Chapter Text
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ARTS CENTER
INCHEON, SOUTH KOREA
Staff members shuffled through the long rows of theater seats, taping laminated name cards to the cushioned backrest. A backstage crew was fixing mics onto the stage, their ears fitted with earpieces that would instruct them on what to do next by an outside voice. Their voices overlapped and got drowned out by the sound of cameras clicking abruptly.
Shouts and a few high pitched squeals echoed inside of the long concert hall as a young male with chestnut hair and highlights made his way up the semi-large steps to get to the stage. His dove grey blazer was loosened from the buttons, the white dress shirt underneath was clean too. Though, his heart was picking up speed. Sweat collected at his brow as he lowered his body to the piano bench, golden lights washed over his face, brightening the center of the stage.
Yeonho swallowed, his vision was becoming blurry as his fingers positioned themselves over the keys. A soft call made him turn, it was a familiar face that brought him comfort. That same male was standing up in the balcony seating section of the auditorium, his unreadable eyes gazing down at him, occasionally running a hand through his locks of highlighted hair. Kim Yongseung.
A commotion of thunder-like claps and praises filled Yeonho's ears. Despite the criticism, there were people that still supported him. Before Yeonho felt it, he was already playing. His hands moved swiftly along the keys, each note ringing into another rhythm. Yeonho's heart began to sink, the jeering of a crowd was haunting him as wrong notes began to surface throughout his performance.
The music piece ended.
A breath left Yeonho's parted lips. I am really not capable of coming back.
Yeonho's eyebrows furrowed, feeling the hand of his manager pulling him up and guiding him to an open hallway. The light was bouncing off the walls striked his face. His chest was rising and falling, he wasn't upset. He was enraged. Lee Dongheon was next in line to perform. Yeonho's gaze searched for other pairs of eyes but found none. He stuffed his hand into his pocket, his fingers were shaky as he fumbled with a silver lighter.
Don't smoke in front of others.
Yeonho squeezed his eyes shut, lips pressing together into a tight line. "I shouldn't do this."
The medium oak haired male shook his head at the idea of not being able to smoke, the sudden urge of inhaling such toxic chemical was potent inside him. He stepped outside of the arts center, pulling a box of cigarettes from his blazer pocket. His fingers curled over one of the cigarettes, eyes seeing the low numbers of cigarettes that were left inside.
He cupped his hand around the lighter as his thumb flickered the flint wheel of the lighter, setting off the spark of an ember to set into the atmosphere. In between Yeonho's lips was a cigarette, pressing softly as he pulled the cigarette closer to the flame. The flame ate at the cigarette, burning the nicotine around it and being taken inside Yeonho's lungs as he inhaled and exhaled sharply.
Yeonho's breaths were heavy, a relief weight resting over his shoulders as he inhaled the chemicals. His eyes slightly burned, the taste of the cigarette bitter on his tongue and fading away as he burned the cigarette away from his mouth and crushing it beneath his foot. When the male finished burning out the cigarette, he turned to see an ink haired male stepping outside.
The male walked in a different direction, heading away from the arts center with the burning cigarette inside his mouth. Yeonho's eyes darkened at the sight of the male, clenching his teeth as he charged after him. "Lee Dongheon!"
Yeonho took Dongheon by the shoulder, turning the male in order to be facing each other. "You did this on purpose, didn't you?"
Wind cut through the skin of the two figures, their eyes locked on each other. The weather outside was mild, shivering hands of the weather grasping the skin of those it found. Yeonho's hands held Dongheon by the shoulders, fingers curling over his arms.
"You avoided performing for the opening of the ceremony and went after me on purpose."
"Nae gihwereul humchiryogo." Yeonho's eyes narrowed, his breaths shallow over the cold air.
To steal my opportunity.
Dongheon shook his head, his hands coming to Yeonho's hands as he tried pulling him away. "That's nonsense."
"Why would I do such horrible thing?"
Yeonho pressed his grip harder over Dongheon, shoving him against the one of the glass windows of the building. "Lee Dongheon! Don't act like you're the victim-"
"Ju Yeonho!" An elderly male called, his steps scuffing the concrete sidewalk. There was a sound of an abrupt impact of a hand slicing through the atmosphere.
