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Hongjoong can’t hold back a laugh as he watches San and Wooyoung gang up on Yeosang in the deep end, dunking him under for the third time; the poor boy really does look like a drowned maltese. A couple feet away, Jongho is also laughing his ass off, but after a moment, it seems the maknae’s love for his favorite hyung wins out in the form of revenge, the leader watching as he sneaks under the water to where the others are and a second later yanks Wooyoung under by his legs, the boy’s squeal stifled as he disappears under the water.
Then, obviously, San has to defend his boyfriend’s honor, so he attacks the youngest when he surfaces, only for Yeosang to tackle him from behind, dunking them all…it devolves very quickly into a two-against-two splashing war that has Hongjoong thanking god there’s no one else at the pool this afternoon. At least they’re wearing themselves out, he muses, maybe they’ll actually go to bed early for once…
Given their recent comeback, more stops on their world tour, and ramped up YouTube and TV appearances, they’ve been due a vacation for quite a while, so Hongjoong is content to watch his members play to their hearts’ content and hopefully sleep for more than a couple hours.
Looking around, he spots Yunho and Mingi on some lounge chairs under an umbrella. They’d been the first to go down to the pool, playing for a couple hours before the rest of the group showed up, so it’s no wonder Mingi is dead asleep, curled up on his side with a towel under his head for a pillow while Yunho reads a book.
Hongjoong looking around again, a small wave of panic sets in as he realizes the eldest is missing. He wonders if maybe the other went to get a drink or take a shower or- Ah. The pink haired boy is in the shallow end, seated on the steps with his knees drawn up to his chest. When they make eye contact a second later, the older boy looks away, curling into himself even more. Hongjoong frowns.
He approaches Seonghwa slowly, curious as to what mood has led the older to isolate himself from the rest. Standing in front of the other, he raises an eyebrow.
But before the leader can voice his concern, the older unfurls his limbs and pitches forward, resting his forehead on Hongjoong’s chest; the younger boy stiffens as arms loosely encircle his waist.
Neither speaks.
A few beats pass, then, still a bit unsure, Hongjoong lifts a hand to the back of Seonghwa’s head, wetting the soft pink hairs as he strokes them gently. The eldest sighs, leaning into the touch.
“Hwa…?”
The boy slowly picks his head up to look at Hongjoong and offers a small, vulnerable smile, sending something in the leader’s chest aflutter.
“I’m ok.” Seonghwa’s voice is soft and calm.
Hongjoong nods.
Then, before he can second guess himself, Hongjoong turns in the embrace and sits on the third step, leaning back into Seonghwa’s chest; it's his turn to sigh softly as he goes limp, melting into Seonghwa’s warmth. The older’s arms tighten around his middle.
“Our dinner reservation isn’t until 7, so we have a bit longer,” the leader murmurs after a bit.
Seonghwa hums in acknowledgement.
Nothing more is said.
They bask in the glow of the setting sun, resting as they watch over the kids, savoring their proximity in silence.