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If someone were to ask Hongjoong why he barely pecked Seonghwa's cheek during Idol League, the answer was quite simple: he was not into skinship. At all. Well, at least not when it was forced upon him or when he wasn't the one initiating it.
When Seonghwa beckoned him to come closer with his slender fingers, Hongjoong made it clear to everyone that he was uncomfortable doing so. Fortunately, he wasn’t the only one.
During that particular segment of the show, he and Jongho physically expressed their struggle, trying so hard to smooth their way out of it by either attempting to speed through it, much like Hongjoong did or outright refusing, like Jongho.
However, their reactions were hardly a surprise to their bandmates. For them, watching Hongjoong or Jongho squirm in the face of affection was pure entertainment. They had long since understood and accepted their leader and maknae's aversion to physical touch, and Hongjoong and Jongho were grateful for their understanding.
Which is why Hongjoong found himself in an internal crisis at the moment. In the past, Hongjoong knew that kissing others puts him in a very uncomfortable position. And he expected that to remain true to this day.
And when Hongjoong’s lips made contact with the smooth expanse that was Seonghwa’s cheek, he expected to recoil from the touch. While he showed his dismay, his actions couldn’t be farther from the truth because only one thought crossed his mind.
He wanted more!
After kissing Seonghwa’s cheek right in front of a dozen cameras, not to mention the moment being immortalized on the Internet, he was more than surprised by the fact that he didn’t feel uncomfortable at all. In fact, he felt quite the opposite.
Who would've guessed that Kim Hongjoong, the very same leader who'd made it clear that he wasn't the affectionate type like the others, was craving physical touch with his members? Has he grown to like it after all these years? Why and to what extent?
Hongjoong made an effort to mask his true feelings despite the whirlwind of thoughts currently wreaking havoc in his mind. Why on earth do I want more?! He practically screamed at himself.
He decided to deal with his newfound sensation once they got back to their dorm. For now, Hongjoong forcibly pushed aside his lingering thoughts and redirected his attention to their interview.
He tried his best to avoid thinking, and, regrettably, failed miserably at keeping his mind from wandering back to Seonghwa and the memory of his soft cheek against his— stop it!
⭐⭐⭐
Back in their dorm, all the members had retreated to the confines of their shared rooms to rest, save for Wooyoung and Hongjoong. They sat side by side on the living room couch, each engrossed in their phones, scrolling through social media.
As the events of the day replayed in Hongjoong's mind, his earlier thoughts surged back. He wanted to test whether or not he was truly fine with skinship now, or if today was just a fluke.
No better way to find out than to test it , he convinced himself as his eyes mindlessly wandered to Wooyoung's free hand resting beside his thigh. Wordlessly, he reached out and interlaced his fingers with Wooyoung's, staring intensely at their twined hands as if he could pierce through them with his gaze.
The younger idol was momentarily startled by the older’s sudden actions but recovered almost immediately. His eyes drifted down to their joined hands. with a mischievous grin, he leaned forward to plant a kiss on Hongjoong's cheek, feeling bold because of the older idol's initiation.
But lo and behold, Hongjoong’s instincts kicked in and he pulled away so abruptly it was as if he was singed. His face contorted in apparent disgust as he stared at Wooyoung for attempting to catch him off guard.
Puzzled, Hongjoong stared at his own hand and mused, "Strange."
Wooyoung leaned back, wearing a pout, and jutted out his lower lip in an exaggerated manner. "No fair, hyung! You started it," he accused, pointing dramatically at the hand that Hongjoong had held just moments ago.
Hongjoong looked up to meet Wooyoung’s pouty expression. “Huh? Oh, yeah, sorry about that, Young-ah. I was just…uh… testing something,” he replied nonchalantly, offering an apologetic smile.
The black-haired idol raised his eyebrows, his curiosity piqued. "Testing what exactly?"
Suddenly flustered, the blue-haired idol averted his gaze before responding, "Oh, nothing. Just forget about it." Hongjoong hastily stood up, attempting to retreat to the safety of his room. However, Wooyoung's swift reflexes stopped him in his tracks as he grabbed Hongjoong's wrist.
“Come one, hyung, you know I love getting involved with everyone’s business. So, whose is it?” Wooyoung inquired, wearing a smug expression.
Hongjoong felt his face grow warm at Wooyoung's direct question, a pinkish hue painting his cheeks. How had he caught on so quickly?
“Whose is what?” Hongjoong managed to reply, despite the panic starting to grip him. He tugged his arm in an attempt to free it from Wooyoung's grasp, but the younger idol had an unexpectedly strong grip on his slender wrist.
“Whose hand did you want to hold? It’s obviously not mine. So I’ll ask again, Hongjoongie-hyung, whose hand is it?” Wooyoung repeated, his eyes gleaming with unrestrained curiosity and mischief.
"No one's. It was just a silly prank on you," Hongjoong blurted out nervously, masking his unease with a forced laugh.
However, the younger idol was too sharp to be swayed by Hongjoong's feeble attempt at deception. He knew full well that when Hongjoong lied, he couldn't meet anyone's gaze. And at that moment, Hongjoong was looking everywhere but him.
Ignoring Hongjoong’s evasive answer, Wooyoung pressed for more details, setting up an elaborate trap behind his question. "Is it someone outside of our group? Maybe someone we met during our promotions?"
“What? No,” replied Hongjoong defensively with a raised voice, immediate regret washing over him the moment he said it because he swore he could almost see a light bulb flicker above Wooyoung’s head.
“OH MY GOD! It's someone within the group, isn't it? I can’t believe it’s finally happening!” Wooyoung exclaimed, leaping to his feet in sheer excitement.
Being the leader that he is, Hongjoong shushed him and placed a firm hand on the younger’s shoulder, trying to keep his outburst in check. “Wooyoung-ah, keep it down. The others might be asleep. And no, it's not," he emphasized the last part through clenched teeth.
But, his warning fell on deaf ears as Wooyoung was far too charged with excitement. "It is! Your reaction says it all! Please tell me it's who I think it is," he teased with a knowing smirk.
"Whoever you're thinking of, I assure you it's not," Hongjoong almost shouted but managed to maintain a hushed tone, not wanting to rouse everyone out of their rooms.
Being the menace that he is, Wooyoung simply wiggled his brows suggestively at the blue-haired idol. "And how can you be so sure about who I'm thinking of, huh?"
Hongjoong tried his best to maintain his composure, a tease away from straggling the younger. "I don't, because it's not someone from our group," he replied with a hint of exasperation.
“Oh? Then, who is it, hyung?” Wooyoung tugged him closer, his curious eyes boring through Hongjoong.
Before Hongjoong could answer, a third voice joined their conversation, the voice that belonged to the very person he had been trying not to think about all this time.
"Who is who?" Seonghwa asked as he strolled into the living room, clad in his navy blue silk pajamas. He appeared freshly showered, with a towel draped over his shoulder to catch the remnants of his wet hair.
Hongjoong knew for a fact that he was blushing like a ripe tomato as he inadvertently found himself staring at Seonghwa’s bare face—his utterly lovely and angelic face. Naturally, his unabashed staring did not go unnoticed by Wooyoung who tried to stifle a snicker behind his hand, cunningly disguising it as a cough.
“Oh, nothing, Seonghwa-hyung, just—” Wooyoung began, but Hongjoong quickly whipped around and clamped a hand over the younger’s mouth before he could say anything.
"One word, Jung Wooyoung, and I swear to Eden that you'll only get one line in our next title track," Hongjoong threatened with an intense stare.
The abrupt shift in their leader's demeanor caught both Wooyoung and Seonghwa off guard. Wooyoung, not wishing to provoke the wrath of Kim Hongjoong, quickly nodded in agreement and raised both arms in surrender to signify the end of his teasing.