Yeonho's face was turned away, his cheek burning in a heavy color, a hand holding his cheek. Tears welled inside his eyes, a sharp hiss passing his clenched teeth. He lowered his head to see his father and to the left of him was his mother. They were the heads of the arts center in Incheon, the ones who made the rules inside the music industry.
"I've raised you with the finest of education, clothes, career, and far worse. . . reputation. How can you stoop so lowly and be causing harm to Dongheon?!" Yeonho's father shouted, pointing at his son.
Yeonho chewed on his words, stare quivering as he stared at his father. His heart ached to see his father taking Dongheon's side, seeing his arms around him like a father would to a son. Yeonho's father treated Dongheon like a son of his own. The male started to shake his head, a forced cry leaving his lips as he felt a body cover him away.
Dongheon's eyes were on Yeonho's mother, watching her as she shielded her son away from him. "How did you know? That your son was going to fail his performance and place me afterwards to take over."
"Is that what your dead mother taught you?!" The woman scoffed, stepping closer to Dongheon. "How are possibly doing the same as your mother?"
"Geuroke malhajin ankessoyo. . ." Dongheon's facial expression grew sullen with resentment. I wouldn't say that. . .
"Because of my mother's shadow singing. . . you were able to establish this art center and even successfully finish your 23rd anniversary performance."
"Shouldn't you be thanking my mother?" Dongheon's voice grew thin, full of spite as he spoke of his mother.
"Do you remember? My mother was the only singer in Incheon who was able to hit the perfect high F."
Dongheon separated himself from Yeonho's father, turning back to the woman with a embittered stare. "Instead, you were praised for your skills. How is that possible? Did your parents cheat their way in to just get you the highest spot in Incheon to get rid of my mother?"
"I see that you're trying to use the same method for your son. But why even try? There's no use of rising him to the top when he's clearly not capable to do so."
The ink haired leaned closer, a prideful smile coming to his lips. "I'll do whatever it takes to avenge for my mother."
"Geuge adeunimeul pagwehal uidoiljiradoyo. . ."
Even if it means to destroy your son.
"Are you insane? How dare you-" Yeonho's mother took a hold of Dongheon. A voice cut the woman off, her words leaving.
"I can't beat your son or you without being brazen. . . but I see that heaven is still on my side. I am praised by your husband and even whole Korea."
"It's all thanks to you." Dongheon whispered only for the elderly woman to hear.
The woman chuckled dryly, "Dakchyeo."
She raised her arm to swat at him but her arm was caught and twisted by Dongheon's hand. Dongheon heard the woman yelp, seeing Yeonho peaking out from his hiding and standing next to his father who was holding him tightly. "I am no longer a child, so. . . try not to be too confident."
"One day, the truth will be unveiled. I can't wait for you to see what's to come for your family." Dongheon released the woman, leaving the family alone as he stepped back inside the building.
A figure grew inside Yeonho's eyes, a pair of periwinkle eyes staring back. Their ash colored highlights flowing near his eyes, parted for his eyes to be visible. He bowed down to the elderly figures that stood next to Yeonho, a smile spreading over his face as he bowed down to their youngest son.
Yongseung approached the broken family, stretching a polite arm to shake the hands of Yeonho's parents as his head hung low. "There are snacks and drinks in the V.I.P area, feel free to pass by. You must be tired from traveling for so long."
Yeonho's mother slipped her hand away from Yongseung's gentle grasp in displeasure. Her eyes were cold as they met with Yongseung's cloudy ones. "We'll get going. . ."
Yongseung shift his weight on both ankles, hands locked behind his back as his eyebrows shot up in surprise. Out of earshot from the high-class family, Yongseung whispered to Yeonho quietly as they headed into a different room, away from the cameras and reporters.
"They treat me like that because I work with the police, right?" Yongseung leaned on the door, fingers hovering over the metal door handle.
Yeonho turned, "They don't hate you. They're just trying to protect their image from someone that works with the police. . ."
