Our Little Leader (ATEEZ littlespace)

Baby, no

Life went on for the next two weeks as normal. Little Hongjoong was making frequent visits now that more knew. He wasn't too fond of the other two knowing his secret, but after the first couple days, he realised they mean no harm and help him out a lot with his other side. He just didn't want anyone else knowing, afraid of being rejected and thrown out of the group for being weak.

But soon, his visits to his studio became frequent again with him spending hours upon hours locked up at the company. He swears he didn't mean to fall into the habit again. It was just something that happened after his lessons with Eden hyung started again. Even Eden noticed him seeming happier and much more rested. But he didn't say anything in case it scared off the boy.

Anyways, here he was at 11pm hunched over his monitors once again. Getting frustrated over the song he had been working on for a couple days now. He just couldn't figure out what to do for the bridge. It was tiring and affecting him big time.

Fuck

He really wasn't getting anywhere. At this point he was tempted to call in Eden. But one look at the time made him change his mind.

Go home

Quickly, he began to fall into his mind. Where there was a war going on. One side said go home whilst the other said no, you can do this. He didn't know what side to listen to, so he just waited it out, head throbbing because of his thoughts and the monitors bright lights.

Hyungies...

He wanted out. Wanted to go home. He couldn't do this anymore so he shot up and stumbled to the door. Pushing it open slightly he began whimpering.

"Appa help Joongie"

Slowly trudging around the halls, he was stumbling all over the place. At first glance, one would assume he was intoxicated. But he was just on the verge of a breakdown. A burnout despite not doing much. His mind moved over to the other members. Remembering what happened this morning. San had made a mess and blamed it on Hongjoong. His caregivers weren't there at the time to defend him. He sent over a pleading glance to Mingi in hopes he would help him. But Mingi looked at him as if he was looking right through him. Then he got heavily scolded by Seonghwa. It wasn't even his fault!

Looking around he remembered the time. No one would be here at this time. At least, that was what he thought.

Soon he bumped into something hard. Pushing himself off it assuming it was just a wall he began walking again, unseeing. Until a hand gripped his forearm and pulled him towards it.

huh?

"Why hello there hyung. What are you doing here hmm?"

God did the voice sound patronizing.

"Wooyoungie I-"

"No hyung. Answer me" He was speaking through gritted teeth as he seethed. Why was Woo so angry?

"..."

"What, you gonna call for Yeosang to come save you? Too bad he's asleep at the dorm huh?"

That made another wave of anxiety flush through Hongjoongs body. His little side was quickly approach and there was nothing he can do to stop it.

He cried. Cried and cried. For his appa. For his hyungs,

At this, Wooyoung dropped his arm in shock. What was his hyung doing? He didn't want this to happen. Only wanted to give him a slight scare. Stop him from constantly clinging to his best friend.

"Hyung?"

"Appa. Joongie wan' appa" Shit, hyung was sobbing whilst he was panicking. What could he do? He's never seen his hyung this distraught before.

"Hyung, why are you acting like a baby? What's gotten into you?!"

Everything was too much as he sunk to the floor, utterly devastated. Wooyoung ran.

In truth, he was supposed to collect his hyung to bring him back to the van that will take those who stayed back late, home. With a muttered excuse he ran into the van and strapped himself in.

"Where's Hongjoong?"

"Hes's - he's staying back tonight" He stuttered as he looked outside through the window, taking in all the lights. He just left his hyung on the floor sobbing his poor heart out and he felt terrible.

The journey back was quick. Quicker than it had ever felt before. He raced up to the level that their room was on and quickly unlocked the door. All the lights were off. Meaning everyone as asleep.

Good. He thought

He jumped into bed and pulled the covers over his head and went to sleep with only thought bouncing around his head.

Hyung was a little?

---------

Over at the company, somebody had found Hongjoong on the floor. One of his close friends and another artist at their label, Maddox. He was the only person to know about Hongjoong and his second side. This is because the day he had a huge burnout, Maddox was there. Soothing him and helping him through it. It was a couple of years ago. But Maddox could never forget the feeling it gave him. Pure fear.

It was a scary thing to witness.

Although, he was constantly travelling. Meaning he has been unable to help Hongjoong with his little side. Plus the kid never went to him. Too stubborn for his own good.

Back to the present, he sighed as he saw Joong crouched down, sobbing.

"Come on Joong-ah. Lets lay down yeah?" With that, he reached down and gently lifted him into his arms (he was worryingly light) and carried him to the rest area. He laid down with Joong still crying in his arms and slowly run his hands up and down the boys back in a comforting manner. Whispering reassurances here and there until the boy calmed down enough to sleep. Maddox sighed once again and decided that sleeping here for one night won't be bad. Closing his eyes, he fell asleep.

--------

"Morning Woo. Did Joong come home with you last night?" Seonghwa asked. Wooyoung was being uncharacteristically quite. It was rather odd. He looked up as he shook his head. Not seeing three of the members glance at each other exchanging worried glances.

"Mhh" Seonghwa hummed. He was concerned. Thinking they had managed to knock the habit out of their leader. Glancing around, he noticed the exchanged looks. Just when he was about to say something, Wooyoung made a weird noise which lead to everyone looking at him. He mumbled something.

"Pardon Woo?" San asked.

"I said...Hongjoongie-hyung is a little"

Cutlery cluttered down on plates as silence took over.

"Huh?"

Shit.

.

Oh no.

Why Wooyoung?!

I didn't mean to make them mean. It had to be someone causing drama and I just did a random shuffle. Sorreh.