Work Text:
When jiahao was announced, zihao couldn't help but to cry because he knew how small screentime jiahao had and by luck he managed to debut successfully.
He clapped and cheered for him as he went up the stairs and clapped for geonwoo as well when he was announced p04
But nothing prepared him for p03.
After p06 was announced, zihao started to become fidgety wondering what rank could Xinlong possibly be in and worries if his rankings had dropped.
But then when when the words "p03, He Xinlong" rang out, he burst out crying happily as hard as he ever could.
He knew that the trainees around him trying to rub his back and comfort him but all he could focus on was that Xinlong finally did it, he finally got to debut again.
Then he finally let his hands go slightly off his face so he can look at the stage and watches as Xinlong stands in front of the stairs about to start his speech
For zihao, the rest of the time became a blur as he was very emotionally proud of his didi
Before he knew it, the eliminated trainees were already standing up to go meet the recently eliminated trainees and the debuted members on stage
Xinlong wasted no time to go to zihao, "gege I made it" he whispers words that only zihao could hear. The trainees around them knew not to go near them at least for a minute or two since they knew how far zihao and Xinlong came from being boy story members. But some of them still gave a comforting pat on the back or two
Zihao didn't say anything but closed his eyes and hugged his didi, his best friend of 7 years "reach for the stars for me hm" zihao finally quietly managed to say,
"Im proud of you, our members-" zihao pauses to hold back a sob, holding Xinlong even more tightly "our members may be scattered, busy with their own stuff but they are so damn proud of you, i know they are"
He feels Xinlong smiling into his suit as they hugged for a few seconds later before separating so they can hug others.
Then after all that, all 16 trainees went back to the dorm to get their suitcases before meeting up with their friends or labelmates to head back home.
Zihao, however, went to go get Xinlong's suitcase for him as Xinlong went with his new members to do their first live as a group.
Suren accompanied zihao for comfort.
"Look at you, such a proud gege hm" he teases as he nudged zihao
Zihao finally let out a laugh "I look like a crying mess with pink hair and that makes it worse" he exclaimed
But suren shook his head "no it's not, you two and your members has always been the underdog in that company, your reaction is completely valid" he smiles as he puts his arms around zihao who smiles at him.
Then they finally reached the dorm and zihao went to grab Xinlong's suitcase before heading downstairs and seeing Xinlong already waiting for him.
They smile at eachother again
"Gege" Xinlong quietly said before hugging the older "im gonna missed you" his voice cracked trying to speak
"Hey-" zihao started as he grabs the younger's shoulders and looked at him wirh all the seriousness in his eyes "no more crying okay, you made it and im serious when I say i am so proud" he wipes the left over tears Xinlong had
Xinlong sniffles "I missed the anniversary..." his words drifted off
"But you still thought about it didn't you, hm and if we are being honest, I didn't even think I would've made it to the semifinals... but I definitely knew, you would go far" zihao smiles "and besides the underdogs always find a way to win dont they" zihao winks and Xinlong finally got to laugh after 5 gruesome hours
"You're right ge... thank you, and uh I hate you too" xinlong teases as he remembered the letter zihao gaved after the fake self-evaluation "And I won't get to go back to jype for now" xinlong continues as he smiles
Zihao chuckled "shine for me p03, and me and the members, we'll be your number 1 fans"
Xinlong brings him in for another hug "we're still gonna meet up time to time right"
"Right, so dont cry Xinlong, because I'll still be by your side watching" zihao smiles as they both continued to hug
.
.
.
"So who's gonna tell them that the group's dorm probably won't be ready for another week and Xinlong ge will have to stay a week at wherever zihao is staying"
"Shh, let them have their moment anxin" suren nudges as the rest of the trainees watches fondly at the two brothers hugging