"Try avoiding conflicts with Dongheon. If it's affecting him, you should stop-" Yongseung nodded, eyes blank as he moved topics.
Yeonho scoffed as he stepped closer to Yongseung. His hand caught Yongseung's collar, fighting back tears as the other male's warm fingers curled around his wrist. "Are you against me? You know what I've gone through because of him . . . are you really turning your back on me, out of all people?"
"I'm not doing this to hurt you, I don't want-" A few soft knocks made his voice fade away slowly.
Yongseung and Yeonho parted from each other, hearts pounding from the fading adrenaline. An oak haired male had opened the door, a shy appearance washing over him as two sets of eyes stared at him. Gyehyeon's face burned pink as he bowed rapidly, inhaling sharply as he tried avoiding eye contact with Yeonho.
"Mr. Ju . . . can I talk to you? Alone?" Gyehyeon's voice seemed like it had been carried away by a cold.
Yeonho took a single step forward, hesitantly joining Gyehyeon. His hand locked around Gyehyeon's elbow, forcefully dragging his small body into the finally empty auditorium. The expression Yeonho wore was enough for Gyehyeon to figure out that he wasn't in his best mood, and he wouldn't be any better even with an apology.
"Yeonho-ssi! You're harming me," Gyehyeon complained as he was finally released from Yeonho's tight grip.
Yeonho wasn't facing him. Gyehyeon's bottle green eyes observed the way Yeonho's shoulders tensed when Gyehyeon had curled his fingers over his arm, turning him so that they'd face each other. Yeonho's face was close to Gyehyeon's as they faced one another, the younger male's eyes dropped to the single rose that Gyehyeon held in his left hand.
"I want to apologize to you." Gyehyeon confessed, his voice on edge.
The dark haired male lowered himself until he was down to his knees. His eyes were glassy with tears. "I'm sorry for crossing the line the other day. I won't do it again. I'm truly sorry."
Gyehyeon's hands chilled from the cold atmosphere, hands resting over his lap with his eyes glued to the rose. His almond shaped eyes stared at the dark petals, suppressing the profound feeling of his aching heart. A weight was crushing his shoulders, pulling him down. He waited for an answer, shutting his eyes as he expected to be yelled at.
"I'm sorry. . . I truly mean it." Gyehyeon whispered, eyes scattering to avoid Yeonho's eyes.
Yeonho gaze upon the kneeled male, staring at him in disbelief. His ears caught Gyehyeon's rasping breaths, voice quivering in tremors that were also accompanied by the tremors of his body. He saw the blooming rose inside Gyehyeon's hand, a petal moving at the slight drop of a tear that fell from Gyehyeon's eye.
The male didn't move, trying to comprehend what was surrounding him at the moment. He was still, holding himself as his thoughts paced around the older male. His heart steeped inside with guilt, seeing how Gyehyeon's entire body shook as he plead for forgiveness. Darting glances at the reporter, he found himself kneeling close to him with an arm extended.
A shortness of breath made Yeonho hesitant, barely touching the crying male. His eyes wanted to avoid seeing the reporter's crying eyes, a glint of light catching his attention. The glint belonged to the identification card around Gyehyeon's neck. 조계현.
"Gyehyeon-ssi. . . I forgive you." Yeonho reassured the male, pressing lightly over Gyehyeon's shoulder.
Gyehyeon turned to Yeonho when he heard his acceptance, eyes slowly growing narrow as did his eyebrows which knitted closer. His eyes were slightly red, dark mint colored orbs focusing on Yeonho's intent gaze. He pulled the rose closer to his body, wondering if he should gift the rose to the male. As he tried to pull the rose closer, a hand caught his own between the flower.
Their breaths lingered closer, bodies facing each other in the large space around them. There was only silence between them, no words being spoken as their hands held the singular crimson rose. Their fingers filled the gap between each other's hands, a cool feeling pressing over each other's fingers as they touched. The two figures held their gaze, unable to break away from the contact. They were the only ones there inside the auditorium, both longing to be forgiven for their mistakes.
