Winter Hearts

Leo The Lion

N brushed past Hyuk who had opened the front door and went straight to Leo's room.

"He's asleep, hyung," Hyuk said. He looked over his left shoulder at Hongbin and Ken who were lounging on blankets and duvets on the floor by the open balcony doors. They could sense that all was not okay.

N tried the door but it was locked. He banged on it with the palm of his hand.

"Jung Taekwoon!" N yelled. He stood by the door with his hands on his hips, taking a deep breath.

Hyuk walked over and sat beside the others, who watched quietly. They rarely ever saw N like this. He could be crotchety, he could be angry, but he never raised his voice in anger at members that way. Least of all to Leo.

Ken looked at Hyuk and lifted his chin in questioning. Hyuk shrugged and looked at Hongbin, who raised a non-committal eyebrow.

They sat huddled like little rabbits in cotton bedding, watching, waiting for the drama to unfold.

Within seconds they heard the key squeak in the lock and a ruffled, puffy faced Leo squinted at N through the crack in the door.

"Cha Hakyeon. What is it?" Leo's soft voice was a husky whisper. He looked like he had jumped straight out of bed, blankets and all. He pinched the bridge of his nose and rubbed his eyes with one hand.

N glanced over his shoulder at the boys, then pushed open the door, shoving Leo back into the room. He shut the door behind him.

Hongbin bowed his head, nodding gravely. Leo had it coming.

Hyuk looked at Ken, who said, "Why do I feel like I'm ten years old and back home watching my parents fight?"

Hyuk smiled condescendingly at Ken.

"Sometimes, parents must talk about things that are not suitable for young ears. Frightening things, things little boys cannot handle. Like how to get rid of their noisy kids."

Ken snarled, curling his lip and swinging a pillow at Hyuk, who let it fluff his hair as he sat still, smiling.

Hongbin looked at the time on his phone. He sighed, getting up and straightening his clothes.

"I have a date with some boys in town."

Ken and Hyuk made catcalls at Hongbin. He smiled, nodding.

"I'm playing basketball, wanna come?"

Ken's eyes widened and his mouth dropped open.

"Really? Yes, I wanna go!" He jumped up, gathering the blankets off the floor and rolling Hyuk off them as he did so.

"Hyuk and I will change and come get you downstairs," Hongbin said as he took the blankets from Ken and walked towards his room to change.

Hyuk went to the kitchen as Ken sang, "We're all going on a date with boys in the town," in a kiddy voice as he left the penthouse.

Hongbin slowed as he passed Leo's room, trying to hear what was going on inside. It was quiet, so he said in a loud voice that they were going out, and quickly changed out of his jeans into some joggers.

Once he and Hyuk had gotten their sneakers on, they left, pulling the front door shut.

N pushed at Taekwoon, who in his slumberous state, didn't object, walking backwards in surprise until he almost fell onto the bed.

He waited as Leo finally got his balance and stood his ground, turning to him with his eyes wide and glaring. He flung his bedcovers off his shoulders onto the bed and crossed his arms, a frown on his face. He crossed his arms to stop himself from pushing back.