved (once again, delusion), rafayel could easily say that tobari is the person that knows him best. that despite all his complaining, he was always in his corner, ready to support him, even through his mistakes and constant faults. he trusted tobari more than he's trusted anyone, even himself. that doesn't mitigate any of his actual insecurities, nor does it control his moods, but it's there.
when he sees tobari's eyes in the mirror, he tries not to make it obvious that he stares for a second, before looking away. he feigns a certain nonchalance about the whole thing. though, it does almost make him smile when tobari says, "of course you can." he feels his heartbeat a little faster in the moment, before: ]
It's better he's in my head than yours. [ a shrug. ]
I'll outsell him, so you can hold your head high and look forward to it, Mister Manager.
tobari could acknowledge yori's ability to model well, but everything else reeks so badly of nepobaby and being such a shit person that it's hard for him to justify anything else. they used to spend hours together everyday, and every time tobari entertained the idea for five seconds that maybe yori could be decent, it'd be followed up with something else that pissed him off...
it's easier to spend his days focusing on rafayel instead. for all his moodiness and tantrums, rafayel was an artist genuinely earned tobari's respect and admiration. not to mention the fact that somewhere along the way, he became a genuinely important person in tobari's life. someone who he wants to see happy and successful, even outside the expectations of being an idol. ]
I'd rather you not think of him either. [ huffs ] But you'll do fine in the photoshoot if you want to book it. I'll confirm it when we get to today's site.
[ the way that it's probably some sexy concept and tobari's like yeah sure raf's hot he can do it. even if what comes out of his mouth can be nonsense, they don't need to capture that for the ad... ]
there's a shared past between yori and tobari that rafayel feels like he may never comprehend in full. he believes tobari's distaste, but as much as he does, he also has an equal amount of unwavering trust in the idea that tobari would support anyone in the same way. ... and it'd be a lie to state that it doesn't rub rafayel the wrong way.
was it a crime to want to be special in the eyes of your boyfriend?
which might be way that rafayel is already thinking of acting up just a little. but, for now. ] Thanks. [ a small pause, before: ] Then will you help me practice?
[ he cannot refute that all that comes out of his mouth is nonsense, yeah...
this is also tobari's fault for being the [redacted] of all time, even if he isn't actually dating anyone. ]
What, practice fanservice? Or finding your angles?
[ tobari actually thinks rafayel does just fine with fanservice? he does it with tobari all the time and he's not even working? though he supposes that rafayel's style is usually more of the annoying, bratty kind of flirty rather than anything actually sultry or sensual.... ]
Mm... yeah, that should be fine. [ should it. he's not even thinking about this being overly sexy. ] You already have a lot to work with, so it'd probably just be small tweaks...
[ tobari has eyes... rafayel... is hot... he's just also ridiculous and that shatters the illusion but realistically hot people should be goofy otherwise they're just boring ]
[ not him actually analyzing his flirting style...
the misunderstandings only grow, as rafayel wonders if this was the green light for him to be a bit more proactive in their relationship. as far as he was concerns, this was like receiving express permission to seduce him...
in reality, it's work.
but, his mood is already lifted with that promise alone, and he doesn't even consider for a minute it could mean anything different. he hums a little to himself now, seemingly more relaxed than he did seconds ago. the desire to send 45 orders of doordash to him is temporarily quelled. ]
A lot to work with, huh...? Sounds like someone's been looking at me in a strange way. [ lust? ... he wishes. ] I might be scared now. [ yet he sounds incredibly excited as opposed to being in fear. ]
I’m your manager, but I also have eyes? Don’t make it into something creepy.
[ little does tobari know that rafayel took this as a green light to seduce him? oh the misunderstandings continue.
nonetheless, they continue on their drive and eventually make it to their shoot location! it is… amusement park, heho. tobari shows off their credentials to get them access to a private parking lot but explains they could only get one trailer approved due to the busy venue so it’s why they don’t have an allocated changing space for rafayel even though they were able to set up a tent for makeup prep and touch ups. tobari explains the brief to be a combination of shots that would go in a magazine as well as be featured in b-roll for assorted tv appearances…
once parked, he’ll unbuckle his seatbelt and grab their bags again, heading out to open raf’s car door for him ]
Any questions? It’s just this today, so give it your all and then we can rest since tomorrow is the debut stage.
