Bang Chan was tying his shoes by the door, hoping to sneak out before anyone noticed. He just needed one quiet hour outside, maybe a walk, maybe a coffee, anything to clear his head. But before he could even grab his jacket, a loud crash came from the kitchen.

He sighed and turned around.

Inside, the younger members were gathered around a mixing bowl like it was a bomb about to detonate. Jeongin had flour on his forehead, Felix was coughing out clouds of powder, Han was laughing too hard to be useful, and Hyunjin was blaming everyone except himself.

In the middle of the mess stood Lee Know, arms crossed, expression sharp enough to silence a room.

“What,” Chan said slowly, “happened to the kitchen I cleaned last night?”

Lee Know pointed directly at the younger ones. “Them.”

Felix pouted. “We were trying to bake you something before you went out, hyung.”

Chan looked between the flour-covered chaos and Minho’s unimpressed face. “Bake me something? With what recipe?”

Han proudly held up his phone. “A video I skipped through really fast.”

Chan let out a laugh despite himself. “Figures.” He stepped into the kitchen and brushed flour off Jeongin’s hair. “You guys need help.”

Lee Know’s eyes met his for one quick second, that wordless exchange they always had. Chan raised an eyebrow as if asking, You good? Minho’s shoulders softened just slightly, like he was answering, Now that you’re here.

Chan rolled up his sleeves. “Alright. Minho, you’re with me.”

The younger members groaned in unison because everyone knew the MinChan duo meant business. Minho moved beside Chan instantly, grabbing ingredients, bumping their shoulders together as naturally as breathing.

“You were going out,” Minho said quietly while whisking eggs, his tone softer now that the chaos was under control.