This Means War

JACKSON

Thea came walking over to the table with an annoyed look on her face. She sat down next to the Shawn guy and leant her head on his shoulder sulking. They seemed close, closer than she was with any other friend of hers, she hadn't said anything about dating someone.

"Are they dating?" I asked Jacob a little confused.

"No, they're just friends really, from what I understand Thea doesn't really date people," he shrugged.

"Ah, are all of her friends male?"

"I honestly couldn't tell you, I only know about the rumours,"

"I think I'm going to head home before I hear too many rumours,"

I didn't want to be told things about her from other people, I wanted to learn things from her and if she didn't want me to know then clearly I didn't need to know but her friends seemed perfectly happy to throw her under the bus.

"I'll come with you," he nodded.

"Bye guys, it was nice meeting you," I smiled at the group. Thea looked up at me embarrassed before hiding her face, it was actually so cute. I didn't see how she could be the person everyone was making her out to be.

I almost ran into Charlie on my way out.

"Sorry," I gave her a small smile.

"It's okay, are you leaving?" she frowned.

"Yeah, it's getting late and I'm kind of done hearing everyone else's opinion on Thea," I shrugged.

"Just ignore them, she's not as bad as they all make her sound. Sure, she has her moments but it's kind of her defence mechanism, you'll understand her better as you get to know her. Don't give up on her just yet," Charlie smiled before walking back to the table.

SAM

Jackson left, Thea let out a groan and laid her head on the table, she really didn't seem to be having the best night and Jae hadn't made it any easier for her.

"I think I just save a guy from the whore web of Thea," Jae stated proudly. Thea glared at him as Charlie rejoined the group.

"Here," she placed a glass and a bottle in front of her.

"And you, stop being a dick," she shot at Jae who looked offended that Charlie wasn't helping him make fun of her.

"Dude," he frowned.

"You can return to taking shots at her when she hasn't just been attacked by BM," Charlie stated.

"BM attacked her?" I frowned.

"He's mad at me for being a whore," Thea sulked into her chair.

"He called you a whore?" this time Jae frowned.

"No, but he probably wants too," she shrugged.

"He's mad because Austin and Thea slept together. But Thea didn't know they were friends because Austin intentionally didn't tell her,"

"Oh come on, who in this room hasn't she slept with?"Jae stated.

"Not helping," Charlie frowned.

"She hasn't slept with you or me," I shrugged.

"Me either," Doobin added.

"You're 19, why would she sleep with you?" Shawn frowned.

"She hasn't slept with Koosung," Charlie shrugged.

Thea looked away dowing the whiskey sour in one shot. Charlie sighed looking at Koosung who just smirk with a shrug.

"You slept with Koosung?" Charlie frowned.

"You didn't say I couldn't," Thea sulks further into her chair.

Koosung picks up his beer and takes a sip as Charlie smacked him in the back of the head. She doesn't have a lot of strength behind it, mainly because she doesn't actually have the upper body strength to put any power behind it but her message is clear.

"Ow!" Koosung frowned even though it probably didn't even tickle.

"She's my niece," Charlie shook her head.

"What? No, she's not," Koosung raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, she is,"

"Wait, who?"

"Thea,"

"Thea is your niece?" he asked confused.

"Yes,"

"Your family is so beyond broken," he shook his head.

"Do you guys feel at all awkward knowing that you've all slept with Thea?" Jas asked casually.

"I swear to god, one more word about my sex life and I will kill you," Thea snapped.

CHARLIE

BM was still pissy, which honestly was just stupid. Thea hadn't done anything wrong, and in typical guy behaviour he was putting all of the blame on her and casually chatting away with Austin who was still sitting at the bar. I'm not even sure what was wrong with him tonight, he was usually very understanding but he was being uncharacteristically stubborn.

"Can I get another drink for your friend please?" I asked coldly.

"Is she paying for this one?" BM raised an eyebrow.

"I'll pay for it," Drew interjected before I could respond. BM just sighed and started making a drink.

"Charlie?" Doobin had followed me up to the bar.

"Yeah?"

BM

I didn't mean to take out my frustrations on Thea, but I was already in a bad mood; The bar cook was late, again and hasn't done any stocktake or ordering, which I'd only found out when the other kitchen staff had come to ask me what they were doing about it. So I'd had them write a list and had to go down to the supermarket to get tonights supplies. I had also realized that there was money missing from the books which meant either someone wasn't doing their job properly or someone was stealing from me. I guess that's my own fault, it's a new business, I should be here all the time instead of going out with the rest of them.

