Chapter Text
It had been a really long day for the group. Their schedule was packed from 7 that morning until now. But unfortunately it was not over yet.
They had an event to go to too. When their manager announced it, the whole group groaned.
“Must we hyung?” Xiumin asked.
“Yes. It’s an important function and you all were invited so you have to show up and mingle”
More grumbles and irritated noises were let out.
Sehun was not looking forward to this. Not at all. He’s never been good with crowds. Or parties.
It’s sometimes funny since being an idol and all. But it wasn’t today.
Sehun had already met his limit for the day and he really needed a break. Just hearing about the party, made his whole body stiffen up.
He tried thinking of excuses through the time of leaving their meeting, making it back to the dorm, eating a quick dinner and getting ready.
He couldn’t think of one so there was only one option.
Beg.
“Hyung please! Don’t make me go. Please Su hyung?”
Suho sighed.
He was exhausted and Sehun saw it written all over his face. Makeup helped cover the circles beginning to form under his eyes but his whole body language screamed ‘I’m tired leave me alone’.
“I can’t Sehunnie. You know I would find an excuse to get us out of this but my hands are tied. We have to attend for the sake of our image”
Sehun bit the edge of his lip to hold back the whine he wanted to release.
He was just so so tired.
He didn’t want to talk to people. He just wanted to take a long shower, curl up in one of his hyung’s laps and sleep.
But that wasn’t a fucking option.
______________________________________
When Sehun asked, more like begged to not go the function tonight, Suho knew something wasn’t right.
They all may hate the events but it was rare for Sehun to come to him and try to get out of something.
Usually he does whatever needs to be done without complaints. So Suho knew there was something up.
It had only been a few hours since they arrived and the leader mostly had a clue where everyone was.
Except Sehun.
Though he found him quite quickly as he took a brief look around the area and saw him, holed into a corner, sitting on the edge of a couch.
The closer he got, the more he realized something was very wrong. Suho noticed that Sehun was breathing rather heavy and how his eyes kept bouncing around, almost erratic.
Suho could recognize an oncoming panic attack anywhere. He mentally steeled himself to step into hyung mode to take care of his maknae.
“Sehun? Sehunnie. Look at me”
Sehun’s tear filled eyes focused on him for a second before moving around again like he barely registered him standing there. Suho was about to reach out but remembered that when overstimulated, Sehun hated to be touched.
Taking a breath, Suho kneeled on one knee close enough to be seen but not touched.
“Sehun. Sehunnie. Snowflake?” He whispered. The pet name is what got the younger’s attention.
“Just focus on me and try to breathe for me?”
Sehun shook his head as the tears started falling.
“You can do it snowflake. I’ll do it with you” the older replied, inwardly relieved when Sehun nodded. Suho created a simple breathing pattern and Sehun picked it up quickly. They did that for about a little while and Sehun seemed to breathe easier though he was still anxious.
Suho smiled. “Hey. It’s too much, yeah?” He asked, continuing to speak softly. Sehun nodded. Suho figured he was going to be nonverbal. That wasn’t too much of a problem though.
They had a system for a reason.
“May I touch you?” He asked and once he got the nod of approval, he slid their hands together. He stood up from the floor, wincing at how sore his knee felt.
“Can you stand?”
The maknae nodded and got up. He was a little wobbly but Suho stood there until he seemed steady. Then the older pulled Sehun along until they made it into an empty stairwell.
Suho helped Sehun sit on the stairs before moving to lean against the railing.
It was silent other than the younger’s occasional sniffles.
Unsure what to do next, Suho ran his fingers through his hair as he moved to sit next to Sehun, leaving enough space so they weren’t touching until the younger was ready.
“H-hyung. I want to go home. Please” Sehun pleaded after a while, as he hugged the older.
Suho returned the hug, pulling the maknae close.
“Alright. I’ll text hyung to come get you”
Sehun let out a whine, gripping onto Suho’s suit jacket.
“No! I want us to go home hyung. I want to be done”
You’re pushed past your limits, aren’t you snowflake?
I should have noticed sooner.
“I’m sorry Sehunnie”
The maknae pulled from the embrace a little, to look at his hyung. He had a look of confusion, tilting his head a bit.
“For what hyung?”
“I should have noticed you were reaching your limit. I feel guilty because I forced you to come”
Sehun shook his head as his lips quirked up into a tiny smile.
“It’s okay. You’re here now”
Suho returned the smile.
The two sat by the wall and while Sehun was laid across his lap, Suho sent out a text to everyone about their whereabouts in case they were looking for them and to ask if they wanted to ditch the party.
The overwhelming amount of messages that said ‘yes’ or ‘please save us’ was ridiculous.
Was their manager going to be pissed the next day?
Absolutely. But Suho could take it. The group was overworked and needed a break.
And nothing could ever replace the content smile that the youngest was wearing as he slept cuddled up to the leader in bed that night.
Suho wanted to keep that smile. No matter the cost.