Work Text:
The clock striked 16:00 as someone clapped his back gently. Hoetaek looked back from his office desktop and saw the director of the office he served for the past 21 months, grinning at him. Hoetaek scrambled to greet the older, standing to bow 90 degrees, his hands on the side.
“Mr. Lee Hoetaek, you’ve worked hard. Really worked hard.” The director praised him, patting his arm so he could straighten up. Hoetaek was confused at the sudden praise of the Director. Also, it was unusual for the Director to go out of his office just to talk to him. Recalling back, Hoetaek saw the older only three times: when he joined, Christmas Party, and General Assembly.
“It’s the last hour, Mr. Lee Hoetaek. I came out personally to tell you how grateful we are for all of your hardwork.” Last hour? Right. The other public officials he was working with, stood and applauding him.
November 17, 2022. Today’s the day. It’s the last day of his enlistment. The last day of his resting period — which to be honest was not, with him composing and producing just few months ago, preparing for his solo debut and Pentagon’s comeback. It’s still far from being done since the songs were only made with his laptop as all of his high quality equipments were at his studio which he was not allowed to go to while doing public service.
For the past almost two years, he’d been accustomed to the quiet, healthy and regular work-life balance. He won’t deny that he missed performing and his messed up body clock, but the little shift in his life was nothing he’d ever experience, so he appreciated it for as long as he can. Trying not to think of the what-ifs once his enlistment came to an end? But it has finally come. Hoetaek tried to keep his name out there to the public through his new song, a relief that he could still do this, but still there’s no assurance if the general public still remembers him. His fans probably will, hopefully. He hoped that the 1.4M Youtube subscribers were still here when he returned.
All of these and another one thing lingered on his busy mind as he ate with his colleagues the simple feast the Director has prepared for him as a farewell party.
Few more photo ops and Hoetaek packed his things, bowing to each and everyone of his colleagues, heart swelling as he saw his manager who came to pick him up for the first time after a long time. His idol life has really returned. Hoetaek approached his manager, patting him at the back, but was genuinely surprised when the touchy Hoetaek wrapped his arms around him, hugging him.
But nothing could ever prepare Hoetaek for what waited for him outside. The world has been crazy since 2020 when the pandemic broke out and until he enlisted, everything was not normal. It took two years for the world to heal and though there are still restrictions, life went back to normal. As an idol, that meant seeing his fans again and performing in front of Universe. He had been jealous of his members that got to finally talk and meet with Universe early this year when they had a comeback with Jinho. Hoetaek doesn’t need to be jealous now because as he stepped out of the gate, he was blinded by the flashes from the camera of the media, fansites and Universe. A lot of Universe.
Hoetaek stood there in awe, looking lovingly at each pair of happy, teary eyes of the Universe. He pronounced his name as Pentagon’s Hui who had finally been dischared as of today. He added to take care of him like a rookie singer and that he will do his best just like a rookie singer, saluting and bidding them goodbye.
It took Hoetaek a lot longer to notice that their manager was not driving him back to the dorm, and the latter refused to answer when he was questioned by Hoetaek. He jokingly complained about doing a surprise welcome back for him when his members could see and meet him every now and then, but the manager knew Hoetaek was happy about it and that he loved it. After all, he’s Pentagon’s forever leader. And although Hoetaek expected it to be a surprise, being a scaredy-cat, he was startled when there was a loud pop, at the same time lights at the private restaurant started switching on.
The first thing that caught his eye was his members. Shinwon with a cake at the center, Changgu, Yanan, Yuto lined on his right while on Shinwon’s left are Wooseok and Jinho. Hongseok was already serving the country while Hyunggu had a schedule which he was willing to cancel but Hoetaek advised against it. It was a dancing variety show and it was not appropriate to cancel the recording just for him. Behind the members were balloons on both sides and a banner of Congratulations. Hoetaek did not understand the need for the cake, but still blew the lit up candles.
With all the banters, teasing, catching up — yes, it was amazing that there’s a lot to catch up even though Hoetaek was with them almost everyday —, it took them more than two hours to finish eating. Again, this was not his first time in a long time to eat with the members while he was doing public service, but it was nice to be able to stay up late with the members instead of being alone in his room knowing that he doesn’t have to wake up at 6 in the morning anymore and riding in the same car as the dorm A, namely Shinwon for now. Shinwon wondered out loud how often would he see the leader now that Hoetaek surely would be holed up in his studio, preparing for his solo album as soon as the sun rise up tomorrow. Hoetaek laughed and told the younger that his studio has been always open for them, to which Shinwon scoffed. It has been always open when Hoetaek was not in the working zone — which was 1-2 hours a day.
“Have you talked to Hyunggu?” The younger carefully took a peek at Hoetaek who was currently looking at his phone, as if waiting for a message that will never come. Hoetaek pocketed the phone in his jacket’s inside pocket, sparing Shinwon a glance and a weak smile, and then looking outside as he answered no.
“The last time was last week, I think.” Hoetaek recalled. It was - not - surprisingly about work. Hoetaek was composing late at night and out of habit, Hyunggu was the first person he called to check with him his thoughts about the song he was doing. “Why?”
