Hongjoong's POV

"My brain is mush," I groaned, flopping back and spinning around on my chair.

"No it's not, you're just having a little trouble," Maddox said with a chuckle.

"My brain isn't working," I replied.

"You're probably just hungry. Do you want some food," he asked me. Now food sounds nice.

"Can we get some pizza," I asked.

"Of course. I'll pay," he said. I went to protest but he cut me off before I could.

"I'm the Hyung, I'm paying," he said firmly. He does this every time. Him and his stupid Hyung complex. He pulled out his phone and begun ordering as I turned back to my computer.

"You know, you're really annoying sometimes," I said.

"And I'm still your Hyung, so live with it," he said, ruffling my hair. I whined and swatted his hand, making him chuckle again.

"Pizza will take about half an hour," he told me.

"Did you get pepperoni," I asked him.

"Please, you'd have my head if I didn't," he said. That is true.

"Then it's lucky you did," I said.

We continued working on our computers until Maddox left the room, coming back with two pizza's. I quickly got up and sat down on the floor, by the small table we have on the floor. He put the pizza's down and opened the lids, showing a pepperoni pizza and a cheesy BBQ pizza.

"Enjoy," he said. I immediately reached out and grabbed a piece of cheesy BBQ.

"Oi, that's mine," he grumbled.

"I wanted a piece," I said, smiling innocently. He raised an eyebrow but let it go, as I knew he would. I took a bite, letting out a happy sigh as it tasted really good. I quickly shuffled over to Maddox, moving to cuddle up against his side. He looked down at me before smiling and wrapping an arm around my shoulder and hugging me softly as we continued to eat. It was comfortable, and safe. I like this, when I get to hang out with some of my Hyungs and get some time off from the younger ones.

"Can I have a bit," he asked me as I ate some of my pizza. I held the piece up, allowing him to take a bite.

"Thank you Hyung," I said quietly.

"Anytime. We haven't hung out in a while, I've missed our little producing sessions," he said. I nodded and yawned slightly before finishing off the piece of pizza. I was just over halfway through the pizza but I was already full. I looked up at Maddox, seeing he was still eating. I sighed and moved from his side, turning slightly before laying down and resting my head in his lap.

"What're you doing Joong," he asked with a chuckle.

"You're comfy," I said with a shrug. He smiled and placed the hand that wasn't holding his pizza in my hair, brushing it through gently. My muscles relaxed as his touch soothed me and I rolled over slightly, nuzzling into his hip. He continued his ministrations and my eyes slowly slipped closed, my breathing evening out. I felt myself being slowly lulled to sleep as Maddox continued, but before I could, he bounced his leg slightly to wake me up more. I rolled back onto my back and peeled my eyes open, looking up at him.

"Don't go falling asleep on me now Joong-ah," he said gently.

"I'm not," I replied, sitting up and stretching to wake up more.

"You should head home Hongjoong, it's getting late," he said.

"But I still have to finish this song," I groaned. Maddox shook his head in reply.

"We can both just come back tomorrow and work on it some more. You're too tired to get much done right now anyway," he said. I mean, fair point, but I can still do stuff.

"We should just keep going now," I said with a sigh.

"You almost fell asleep just then," he pointed out.

"That's your fault, you're too comfortable," I said with a pout, making him chuckle.

"Go home Joongie. I'll fix everything up here," he said as he stood up. I rolled my eyes but stood up as well, hugging him softly. He hugged me back, ruffling my hair gently.

"Go Joong-ah, and remember it's dark, be safe," he said before we pulled away.

"Goodnight Hyung," I said, waving goodbye before walking out of the room. I walked from the building, pulling out my phone and sending Seonghwa a quick message.

