Finally finished with his conference call, Hongjoong took his earphones out and groaned, stretching as high up as he could get and yawning.
(A/N: how many of u yawned reading that? Because every time I read it, I yawn lol)
(￣◇￣;)
Rolling back from his desk, he glanced outside the hallway. But upon realising that the dim orange glow from his room was the only light on in the apartment, he frowned.
Glancing at the clock he stood up and wandered outside.
Ten-oh-five...
Popping his head into the living room, he could see a pile of things dumped next to the door, and realised he must have missed Yeosang coming home.
Wandering into the kitchen, he poured himself a glass of water, finishing it and then re-pouring in order to bring it with him. Making his way back down the hall with his water, he walked past Wooyoung's room, poking his head into Yeosang's...
Empty.
Frowning, Hongjoong back-peddled a few steps, poking his head into Wooyoung's room.
And fair enough there, were two blonde heads of hair only just poking out from under the blankets.
Sighing happily, Hongjoong felt his chest warm. After so long with those two being on eggshells around each other, finally, they seemed like they were back to normal.
Except now, it seemed that they had come out closer than before.
Sighing, Hongjoong used his foot to slide a jumper that had been sitting on the floor, across until it acted as a door stop. Leaving their door half shut to keep the light out, he ventured back to his room.
Sipping from his water, he placed the glass on his bedside table, picked up his phone and collapsed onto his bed.
Sorting through notifications, he let out a pained sigh as he saw a notification reminder to pay his mother's medical bills. In a moment of weakness, he found himself going to his contacts and finding her number... Hesitating for only a moment, he tapped on the number.
But no dial tone sounded.
'The person you are calling, is not available to be reached from this number...'
Blocked.
Rolling his eyes at himself, Hongjoong sighed. Why did I think it would be any different this time?
Groaning, he rolled over, reaching across to his lamp and switching it off. Tucking himself into bed, he picked up his phone, but instead of calling someone who wasn't interested in hearing his voice, he found himself dialling Seonghwa's number.
Refreshingly, he picked up on only the third dial tone.
'Hey baby? Why are you not asleep?'
Hongjoong smiled in the dark, melting at the pet name. 'I could ask you the same thing,' he said softly.
He heard Seonghwa's soft chuckle drift through the phone and his hair ruffling against his pillow, before he sighed. 'Is it cringe if I say I miss you?'
Hongjoong laughed. 'Yes.'
Wriggling his toes and biting at his lips, Hongjoong couldn't help the happiness that bubbled up inside him. 'But I miss you too, so it's fine. The cringe cancels itself out.'
Seonghwa laughed. 'Two negatives make a positive?'
'Are you saying it's a bad thing if we miss each other?!' Hongjoong gasped, feigning shock.
'You are too teasing.'
Hongjoong couldn't help smiling like a goose. 'You love it.'
'Yes, I do,' he said softly, and the weight of his words was immense. 'Hyung, when did you say you were going back to work?'
'Ummm... I'm not too sure yet. I was going to give Woo a week or two to settle back into work and then go back part time. Or at least that was the plan.'
'And it's not anymore?'
Hongjoong shrugged. 'I think it still is... Sang said he feels more comfortable if I'm home in case something happens, so I was thinking of putting it off a little bit longer. I've got to talk to the boys about it, but I'd have a guess that in three or four weeks time, I'll be back at work... Why?'
A pause fell through the phone, not a particularly awkward silence, but one that felt like it held weight nonetheless.
'I... uh... Well you see... Umm...'
Hongjoong laughed, closing his eyes and smiling into the dark. 'Aww my nervous Hwa is back~. Annyeong~ I've missed you~.'
Seonghwa's groan tore through the line, making Hongjoong giggle. 'If I had a match, I could start a fire against my cheeks they're so red.'
Hongjoong snorted. 'Naw is Hwa embarrassed? I wish I could see you right now. The image in my head isn't good enough. I need the real thing.'
