Chapter Text
It’s no surprise that Jungwon had a crush on Heeseung since I-Land, the older is an ace, not only good at dancing, singing and rapping, but also a great person to find when you need comfort.
Jungwon admires him a lot, to the point that he is jealous. He envied how Heeseung could do everything so easily, the first to perfect the choreography, the one who took the least amount of time to finish recording his vocals, the member who received the most amount of praises from teachers. He felt like he was lacking, he wasn’t enough. Jungwon wanted to be the perfect leader for Enhypen, and in his mind, Heeseung was the perfect leader, he was just, perfect.
The leader loves being praised, the feeling that people are proud of him, the feeling that he is enough, and he is doing well. But of course, everyone has bad days, and today was one of them. Waking up with a sore throat is never a good thing, but having vocal lessons that one day makes it worse. Jungwon winced as his throat throbbed in pain due to the swelling. It was bad, Jungwon knew that clearly, he couldn’t swallow saliva properly without pain, but he had to be strong, for his members and to prove that he is a worthy leader.
Hiding his sickness from others, he quickly went to wake up the remaining 6 members from their slumber, most of them groaning by the fact that they needed practice that day. Jungwon locked himself in the bathroom, used his phone’s flashlight to observe his throat’s condition. It was so red and puffy that Jungwon was surprised he could still talk properly, which was great for his vocal practice that day.Jungwon pushed his health away and changed his clothes, a mere sore throat won't stop him from trying to be a good leader.
“Hyung, are you feeling okay? You seem so tired today.” Niki asked as Jungwon got out of the bathroom. “I’m fine Niki, no need to worry,” Jungwon dismissed the younger’s concerns, ignoring the worried face as he grabbed his backpack and walked into the living room.
“We’re leaving in 20 minutes,” Jungwon recalled, grabbing himself a granola bar while sitting next to Jake, who seemed to be drinking chocolate milk. Suddenly remembering the poor state of his throat, he looked around through the cabinets and fridge, trying his luck at finding leftover paracetamol or medicine, mentally exclaiming when he found an unopened pack of lemon flavored throat candies. As he turned around, he was met with another concerned member who frowned as he ate his breakfast.
“Wonie, what do you need medicine for? Hyung doesn’t want you to work when you’re sick…” Heeseung commented, obviously displeased by the fact that the younger is trying to practice even when his physical state is not the best.
“I’ll be fine Hyung, I promise I’ll do well today,” Jungwon reassured with a small smile before he ordered, “We should leave now guys, the van is here”
As usual, everyone, despite being tired, are chatting with each other about the latest trends and funny posts they saw online. Jungwon only sat by the side, leaning his head on the window as he closed his eyes, wanting to rest for as long as the car rode. The other members, of course, noticed his weird behavior. Although they were worried, with members being alarmed by his lack of energy and grabbing medicine from the cabinet, they didn’t push further as they wanted to respect their leader’s boundaries.
As soon as they arrived, they went straight to the recording rooms and met their instructor. The lesson went on normally until Jungwon’s condition worsened. His throat felt as if it was on fire, burning and itchy. Before, it only hurt to swallow, now it hurts to talk, and singing is impossible at this rate.
Despite his condition, Jungwon stubbornly carried on practicing, which gained even more concern from the members.
“Jungwon, let’s try again with ‘you’re my one and only’”, the teacher asked, starting the soundtrack at that time stamp. For his first try, his voice cracked which received a few laughs, the leader laughed it off and cleared his throat.
Don’t mess this up, I need to perfect this.
For the next few tries, the second youngest still failed to reach the notes and his voice cracked numerous times. Feeling frustrated, Jungwon gripped his notes hard and tears started forming in his eyes. At that moment, nobody laughed, instead just eyeing both the teacher and Jungwon nervously as they could sense the older one was starting to get fed up.
“Jungwon, a word outside,” the instructor demanded, trying to suppress his anger in front of the other members as he slammed the door open. The leader followed the teacher, standing outside the recording room with his head hanging low in shame.
“What is wrong with you Yang? This is not a joke, you should take my vocal lessons seriously,” the teacher scolded, pointing at Jungwon as he continued, “If you can’t do it well, what will Engenes think? They would be so disappointed in you with your poor performance.”
“I-I’m sorry teacher, i-”
“I’m not finished, the other members are doing so well today, but you are holding them back, you are slowing down the progress,” the older scoffed, crossing his arms and shaking his head in disapproval, “I know we are releasing this single soon after the comeback, but you as the leader should not slack off. You’re supposed to be the perfect example for the others, but I can’t see it right now.”
The teacher walked closer to Jungwon and pointed his finger to his chest mumbling, “If I don’t hear perfect vocals by the next lesson,” he glared at the leader, “then I'll have a talk with the manager.” He glanced at the leader one more time before turning his back on him and entered the room furiously, but at least less angry than before.
“Break for 10 minutes,” He announced as soon as he walked into the room, throwing the notes onto the table and sat down with a sigh. Jungwon timidly entered the room, head still hanging low as he was afraid that he would be met with faces of disappointment. He grabbed a water bottle and sat down on the couch, he closed his eyes, wanting to take a few minutes of rest and a break from the expectations.