Slowly, Hongjoong withdrew his hand from Wooyoung’s mouth, maintaining a sharp gaze on the black-haired idol lest he try something funny like spilling everything to Seonghwa. Silence settled over the room until Wooyoung couldn't resist letting out a playful pout, breaking the tension.
“Hyung, no fair! You promised that I’d have more lines next time. No backsies,” he whined, folding his arms across his chest like a sulking child.
Hongjoong rolled his eyes at him playfully, relieved that the topic had shifted. “Stop being a brat, and maybe I'll think about it," he retorted.
"It seems like I interrupted an important conversation?" Seonghwa chimed in with a chuckle, although the tone in his voice made his statement sound more like a question.
Wooyoung simply shook his head at the eldest. “Nah, hyung. Hongjoongie-hyung was just—”
“About to ask Wooyoung to buy us all some ice cream. Here’s my card. Go crazy. Now shoo,” Hongjoong interrupted hastily as he handed his card to Wooyoung and gently ushered him out of their dorm. Wooyoung wore a confused expression but allowed himself to be guided by Hongjoong.
Before Wooyoung disappeared into the hallway, his eyes found Seonghwa, and he sent a playful flying kiss in his direction before calling out to one of their nearby managers.
As soon as Hongjoong closed the door behind him, a long sigh escaped his lips before he could stop it. With his eyes closed, he failed to notice that the oldest member was watching him with an amused expression, clearly entertained by the dynamics and casual banter between Hongjoong and Wooyoung.
"What was that all about?" asked Seonghwa as he walked around their kitchen island to pour himself a glass of water.
Hongjoong’s eyes flew open and trailed behind Seonghwa, walking over to join him in the kitchen. “It’s nothing. Just Wooyoung being Wooyoung,” the blue-haired idol answered with a tight smile.
Seonghwa stared at him for a few moments before shrugging his shoulders. “Alright, if you say so.”
Silence settled between them once more as Hongjoong watched Seonghwa quietly drink his water, his eyes inexplicably drawn to the up-and-down motion of Seonghwa’s Adam’s apple. He couldn't help but wonder how smooth Seonghwa's neck would feel under his lips.
Stop it, Hongjoong!
Hongjoong tore his gaze away quickly, thoroughly embarrassed to even admit to himself that he’d been watching his friend drink water as if he were some kind of pervert.
“Hey, Joongie,” Seonghwa started, startling Hongjoong from where he stood.
“Y-yeah?” Hongjoong replied, internally cursing himself for the stutter. Keep it together, Kim Hongjoong.
"I was thinking," Seonghwa continued, "we haven't had a team dinner in forever. What do you say we treat the kids tomorrow?" His excitement was palpable.
Hongjoong couldn't help but smile. "Sounds good, Hwa," he agreed, his eyes crinkling with the warmth of his smile.
Seonghwa’s doe eyes sparkled with delight. "Great! I'll make a reservation at the new barbecue restaurant that just opened up across the street," he said with a wide grin, already pulling out his phone to do just that.
Watching Seonghwa's animated enthusiasm, Hongjoong couldn't help but wonder, Has Seonghwa always been this adorable?
Before, Hongjoong would have excused himself, leaving Seonghwa to handle the plans as he usually enjoyed doing. However, today was different; he found himself wanting to stay close to Seonghwa just a bit longer.
"You just wanted to try out the new restaurant, didn't you?" Hongjoong teased, taking a seat at one of the chairs by the kitchen island and facing Seonghwa.
The older idol shot him a shocked look, surprised that Hongjoong immediately caught on to his true intentions. Trying to hide himself from Hongjoong’s knowing gaze, Seonghwa cleared his throat and turned back to his phone.
“No, I didn't. I just thought it’d be nice to eat out together before our schedules get too hectic, that’s all,” Seonghwa answered, but Hongjoong could clearly see his reddening cheeks behind his phone.
So adorable , he thought.
Chuckling, Hongjoong leaned forward on the table, propping his head up with his hand. "Okay, if you say so," he replied teasingly, well aware that he had hit the mark.
The night continued with Hongjoong and Seonghwa playfully teasing each other, both enjoying the other's company. When Wooyoung returned with two plastic bags full of ice cream, he simply shot Hongjoong a knowing look that clearly said, "I'll keep my mouth shut for now because you bribed me with ice cream," before disappearing into his room.
⭐⭐⭐
At the restaurant, Hongjoong found himself seated beside Seonghwa, who was busy grilling the meat they had ordered on the charcoal grill. In all honesty, he hadn't planned on sitting next to Seonghwa. However, Wooyoung, that mischievous little rascal, orchestrated their seating arrangement, basically seating everyone into designated spots and leaving the two older idols with no choice but to sit together.
When their eyes met, Hongjoong shot a withering glare in Wooyoung's direction. To his exasperation, the younger idol responded with a wink and played innocent as if he hadn't planned this whole thing.
Hongjoong silently vowed to exact revenge at some point, but for now, he decided to savor the presence of their group, especially Seonghwa, who was fully engaged in distributing pieces of freshly cooked, succulent Wagyu beef to each member.
“Hyung, may I have a piece, please?” Yeosang asked in an endearingly eager tone, his eyes brimming with anticipation for the juicy meat.
Captivated by the younger’s adorable display, Seonghwa chuckled warmly in response and obliged without a word. To reach Yeosang, who was seated on Hongjoong’s right, Seonghwa had to lean across the table, extending his arm in front of none other than Hongjoong himself.
As Seonghwa extended his arm, his body shifted in front of Hongjoong, and suddenly, their faces were mere inches apart. Hongjoong was caught off guard by the sudden proximity, his gaze fixed on Seonghwa's angelic face as he stared in astonishment.
Now, one might have expected Hongjoong to lean back to give Seonghwa space and make it easier for him to reach Yeosang. But no, Hongjoong just had to do the complete opposite.
Mesmerized by their sudden closeness and the heavenly scent of lavender that surrounded Seonghwa, Hongjoong’s eyes zeroed in on the smooth cheek inches from his lips. He felt his lips tingle with an irresistible sudden urge to kiss Seonghwa’s plush cheeks.
They look so soft like marshmallows, he thought.
Driven by this impulse, Hongjoong leaned forward without thinking, wanting to feel just how soft Seonghwa's cheeks really were. Unfortunately, luck seemed not to be on his side as Seonghwa suddenly turned his head in Hongjoong's direction, inadvertently colliding with Hongjoong's forehead. A symphony of painful grunts echoed across the table.
Both idols recoiled from the sharp pain that shot through their heads. The collision of their skulls served as a jolting reminder for Hongjoong, snapping him back to reality. He felt his face burn with embarrassment as he realized what he had just attempted to do.
Did I really just try to kiss Seonghwa right in front of everyone? What was wrong with me?!
Flustered beyond belief, Hongjoong sank back into his chair, his eyes blown wide, meeting Seonghwa's gaze, which now held a perplexed expression. Seonghwa blinked in confusion, and Hongjoong, unable to maintain eye contact any longer, averted his gaze, his cheeks aflame with embarrassment.
"I'm sorry," Hongjoong hastily apologized. "I was just reaching for the, um, kimchi." The blue-haired idol prayed that Seonghwa wouldn’t question his strange behavior.
Seonghwa continued to regard him with an incredulous expression, his own cheeks now sporting a subtle shade of red. However, he opted to remain silent, simply nodding and returning to his seat, gently massaging the sore spot on his forehead where their heads had collided.