'Oh I'm sure there'll be another opportunity,' he said softly, laughing at himself.
And Hongjoong sighed. 'What did you have in mind? Did you want to do something while I'm off work?'
He heard Seonghwa shuffling awkwardly on the other end of the line. 'Maybe... Is that weird?'
He rolled his eyes. 'Not even nearly. I'm kind of having Seonghwa withdrawals at the moment. I vote we lock ourselves in your apartment for three days straight and turn our phones off.'
Seonghwa moaned at the sound of his idea. 'Oh my god can we please? I'm sure if I'm lucky and practise bribing, Dr Han might give me four days.
Hongjoong laughed. 'I'll light a candle and pray for you, though I don't know what your chances are after submitting our declaration. You might have to tell them you caught the flu or stabbed yourself in the eye or something.'
Seonghwa's laughter sounded through the phone, throaty and deep and genuine. 'I'll rub onions and VapoRub in my eyes and nose and they'll think I've caught influenza,' he joked, although Hongjoong suspected he was being half serious.
'I guess I'll bring soothing ointment when I come to save you?'
'No you have to wait until after I get a doctor's certificate to cover my horrific cold.'
Hongjoong couldn't stop giggling. Melting under the sound of his voice, he wished he was sitting beside him, right there to touch him and hug him and kiss him...
'Hyung, I get off work tomorrow on the eight pm round... Is that too late to see you?'
Hongjoong's heart ached, wanting it to hurry up and be eight already. 'No, it's not too late. I'll meet you in the west wing?'
'Mhm,' Seonghwa hummed, clearly more content. 'I miss you so much... I want so badly to touch you right now.'
Hongjoong bit his lip, smirking. 'Ahh, I see. You only miss me for my body.'
'No!'
'It's fine! I see how it is,' he continued to tease, giggling at Seonghwa arguing through the phone. 'But I guess that makes me that asshole then,' Hongjoong laughed, rolling his eyes at himself. 'Because as much as I like hearing your voice and teasing you, I also kinda don't mind the idea of touching you again...'
He heard Seonghwa's sharp intake of breath, and smirked as he heard him controlling himself. 'You are far too tempting for your own good. I don't think you know how much you make me suffer.'
'Oh I know. That's why I said it. I could have said a lot of other things too.'
Seonghwa laughed. 'Mmm? Like what?'
Hongjoong ran his tongue around his lips, smirking. 'Like how I have been craving that tongue of yours in more than just my mout-'
Seonghwa choked, coughing and spluttering. 'Okayyy, time for a cold shower, and bed. At this rate, you'll be lucky if I don't cave and end up at your door.'
Hongjoong grinned, laughing. 'I hope you're prepared for cramped car sex then in your Corolla then, because we have a no sex rule under this roof.'
'And yet here you are, tempting me with phone sex, all the same.' He tsked his tongue, making Hongjoong laugh. 'Naughty. How could you do such a thing when you have children in the house?'
Hongjoong snorted. 'Oh please. Yeosang has probably slept with more people than I have, and Wooyoung... well, let's just say I think it's safe to assume he's the kinkiest, most practised one out of everyone we've ever met.'
'Good. Then they won't mind when I steal you away.'
Giggling, Hongjoong sighed, as did Seonghwa, and the both of them began to wind down.
'I can't wait to see you tomorrow... I've never wanted work to come so badly before.'
Hongjoong smiled. 'It'll be here before we know it... Even if I wish it were here already...'
Smiling into the dark, he could hear Seonghwa's breath slow, and a soft contented hum escape his throat. 'Hwa, sleep well~,' he whispered, brushing his fingers over the screen before kissing the speaker with a mwa~.
And Seonghwa cooed. 'Nite babe. Sleep tight~.' And with another mwa that melted Hongjoong's heart as it sounded, the line cut off, and silence fell over his room.
Rolling over and putting his phone on charge, he smiled into the dark.
Twenty-two hours.
Piece of cake...
Right?
~~~