Desire (ATEEZ Boy x Boy Oneshots Book II)

M | Hey, Rapstar! | Seonghwa x Hongjoong

"You'll do great!"

"No one's better than our leader."

"Good luck."

Hongjoong looked around the set. Staff and crew members were setting the stage for the new rap competition show, Hey Rapstar! Known rappers in Korea, both members of groups and not, were competing for an ultimate cash prize and mini reality show.

Then Hongjoong felt a hand on his shoulder.

"This stage isn't so bad," the person said.

Hongjoong turned to smile at his boyfriend. Seonghwa softly patted his head not to ruin his styled hair.

"The stage doesn't worry me. It's the chairs," Hongjoong replied. He gestured towards the several rows of black chairs, each reserved for judges, guests, and performers of the show.

"You'll do fine. You're Kim Hongjoong. What is there to worry about?" Seonghwa discreetly kissed Hongjoong's temple. No one outside of their company knew about their relationship. It would be better to keep it that way, the couple preferred.

"You should practice a few more times before it's time to shoot. Come on." Seonghwa started back towards the waiting rooms.

Hongjoong stood there for a moment, still taking in the view. The remaining nervousness he felt casually faded away. Seonghwa was right — he was capable of this. He could pull off the show by himself even if it did get lonely without the other seven.

"Hongjoong?"

Hongjoong looked at the stylist holding his stage outfit: leather pants that would be coupled with a few straps around his thigh; a sheer black long sleeve; and a black blazer to cover most of it. Not to mention the several chains and other accessories she had behind her.

Hongjoong stared at it for a second before taking the hanger to change.

. . .

Hongjoong smiled at the other artists around him. They were very welcoming, and those he didn't know seemed to be interested in getting to know him as well.

There were eight performances total for the first round. Hongjoong only wished his performance wasn't in the beginning nor end. To his dismay, though, he ended up as the last one.

"You'll do amazing. I know it," Seonghwa whispered to his boyfriend, who was going up.

Hongjoong took one more deep breath before the music began.

Each second brought more confidence to Hongjoong's mind. His moves were smooth, rap clean, and his expressions charismatic. The audience was shocked and entertained by his performance.

Then Hongjoong paused before the dance break. He smirked and turned around.

Artists awed at the sudden strip of Hongjoong's jacket — it gave the rapper one more boost of assurance that he could finish this.

Seonghwa watched everything from the side monitor: the way the dancers lifted and guided Hongjoong around, the audience's eyes glued to his entire being, and most of all...

His boyfriend's movements.

Seonghwa caught every single bit of it. Every few steps, Hongjoong made sure to lick his lips, wink, or even sway his hips. And once, he grabbed his choker and exaggerated a tug — everyone watching him enjoying the acting.

The stage went black as Hongjoong spat the last line. Then multiple judges and other artists applauded. Some even cheered for Hongjoong, who grinned widely at the praise.