↱FORBIDDEN COLORS↲ ⇾seongjoong⇽

clean

Hongjoong stumbled in his own shock as Seonghwa's words cut through the air and changed everything in half of a second.

Hongjoong's shock, however, did not seem to compare to the other's as Jongho's face morphed into an O-shaped expression, a loud crash following immediately afterward as San tripped directly over the coffee table, knocking the mug that had once sat on top of it directly to the ground where it shattered into at least a thousand pieces.

Even Yunho, who knew, just blinked at his friend in agape awe while Wooyoung was jerking to stare wide-eyed at Hongjoong, Yeosang, and Mingi — Mingi just looked like his ancestors had been offended by Seonghwa's outburst.

"You're — you're what?" Jongho managed, straightening as he looked at Seonghwa, eyes darting to San as if expecting the older to take the lead.

Seonghwa opened and closed his mouth a couple of times, seeming to be unable to find words.

Hongjoong moved from the kitchen entrance towards Seonghwa, ready to stand beside him and comfort him and do whatever needed to be done.

"Gay?" Seonghwa repeated, cringing as he ran his hand up the nape of his neck, word unsure.

"Gay," Wooyoung repeated. "As in you like —"

"Boys? Yeah,"

"How— um," Wooyoung cleared his throat. "How long have you known?"

"A couple months."

"I knew," Yunho said, "He told me already."

Jongho pouted.

Mingi stepped hesitantly from the door, staring with uncertainty in his gaze from Seonghwa to Hongjoong.

"I also knew," San admitted, "But he didn't tell me. I just kinda assumed after a ... conversation we had." He nodded once at Seonghwa who gave a nod of acknowledgment.

"Seonghwa," Wooyoung said with sympathy pitching his voice to a whine, "How did you find out?" He took a careful seat on the couch, looking at the others as if directing them to do the same.

"That's...uh," Seonghwa almost looked at Hongjoong.

Almost.

Hongjoong watched the boys eyes widen a small amount as he caught the motion, shifting to try and catch it as he turned back to Wooyoung.

"That's... uh, that's where things get... a little..." Seonghwa scratched at his head, muttering the last word, "complicated."

"Complicated, how?" San asked carefully, sinking to sit down by Wooyoung.

Seonghwa clasped his hands together, clearing his throat.

"I guess," he took a deep breath. "I kinda knew there was something wrong with me for a while."

Hongjoong clenched his jaw.

He wanted to interrupt, correct the flawed statement, but this was Seonghwa's moment.

The boy looked awkward standing in the middle of his friends shifting his weight from foot to foot.