When You're Not Around

The Hangover

Seonghwa was on the phone with his friend, Taeyong, when he heard a loud thud. "I'll talk to you later Tae, okay?" He said, hanging up. He got up and walked into the livingroom.

A disheveled and pale Hongjoong laid back on the couch, eyes closed. He had hung up his coat and slipped off his shoes.

"Have fun?" Seonghwa asked quietly. His eyes remaining shut, Hongjoong answered him tiredly. "Yeah. Maybe a little to much fun." Great, now he's gonna think he's got a drunk for a roommate. I shouldn't have had those last two bottles of whiskey.

"I'm gonna turn in then." Hongjoong slurred sleepily. "Okay. Good night." Hongjoong managed to get himself up, but tripped on the leg of a side table at the hallway entrance.

He fell forward, slamming his chin on the floor. Seonghwa rushed over to him, a concerned look on his face. "Gosh! Are you alright?" He asked as Hongjoong groaned and sat up.

There was a shallow cut an inch or so long on his chin that was bleeding. "Here, Hongjoong-ah, I'll help you." Seonghwa took the younger boy's left arm and wrapped it around his neck.

He hoisted the two of them off the floor. They slowly made their way to Hongjoong's room, where Seonghwa clumsily sat the trembling youth on his bed.

"Wait a second. I'll go get the disinfectant from the bathroom." Seonghwa quickly retrieved the bottle, a band-aid , and some cotton balls.

He came back in the room and knelt down in front of Hongjoong, who was sitting on the edge of the bed.

He damped a cotton ball with the medical disinfectant. "Sorry if this hurts." He apologised in advance as he lightly dabbed at the cut.

Hongjoong winced as the older boy applied the band-aid. "Goodnight, Hongjoong-ah." Seonghwa said, pulling the blanket up and tucking him in.

While Seonghwa was leaned over, concentrating on arranging the blanket, Hongjoong sat up, wrapping his arms around Seonghwa's neck and hugged him.

This startled Seonghwa, who tensed. But he leaned into the warm embrace as Hongjoong whispered hoarsely, " Thank you, hyung."

Seonghwa' s heart was pounding as Hongjoong drew him closer. He legs weakened at the sudden force, and he collapsed on the bed in Hongjoong's arms, and the sleepy younger boy buried his head in the older's neck.

Seonghwa's heart slowed as he  took in the comforting smell of old books and lavender and listened to Hongjoong's light snores. Soon he was lulled to sleep by the rhythmic sound.

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I hope you all are doing well. I'm not doing so hot, tbh. Stream Criminal by Taemin.