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Kim fucking Hongjoong.
Seonghwa was going to skin this man alive. It’d been four hours since the group’s daily schedule ended. The day finished for everyone after wrapping up lives for Atiny at 10 pm. KQ’s media team would probably post a new logbook tomorrow to keep the fans engaging with content. There was too much packed into the day, with it being Ateez’s comeback. Somehow, the company fit the logbook recording in between some brand’s sponsored photoshoot. The boys were exhausted from several hours of vocal training, but knew better than to let their fatigue show in front of the cameras.
All the members turned in for the night as soon as the last live ended. Not Hongjoong though. Oh no, Mr. Workaholic just had to get back into his studio to work on his solo. Seonghwa knew better. Hongjoong’s song was already done. It was saved in a file on the captain’s laptop, along with all their solos. The whole fucking setlist was set in stone. There was no changing or adding with the first performance being in a couple of weeks. They’d been practicing choreography until the moves were ingrained into their subconscious. He recently witnessed Mingi doing a watered down version of Lemon Drop between time blocks.
Seonghwa looked at the clock again, the hands showing 2:26 in the morning. You’ve got to be kidding me. Irritation pricked at his brow. They have to be back in the practice room studio in four hours for their morning routine. He hasn’t tried to function off minimal sleep since his trainee days. With a deep groan, Seonghwa pushed himself out the chair he had occupied while waiting on his friend. His hands wrapped his jacket tighter across his torso. He was thankful that the air conditioning kept him from dozing off.
He started down the hall, passing darkened studios and a water fountain on the way to the elevator. How was he going to pull this man out of his work? Seonghwa had no clue. He went back and forth with ideas of pulling out his authoritative voice everyone knows as Momma Seonghwa, dragging the idiot out by his ear, or “accidentally” smashing Hongjoong’s new soundboard to pieces. Although good ideas, Seonghwa would be waved off with the excuse of “Hwa, we are so close to this concert. Everything needs to be perfect.” Or he’d have to deal with a miserable captain if something happened to that damn soundboard. He knew Hongjoong wouldn’t be mad at him. Maybe slightly irritated, but never hostile. The man hovered around Seonghwa like a moth to a light.
Oh.
A smile slowly etched its way across his face. Hongjoong was whipped for him. Seonghwa didn’t mind at all. In fact, he found the captain’s way of flirting quite endearing. Hongjoong would always blush if they so much as touched hands. Throughout all the years of knowing him, this man was a loser through and through.
Behind the camera or on stage was always a different story. It was Seonghwa who had to hide his emotions behind a straight face as the camera started recording. Hongjoong’s energy was bold and almost arrogant. It rocked Seonghwa to his very core. He thought if Hongjoong ever gained that energy in his day to day life, he would ruin their friendship so fast. Those memories of his presumptuous act would always come back and haunt him in the night leaving him too hot. Even a cold shower couldn’t wash away that damn smirk.
Seonghwa shook the image away from the front of his mind. Thousands of Hongjoong shaped thoughts rushed through his head. He needed to stop right now. He had something more to accomplish other than getting hard from remembering his captain’s whiny voice during his part in their most recent song. Oh, how he would love to hear that again. He will. Tomorrow. When they have their concert rehearsal.
Seonghwa then planned up the most cunning strategy to get Hongjoong away from his studio. It was so diabolically good that he had to school his face before knocking on the studio door. His annoyance of staying later was long forgotten. He prayed this would work.
“Joongie?” He rapped his knuckles across the wood. His voice echoed down the hall. The door opened not a second later to present a dead looking Hongjoong, his copper hair askew from what seemed to be frustration. Bags sat heavy under his eyes, and it looked as if he hadn’t changed from his dance clothes he wore in the morning.
“Hey Hwa, what’s up?” Hongjoong flashed a quick smile.
“Nothing, it’s really late.” Seonghwa looked the man in the eye. If his plan was going to work he needed to fabricate a story.
“I know, but you know the tour is breathing down our necks. If I can’t make my solo specific to every-”
Seonghwa cut Hongjoong off immediately. He didn’t want to hear another rationalization that he spewed out every time he was confronted for staying late. Time to dial it up a notch.