Hongjoong hoped fervently that no one had paid much attention to their minor mishap. Thankfully, the other members seemed to dismiss it as nothing more than their hyungs’ clumsiness as they laughed at their pain.
Relieved that his embarrassing moment had gone unnoticed, the blue-haired idol reluctantly joined in their laughter, though it felt forced, his genuine amusement overridden by his own self-chastisement.
"Idiot," Hongjoong muttered under his breath, internally scolding himself. He resisted the urge to smack his head against the table, deciding to postpone such punishment for a more private moment.
Thankfully, the rest of the night went by smoothly with the members engrossed in their casual banter. Hongjoong suppressed any thought of getting closer to Seonghwa, taking pride in holding himself back this time.
Unbeknownst to him, a particular pair of eyes had been watching his every move throughout the night, witnessing the entire incident. Said member held a knowing smile on his face and decided to confront their leader when they returned to their dorm.
Later on, when they got home, Wooyoung cornered Hongjoong in his room, finding the older idol engrossed in working on some new arrangements for their next album on his laptop.
Hongjoong was just about to protest about the interruption when the younger idol cut him off.
“You know, hyung, for someone as confident and charismatic as you are, you kinda suck at romance,” Wooyoung commented, casually plopping down on Hongjoong’s bed.
“First of all, I do not suck at romance,” Hongjoong defended, his brow furrowing. "And second, where is this coming from all of a sudden?"
Wooyoung grinned at him mischievously. "I saw what you tried to do at the restaurant with Seonghwa-hyung. Don't even think about denying it. I caught everything, and I mean everything. I pick up on these things fast."
Hongjoong blushed at Wooyoung’s words, his ears burning with shame at the thought of Wooyoung witnessing his earlier folly.
"Alright, fine! I might have... tried to kiss Seonghwa's cheek earlier," Hongjoong confessed, reluctantly admitting the truth, knowing that there was no fooling Wooyoung.
Wooyoung let out a triumphant shriek after coaxing the truth out of Hongjoong so easily. "Ha! I knew it! I guess it's time for the 'birds and the bees' talk, huh? Come on, have a seat," the black-haired idol teased, patting the empty space on the bed beside him.
Hongjoong rose from his desk chair and aimed a playful smack at the younger, who deftly dodged it with a hearty cackle.
“But seriously, hyung, I can't believe I'm witnessing the day you finally man up and act on your feelings for Seonghwa-hyung. It took you long enough, but hey, better late than never, right?" Wooyoung remarked with a wide grin, resembling a proud father looking at his maturing son.
The blue-haired idol stared at him blankly. After a couple of bewildered blinks, Hongjoong finally responded. "Who said anything about feelings?" he asked, his confusion evident.
Wooyoung suddenly stopped smiling as he leveled Hongjoong with a serious look, pausing for a long moment before he spoke. "Are you being serious right now, hyung?"
Hongjoong simply shrugged and shoved his hands into his pockets, unsure of what response the younger idol was expecting. "Well, yeah."
He was taken aback when Wooyoung let out an exasperated sigh. "Tell me, Hongjoong-hyung, why did you try to kiss Seonghwa-hyung a while ago?" Wooyoung asked, his gaze intently fixed on Hongjoong.
Suddenly feeling like he was under investigation, Hongjoong took a seat on his bed across from Wooyoung. "I wanted to test whether or not I still feel uncomfortable with physical touch," he answered.
Wooyoung grumbled something under his breath, just audible enough for Hongjoong to catch every word. "I think we've already established that when you dropped my hand like a hot potato yesterday. But whatever, I can't believe I have to spell it out for you."
This left Hongjoong even more bewildered. "I'm sorry, what?" he asked, dazed and perplexed.
"You like Seonghwa-hyung," Wooyoung said matter-of-factly, gazing at Hongjoong with wide eyes.
Hongjoong snorted at his statement. “Of course, I like him. Seonghwa is my closest friend,” he replied obviously, his confusion growing as he still couldn't understand where Wooyoung was going with this.
Wooyoung simply shook his head, moving closer. "No, hyung. I mean you 'like' him. As in, more than a friend."
The leader struggled to wrap his head around Wooyoung's words, staring at him with an increasingly bewildered expression.
Him and Seonghwa? That’s just absurd. Sure, he was well aware of how much Atinys loved to ship them together, even giving them their own ship name, Seongjoong. But Hongjoong knew deep down that they were just friends, nothing more.
After several beats of silence, Wooyoung threw his hands up in dismay. "Oh my god, I knew you were dense, but I didn't think it was this bad, hyung."
Hongjoong smacked him again, this time landing a clean blow on Wooyoung's arm. "Hey! Show some respect to your elders," he scolded.
Ignoring Hongjoong's slap, Wooyoung pressed on, "Hyung, did it ever occur to you that you only want to touch Seonghwa-hyung and no one else? You've literally written love songs about him. Tell me, who were you thinking of when you wrote 'All About You'? Or 'Time of Love'? Or 'Desire'? You even admitted to writing 'Thank U' for him." Wooyoung stared at him intently, hoping that his point was getting through.
Hongjoong was rendered speechless as he pondered Wooyoung's question. He thought back to when he wrote those songs, and every memory led him back to one person—Seonghwa.
When he wrote 'Desire', he was thinking about how he wanted to gatekeep Seonghwa as their popularity grew after their debut because Seonghwa was gaining more fans every day. When it came to composing 'Time of Love', he and Seonghwa were growing closer, and he envisioned performing together on countless stages and touring the world. And when he wrote "All About You," all he wanted was to convey his deep gratitude to Seonghwa for his presence in his life.
Hongjoong felt like his world was suddenly thrown out of its axis as the epiphany of his feelings struck him square on the chest. He likes Seonghwa! No, scratch that. He was in love with Seonghwa! He’s been unconsciously confessing his love for him all these years. His mind had finally caught up to his heart.
When Wooyoung saw the look of realization on Hongjoong’s face, he didn’t waste any more time as he spoke again.
“Now that we’re on the same page, hyung, what are you going to do now?” he inquired.
Hongjoong gazed at him, his eyes wide with astonishment. "What should I do?" He returned the question, seeking advice from the observant member.
"It's pretty obvious, isn't it? Confess your feelings!" Wooyoung exclaimed.
The older idol seemed taken aback by his suggestion. “What? No way. I can’t just do that!” he shot back.
"Why not? I did it with Sannie, and look at us now," Wooyoung explained.
"That's because you and San have been affectionate from the start. I can't just go up to Seonghwa, confess out of the blue, and start acting all touchy with him after years of not doing it," Hongjoong replied frantically.
Wooyoung considered his words as he thought hard for a moment. “Hmmm, you’re right. Then how about this, hyung? Start small," he suggested.
Hongjoong leaned in with curiosity. "Start small? How?"
"You know, like giving him thoughtful gifts and spending quality time with him to show that he's special in your life. And when the timing is right, BOOM! You confess your feelings!” Wooyoung continued, punctuating his point with a dramatic clap.
Hongjoong nodded enthusiastically. “Okay, yeah. I can do that.”
The younger idol grinned at him widely. “That’s the spirit! Oh, can I officiate your wedding?”
“No,” Hongjoong shut him down immediately.
But Wooyoung, being his persistent self, whined loudly to express his desire. "Please, hyung! Let me do it!"
"Do what, exactly?" a voice from across the room chimed in.
Both heads whipped around towards the door to see Seonghwa standing on the threshold. Neither of them heard the door open as they scrambled to right themselves from the sudden intrusion.
Hongjoong cleared his throat and was about to come up with an excuse, but Wooyoung beat him to it.
“Oh, nothing, Seonghwa-hyung. Just giving Hongjoong-hyung here some love advice as your resident romantic,” Wooyoung remarked with a mischievous grin, his eyes flitting between Seonghwa and Hongjoong, who was now blushing like a tomato.
