Seonghwa was sitting in his room alone. He stared at the wall with a blank expression on his face absolutely dreading the thought of completing his schedule today.
He forced himself up and walked out to meet the others in the kitchen.
"Hey hyung!" Wooyoung cheered happily from his chair.
Seonghwa smiled at the younger's cheerfulness, it already making him feel a little better. He walked over to Wooyoung and ruffled his two-toned hair making him smile.
"Good morning woo." He reached around Wooyoung's shoulders hugging him from behind making the younger giggle.
Seonghwa didn't realize how much he wanted physical affection until his arms were around Wooyoung. He snuggled even further into the younger until he felt Wooyoung tap his arms.
"Okay hyung, that's enough." Wooyoung giggled removing seonghwas arms from him. Seonghwa pouted but respected Wooyoung's words.
He walked over to his seat next to Hongjoong sighing at his breakfast. He felt Hongjoong place his hand on his arms.
"Are you okay hwa?"
"Huh? Oh yeah, I'm fine." Seonghwa forced a smile as he began eating subtly eying Wooyoung and San who were basically cuddling in their chairs.
Why will Wooyoung hug San but not me? he asked himself sighing again.
He decided to brush it off and let the rest of his day go on as normal.
They went to practice running through their new choreo for their next comeback. It was going well, and everyone was in pretty high spirits laughing and joking around during water breaks. Seonghwa had tried to sneak little hugs with mingi and Yunho several times but was continuously pushed away. Soon practice ended and Wooyoung, San, and Yeosang ran out of the room to resume their among us session they had started that morning. Hongjoong, Jongho and Seonghwa were still in the room cleaning up their water bottles and duffle bags. Seonghwa noticed Jongho was standing by the speakers stretching his arms. He walked up to him from behind and wrapped his arms around the maknae.
Jongho felt arms around his small body. He looked to his side seeing Seonghwa nuzzle into his neck, his arms tight around him.
"Come on hyung, it's too hot for this." Jongho whined. He grabbed seonghwas arms and pushed them off of him.
"Sorry Jongho..." Seonghwa said sadly as he walked off, his head hanging low. He wiped his watering eyes as he exited the practice room and went back to the dorms.
Jongho didn't like the sound of seonghwas voice. He sounded so sad and disappointed. He watched Seonghwa walk off and knew something was wrong.
"Did he just want a hug? Oh man, I shouldn't have pushed him away like that..." he said frustrated with himself. Just then, he spotted Hongjoong over by the mirror and knew he could help Seonghwa. He rushed to him tapping his shoulder.
"Hyung, can I talk to you about something."
"of course, Jongho, is everything okay?"
"Yeah, well, I'm fine but it's about Seonghwa..."
Hongjoong eyes widened. He looked at Jongho intently listening.
"What happened to Seonghwa?"
"Well, I don't know exactly but Seonghwa seems really sad. He came up to me and hugged me, but I just didn't really feel like hugs right then... when I asked him to stop, he just...he walked away and looked really sad, his voice was all quiet and disappointed and now I feel bad."
"Were you mean to him about it?" Hongjoong asked curiously.
"No! of course not... I just said it was too hot... I didn't expect it to hurt him that much."
"Hey, it's okay Jongho, it's not your fault, you didn't know he was being serious." Hongjoong placed his hand on jongho's shoulder.
"Here, I'll go check on him, okay?" Hongjoong said before he ran off to find Seonghwa.
He spotted the dark-haired male standing in the hallway. He watched Wooyoung, San, and Yeosang all huddled together playing their game, Wooyoung in sans lap as sans arms were around his waist. Yeosang had his head in Wooyoung's lap resting his head on his thighs as they stared at the television screen.
Hongjoong grabbed seonghwas arm and pulled him into his bedroom pulling him onto his bed and wrapping his arms around him.
Seonghwa was confused but of course didn't refuse the contact. He snuggled into Hongjoong subconsciously.
As he felt Hongjoong tighten his grip, Seonghwa felt involuntary tears roll down his cheeks. He pushed his face further into Hongjoong chest sniffling slightly.
"Hey, Seonghwa? Don't cry love, I'm here." Hongjoong cooed softly as he stroked seonghwas hair gently.
"Seonghwa, take a breath honey."
Seonghwa took a deep breath his tears slowing and eventually stopping.
"Are you okay now hwa?"
He nodded.
"Good. Now, do you wanna talk about what has you so upset?"
Seonghwa rose off of hongjoong's chest so he could talk easier.
"it's actually really stupid but... I've just really been stressed lately, and I wanted some affection from the others but... every time I tried to hug them, they just pushed me away... it made me feel... I don't know unwanted."
"Hey, Seonghwa that is never true. You are always wanted honey. I don't think the boys meant to hurt your feelings baby..."
Seonghwa sighed.
"Hey, look at me hwa."
He rose his head and looked into hongjoong's eyes.
"You can always come to me, okay? If you want a hug, just tell me and I'll gladly give you as many as you want."
"Thank you Hongjoong... I'm sorry for acting like such a baby..."
Hongjoong grabbed him and hugged him again squeezing him tight.
"You have nothing to apologize for. Just because you're older doesn't mean you don't deserve affection Seonghwa, that doesn't make you a baby."
He snuggled further into Hongjoong.
"Do you wanna cuddle for a bit Seonghwa?"
He nodded feeling a little shy.
Hongjoong giggled softly as he layed down with Seonghwa holding him securely.
"Thank you for this joongie."
"Anytime baby."
They cuddled for around half an hour before hongjoong's door suddenly opened revealing Wooyoung.
"Hyuuunggggg, I'm borrreeedddddd." He whined before he noticed the two on the bed.
"Not now Wooyoung, it's Seonghwa time, go find San or Yunho."
Wooyoung raised a curious eyebrow before groaning like a child.
"Fineee, by hyung." Wooyoung whined before closing the door and leaving.
Seonghwa and Hongjoong giggled.
"Seriously it's crazy he's not the maknae." Hongjoong said laughing.
Seonghwa laughed too snuggling further into hongjoong's chest.
