Title: Hero

Author: Nina* 

Paring: Howon*Dongwoo

Rating: PG

Authors note: 

Happy birthday Hobebee Mama's stressed-faced son is a little late.

TvT

Let me be your hero.

“My dream is to be a singer. At that time, there was no one who supported my dream, but now, everyone supports and encourages me. I feel...thankful. Thank you very much. From now on, we Infinite will work even harder. and become a famous artist. Thank you.”

His voice trembled because a sob stuck in the throat of a person who normally had a calm face and refused to show any emotion easily. It is because of the feelings inside that are tight but cannot be spoken. Unable to express it to anyone. Because of fear...fear of being seen as weak. Even though it is a path that you can choose by yourself.

But there was no one who stood by his side to support his dreams. There is only your own body, mind, and determination. that pushed myself to be able to stand here

How lonely and lonely have you been in the past?

Even though it's the family that loves you the most.

Even though it is most likely to support your dreams.

Even though it is most likely to be a refuge in times of discouragement.

Even though it should be like that…

Even though it should be ready But there's no one.

The large white cloth wiped away the tears on Howon's face. Just seeing the sharp face filled with tears made me feel so shocked that I was the one who had tears welling up. I don't know what the other person is going to say. I don't care how much anyone is watching. But I just wanted to move my body around the body of the person who was trying to hold back sobs.

An embrace that will let the other person know that they are not alone anymore.

I want you to know that there are still people standing beside you.

From now on and forever

Because I'm an important person...that I don't want to be sad about.

A rustling sound at the door of the room rang out in the stillness of the night. Howon turned to look at the second hyung's face reaching towards him. He searched his eyes for something even though the room was completely dark. But he probably didn't dare turn on the light switch for fear that he and Sungjong would fall asleep.

“Brother Dongwoo.”

“Ah! Are you awake, Howon?” The person lying down and playing with his cell phone could imagine what the owner of the voice's face would look like. Even in the dark like this

Bang!

"Oh..."

The sound of it hitting the ground with a loud thud. It can be assumed that it was Dongwoo who was trying to find his way to his bed in the dark. Then he walked and collided with something.

“Is something wrong?” Howon put down the phone and walked off the bed to turn on the light switch. Fluorescent lights shine throughout the room. To see that Jang Dongwoo was sitting on the floor holding an ankle that probably hit the edge of a locker, causing a loud bang a moment ago. Howon strode towards the man, who looked up and smiled shyly at his own clumsiness at the owner who frowned busily.

“It hurts...”

"Sigh...you're all grown up, hyung. Why don't you turn on the light?"

“I don't know if you and Sungjong have slept yet,” Dongwoo muttered in an excuse. But Howon didn't say anything further. Just put your hand on Dongwoo's ankle. Making eye contact only as a sign of permission to look at Dongwoo's feet. Two white hands spread apart for the younger man to see. Howon bent down to consider for less than a minute then stood up and picked up a medicine tube from the cabinet that Dongwoo had just kicked over.

Apply it to make the bruised area red.

"Nothing, no swelling. Just apply it and it will go away."

"Oh...thank you."

The younger rapper lifted Dongwoo's feet and placed them on his lap. Then place your fingertips on the red blotchy skin, applying gentle pressure to relax the affected muscles. Let the silence fill the atmosphere around you. There was only the sound of the air conditioner running. Dongwoo glanced up at the face of the person who was preparing to give him medicine.

Without uttering a single word.

“Uh…”

“Do you have anything?”

“Ah...uh...no, no, nothing,” they replied, shocked that the other party spoke up at the same time. But because there really isn't anything like the answer, I just wanted to come and take a look. Is Howon asleep yet? That's it...really.

Howon frowned slightly at the answer he received. I'm not dissatisfied with anything. Only wondering But he didn't ask anything. If the other party doesn't speak, they won't even think about yelling at them to ask for an answer. Another thing... because I know Dong Woo well, what kind of person he is. Even though my mouth says nothing But in a moment, he'll probably say something himself. Think and slowly

Putting Dongwoo's feet on the ground, he stood up and put the medicine tube away. I intended to walk back and play the game on the bed. But as soon as I turned back Dongwoo tugged on Ho Won's shirt until Ho Won had to turn around. Dark eyebrows raised in question.

"dress..."

“Today...”

"yes?"

“You...like...are you okay? I mean...” Howon laughed at the person who was trying to phrase the question. Even though he himself understood it from the beginning. But I understand P'Rong's good intentions in trying to choose words to convey the meaning so as not to affect his feelings as much as possible. Family matters

“Howon...”

“I'm okay.”

“...?” despite being older than the other five members. But this man had childish behavior. I would say it's innocent and pure. I'd say he has a strange habit. That normal people don't do. It probably isn't like that at all. I just want to know if this is a man who is twenty-two years old. Has anyone been able to act so innocently in every action?