Seonghwa's expression suddenly shifted, looking a touch crestfallen at Wooyoung's words. "Oh, you like someone?" He directed the question at Hongjoong, whose eyes had widened to the size of saucers.
"W-what?! No, that's just c-crazy!" Hongjoong stammered, trying to sit up straight but failing to maintain eye contact with Seonghwa.
Just then, Seonghwa’s lips curved up to a tiny smile, though it hardly held any happiness; rather, it looked sad—maybe even disappointed.
“Hongjoong-ah, it’s okay to like someone, you know. You don’t have to hide it from me,” Seonghwa commented, he said, his voice soothing and empathetic. “And since I clearly interrupted your love talk with Wooyoung, I should probably come back another time. Sorry for intruding on you both,” he continued, his hand still on the doorknob as he meant to close it behind him.
In a sudden panic, Hongjoong jumped to his feet. “Wait, Hwa, it's not like that! Uh, did you need something?” He accidentally used his nickname for Seonghwa in his urgency to explain. But Seonghwa simply offered him a kind smile.
"It's okay, Joongie. I know when to give you privacy. You guys go ahead," Seonghwa replied, using his own nickname for Hongjoong, before bidding them both goodnight and closing the door as he left.
Hongjoong turned to Wooyoung with a fearsome glare etched on his face, prompting the younger male to quickly put some distance between him and the fuming leader.
"I'm going to kill you," he growled menacingly, lunging towards Wooyoung, who let out a terrified shriek before darting around to dodge Hongjoong’s impending attack. "Now, Seonghwa thinks I like someone!" Hongjoong shouted, frustration clear in his voice as he continued his pursuit.
Wooyoung spun around just in time before Hongjoong got a hold of his shirt and faced him with his hands raised up in surrender. “Technically, you do like someone. But, look on the bright side, hyung. If he reacted the way he just did, then that means he either likes you back or just doesn’t like to see you happy. And believe me, the latter is definitely not it,” Wooyoung rattled off rapidly, almost like a rapper.
Hongjoong suddenly halted in his tracks as he let his mind digest what Wooyoung just said. All the anger he felt towards the younger man deflated as he reflected on Seonghwa's reaction more deeply.
Come to think of it, why did Seonghwa react like that? Could it be that he likes me too? Is that why he seemed disappointed when he believed I liked someone other than him?
A flurry of possibilities and hopeful scenarios swirled in Hongjoong's mind, filling him with a sense of hope that he hadn't felt before.
"Do you really think so?" Hongjoong asked softly, trying to keep his excitement in check but unable to contain the happiness bubbling within him at the mere possibility of Seonghwa reciprocating his feelings.
Wooyoung couldn't help but chuckle in response. “Oh my god, you should see your face right now, hyung. It’s so cute!”
"That's it, get over here!" Hongjoong yelled as they resumed their earlier chase around his room. None of the other members dared to intervene, even if they heard Wooyoung letting out a dramatic scream that sounded like he'd been subjected to their leader’s legendary bite—vicious and painful.
⭐⭐⭐
DAY 1: FOOD
The very next day, Hongjoong executed his meticulously laid out plan to woo and win Seonghwa’s heart, fully intending to court him for a week before confessing his feelings.
On the first day, Hongjoong bought an array of food that he knew Seonghwa would enjoy. Luckily, Seonghwa wasn't a particularly picky eater, which made it easier for Hongjoong to buy nearly anything he came across on his way back from the studio.
When he arrived at the dorm, the younger members quickly swarmed him, their eyes widening at the sight of his arms laden with takeout containers from various restaurants. Seonghwa, on the other hand, seemed more shocked by the fact that Hongjoong was home at all.
The leader was known for calling the studio his second home, which makes it all the more surprising that he wasn’t spending his entire evening cooped up in the four walls of his studio.
“Chicken!” Yeosang shouted as he spotted Hongjoong carrying his favorite brand. But before the younger idol could grab the bag, Hongjoong bypassed him and approached Seonghwa, offering the entire spread to him.
A hush fell over the room as Hongjoong's gesture halted the advances of the younger members, who stared at their leader in sheer astonishment.
Seonghwa stared back at Hongjoong with a confused expression. “Um, Hongjoong-ah, what are you doing?” he inquired, his eyes darting between Hongjoong and the multitude of plastic bags in his arms.
“I bought these for you,” Hongjoong replied with an earnest smile.
“All of them?” Seonghwa responded incredulously, eyeing each bag.
Hongjoong simply nodded his head. He could have sworn he heard Wooyoung stifling a laugh behind him. The younger members observed the unfolding scene with wide-eyed curiosity, as though they were watching the most captivating drama.
“I can’t possibly finish all of these, Joong-ah. Let's all share these and eat together,” Seonghwa suggested with an amused chuckle as he took some of the bags from Hongjoong and arranged them on their kitchen island.
The other members voiced their agreement as they all eagerly gathered around, their eyes sparkling with anticipation for the feast.
“Thank you for the food, Hongjoong-ah,” Seonghwa said with a warm smile, the other members chiming in with their expressions of gratitude in unison.
A broad grin spread across Hongjoong’s face as he found his team's excitement endearing. While he might not have received the reaction he had hoped for from Seonghwa, seeing his fellow members happy warmed his heart. It was clear that he needed to up his game.
DAY 2: FLOWERS
On the second day, Hongjoong came home with a bouquet of flowers because why not? Words had failed him when he wanted to express just how breathtaking Seonghwa had looked during one of their earlier schedules, so the blue-haired idol had decided that flowers would do the talking for him.
After their shoot, he had made a quick stop at the nearest flower shop and ordered a well-crafted bouquet featuring gerbera daisies, blue hyacinths, lilacs, ranunculi, and asters—each bloom carefully chosen that are as vibrant as their meanings, because Hongjoong was nothing if not thorough.
Gerbera daisies, signifying loyal love, were a perfect reflection of his feelings for Seonghwa. Blue hyacinths conveyed a sense of tender care. Lilacs symbolize purity, and ranunculi send the message of being ‘dazzled by their radiant charm’. And his favorite, asters–named after the Greek word for "Star"-represented love. Together, they form the perfect bouquet for expressing his desire for courtship.
As soon as he got home, his gaze instinctively sought out the tall figure of Seonghwa. He barely noticed Yunho and Mingi who were lounging in the living room with their eyes nearly popping out of their heads as they gawked openly at their leader bearing a bouquet of flowers.
“Hyung, you’re home again tonight?” Yunho questioned, his face a map of curiosity, clearly surprised by Hongjoong's consecutive appearances at home.
“What’s with the flowers?” Mingi chimed in, his face sporting the same expression as Yunho’s.
Hongjoong blushed from the tip of his ears down to his neck as he glanced down at the flowers in his hand, suddenly self-conscious about the unexpected audience. “Oh, these? Well...”
Wooyoung and Jongho sauntered out of his room and into the living room. Their eyes immediately landed on the flowers in Hongjoong’s grasp. The two youngest exchanged knowing looks before their eyes lit up with delight, wide grins instantly spreading across their faces.
“Flowers for today? Aw, how romantic, hyung!” Wooyoung remarked, his tone dripping with playfulness as he let out an appreciative whistle.
Hongjoong could feel the heat in his cheeks intensify. “Shut up,” he mumbled, trying to hide his flushed complexion from the younger idols. Then, he cleared his throat, determined to carry on. "Have you guys seen Seonghwa?"
Yunho and Mingi appeared to be stuck in a momentary stupor, their mouths agape as they stared vacantly at Hongjoong. Fortunately, it was Jongho who came to his rescue, sparing him from further embarrassment.
