Chapter Text
eight is fate
Today 2:37 PM
literal angel:
yoooo
there’s an ambulance on campus tf
who got hurt😭
puppy:
DAMN
hope theyre alright😂
i’m baby:
WHO
IM NOSY
father:
THIS IS NOT THE KIND OF THING TO BE NOSY ABOUT???
i’m baby:
okay and
im nosy😤
baby bear:
😂😂😂
okay but same👀
hot mountain:
ouch, gotta be serious to have a whole ambulance😭😭
literal angel:
fr
hold on i’m gonna ask around😂😂
oh i see mingi! lemme ask him😂
i’m baby:
TELL MY SON I SAID HIIIII
literal angel:
oh
shit
it’s seonghwa
seonghwa’s hurt
father:
WHAT
i’m baby:
WHAT
hot mountain:
WAIT WHAT
baby bear:
WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED
father:
WHERE ARE U
puppy:
no
WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM
ARE THEY OKAY
PLEASE TELL ME THEYRE OKAY
literal angel:
um
hold on
okay we’re like a couple feet away from the library
mingi’s not really talking, he’s like really shaken up
the paramedics are saying hwa fell down the stairs
they’re okay tho
father:
fuck i’m coming
stay with mingi
puppy:
im on my way
i’m baby:
IM COMING TOO
~
Yeosang looks up at the sound of feet pounding against pavement, feeling relieved when he sees his best friends and his boyfriend running towards him.
“How bad is it?” Hongjoong pants out, nearly bent over as he struggled to catch his breath.
“The paramedics had to rush them back,” Yeosang winces, recalling the sight of the elder. “There was like, a really nasty cut on their head and their arm was… God, I never thought an arm could bend like that.”
“Fuck, shit, fuck,” Hongjoong starts to panic, San immediately going to wrap his arms around him.
“Oh my god, Hwa,” Jongho breathed out, his expression growing just as worried as the others.
“And the guy said that there’s a high chance of them having a concussion,” Yeosang continues, “but there's definitely a good chance they’ll be okay. I gave them their parents’ contact information, they should be there within the hour.”
“A concussion?” Wooyoung shrieked, feeling a bit lightheaded. “I need to sit down.”
“Mingi?” Yunho approaches his boyfriend cautiously. “Hey, hey princess, we’re here now.” He tilts his head to the side, trying to meet Mingi’s gaze since the younger wouldn't take his eyes off the ground, off the spot where Seonghwa had been laying just moments ago. He fixated on the tiny trace of blood still there, unnoticeable to most, but glaringly obvious to him.
“Baby,” Yunho murmured softly, hooking his finger under Mingi’s chin to tilt his head up.
“They,” Mingi finally speaks, “they fell… Because of me."
“Hey no,” Yunho frowned, “I’m sure it wasn’t your fault, what happened baby?"
“We had just finished our assignments, and we were gonna go to the dining hall to grab some food, and I,” Mingi starts to get worked up, tears spilling into his eyes, “I wanted to show them something on my phone, and when they turned, they didn't realize where they were stepping and they just… Fell."
“Okay baby,” Yunho pulls Mingi close, “it’s not your fault, alright? It could never be your fault, it was just a misstep, okay? You did nothing to cause it, and I know for a fact Seonghwa wouldn’t blame you one bit.”
“I distracted them because I wanted to show them a stupid Tik Tok, it’s my fault, I should've waited until we got down the stairs, I should’ve-”
“Hey, Minnie, it’s okay, shh,” Yunho nudges Mingi’s head into his neck, stroking at his hair. “Calm down my love, you’re freaking out a bit.”
“Do you think we can see them?” San asks, looking on the verge of tears.
“The hospital’s not gonna let us all in at once,” Yunho sighs.
“Then I’ll go,” Hongjoong says, looking around at the others. They looked a bit unsure, knowing that Hongjoong and Seonghwa had been acting a bit weird around each other since their dared kiss.
“Look, I know we’ve been… Avoiding each other, but it’s because of me. So I need to make this right, let me go."
After a moment of silence, they all slowly start to nod and agree, Yeosang patting him on the back.
“Keep us posted?”
“Yeah,” he nods, “I will.”
“Here,” Yunho digs in his pockets, then tosses his keys to Hongjoong. “Take my car.”
“Thanks, man,” Hongjoong jogs off, finding Yunho’s car in the lot easily and he makes the trip to the local hospital, anxiety thrumming through his veins.
He really hadn't mean to go out of his way to avoid Seonghwa, it was just that the whole kiss had only brought up what Hongjoong had been shoving down, what he had been denying for months on end- that he was completely, irrevocably, hopelessly in love with Seonghwa. In fact, he had loved the elder for years now, almost three years, since the day that they first met, the day that Seonghwa came into his life.
He remembered it like it was yesterday- it was freshman orientation day, and they were in the same group. The two had noticed each other in the beginning, spending half of the day sneaking glances at each other, cheeks reddening and smiles growing shy whenever they made eye contact.
