—for @dionyxux. set during the lynk con festival.
when skyler had received the timeslot for the filming of his 'mix and match' video for the lynk con experience, he felt a weird mix of jitters running through his body and also the need to go hide in a dark closet for a few minutes. he had no clue who he'd be randomly matched with, all he knew was that it would be someone from a different company—so the concept of a relaxed talk with any of his kh entertainment seniors (or juniors, including kismet), was completely out of the question.
now he finds himself here, standing awkwardly as the filming crew prepared to get to work, surrounded by the small set made up of comfortable chairs, a table sat between them, and a few board game boxes stacked neatly on top of one another. he had noticed there were a stack of cards faced down right next to the boxes, what game they could be related to, he wasn't sure yet.
a director calls out something, and when he turns around, he finds the red blink of a few cameras staring right back at him; wonder's manager had mentioned that they would be filming his reaction to his partner… but he'd be lying if he said he didn't briefly forget about that fact. it takes skyler a second, but with his shoulders relaxing and that look in his eyes becoming even warmer, it takes him no time to become skye—wonder's ever kindhearted, supportive leader.
he gives a quick introduction to the future audience as he waves to the main camera with both hands, "hello, i am skye, the leader of wonder. please take good care of me today, too." the cameraman spoke up soon after, asking if he had any idea who he'd be working with today (which saved him the embarrassment of trying to make conversation without much guidance.)
"ah, i'm honestly not sure really! it's a complete surprise to me, but i'm excited regardless." skyler smiles brightly as he speaks, but it's at that moment he hears more footsteps begin to make their way to the studio they're in. that has to be them.
he knows he can't turn around until he hears the last of the steps come towards him, but he's feeling those jitters again and it's getting harder to not look early on and ruin the idea. he's patient though—so he waits a second or two before finally getting to see exactly who this other idol is.
then suddenly he's taking a step back and covering his mouth. one of the side cameras watch him as he runs a few steps away from joo youngjae, and lets out a laugh of disbelief. "oh my god, you're joking!" his collected demeanor from a few seconds ago melts away easily when he realizes he's been matched with not just another group's leader, but the leader of axis specifically.
there was something extremely nervewracking when you're working alongside someone who's extremely decorated in the same field as you, skyler realizes. and now he's even more embarrassed at this being his first ever interaction with him.