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Within Spark, on Saturdays, Iwol would always leave early by himself to do something private. It was a known routine, but he made sure to always be alone on Saturday evenings, including when he was hospitalised. Though the other five had been curious about the why, they decided against snooping despite their own worries. Because they decided to try trust him. But even trust can't stop curiosity, so, one Saturday morning, five of Spark had gathered to whisper about following Iwol after practice had ended. Of course, it'd be difficult, but not impossible.
--
"I'll get going now." Iwol spoke after finishing up on his practice, already positioned by the door as he glanced at the clock lightly then looked away. Cheonghyeon perked, gesturing to Joowoo and Kiyeon whilst Seongbin and Jeho shared a long glance. It was once he'd long left the room that they slowly followed, looking over corners quietly and catching glimpses of him far ahead. Iwol had a rare skip in his step, seemingly excited for some reason as he stopped by a store for minutes, then left with a plastic bag. Meanwhile, Jeho was tasked with covering Cheonghyeon's mouth to prevent him from speaking.
After longer twists and turns, Joowoo quietly gasped when they all found themselves at the hospital, still trailing after Iwol quietly, slowly, and worriedly. The kind of situation where you worry whether he's keeping a secret illness and is constantly on the verge of death. But, the workers there seemed familiar with him, waving with friendly glints and whispering little things to him whilst pushing him to a room which had already seemed like his goal. The five received obvious stares, but weren't bothered much, finding themselves at a private room which Iwol had long since entered. From there, Kiyeon and Seongbin slipped in, hiding behind a few things whilst the others waited outside and watched through the crack of the door, somehow not toppling over despite it all.
"You're late, Mr Kim." Hoyun speaks, sparing a light look over the bag and then looking to Iwol, who sat down, and proceeded to pull out an apple and a knife, cutting slices and placing them onto a plate he'd also brought out. "What's your alibi?"
"It felt like I was being followed, so I took a longer route. Did I make you wait, Mr Seo?" Iwol replies easily, smiling. He doesn't look up to meet Hoyun's eyes, focused more on cutting the fruit he'd bought minutes ago, but he can feel the gaze on his face, making him heat up slightly.
"Thankfully, I'm willing to forgive offences." Hoyun takes an apple slice, biting into it thoughtfully. He pauses for a long moment, before speaking again. "I saw your recent content."
"Did you like it?"
"You look a lot happier since becoming an idol. Way better look than working in the Office." Hoyun continues, as if simultaneously ignoring and answering the question, Iwol falls to silence, his movements significantly slower, like mulling over Hoyun's words. "And you see me more often. How is Spark?"
"They're all doing fine. A lot better than before." Iwol chuckles, finally setting away the knife and the bag to look up at Hoyun, placing the plate on the side as well and meeting the eyes of the man he'd once seen dead before. "Even their personalities are different."
"Obviously, they've got you guiding them." Hoyun comments, looking out of the window and turning back only when Iwol's hand grasps his, soft yet firm. "Do you think you'd be able to go back?"
"..."
"In all the content I've seen, not once do I see you eager to return to that company." A long pause, before he continues again. "You're used to the stage, and it looks like you have more purpose than just keeping me and her alive."
"I.. Don't know."
"Seriously, you don't but I do. You're starting to care for them, more than you planned."
"I'm still following the original plan." He finds himself arguing. In the distance, he can hear a slight scrape but doesn't seem to register it. "Once I've confirmed that you and her are safe, then I'll leave Spark."
"You won't. Take it from someone who's seen all of you." Hoyun continues to argue, smiling, calm. "I bet you've even grown fond of the fans. You're probably thinking beyond your own tasks." He takes an apple slice and bites into it, letting the sound fill the room.
"I can never win against you.."
"You stopped winning ever since I entered this hospital, softie." Hoyun looks to the side, muses, and then continues. "Or maybe you stopped winning after we started dating?"
"Just finish your fruit. Every day I come here, I always end up teased by the nurses who work with you, especially since you like to gossip so much with them."
"It gets boring sitting in this room eternally, you know. Especially since my life relies on you being an Idol."
"You don't need to wait long. I'll make sure you can be free, just be patient."
Hoyun hums, then speaks after a long moment. "You do know I wouldn't be angry if you decided to stay as an Idol. Isn't love all about wanting your partner to be happy anyways?"
"I couldn't do that with the constant risk of sasaengs being after you if our relationship is found out." Iwol speaks, or beings, with the obvious intention to keep talking about issues before being cut off when an apple slice is pushed between his lips.
"Saying all this like I haven't died before.. It's no issue."
An hour or two later, Iwol is coaxed to rest, and Hoyun seems to smile when it happens, looking to the door and speaking.
"Aren't you all stiff from standing there so long?" He asks, prompting three people to tumble into the room, with Jeho bearing the weight of two others, and for Seongbin and Kiyeon to reluctantly stand from the things they'd hid behind, heads bowed guiltily. "Spark, isn't it?"
"Thats us.." Seongbin speaks, glancing as the three slowly get up from where they were, brushing themselves down and then turning to the unmoved Iwol.
"I think you already know who I am after listening in to such a long, and personal, conversation. I'm no expert, but that doesn't seem like idol behaviour either." Joowoo flinches, stammering slightly as if to explain before Hoyun waves his hand and speaks again. "It's no bother. I don't have the heart to tear into the people who Iwol seems to care so much about."
"Can you.." Seongbin speaks before trailing off, unintentionally changing the subject and continuing even with a stare burning into him. "Can you explain what that whole conversation was about?"
"Sure, it's not like I'd get a penalty for it. Unlike someone.."