Me: Be home in a bit

HwaHwa: Alright, see you then

I pulled out my Bluetooth earbuds and connected them to my phone, putting one in my ear and the other in my pocket before starting the music. As I was walking, I started to get the feeling that someone was following me. I continued to walk but I glanced back behind me, noticing that someone was indeed behind me. That doesn't mean they're following me though, no need to panic. But, better to be safe than sorry. I crossed the road, turning left where I would usually go straight. If he is following me, there's no way I'm leading in back to the dorm. To my horror, he immediately turned and followed me. Shit. I quickly paused my music and dialled Maddox's number, hearing it ring in my ear. It took three rings before Maddox picked up.

"Hey, what's up? Did you leave something here," he asked me. I quickly put my phone back in my pocket so the man wouldn't notice me on it. I can just talk through my headphones instead.

"Someone is following me," I whispered.

"Where are you," he asked immediately.

"I turned left just before the café we go to sometimes," I told him quietly.

"Left? That's not the way home. Why did you go left," he asked me.

"I don't want him anywhere near the dorm or the boys," I whispered.

"Ok. Ok, keep walking. I'm on my way," he said.

"Please hurry," I begged quietly.

"I will. Just stay on the phone and keep walking," he said. I did as asked but then I heard the mans pace quicken and he got closer. I started to panic, my heart beginning to pound, beating faster. I quickened my pace as well, trying not to let him get too close but then he started to run. Oh my god, this can't be happening. Please tell me this isn't happening. I heard the pounding footsteps against the concrete behind me, getting louder. This is happening. I whimpered and begun to run, trying to get away. I didn't make it very far though. A hand was enclosed around my wrist and I was yanked backwards, being flung to the ground. I let out a scream, hoping someone would hear me, but something was shoved in my mouth so I couldn't make any more noise. The man climbed on top of me, pinning me to the ground.

"HONGJOONG. JOONGIE. HONGJOONG-AH. ANSWER ME. PLEASE ANSWER ME BABY," Maddox screamed into the phone. I could still hear him in my ear, but I couldn't answer.

"HONGJOO-." It went silent as a fist connected with my head and the earbud fell out. I whimpered and struggled, trying to get out of the mans grip, but a hand suddenly enclosed around my neck and something sharp pressed against it. A knife. I froze immediately, not moving in fear of getting hurt. My eyes welled up with tears, but I couldn't say anything through the cloth in my mouth.

"Give me your wallet," the man said, his voice deep and gruff. I shook my head, trying to communicate with him that I didn't have it with me. But the cloth stopped me from being able to tell him. The man pressed the blade tighter against me neck and I started to cry, whimpering in fear.

"Don't scream, or I'll kill you," he said. I froze, not moving or saying anything, fear paralysing me. The man grabbed the cloth and pulled it out of my mouth.

"Wallet. Now," he said.

"I don't have it on me," I said, sniffling slightly as tears continued to fall down my face.

"That's bullshit. I know who you are. I know you make a lot of money," he said.

"I don't have my wallet with me, because I never carry it around to practice," I told him.

"You're useless. You should have money," he growled, scaring me more.

"I swear have nothing," I sobbed, the tears falling faster.

"That means you're useless to me," he sighed. Is that a good thing, or a bad thing..?

"Please don't hurt me," I begged. The man looked down at me before slowly removing the knife and placing it in his pocket. I let out a breath of relief, glad nothing bad was going to happen. Unfortunately, I spoke too soon. The minute the knife was gone, he pulled his arm back and smashed it into my face. I cried out in pain, sobbing as he punched me again. I lifted my arms, doing my best to block the punches and try to get out, but he was so much bigger than me so it was futile. He smacked my hands away before wrapping both of his around my neck and squeezing. The squeezing cut off my airway and I struggled to breath. I clawed desperately at his hands, trying to get them off, but his grip was too strong. I struggled as hard as I could, trying to get him off me but he didn't budge. I tried to continue, but the fight begun to leave me and I struggled to stay conscious and my chest begun to hurt. My vision begun to go black, but just before I could lose consciousness the man was suddenly gone from on top of me and I was able to draw in a breath. I gasped and continued to draw in deep breaths, my vision clearing and the pain leaving my chest. I dragged in breath after breath, beginning to feel better. I whimpered and tried to sit up, but before I could, there were hands on me. I screamed in fear, scared the man was back to hurt me again, but I was pulled up into a familiar embrace. I latched on quickly, sobbing into Maddox's shoulder, my body shaking slightly with fear.