Shinwon just shrugged his shoulder, “He was really so bummed that he couldn’t welcome you today. Hyunggu was moody more than he’d ever been.” Hoetaek chuckled, and mentally thanked Shinwon for the heads up if ever he intend to talk to Hyunggu today.
Scratch that. He had to talk to Hyunggu. They promised to have the long overdue conversation once he returned.
It seemed like Hoetaek was not the only one, seeing Hyunggu in his room, in his pajamas, sitting cross-legged on the edge of the bed, lifting his head from being glued to his phone as the former pushed open the door. The younger carefully placed his phone on the bed, taking few steps and stopping in front of him.
“Welcome back, Captain.” Hyunggu muttered before launching himself to Hoetaek’s open arms.
“I’m happy to see you, Hyunggu.” The leader whispered to the other’s ears, wrapping his arms around the younger, tightly.
Hyunggu watched as Hoetaek unpack his things that he brought when he moved to his temporary apartment near the office he worked for, and listened to the leader when he answered how his last day went. When he was done, he stared at trying-not-to-sleep Hyunggu from the floor where Hoetaek was currenly sitting, contemplating if he should just change clothes here and talk with Hyunggu, but of all times, his body suddenly screamed to be bathed.
“I know we need to talk, as we promised.” Hyunggu’s eyes lit up, as if he was happy that he remembered, “but can we do that right after I take a shower?” The younger giggled, making the other too. If only Hoetaek could kiss Hyunggu right there and then, but they really have to sort things out. Hyunggu nodded and poutingly warned him not to take so long because he’s really pretty tired, and he’s only fighting against it because of him.
Hoetaek did. He surely was done within five minutes, and got disappointed when he saw Hyunggu already lying on his side on the bed, back to the door. Almost, because the younger rolled to the other side, cellphone on his hand, surprised that the older was already done. Hyunggu clicked the button on the side of his phone closed, putting it on the bedside table as Hoetaek sat beside him, back on the headboard, legs crossed by his ankle while Hyunggu’s sitting in an indian position.
“This was the same position we had two years ago.” Hoetaek began, breaking the ice.
“I know.” Hyunggu answered under his breath, sounding distant, as if he was remembering that night. That one fateful night that they mutually decided to break things off after being in relationship for three years. Not that they don’t love each other anymore, but the last year before Hoetaek enlisted has been rocky for the both of them. They realized that maybe, they have to prioritize their own dreams and goals. Hoetaek did, and he wanted Hyunggu to do this as well and on his own. It’s amazing how Hyunggu thought the same thing too so when the younger went to his room the night before Hoetaek’s enlistment and asked for time and space to think about all of this, Hoetaek only said I know. It was still painful, but at least there was no hard feellings. They remained friends, though the calls made were mostly work related. But if there was one thing that made it less hurting, it’s the promise of tonight.
“Did it hurt? When you watched me go?” Hoetaek turned to the younger, who was staring at his joined hands on his lap.
“Of course. I love you, how can you expect me not to be heartbroken?”
“Then why didn’t you stop me?” Hyunggu asked back, meeting the soft gaze of the brown eyes of the other.
Hoetaek sighed, looking away from Hyunggu, leaning his head back on the headboard, “I did you wrong, made countless mistakes, and put you through all of this. ”
“I know.” Hyunggu put his head back down, thinking back of how their little fights turned something big because both of them were sensitive those times. Very sensitive. “I’m sorry I hurt you that night.”
“Why are you still sorry?” Hoetaek reached for his hand, intertwined it with his. Hyunggu looked up at Hoetaek, “It’s all in the past now, Hyunggu-yah. I’m back. Shouldn’t we be talking about the present?” Even in the dark, with only the moonlight piercing through the gaped curtains served as their light, Hyunggu could see how Hoetaek’s eyes glimmered with hope. Hyunggu who could only hope for the best, nodded.
“Honestly, Hyunggu. When I was gone, did you ever think of me?”
“That's when, when I woke up in the morning, whether it was sunny or storming, whenever I was laughing or when I was crying. That’s when, I saw you waiting for me at the lobby or at the company, and when I saw your face, and today as you let me stay. That’s when.”
Just like that, Hoetaek remembered how he fell in love with Hyunggu. He only knew then that he loved teasing the younger to get adorable reactions from him. He knew Hyunggu hated skinships the most, and it was what he’s good at. Hoetaek used it as an advantage, until it went back at him like a boomerang. The innocent touches soon found their way to his heart, waking the butterflies in his stomach, and feeling a pang in his chest whenever the other members, especially Yanan do the same with him and Hyunggu doesn’t avoids it. He found himself thinking of Hyunggu and nothing else but Hyunggu, upon waking up, during the best and worst times, even when the younger was beside him, working together with him.
The way his heart skipped a beat everytime Hyunggu gazed at him lovingly, and the feeling of the butterflies fluttering in his stomach everytime Hyunggu simply held and squeezed his hand, never left. If anything, it was only waiting for that specific person to bring them back.
So when Hyunggu asked, “When can I come back?”
“Now. Can you come back now?” Hoetaek desparately answered, pulling the younger for a kiss when Hyunggu nodded.