[ and they will be grinding for the next few months after… so trying to find breaks for raf where they can… ]
[ rafayel remains dutifully unbothered. one changing room, or not wouldn't change his ability to adapt on the fly. even now, he uses the time in between tobari checking them in to also slip in one of his earbuds and get into the vibe for the shoot. he relaxes a little, clearing his mind for how chaotic sets usually tended to be.
when tobari opens the door, he slips his face mask on. ]
No questions. I'll make it quick, boss. [ lol,
he winks in tune with the nickname, before hopping out and heading towards makeup. the process is easy, especially since he already came in with a clean base. the vibe of the makeup is subtle and goes by fast. if anything, it's doing the hair that may have taken longer...
when he's all done and ready, he's already asking around: ] Where's Tobari?
[ cue everyone calling rafayel out for always looking for him, and being attached at the hip.
if he says duh, he's my boyfriend... don't kill him. at least, it sounds like a joke coming from rafayel. ]
tobari accepts being called 'boss' so easily... the way that this nickname has probably lingered around the other staff whenever tobari and raf come together... it's true that tobari tends to run a tight ship on sets even when he has to defer to the director and other staff. he's quick about where to direct rafayel, doesn't mince words, and efficient in the workflow.
tobari would absolutely throttle rafayel for just calling him his boyfriend, but the fact of the matter is that he's busy. the staff point rafayel in the direction of the barricade set up a little further out where the most dedicated fans have somehow found out that rafayel would be on location today... how do they know this... like how did the shinee fans know that minho would be at the olympics and meet him at the airport? that's so insane to me
anyway tobari has gone ahead to thank them for their support and collect their gifts for rafayel so he can check them for security reasons... no weird track devices embedded in cookies on his watch... it gives him something to do while rafayel is busy modeling...
the fans try to ask him about rafayel, personal questions, etc etc but his answers are almost rote: ]
Thank you for your support. [ gets handed a giant teddy bear... tries to hold it along with his handful of fan letters ] Ah, thank you. He's busy as always.
[ ignores a fan asking him for aegyo... does he look like an idol to you.... no.... ]
[ maybe it's for a best he missed out on rafayel misbehaving then.
the staff know better than to run their mouths. especially, since the price of unverified rumors was high. they'd rather be cautious than fall into rafayel's whimsy, and maybe that's how they've managed to get by with no actual dating rumors. then again, rafayel also wasn't the type who got needlessly close to others idols. after all, the person he was closest to was right there in front of him, standing by the threshold of where the fans gathered and where the staff entrance was aptly blocked off.
not shinee... but no you're right. how do they always know? then again i did watch a documentary where people pay taxi drivers to stalk and send them the scoops, and how they just hang around placed for hours unprompted and just based off of snooping their sns.
the sight of tobari holding a giant teddy bear is oddly heart-warming, and so he appears from behind him. he wraps his arms around tobari, if just to grab the teddy bear from him and save him from aegyo because that's... for his eyes only? ] Thank you all so much. Sorry, but I'm going to have to steal this guy back. The shoot can't start or finish without the main character.
[ but, still holding the teddy with one hand around tobari, he does use his free hand to make a cat ear pose on one side.
annoyingly gives fan service while half-hugging tobari... how does he keep getting away with this ]
[ all the other staff also assigning this as rafayel's whimsy when he says things with his full chest is so funny.... him like why does no one believe me? are we not obviously dating? as tobari just ignores all his advances when they're at work
of course, at the sudden appearance of rafayel, the fans immediately start tittering with even more excitement. there's a few squeaks and squeals of his name, phones now brought out just to catch a brief video that will end up on social media later, and there's even someone who starts crying... he is so cute... he is so beautiful.... how can such a lovely person exist (imposes all my feelings onto this random fan)
tobari grumbles at the sudden appearance, but he's willing to give up the giant bear to rafayel if only because he needs to make sure he's collected all the other gifts diligently... there's a brief interaction where an especially bold fan starts to reach toward rafayel and tobari immediately switches gears to intercept their hand with a nudge of his own, putting himself between rafayel and the fan in half a second. warningly: ] Careful.