Just from the look on his face when he was suspicious of this guy who tilted his head at other people like this, you knew that this was clearly... a little kid, Dongwoo hyung.

“I am nothing.”

“It's true...”

“Yes.” Howon confirmed his answer that he was nothing again. causing Dongwoo to nod. I don't think I'll ask about anything from my tight-lipped father again. Regardless of whether the answer is true or not. But if Howon says it's okay. It means that it's really okay. But when I get up from the floor and prepare to go back to my room,

Howon was the one who extended his hand for him to grab and pull him up instead. A hand touched the light hair of the same color as the owner's warm palm that was stroking the hair back and forth.

“You don't have to think about it. I'm really okay now.”

“I have already said that right now there are many people who are encouraging and supporting me…”

“Oh...it's fine if you're okay. Uh...then go ahead and get some sleep. See you tomorrow morning."

“Brother Dongwoo.”

“Huh?...Ah!”

Because he was pulled towards him so suddenly that he accidentally cried out loudly. But that voice was instantly swallowed up in his throat. Because of the warm lips that rested on his smooth forehead Gently but for so long that my heart trembled. Feel the palm of your hand touching your waist and the back of your head. Hot breath between his eyebrows.

All of this made the heart pump heavily and blood pooled on both cheeks, embarrassed.

“Ho...”

"thank you"

“Thank you for standing beside me that day. Can you promise me...that you'll be by my side forever?"

The fingertips held together are loose. Howon's trembled slightly. Letting you know that the person speaking is quite excited even though their expression is neutral, as if they aren't feeling anything. Dong Woo smiled widely. Tighten both palms more tightly. Ready to intertwine with the fingertips that are still trembling to let the other person feel the warmth of the other person's body standing next to each other.

I want you to know that there are still people standing beside you.

From now on and forever

Because I'm an important person...that I don't want to be sad about.

"Oh...promise."

“Ahem!” The sound of coughing coming from the bunk bed caused the two rappers to pull away from each other. It was only a split second before their lips touched. Dongwoo was the first to release Howon's hand. At the same time, he turned his head away from the little brother who was lying on his chin, staring down with eyes that were too knowing for a child. From the beginning my face was just red.

But now it has spread all over my ears and neck. I'm embarrassed.

“You two have forgotten that there is still me in the room.”

“Sungjong!”

“You don't have to scold me...Howon hyung. This is my room too.”

“Why aren't you sleeping when you're a small child?” Sungjong pursed his lips at Howon's complaint.

“Blah blah, am I talking to Sunggyu hyung? You can act like a grumpy old man...who said I haven't slept yet? I've been asleep for a long time. Since you were still playing the game, there was a loud popping sound, but when I woke up It was when Dongwoo hyung made a loud bang in the room. So I woke up...it wasn't my fault.”

Howon narrowed his eyes at the maknae who couldn't stop flirting and talking. And what was even more infuriating was because Sungjong had seen it from the beginning. Heard every conversation from the beginning!

"paternal grandmother! Yi Sungjong!”

“Ah...! You really are as bad as Sunggyu hyung. Oh, I can leave the room, okay? It's fine to use the room together. I'll just go sleep outside.” Sungjong didn't mind, grabbing a pillow, a blanket, and his favorite bear and coming down from the second floor. Then he walked out of the room. Ignoring Dongwoo's attempt to hold his arm in the room for a bit.

“Ah...I...I'd rather go back to Sungjong and sleep in the room.” Dongwoo scratched his cheek to correct his embarrassment. Because the silence after the maknae closed the bedroom door felt strange. Until I can't do anything. But before he could do as he said, Howon grabbed his upper arm and dragged him to sit on the bed kissing Puk. Until his face was full of question marks.

“Sleep here...it's late.”

"but..."

"but?"

“Uh...well, there's no pillow. I didn't take it from the room.”

“Use mine.” Howon stuffed one of the few pillows on the bed into Dongwoo’s hand, who still had an embarrassed expression on his face. Until Howon had to let out a big sigh. Arrange to push P'Rong down onto the bed and cover him with a blanket. He walked over and turned off the light switch until the whole room was in darkness again.

“Go to sleep, wake up early tomorrow.”

“Huh...Howon.”

Dongwoo was startled by the sudden shock. His arms were swept up around him. Along with bracing it to be attached to the chest plate.

“Just a hug... Even though Sungjong says I'm starting to complain like Sungkyu hyung. But I can assure you that I am definitely not obscene like his brother.”

“Nah...”

“Sweet dreams, Dongwoo.”

I can be your hero, baby.

I can kiss away the pain.

I will stand by your forever.

You can take my breath away.

FIN