Chapter Text
Young Hoon had realised it long before Shin had. He needed to go.
So much had happened since the accident in the Czech Republic, and now with his mom gone and the robot destroyed, Shin needed to go away and recharge.
The two men had been sat by the pool, a few days after all the drama. Seo Jong Gil had been arrested, Kang So Bong had shut herself away in the gym, and the two men hadn't spent longer than half an hour apart. Young Hoon had taken Shin to the hospital that night, while David focused on caring for So Bong.
Young Hoon ensured that Shin received the best care possible. 'We should keep him in,' Cha Hyun Joon said. 'For observation...'
'I don't want to,' Shin had been weak, breathing shallow. 'I want to go home. Hyung will look after me. You just tell him what he needs to do.' The kind doctor and Young Hoon exchanged a look and realised Shin wasn't asking.
Back at home, Shin rested on the sofa in the living room. Young Hoon had followed orders and had given Shin his medication. The wounds had been cleaned and dressed at the hospital, but they needed changing regularly. Armed with fresh bandages and a tray of chicken noodle soup he had made, Young Hoon approached Shin carefully. Things were still so raw, the pain of his mom's death and the robot too... Shin was fragile.
'Sit up for me,' Young Hoon said. He placed the tray with the soup on the table and sat by Shin's feet. The younger sat up, wincing and groaning in pain. He spotted the soup and smiled. 'Did you make it?' Young Hoon nodded and Shin's smile grew, but it hurt his face and he sighed.
'Here...' Young Hoon took a cotton swap, dipped it in some cream the hospital had provided, and gently dabbed it on his face, carefully pressing against the cut skin. Shin clenched his fists as it began to sting. He grunted and felt a hand reach out, gripping on tight to Young Hoon's arm. Both of their eyes flashed the other, their breathing halted.
'Shin,' Young Hoon's whispered, praying his voice hadn't just shaken like he feared it had.
'What?' Shin's voice was a shaky whisper back.
'I can't... move unless you let go of my arm.' Shin looked, Young Hoon's eyes followed, and Shin realised he had been holding on to Young Hoon so tight he had been unable to move. Their eyes raised to each other and the pair just looked. For the longest time, their eyes just met each other and refused to blink, didn't look away.
'Sorry,' Shin broke it and smiled, releasing the older. Young Hoon kept himself in check and finished the rest of the tasks quickly. He barely looked at Shin as he cleaned and changed the dressing on his chest. Shin had to remove his t-shirt, and when Young Hoon saw his bare skin he almost lost his cool. He hid it fairly well, but Shin could feel the heat radiating from the older's face, and felt how his fingers had trembled slightly as his own skin came into contact with Shin's.
Young Hoon felt his heart sink though as he saw the bruising and marks that had been left on Shin's body, all caused by the beatings and being tied up like that. He shut his eyes tight and pulled a face.
'What is it, hyung?'
'You shouldn't have gone through that,' he choked. 'It should have been me...'
'Seo Jong Gil needed it to be me for the company,' Shin said. Young Hoon laughed at his seemingly shallow comment. 'You've taken enough hits for me for a lifetime. I'm not going to let anyone hurt you ever again.'
'Shin-ah...' Young Hoon felt his eyes grow wide again as Shin reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder.
'I should have said this to you long ago...' Shin fixed his eyes on Young Hoon's face and the older found himself unable to look away. 'Thank you, for everything.'
They both knew what those words really meant, was he was really saying. They both smiled as they realised, once again, not yet.
'Here,' Young Hoon had to change the mood - fast. He reached over and took the tray, handing it to Shin. 'Eat this, you punk.' His voice was affectionate, his eyes soft.
'Thank you, hyung.'
Young Hoon sat back and allowed Shin time to eat. He had so much work to do, Young Hoon, but right now Shin was his one and only priority.
Shin held the spoon up to Young Hoon and offered him the soup. 'No, Shin, I'm fine...'