[ careful or you'll lose that hand is what goes unsaid based on the instant way his gaze sharpens into a glare.
but he'll move on quickly now that he knows rafayel is done at makeup, glancing back to him— ] You could've just gone to the director's tent without me. Let's go.
[ back to work.... even though these interactions will be all over the internet in 0.7 seconds... some of them already are.... ]
[ he is basically the little boy who cried wolf, it's true. he makes this joke so often that they're like yes, yes, whatever you say crazy man. probably made all the more convincing by tobari's complete lack of a reaction...
also i knew i would regret this... where are the fans demanding him to get out of their sims house.
so instead, we focus on how cool tobari is. per usual, he's quick to switch gears. it does make him laugh to think tobari can go from accepting large teddy bears to suddenly being so threatening... while he knows it's tobari's job, he can't help but think it also felt a little more personal than that.
rafayel gives them all a final wave— ] Be on good behavior, or this guy will have to bite you.
[ it's really all fun and games... but, he does end up diligently heading towards the director's tent. ]
What, and leave you to fend for yourself? They would have been asking you to meow next.
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he opens his mouth and already begins chewing down on the pancakes. in spite of the mint from the toothpaste still strong in his mouth, the tartness of the berries still end up shining through, and he can't help but let out a contented sound. ] Mm, it's just the right amount of sweetness.
[ almost like second nature, he strips down easily with little command. he lets tobari dress him as needed, but half-way through... he does realize that this feels wrong???? shouldn't two people who are dating (debatable) have a little more tension than this?
he looks back at tobari and suddenly grabs his hands. you are allowed to stare, tobari...
or so rafayel's silent gaze seems to be saying. in reality, he probably looks crazy. ]
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but it’s funny that while rafayel is thinking about the importance of ust in their relationship(?), tobari is trying to manage the insane multi-tasking of getting the both of them fed, getting raf dressed, and running a mental timer of how long they have before they leave
and then his hands are seized and he’s being stared at insanely ]
What.
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except, he can only blame himself for relying purely on ( singles inferno voice ) eye contact and banter. jk, his affections on the day-to-day are probably strikingly obvious. you know, aside from tobari himself, who probably thinks rafayel is just permanently on idol mode.
like now when tobari stares and rafayel even gives him a wink.
... when that also doesn't seem to be working, and tobari just gives him that what, his lips easily settle into a slight pout. ] I was trying to give you some extra service. [ he leads tobari's hands to touch over his waist. ] What do you think?
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briefly, tobari's expression teeters into exasperation over the wink and where his hands are guided... okay................... ]
I think....
[ the corner of his mouth quirks up into a smirk—the only warning before he pinches at rafayel's sides and then tickles him relentlessly ]
You become a real problem for me when you get this bored. Come on, finish getting dressed, we need to get in the car.
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Okay, okay!! Sheesh, instead of a bodyguard, you sure you weren't sent to be my assassin?
[ going to finish changing!!! not happily though!!! ]
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That's true, I have enough of your weaknesses memorized to be good at that, too.
[ but then he'll go and take one more bite of their pancakes once the bag is packed and on his shoulder... he brings the styrofoam over to rafayel, scooping up the last perfect bite and holding it up to his mouth ]
Here, last bite. [ and as if he's just thinking about something - ] It's also colder than I thought it'd be outside. I'm gonna borrow one of your jackets.
[ the cheapest and most nondescript jacket that raf has.............. he doesn't want to deal with fans noticing clothes sharing because they insanely would
upon reflection i think you really can't blame raf for thinking they were dating ]
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but, it's hard to stay (fake) mad when tobari is so diligent in preparing his bag for the day. even if the sight is one he sees everyday, he can't help but be taken by the idea that tobari's thoughts are filled with him from day to until night (because it's his job). he zips his jacket, and places his face mask on, only pulling it below his chin to get the final bite of pancake.
however, he only ends up biting into half of it, before pushing the rest back to tobari.
with that settled, he'll then reach from around tobari to pull out a similar jacket to the one he's wearing. the only difference is that rafayel's has a hood. ready for the fans to be insane... their brainrot... our brainrot. anyway, he's already helping tobari put it on before he can say no. ]
Actually, I bought this for you from before, so you don't need to bother returning it.