In all, it had just been an irritating me all day and once I found out Thea and Austin the dance slept together that was it; I had my frustration outlet. But in my defence, the only one of my friends that Thea hadn't tried to sleep with at least once was Drew.

"So, ah, I just wanted to talk to you about something," the kid cleared his throat.

"Is it class related?"

"No,"

"Then go ahead," Charlie stated.

"So, I know this might be a little out of the blue but I felt like it was time to say something and I mean tonight is as good as any. Before I say anything, you don't need to respond, I just need to say that I like you, more than a teacher," he stated.

"Uh, that's sweet and all but I don't date other choreographers, and I definitely don't date students," Charlie let him down easily.

"Are you sure you don't want to make an exception for me?" he asked as I turned around, a smirk plastered on his face.

"No exceptions," she shrugged taking the drink from me and heading back to the table.

"Well," the kid nodded.

"Take a seat," I sighed pulling out a clean glass.

"What can I get you?" I asked as he sat on the barstool in between Austin and Drew.

"A date with her?"

"Good luck," Drew commented.

"I can't help you out there, but I can make you a drink," I shrugged.

"Or two," Austin added.

"Unless you want to go ask your brother's permission?" Drew challenged.

"Surprise me," he shrugged after giving Drew a frown.

"So why weren't you at the showcase tonight?" Austin asked.

"Thea has a show tomorrow night, and I'm understaffed at the moment," I shrugged.

"A show?" he raised an eyebrow.

"She does burlesque, I didn't know she had a show tomorrow though," Drew nodded thoughtfully.

"Why would you?" I frowned.

"Don't direct your bad mood at me, speaking of are you sure she's even going to want you to go after your attitude towards her tonight?" he retorted.

"Burlesque?" Austin nodded.

"Yeah, like stripping but classier," Doobin stated.

"It's not like stipping," Drew frowned.

"I know what it is, and it's more technical that stripping but I didn't really peg her for the type, but then again it kind of fits her,"

"Hey, what are you trying to say?" I frowned at him.

"That she's proud of her figure and I'm not surprised she shows it off,"

"You don't get to defend her for her extracurricular activities after attacking her for the exact same thing," Drew shook his head at me.

"She's my bro, that's my right," I stated.

"I don't think she will feel that way,"

"She won't remember half of the night tomorrow so whatever," I shrugged.

"Do you care to explain why you're in a bad mood and why you felt the need to take it out on Thea?" Drew asked.

"Why do you care so much? Are you planning to join her list of lovers?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Why would I do that?" Drew muttered.

CHARLIE

I sat down at the table handing Thea her drink, not that she really needed it, She had already finished the bottle of bourbon with help from Koosung and Jinwoo. Right now, her head was on Shawn's shoulder which meant she was in her tired stage.

"When were you planning on telling me your brother had a thing for me?" I asked Shawn.

"What are you talking about?"

"He just told me he liked me," I stated as Doobin came over to the table.

"Doobin likes you?" Thea started laughing.

"Thea," Shawn frowned at her.

"He's like 16!" she continued to laugh.

"I'm 19," Doobin frowned at her.

"He's still a teen, not even I've slept with him," she stated, Doobin visibly shuttered picking up his phone and walking back to the bar.

I just shook my head at her, she continued to giggle to herself laying her head back on Shawn's shoulder.

"I'm pretty sure he only said it because he's been drinking," Shawn tried to cover for Doobin.

"He hadn't had a single drop of alcohol, BM is only giving him drinks now because he feels bad for Doobin," I stated.

"Stupid buff monkey," Thea seethed picking up her glass.

"Just drink your drink," Shawn sighed tilting the glass, I think he was hoping that she would pass out.

You've got to hand it to him, out of all of the guys Thea has slept with, he was probably the nicest, the others wouldn't have dealt with her as a drunken mess once, Shawn has done it a few times. The first night they met he looked after her until we took over. He was a really nice guy which made him feel the need to protect everyone around him, especially Doobin. From what I hear Doobin doesn't need protecting.

I looked up as Doobin got up from the bar and walked over to the jukebox, a few seconds later the expression on Koosungs face lite up, Austin, Junsun, Shawn, Jinwoo and Eunho (the other choreographers) all mimicked his expression. I let out a sign and Doobin smirked knowing what he had just done.

"Ohhh, Charlie is about to get it," Austin called through the bar.

SAM

I frowned, Charlie shook her head as the choreographers started clapping to the beat chanting her name.

"Come on, this is your song you have to dance to it," Koosung stated.

"I'll play it again until you do," Doobin added.