"I'm here Joongie, I'm here. Hyung is here. You're safe."

Maddox's POV

I was packing up my stuff, getting ready to head home when my phone begun to ring. I picked it up and checked the caller ID, seeing it was Hongjoong calling me. Why would he be calling me? He just left.

"Hey, what's up? Did you leave something here," I asked him.

"Someone is following me," he said quietly. I was begun to pack up faster.

"Where are you," I asked him quickly, concerned for the younger boys safety.

"I turned left just before the café we go to sometimes," he told me. He turned left at the café? He should have gone straight if he was going home.

"Left? That's not the way home. Why did you go left," I asked him.

"I don't want him anywhere near the dorm or the boys," he whispered. Right, makes sense. But that means he is seriously concerned for his safety. Waiting is too risky, I need to go now. I dumped all of my stuff before running out of the room.

"Ok. Ok, keep walking. I'm on my way," I told him.

"Please hurry," he said in a small voice.

"I will. Just stay on the phone and keep walking," I told him. I ran out of the building and ran in the direction that Hongjoong went. I kept the phone pressed to my ear, trying to make out what was happening but it was silent for a while. The silence was broken when I heard a small whimper, but I continued to run. My heart stopped and I froze when Hongjoong suddenly screamed, getting cut off halfway through. Oh god no.

"HONGJOONG. JOONGIE. HONGJOONG-AH. ANSWER ME. PLEASE ANSWER ME BABY," I screamed in fear. Please reply. Please, please reply.

"HONGJOONG. Please answer me. HONGJOONG," I yelled. He didn't reply and I got no indication of whether he might be ok. My heart was pounding in anxiety, so I continued running. I could see the café up ahead in front of me. I heard another voice, one asking Hongjoong for his wallet. Joong never brings his wallet to the company unless he plans on going out.

"Don't scream, or I'll kill you." NO. Don't you dare you asshole. My blood boiled, stirring me on to run faster.

"If you hurt him you bastard, I'm going to kill you myself," I yelled, not caring if no one could hear me. If he touches one of my babies, I will beat his ass.

"I don't have it on me," Hongjoong whispered.

"That's bullshit. I know who you are. I know you make a lot of money." Shit, I thought it was just a mugger. This man knows who Hongjoong is, which means it's probably targeted. I sprinted across the street, running to the left when I got to the café.

"I don't have my wallet with me, because I never carry it around to practice."

"You're useless. You should have money."

"I swear I have nothing," Hongjoong sobbed. He's petrified.

"That means you're useless to me."

"No," I whispered under my breath. My legs started to burn but I didn't slow down, I continued running.

"Please don't hurt me," Hongjoong begged. The next thing I heard after that, was a thump and Hongjoong crying out in pain. Then there were multiple thumps and I tried to run even faster. That was when I heard a struggle up ahead, not through the phone. I looked ahead and saw two people on the side of the street, a bigger one on top of a smaller one. The smaller seemed to be struggling, but the bigger had their hands around their throat. They were chocking him. I dropped my phone and sprinted, lunging towards the bigger one and tackling him hard to the ground. The man grunted and tried to shove me off, but I kept my footing and stayed firm. I didn't hesitate, swinging my hand back and punching him as hard as I could in the face. The man tried to get back up, but I punched him again, and again. He was still moving, so I grabbed his head and smashed it into the ground and knocking him out. turned to the side quickly, fear rushing through my veins at the thought of being to late. I was scared that I would turn around, and Hongjoong would be dead on the concrete, but he wasn't, he was taking in deep breaths. I quickly stumbled off the man and over to Hongjoong, grabbing his arm to pull him up. He screamed in terror and it broke my heart, but I stilled pulled him into my embrace, wanting to comfort him. He recognized me a few seconds later, hugging me tight and sobbing into my shoulder.

