i think my girl mistakes me for somebody else

.01

It was somewhat quiet in the practice room. Only the sound of footsteps and a whispered but continuous "one, two, three, four" could be heard.

Minghao was alone, practicing for their next comeback until very late even when the others told him there would be another practice day before the actual release.

They tried to make him go home with them, but he was too determined.

The clock hit 12:30 pm.

Minghao was still doing his thing. He thought for a moment to go back to the dorm and rest, but threw those thoughts through the window when he missed some steps on the chorus. He couldn't let that slide.

He was too immersed in his own world, that he didn't hear the practice room's door opening. Only realizing when he saw a person with his arms crossed through the mirror, tapping his right shoe on the floor.

"A-ah, hyung!"

He immediately stopped the music and stood still, only making eye contact in the mirror.

"Myungho, I told you to not be late. Do you even know what time it is?"

"No, hyung..."

"It's past midnight. You should be home, sleeping. But you're still here, even when we all told you to come with us."

"I'm sorry..." he lowered his head, looking at the floor.

Tears threatened to come out of his eyes. He was embarrassed, and he knew that Seungcheol was disappointed and upset.

He sniffed and then heard the older sigh and come closer.

"Don't cry now..."

Seungcheol hugged Minghao from the front, putting the younger's head on his shoulder and rubbing his back.

"I'm not mad, ok? I'm just worried about you..."

"I-I'm sorry, h-hyung..."

"Don't talk, breathe."

A few minutes passed like that. The older reassuring him that he wasn't mad and even kissing his scalp sometimes.

When Minghao calmed down a bit, Seungcheol started talking again.

"I know you just want to get better, but this isn't the way. We all have our limits. Not because you're part of the performance unit you're meant to practice more than the rest of us do. Don't feel pressured to do so."

"I'm sorry. I'm really, really sorry..."

"Stop saying that. I already told you I'm not mad. I know you won't do it again, will you?"— Minghao shaked his head.

"See? I trust you. You should trust yourself too."

They stayed like that some more time. Seungcheol showering Minghao with reassuring words and caresses on his head.

"Are you feeling better?"

He nodded.

"Can we go home now?"

"Sure..."

The older guided him gently to his car, helping him get on the front passenger seat.

The drive home was silent. Not an awkward kind of silent, but a comfortable one.

The soothing, reassuring touch of Seungcheol's hand on Minghao's thigh was making him sleepy. He thought to let him know, but decided to go on with his needs and drifted to sleep.

Seungcheol parked the car in front of the dorm.

"Myungho-ya, we're here-"

He looked to the side and saw a very cute, sleeping Minghao. He took out his phone and took a photo before getting out of the car and start to carry the younger to the door.