“Joongie, I know. This comeback is really important. Every stop needs something special for our Atiny. That’s why I need your help,” Seonghwa lit his voice with a tad bit of desperation. He saw Hongjoong’s eyes focus immediately. The weariness seemed to vanish as he looked up to make eye contact with Seonghwa.
“You need my help?” Hongjoong stepped forward. Eager to hear what the other man’s request was. “Me?”
“Yes, you. Everyone else is gone. They all should be in bed right now. I wouldn’t have bothered you, but it’s almost 3 in the morning and I’ve been struggling with my solo.” Hongjoong’s eyes widened. A flash of panic struck through Seonghwa’s heart. He didn’t think his friend bought the white lie. Hongjoong looked like he didn’t hear that right. Seonghwa blinked rapidly and looked away out of worry he might be caught. Hongjoong must’ve thought he was close to tears because he immediately grabbed his friend’s shoulder.
“Star, what do you mean? Your set is perfect! You haven’t been here all this time, have you?” Hongjoong stepped closer, searching the other’s eyes.
His concern for Seonghwa staying late was almost hypocritical. Hongjoong, in fact, was the one who would stay late working more times than not. He just didn’t want to admit it or didn’t seem to realize it. Seonghwa almost laughed at the irony, but kept his composure to carry on his mission.
“Yes, I have. I went to the dance studio after Wooyoung’s live ended. I feel like something is off when I rehearse it. I’ve rehearsed so many times that I am missing what I’m messing up on.” Seonghwa looked at the captain through his bangs. “I need you to watch and tell me what it is.”
He watched Hongjoong’s mind play tug of war. Tell Seonghwa to talk with the dance coach in the morning and go back to working on his laptop, or help this man who looks at him like he can fix all his problems. Seonghwa hammered the final nail in the coffin when he stepped even closer to Hongjoong. Across the threshold, practically chest to chest he cast his eyes down. “Please, captain?”
Hook, line and sinker. Hongjoong’s face filled with a blush. He darted his eyes to the side. “Yeah, let me just close up here and we’ll head to one of the practice rooms.”
Seonghwa was so elated that his plan to pull Hongjoong out of the office worked. He smiled to himself as Hongjoong turned and started to clean up his work area, saving files and powering down his board. The flush never left his cheeks as both of them walked to the elevator to take them down to the dance studios.
“I really don’t know what I’m messing up on, Joong. It’s been bothering me to where I don’t feel right going to bed.” Seonghwa pressed the button to open the metal doors. Both stepped in and Seonghwa hit the button to take them down to the studios. “It really means a lot to me that you would help me even with your workload.”
Hongjoong blushed a little darker, but looked Seonghwa in the eyes to say, “Work can wait. You are way more important.”
Seonghwa felt his cheeks warm. He smiled a little and led the way to the first room as soon as the elevator doors opened. Hongjoong flicked on the light. The bulbs buzzed to life, washing everything in a fluorescent glow. They closed the door out of habit. No one was in the building this late to bother them. Seonghwa pulled up a chair from the wall and pushed it to the center of the room.
“Sit here.” Hongjoong followed Seonghwa’s instructions as he found his spot. He watched the oldest go over to the speaker. His phone connected to the Bluetooth and shuffled through the setlist until he found his solo.
Seonghwa quickly walked to the middle of the room after raising the volume to be loud enough. Hongjoong adjusted his posture in the chair to go into full on observation mode. Seonghwa felt Hongjoong’s eyes trailing after his every breath, movement and shake as he got into form.
The speaker filled the room with a slithering sound and Seonghwa began. He held his hands from his stomach and lifted them fluidly to cover most of his face. His eye peeked out and found Hongjoong who sat leaning forward, attention solely and completely on him. He theatrically swiped the side of his index finger against his lips, the feeling staying as he looked down. Putting his hands down near his hips, he started moving his shoulders.
He mouthed the words to the lyrics, remembering when he recorded them in the sound booth. Hearing them again now, they sounded so sexual. Hongjoong had shown him the final lyrics when the company gave it the green light. He had sat with Hongjoong and Eden to help write the song. He didn’t really give it much thought when they were creating it. A song is a song. Work is work. Money is money. Sex sells.
But now. Right now, performing it in front of his friend. His best friend and interest. The man who was observing him with eyes that have trainees quivering with fear from a judging look. Seonghwa shivered under the stare. Not from the same fear shared by trainees, but something that made the attention pleasurable. Mouthing the lyrics to him felt almost like an invitation. Charged with an unspoken proposal.
