𝖙𝖍𝖎𝖗𝖙𝖞-𝖘𝖎𝖝

                                    

                                          
HJ
                          
"Hongjoong?"
                          
The familiar voice of Yeosang made Hongjoong freeze on his spot, still hugging the blonde male. He clearly forgot that Yeosang might be still in the club since he overworks and stays here because it's their club.
                          
Jongho too panicked a bit. His boyfriend wasn't supposed to know about the older male yet. But here they are, frozen and a confused Seonghwa who is still in Hongjoong's embrace and looking at the black-haired male with a confused and worried look because he suddenly froze and went quiet.
                          
"Y-Yeosang, that's not—"
                          
"Hongjoong, is that really you?", Jongho was cut off by Yeosang who is looking at the male with hopeful eyes, taking hesitant steps towards Hongjoong but halted because he couldn't believe what he is seeing. His eyes became glossy and his hands slowly raised and covered his mouth.
                          
Hongjoong softens when he sees Yeosang, the person whom he treated like a little brother, tearing up slowly. A tear escaped one of his eyes and his lips quivered lightly.
                          
Seonghwa slowly broke the hug and he slowly stood beside Hongjoong.
                          
It's been many months. He didn't change one bit. Hongjoong thought as he stares at Yeosang tenderly. Although their last encounter was Yeosang being a brat, his overall persona is still the small and sweet Yeosang he considers as his little brother.
                          
"Yeosangie..", Hongjoong softly calls for the younger male, making Yeosang flinch and his breath hitch. The older male opens his arms for Yeosang to tackle in a hug, a soft smile present on his face.
                          
As soon as Yeosang heard his name from the older male, he released a soft sob and ran towards the male, tackling him in a hug and tucking his chin on Hongjoong's shoulder.
                          
Hongjoong immediately wraps his arms around the pink-haired male, his other hand caressing and stroking his soft hair gently, a way of comforting Yeosang whenever he cries or feels down.
                          
Yeosang cries on Hongjoong's shoulder, shaking slightly and clutching the older's shirt tightly while Hongjoong whispers comforting words to the younger.
                          
"Shh, its all right. I'm here now. I'm sorry. Hyungie's here..", Hongjoong cradles Yeosang, hearing the pink-haired male's muffled whimpers and sobs against his now damp shoulder.
                          
Seonghwa walked slowly towards Jongho who is looking at them with a soft smile. The blonde male taps Jongho's shoulder and the younger male turned his attention to Seonghwa.
                          
"What's happening? How does Yeosang know Hongjoong?", Seonghwa whispers to Jongho.
                          
Jongho chuckles softly, "Hongjoong told me that Yeosang considers him as his older brother. Since Yeosang is an only child and is often left out by his father, he would often visit Hongjoong and they would spend their time together.. And that Hongjoong always comforts and takes care of Yeosang whenever he is down and lonely. Yeosang may look cold and heartless, but once he gets comfortable around the person he really trusts, he would be clingy and soft around them.", he explains to the confused male, turning his attention from the two and to the blonde male.
                          
"Since Hongjoong disappeared for how many months because of a tragic incident, Yeosang told me that he is worried and afraid because his best friends are also gone alongside him. And here they are, united once again.", he referred to the two, earning a nod from Seonghwa.
                          
"And he would cry hard whenever he feels that his best friends will leave him behind. That's why he's crying right now."
                          
Seonghwa nods again at Jongho's explaination, "Yeah, I know that about Yeosang. He's so bubbly and comfortable around me because I'm his bestfriend as well."
                          
"Yeah. He's also starting to get comfortable around me.", he smiles to himself, earning a soft nudge and chuckle from the older male.
                          
The two are still hugging each other, Yeosang's sniffles and hiccups are still heard.
                          
"I-I thought you were dead.", Yeosang softly said, sniffling.
                          
Hongjoong sighs, "I'm sorry I didn't inform or tell you. I did it to avenge my comrades, and I apologize for that.. I'm sorry, Yeosang.", he whispers.
                          
They broke the hug and Hongjoong wipes Yeosang's tears off his puffy cheeks, "I'm not the only one who survived. Mingi, Yunho, and your best friend Wooyoung are alive. They're well and now doing missions now. And, I don't know if I should be in the position to say this, but Jongho works with me. You might not know that.", he smiles softly at the male.
                          
Yeosang's eyes widen and look behind him, seeing Jongho immediately hanging his head low and turned his gaze away from the pink-haired male.
                          
Jongho didn't tell Yeosang that he works in a gang. Although Jongho just knew that Yeosang is a gang member of Crescent because Hongjoong told him and him being the son of the gang's leader. 
                          
The reason why they didn't know each other's identities is because after Yeosang entered the gang, he got busier and busier because he is given the most tasks and missions by his dad because of his excellency in doing his missions quickly and clean.
                          
Meanwhile, Jongho, although he entered when he was still 17, didn't really get out or exposed outside of the mansion for how many years when he was still training. Until many months, he is officially a member of Ateez, and assassin. Grim was impressed with how good Jongho is in combat and daggers, so he accepted him. But Jongho didn't really let any gang or close allies of AYEEZ know about his identity.
                          
He kept his identity so that he can do his missions easily and as he believed, an assassin's identity should be hidden and not let anyone know. And the idea of anyone knowing his identity can sometimes make him uneasy.
                          
And now, Yeosang is looking at him with a surprised expression. 
                          
But he isn't mad at Hongjoong. Because Yeosang needs to know that about Jongho. They're close to being in a relationship, and Jongho promised himself to gather all the courage and tell him about working in a gang. And knowing Yeosang works in one, and as the father of Agust, his courage boosted up. But now, he just felt small. All of his courage had washed out and he doesn't know what to do.
                          
And don't forget, Seonghwa is also still with them listening to their conversation related to gangs. And after he heard the words off of Hongjoong's lips, Seonghwa immediately looked at him with a shocked expression as well.
                          
After a moment of Silence, Jongho has his eyes locked on the floor.
                          
Until he felt a pair of arms around him.
                          
Jongho looks up and saw Yeosang hugging him tightly, hands wrapped around his waist and chin tucked on his shoulder.
                          
"Yeosang.."
                          
"Stop thinking negatively about it. I still love you for who you are.", Yeosang softly said before breaking the hug and cupping Jongho's cheeks.
                          
"I don't really mind dating someone working in a gang. And I know that you don't like it when other people know your identity, Hongjoong told me. Don't worry, your real name stays a secret with me.", he smiles, making Jongho sigh in relief and leans to give Yeosang a kiss on the lips.
                          
"Thank you.", Jongho whispers against Yeosang's lips.
                          
"No problem, love."
                          
•~×~•

                          


                          
dear readers please be safe out there :)
                          
tbc..