'Here...' Shin shuffled forwards on the sofa, placing a hand underneath the spoon in case anything spilled. Young Hoon shook his head again, smiled, but Shin was having none of it. 'Eat.' He placed the long metal spoon by the older's mouth and raised an eyebrow. Young Hoon sighed and allowed Shin to feed him. He had put too much salt in, but Shin hadn't said a thing.
'You should rest now,' Young Hoon said. He handed Shin his medication. 'Take this and try to sleep.'
'What are you going to do?'
'I'll be here,' Young Hoon addressed his anxiety. 'Don't worry. I'm not leaving.'
Shin nodded slowly, reassured. He beamed up at Young Hoon and lay back on the sofa, closing his eyes and trying to fall asleep.
**
Shin's cuts were starting to slowly heal now, the pain still there but ebbing away. He was still sad and grieving, overcome with every emotion. Young Hoon had spoken to the Chairman briefly, had arranged a meeting for next week, after... after Shin had gone.
Shin had been sat in his room, back in the big house. The Chairman had heard of Laura's death, and Shin had signed the papers for the Chairman to be released. They were back living under the same roof, however the atmosphere was still rather awkward. For once, the old man just let his grandson be.
Young Hoon came in and smiled, but it wasn't a happy smile. His eyes looked weary and he seemed to have the weight of the world on his shoulders. 'Shin.'
Immediately, Shin knew something was up. 'What's wrong?'
'Nothing is wrong,' Young Hoon said, 'I just think it's time.'
'Time for what?'
'For you and I to say goodbye.'
'H-hyung? Are you leaving me?!'
'No,' the older smiled. 'I just think now is the perfect time for you to go and see the world. You always said you wanted to see Europe and get out of Korea. Here's your chance...' Young Hoon had Shin's passport in his hands, along with a plane ticket to France. 'You're still young, Shin. You deserve your chance now...'
'I don't want to go,' Shin said. I don't want to leave you.
'Look at this kid,' Young Hoon smirked and it made Shin's heart burst and then break. 'Given the opportunity to fly all over the globe and he wants to stay right here. You need to go, this will be good for you.'
'A-are you coming with me?'
'I'm needed here,' Young Hoon said. It was true: the company was almost in tatters, the future of PK Company looked bleak. Young Hoon needed to step up, and he finally had the chance to prove himself worthy...
Shin had wanted to say: 'I need you more.'
'W-when's the flight?'
'You leave tonight, if you want to go.'
Shin thought. He didn't want to go, he didn't want to leave Korea, didn't want to leave Young Hoon... and yet, part of him knew that this plane ticket could give him the chance to live again. He could focus on healing and ridding himself of all the negativity that had been inside of him for so long.
'I haven't even packed,' Shin said eventually, causing Young Hoon to grin.
'I did it earlier.'
Shin shook his head and smiled. 'How long am I going for?'
'I've booked you a hotel in Paris for the whole month, so you can explore all of France. ' Young Hoon said, feeling his heart ache at the thought of being away from Shin for so long. He made his heart break even more; 'But if you wanted to stay longer, or go somewhere else, you've got enough money and... if you just keep me updated with where you are, I can... keep an eye on you.'
Shin went to see his Grandpa, who wished him safe travels. He bowed his head, and then Young Hoon drove him to the airport.
The drive was quiet, both of them sombre and unprepared for their goodbye.
Young Hoon explained things to the airport staff, and Young Hoon went through the different areas with Shin right up until the boarding area. Shin had been flying business class, of course: Young Hoon had ensured the best for him.
Shin had tears in his eyes just before he boarded the plane, and this time he didn't try to hide them. He looked up at Young Hoon, face warm and heart pounding. Young Hoon's own eyes were shiny, but he had told himself to keep it together. At least for now...
They called people forward, and Shin had to go.
'I'll see you in a month,' Shin said, smiling.
'Yes.'
'If you need me to come back sooner...' Shin said, wishing that would be the case.
'I'll inform you immediately,' Young Hoon nodded. 'Go on, go.'
Young Hoon placed a gentle hand on Shin's shoulder and pressed down, one final touch. Shin wanted so desperately to reach out, touch him, hold him, kiss him, tell him he'd only go if they were together...
