Chapter Text
For as long as Jinyoung could recall, he was watched over by a funny and caring hyung with a guitar.
Sewoon, who let Jinyoung called him Ponyo-hyung as a kid, always tended to his booboos, made sure he did his homework, listened to his trouble, and sung any song he requested.
A mellifluous guardian angel who encouraged him to become an idol after another night of singing together.
(“Normally, I’d have to leave once you turn 18, but I promise to be here until you become a superstar.”
“Is that your way of telling me you’re never leaving?”
“That’s my way of saying you’ll debut, my little superstar.”)
Even when Jinyoung reached the age of 18, he could depend on Sewoon as the older sibling he never had.
Even when Jinyoung chose to join Produce 101, he could depend on Sewoon to remind him to bring more snacks.
(“Remember to pack extra underwear too.”
“Seriously hyung?”
“Do I need to remind you who took care of your 3rd grade incident?”)
It never occurred to him that after all those years, Jinyoung's now months away from possibly debuting. Sure he needed to sell his soul to the devil (don’t tell Sewoon) and get through this hell of a survival show, but he was so close.
So close to becoming a popular idol.
Part of the next IOI.
A superstar…
‘My little superstar.’
Yet he recollects Sewoon’s oath to his ten year old self. Was it really a promise of his debut or Sewoon’s impending departure? What would happen to them if Jinyoung became a “superstar”? Would there still be a them?
Meanwhile, Sewoon walks into the room stea- borrowing Jaehwan’s? Donghyun's? guitar. Would the cameras capture it as a mysterious new trainee or a floating guitar?
“Hyung…”
“Hmm?”
“Will you leave me?” Is what Jinyoung wants to ask.
“Will you disappear if I debut?”
“When you debut.” His angel corrects him. “And I’ll have to, but”
A pregnant pause; a bittersweet(?) smile.
“By then, you won’t need me anymore.”
The pat on Jinyoung’s head gives him no comfort. There’s already a rock cast into his stomach and he lets the sinking feeling drag him down.
Bae Jinyoung goes from a C to F.
He hates himself for performing so poorly- for disappointing his supporters- but he hates himself more for believing there’s one good reason for bombing his reevaluation.
The longer it takes for him to debut, the longer Sewoon stays.
And right now- in this storm of competitors and cameras- he’s not ready to let go of his life preserver.
Extra:
Jinyoung exits the bathroom last, clad in only Pokemon boxers. All his roommates are dead asleep allowing his angelic hyung to motions him over to dry his hair. There’s a smug satisfaction knowing he’s the only trainee with a guardian angel- a travel-sized mom- to take care of him (and guard his snacks and confess to when it get difficult).
Unless he’s not the only one?
“Hey, do any of the other trainees have a guardian angel?” Sewoon hums, pausing in the middle of his ministration. Jinyoung cranes his head around.
“That’s…classified information.” Now gentle fingers were combing through his hair, turning him into putty.
“Actually,” The twinkle in Sewoon’s eyes has Jinyoung instinctively fearing the worst.
“There’s a guardian in this room right now. And noona likes your boxer.”
“Wait really?” Jinyoung falls off the bed in a mad scramble to the closet, eyes darting around the room in alarm.
“Nah.”
Sewoon laughs, body shaking in mirth and Jinyoung hisses, unable to be as noisy without suffering his roommates’ sleep deprived wrath.