Chapter Text
If Dongho doesn't answer his questions soon, Minsoo's going to flip his shit.
"He's not saying anything!" the leader shouts, throwing his hands in the air. "What the fuck does he think he's doing?"
Correction: Minsoo is flipping his shit.
"Hyung," Jaewon weakly appeals, and Minsoo grabs one of the stupid paperweights Dongho uses for his stupid paperwork and hurls it into the wall.
Daehyun and Jaewon wince in tandem as the dent in the wall makes itself known, but Minsoo's far beyond caring about such petty trifles.
"What is his plan?" Minsoo snaps, and Jaewon winces once more as the elder hurls another paperweight into the table. "Does he want to die?"
Jaewon's about to refute that, but-
Dongho did look like death warmed over.
Hm.
"Hyung..." Daehyun murmurs, and Minsoo collapses into the chair next to him, gaze falling to his hands.
"I just... he won't talk to me, and I don't know why."
This is the difference between Minsoo and Dongho, Jaewon thinks. Minsoo- Minsoo is naturally a person who shares things. He doesn't feel shame from his weaknesses, just his failures.
Dongho doesn't share things like this.
And somehow, Jaewon doubts Minsoo's going to be able to pry anything out of Dongho that the elder isn't willing to release.
Minsoo stares at the paperweights for a moment before bursting into tears, and as Jaewon rushes to comfort him, Daehyun grabs his jacket and heads for the door.
He has to get to the bottom of this.
Across the ocean, a number of discussions are happening almost in tandem.
After Jeongmin brought the news that Dongho collapsed and hadn't woken up, the entirety of Kang Industries' upper echelon collectively shook themselves and opted to pull their shit together.
Because, really-
to them, Dongho's just a kid.
A kid they pushed to this point, a kid they gave more work than they should've, and a kid who was now in the hospital because of their mistakes.
(they'd all seen him before - seen him at fundraisers. the boy with the razor-sharp smile and icy eyes who still managed to remember all the receptionists' names.
there aren't many people like that.)
There are two statements that rattle the company, that day - two indisputable and yet achingly important facts that change everyone's mind-frame going forwards.
One: If Dongho wanted to run Kang Industries, they'd be able to take over the globe in a matter of years.
Two: If Dongho does run Kang Industries, it is going to destroy him.
It's a quandry - no answer is perfect - but over meetings and discussions, some people come up with some ideas.
Now, all that remains is for Dongho to wake up.
And after that, then.
Well.
Hopefully he'll take to the idea of ceding ownership for a decade or so.
(knowing Dongho, it will probably be longer than a decade, but he won't agree to it then. stubborn kid.)
It's so difficult managing Dongho, Jeongmin decides - but a different kind of difficult than working with his parents. While the older Kangs were a minefield, each step or word able to set them off in a fit of icy rage, the issue with Dongho is that he does not know when to quit.
Abstractly, Jeongmin supposes, Dongho does know when to quit. He knows how to move, where to step, but he doesn't know when to put down his burdens and rest.
Either that, or he'll push forwards for everyone else's sake.
Goddammit, Kang Dongho.
"Master Dongho?"
Dongho blinks, hand falling to his side, and Boba mewls, leaning in to head-butt his palm. He reaches up to scratch behind her ear once more - Boba's needy, but he doesn't mind - and scoops the cat into his arms, kicking his blankets off his legs.
"What's going on?"
"Hi!" Daehyun chirps, sliding into the doorway.
Dongho blinks at him - at his messy hair, at the glasses askew on his nose, at the hoodie hanging off his shoulders (it's Dongho's hoodie - he didn't even know he still had that) - and then down at the cat in his arms, who's staring at Daehyun with wide eyes.
Cute.
"Boba!" Daehyun beams, and Dongho stands there as the singer leans forwards to scratch Boba's head, soft coos escaping his lips. "Aww, look at you! Who's the cutest little baby?"
"Why are you here, Dae?" Dongho asks, and Daehyun blinks, snapping his fingers as he jolts upright.
"Right! I'm here to ask if you'll come back to the dorm?"
Dongho blinks at him again, and Daehyun laughs, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Why?"
"Because I miss you."
"Um."
Dongho has no idea what to say to that.
"I'm pretty busy," he lamely replies, and Daehyun frowns, lips pursing into a childish pout.
"Really?"
"Yes, Dae."
"Really?"
Daehyun leans forwards, and before Dongho can react (curse residual exhaustion and general dehydration-induced lethargy) the younger man scoops Boba from his arms and fucking takes off.
Dongho stares for a moment.
Then for another.
"Kim Daehyun, bring back my cat!"