"Dude," Shawn frowned at his brother.

She shook her head and started to bounce her shoulder to the beat sliding out of her seat she walked over to a free space and started dancing around to the choreography she had come up with for this particular song.

"Why is she dancing?" Jae frowned at her.

"Because this is her song," Koosung smirked at her, it made me want to hit him.

"That makes no sense,"

"It started as a joke at the studio, and turn into this, every time the song plays she has to get up and dance to it," Shawn shrugged as Doobin got up to join her.

"Seriously, this kid," Shawn sighed, tilting Theas sleeping her onto my shoulder, my bad shoulder. I bit my tongue fighting a reaction against the pain shooting through me. Shawn grabbed his brother by the arm and pulled him away from Charlie.

Doobin rolled his eyes and went back to the bar after it looked like he snapped at his brother, at least judging by the look he gave Shawn before he stormed off. Shawn sat back down next to me as the song finished.

"Shawn, move her head," Charlie snapped pointing at Thea. I missed out, the pain was worse once the pressure was released.

"Why didn't you say something?" she frowned at me.

"What happened?"Thea frowned waking up, which was half the reason I didn't say anything.

"You were asleep on Sam's shoulder," Charlie shook her head at Thea.

"Oh my gosh, are you okay?" Thea started frantically looking over me.

"I'm fine, I just need to take something for the pain," I responded as calmly as I could manage, which honestly wasn't that calm, it came out more like a hiss than a sentence.

"I'm sure BM has some pain meds here somewhere," Charlie stated.

"No wait, I have your medication in my bag," Thea stated frantically looking for her bag.

"It the typical spirit of Mother Thea," one of the other choreographers stated.

"You slept with her," Charlie retorted.

"That was one time before I knew what she was like," he pulled a face.

"Because I'm proud of sleeping with you," Thea pulled a face handing me the box of pills.

"You should be,"

"Shut up Junsun," Thea rolled her eyes.

"And she's awake," Shawn mumbled, I felt bad for the guy but it was his choice to take responsibility for her and it's not like he didn't know what he was walking into.

MARK

Jackson came in the front door earlier than I thought he would, Jacob 2asnt far behind him. Jackson didn't say anything he just went through to his room a few seconds later I heard the shower.

"What's up with him?" I frowned at Jacob as he sat down.

"He discovered Thea," he pulled a face

"He already knew Thea, they've been talking for over a month,"

"He heard a lot about her tonight, some rumours and some not, either way, it doesn't paint her in a nice light," Jacob shrugged.

"Well, look who she's friends with," I commented.

"Are you talking about Charlie?" he frowned at me.

"Yeah,"

"What's wrong with Charlie?"

"She's rude, has an attitude, and I just don't like her," I stated, I realized that he was probably friends with her so tried to reframe from saying anything more.

"I guess she can come across that way, she does get a little stressed before dance shows and her nerves don't help, so sometimes she can seem a little high strung but she's really nothing like that," Jacob defended.

"You don't have to defend her to me," I shrugged.

"Are you still being an ass?" Jackson came out towel drying his hair.

"What?"

"About Charlie," he clarified.

"I was just sharing my opinion of her," I shrugged.

"You don't even know her, you can't really have an opinion of her," he rolled his eyes at me.

"I think I dealt with enough of her attitude to form an opinion,"

"You caught her on a stressful day at a bad time, she didn't even know she was coming to lunch with us, and it's not like you didn't fuel her attitude," he retorted.

"She was already in a bad mood,"

"And you made it worse, I'm sure she would have relaxed if you didn't keep taking stabs at her," he stated as he dialled a number on his phone.

"What pizza do you want?" he sighed.

CHARLIE

"Where are you off too?" Shawn frowned at Thea as she got up from the table and swayed.

"The bathroom," she stated matter-of-factly.

"Do you need a hand to get there?" he gave her a worried look.

"No, I'm an adult," she swayed a little knocking over a half-full beer glass. The liquid raced across the table and into my lap before I could react.

"You're an adult?" I raised an eyebrow.

"I am so sorry,' her eyes practically bulge out of her head.

"Stop," I held my hand up before she could attempt to mother me.

"Go to the bathroom," I stated.

She turned reluctantly and walked over to the bathroom. Shawn had gotten up and was following behind her shaking his head. I really did feel bad for the guy, why he took it upon himself to look after her was beyond me. But then again, it's not like BM was making any attempt at helping her.

"You smell like beer," Jae pulled a face.

"I didn't know you had a drinking problem," Junsun smirked at me.