Focus, Seonghwa.
He danced through the choreography as if the back up dancers were there. Weaving in and out of their spots as he envisioned them along with him on the polished wood. He snaked his hand through imaginary arms and beckoned his audience with a simple gesture. Quickly, he pulled his arm back to frame the side of his head. Seonghwa slowly moved his hand down his arm, cocking his hip to the side.
He caught Hongjoong’s eyes again as he used his hand to brush the side of his mouth. Hongjoong’s pupils dilated as he focused on Seonghwa’s lips. Seonghwa knew the move was supposed to be attractive, but seeing his captain react to it filled him with more confidence. A warmth started to bloom in his chest. He wanted to watch Hongjoong’s every reaction to every movement he made.
He toned up the appeal by turning to the side and raking his hand down his body, hips moving to the beat. When he had turned back and went through more of the choreography, he noticed Hongjoong had shifted from his original spot in the chair. He had leaned back against the rest, legs spread a bit further, hands balled tightly on his thighs. His eyes never left Seonghwa’s dance. Seonghwa smirked, feeling something like adrenaline rushing through his veins. Damn, he’s gonna think about this all day tomorrow.
Seonghwa quickly brought the attention back to his lips. His tongue darted out, making his lips shiny. His movements powered through the soreness of previous rehearsals and practices. He moved with more stage presence and never shifted his eyes from Hongjoong’s. Seonghwa watched as the captain’s fists tightened as he slowly came up from a wide squat. Unknowingly to himself, he then began singing along with the lyrics. His voice was a little breathy from the dancing.
He had to remember where his “mistake” would be. Otherwise Hongjoong would tell him he was in over his head and head back to the studio. His plan to get him out would be wasted. He wouldn’t put it past Hongjoong to stay the night at the company.
Seonghwa’s hands found the zipper to his jacket and started lowering it. Hongjoong’s eyes tracked the motion, following it lowering closer and closer to his hips.
“Fuck,” Seonghwa heard Hongjoong groan. He swallowed really hard, and couldn't seem to tear his gaze away from Seonghwa’s smooth movements.
Seonghwa started taking off the jacket, but it seemed that he wasn’t able to finish the choreography. To whoever was watching, it looked like the jacket got stuck on his biceps while trying to remove it. Seonghwa planned for the sleeves to get “caught” on his arms during the routine. He would need his backup dancers, or a helping hand to complete the dance composition without an error. The plan executed nicely. He formed his face into irritation and stopped moving.
Hongjoong was completely locked in on the jacket stuck on Seonghwa’s arms. His eyes narrowed and then rose up, the end of the song playing in the back as he approached his co-leader. Seonghwa stared at him, pouting with fake frustration. “This is what I was struggling with.”
The captain stepped closer to Seonghwa. His eyes searched the other’s, pupils wider than his iris. Oh shit, Seonghwa’s brain faltered. He had really turned him on.
Maybe he can convince the other to go home to his dorm now. His plan was to play into their feelings. Embarrass him enough to go home to take care of his- problem. Seonghwa would get a lot of benefit out of seeing Hongjoong’s face with lust. He’d sear it into his mind. His own arousal hit him like a truck. Fuck, now he might have the same problem.
Hongjoong’s hand came up, fingers lightly tracing the fabric on the arm of the jacket. Seonghwa’s breath caught in his throat, and goosebumps erupted across his skin. He felt his blood pumping in his veins.
“Star, baby. Were you frustrated because you had nobody to pull this off?”
Seonghwa nodded as his face grew into something needy. As if he needed his jacket off. It was too hot.
“Joongie, please help me! I need this right. What if it happens on stage?” He felt breathless. Words coming fast and airy. The white lie felt more like a real concern. Hongjoong never stopped looking at Seonghwa’s face. His hand stopped on Seonghwa’s elbow. His grip tightened a bit.
A choked sound came from Hongjoong’s throat, “Stay here.”
With that Hongjoong walked back to the speaker and brought the song back to several seconds before Seonghwa’s “mistake”. Hongjoong walked up behind Seonghwa. His chest pressed against his back. Seonghwa could feel how much his dance affected this man.