Jaewon's cooking dinner when his phone goes off, a familiar text tone ringing through the air as the device vibrates across the counter.
Huh.
He scoops it up, balancing the spoon against the edge of the pot, and he stares at the messages, brows scrunched in confusion.
MAYHEM
Dae:
MINSOOJYUBGN
JAEWNOHUYNG
HELP MFE
MAYHEM Dongho:
Bring back my cat
Dae:
THERES NO PUNCTIATION
HELPNE
Minsoo-hyung :D:
lol get fucked dae
Dae:
YOUREGNOTEHLPIGN
I CANY CATRY A CAT ABD ALSO RUN
HELP NBE
Minsoo-hyung :D:
rip in peace
Jaewon clicks off his phone and stuffs it in his pocket, humming softly to himself as he turns back to his pot.
They'll be fine.
Probably.
Dongho won't necessarily murder him immediately, at least. He'll take Boba home and then murder him.
"Hyung!"
Jaewon nearly shrieks, the spoon slipping from his fingers and clattering to the pot. "Wha-"
Daehyun slams the door behind him, breath coming in quick gasps and a cat clinging to his jacket for dear life.
Dongho's cat.
Oh, boy.
"Is that Boba?" Jaewon laughs, and it's high and uneasy.
"Maybe," Daehyun gasps, and the cat kicks him in the face.
He shrieks, loosening his grip, and the cat lands primly on the floor, looking up to meow at Daehyun before heading towards the living room.
What a weird cat.
(a little like her owner, now that Jaewon thinks about it.)
Daehyun sags with relief, moving over to lean against the wall, and Jaewon turns his attention back to his pot, waiting for the inevitable appearance he knows is coming.
"Kim Daehyun!"
There it is.
Jaewon watches as Daehyun sprints to his room, slamming the door shut behind him, and seconds later, Dongho throws open the door, hair messy and eyes wide and crazed.
"Where's my cat?"
Honestly, this is the most disheveled Jaewon's ever seen him.
Boba trots over, a cheerful "meow" escaping her lips, and Jaewon watches as Dongho sags in relief, bending down to scoop the cat into his arms. And oh, Boba curls into his chest, head resting against his tee and tail tucked against her side, and she just looks so trusting.
(this is trust that takes years to build, Jaewon thinks.)
"Hi," Dongho simply states, turning to head for the door, and Jaewon panics.
"Stay for dinner!"
Dongho blinks at him, one hand reaching for the handle and the other cradling Boba, and Jaewon laughs, gesturing to the pot.
"I mean... it's almost done? And hyung would probably like it if you stayed?"
"...sure," Dongho warily replies, and Jaewon smiles, a little crooked, a little afraid.
"Great! I'll get plates!"
Truth be told, though he's gotten closer with Daehyun and Minsoo, Dongho is just as much of an enigma as ever.
...hopefully, that's going to change.
"I'm home."
Dongho toes his shoes off at the door and places Boba on the ground, watching as her tail lashes and an irritated meow escapes her mouth.
Ah. She doesn't like being carried for extended periods.
"Master Dongho," Jeongmin greets, and Dongho nods, gaze flitting to the butler.
"Hey."
"May I speak with you, Master Dongho?"
"Um," Dongho ventures, dropping to a crouch so he can scratch Boba's head. "Sure?"
"I was discussing with your board of directors," Jeongmin continues, and Dongho raises his head, suspicion creeping into his mind.
"What?"
"They suggested that, perhaps, while you were still working with MAYHEM, it would be prudent to implement an interim CEO."
Well. Jeongmin suggested that, but.
Semantics.
Dongho stares at him, brows slowly knitting together. "What?"
"An interim CEO," Jeongmin repeats, though he knows that's really not why Dongho's confused. "Someone to take over while you are working with MAYHEM."
"But I still have to do things?"
"Not necessarily," Jeongmin replies, and Dongho gapes at him, his hand still scratching Boba's head on autopilot.
"What?"
Boba reaches up to paw at his face, and Dongho's hand stills on her head, gaze still pinned on Jeongmin's face. "What do you mean?"
"You cannot keep going on like this," Jeongmin murmurs, and oh, wrong thing to say.
Dongho's eyes sharpen - harsh, brittle, Kang before Dongho - and he shakes his head. "I can do this."
"Master Dongho," Jeongmin pleads, softening his gaze as much as he can. "If you spread yourself too thin, nothing will ever be done perfectly. Follow your dreams for now, and return to Kang Industries when you want to."
"I can run it."
"You can," Jeongmin relents, "but I- but we think you should not."
Dongho stares at him, and Jeongmin can see the battle waging in his eyes - self-preservation versus every instinct that's been drilled in him since birth - and after a moment, he dips his head, expression unreadable.