“He’s in his room, hyung,” Jongho answered with a warm smile.
With a grateful nod and a pat on Jongho’s shoulder, Hongjoong made his way to Seonghwa’s room, ignoring Wooyoung’s laughter and the lingering stares from their resident giants.
Standing in front of Seonghwa’s door, Hongjoong hesitated for a moment before he raised his knuckles and tapped lightly on the wooden door.
“Come in,” Seonghwa called on the other side of the room.
Taking a deep breath, Hongjoong slowly turned the knob and pushed open the door, poking his head in.
“Hey, Seonghwa. Are you busy?” Hongjoong asked in a voice that was more uncertain than he intended.
“Oh, Hongjoong-ah! You’re here!” exclaimed Seonghwa from his gaming chair, clutching a game controller in his hands.
Hongjoong let out a nervous chuckle. “Why is everyone so surprised I’m home? I live here too, you know,” the leader retorted with a touch of playfulness.
Seonghwa blinked, still clearly surprised by Hongjoong's early return. “No, it’s just that you’re rarely home so early so I just assumed…” Seonghwa trailed off. “But anyway, this is a pleasant surprise,” he added, a hint of a smile touching his lips.
Hongjoong cleared his throat before continuing, “So, um, are you in the middle of a game or something? I can come back later,” he said, suddenly feeling a touch awkward as he stood just outside Seonghwa’s room.
“What? “No, no! Please, come in,” he insisted, his tone warm and inviting. Seonghwa quickly turned off his computer and beckoned Hongjoong to sit on his bed.
Hongjoong shot him an amused smile before he entered the room, keeping the bouquet discreetly behind his back, hidden as a surprise.
“What you got there behind your back, Captain?” Seonghwa asked teasingly, his eyes shining with playful mirth.
Wordlessly, Hongjoong pulled out the bouquet from behind and extended it toward Seonghwa, his gaze modestly averted as nerves prickled at him. His hands felt clammy as he gripped the bouquet tightly.
Why am I sweating so much?
Ignoring his sudden clamminess, Hongjoong waited patiently for Seonghwa’s reaction, his heart pounding with the hope that the older idol would appreciate his gift. However, all he heard was the relentless ticking of the clock echoing through the room.
A heavy silence hung in the air, causing Hongjoong's nerves to intensify. Eventually, by some miracle, Seonghwa broke the silence.
“Joongie,” Seonghwa whispered, his voice filled with awe.
Yet, to Hongjoong, it sounded more like pity. Cold beads of sweat broke out on his forehead as the fear of Seonghwa disliking his gesture consumed him.
He hates it , Hongjoong thought, his chest tightening with anxiety. The words were on the tip of his tongue.
“You… you hate it, don’t you? This was stupid. You know what, forget it, Hwa. I’m sorry for interrupting your evening,” Hongjoong rushed to say, his words tumbling out in a frantic barrage.
In a sudden, desperate bid to escape, Hongjoong began to stand, ready to retreat from the room and bury his embarrassment. But before he could make his escape, Seonghwa stood up abruptly and reached out to stop him, his warm hands landing on top of Hongjoong’s.
“Wait, Hongjoong-ah, no! I don’t hate it! I… Are these really for me?” Seonghwa asked, his doe-like eyes fixed intently on Hongjoong's, filled with a mix of surprise and appreciation.
Still unable to meet Seonghwa's eyes, Hongjoong silently nodded his head, gingerly extending his arms to offer the bouquet once more. Much to his loss, Seonghwa was staring at him like Hongjoong brought him the stars from the sky.
Seonghwa took the bouquet and cradled it closely to his chest as if it were the most precious thing in the world. And in that moment, it truly was, as far as he was concerned. He took a single sniff, savoring the sweet floral fragrance.
“Hongjoong-ah, can you please look at me?” Seonghwa coaxed gently.
For a moment, the blue-haired idol hesitated, but then he slowly lifted his head to meet Seonghwa’s deep boba-like eyes. He was taken aback by the joy dancing within those dark orbs.
“These are beautiful. Thank you,” the older male stated with the warmest smile.
The tight knot of anxiety in Hongjoong’s chest finally began to unravel as he finally registered that Seonghwa was happy and liked his gift. A relieved sigh left his lips before he responded.
“I’m glad you like it,” Hongjoong said bashfully, his fingers idly scratching the back of his neck.
“I absolutely love it. But what’s the occasion? Did I forget that it’s our friendship anniversary or something?” Seonghwa asked curiously, his head tilting to the side.
“What? Since when do we have a friendship anniversary?” Hongjoong asked jokingly.
Seonghwa shrugged his shoulders innocently. “I don’t know. You’re the one who bought me flowers,” he defended with a playful smile.
Hongjoong couldn’t help but laugh. “It’s nothing like that, really. I just… wanted to give you flowers because they reminded me of you. And I know I don’t say it often, but you looked beautiful today.”
Seonghwa was stunned by Hongjoong’s words, managing only a surprised, “What?”
“I mean, you always look beautiful! You just looked exceptionally beautiful today, but I wasn’t able to say it then, so I’m saying it now with flowers,” Hongjoong explained hastily, feeling his cheeks flush with the sincerity of his words.
But he wasn’t the only one with reddening cheeks. If Hongjoong looked like a tomato, Seonghwa was a whole field of them. The oldest idol tried to hide his flushed face behind the bouquet.
“That’s, uh, really thoughtful of you, Joongie. And t-thank you for saying that,” Seonghwa managed to say, his voice quivering only slightly despite his raging heart.
“Yeah, no problem,” replied Hongjoong, feeling a mix of relief and nervousness. “Anyway, that’s all I wanted to say. The florist said it’s better to keep them in cold water, so, um, yeah. Have a good night, Hwa,” he continued, before quickly excusing himself without waiting for Seonghwa’s reply.
As soon as he shut the door behind him, Hongjoong let out a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart as he retreated to his own room.
That night, Hongjoong slept soundly with a contented smile on his face while Seonghwa could barely sleep a wink as he did nothing but stare longingly at the glass vase containing the flowers that Hongjoong gifted him.
DAY 3: CLEANING
On the third day of Hongjoong’s ongoing effort to court Seonghwa, the team was granted a rare day off. Most of the members decided to sleep in, savoring the luxury of extra rest. However, the two oldest idols were up early, ready to tackle the day.
Surprisingly, Hongjoong was the first to wake. He dragged his drowsy self to the kitchen, driven by the need for a morning coffee fix.
A few minutes later, Seonghwa emerged from his room and made his way to the kitchen, taken aback to find their leader already up and about at such an early hour.
Hongjoong’s lips quirked up into a smile as his eyes landed on Seonghwa’s morning disheveled yet endearing state. So adorable , he thought.
“Morning,” Hongjoong greeted cheerfully.
“Good morning,” Seonghwa returned, his cheeks tinted with a blush that betrayed the thoughts running through his mind, particularly the events from last night.
“Would you like some coffee?” the leader offered.
Seonghwa answered with a wordless nod, his words seemed to be stuck in his throat.
Being the attentive leader (read: simp) that he was, Hongjoong quickly made him a cup of coffee just the way Seonghwa liked it: one cream and two sugars.
As Hongjoong prepared the coffee just the way Seonghwa liked it, a sense of delight ignited in Seonghwa. It wasn't every day that their leader showered him with such attention, and he couldn't help but revel in the feeling. He wanted to savor every moment of this special treatment, secretly hoping it would never end.
Yet, amidst this happiness, the memory of a conversation he had overheard between Hongjoong and Wooyoung the other night about Hongjoong possibly liking someone resurfaced. Suddenly, a wave of sadness and a tinge of jealousy crept in.