The last call just went out.
'Goodbye, hyung...' Shin blinked a tear away and Young Hoon watched it fall.
He watched as Shin walked towards the gate, then turned back and looked at Young Hoon one final time before the door closed.
Young Hoon left the airport, got back into the car and reached into the glove compartment. He pulled out an envelope and took out the letter inside. One ticket to Paris. He felt the tears that had been threatening him all day finally spill, let them roll down his face.
With Shin being in Paris now, Young Hoon was lost for a little while. He had dedicated the last fourteen or so years to Shin, so being without him felt weird. He didn't even have the robot Nam Shin III to remind him of the human man. He was without Nam Shin for the first time in his life.
Thankfully, the company business took up a lot of his time, required long hours and hard work to fix it. This wouldn't be done overnight, Young Hoon and the Chairman both knew, and Young Hoon was glad. He needed to keep himself busy now.
He had worried himself sick until he heard from Shin. Shin had sent him a photo, several in fact: one had been when he had been enjoying a drink of whisky on the flight, one when he got to the hotel - of course Young Hoon had found the fanciest one right in the heart of the city - and then one of him standing by the Eiffel Tower. Young Hoon felt that pang in his stomach, not an common thing these days.
Shin hadn't bothered unpacking, but he had been in his hotel wanting to change before he went out to dinner. He unzipped his case, rummaged around looking for a blue shirt and he felt something hard and unfamiliar. Reaching down, he picked it up - whatever it was had been wrapped in brown paper - and felt himself dropping down on to the bed.
Shin dialled his number, and despite it being 2:30am in Korea, Young Hoon answered as soon as he saw it was Shin.
'Shin... is everything alright?' Young Hoon's voice was sleepy and he sounded adorable.
'I found the stowaway,' he said lightly, looking down at what was in his hands.
'Oh, you did,' Young Hoon was grinning. 'I just thought it could keep you company, remind you of... home.'
'He reminds me of you.' Shin looked down at the toy robot - that robot - and smiled.
'How's Paris?'
'Bright and colourful,' Shin said. 'I went to the Eiffel Tower earlier. You'd love it here, hyung.'
'Maybe one day...'
'Definitely.' He made himself a promise he'd be back here again with Young Hoon. 'What time is is in Korea?'
'Two thirty in the morning,' Young Hoon said. 'Are you busy now?'
'Just going for dinner,' Shin said, 'there's an Italian place round the corner that does really nice seafood.'
'Well you go and enjoy yourself Shin,' Young Hoon smiled. 'Stay safe.'
*
The first few weeks Shin was in Paris were fun, full of new sights and sounds, people and places. He'd been friendly to the other guests in the hotel, had started thanking the hotel staff and smiling at strangers when they smiled at him as they walked past. He was sat outside a little coffee shop near the riverbank, sipping his espresso and relishing the warm sun on his face. He felt at peace, truly content and happy. Almost happy.
'Ah hyung,' he whispered. 'If only you were here...'
He wandered around the city, finding an expensive shirt company. 'I want to see all of your blue shirts,' he said, grinning as he imagined which ones Young Hoon would like and which ones he'd refuse to wear.
Shin had been walking by the river Seine one night and two men passed him. Both were holding hands and smiling. They both eyed Shin up and smirked at each other. Shin was a little flustered but smiled back. The two men held on to each other tighter as they walked off, and Shin found himself back at the hotel later that night, dreaming of walking along the river with someone like the two men had done...
The end of the month was growing nearer, and Shin had seen all Paris, and most of France, had to offer. He had eaten too much and drank too much, but he had eased the pain and his cuts and bruises were now gone. Nobody would have looked at him and see the pain and anger he had been harbouring once upon a time.
Young Hoon had worked hard, discussing and making plans with the Chairman's assistance. He had scheduled meeting after meeting with various investors, managers, directors and other shareholders. He harly slept, lived off coffee and the edge of his nerves once more.
Young Hoon had been keeping a mental note, every day that passed was another day that brought Shin closer to him again. Only twenty four hours remained...