And then they get paired for a game, and the first thing Hongjoong learned?
He was in love with Seonghwa.
Because Seonghwa made it easy. They made it easy to fall in love with them, with their charming smile and kind-hearted personality, with a nurturing heart that touched everyone around them, and a warm nature that just kept on giving.
The second thing Hongjoong learned?
He also hated Seonghwa.
Hongjoong hated how much whiplash Seonghwa gave him. They had bad days. They would argue all day, go to sleep hating each other, but wake up the next morning perfectly fine. And when Hongjoong had one of his bad days, ones where the younger wanted nothing more than to lay in his bed and spend the entire day crying, Seonghwa was always there to comfort him. No matter what, Seonghwa would always drop everything to come running to Hongjoong when he was having a low day, and Hongjoong both hated and loved it. And they would clash again, and it was a constant cycle, one that neither of them bothered to break.
And then he hated how Seonghwa was starting to rub off on him. How his smiles became lighter and his days became brighter. He hated it because he was used to the darkness. He was used to the depression, to the other shoe dropping, and he was so convinced that Seonghwa was only going to end up leaving him in the end that he made it hard for them. He picked more fights, he argued, he kept finding reasons to ruin their friendship so that he wouldn't end up dragging Seonghwa down with him in the long run only for the elder to stay, to never leave, to keep convincing Hongjoong that he was just as worthy of good things as the next person.
He hated how Seonghwa was convinced that they could fix him.
But then that’s when Wooyoung and Yunho came along. And then Hongjoong started believing maybe he was destined for good. Maybe he was destined to be happy.
Maybe he could be fixed after all.
And he apologized, first to Seonghwa, and also to himself.
And he started to get better. He started to get happier, started to fix his relationship with Seonghwa, started to accept himself and appreciate life more.
But he couldn't have gotten there without the elder. Not without all these late nights that the other spent comforting Hongjoong. Not without all the talks, all the phone calls, all the hugs, all the meals together, all the love.
He wouldn't be where he was today without his best friend.
And he needed to let the other know that, he needed to tell Seonghwa because he knew he was bad at it. He was horrible at expressing his feelings, and was only starting to get better at it thanks to Wooyoung, but it was something he still struggled with daily, especially regarding Seonghwa.
But not anymore.
“Hey um,” he smiles nervously at the receptionist. “I’m here for Nicholas Park.”
“Room 117.”
“Thank you,” he bows his head, and then takes off to find the room.
The sight of Seonghwa wasn’t as horrifying as the image Hongjoong had conjured up in his head- Seonghwa only had two wires attached to them, along with a cast covering their arm and a slightly stained bandage wrapped around their head.
“Hey,” he greets, Seonghwa tilting their head to look at them.
“Hongjoong,” Seonghwa sighs, noticing just how broody the younger was becoming. “Stop that. You’re looking at me like I’m a ghost.”
“I could’ve lost you today, Hwa,” Hongjoong says blankly, not taking his eyes off the bandage wrapped around Seonghwa’s head.
“You’re being dramatic,” they chuckled, “I fell.”
“You hit your head,” Hongjoong scoffed. "What if it had been worse?”
“But it wasn’t. I’m still here, aren’t I?”
“You’re laying in a fucking hospital bed!” He snaps. Seonghwa gapes at him, eyes wide.
“Hongjoong! Do not go raising your voice, this is not the place.”
The two stare at each other for a moment, gazes hard before Hongjoong’s soften, collapsing into the chair next to the elder’s bed.
“Sorry,” he breaks down into sobs, “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry…”
“Baby…” Seonghwa reaches over, interlacing their fingers.
“I just… When I heard you were hurt, I… I was terrified. I was terrified that, that it was worse than it sounded, and the last memory you would have of me was me avoiding you for the whole fucking week, and that I wouldn't…” He trails off, looking down at their intertwined hands.
“Wouldn't what?”
“That I wouldn’t get a chance to tell you I love you.”
“You tell me that all the time,” Seonghwa chuckled softly, their eyes fond.
“No,” the musician shakes his head. “No, not like that.”
“What do you-” they cut themselves off with a gasp, eyes wide as they looked at Hongjoong. “Oh.”
"Yeah,” Hongjoong laughed wetly, nodding. “I love you. And that kiss, it, it just brought up everything for me, everything I’ve been avoiding. And I’m sorry, I’m so sorry it took me so long to say it. I’m sorry I was dumb,” he sniffles, voice growing higher in pitch as he rambled on, “and I kept pushing my feelings for you away because I never thought that it would work, we’re just complete opposites and we fight all the time and I’m so sorry, I’m so stupid and you probably think I am stupid and that it taking you having a experience like this for me to finally say this is dumb,” Hongjoong chokes on a sob, head resting on their joined hands, his own squeezing Seonghwa’s. “And I’m sorry for being annoying and for picking fights and not telling you enough how much you mean to me and-”
“Hey,” Seonghwa cuts him off, “sweetheart, come here, you’re gonna work yourself up to a panic attack.” They lifted their non-broken arm for Hongjoong to slip under, the younger being careful not to jostle Seonghwa’s injuries any further. He snuggles close, feeling a huge wave of pure relief wash over him now that Seonghwa was close to him, as close as they could possibly be.