"It happens when someone has to deal with you for too long," I retorted getting up from my seat.

"Don't steal any more of my shirts and leave my jumpers alone too," Jae called as I headed upstairs.

"We'll see what happens," I called back.

Sam was laying across the lounge when I got up there, I guess he couldn't quite climb onto his bed. He had come up not long after he had taken his medication because he was still in pain and his medication makes him tired as it starts to work. He looked like he was asleep when I walked up, I tried to quietly sneak in so I didn't wake him, but he sat up when he saw me so I was guessing he was just laying there.

"Sorry, I'm just stealing a shirt,"

"Getting cold?" he asked, his voice as hoarse, like he'd only just woken up.

"Thea knocked a glass of beer over, I wore it," I shrugged.

"That sounds like Thea," he nodded.

"Yeah, so can I borrow a shirt? Jae's being a bitch about me borrowing his clothes,"

"Yeah, there should be some on my bed," he nodded laying back down.

"Thanks,"

I stripped off my beer-soaked cloths and slide the tee-shirt on over my safety shorts. I turned to ask him if I could steal a jumper too but he was already asleep, so I pulled Jae's military camouflage jacket off the stair railing and headed back down as quietly as I could.

I turned to ask him if I could steal a jumper too but he was already asleep, so I pulled Jae's military camouflage jacket off the stair railing and headed back down as quietly as I could

BM

"Fine, you ignore me," Thea huffed at me climbing onto the bar stool.

"Thea, please get down," Shawn plead.

"I'm dancing, why don't you join me?" she retorted.

She was trying to irritate me, or at least get a reaction out of me because I hadn't talked to her, mostly because I was trying to not take my bad mood out on her but she wasn't making it easy and my ignoring her seemed to just encourage her.

"She is a lot more fun than I first thought she would be," Austin smirked up at her.

"No," I frowned at him.

"Thea come on, come down so you don't fall," Shawn sighed.

Poor Shawn had taken it upon himself to take care of her, it was a nice change from having to do it myself but I did feel bad for the guy.

"I'll get her, I know how to handle her," Drew frowned at Shawn.

"Shut up Drew," Thea frowned him.

"What are you doing?" Charlie frowned up at her.

"Cha Cha," she beamed.

"She decided to get overly petty at BM who refused to serve her," Jae stated.

"Plus she was already mad at him, and now he's just ignoring her" he added with a shrug shaking his head at me.

"Come and dance with me,"

"I think you should come down from there," Charlie coaxed.

"I like it up here, I feel tall," she twirled giving almost everyone a minor heart attack.

"Funny, because you've never been so low," the words slipped out of my mouth before I could stop them.

"Dude," Jae frowned.

"How are you that mad about me sleeping with a guy? I didn't know he was your friend," she yelled at me.

CHARLIE

"You could just not sleep with a guy, just because he's attractive doesn't mean you have to sleep with him," BM shot back. I noticed the tears form in her eyes, she bit them back before anyone else seen, they were all focused on BM who was being a huge asshole which was so out of the ordinary for him, especially towards Thea.

"Why are you friends with him? Honestly? How did you two even meet?" she turned her attention toward Austin.

"We used to strip together," Austin stated casually.

"What?" everyone paused.

"Yeah, that's where we met, we worked for the same company, we did a few shows together," he nodded.

"You used to strip?" Jae raised an eyebrow at BM who had closed his eyes.

"They weren't aware of your stripping?" Austin asked.

"No," he shook his head.

"Are you ashamed of me?" Austin faked hurt.

"Don't take it personally, he's ashamed of all of his friends," Thea shot.

"Oh, this is my jam," she cheered as a new song started to play.

"Thea, please come down I'll get you another drink," Drew tried to bribe her. She stopped dancing and frowned down at him.

"Seriously? You thin because you offer me a drink I'll melt to your every whim? I see BM isn't the only one who thinks lowly of me, not that I should be surprised with the buff brothers sticking together," she huffed.

"Thea, you're being mean, please come down before you hurt yourself, or someone else," Shawn sighed.

"I am a horrible person," she shrugged.

She was normally such a fun happy drunk, I was assuming that BM's attitude towards her tonight had effected that, now she was bitter and mad and I was actually waiting for her to snap and cry but there was a fine line between her moods when she was drunk, she could always bounce back completely and be laughing and joking soon.

"You're not a horrible person," Shawn defended her.

"Has she slept with your friends?" someone commented, I wasn't sure who it was, I would have assumed BM but he looked up frowning around the room.

"I sleep with everyone's friends," Thea retorted walking down the bar towards Austin.

