Resolving Conflict | Ateez Superhero AU

Celebration

"You're back!" San exclaimed, rushing to the front door to meet his teammates. Everyone was tired and worn out from their mission, but they smiled once they saw their enthusiastic friend.

"You're already on breaking news," Seonghwa said in the background, who was sitting on the sofa, finger pointing to the TV.

"Did they mention a tall, muscular, and handsome guy?" Mingi asked, taking off his shoes.

Seonghwa gave him a half-hearted chuckle. "No..." Seonghwa ignored the hint of disappointment that crossed over Mingi's face. "But they did give us a name."

"A name?" Hongjoong asked from the kitchen, where he was pouring a cup of water for himself. Meanwhile, San was hugging Wooyoung and complimenting him for his hard work.

"Yea," Seonghwa replied. "People figured out that it's the same group of people who are stopping these crimes, but they have no idea who we are, so they gave us a name, Alternare."

Jongho, not liking the excessive skinship action happening next to him, walked over to the living room. "What does that even mean?"

Seonghwa shrugged, but instead of consulting the news on the TV or the internet, he looked at Yeosang.

"It's Latin for 'alternative'," Yeosang answered as if that was a piece of information everyone should already know. "Probably meaning we're kind of the alternative of police," he added.

Jongho nodded. "Ah, I see."

"I like the meaning behind it," Yunho commented. He sat down next to Seonghwa and leaned back to get a moment of shut-eye.

Seonghwa picked up the remote and turned off the TV. "You should go rest. It's getting late."

Lying on a soft mattress did sound very appealing, but Yunho was too tired to budge. Jongho yawned and pulled at Yunho's arm, trying to get his brother to stand up while also preventing him from falling asleep on the sofa.

Mingi and Hongjoong disappeared into their rooms after saying a brief "goodnight".

San waved goodnight before turning back to Wooyoung. "Do you want some tea? It'll help you sleep better."

Wooyoung looked at San with droopy eyes and shook his head. His eye mask was still on, which San found funny considering how much the younger hated it. Smiling, he reached behind Wooyoung's head and untied the mask for him.

"Thanks," mumbled Wooyoung, now craving for a comfortable bed to collapse onto.

Reading his expression, San held Wooyoung's hand and walked him to his room.

Eventually, Yunho gave in (because Jongho was starting to put more force into his pulls), and the brothers left the living room as well.

"Goodnight," Seonghwa said. He stood by the sofa.

"Aren't you going to sleep too?" Jongho asked, releasing his grip on Yunho and letting him go in first.

Seonghwa diverted his eyes. "I..." He paused as if he changed his mind about what he wanted to say. "I just have something on my mind."

"Do you-" Jongho started.

Seonghwa interrupted as he shook his head. "It's fine," he smiled. "I'm going to go to sleep soon, I promise. You should go to sleep, you look awful."

Jongho chuckled. "Ok then." He turned around and disappeared into the hallway.

As soon as he heard the click of a door closing, Seonghwa sat down again and closed his eyes. He thought having a small celebration tomorrow would be a good idea...