↱FORBIDDEN COLORS↲ ⇾seongjoong⇽

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[ A/N: early update but i was just so excited to post this one that i couldn't hold back! enjoy, can't wait to hear everyone's thoughts! ]

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Hongjoong clicked play for what felt like the millionth time, trying to piece together enough of a song before the deadline that was looming so fucking close.

It felt unending.

They'd just completed that performance that was making them all stressed a couple of days before and now it was time to create the material needed for a new album, for a new comeback.

And then there would be the practice, promotions, performances, and the tour, and maybe a break.

And then they'd be doing it all over again.

Most of their songs were complete, but Hongjoong had been offered a solo and he was trying, damnit, but nothing he put together felt right and he's barely left the studio in days.

He didn't even hear the knock.

He was so enamored by the mixing table in front of him.

Didn't even realize he wasn't alone until his headphones were being taken off of his head and gentle fingers were carding through his hair.

"You look like shit, hyung," the sweet voice said.

Hongjoong leaned back into the touch, craving it in his soul.

"Geez, thanks, Seonghwa," he said back with a small smile.

A plastic cup holding an americano was placed on the desk in front of him.

Hongjoong craned his head back to stare up at Seonghwa.

He was barefaced today, his hair a mess under the beanie he had tugged on, exhaustion still kinda evident in his own face to match the worn workout clothes he was sporting.

Seonghwa, Yunho, and Yeosang had been working with their choreographers on their next title track all day, making it perfect before they dragged the rest of the members down there to work.

"You got a break?" Hongjoong grabbed the americano greedily, feeling a warmth swell in his chest that Seonghwa had thought of him.

"A bit of one," Seonghwa sighed, stepping aside to lean against Hongjoong's table as he turned in his chair to face him.

"Decided to get everyone some coffee. Good thing too," he smiled to himself, "San seemed like he was seconds away from falling asleep."

There was something sour in the acknowledgment that this hadn't been strictly from Seonghwa to him, something that hurt even though Hongjoong didn't think he had a right to feel hurt over it.

"You're too good for us," Hongjoong teased back.

"Gotta keep up the 'favorite' title," Seonghwa quipped, his smile pulling at his lips.

"You could literally do nothing ever and you would still be my favorite," Hongjoong joked back, but there really was no joke in it.