↱RIBS↲ ⇾seongjoong⇽

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The Next Night, After Dance Class

The next night, after dance class, Hongjoong sits with him on the new, modern couch and pulls him into his lap to watch a Studio Ghibli film.

Seonghwa feels heavy.

He finds a good opportunity to slip off, goes to the kitchen to make popcorn.

When he brings it back he sits next to Hongjoong instead, snuggles into his side, offers the bowl over.

He doesn't take any for himself.

In the film, Howl says the line about Sophie's hair looking like starlight, that it's beautiful.

"Remember when your hair was silver, Seonghwa?" Hongjoong smiles down at him, playing with Seonghwa's fingers.

"Mm."

"You were like starlight, too."

Past-tense.

Seonghwa's hair is a dull brown now.

When they go to bed that night, Hongjoong curls around him like usual.

Something about it has Seonghwa feeling emotional, though.

"Will you be here when I wake up?" Seonghwa whispers over his shoulder, nudging Hongjoong with his elbow.

"Of course, baby," he mutters back, voice low and sleepy, "'s Saturday. Our day."

The slope of his nose is illuminated in the light of the moon, his face relaxed.

One eye peeks open when Seonghwa doesn't reply, and Hongjoong smiles softly before placing a kiss on his forehead.

Right in between his eyebrows.

Seonghwa sleeps better than he has in a while.

__


It's a Sunday.

Winter approaches slowly but surely, the sun rising later and setting sooner, the air crisp and cold.

It's a perfect excuse to hide his body under layers and layers of clothes, away from prying eyes— both out in the world and at home.

It's still dark when he sets out, early in the morning, his fingers curled around a hot travel mug of coffee.

He keeps his gaze on the sidewalk as he trudges from the bus stop to the School of Dance building, absentmindedly avoiding the cracks.

He'd left Hongjoong in bed, sneaking into the bathroom to change and get ready, left coffee on the counter for him.

With the Winter Showcase getting closer with each day, Seonghwa's been in the studio more than he's been at home.

The same can be said for Hongjoong, who's trying to solidify contracts and pump out songs before the year ends.

It's a Sunday, rehearsal day for the dance crew.

It's the first year they're going to be allowed to perform in an academic showcase as an extra-curricular, extra-credit group.

Given that Seonghwa was one of the founders of the group (along with Yunho, Seongwoo, and some of their hyungs who had already graduated) he's stressed out.

The university only offers three styles of dance as majors— Contemporary, Ballet, and traditional Korean.

The crew gives dancers the opportunity to dance different styles— mostly hip hop— while still on-campus and within the community.