If Hongjoong could be so sweet and attentive, giving gifts spontaneously like this, then whoever that special person was must be incredibly fortunate.
Hongjoong turned to Seonghwa to see the older male lost in his thoughts. Before he gave him the warm mug in his hands, he took his precious time admiring the stunning man that was Park Seonghwa.
Seriously though, how could someone look so ethereal at 7AM in the morning?
Suppressing the urge to do something overly affectionate, like giving Seonghwa a tight hug, Hongjoong knocked on the table to draw Seonghwa’s attention.
"Knock, knock. Coffee with cream and two sugars for Park Seonghwa?" Hongjoong announced with a smile.
Seonghwa flashed him an amused grin. “That’s me. Thank you.”
Curiosity getting the better of him, Hongjoong asked, "Got any plans for today, Hwa?" as he observed Seonghwa savoring his coffee.
Seonghwa pondered over his question for a moment. “I'm thinking of doing some cleaning. It's been a while since I've thoroughly tidied up our dorm," he replied. “What about you?”
“Joining you in cleaning,” Hongjoong answered without hesitation, making Seonghwa sputter out his coffee in surprise.
Immediately, Hongjoong rushed to get him some tissue as Seonghwa coughed, pounding his chest in a fit of coughs.
“You’ll help me clean?” Seonghwa questioned incredulously.
Hongjoong affirmed with a nod. "Yes."
“On your day off?”
“Yes.”
Seonghwa leaned forward, his arms now crossed over his chest. "Okay, spill it, Kim Hongjoong. What did you break this time?" he demanded, suspicion evident in his tone.
Hongjoong lifted both his hands in mock surrender. "I didn't break anything, I swear," he replied defensively.
Seonghwa continued to scrutinize him with narrowed eyes. "Then why do you want to help me clean the dorm? You would never voluntarily do that," the eldest retorted.
"First of all, ouch, but I deserve that. I'm genuinely sorry for all the times I ran away from cleaning duties. I promise to be better now. And second, did it ever occur to you that I just want to spend time with you?" Hongjoong blurted out, his honesty surprising both him and Seonghwa.
The words hung in the air, and both men were caught off guard by the sincerity in Hongjoong's admission.
“You… you do?” Seonghwa asked with wide eyes, shocked by the younger male’s declaration.
Way to make it subtle, Kim Hongjoong.
Hiding his now flushed cheeks behind his coffee mug, Hongjoong nodded and averted his gaze. “Yeah, I realized I don't spend enough time with you, so…” he trailed off, struggling to find the right words without sounding too desperate.
Seonghwa chuckled. “Hongjoong-ah, we literally spend every waking and sleeping moment together for nearly a whole year.”
"I mean, outside of our schedules," Hongjoong quickly added, his uncertainty creeping in.
What if Seonghwa actually wanted some alone time? It was their day off, after all.
"Unless you don't want to be with me right now, which is totally fine, of course. I get it since it's our free day…" Hongjoong continued in a panicked rush, his heart pounding in anticipation of rejection.
Seonghwa looked genuinely surprised. "What? Of course, I want to! But, are you really sure you'd rather spend your free time with me cleaning?"
Hongjoong tilted his head to the side in confusion. “Why not?”
"I just thought maybe you'd rather work in the studio, or get some rest like you always do," Seonghwa offered.
“Nah, I’d rather spend it with you–cleaning or otherwise,” Hongjoong declared with a warm smile.
Unbeknownst to the leader, Seonghwa could have sworn he felt his heart skip a beat at Hongjoong’s statement. He said it so casually, yet it warmed every corner of Seonghwa’s heart.
Smiling over the rim of his mug, Seonghwa teased, "I mentioned deep cleaning, which means it'll mostly take us hours. Are you sure you're really up for it? If you say yes, there's no going back, Kim Hongjoong."
Hours with Seonghwa? Music to his ears.
Hongjoong grinned widely. “Challenge accepted, Hwa.”
So, when the younger members finally roused from their deep slumber and stumbled upon the older members cleaning in the middle of the living room, they kept their questions to themselves. Instead, they simply admired how comfortable and happy their hyungs were, stuck in their own little bubble.
That was, of course, until Wooyoung and San popped their private bubble and interrupted their 'cleaning date,' as coined by Wooyoung, prompting the others to join in and spend their free day cleaning as a group.
Hongjoong would have batted them away for interrupting his special time with Seonghwa, but he figured it would mean so much for Seonghwa to have the members join them in one of his favorite pastimes.
After all, who was he to deny Seonghwa that happiness? Therefore, he sucked it up and allowed them all to bask in each other's presence – dirty rags and all.
DAY 4: LEGO
The next day, Ateez slipped back into their familiar routine – early mornings and late nights filled with tight schedules, a rollercoaster of exhaustion and exhilaration, all part of their life as idols.
That is why it’s common for idols to turn to hobbies during their downtime at home. Some dive into gaming, while others relax by watching TV or delving into books. For Seonghwa, however, it's all about building with Lego.
And that's precisely what Hongjoong had in mind when he presented him with a special gift – a brand-new Lego set, a collaboration with Animal Crossing.
As he handed over the colorful box to Seonghwa, he couldn't help but chuckle at the awestruck expression on Seonghwa's face.
“Earth to Seonghwa, are you there?” Hongjoong teased, a playful grin tugging at his lips.
That seemed to break Seonghwa out of his momentary stupor. "Um, Hongjoong, what's all this?"
Hongjoong replied with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, "Well, in case you didn't notice, it's a Lego set."
Seonghwa shot him a playful glare. “Thanks for stating the obvious. What I meant was, why are you giving me a Lego set?"
“It’s a gift,” Hongjoong stated nonchalantly.
“But why?” Seonghwa regarded Hongjoong as though he had sprouted a third head.
Hongjoong found himself puzzled by Seonghwa's reluctance to accept his gesture. He had already brought him food, given him flowers, and spent quality time together. Was one more gift really such a big deal?
“Am I not allowed to give you one?” Hongjoong countered.
"But it's not my birthday," Seonghwa argued, still unsure about Hongjoong's motive behind giving him such an expensive gift. He knew the price of the exact Lego set because he had looked it up before, even considering buying it for himself as a Christmas gift.
"Must there be a special occasion to give someone a gift?" Hongjoong retorted.
As Seonghwa remained silent, Hongjoong gently pushed the gift toward him, placing it in his arms. “Just take it, Hwa. It’s just a gift.”
Seonghwa’s eyes darted back and forth between the box and Hongjoong, still not understanding Hongjoong’s true intention for buying him a gift in the first place. The older male tried to wrack his brain for anything he may have missed to incur Hongjoong’s unusual yet highly appreciated thoughtfulness for the past few days.
Hongjoong noticed Seonghwa had fallen silent once again. “Seonghwa-yah,” he gently said, drawing the other’s attention. “I can hear the gears turning in your head. Stop overthinking. It’s really just a gift. I saw it and thought of you.”
The dark-haired idol stared at him for a full minute before accepting the gift. “Thank you, Joongie. This really means a lot to me. I'll enjoy building it to my heart's content,” he expressed, his smile radiating warmth.
Hongjoong reciprocated with a smile of his own. “That's all I wanted to hear.”
Seonghwa chewed on his lower lip before extending an invitation. “Since you bought it, do you want to build it with me?”
Hongjoong was surprised by the offer. “Really? You'd let me join you in building a Lego?” he asked in astonishment. Seeing Seonghwa happy with his gift was already satisfying, but the prospect of spending time together was an unexpected bonus.
Seonghwa nodded. “Of course! Unless you’re busy, which is totally fine.”