"Thea," I frowned at her which was pointless because she wasn't listening. She had clearly thought that it was BM who had made the comment.

"Is she always like this?" Doobin appeared next to me.

"She's not usually this bad," Jae stated.

"Hey Austin, why don't you join me?" she walked down the bar.

"Why not," Austin shrugged getting on the bar.

"Get ready to catch," he mumbled quietly towards Shawn.

"Show me some of yours stripper moves," she stated, grinding on him.

I think Austin forgot what he was up there to do, especially when Thea turned around and started making out with him. He snapped out of it pushing away slightly, she just shrugged it off turning around to continue dancing on him like he was a pole.

"Alright, you're done," Shawn stated wrapping his arms around her legs pulling her down over his shoulder.

"Hey," she yelled.

"No, no hey, it's time for you to go home,"

"Grab your stuff Doobin,"

"I don't want to leave yet," Doobin frowned.

"Well I can't leave you here, and someone needs to watch her," Shawn shook his head.

"I'll drive him home," the words came out of my mouth before I could think about it.

"I can't ask you to do that,"

"You're not, I'm offering, besides you don't have to take her back to your place and keep an eye on her, so you've got my family and I've got yours," I shrugged.

"Mm, okay. You behave yourself," he stated, giving Doobin a stern look.

"Are you coming?" he asked Koosung who just shook his head.

"Okay," Shawn nodded before picking up Thea's bag and leaving with her. She was already passed out on his shoulder.

"Was that completely necessary?" Drew frowned at BM.

"What?" BM raised an eyebrow.

"You were kind of a dick," Jae nodded.

"You were a massive dick," I stated.

"You know what, don't even start," he waved us all off.

"You are so incredibly moody today," Drew shook his head.

"If you don't like my mood you can leave,"

We all went and sat back around the table, no one really spoke much except for Jae making a comment about how BM killed the atmosphere. Junsun smirked getting up from his seat and heading over to the jukebox, a few moments later Work started to play.

"Are you serious?" I frowned.

"Rules are rules," he shrugged.

"She's not wearing pants," Koosung shook his head.

"You're not obligated to dance," Jinwoo shook his head at Junsun.

"Yes, she is," Junsun announced.

JAE

"I'll do it for her," the kid that had been eyeballing Charlie all night spoke up, putting his drink down.

"That's not the way it works"

"Junsun, shut up and stop being a pervert," Austin stated joining us at the table.

"I'm not, I'm just trying to lighten the mood, Also, since when do we invite students to our after parties?"

"Since he's not far away from being a choreographer himself," Charlie shrugged.

The look she gave him when he rolled the sleeves of his shirt was a look that could definitely get her in trouble. She'd had a stressful day and was probably looking for an outlet, Sam was incapacitated but I didn't see her sleeping with a 19-year-old even if she did find him attractive. I mean if Thea wouldn't have sex with a child then Charlie definitely wouldn't.

The kid got up and danced the same Choreography that Charlie had done a few hours ago before sitting back down.

"Nice job, I see you pay attention in class,"

I'm pretty sure it's not the class he was paying attention too.

CHARLIE

"Okay you, if you want a lift home then we're going now," I stated, picking up my bag. The animals were way overdue for their dinner.

"Aw, come on, five more minutes," he smiled at me with a wink.

"No,"

"I can take him home," Koosung stated.

"Let's not pretend you're going home tonight," I rolled my eyes.

"Can I at least finish my drink?"

"If you can do it and met me in the car in the next 30 seconds," I nodded walking out the door after waving goodbye to everyone.

I headed out to the car and waited for Doobin, he knew that I wouldn't leave without him but I appreciated that he didn't drag his feet.

"I just have to make a quick stop before I take you home," I state reversing out of the car space.

He just nodded leaning his head on the window, I guessed that the alcohol was catching up with him. I thought he would fall asleep and I would just have to wake him when we got to his house, but that wasn't the case at all.

"Can I use your bathroom?" he yawned.

"I guess,"

He followed me into the house and used the bathroom while I fed the cats. He was coming back into the dining room just as I was heading down to my room to go and get some pants, it was a 40-minute drive to their house and I was getting cold.

"I'm just getting some pants," I stated, heading down the hallway.

His arm slid around my waist, his lips reached my ear.

"Why?" he breathed, a shiver ran down my spine and for a split second I forgot he as 19.

"What are you doing?" I cleared my throat.

In one quick motion, he spun me around to face him and I was pressed against the hallway wall. My breath caught in my throat and all rational thinking fell from my brain the second his lips pressed against mine.