Gyehyeon could feel Yeonho's hand over his own, warmth enveloping delicately. Yeonho's warmth pulling him back into a time of memories that only he would know and perhaps Yeonho would know too. The older male's eyes filled with hope, a strange rush of fear tying him. Do you remember still?
"J-Jo giokaseyo?" Gyehyeon held his breath, voice creeping inside the auditorium. Do you remember me?
The warmth that held Gyehyeon had left, slipping away. Yeonho stood hurriedly, unable to comprehend Gyehyeon's question. His teeth were bare, resentment storming inside. He breathed roughly, hands pulling Gyehyeon to his feet. "What are you even saying?"
"Do you hear yourself, right now?" Yeonho questioned, eyes over Gyehyeon's teary eyes. "How would I not remember you if we just met a few days ago?"
"Tell me, have we met before all of this? I only remember you as bothersome and someone that I want to get rid of."
"Dareun saramdeul jungeso dangsini jeil gweropyoyo." Yeonho seethed, lips drawing near Gyehyeon's ear. His hand took the rose away from Gyehyeon's hands, letting it fall in the floor near his feet.
You out of all people bother me the most.
Gyehyeon nodded slowly, words seeping inside his body. He regretted it. Regretting the absurd question he had asked Yeonho. He no longer wanted to hear another word, having lost words to even say against Yeonho. The male wiped his tears away, looking back at the crumpled rose that was wilting under the care of someone cruel. He frowned at the rose, stepping away from the flower and Yeonho.
"I need to go." Gyehyeon whispered when he tried to flee, getting caught by the elbow.
"Look at me." Yeonho ordered, hands at Gyehyeon's elbows.
Gyehyeon did not obey, turning his head away. He felt Yeonho's grip tightening, shaking him. "Look at my eyes!"
Gyehyeon looked up at Yeonho, meeting his empty stare. His nails digging into his palms, lips quivering. He heard Yeonho questioning himself, wondering why he continued to feel guilty. "Why do I continue to feel guilty around you? Why are you making me feel guilty?"
"I'm sorry-" Gyehyeon was about to apologize again, but a violent hold continued to shake him.
"Stop. Don't apologize. . . you'll only make it worse." Yeonho warned, his hold softening as he heard no apologies leaving Gyehyeon's lips.
"I need-" Gyehyeon's body was pulled against Yeonho's, arms coiling themselves around at a desperate manner.
"I told you to stop." Yeonho leaned closer, lips resting near Gyehyeon's cheek. Hands grappling the older male's coat, the tips of his fingers inching towards the back of Gyehyeon's head.
"Stop this. . . please."
"You'll make me feel more guilty than what I already am." His voice settled inside Gyehyeon's aching bones, resonating inside.
Yeonho held Gyehyeon inside his arms, shielding the male away from himself. His scent clung to Yeonho's clothes and skin, the scent of warm lavender washing over his senses as he held Gyehyeon. He felt a sense of relinquishing pain inside himself, a feeling of containment. The younger felt somehow closer to Gyehyeon, as if fate had once pulled them apart from each other.
"Stay." Yeonho breathed, holding Gyehyeon tightly. "Stay with me."
Could there be a reason for why a living being breaks all of a sudden?
Or is there more than one reason to?
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GYEONGGI FOREST
8:57 A.M
The bright flash of a camera blinded a young male's vision as his thin fingers wrapped around yellow police tape, the plastic was wet with raindrops. Minchan pulled it over his head, entering the crime scene. There were other police officers with flashlights, exploring the vast forest.
A blanket of fog hovering over the law enforcement workers. Minchan's white sneakers began to sink lowly into the muddy paths. His attire was spotted with drops of rain too, his white t-shirt neatly ironed, matching black slacks accompanied the blazer that was over his shoulders.
The dark haired male's eyes shifted from officer to officer, their expressions were all the same. Disgust, disbelief, disappointment. Minchan's heartbeat was rocketing terribly, his eyebrows furrowed as he showed his identification badge to a colleague that was checking who could enter.
"I keiseuneun sseulmoga eopsseumnida." An older male's voice was heard, removing his police cap off as he shook his head in disappointment, waving his hands to motion the others to leave the scene. There is no use of this case.