[ help, it's true... only tobari doesn't know they're dating. everyone else knows. ]
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except he's blinking in surprise when rafayel brings out a jacket for him.... why are they matching........ they don't have time to bicker about this so he'll just slip his arms into the jacket anyway ]
.... I thought I told you to stop spending money on me....
[ do they have this argument in every au. i think so ]
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[ he's probably heard this before and he swiftly decides, he doesn't like hearing it, soooo. ]
Come on, let's head out. Is it okay if I put the accessories on in the car?
[ he's now carefully zipping tobari up, taking his time as he's letting his knuckles touch his body. when he's done, he smiles as he latches the top button over the zipper; tobari zipped up to under his chin is somehow really cute to him. ]
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[ HE CAN'T BE INCONSIDERATE. he doesn't want rafayel to think that it's wasted on him... it's a nice jacket... so he frowns even as he lets rafayel zip him all the way up....
still, he'll reach up to gently pinch raf's cheek before letting go. he's a pain but he's tobari's pain ]
Mm, that's fine. There'll be a makeup artist on set.
[ but he'll grab their bag as well the keys, moving to head out and expecting rafayel to follow. ]
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he gently pushes his shoulder against tobari’s in a petty revenge as he moves past him. though, not before he grabs a drink packet out of the cabinet for tobari. health drink… since it’s cold out, he figures he will need his vitamins and herbal supplements. he tucks it into his jacket pocket as he follows him out.
it’s nice to be able to commute together. while he dutifully moved to sit in the back seat, it’s not without him already trying to help tobari put his seatbelt on from behind… ]
Is it the same makeup artist from last time? They didn’t go back to Yori? [ you thought i wouldn’t mention him here. ntr… ]
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not the health drink... truly tobari's horrible lungs persist in every universe. he'll catch the seatbelt after raf is trying to help him put it on, huffing out a breath ]
I got it, Raf. [ even if he finds the assistance endearing...
and then he immediately scowls at the mention of yori ] Same one, but I can't convince her to drop him as a client even though he's an ass. So she still worked with him on his last editorial shoot... but she does good work. It takes skill to take such a putrid person and cover up all his shit.
[ grumble mumble......... yori probably looked great even though he's a BITCH ]
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tobari is managing his finances, while he is managing tobari's health. despite how resistant he is to schedules in general, and how prone he was to absorbed by his own whims— it's true that he did his best to also ensure tobari was being taken care of. was the venue warm enough? did he bring him an extra heat pack? scarf?
but, maybe it's easier to worry about him, when all his items are so well taken care of. it's why he doesn't think twice about trying to help him with his seatbelt. even if there may be an ulterior motive to it. he has to spice up their relationship (there is no relationship). ]
You say that, but I saw you staring. [ a pout as he releases his hold of the seatbelt as soon as tobari clicks it into place. he settles back into his seat with a small sigh, like he's a pet that's been abandoned all day. ] ... That other shoot you mentioned the other day, don't decline it.
[ he probably yapped about how he wasn't interested and how it had nothing to do with music,
and here he is. flip flopping. ]
If he can do it, I can do it to, you know.
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but he is glad that they’re best friends 🥺
and best friends support each other in their pursuits of being sexy. even though tobari also glances at rafayel through the rear view mirror for a second. then he sighs, beginning to drive ]
Of course you can.
[ an easy agreement. fuck yori ]
But you don’t need to take on that work just to compete with him, you know… Once you let him get in your head, he’s already winning.
[ tobari’s solution is to just avoid thinking about yori at all!!!! ]
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even if it isn't a lie. even if they weren't romantically involved (once again, delusion), rafayel could easily say that tobari is the person that knows him best. that despite all his complaining, he was always in his corner, ready to support him, even through his mistakes and constant faults. he trusted tobari more than he's trusted anyone, even himself. that doesn't mitigate any of his actual insecurities, nor does it control his moods, but it's there.
when he sees tobari's eyes in the mirror, he tries not to make it obvious that he stares for a second, before looking away. he feigns a certain nonchalance about the whole thing. though, it does almost make him smile when tobari says, "of course you can." he feels his heartbeat a little faster in the moment, before: ]
It's better he's in my head than yours. [ a shrug. ]
I'll outsell him, so you can hold your head high and look forward to it, Mister Manager.
