Requested by promisans

"Jongho!"

Jongho kept his head down as he made his way to the van. Various fans and photographers called for him. Ultimately, he ended up waving to a few before he got in.

Jongho enjoyed his life as a solo artist/actor. While he enjoyed remembering the previous years where he was a member of the boy band ATEEZ, time passed, and people had to move on.

His relationships with others were neither distant nor close. They were now old friends, each too busy with their own schedules that they barely had time to meet up with each other. They had become models, actors, soloists, chefs, and producers of their own accord.

Jongho watched the afternoon slowly fall into the evening. Even music bursting through his headphones couldn't block the thoughts running through his head.

He should schedule breakfast with Wooyoung. Maybe a short trip with Mingi. Dinner with Yunho? Yet, they were probably all busy.

"Jongho?" Jongho's manager had to take the bud out of the entertainer's ear. "We're here."

"Oh." Jongho nodded and left the car. He walked up the few steps to enter the label's offices.

"Seonghwa?"

"Hey!" Seonghwa softly smiled. He approached Jongho with a hug, but the younger was still in shock from not having seen him in a long time.

"How long...?" Jongho whispered and embraced him.

"Well, since our last hangout, four years. We couldn't even see each other during the award show."

"I... I know. Why are you here?"

"I'm not sure. Weren't you aware I was coming?"

"No." Jongho and Seonghwa shared confused looks.

"Good. You're here. Come." Their managers took them to a meeting room where several others were waiting.
~

"A dating scandal?" Jongho asked.

"Yes. We hope that this will boost your popularity. The both of you."

Seonghwa shifted uncomfortably. "This is... unexpected," he nervously chuckled. "I didn't think I'd meet my friend I haven't seen in years to hear this."

"It's not something that should be awkward. Simply hanging out more than often will be enough," they were told.

Jongho swallowed. "Oh."

"Remember, it's fake."
~

Jongho didn't rest for the next few nights. Having to see his friend, but differently, bothered him. And he didn't have a chance to say no.

Jongho strolled around his bedroom, wondering what to do when someone knocked on his door.

"Hey," Seonghwa greeted.

"Hi."

"Are you free tonight?"

"For?"

Seonghwa shrugged. "We'll decide that on the way."

Jongho felt a cold breeze rush under his puffy jacket's sleeves once he left his home. Seonghwa chuckled and turned him so they could face each other.

"You were always so cold all the time." Seonghwa grabbed Jongho's scarf and placed it a little higher. Then he tucked it nicely into his jacket. "Better?"

"Yeah." Jongho blushed.

It was only a walk to the car that made Jongho's heart race. He wished it didn't go like that. After all, this was supposed to be fake.

Yet, he couldn't help but remember those moments years ago when the group was still together. Jongho was always flustered whenever the members took care of him.

"Jongho?"

"Huh?"

"I lied. I do have a plan on where to go." Seonghwa smiled. "You want to go?"

"Sure."

That night forever played through Jongho's mind. It was fun to spend the day with an old friend, with Seonghwa, and get to catch up for the years they couldn't be together.

And after that night came a few more. Jongho and Seonghwa grew closer. Within the next couple of months, news sites released articles rumoring their suspicious "dates" and questioning their actions. Of course, none of them opted to think they were only friends. They all choose to create a story that would catch everyone's attention.

Artist Choi Jongho and Rapper Park Seonghwa in rumors of dating

Witness states they saw Jongho and Seonghwa 'a little too close' during a visit to a zoo

Two former ATEEZ members spotted hanging out often for the last few weeks—is there something between them?

Jongho cringed at the headlines while reading them. Was his company reading them now? Was Seonghwa reading them now?

A familiar double knock came from Jongho's door. He hurried down the stairs to get it.

"Seonghwa!"

"I thought we could have a sleepover."

Jongho grinned, and it seemed like the room lit up ten times more. "Come in," he said.

Jongho and Seonghwa hung out like friends that night. They played games and went over memories of how their group had been among the best of their generation. They laughed as they went over the title. Who knew they were going to explode with popularity so fast?

Morning came. The pair ate breakfast before Seonghwa had to leave.

"Last night was fun," Seonghwa said. Jongho nodded while holding the door.

"Yeah. We should do it again, t-"

Seonghwa cut Jongho off with a kiss. Jongho stood tense for a second before relaxing and kissing back. They were comfortable enough that their only separation was to catch their breath.

"W-Wow... Seonghwa, I-"

"I know. We should talk about this later. Bye." Seonghwa kissed him once more on the cheek and hurried to his car. Jongho touched the places Seonghwa's lips had pressed against. His cheeks were indeed red already.

Jongho knew it. He liked Seonghwa. He really did. Between how much time they spent and how welcoming Seonghwa was, it was impossible not to fall in love with him.

The poor boy was so overcome with his feelings at the moment; all he could think of was Seonghwa's kiss.

Park Seonghwa leaves Choi Jongho's home with a kiss (SEE PICTURES HERE)

Jongho softly smiled at the article. Someone had been hiding behind a nearby home to snap clear enough photos of them. To see the moment spread all over the internet was heartwarming. Jongho turned to the flowers in his hand.

He would confess to Seonghwa today. Today as soon as he arrived. But to his dismay... Seonghwa was kissing a woman. They looked very comfortable in each other's arms—perhaps more than he been.

Jongho turned around, leaving the couple alone. He walked to the office and prepared to see Seonghwa in the meeting.

