the one that got away | seongjoong (✓)

• XI •

a few days passed again and today, hongjoong was alone in his apartment. yunho and mingi had dance practice all day, san was busy with wooyoung, and jongho was busy with his own schedules. hongjoong spent a good portion of the day sulking in his bed, upset that he didn't have any company. he only decided to get up when he grew hungry, but he didn't know what he wanted to eat.

he felt like crying, being alone like this. he had always enjoyed living alone, but this was the first time that it had really felt wrong. he just wanted a hug, as much as he hated affection.

hongjoong grew frustrated when he couldn't find anything to eat, beginning to cry at the realization that he would have to order out. he hated ordering out, he was always so scared that even though he used a pseudonym to order, someone would figure out who he was.

he decided on texting yunho, hoping that the younger would be able to help.

hongjoong
yuyu?

yunho
hi bubby :) what's up?

hongjoong
how much longer are you
at practice?

yunho
we're almost done lunch
break now and then i have
another 3 hours, why?

hongjoong
i was just hungry and didn't
want to order out so i was
hoping you would be free to
get food with me

yunho
i'm sorry bub :( do you want
me to order for you so it's
under my name?

hongjoong
can you?

yunho
of course, i'll text you when it's
been dropped off, yeah?

hongjoong
thank you yuyu <3

yunho
i gotchu always <3
see you later

hongjoong locked his phone and sniffled, feeling slightly better now that yunho was getting him food and would be back within a few hours or so. he still felt incredibly lonely however, and he found himself debating on possibly calling yeosang, whom he hadn't seen in nearly three years and hadn't spoken to in over a year.

he quickly changed his mind after trying to figure out what he'd say to the younger, then going back to his bed and sulking until yunho texted him that his food was at the door.

he put on his hoodie, or to be exact, seonghwa's hoodie from high school, and put on a mask, then walked to the door and opened it to grab his food. out of the corner of his eye he swore he saw someone, so he quickly rushed inside, panicking as he locked the door. he dropped his food on the counter and ran to the bathroom, locking himself inside as he fell to the ground, rocking back and forth.

"it's not real... i-it's not real..." he started repeating.

sounds from when his sasaeng attacked flooded his mind and echoed in his ears, making it harder to breathe as tears began to roll down his cheeks again.

"stop it!" he screamed, slapping himself in the head. "go away! leave me alone!"

hongjoong spent another half hour in the bathroom before he was finally calm enough to go to the living room, sighing shakily as he looked over at the bag of food that sat on the counter.

he eventually went over and grabbed the bag, then slowly ate until he got full. he wiped his eyes and got up, suddenly finding the motivation to write. he grabbed his notebook and scribbled away, relaxing as he continued to write.

he soon got bored though, deciding that maybe a walk would be good for him. he quickly texted yunho to let him know where he would be in case the younger got to his apartment before he returned, then went on his way.

he mindlessly walked through the streets, eventually finding himself nearby starlight cafe and his company building. he looked at the time and saw that it was kind of early, so he went over to the company and decided to spend a little bit of time in one of the practice rooms, rehearsing his songs.

he rehearsed for a long time, eventually getting a text from yunho asking if everything was okay. he responded saying yes and that he was at the company rehearsing and he would get dinner on his own, then come home. yunho asked him if he was sure, but the older insisted he was.

it was nearly nine when hongjoong left the company building, growing overwhelmed again. tears pricked his eyes for a moment before he wiped them away, then he headed over to starlight cafe, craving the comforting taste of his drink.

he got to the door and saw that he was minutes late, and they had closed. he sat down on the pavement in front of the cafe when he realized, letting his tears fall again. everything was so overwhelming and hurt so bad, all he wanted was this one small thing to comfort him and he couldn't even get that. he started to shiver as he sobbed, not noticing the front door open and seonghwa coming outside.

the older frowned a bit seeing the boy, and although he wasn't sure it would be a good idea, he quickly took off his own jacket and put it over hongjoong's shoulders. hongjoong flinched at the sudden warmth, then quickly recognized the scent of the clothing and looked up.

"s-seonghwa?"

"hongjoong..."

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this was not how i initially planned on them meeting tbh but i think i like this way a bit better :) anywaysssss enjoy <3