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[ mumble grumble...
tobari could acknowledge yori's ability to model well, but everything else reeks so badly of nepobaby and being such a shit person that it's hard for him to justify anything else. they used to spend hours together everyday, and every time tobari entertained the idea for five seconds that maybe yori could be decent, it'd be followed up with something else that pissed him off...
it's easier to spend his days focusing on rafayel instead. for all his moodiness and tantrums, rafayel was an artist genuinely earned tobari's respect and admiration. not to mention the fact that somewhere along the way, he became a genuinely important person in tobari's life. someone who he wants to see happy and successful, even outside the expectations of being an idol. ]
I'd rather you not think of him either. [ huffs ] But you'll do fine in the photoshoot if you want to book it. I'll confirm it when we get to today's site.
[ the way that it's probably some sexy concept and tobari's like yeah sure raf's hot he can do it. even if what comes out of his mouth can be nonsense, they don't need to capture that for the ad... ]
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there's a shared past between yori and tobari that rafayel feels like he may never comprehend in full. he believes tobari's distaste, but as much as he does, he also has an equal amount of unwavering trust in the idea that tobari would support anyone in the same way. ... and it'd be a lie to state that it doesn't rub rafayel the wrong way.
was it a crime to want to be special in the eyes of your boyfriend?
which might be way that rafayel is already thinking of acting up just a little. but, for now. ] Thanks. [ a small pause, before: ] Then will you help me practice?
[ he cannot refute that all that comes out of his mouth is nonsense, yeah...
this is also tobari's fault for being the [redacted] of all time, even if he isn't actually dating anyone. ]
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What, practice fanservice? Or finding your angles?
[ tobari actually thinks rafayel does just fine with fanservice? he does it with tobari all the time and he's not even working? though he supposes that rafayel's style is usually more of the annoying, bratty kind of flirty rather than anything actually sultry or sensual.... ]
Mm... yeah, that should be fine. [ should it. he's not even thinking about this being overly sexy. ] You already have a lot to work with, so it'd probably just be small tweaks...
[ tobari has eyes... rafayel... is hot... he's just also ridiculous and that shatters the illusion but realistically hot people should be goofy otherwise they're just boring ]
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the misunderstandings only grow, as rafayel wonders if this was the green light for him to be a bit more proactive in their relationship. as far as he was concerns, this was like receiving express permission to seduce him...
in reality, it's work.
but, his mood is already lifted with that promise alone, and he doesn't even consider for a minute it could mean anything different. he hums a little to himself now, seemingly more relaxed than he did seconds ago. the desire to send 45 orders of doordash to him is temporarily quelled. ]
A lot to work with, huh...? Sounds like someone's been looking at me in a strange way. [ lust? ... he wishes. ] I might be scared now. [ yet he sounds incredibly excited as opposed to being in fear. ]
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I’m your manager, but I also have eyes? Don’t make it into something creepy.
[ little does tobari know that rafayel took this as a green light to seduce him? oh the misunderstandings continue.
nonetheless, they continue on their drive and eventually make it to their shoot location! it is… amusement park, heho. tobari shows off their credentials to get them access to a private parking lot but explains they could only get one trailer approved due to the busy venue so it’s why they don’t have an allocated changing space for rafayel even though they were able to set up a tent for makeup prep and touch ups. tobari explains the brief to be a combination of shots that would go in a magazine as well as be featured in b-roll for assorted tv appearances…
once parked, he’ll unbuckle his seatbelt and grab their bags again, heading out to open raf’s car door for him ]
Any questions? It’s just this today, so give it your all and then we can rest since tomorrow is the debut stage.
[ and they will be grinding for the next few months after… so trying to find breaks for raf where they can… ]
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when tobari opens the door, he slips his face mask on. ]
No questions. I'll make it quick, boss. [ lol,
he winks in tune with the nickname, before hopping out and heading towards makeup. the process is easy, especially since he already came in with a clean base. the vibe of the makeup is subtle and goes by fast. if anything, it's doing the hair that may have taken longer...
when he's all done and ready, he's already asking around: ] Where's Tobari?