Someone tapped his shoulder and handed him a pack of throat candies, “Here, I’m sure your throat is in a bad condition with all those coughing and voice cracks,” Heeseung jokes.
“I’m really sorry hyung, I know I’m not doing my best today but I’ll try harder,” Jungwon apologized, his mind occupied by what the instructor had scolded him for.
“Don’t apologize wonie, we didn’t blame you for anything. We’re just worried about your condition,” Heeseung reassured him with a soft smile. He patted the younger’s head, which received a small sigh as the leader leaned onto the older, closing his eyes and continuing his rest.
The lesson was soon over, with many glares and occasionally scolding from the teacher. Clutching his throat and coughing loudly, Jungwon received a ‘reminder’ from the dear instructor, who told him to do better in the next lesson or else. While everyone was packing their belongings, the leader took no action to leave. Instead, he only went to refill his water bottle and read the lyrics again.
“Won-ah, aren’t you going home with us?” Sunghoon asked.
“No hyung, I’m staying behind to practice a bit more, you guys can leave first, I know you’re tired,” Jungwon replied.
“Then I’m staying too” Heeseung put down his bag as he replied, “You guys can go home, I’ll watch him.” He knew that everyone was worried about their dear leader, who looked so stressed and tired. The others nodded tiredly and relieved as there’s someone looking after their member, they bid their goodbyes and left the room.
“Hyung, you really don’t have to, I’m really okay on my own-”
“Jungwon, have you taken your medicine?”
“I’m not sick…”
“Don’t lie to your hyung, baby. C’mon I’ll get you some warm lemon water and medicine okay? Then hyung will help you with your vocals.”
Jungwon blushed at the sudden affection the older man was giving, he may be overthinking, but Jungwon felt as if it was more than platonic, and somewhat… romantic.
Without a choice (since Heeseung was not backing down), he gave up and nodded, sitting down waiting for his now happy member to come back with supplies. It was a weird feeling, his pure admiration for the ace’s talents had turned into a silly high-school crush somewhere during their 3 years together since I-Land.
This is stupid, as if he would ever like me.
“What’s with the frown, Wonnie?” Heeseung asked, with medicine and a cup of water in his hands, “You know I don’t like seeing my dearest leader in a bad mood, how can I help you?”
Love me.
“No hyung, I just have a lot in mind, too much to worry about honestly,” Jungwon quickly replied, thanking the oldest for the medications.
“I know you’re stressing a lot because you want to do well. Let me help you with it, that’s what friends are for.”
Friends are what we only will be.
“Thank you hyung, the teacher seemed really disappointed in my vocals today, can you help me with this part?”
The duo worked together at a fast pace, with the eldest teaching the younger how to reach the high notes and singing more comfortably, and the younger following his instructions. Hours had passed when they were finished with their extra training.
“I did it hyung! I sang that part so well!” Jungwon exclaimed as he finally got all of his parts sung perfectly.
As the leader turned around to face Heeseung, he accidentally stumbled and bumped onto the other’s chest, causing both of them to fall down. Laying on the elder's chest, Jungwon sat up at the speed of light, wanting to get off Heeseung before butterflies appeared in his stomach and giving him false hope. But once he sat up, his ass was directly on top of Heeseung’s crotch, in which he unintentionally put pressure there, receiving a groan in response.
“I-I’m so sorry” Jungwon cried out, covering his red face with both hands.
At this stage, both of them didn’t move a muscle, one shocked by his own actions and too embarrassed to move, the other simply mesmerized by the cute leader on top of him. They sat there in silence, heat spreading all around their bodies, faces as red as tomatoes.
A hand rested on Jungwon’s waist, which received a surprised squeal from the younger. Another hand on his chin, pulling Jungwon closer to the older.
“You’re a sneaky little thing aren’t you,” Heeseung teased with a smirk on his face, chuckling as he saw Jungwon shaking his head frantically.
“No I didn’t mean to, I swear!”
“Can I kiss you wonie?”
What
“I asked if I can kiss you”
“Oh”
Nervously, Jungwon stared at the one beneath him with wide eyes, shocked that this question came out of his mouth. Instead of answering, Jungwon leaned in closer to Heeseung, gently pecking a quick kiss onto the older’s soft lips.
Heeseung laughed at Jungwon’s face as he pulled away, it was so red that he started to question if Jungwon was sick or something.
“Shall we go home?”
*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ
Jungwon threw himself onto the bed after his shower, face still flushed and him feeling embarrassed. Laying on his back and kicking his feet, it truly felt like a silly high-school crush.
Yeah, stupid puppy love that won’t come true, don’t get your hopes up Yang Jungwon.
His phone’s screen lit up with a notification:
Wonie, sleep earlier and rest more.
I don’t want to see my baby sick :)
I’ll be mad if you are staying up late >:(
Smiling dumbly at the messages, he quickly typed a reply:
Okay hyungie, and thanks for helping me today :))
Goodnight hyung ><
Jungwon threw his phone onto the bed, hiding his face behind his hands. If he hadn’t had a crush on Heeseung before, he definitely has now.
I’m so fucked.