Secrets

But he's my dumb bitch

Seonghwa was both confused and hurt. He'd never seen this side of Hongjoong before. Normally if he was really upset he'd just hide his feelings and pretend to be fine until Seonghwa drew it out of him.

But he must be really upset to react like that.

And Seonghwa couldn't help but feel like it had something to do with him.

The way Hongjoong wouldn't look at him.

Was he mad at him?

Had he done something?

Or was he just hiding his tears?

He normally had such an easy time getting things out of Hongjoong since he knew how to break the seal on his untold dilemmas. After all, Seonghwa was one of the first people Hongjoong had ever opened up to. At least, that's what he'd said.

And Seonghwa believed him.

So what was so awful that he didn't even want to talk to Seonghwa about it? He felt like Hongjoong didn't trust him.

Finally the bus arrived and Seonghwa glanced back at Hongjoong to see him making eye contact. Seonghwa's heart fluttered.

Hongjoong grabbed his suitcase and made his way down the aisle. Seonghwa waited.

"Hwaseong—I'm really sorry about before. I shouldn't have pushed you like that that was childish."

"It's okay. I'm just worried about you. Are—are you okay? You can tell me."

Hongjoong seemed to wait for everyone to leave the bus before he leaned in.

"It's—it's my mom. She's been injured in an accident at work and—I'm really worried about her."

Seonghwa gasped and was about to yank Hongjoong into a comforting hug but hesitated, remembering last time. But Hongjoong jumped into his arms and he felt his tears beginning to soak his dress shirt.

Seonghwa rubbed a hand along his back, cautiously reaching up to his hair, brushing it back with his fingers.

"Hongjoong—I'm so sorry. Is she going to be alright?"

Hongjoong pulled away, wiping his face.

"Yeah—she's just in the hospital. She broke a few bones so she won't be able to take care of herself. I'm so scared."

"It's okay. Where was she working? I'll sue them."

"Trust me—I'll sue them first. But they're such a big company, I doubt I even have a chance of getting my case to win."

"Let me pay for everything! Please. Anything I can do to help! Do you need someone to watch her? I can go right now! I'm so bad at this job the team won't miss me. Where does she live?"

Hongjoong seemed frozen in thought. Seonghwa tried to read him. But Hongjoong just stared at him as more tears began to flow.

Seonghwa pulled his suit coat sleeve lower and wiped Hongjoong's cheeks.

"Hongjoong? I want to help. What can I do?"

Finally Hongjoong laughed sadly and wiped a tear from his face and grabbed his bag.

"It's okay. I already decided—I'm going to leave and go back home. I should be there for her."

"Let me help! Please, I want justice for her. For you."

"Really Seonghw—"

Hongjoong clasped a hand over his mouth, his eyes growing wide as he stared up at Seonghwa. Seonghwa was confused for a moment before realizing.

"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to—it just slipped out! It just feels right in my brain—and I know that makes no sense and sounds super cheesy but—we were having a moment and it's just the name I—"

Seonghwa laughed and Hongjoong just stared in confusion.

"It's okay. I understand. You'd be in trouble if anyone else was here but it's okay. It's just us. You really think of me as Seonghwa? Not Hwaseong?"

"Yeah...I'm sorry I know you said not to call you that—"

"In public. I actually—don't hate that name. I just wanted it to be saved for people who I'm really close with. People who are like family to me."

Hongjoong's face flushed red and Seonghwa smiled. His own cheeks flushed a bit at the statement.

"O—okay. But I promise I won't ever say it in public. Ever. Again."

"Good."

"Hey! You three! Off the bus! We've got places to be!" Mingi yelled and Hongjoong and Seonghwa jumped. They'd forgotten they had a schedule.

But then the second part of his words hit them.

You three.

Both of them turned at the same time to see the top of a blonde mullet sitting in the front of the bus. Yeosang stood up, startled and grabbed his bags, stepping off.

Seonghwa turned to Hongjoong who looked as panicked as him. They hadn't been alone. Someone else had heard his name.

Someone who was likely insignificant.

But someone else nonetheless.

They both heaved a sigh of relief when they saw he'd had AirPods in but neither could shake the fear.

Hongjoong was as protective of Seonghwa's identity at this point as Seonghwa was.

They quickly hopped off the bus and approached Yeosang from both sides, pulling his headphones out.

"Woah—hey! I was listening to something—woah, were you crying?"

Hongjoong tried to calm down the redness around his eyes while Seonghwa continued.

"You really didn't know he was crying?"

"What? Why would I care?"

"Why were you sitting back on the bus? Why didn't you get off?"

"Why didn't you get off?"

"I was comforting my friend."

"Fair point."

"And you were...?"

"Oh. I just didn't realize we arrived."

Seonghwa was still suspicious. That seemed vague and mildly unbelievable.

"God, Yeosang how many times have we left you behind on the bus? Do I have to let you know every time the bus stops??"

Wooyoung approached them and flicked Yeosang in the forehead. Seonghwa realized he'd been freaking out over nothing. Yeosang was just a little clueless.

"Why do I feel like I just walked into an interrogation? What were you saying to my bestie?" Wooyoung glared at Seonghwa accusingly but Seonghwa quickly backed away.

"Nothing! I just didn't realize someone sitting in the front of the bus could just not notice the bus had stopped moving."

"Are you calling him stupid??"

"No!!"

"Well you should. Because he is. He's a dumb bitch. But he's my dumb bitch," Wooyoung smiled sweetly, wrapping his arm around Yeosang who tried to push him off in repulsion.

"You're the dumb bitch," Yeosang groaned.

"No you," Wooyoung smiled.

The two walked away and Seonghwa looked over to check on Hongjoong. It seemed like his face had pretty much cleared up.

He was happy he had plans to help his mom but he was realizing what that meant for him. This was his last weekend ever with Hongjoong. In the next few weeks he would be returning to his actual job anyways but it was too early. He wasn't ready to lose Hongjoong yet.

And if he was going back home he wouldn't even be nearby. He couldn't just come back and visit. He had no idea where Hongjoong lived.

He pushed away his feelings and resolved to make the most of this weekend. This would be the best weekend of his life.