You Rock My World

Please, just go

As soon as they'd reached the last step before their landing, the door to the dorm burst open, and the six members rushed out.

"What the hell happened!?" was the collective response to Seonghwa's overall miserable state.

"It's nothing. I just had a little disagreement. I tried to take on a much stronger opponent. And lost. Clearly."

"What—who did this to you!? I'll fight them!" Wooyoung snapped, but San held him back.

"It doesn't matter—I asked for it."

"Was it Lee Know?? Is that why he came in here looking for your inhaler?" Jongho's eyes flashed with anger.

"No. He wouldn't do this. It's not anyone you know. So stop guessing."

"Hyung, are you okay? Do you need anything?" Yeosang asked, reaching a hand out.

"Yes. Some space. And sleep."

Everyone nodded and parted, letting Hongjoong assist him as they went to their room and shut the door.

They didn't lock it, knowing the younger members wouldn't try to come in. They'd just wait outside until they could bombard Hongjoong with questions.

Hongjoong helped Seonghwa to the bed and eased him under the covers.

"They really said you're okay? Do you feel alright? They didn't miss anything, did they? If they did I'll bring you right ba—"

"Shh."

Seonghwa placed his finger over Hongjoong's lips, cutting him off.

"They're doctors, Joong. I think they knew what they were doing. I'm alright."

Hongjoong nodded and Seonghwa took his hand away. But Hongjoong held onto it, gripping it firmly.

"Hwa...when I saw you on the roof...I really thought...I thought I might lose you."

"Hongjoong..."

"Let me finish. It made me realize how stupid I was being. I should have trusted you. I knew you wouldn't cheat on me. I knew you didn't like Minho like that. I didn't even let you speak."

"Hongjoong, stop. After everything I kept from you, why would you even question it? I would've done the same in your position. If not worse."

"But Hwa..."

"Hongjoong. I love you. But I can't accept your apology. I don't deserve it."

"Seonghwa—"

"Please. I can't. I'm the one that needs to apologize."

"You don't need to apologize for anyt—"

"I do. But...not right now. I love you. I really do. But I'm so tired. I just need to sleep."

Hongjoong nodded, tucking him further under the covers.

"Of course."

Hongjoong leaned down and placed a kiss on his forehead but Seonghwa turned away.

"Please, don't. I don't deserve it. Give me time. I'll make it up to you."

"You don't have to—"

"Please, just go."

Hongjoong nodded, stepping away from the bed. He knew he shouldn't argue with him right now. Clearly he just needed to rest. But his insistence to be the one to apologize was infuriating.

After Hongjoong abandoned him, he almost died.

How could he possibly think he was the one who needed to say sorry??

He stepped out of the room, expecting to be swarmed, but there was only one person.

Jongho.

"Wha—where is everyone else?"

"I told them to give you guys space. They didn't listen at first but they understood."

Hongjoong sighed, leaning back against the wall.

"Thank you."

They stood in silence and Hongjoong let his eyes shut for a moment, taking deep, slow breaths.

"Hyung. You don't have to talk about it but...I know it wasn't just some random guy. I know it was Minho."

Hongjoong turned to him, shaking his head.

"No. It wasn't."

"You both suck at lying."

Hongjoong clenched his jaw, knowing he couldn't say anything to convince him otherwise.

"I won't go after him. I'm not trying to start any more trouble. I just don't understand. He seemed like a nice guy. Why would he hurt Seonghwa hyung like that?"

Hongjoong crossed his arms, looking away.

"Jongho, there's something I've been noticing lately that I never got to talk to you guys about."

Jongho furrowed his brows, not understanding.

"Is this about Minho?"

"Not really. I guess, maybe. It's about the other band members here. I think JYP is making them monitor us. Maybe not all of them, but some of them."

Jongho stepped closer.

"How do you know?"

"He started bringing up really specific things about Seonghwa, like what happened with everyone in Wonderland. About his temper."

Jongho tensed his jaw.

"How did he know about any of that?"

"I think someone might have talked to one of the Wonderland members about him. He must have someone getting information for him. To try to get dirt on us."

Jongho leaned back against the wall, thinking.

"So, what do we do?"

"We'll have to give them false information. If we each pick a member and share something fake about another member, I can see who he brings up to me when I meet with him tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?"

Hongjoong turned to Jongho.

"There isn't really a meeting with JYP. Is there?"

Jongho shook his head.

"I'm sorry, hyung."

"Ha! I got you!"

Jongho stepped back in surprise as Hongjoong clapped excitedly.

"What?"

"I called your bluff!" Hongjoong giggled.

"Hyung, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have lied to you."

"It's okay. It's not like it's the first time you've messed with me. I'm just glad I called it for once. This old man is getting sharper," he grinned and Jongho couldn't help but laugh at him.

"Okay, that's great for you. But that means we won't really have a way to meet with JYP and figure out what he knows. So...?"

Hongjoong looked at his hands, turning the ring on his finger.

"Hyung, what's your actual plan?"

"I don't think we need one."

Jongho turned to face him.

"What do you mean?"

Hongjoong pulled his ring off and held it in his hand.

"I think I know who it is. And why he's doing it."