"I will give my decision to the board tomorrow."
And oh, there's the Kang voice - sharp, viperous, warning - and for a moment, Jeongmin lets himself despair.
Because Dongho-
Dongho is too good to be twisted the way he's been, the way he will be if he keeps going on like this.
So he picks up the phone, and he makes a call.
"What."
Dongho stares at them, hair messy and shirt hanging off one shoulder, and Minsoo grins.
"We're going out for breakfast!"
Dongho blinks at him - slow, exhausted - and Minsoo laughs, pushing past him to gain access to his apartment. "C'mon! Get dressed!"
"What," Dongho repeats, a bit firmer this time, and Minsoo winks at him.
"Breakfast!"
They do end up going out for breakfast, and Jaewon (Jaewon!) nearly screams when he sees how much coffee Dongho's drinking.
"Is that- is that your ninth mug?"
"You said you'd be paying," Dongho replies, taking a sip from his possibly-maybe eleventh mug.
He has a long day ahead of him. Sue him.
"I'm terrified," Jaewon breathes, and Daehyun nods solemnly next to him.
"I don't think he's human."
Dongho looks at them, holding eye contact, and he downs another cup in three gulps, his hands shaking as he puts his mug back on the table.
"What the fuck," Daehyun whispers, and Jaewon looks like he wants to cry.
"Have you made your decision, Dongho-ssi?"
Dongho nods, the motion dislodging a few strands of hair from their gel. "I have."
"And it is?"
"...I'm going to appoint an interim CEO."
Though Dongho doesn't notice it, the entire board relaxes just slightly.
"A prudent choice," one man states, and Dongho dips his head, pushing his hair back with one hand.
"Send me the profiles for each of your top choices, and I'll conduct interviews. With any luck, we can have this finished within the month."
His gaze strays to his cat - Boba's curled up on his bed, tail over her nose and ribs protruding through her coat - and he drags it back to the screen, folding his hands in his lap.
"Will that be all?"
"Yes," another man replies, and Dongho nods.
"Good. I will see you all soon."
He clicks to end the call, and his gaze strays to Boba, concern immediately making itself known.
Jeongmin's going to have to go back to America, and Boba with him. After all, it's not like Dongho can keep her in the dorms (the dorms! he's going back to the dorms!) with him.
Right?
...
Well.
"We get a cat!"
Minsoo hoists Boba into his arms and spins her around, ignoring Dongho's warnings. "We get a kitty-"
"She's going to puke on you," Dongho warns, and Minsoo drops her so quickly you'd think she was made of lava.
"Ah-"
"Are you sure this is going to work?" Jaewon asks, and Dongho shakes his head.
"No. But I'm sure I'll try."
He bends down to scratch Boba's head, and the trio stares at him, mirrored expressions of fondness on their faces.
Because, really-
Dongho's not as secretive as he thinks he is.
"Hyung," Minsoo warns, and Dongho raises his head, eyes flashing with concern.
"Hm?"
"If you're moving back in, you have to tell us everything. And I mean everything."
Dongho blinks at him for a moment, gaze going dark, and Minsoo's worried he's about to refuse.
"...fine."
"What?"
It's that easy?
"The issues are mostly resolved, anyways," Dongho shrugs (and Minsoo doubts that's true), "so it's fine."
Minsoo sincerily doubts that.
But hey! If it means Dongho will tell him what's going on, then it's worth it!
The clock blinks a sad 1:14am as Minsoo tip-toes back into his room, gripping the door and pulling it open oh-so-slowly.
Dongho's asleep, after all.
As Minsoo catches sight of the papers strewn across Dongho's side of the room, he inwardly laughs - Dongho swore they'd be gone soon, but they keep multiplying - before his gaze slides to the figure on the bed, lips curling into a fond smile.
Dongho's sprawled across the mattress, arms wrapped around his pillow and a bit of drool trickling out of the corner of his mouth. His dark hair is strewn around him, a few strands landing in his mouth, and Minsoo's gaze flits to Boba - the cat sitting on top of the pillow, glowing eyes pinned on his form.
Weird cat.
He presses a finger to his lips as he crawls in bad, the fond smile never disappearing as Dongho curls deeper into the pillow.
There may be papers everywhere, but it's worth it to see Dongho - his best friend - so utterly calm and at peace like this.
As Minsoo drifts off, he's dimly aware of Boba hopping up on his bed and curling up to his chest, a purr rattling her frame as she presses her head to Minsoo's chin.
It's nice. Having Dongho here- it's nice.
And Minsoo wouldn't trade it for the world.