Hongjoong shook his head vigorously. “Nope. I’ve got nothing better to do. Let’s build that Lego!”
The older male couldn't contain his giddiness as he practically yipped with excitement, hurrying to the living room. He beckoned for Hongjoong to follow him, eagerly tearing open the package.
That night, Seonghwa and Hongjoong spent hours building the Animal Crossing Lego set. The blue-haired idol would have never thought that he would enjoy spending so much time with bricks, but with Seonghwa, he found himself wishing the night would never end.
DAY 5: MOVIE NIGHT
It had been five days since Hongjoong began courting Seonghwa, and he had planned to confess his feelings on the seventh day. A week's worth of gifts and quality time should be enough to make Seonghwa realize his sincerity. At least, that's what he hoped.
He had it all planned out. He made some reservations at a fancy restaurant and asked for help from their manager to handle the other preparations. Everything was set. All he needed to do now was ask Seonghwa out for a private dinner and confess.
However, as fate would have it, not everything went according to plan.
On the fifth night, Ateez gathered for their weekly movie night at the dorm. All the members wore their most comfortable pajamas, lounging around the living room as they prepared to watch a movie.
Tonight’s theme was horror, much to Mingi and San’s dismay. It came as no surprise that the members huddled closer to one another as they watched the chosen movie.
In the middle of the couch, Hongjoong sat with Wooyoung to his right and Seonghwa to his left. It was, once again, thanks to Wooyoung's discreet maneuvering that ensured Hongjoong and Seonghwa were seated together. Jongho and Yeosang found a snug spot on the loveseat, while the rest settled comfortably on the floor.
When a jumpscare scene suddenly erupted on the screen, it sent them all leaping from their seats with synchronized shrieks. Wooyoung, in his panic, practically flung himself onto Hongjoong, who bore the full force of Wooyoung's lunge, inadvertently toppling toward Seonghwa.
Seonghwa's protective instincts kicked in immediately as he enveloped Hongjoong with a reassuring arm around his shoulders. Wooyoung immediately saw their position and pushed himself further against Hongjoong. As a result, Hongjoong was pushed against the smooth column of Seonghwa’s neck.
In that heart-pounding moment, Hongjoong couldn't resist inhaling Seonghwa's clean, invigorating scent, reminiscent of fresh lavender with a hint of mint. His lips barely grazed Seonghwa’s throbbing pulse point on his neck.
Hongjoong felt more than he heard the sharp gasp that left Seonghwa as he pressed himself closer to get a deeper whiff, intoxicated by the sweet and exquisite fragrance that was Seonghwa.
But Hongjoong wanted more. Craved more.
I wonder if he tastes as good as he smells , a greedy voice whispered in his head.
And so, in his drunken-like state, Hongjoong was suddenly consumed by the desire and unexpected boldness to turn his thoughts into reality as his tongue slowly darted out from his lips, tasting the sweetness that was Seonghwa.
As soon as his tongue made contact with Seonghwa’s skin, the older idol bolted right out of his seat with a tiny shriek, a hand covering his assaulted neck.
Due to the sudden loss of Seonghwa, Hongjoong fell on his side, causing Wooyoung to follow suit. The frazzled leader scrambled up to sit up as he quickly went back to his senses.
Seonghwa's eyes pierced through Hongjoong's with an incredulous glare, a silent question of why the younger male suddenly licked him. Movie completely forgotten, the others shifted their gazes toward the standing member, their expressions a blend of concern and curiosity as they asked Seonghwa what was wrong.
Guilt and shame immediately flooded Hongjoong as he felt the scrutiny behind Seonghwa’s fiery gaze. He berated himself internally, unable to fathom how he had allowed his desire for the older idol to overtake him, recklessly invading Seonghwa's personal space. Stupid , he scolded himself.
"Seonghwa…" Hongjoong began, his voice tinged with remorse as he attempted to apologize.
However, Seonghwa didn’t give him a chance to apologize as he swiftly turned on his heel and strode toward his room, the loud slam of his door echoing through the dorm.
“Hyung, what happened?” San asked Hongjoong worriedly, redirecting everyone’s attention to their leader.
But Hongjoong found himself too stunned to articulate a response. Instead, he turned to Wooyoung, seeking guidance with an alarmed expression.
“Well, what are you waiting for? Go after him, hyung,” Wooyoung instructed.
Without hesitation, Hongjoong leaped to his feet and rushed to Seonghwa, pushing the door open without requesting permission. He knew he'd have to apologize for his rudeness later, but right now, his priority was to talk to Seonghwa and make things right.
The atmosphere in the room clearly indicated that his presence was unwelcome, as a shadow of displeasure darkened Seonghwa's face upon sighting Hongjoong. The blue-haired idol endeavored not to shrink from the intensity of his gaze.
“Seonghwa, I’m sor–” Hongjoong began, only to be cut off by Seonghwa with a silencing hand.
“No, Hongjoong. This has gone far enough. I feel like I deserve to speak first after everything that’s happened, don’t you think?” Seonghwa asserted firmly.
Shocked but not beyond belief by Seonghwa’s reaction, Hongjoong silently nodded his head, urging the other to continue.
“You can’t keep doing this to me, Hongjoong-ah. You can’t just shower me with gifts and touch me whenever you please, then expect me to deal with the aftermath alone. Not when I know you’re going to end up confessing to someone else.” Seonghwa conveyed, his voice tinged with a trace of frustration. "I'm not some sort of trial period for you to test on.”
As Seonghwa spoke the last sentence, his eyes welled up with unshed tears, as if he was in pain. He averted his gaze and drew in deep breaths.
Wait, what? What was Seonghwa talking about?
Treading cautiously, he took a step closer, his hands raised in a placating gesture.
“Hwa, please, just listen…”
“No, Hongjoong, you listen,” Seonghwa interrupted, his voice trembling. “I’m your friend, and I want to be happy for you. Really, I do. But if you keep doing this, the person you like might misunderstand you and tell you to stay away from me. And I don’t think I can handle it when you decide to push me away,” Seonghwa explained, his eyes glistening with tears.
Seonghwa's words hit Hongjoong like a wave crashing against the shore, pulling him into the depths of emotion. His heart ached as he witnessed his best friend, the love of his life, shed tears because he thought Hongjoong would eventually distance himself. In truth, Hongjoong wanted nothing more than to be closer to him.
Taking a decisive step nearer until they were mere arm's lengths apart, Hongjoong finally found his voice. "Who said it's a misunderstanding?"
"W-what?" Seonghwa stuttered, his voice trembling.
With much tenderness, Hongjoong reached out, gently clasping Seonghwa's hand within both of his own, holding it with much reverence.
“Seonghwa-yah, the person I like is you. Why do you think I was giving you all those gifts and trying to get closer to you every chance I got? I like you, Park Seonghwa. You . I like you so much that I can’t think of anything but you. I want to hold your hand and never let go. I want to kiss you if you’d let me. Heck, I’d give you the world if I could but I can't. Still, I would give you everything this world has to offer if it meant keeping that smile on your angelic face,” Hongjoong confessed with a wide goofy smile.
A profound silence settled between them before Seonghwa suddenly burst out in tears. Hongjoong panicked as he felt helpless to comfort the crying male.
“Oh my god, I’m sorry! Did I say something wrong, Hwa? I’m sorry, I take back everything I said,” Hongjoong said in panic, his arms flailing on his hands as he struggled to offer him the comfort he desperately needed.
Seonghwa vigorously shook his head while wiping away his tears. "No! Don't you dare take back anything, Kim Hongjoong," he exclaimed, his voice filled with a mix of disbelief and hope. "Is everything you said true?" he asked with a hint of cautious optimism.
