In Between Time | Seongjoong

28

One down side to remembering everything was that it was somewhat hard to adjust to the fact that his brother was still alive.  After school Hongjoong had caught up with the duo and explained that he actually had to pick his brother up.

"Your brother can come too, there's lots of younger kids who show up!" San informs. Hongjoong took in the scene before him. Seonghwa and San walking in front of him, San's energetic mannerisms, the way Seonghwa occasionally walks backwards to crack a joke. This was something he never really had.

"I remember when we used to go here," Seonghwa leaned up against the fence waiting for Hongjoong to get out of earshot.

"It's not just me right? I have this nagging feeling that I should know who he is like I've talked to him before?" Seonghwa scratched his head.

"Maybe you talked to him after a performance? I don't know but he does seem super familiar...he could know someone we know?" San was just as puzzled as the older.

"Guys this is my brother Seojun, Seojun this is Seonghwa and San." Hongjoong introduced.

"You have friends?" Seojun questioned sipping the juice box he forced Hongjoong to buy. San snorted at the comment.

"I like this kid already," Hongjoong let out a breath and awkwardly shifted the conversation.

"So where to next?" He knew where they were going but he'd give anything to just not be in the spotlight right now.

"My house isn't far from here." Seonghwa continued on his way everyone else following.

"Do you know anyone around here Hongjoong?" San casually asked.

"Um no not really...I only really know you guys." Hongjoong shrugged glancing to his side to make sure his brother was still keeping up.

"I see, we got to you first because who knows you could've been corrupted by some of the wannabe gangsters at our school." San rolled his eyes.

"Those guys seriously never quit it's really sad at this point," Seonghwa spoke up.

"They've already heard about you bro, I mean the whole school has. I wouldn't be surprised if they tried to 'test' you." he followed with a laugh.

"Oh boy," Hongjoong sighed.

"Don't worry too much though most of them are all talk so just give em a good punch." San joked.

"My mom would throw a fit if I got into another fight."

"Hey I only joke but you never know with the reputation that's follow you now." San threw his hands up in defense a smile plastered on his face.

The four boys finally reached Seonghwa's home and it was just as Hongjoong remembered even with some of the different furniture. What Hongjoong was not expecting was seeing Seonghwa's brother casually lounging around.

"Hey bro, this is Hongjoong and his brother Seojun." Seonghwa introduced as he continued to his room and San disappeared somewhere else leaving Hongjoong to shyly say hello along with Seojun.

"You probably don't wanna go in your uniform. I have some clothes you could borrow just give them back whenever." Seonghwa gestured to his closet.

"We don't really have any kids clothes so..." Seonghwa trailed as he watched Seojun rock back and forth on his heels chewing the straw of the juice box.

"I think he'll be okay, I kinda wish that was our uniforms instead." Hongjoong commented on the simple pant and plain shirt.

"Yeah, those stupid ties are such a hassle." Seonghwa complained as he continued to undress himself. It was a simple task of switching shirts, but looking made Hongjoong's cheeks turn red.

"I know right." The composure that was once rooted in Hongjoong's voice was fleeting as he turned to change himself.

"Your mom wants to know if you guys want anything before you leave." San burst into the room with a small bag of chips.

"Yeah tell her to just give us whatever she's got," Seonghwa replied as he wrapped the bandana around his head.

"Do you guys want anything specifically?" Seonghwa turned to ask the two catching Hongjoong in the middle of changing. It was only for a second but Seonghwa swore he felt his heart do a somersault.

"Can I have another juice box?" Seojun asked breaking whatever was happening with Seonghwa up.

"O-of course. Let's go to the kitchen." Seonghwa cleared his throat to regain himself. Hongjoong followed shortly and soon met Mrs. Park who had taken quite the liking to Seojun.

"Thank you for the juice." Seojun waved as they left. Mrs. Park didn't know it but she was Seojun's favorite person right now.

"Your mom is nice Seonghwa. Can I come over again?" Seojun boldly questioned taking a hold of the older's hand.

"If you can, sure?" Seonghwa couldn't help but chuckle at the kid. No one had ever asked him to come over to his house this way.

Hongjoong was suffering what felt like a quarter life crisis or just older sibling syndrome. The kid was way too bold sometimes and in a way Hongjoong envied that. He saw the way Seonghwa had looked at him when they were changing but he could not for the life of him be known as a boyfriend stealer.

"When Hongjoong comes over again ask if you can come too," Seonghwa suggests.

"And if he says no I'll scold him for you." Seonghwa held out his pinky for Seojun.

"I know you heard that Hongjoong." Seojun smiled as if he was the sweetest thing on Earth but Hongjoong knew. Seonghwa was trying desperately to hold in a laugh as well as San who was failing miserably.