Young Hoon phoned Shin and smiled as he picked up right away. 'Hello, hyung.'
'Hello Shin-ah. Are you packed yet?'
'Yes,' Shin sounded breathless, 'but... I'm not coming back to Seoul yet.'
Young Hoon felt his throat tighten. 'What do you mean?' He tried to keep his voice as casual as possible.
'I enjoyed being able to live like this,' Shin said. 'I had an entire month where nobody knew who I was, or what I'd done... I could walk down the street and enjoy a coffee and a meal and nobody pestered me. I can be free when I travel. I... I booked to go to Germany for a few weeks.'
Young Hoon understood. If he had the chance, he'd probably do the same. But he was needed here. 'Just... let me know you've got there safe. Please.'
'Of course,' Shin smiled even though Young Hoon couldn't see.
'Shin-ah? After Germany...'
'I'll be back in Seoul before you know it. It'll be like I never left...'
Four months had passed, and both men ached for the other. Shin had planned to return to Korea after Germany, but Poland and Russia beckoned.
The odd phone conversation had been enough in the beginning, but both men found themselves missing the other more and more. Being apart had made them realise just how much they had depended on each other, relied on their company during hard times, happy times, when they just wanted to be in the other's presence and just exist.
The Chairman was kept updated thanks to Young Hoon, and he had noticed.
Five months passed, six... half a year of not seeing Shin's face but through a phone screen had made his heart ache. They had taken to FaceTiming each other, and Young Hoon would sit and watch how Shin would tell him all about his adventures: how he had been very drunk of strong German beer, how he had learned about the dark truths behind the Grimm Fairytales, how he had climbed mountains and dived in the cold seas. He spoke with such passion and fire in his eyes, Shin was like how he had been before the accident. It was lovely to see, and regardless of how much Young Hoon had missed him, he knew that Shin leaving had been the right thing.
Months seven and eight passed, and their FaceTime sessions lasted longer and longer. Shin asked how the company was doing, how the Chairman was, whether there had been any updates.
'Not yet,' Young Hoon replied. 'That money you gave me access to has gone to David, as you requested. He said he's hoping to use it to fix what he can.'
'Let me know,' Shin said.
'Always.'
That night, Young Hoon had fallen asleep and hadn't turned FaceTime off. Shin had been in Italy now, Venice. Sitting back on his large bed, he placed the iPad on the pillow next to him and slept too.
David had been working hard, desperate to try and save Oh Laura's legacy. He had used the money Nam Shin had sent him - as much as he had wanted, whenever he wanted - and had used the contacts Young Hoon had provided him with to try and restore Nam Shin III. It had been a difficult process, not completely smooth, and there was still a lot of work to be done. David had to reprogram the entire system, sifting through Laura's pages and pages of notes and scribbles and whirlwind possibilities. He wanted to restore his son.
Everyone had seen the work that Young Hoon had put into the company over the last few months, the Chairman recognising over ten years of service stood for something. Gone was the scared orphan boy, Young Hoon was finally ready. Without Shin, he had been able to dedicate his working life solely to the company, something that pleased the Chairman now. Nam Gun Ho had decided long ago that there was only one rightful candidate to replace him.
He spent the next few months training Young Hoon further, but Young Hoon kept himself in check. He had warned the old man once before that he had no desire to live like him. He didn't want to be ruthless, but kind and fair and honourable. He wanted to have a career that he enjoyed, one were employees were respected and respectful. He wanted a happy life.
'Did you mean what you told me, all that time ago?'
'Sir?'
The two men were in the Chairman's office, neither of them in the seat. They sat on the lower seating in the office, a glass of whisky in their hands.
''I'll live happily with Shin', that's what you said to me.'
'Oh.' He smiled. That. 'I...'
'Hasn't your life been better with him not here to ruin things?'
'Honestly sir,' Young Hoon smirked. Eight months without Shin had been eight months too long. 'I prefer having him here running things. Breaks the day up a little.'
The Chairman eyed Young Hoon a minute, and then his wrinkled face broke and he laughed loud. 'You punk...'