“I’m sorry for everything, I’m so sorry,” Hongjoong blubbered, “I should've told you all these months ago.”
“Aish, let it out, my love,” the elder soothes, rubbing their hand up and down Hongjoong’s back. It takes a couple minutes, but eventually the other’s cries quieten down to sniffles.
“You’re not stupid,” Seonghwa sighs. “Honestly, if we’re rolling with that, then we’re both stupid. Because I’ve loved you since the day we met. I fell in love with you almost instantly, and I hated it. I hated how difficult you made it.”
Hongjoong chuckles, sniffling. “Glad to know I’m not the only one. So that’s why you treated me like shit these first couple weeks, huh?”
“God, you’ll never let me live that down, will you?”
“Nope,” he giggles. “You were so mean to me.”
“I was merely annoyed with how cute you were,” Seonghwa smiles fondly. “And like you were any better, mister ‘if I see your dumb face again I will personally make sure that there are live snakes in your bed tonight’.”
“Oh my god, you remember that?” Hongjoong laughs, covering his face in embarrassment.
“Of course I do,” the elder grins, “you're adorable when you're trying to be all threatening.”
“Shut up,” he huffs, “I can actually be threatening.”
“You're too cute for that, next.”
“Keep it up, you’ll have two broken kneecaps to accompany that arm,” Hongjoong scoffs.
“Aish, so adorable,” Seonghwa coos, laughing as Hongjoong just pouts at them. Suddenly there’s a staring contest going down between them, Hongjoong losing when he starts laughing his lungs out, Seonghwa following shortly after.
“Hey,” the younger snickers, “remember when Yunho and Wooyoung had to pull us apart because one of our fights got out of hand? And then they gave us that dumb ultimatum that if we didn't get along, they would stop being friends with us?”
“God,” Seonghwa laughed, “don’t remind me. We were always getting on each other's nerves, and that one was just the final nail on the coffin.”
“I’m glad they did that though, ‘cause I can’t imagine my life without you now. I don't,” Hongjoong pauses, chewing on his bottom lip, “I don't think I’d even be alive today if it weren't for you.”
“Don't say that. I did nothing.”
“No, you did. You saved me, Hwa. I… I was at my lowest when I came to New York. For months, I was planning on following my brother. And I came out east for a fresh start, but… My depression just got worse. And then I met you. And even with everything that was going on between us, you… You made me realize that maybe life is worth living, after all. You, and Yunho, and Wooyoung, you guys all saved me.”
Seonghwa stares at Hongjoong for a bit, fond smile growing sad as they wiped the fallen tears on the younger’s face with their good hand.
“You saved yourself, Hongjoong-ah. We only helped you get there.”
“No, you saved me. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, and I’m not gonna let another second go by without letting you know.”
“I see you’re finally learning how to deal with your feelings,” Seonghwa teases, Hongjoong blushing as he playfully nudges the other, gently, being careful not to jostle their injuries.
“Shut up.”
“So you love me?” The elder grins, their eyes locking when Hongjoong turns his head.
“I guess the kids were right all along,” Hongjoong laughed softly.
“Yeah,” Seonghwa chuckles, “they were.”
They stare at each other a moment longer, gazes flickering between lips and eyes. It’s Hongjoong who makes the move this time, pressing his lips against Seonghwa’s, softly, just to feel them. The elder sighs into the kiss, their free hand resting on top of Hongjoong’s cheek, thumb stroking softly at the skin there.
“You know,” Hongjoong says when they pull apart, “when you get better, I’m gonna do what I should've done three years ago. I’m gonna take you out on a proper date.” He locks eyes with the other, their eyes lighting up, looking like a sparkling galaxy- a sight that had Hongjoong ready to drop everything and give Seonghwa the whole world.
“Yeah?” Seonghwa giggles, never breaking eye contact. “Where ya gonna take me?”
“Well, where’s the fun if I tell you, huh?” The musician smiles.
“You don’t have a plan yet, do you?” The elder teases, Hongjoong just rolling his eyes playfully.
“Just shut up and kiss me again.”
~
eight is fate
Today 5:39 PM
father:
they’re being discharged rn
we’ll be back to campus soon
i’m baby:
oh thank god
puppy:
thats good
want us to meet you?
father:
yeah
hwa wants to see everyone 😂
so let’s meet at my dorm
we’ll be there in like half hour
hot mountain:
okay!
literal angel:
see ya there!
baby bear:
we’ll be there 😋