Long Journey || ATEEZ

WIN

Hongjoong's knees trembled as he walked over vermillion-coated carpet, under stark electric lights, the training room growing ever-closer. A sick feeling pooled inside of his stomach, and he kept a good three or four paces behind Seonghwa, not wanting to vomit all over him. He clenched and unclenched his clammy, damp fists rapidly, faster than he ever had in his life. He didn't even know it was humanly possible to do that so fast.

Today, he was going to spar with the other assassins of Cherries.

And he did not feel ready to do so.

Seonghwa, noticing his friend's anxiety, slowed his pace to match Hongjoong's and took up his shaking hand in his own. He squeezed it reassuringly, and made to let go, when Hongjoong tightened his grip around his friend's hand.

Seonghwa turned his eyes to Hongjoong's face in surprise.

"Don't let go," Hongjoong pined in a meek voice. "I think I'll collapse if you do."

Seonghwa's brows softened, and he let a soft smile play at his lips.

"Okay," he said quietly, even if there was no one around to hear. "Everyone knows that we're friends anyway," he shrugged.

Hongjoong smiled gratefully, and that smile didn't leave his face until a metal set of double doors faced them. Even the comforting cool of Seonghwa's hand didn't stop the rising lump of panic making an appearance in his throat, or the heat rising uncontrollably to his cheeks and face.

He gulped, before taking a deep breath and trying to gather himself.

"Let's go in," he said, naturally letting go of Seonghwa's hand, and pushing the doors open.

The other assassins were already there, gathered in that little huddle of five like they always did, giving furtive glances every five seconds or so over at Hongjoong, full of contempt or a quiet resent, depending on the person. Hyungseok was always openly hostile, his narrow baby-blue eyes furrowed and hatred burning in them at every single stare, whilst Boram looked at him with eyebrows furrowed, like she was still trying to puzzle out what was so special about him. Seolhyun never bothered to look over, and Eli and Robert's eyes were usually filled with a hostile curiosity.

Even Instructor Sayan was already there, her eagle-eyes sharp and cold, as per usual.

"You're late," she said, her lips pursed in a subtle snarl.

"Sorry," Seonghwa muttered curtly, as the assassins lined up and two demons took their place beside them.

"You know what to do," Sayan said. "Fifty laps, no cutting corners."

The assassins leaped into action, jogging around the vast room at a relatively fast pace. Hongjoong scrambled after them, caught-off guard, but managed to catch up.

After a while, though – since it had only been a week since Hongjoong had started training, and his stamina was still far from sufficient – he began to fall behind, huffing and puffing as he forced his legs to keep going, keep pumping back and forth. As Hyungseok easily lapped him, a sneer fixed in place, Hongjoong felt a surge of annoyance, at both Hyungseok's infuriatingly smug face as he passed him by, and himself for being so incompetent.

Suddenly, he found Seonghwa, who had fallen ahead ages ago, by his side.

"Why are you..." he gasped. "Did you...lap me...?"

"Yes," Seonghwa replied. "But I can run with you if you'd like?" he offered.

"Yes, please," Hongjoong panted eagerly, before he composed himself. "No..." he gasped. "I'm okay..." He didn't want to burden his friend.