Young Hoon looked down at the ground and smiled as he did, then he finished his drink and stood, bowed his head. He walked to the door and was about to leave...
'Young Hoon,' the Chairman's eyes narrowed at his face, 'Shin will be home soon now.' Young Hoon just nodded and left.
Finally, the day had come. Young Hoon had felt a sense of nervousness as he had dressed that morning, partly because he had tried to call Shin and hadn't been able to get through to him. Shin knew all about Young Hoon becoming the new Chairman - his Grandpa had told him.
Young Hoon entered the building to PK Company and took a breath just before he began walking. I wish you were here, Shin-ah.
As he walked, staff members were all lined up and bowed their heads as he passed them. Young Hoon was a gentle man, bowed back showing the respect a good CEO should. Waiting for him were most of the shareholders, and they all bowed low when he reached them. Young Hoon looked at them all - these the same people who a year ago had thought he had conspired with the robot to murder people - and bowed his own head before heading into the Chairman's office - his office.
There was a plaque on the desk with his name on it, and he felt a sense of pride swelling in his chest. Here he stood, Ji Young Hoon, the new CEO of PK Company. Not bad for an unwanted loser.
He took a seat in the tall leather chair and looked around the office. Something silver caught his eye, and he focused and froze. The toy robot was sat on his desk. He felt his heartbeat increasing and he turned his head as he heard the door open.
'Hey. I'm here.' Shin strolled in so casually, hands in his pockets... His face was rounder slightly, it suited him. He looked happy and healthy, free from bloody lips and bruised cheekbones. He walked up to the desk, looking round at the office. It had been redecorated in preparation for its new CEO. A time for change...
'Took you long enough,' Young Hoon didn't try to fight the smile that was on his face. He felt his eyes shining and he did not care one bit. He had missed Shin so, so much. 'Shouldn't you stop travelling now?'
'It was a long month in Paris,' Shin smiled. Young Hoon shook his head.
'I see you kept him safe.' He nodded towards the robot and Shin smirked and blushed slightly.
'He kept me company,' Shin smiled. 'He's home now. We both are.' The two men looked at each other, eyes refusing to look away. They hadn't been together for almost a year. They both knew one thing: they'd never be apart for that length of time ever again. 'You look good sitting there. You look like you belong there...' Shin gave Young Hoon a smile that made his heart flip and bounce and then shatter in his chest.
'It's only temporary,' he countered, 'come back.'
'You keep doing it,' Shin said, fiddling with the pens in the pot on the desk. 'If I take over, I'll sell the company... and go back to France.'
Young Hoon smirked. 'Would you? Why Paris?'
Shin thought back to those two men he had seen walking by the river, hand in hand. He had watched them a while longer, when they had carried on walking, and saw how they had embraced and kissed and it was the most natural thing in the world. He had wanted Young Hoon there, so he could embrace and kiss him. He knew the way he felt about the older man was the most natural thing in the world, a power as old as time.
'Just because,' he smiled. 'How's So Bong? Is she okay?'
'I couldn't ask,' Young Hoon was serious now. 'I didn't want to reopen her wounds.'
Shin nodded and informed Young Hoon that he had been in touch with David.
'You have a busy day today, it seems,' Shin smiled as a secretary knocked on the door.
'Sir, you have a meeting in five minutes.'
'I'll be with you in a moment,' Young Hoon smiled, waited until she had left and shut the door before speaking again. He turned his gaze to Shin, who was now sitting on his desk. His eyes danced with the older and they both laughed, looking away. 'You need to leave.'
'Yes, sir,' Shin winked and hopped down from the desk. He wobbled, Young Hoon standing up and stretching his arm out to stop Shin from falling.
'How did you manage an entire year on your own without me there,' Young Hoon sounded exasperated.
Shin chose to ignore him. 'Well when your busy day finishes,' he was almost purring now, 'come back to the house. I've got something for you.'
Young Hoon raised an eyebrow. 'What?'
'It wouldn't be a surprise if I told you now, would it?' he teased. 'I'll see you tonight...'