From the corner of his eye, Minchan could see the bright red fabric of a dress shirt, a limp hand peeking out from the thick layers of mud and slippery grass fields. His hand was caught by another male. He whipped his head back, Yongseung was holding him back. Those eyes were comforting but presenced an eerie feeling of what was truly near the riverbank.
Yongseung's hands were concerningly cold. "Let's wait until they confirm the victim's identification-"
Minchan shook his hand free, trudging along the short path. The thirty meter trees formed a barrier around them, closing off screams and shouts. Even the dragging of footsteps across this very path, crushed mounds of dirt being scattered as the awful noise of a body being dragged on a bumpy path, rocks shifting and clanking together, the sound multiplying.
"K-Kangmin?" Minchan froze until he finally reached the riverside, the slope of the land was steep. Hidden towards the most deepest part of the riverside was a cubed tunnel-like passage. It was the river drainage tunnel.
The forensic team was taking pictures of the dead body. They had propped the body onto a stretcher, pulling the zipper of a black body bag. By half way of closing it, Minchan darted towards the workers, yanking their hands off.
"Just let me see who it is! Damn it." Minchan's eyes were wide, long locks of hair sticking to his forehead, blocking his eyesight. He truly was going crazy.
A sigh left Minchan's chapped lips. It wasn't Kangmin. But someone else.
He took a step away from the team, allowing them to proceed and move the body away. The cold air was slowly freezing him, clouds of white coming out of his mouth as he exhaled. His hand went through his messy hair. His light coffee colored eyes found his crime unit leader. Minchan definitely had lost by then. The moment he rose his arm and closed his fist, he knew that he was starting to reach his breaking point.
"Why are you focusing on someone else?! Kangmin matters more right now! He could be dying! Who else can be more important than him?!" A hard punch was thrown as Minchan shouted. A line of blood rolled down from a male's sharp nose.
Yongseung ran a thumb below his nose. A streak of blood staining it. He had stood in the way between their leader and Minchan, preventing an absolute chaos from happening. The clouds were lining up, rain began to sprinkle across. The pounding of feet stomping echoed as police officers rushed in aid to cover up the remaining evidence with plastic sheets.
"We can't do anything when you keep pressuring us! There is no hope for this case and you know it! If you would have answered Kangmin-your guilty conscience is making you insane." Yongseung gripped Minchan's collar, their faces close.
Minchan swallowed down his anger, tears brimming. His voice was so quiet that it faded out at mid-sentence. "I'm sorry, I feel really . . . desperate to find him."
The two males stared at each other. Minchan couldn't help but feel that this case was truly all in vain. Was Kangmin really alive or dead?
____________
The soft rays of lights worked themselves along the splayed sheets of paper that lay on a sturdy wooden desk. Long strokes of shadows bellowing across the room, small dotting of a pen was heard inside. There was a small click heard along the dotting, a flash drive being inserted inside a laptop. Broad ranges of a mouse being rolled across the wooden surface of the desk was included within the room as a pair of hands worked on series of photos.
Light and feather-like strands of hair fell across honey glazed eyes, emerald lying within. Their eyes were met with a picture, adjusting the lighting of the picture with an expensive program. The male's teeth sunk into his lip, chewing down as he grew immersed with his work as the day passed. His breath was barley heard, sighing as he heard the droplets of water sprinkling over the gridded windows.
He had remembered walking inside a forest, remembering the light crunching underneath his feet as he stepped into the large canopies of trees. Eyes opening to a world of neutral colors, consisting of dark crimson, a marmalade orange, and rust colored brown. The figure's camera would take pictures of the scenery, holding fast to the colors and the surroundings of creatures and of nature.
Hoyoung settled the pen down, eyes growing heavy as he pulled himself up from his seat. The static noise of the slowly falling rain eased his body to sleep, struggling to remain awake. But he fought through his weariness and proceeded to walk out from the room. His steps echoed on the wooden floor, a door creaking open as he entered his room and sitting on the edge of his bed.