[ cue everyone calling rafayel out for always looking for him, and being attached at the hip.
if he says duh, he's my boyfriend... don't kill him. at least, it sounds like a joke coming from rafayel. ]
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tobari accepts being called 'boss' so easily... the way that this nickname has probably lingered around the other staff whenever tobari and raf come together... it's true that tobari tends to run a tight ship on sets even when he has to defer to the director and other staff. he's quick about where to direct rafayel, doesn't mince words, and efficient in the workflow.
tobari would absolutely throttle rafayel for just calling him his boyfriend, but the fact of the matter is that he's busy. the staff point rafayel in the direction of the barricade set up a little further out where the most dedicated fans have somehow found out that rafayel would be on location today... how do they know this... like how did the shinee fans know that minho would be at the olympics and meet him at the airport? that's so insane to me
anyway tobari has gone ahead to thank them for their support and collect their gifts for rafayel so he can check them for security reasons... no weird track devices embedded in cookies on his watch... it gives him something to do while rafayel is busy modeling...
the fans try to ask him about rafayel, personal questions, etc etc but his answers are almost rote: ]
Thank you for your support. [ gets handed a giant teddy bear... tries to hold it along with his handful of fan letters ] Ah, thank you. He's busy as always.
[ ignores a fan asking him for aegyo... does he look like an idol to you.... no.... ]
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the staff know better than to run their mouths. especially, since the price of unverified rumors was high. they'd rather be cautious than fall into rafayel's whimsy, and maybe that's how they've managed to get by with no actual dating rumors. then again, rafayel also wasn't the type who got needlessly close to others idols. after all, the person he was closest to was right there in front of him, standing by the threshold of where the fans gathered and where the staff entrance was aptly blocked off.
not shinee... but no you're right. how do they always know? then again i did watch a documentary where people pay taxi drivers to stalk and send them the scoops, and how they just hang around placed for hours unprompted and just based off of snooping their sns.
the sight of tobari holding a giant teddy bear is oddly heart-warming, and so he appears from behind him. he wraps his arms around tobari, if just to grab the teddy bear from him and save him from aegyo because that's... for his eyes only? ] Thank you all so much. Sorry, but I'm going to have to steal this guy back. The shoot can't start or finish without the main character.
[ but, still holding the teddy with one hand around tobari, he does use his free hand to make a cat ear pose on one side.
annoyingly gives fan service while half-hugging tobari... how does he keep getting away with this ]
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of course, at the sudden appearance of rafayel, the fans immediately start tittering with even more excitement. there's a few squeaks and squeals of his name, phones now brought out just to catch a brief video that will end up on social media later, and there's even someone who starts crying... he is so cute... he is so beautiful.... how can such a lovely person exist (imposes all my feelings onto this random fan)
tobari grumbles at the sudden appearance, but he's willing to give up the giant bear to rafayel if only because he needs to make sure he's collected all the other gifts diligently... there's a brief interaction where an especially bold fan starts to reach toward rafayel and tobari immediately switches gears to intercept their hand with a nudge of his own, putting himself between rafayel and the fan in half a second. warningly: ] Careful.
[ careful or you'll lose that hand is what goes unsaid based on the instant way his gaze sharpens into a glare.
but he'll move on quickly now that he knows rafayel is done at makeup, glancing back to him— ] You could've just gone to the director's tent without me. Let's go.
[ back to work.... even though these interactions will be all over the internet in 0.7 seconds... some of them already are.... ]
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also i knew i would regret this... where are the fans demanding him to get out of their sims house.
so instead, we focus on how cool tobari is. per usual, he's quick to switch gears. it does make him laugh to think tobari can go from accepting large teddy bears to suddenly being so threatening... while he knows it's tobari's job, he can't help but think it also felt a little more personal than that.
rafayel gives them all a final wave— ] Be on good behavior, or this guy will have to bite you.
[ it's really all fun and games... but, he does end up diligently heading towards the director's tent. ]
What, and leave you to fend for yourself? They would have been asking you to meow next.
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