"Flowers?" Seonghwa asked. Jongho looked up. "Who are those flowers for, Jongho?"

"You never told me."

"Huh?"

"You never told me you had a girlfriend already," Jongho gritted through his teeth. In his hands was a searched up photo of the known actress.

"Oh." Seonghwa slid his hands in his pockets and shrugged. "And?"

"They were for you, Seonghwa!" Jongho shouted and kicked the damaged bouquet to Seonghwa's feet. "The flowers were because I fucking love you!"

"Jongho," Seonghwa began, swallowing in the first step. "We can't be together. We aren't supposed to be. Our relationship is fake. I don't love you."

Jongho hated the fact that tears already ran down his cheeks. "It felt too real. Everything you did was too real. How could you not feel the same way..."

"The contract was to act, Jongho. It was never meant for us to go this far."

But Jongho dryly laughed. "Tell me the truth, Seonghwa."

"What truth?" The older frowned.

"Did you like the kiss?"

"..."

"So why? Why did you do it?! Why would you play with my feelings?!" Jongho yelled.

"I've told you! It's part of the scandal, Jongho! We agreed it wasn't anything else but drama. You're the one growing attached!"

"I never thought my friend who I've known for so long would do this. But maybe you're right. It's my fault, huh? I agreed to let you in, I agreed to go with you to every 'date,' and I agreed to sign the contract. I was the one who loved you." Jongho turned and started walking.

"Jongho! Wait!"

Jongho somehow found the strength to sit calmly in the meeting. He glared at Seonghwa every few seconds the man spoke.

"Congratulations, you two. The story blew up much more than we expected. How did you-"

"I don't want to do this anymore," Jongho stated. Everyone stared at him silently.

"Why not?" Seonghwa's manager questioned.

"It's disgusting what you all are doing—forcing us to act like we're a couple? Pushing us to be together?! I'm done with this 'fake' dating scandal. Everyone's benefiting here except for me." Jongho's lips pursed into a line.

"... Jongho, we can't do anything about this," Jongho's manager spoke. "The contract was signed with you and Seonghwa. If Seonghwa, his company, and we agree to, it's over. Otherwise, quitting-"

"I quit."

The faces around the room filled with puzzlement and surprise.

Jongho stood. "I can't keep working here. I'll be going to any other company that will respect me as their artist."

"Jongho, we can talk about this. We can discuss other options-"

"No. This is all wrong. I'm done here. Goodbye." Jongho took his things and started out the door.

It wasn't even seconds before footsteps reached him.

"Leave me alone, Seonghwa."

"I need to talk to you, Jongho."

Jongho turned. "What? Do you want to hurt me more? I wouldn't be surprised if you did."

"I'm sorry. For all of this. When I heard your popularity rose higher than all of us after disbandment, I got angry and suggested to my team that?"

"You planned this all to hurt me... because I was more popular? And you're shamelessly saying this? Is this a fucking joke?" Jongho turned. But he couldn't walk. No. Not before doing one more thing.

Pain moved through Seonghwa's body from the loud slap Jongho gave him on the cheek. He deserved it, so he stood still.

"Goodbye, Seonghwa."

Jongho wiped unwanted tears away as he left. He didn't want to be seen like this, but he couldn't help it. It hurt so much. His eyes fell on a bench a few feet ahead.

Jongho set his head in his hands, thinking. What would happen to his career? Would he have to start from scratch at a new label? How would that work?

"Hey."

"Go away," Jongho immediately muttered. "Shit, I'm sorry."

"No offense taken. I saw you walking from over there and- Oh... You're Choi Jongho." The man covered his mouth with his hand.

"Yeah." Jongho looked up at him before squinting. "Have we met before? You seem familiar."

"Leedo from ONEUS, maybe?" he smiled.

Jongho chuckled and nodded. "It's been a long time since I heard that group name."

"Yeah. I haven't heard a lot of ATEEZ, either. I'm going to guess that something's wrong?"

"Everything's crazy. I just quit the company I've been with for the last few years. I don't know where to go. I'd hate to bother the other members with questions and- I'm sorry for ranting," Jongho sighed.

"No problem. Would you like to talk about this somewhere warmer than at this cold bench?" Leedo offered. Jongho nodded.

The pair walked to a nearby coffee shop where Jongho told the artist everything that had happened to him surrounding the dating rumors.

"What an asshole. How could he have done that to a former bandmate? And your company went along with it too."

"I feel like I'm at fault as well. I let myself get fooled when I should've remembered about the contract." Jongho shook his head. Leedo held his forearm reassuringly.

"Sometimes we do things because of love that we regret later. It's stupid, yes, but fine to do so. At least you recognized it."

"Thanks." Jongho sipped his drink. "What did you say your label was called?"
~~

Jongho covered his mouth as he read the text from the label.

Congratulations, Jongho. Welcome to —— Entertainment.

"What? What's wrong?" Leedo asked as they drank their weekend coffee. He looked over his friend's shoulder. "Oh!"

"I'm in!" Jongho exclaimed. "I made it..."

"I can't wait to work with you, Jongho," Leedo smiled.

"I think... it was all because of you." Jongho embraced the older tight. He felt warm sensations all over his body. They were familiar to certain ones he had in this past, but these felt different.

They weren't from a fake feeling. They were real. Leedo would come to also feel the same attraction back.

"I can't wait to work with you, Leedo." Jongho softly smiled as well.