Hongjoong nodded earnestly, confirming the truth in his words. At this, Seonghwa couldn't contain his emotions any longer. He all but launched himself at the blue-haired idol, wrapping his arms around him tightly.
Quick on his feet, Hongjoong swiftly caught the taller man around his waist, securing him to keep both of them from falling down.
Seonghwa buried his face in the crook of Hongjoong's neck, and Hongjoong could feel the warmth of tears against his skin. Gently, he placed a reassuring hand on Seonghwa's back, tracing comforting circles.
"What’s wrong, Hwa?" he asked with genuine concern.
Seonghwa shook his head lightly, his grip on Hongjoong still firm. "Nothing's wrong. In fact, everything's perfect, Joongie. I... I can't believe you like me too," he replied, nuzzling closer.
Hongjoong felt his heart stutter at Seonghwa’s proclamation, his words echoing in his head.
Too? Did Seonghwa just say ‘too’?
Much to the older’s dismay, Hongjoong pulled away to look into Seonghwa’s tear-stricken eyes.
"Wait, you like me back?" Hongjoong's voice trembled with hope, a newfound lightness in his heart.
Seonghwa chuckled despite the tears. “Of course, I do! I’ve liked you since we were trainees, Joongie! I thought I’d grow out of it, but I never did.”
Hongjoong tightened his grip on Seonghwa's waist, overwhelmed with joy at this sudden revelation. "Why didn’t you tell me?" he asked, his voice filled with a mix of curiosity and regret.
"Because I didn’t want to risk being rejected by my best friend and potentially jeopardizing our team. So, I thought it'd be better to keep my feelings to myself," Seonghwa confessed.
“Park Seonghwa, babo!” Hongjoong teased affectionately, earning him a playful smack on the shoulder. “You know what’s funny? All the love songs I wrote were always about you, you know. I’m sorry it took this long to figure everything out.”
Seonghwa couldn’t help but smile. “Sounds like you,” he snorted.
“Hey, I’m pouring my heart over here,” Hongjoong retorted with a pout, causing the other to laugh out loud at his adorable expression.
"Sorry, please continue," Seonghwa beckoned, keeping his arms loosely looped around Hongjoong’s neck.
“As I was saying, even before my head knew, my heart was already yours. I’ve always loved the way you smile like you were in pain. I love how you scold us when we’re being too noisy. I love your serious and playful sides. I love everything about you, Seonghwa. And if you’ll let me, I’d really love to take you out on a date. Would you like that?”
A radiant smile illuminated Seonghwa's face before he answered, "I'd absolutely love that."
Hongjoong let out a breath he didn't know he was holding as soon as he heard Seonghwa's answer. "Can I hug you now?" he asked bashfully, a warm flush spreading across his cheeks.
Seonghwa didn’t give him an answer as he wordlessly pulled Hongjoong into his arms, the latter reciprocating in less than a heartbeat.
They allowed the sweet silence to envelop them as they let themselves bask in each other’s warmth, listening to the pounding of their hearts against their collided chests.
Just then, Seonghwa broke the silence. “You know, before you go around licking my neck and all, you’ll have to take me to dinner first, mister,” he remarked, his chuckle vibrating against their connected chests.
Warmth exploded on Hongjoong’s face as he recalled his actions a while ago, embarrassed beyond belief. He buried himself closer in Seonghwa’s arms. “I’m really sorry about that. Please forget that ever happened.”
“I most certainly will not . But I am genuinely curious about what possessed you to suddenly do that. You’re never one for skinship,” Seonghwa stated.
“For your information, I’m okay with skinship, at least with you. Plus, this isn’t how I imagined things going down,” he disclosed.
“Oh? And how did you imagine it, oh Great Hongjoong,” Seonghwa playfully shot back.
“Yah, don’t tease me! I had everything planned out. I was going to ask you out for a romantic dinner this weekend–just the two of us then woo you with fine wine and good food. I haven’t even given you half of the gifts I prepared. Then, before the night ends, I will confess my feelings to you,” Hongjoong stated proudly.
Seonghwa slightly leaned back, peering deeply into Hongjoong's eyes while still maintaining his gentle hold on him. "You'd do all of that, just for me? Hongjoong-ah, I don’t need a fancy dinner or lavish gifts. All I ever wanted was you,” he conveyed, resting his forehead with Hongjoong's in an intimate gesture.
Hongjoong was only a man, so he’d be a liar if he said that Seonghwa’s statement didn’t make him melt like a puddle. “But you deserve romance and more! And I wanted to make it special.”
Seonghwa responded humorously, "You flatter me, Kim Hongjoong."
“What are you talking about? I’m the most romantic person on earth. Who else would write love songs about you without even realizing they were about you? That, my dear Seonghwa, takes a considerable amount of artistic genius, if you ask me,” Hongjoong retorted with a playful smirk.
At this, Seonghwa couldn't help but burst into laughter, the sound bubbling joyously from deep within his chest. Just as the pair relished their private moment, their reverie was abruptly interrupted by persistent knocks on the door, accompanied by multiple voices from the other side.
“Hyungs, are you both decent? We heard Seonghwa-hyung laugh and we really want to know if we should congratulate you, or leave you both be,” Wooyoung inquired with a cheeky tone.
"This brat," Hongjoong muttered under his breath, eliciting a chuckle from the older man. Reluctantly, they released their grasp on each other's hands, but Hongjoong kept a hold on Seonghwa’s hand.
“You can come in,” Hongjoong announced before the kids basically stormed into Seonghwa's room all at once.
As soon as their eyes fell upon the intertwined hands of the two, the room erupted in deafening squeals of joy and enthusiastic applause. The uproar was led mainly by Wooyoung and San, who were practically screaming in delight. Rounds of congratulations followed as the younger members celebrated their hyungs' freshly formed relationship.
“I’ll be your best man, right?” Wooyoung suddenly declared, positioning himself at the forefront.
“We’re not getting married, you brat,” Hongjoong shot back. At least, not yet , his mind supplied.
"But when you do, I better be your choice, okay?"
Hongjoong continued to jest, "Actually, I was thinking of asking Yunho to be my best man." This earned him a disbelieving gasp from their most boisterous member, countered by a triumphant cheer from the tallest.
"What?! I'm the reason you’re both together! I demand an important role in your wedding," Wooyoung protested dramatically before turning to Seonghwa. "Hwa-hyung, can I be your best man?"
Seonghwa grinned widely at him. “Of course, Wooyoung-ah.”
"Yes! You're the best, Hwa-hyung!" Wooyoung cheered before opening his arms, ready to give Seonghwa the biggest hug.
However, Hongjoong wasn't ready to let go of the older. Instead, he drew Seonghwa into his arms once more, wrapping a protective arm around Seonghwa's slender waist, keeping him securely by his side and out of Wooyoung's grasp.
“My Seonghwa,” Hongjoong declared, drawing chuckles from the onlooking members.
Wooyoung shot him a playful glare, “No fair, Hongjoong-hyung! You have to share Hwa-hyung,” he sulked.
“No, I gotta make up for all the lost time,” Hongjoong quipped. “Until I, your captain, say so, no one gets to cuddle Seonghwa except me,” he continued, using his leader card against the others who voiced their disapproval while Seonghwa couldn't help but laugh.
However, everyone knew that their leader’s threat was all in good fun. He would never withhold physical affection from the others. Still, he relished the idea of spending more quality cuddle time with Seonghwa. And someday, maybe more if Seonghwa allows it.
But for now, as his eyes locked with Seonghwa, Hongjoong knew that there would no longer be any lost time as he would cherish every moment spent with the man he loved.
And that was more than enough.