“Hongjoong-” Seonghwa’s words died in his throat as the captain’s lips whispered against his ear.
“Again, Star. I got you, baby.” Hongjoong’s voice was but a murmur, but Seonghwa heard it loud and clear. A high pitch noise threatened to come out of his throat. Seonghwa swallowed it back down. Hongjoong’s command was all Seonghwa needed to raise his arms behind him.
It was too hot. His clothes were too tight. He could feel Hongjoong on his back. He just needed to make it through this set of the choreography. He didn’t think his plan would turn on him this much. Damn it, Hongjoong. Seonghwa just needed this man to get back to his dorm to sleep for at least three hours.
Hongjoong gripped his jacket sleeves and deliberately peeled off the article of clothing. Seonghwa felt his eyes trained on his back muscles, his shirt clinging tight to his body from sweat. He gripped onto the cuffs of the sleeves, and then he whipped his arms out of the jacket, throwing Hongjoong into the choreography. He turned around on his knees, facing the standing man and put the rest of his energy into this damn dance.
Grabbing his neck and licking his lips yet again, he stood up, chest to chest with Hongjoong. Hongjoong made no move to step away as Seonghwa danced on and around him. His hand came up again to slide across his mouth. Hongjoong caught it, but Seonghwa wrenched his hand away. He desperately needed to keep control of this push and pull he created.
He backed up to finish the rest of the dance. Hongjoong watched with rapt attention, arms crossed against his chest. The jacket dropped on the floor. Seonghwa slid right up to him in the last bit. He flashed Hongjoong a smile as he turned around. His back pressed against Hongjoong’s chest, ass flush against Hongjoong’s hips. He grabbed his friend’s hands from behind and slid them up his body. One to rest on his waist and the other on his neck.
Seonghwa ground his body back against Hongjoong and felt the other push back into him, his hands tightening slightly. The song finished. Heavy breathing echoed throughout the room. From who? Seonghwa couldn’t tell. Hongjoong was right up against his ear. Blood was rushing in his head. He fought the urge to gasp as Hongjoong’s hand tilted his jaw up more. His throat opened.
“Hwa,” Hongjoong rasped. “Park Seonghwa, what the hell was that?” His nose slid up the column of his neck.
“I- needed your help,” Seonghwa gasped. Hongjoong’s hand tightened around his neck a little harder.
“Did you now?” The hand on his waist pulled the other as close as their bodies would let them. Instinctively, Seonghwa ground his hips back and Hongjoong bit back a curse.
“Yes- fuck yes.” Seonghwa didn’t know if he’d last any longer. He opened his eyes and saw himself in the studio wall mirrors, almost too far gone in his lust. Flush painting his face to his chest. Chest heaving. Hongjoong’s hands moved with his body against each breath. Hongjoong- his eyes peering back at him. Gaze sharp, almost predatory. His mind started going fuzzy as soon as Hongjoong bared his neck to their reflection.
All of a sudden the pressure left him. Seonghwa turned around, blinking in dismay. “Huh?” He watched as Hongjoong backed up. The other man was still watching his every move.
“Star, you know I hate liars. You know damn well that you had that choreography ingrained into your psyche. You did this on purpose.” Hongjoong smiled at him. White teeth flashing, stance shifting into something arrogant. Seonghwa would risk it all for him right now.
All he could do was stare at the man who figured out his plan, mouth gaping like a fish. “Hwa, baby, close your mouth. Pick up your jacket and phone. We need to go.” Hongjoong moved to place the chair back in its original spot.
It took a couple of minutes for Seonghwa to collect himself again. He realized how worse off he was when he bent over to pick up his jacket. He let out a low groan and slowly walked back to the speaker to get the phone.
“Are we going back now?” Seonghwa looked over at Hongjoong as he turned off the lights and shut the studio door.
“Yeah, but we may need to stop by the convenience store to pick up some things. Star, you’re in for a long day tomorrow.” Hongjoong led them into the elevator and pressed the ground floor.
“What do you mean?” Seonghwa placed his jacket back on. The air conditioning chilled him after his high. He didn’t expect Hongjoong to be right up against his ear again.
“Baby, you know you’re not getting away with the stunt you pulled tonight.” Hongjoong’s voice spurred the warmth on again. “I think we will need to watch your dances closer to make sure there aren’t anymore… mistakes.”