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They had been told being an idol would be hectic, that it’d be tiring and cruel and attempt to push every ounce of energy out of their bodies. They had been told, but they couldn’t understand truly until they felt it themselves.
The sun had gone down hours ago. The mirrors were beginning to fog and the speaker overheat, each boy drenched in sweat from head to toe.
“I think we need to call it,” Heeseung huffed, hand resting on his waist, eyes glancing at Sunoo who leaned against the wall as though attempting to absorb into it, “We stayed all night yesterday and the managers will yell at us if we do it again.”
Sunghoon noticed with slight mirth the way the rest of the members seemed to sag in relief at Heeseung’s words. Collapsing to the ground and all but rolling to the water bottles stored in the corner of the room. Sunghoon’s own body screamed at him to do the same, but he prided himself in his consistency and instead sunk into the stretches he knew his body would appreciate the coming morning while Jay tugged his phone from his pocket to call the managers to bring them home.
“Can I stretch with you, hyung?”
Sunghoon tilted his head just barely, unable to move much more than that to glance at Jungwon who hovered next to him. The younger boy’s face was flushed red and his hair was sticking against his forehead.
“Of course, leader-nim,” Sunghoon attempted to smile but was pretty sure it came out as more of a grimace. Jungwon seemed to understand though and simply leaned next to Sunghoon to begin copying his hyung’s stretching routine.
Sunghoon slowed his own motions, noting the lethargy that the normally energetic leader was moving with.
“Tired?” Sunghoon tested the waters, not wanting to intrude on Jungwon’s thoughts but also finding his hyung status tugging at him to help the boy as much as he could.
“Uh, yeah. Just been a lot going on lately,” Jungwon shrugged once, avoiding eye contact and Sunghoon could tell, without as many words, that their lovely leader had some tumultuous thoughts racing through his head.
Sunghoon decided not to push it. Yang Jungwon was an incredible person, truly. An amazing leader, even better performer, and overall just an excellent person. Yang Jungwon, unfortunately, was also the type of person who Sunghoon knew would rather hide his struggles and stand tall against adversity. Sunghoon adored this quality, adored how strong their leader was, but he also worried. Of course, should he let the worry show his dongsaeng was much more likely to close off then open up so Sunghoon chose his next steps very carefully.
“I’m sure you’re doing great, Jungwonie, you’re so cute that nothing could go wrong,” Sunghoon threw in a wink for assurance.
“I’m not sure how being cute really helps with anything,” Jungwon tried to point out pragmatically but Sunghoon could see the happiness and appreciation welling in the boy’s eyes.
“I can’t answer every question, Wonie, I’m good but not that good,” Sunghoon shrugged playfully, coming carefully out of his stretch and extending a hand to poke at Jungwon’s shoulder.
They continued quietly after this, only speaking when necessary and simply enjoying the other’s presence. By the time the car arrived, the two were relaxed and comfortable, both smiling despite their exhaustion, mood significantly lifted. Jungwon leaned heavily against Sunghoon as all seven of them stumbled towards the vans.
Crawling into the furthest back of the first van, Sunghoon was barely surprised to feel Jungwon squeezing into the seat right next to him but neither boy spoke as the engines roared to life. Jay was already asleep in the passenger seat and the others all had loaded into the other van.
Jungwon leaned his head onto Sunghoon’s shoulder, hair brushing his hyung’s neck and causing the boy the twitch as it tickled his skin as the van pulled out of it’s parking spot and began the journey home.
“Thanks hyung,” Jungwon whispered into Sunghoon’s ear, a soft sigh following.
“Thanks for what?” Sunghoon simply turned his head, letting his eyes drift outside the window and take in the city lights.
“You know what. Seriously, thanks.”
Sunghoon didn’t answer with words, instead the taller boy wiggled his arm out from where it was squished in between the two bodies and wrapped it tightly around Jungwon’s shoulder.
Jungwon curled up into his hyung as much as he could, letting himself rest into the curve of the older boy’s arm. The contact was brotherly and affectionate and everything he needed. Jungwon never regretted being the leader but there were times that it all just felt like too much. So much for such a young person and it all seemed to blow through his mind at a pace he couldn’t keep up with.
Way deep down, Jungwon knew he could have approached all his hyungs. Heeseung was a remarkable and insightful human being but Jungwon knew their mathyung would want to try and offer the younger advice immediately and attempt to solve every problem for him. Jay, too, was a hyung he knew he could count on but Jungwon knew from the deepest part of his heart that the maternal boy would simply worry too much and Jungwon wasn’t looking for that doting kind of comfort. Sunoo as well, an overwhelming ball of sunshine that Jungwon knew would joke and play in an effort to raise his spirits but Jungwon was tired and he was sure Sunoo was tired as well.
Then there was his Sunghoon hyung, a calming swarm of relaxed energy that starkly opposed the chaotic life all seven of them lived. Jungwon had once joked that sometimes it felt like his hyung was sucking energy out of him, but in his special sheep garden way he truly meant that Sunghoon had an uncanny ability to simply be the lull in any storm that seemed to face them without the need for words or worry.
As though sensing the boy was deep in his own head, Sunghoon simply tightened his hold, adjust his arm around the shoulder to fit more comfortably and lifting the other to grasp at one of the hands laying limply in Jungwon’s lap.
Sunghoon let his thumb glide carefully over the back of Jungwon’s hand, providing comfort as much as he was taking it. The softness of Jungwon’s skin was a welcome feeling as he relaxed his head to lay atop of the brunette’s. Despite the sweat of the day, Jungwon smelled fresh and ironically a bit like a flower garden, likely from whatever perfume or cologne the boy had applied today.
The movement of his thumb turned repetitive and overstimulating quickly and so Sunghoon turned Jungwon’s hand over and began drawing small designs into the younger’s palm. Jungwon seemed to be zoning in and out of sleep, still caught in his own head but Sunghoon could tell none of the thoughts were negative.
“Is that a cat?” Jungwon whispered curiously, face illuminated by the street lights and eyes blinking slowly as though one the times they would stay closer permanently.
“Actually a flower but I won’t hold it against you,” Sunghoon teased, drumming his fingers against Jungwon’s shoulder.
“Hm, you should work more on your art, hyung,” Jungwon teased but it held none of it’s usual mirth as the boy seemed moments for sleep.
“Maybe I will,” Sunghoon nodded, cheek rubbing against Jungwon’s hair.
The two delved back into comfortable silence, letting each other’s presence speak for itself. Sunghoon glanced down at his dongsaeng who was blinking harshly and rubbing at his eyes with his empty hand in an attempt to keep himself awake. A familiar fondness filled Sunghoon’s heart as he looked down to the unintentionally adorable boy.
“Just go to sleep, Wonie,” Sunghoon whispered, adjusting the boy on his shoulder from where he’d been slipping downwards.
“I shouldn’t,” Jungwon sighed but his words were belied by a yawn, “I need to check with the managers to see what time we need to be ready tomorrow,”
“Hyung will take care of it tonight, leader-nim,” Sunghoon felt his heart fill with adoration as he realized not for the first time just how much Jungwon did for them, “It’s a long ride home, so get some rest.”
“I think I’m home whenever I’m with you all,” Jungwon simply responded but his voice was barely a whisper as he turned his head to snuggle closer to his hyung.
Sunghoon simply smiled.