His hands reached over to meet with the texture of cotton, gentle hues of brown depicting the fur that was felt over Hoyoung's fingertips. A pair of loving eyes stared at him, reflecting a a pair of hazel eyes that belonged to Hoyoung. Resting on Hoyoung's lap lay a medium sized teddy bear, a necklace locked around its neck that looped around a significant object. A golden ring was hooked around the necklace, white diamonds engraved inside on two golden bands that seemed like a swirl that was becoming intertwined with one another.
Hoyoung's cerise lips smiled at the memory of the teddy bear and necklace, his heart pacing around his chest as he pulled the stuffed animal close to his chest. His eyes closed, a soft perspire leaving his lips as he held the bear tightly. The mind of the male drifted away into memories, memories he shared with his significant other who had gifted him the stuffed animal and necklace.
_______________
[ the past ]
Hoyoung's head was being rested down slowly, the white duvet of his bed being pulled towards him. The softest pressure was added as a hand pat his back gently, rubbing circles. The light almond haired male stirred a bit, fingers folding over the covers. Warm beams of sunlight spilled golden light over the young male as he tried resting. A weight settled down on the bed. A sweet scent of berries and vanilla filled Hoyoung's senses. His eyes fluttered open.
His eyes met with the single dimple-cheeked male, Dongheon. The dark haired male reached out for him, leaning down enough for his elbows to press into Hoyoung's sides. Hoyoung's eyes jumped from Dongheon's lips to his blue-grey eyes. Hoyoung's cheeks burned a bright red, he covered his face with his hands as Dongheon lifted his hands, a camera in his palms.
"Sumjima," Dongheon pulled one hand away from the camera to reach Hoyoung's hands. Don't hide.
"I want to see your smile. . ."
Dongheon's hand removed both of Hoyoung's hands away from his face, holding them closer to his frame. He held Hoyoung's hands warmly, pressing lightly as he pulled himself closer to the laying male. His eyes grazed Hoyoung's features, seeing the corner of his lips trembling as they lifted into a smile. The smile that Dongheon had desired to see.
"Igocheorom." Dongheon delivered the warmth of Hoyoung's smile identically. Within seconds, the camera shutter clicked open and closed to take a picture.
Like this.
Once Dongheon pulled the camera away from Hoyoung's face, setting the camera on the side of them. He sat criss-crossed over the bed, watching Hoyoung as he sat up on the headboard. Their gazes were still, surrounded by a sense of a surreal presence between the two. The longing stares held their desires, a mellow color inside their eyes that only progressed into words that only both of them knew by just one look in the eyes.
Dongheon looked down to Hoyoung's hands, his own fingertips touching his partner's fingertips softly until they were locked within one another. His eyes turned back to Hoyoung's emerald eyes, finding embers of glowing lights inside. A pair of arms reached over to meet with Hoyoung's waist, being embraced inside a hold. Their faces slowly inched closer, a thread pulling them mechanically until they could feel each other's flushed breaths against their lips.
A pair of lips parted to connect with Hoyoung's lips, their lips meeting and fitting with one another like a single piece. Dongheon pressed softly against Hoyoung's lips, feeling the smooth texture of his lips against his own. Each kiss that the couple shared reminded Dongheon of each detail of Hoyoung's lips, each crevice slightly curved as they pressed. The crevices of Hoyoung's lips would melt slowly into the kiss, slight trembles to the pressure felt.
The couples breaths were barley heard inside the room, the apartment only filled with silence and the slight beating of their racing hearts. Their arms were coiled around each other, the tips of their fingers filled with shyness as they roamed around each other's bodies as if looking for support. A hand was intertwining with strands of dark russet hair, fingers running through the long wisps of hair.
Hoyoung's hands rested over Dongheon's chest, fingers over the collar of his shirt, holding on to the soft fabric. His body grew closer to Dongheon's, feeling his warmth as a hand cupped his cheek. The warmth would then slowly fade, fading into coldness of winter as their lips separated from each other. Their breaths were quiet, doubt reaching Hoyoung as he saw Dongheon's timid stare as he turned his back on him with his hands reaching for something.
"Hoyoung-ah," Dongheon called out for him, a medium sized gift bag inside his hands, "Na seonmul kajyeowasseo."
