Seongjoong Oneshots ??????

Instead of Seonghwa is all sad it's Hongjoong enjoy 😉 

The dance studio echoed with music, sneakers squeaking against polished floors. From the outside, it looked like another intense ATEEZ practice session. But beneath the beat, something was off. Tense.

Hongjoong stood at the front, arms folded tight over his chest, eyes narrowed as he watched every movement with surgical focus. But it wasn't just choreography he was analyzing—it was everything. The timing. The mistakes. The imperfections.

"Again. From the top," he snapped.

Everyone obeyed without question. They were used to Hongjoong's high standards. But today... it felt different.

"You're off beat. Yeosang, that's the wrong angle. Mingi—focus! Again!"

He kept pushing, voice rising, and his tone, usually sharp but encouraging, had lost its warmth. His words stung. The atmosphere felt heavy.

Yunho risked a glance at Seonghwa. What's going on with him?

And then it happened.

"I said again! Why can't any of you get this right?! I'm sick of repeating myself! Do I have to do everything?!"

The room froze. The music cut out like it sensed something had broken.

Hongjoong's breathing was ragged, his chest rising and falling like he'd run a marathon. His hands were clenched so tightly they trembled. His eyes were glassy.

Then, without waiting for a response, he turned and stormed out.

The studio door slammed behind him.

Silence.

"What... was that?" Mingi asked, rubbing the back of his neck.

"I don't think this is about the choreo," Yeosang said quietly.

"I've never seen him like that," Wooyoung murmured. "He's been snapping at us all week but... this felt different."

"He's overwhelmed," San said gently. "I think he's been holding in too much."

Seonghwa was already grabbing his phone, but not to text—just to glance at the time, stalling. He looked toward the door, brows furrowed in concern.

"He went to the bathroom," Jongho said, breaking the silence.

"I'll go talk to him," Seonghwa said, already moving. "Give him a minute. He needs someone to be there... not as a member. As a hyung."

The hallway was quiet. The bathroom door was slightly ajar. Seonghwa stepped in slowly.

He found Hongjoong leaning against the sink, head down, shoulders shaking with silent sobs. His reflection in the mirror looked unfamiliar to him—tired, hollow, raw.

You're a leader. You're supposed to be strong. If you break, what happens to them?

But the truth was he was already breaking. Quietly. Slowly. And he had been for weeks.

"Hongjoong..." Seonghwa's voice was gentle as he stepped forward.

Hongjoong flinched, turning slightly away. "I'm fine."

"You're not." Seonghwa approached anyway, his presence calm, warm, and grounding. "You don't have to pretend. Not with me."

"I just—" Hongjoong's voice cracked. "I feel like I'm always asking for too much. Like if I open up, if I ask for help... I'm making everything worse."

Seonghwa's expression softened. "You're not a burden, Joong. You're human. You get tired. You carry so much, and it's okay to let someone carry you for once."

He opened his arms without a word.

Hongjoong hesitated... then stepped forward, letting Seonghwa pull him in, wrapping him in a hug that felt more like a lifeline than comfort.

"I'm sorry," Hongjoong whispered. "I didn't mean to yell at them. I just... I couldn't hold it in anymore."

"I know," Seonghwa said. "And they'll understand. They care about you just as much as I do."

Back in the studio, the members sat in a loose circle on the floor.

"He's not okay," Mingi said. "We've been so focused on the comeback we didn't even notice how much he's been holding in."

Yunho nodded. "He always makes sure we're okay. But who makes sure he is?"

Jongho, the youngest, added quietly, "We have to remind him it's okay to fall apart sometimes."

When Seonghwa returned, Hongjoong followed behind him. His steps were slow, eyes red but clearer. The tension was gone—replaced by vulnerability. He didn't speak right away. He didn't have to.

Mingi stood and walked over, hesitating only for a second before pulling Hongjoong into a hug. One by one, the others followed, piling on until he was buried in the warmth of the team he thought he had to protect alone.

"You're not alone, hyung," Yeosang said softly.

"Even leaders need someone to lean on," Yunho added.

"You've got all of us," San said.

"I know," Hongjoong whispered, emotion heavy in his voice. "I know now."

And for the first time in weeks, he let himself believe it.