Soongyu - For All To See

:: Not As It Seems ::

   Soonyoung raised his head in surprise at Jihoon's tone, noticing the way the smaller male was glaring just as intently towards Seungcheol like how the leader had been glaring at Soonyoung just a moment before. Both Jihoon and Seungcheol seemed to be having their own telepathic conversation between each other and Soonyoung found himself looking back and forth as the seconds passed, anxiety eating away at his stomach from the inside out.
   What had Jihoon meant when referring to the fact Seungcheol would know splitting Mingyu and himself would cause more damage? Or was it simple a common sense deduction?

   Seungcheol grit his teeth, his tone low but not as angered as it had been before, "Don't use that against me, Jihoon. That's exactly why I have to be this way, it just can't be allowed to happen." Soonyoung's heart dropped a little more.

   "Oh? Is that you talking, or company management?" Jihoon didn't seem to care about the way he was currently bickering with the elder. No other member would usually dare engage in an argument with the leader - willingly. Seungcheol was even considered to be almost scary and strict by other Idol groups and this wasn't entirely unwarranted.

   "Um..." Soonyoung's voice felt weak, but he felt so confused as to what was going on he felt like he had to make himself known again. "We never meant for it to cause problems... We truly wanted to tell you all we just didn't know how. But we would have eventually, I promise!"

   Both Jihoon and Seungcheol looked towards Soonyoung and whilst Jihoon simply sighed, Seungcheol's expression seemed to sadden. Perhaps it was the fact Soonyoung sounded so lost and dejected? He'd never wanted to disappoint Seungcheol at all and Soonyoung always thought about the other members with every decision he made; both he and Mingyu would never have dreamed of causing a scandal - who would have thought some random picture of a couple just so happened to show them in the background and fans picked up on it?
   What are the chances of that honestly?

   "We know you'd never intentionally cause any trouble, that's not in your nature. However, a situation has arisen that needs to be dealt with immediately. Intent aside, this relationship of yours has caused a problem and problems do need removing." Jihoon's tone had softened as if to try lessen the blow of his words.

   Soonyoung frowned deeply having to suck in his lower lip as his eyes threatened to gloss over. The outcome to all this was looking grim... Was he going to lose what he had with Mingyu so soon? Even if they did split, would the trust within the group have already shattered because of this entire event? The thought of causing a divide within their family broke Soonyoung apart.

   "Soonyoungie..."

   Soonyoung couldn't help but feel surprised at the soft way in which the leader addressed him. He lifted his gaze and watched as the leader approached before Seungcheol squatted down in front of Soonyoung, extending out a hand to gently pat Soonyoung's head before simply resting there.
   "I'm sorry for upsetting you. I shouldn't have spoken to you the way I did, but..." Seungcheol sighed, his facial expression seeming strained as if he didn't know how to continue.

   Soonyoung felt his body relax just a little at the comforting gesture Seungcheol gave him. Jihoon was watching the pair intently and when the leader turned to briefly glance at Jihoon, all the smaller male did was nod and Seungcheol got the message.

   "I'm afraid for you, Soonyoung. Both you and Mingyu... I don't want either of you getting hurt because of all of this. If you had come to me first and told me how you both felt, I would have told you both straight away that I couldn't allow it. But that's not because I'm heartless..." As the leader spoke, Soonyoung couldn't help a soft whimper that threatened to turn into a sob, which caused the hand upon his head to rub against him slightly in another gesture of comfort.