"I'm here Joongie, I'm here. Hyung is here. You're safe," I whispered. He let out another sob and held me tighter.

"You're safe baby," I whispered and he nodded into my shoulder.

"I th-thought he was g-going to kill m-me. He had a kn-knife," he whimpered.

"I would never let you die, not on my watch," I said quietly, moving my hand to cradle the back of his head gently. He whimpered and cuddled even closer to me. My heart shattered as I hugged the smaller, younger boy. He felt fragile in my arms, like squeezing too tight would break his little body.

"I wanna go home," he cried.

"I need to take you to the hospital first, and call the police," I told him.

"No, no p-please Hyungie. D-Don't let me go to the h-hospital," he begged me. I've never before been able to deny Hongjoong, and I can't now, not when he's so scared and upset.

"You still have your phone darling," I asked him. He reached into his pocket and handed it to me. I quickly unlocked it and dialled 119. I know I may get in trouble for this, but we have good lawyers and I'd rather look after Hongjoong, so it's worth it.

"119, what's your emergency," a lady asked. I quickly explained that an ambulance and police was needed, explaining a man was knocked out in self-defence. I gave the address and then hung up.

"Home," Hongjoong said in a small voice, sniffling slightly.

"Yeah baby, home," I said. I stood up, Hongjoong remaining clung to me, so I pulled him up with me. He's small and light, so it wasn't much of an effort. He hooked his arms around me neck and held tightly. I started walking, carrying Hongjoong back in the direction of the dorm.

"D-Did you knock him out," he asked me quietly.

"Yeah, I did. The bastard won't go near you ever again," I whispered. He held me tighter and nuzzled into my neck. I just kept him held in my arms, carrying him for 10 minutes until we finally made it back to the ATEEZ dorm room.

"We're home Joongie. I need to take you inside, but the boys are going to see you like this," I told him softly, not knowing if he was ok with that.

"W-Want H-Hwa," he sobbed, the tears falling again. I'm going to take that as a he doesn't care. I nodded in reply and carried him over to the door, knocking as firmly as I could with him still held in my arms. The door opened a few seconds later to a smiling and giggling Wooyoung. That smile dropped immediately when his eyes landed on us.

"Is everything ok," he asked worriedly.

"I need to take Joong to Seonghwa. He asked for him," I said. Wooyoung nodded and quickly ushered us inside, closing the door behind us.

"SEONGHWA HYUNG, COME HERE."

Seonghwa's POV

"So what time do we have to be at practice tomorrow," Yunho asked me.

"We have a late start, so 10am," I replied.

"SEONGHWA HYUNG, COME HERE." I sighed in exasperation. What kind of trouble has Wooyoung gotten into now? I stood up and walked out to the loungeroom.

"What's happened is everything ok," I heard Yeosang asked hurriedly. Did something happen? I hurried into the room worriedly, looking around to see what was wrong. It wasn't hard to spot. Maddox was in the living room with someone small with black and white hair cuddled up in his arms. Hongjoong. What happened to Hongjoong? I rushed over to the two of them.

"What's wrong," I asked quickly. Hongjoong immediately whimpered and turned slightly to face me. My eyes went wide and my stomach dropped as I saw the very obvious handprints on his neck and bruises on his cheek. Some bastard put their hands on him. I'm gonna kill him. Later. Right now I need to look after him. I moved closer, holding at my arms and allowing Maddox to transfer him into them. He didn't even touch the floor in the process, just wrapped his arms and legs around me. He whined and whimpered, clutching me tightly. I moved back to the couch, sitting down with the smaller in my lap. The other's all gathered around, but stayed off the couch and stayed quiet, all understanding something had happened.

"What happened," I asked Maddox sadly, rubbing Hongjoong's back gently.

"Hongjoong was walking home, and then he noticed someone following him so he called me," Maddox explained.

"He tried to rob him, but Joong didn't have his wallet so he beat him and tried to strangle him. I managed to get there before anything else happened," he finished.

