(no) Strings Attached

No Need To Pretend

"Instead..." the shorter chirped, mischief in his tone "Be my belt" he winked at him through the front mirror, eyes sparkling.

Before Seonghwa could even wonder what that meant; Hongjoong grabbed his wrists, bringing them around him, tightly.

Seonghwa yelped in surprise, biting his lips at the closeness.

"Why so stiff? Relax" Hongjoong coaxed, his bike coming to life with a rough roar. "Hold on tight, little fairy." And with that they sped off.

Seonghwa tried to not be as tense as he usually was. Tried to remind himself that he had to meet people's expectations, people's standards. And with that he sighed to himself, letting the side of his face press on the other's back.

His eyes closed, letting himself bath in that cool breeze that had his mind pause all the loud voices in it, like a magic pill.

"Hey, don't fall asleep on me." Hongjoong's hand squeezed his hip innocently, but that didn't stop from making him snap his eyes open in shock. "I-I wasn't sleeping!" He almost squeaked, almost lost control of his composure.

The shorter hummed nonchalantly, speeding just a bit faster, Seonghwa's grip following suit as he tightens the hold around the younger's waist.

With no more talking Hongjoong let Seonghwa relax. The way his face reflected on the mirror, lost of all hardness and tension, let him know that indeed Seonghwa was enjoying the ride. So he gave him space.

Just a couple more miles and they came to a halt, Hongjoong parking the vehicle with experienced ease.

"Come on, little fairy." He giggled. There was a soft daze on the other's face. It gave him a couple cuteness points.

But Hongjoong wouldn't say that aloud. Ever.

"I really like your bike." Seonghwa's velvety voice echoed, his delicate fingers tracing an invisible line on the leather of the seat.

"Thank you. She says she likes you too." He giggled and for some reason; that flustered Seonghwa a bit too much.

He turned sharply on his heels, mumbling how they must have been running late.

Seonghwa scolded himself that this is not a way to be acting like in public, refining the lost composure of his face.

"Come, Yunho says there house is packed." Hongjoong smirked, his eyes screaming that he knew Seonghwa was nudged in some way or another.

But he chose not to voice it.

The door opened, Yunho welcoming them in warmly. His eyes lit up at the sight of Seonghwa beside Hongjoong.

"Hyung! I didn't know you were coming!" He gasped with excitement as he stepped forward to wrap his arms around Seonghwa's neck.

Clearing his throat, the shorter's eyes hardened involuntarily, his hands twitching by his sides.

"We gon' stand by the doorstep for longer?" He snorted at the mini reunion that took place in front of him.

Yunho's eyes furrowed at the strain on the older's voice but let an airy chuckle out instead. "Sorry." He shrugged as he took a step inside, allowing the boys to join.

Seonghwa stood rooted for a few seconds. There were tons of people in there. "Uhm. Hongjoong?" He turned to the shorter who was already looking at him.

They had a 5 second eye contact before Seonghwa faked a cough, averting his eyes.

Hongjoong stepped closer, a hand resting on Seonghwa's lower back. "Let me lead you to the bar." He whispered in his ear, trying to make his words clear despite the noise.