"Did you take him to the hospital," San asked. Hongjoong started whimpering and shaking his head within my arms.

"Shh, shh, it's ok," I whispered, kissing the top of his head softly and calming him down.

"Hongjoong-ah didn't want to, so I called the police and told them where the man was. Then I took Hongjoong straight here," Maddox said. As wrong as it may be, I'd probably do the same thing. No one can say no to Hongjoong when he's upset.

"You can get in trouble for doing that Maddox Hyung," Yeosang pointed out.

"I know," Maddox nodded, understanding the possible consequences but not seeming to care. There was a sniffle and I looked to my left to see Wooyoung curled up and crying against Yunho who was holding him tightly. The younger boy looked tiny compared to Yunho, especially with the wat he was curled up tightly and crying.

"Thank you Maddox Hyung," I said quietly.

"There's no need to thank me Hwa. Hongjoong is my little brother and I would do anything to protect him," he said softly. Wooyoung suddenly jumped up and ran over to Hongjoong, hugging him tightly. Maddox sighed softly and hugged him back tightly, kissing the top of his head.

"I need to head home, but you guys can call me if anything else happens," Maddox told us and I nodded.

"Thank you," I said again, receiving a small smile from Maddox before he let go of Wooyoung and left. The other's all turned to Hongjoong and I, and I felt him tense slightly and tighten his grip on me. I opened my mouth to ask the boys to give us some space but Yeosang beat me to it.

"Seonghwa Hyung is going to take Hongjoong Hyung to their room and they're going to relax and then we'll figure everything else out in the morning," he said. It's moments like these that make me thankful that Yeosang is so level-headed and quick thinking. I nodded at his words and stood up, keeping a tight grip on Hongjoong. I carried him from the loungeroom and out into our shared room, kicking the door closed. I walked him over to the bed and tried to place him down but he cried out, so I remained holding onto him.

"Everything is going to be ok Joong. I just need to let you go so I can check on you," I told him. He finally let me go, pulling back slowly as I knelt down beside him to check up on him. My heart broke as I got to get a better look at his injuries. He had two hand prints wrapping around his neck, a bruised cheek and a black eyes. I gently moved my hand and brushed through his hair, before my eyes caught on something else on his neck. I looked closer and noticed a small red line with a few drops a blood trailing down.

"He had a knife," Hongjoong said quietly. I froze and my eyes welled up with tears at the thought of what the man could've done. He had a knife, that he had pressed against Hongjoong's throat. He could've stabbed him, or cu-. I don't even want to think about it. I lunged forwards and hugged Hongjoong tightly.

"You're safe Hongjoong, you're safe. You're with me Hongjoong," I promised.

"I know. Hyungs will always protect me," he replied softly. I chuckled wetly, looking up and blinking to try and get rid of my tears. I sighed and nodded, hugging him tighter.

"Yeah, one of your Hyungs will always be there," I whispered. I wasn't though. I wasn't there, and he needed me. If I had of checked in on him, or gone to pick him up, or even went to walk him home, none of this would've happened.

"I need to take you to the hospital in the morning, but for now, we should just get some rest," I told him. He nodded and we pulled apart. I stood up and sat on the bed, moving Hongjoong over a little bit before we both laid down. I opened my arms and he immediately cuddled up into them. I let out a breath of relief, holding him tightly and letting him rest his head against my neck.

"Goodnight Hwa Hyung," he whispered before placing a gentle kiss against my neck. He rarely ever calls me Hyung, especially because he doesn't need to, but I'm not about to call him out for it.

"Night Joongie," I whispered, kissing the top of his head gently. He relaxed against me, his breathing evening out as he fell asleep. I quickly pulled him closer to me, burying my face in his hair and taking a deep breath. He's safe. He's here with me, and he is safe. My last thought was thanking Maddox, for being there and protecting our little leader when I couldn't.

A/N

This was requested by FullsunDaises and I hope you like it!

Thank you for reading everyone and I hope you enjoyed it :)