I brought you a gift.
Hoyoung's eyes lit up, a smile extending over his lips as he sat up fully, legs crossed. His hands reached out for his long waited present and stuck his arms inside of the bag. He pulled out a light brown teddy bear, a necklace was wrapped around its neck. Hoyoung was quiet for a few seconds before proceeding to give Dongheon a gentle squeeze by hugging him, his bear toy in his free arm.
"Thank you, Dongheon. I promise to keep it safe." Hoyoung spoke into Dongheon's chest, fingers closing around Dongheon's arm.
Dongheon's fingers brushed away loose strands from Hoyoung's face, "Keep it safe as if it were me. That way we do each other a favor-since I'll be taking care of you only. You're too much to handle sometimes."
Hoyoung propped his chin over Dongheon's chest. "Can I take care of you sometimes too? I won't bother you, I promise."
Dongheon watched as Hoyoung lift a single pinky, light eyes blinking up at him in awe. Hoyoung's teddy bear dropped to the matress. Dongheon lowered Hoyoung until his head was resting on the pillows below him, Hoyoung felt a gentle pressure on the tip of his nose as Dongheon kissed him there, holding him hand tightly.
Dongheon was pulled forward slowly until he was laying next to his partner. Hoyoung's arms went around his body, pulling him towards his own chest. The older male shut his eyes, hearing Hoyoung's soft voice.
"Rest, I'll watch over you."
Dongheon's dimple peeked out as he joined foreheads with Hoyoung. He felt safest whenever he was with a partner like Hoyoung. Somewhere, deep inside his mind, he knew that Hoyoung was truly special to him.
______________
The parted haired male's thoughts had come to an abrupt stop when a knock on the door was heard. He turned to the noise and stood from the bed, his sneakers stepping over wood as he walked over to the entrance of the apartment to unlock the door. The door opened wide before Hoyoung, a younger brunette standing with a radiant smile was at the entrance.
"Hoyoung-ah, annyeong." The male's tired eyes seemed to shine despite the male's packed schedule.
"Gyehyeon-ah," Hoyoung invited Gyehyeon inside, watching him as the male took off his shoes at the first steps of the apartment.
"What brings you here?"
Gyehyeon smile widened, looking back at the male as he walked along side Hoyoung from changing his shoes into a pair of neutral colored slippers. "Am I not allowed to visit my best friend, now?"
"That's not what I meant." Hoyoung held his arm, his voice becoming quiet.
"I'm joking," Gyehyeon chuckled, a light hit coming to Hoyoung's shoulder. "I actually came here because I haven't seen you in a while."
"I wanted to see how you were."
Hoyoung led Gyehyeon deeper inside the apartment, letting him roam around the house he hadn't visited for quite some time. The apartment hadn't changed, everything in place from the way they were before. He could hear Gyehyeon's light steps, hearing him stumble into his bedroom and plopping on the bed with a sigh.
"I missed these days." Gyehyeon shut his eyes, his whole body sinking into the matress.
A pair of dark fern eyes opened to see a plush animal, a loose necklace around the neck. Gyehyeon turned to the teddy bear, staring at it with admiration with his hands reaching out for the toy. He started tossing it into the air in repeated motions, giggling each time the bear would fall into his hands.
"Gyehyeon, would you like something? Anything to eat or drink?" Hoyoung asked, leaning close to the bedroom door.
Gyehyeon's eyes were on Hoyoung, turning back and forth between the male and the bear. "How about we go out for a drink?"
"How does that sound?" Gyehyeon mimicked the hold of a shot cup with a single hand.
Hoyoung nodded, "Sounds good. Let's go."
"I'll be buying!" Hoyoung called as he exited the room to look for his car keys.
When Hoyoung left the room, the noise of metal breaking was heard inside his room. There was a sharp gasp heard, following by a soft hiss that only belonged to Gyehyeon who was inside his room. The male stopped his tracks, turning back to his room to inspect what the noise was. When he looked inside the room, he saw droplets of blood clinging on to a golden chain.
Gyehyeon was at the foot of the bed, staring at the stuffed animal with wide eyes, pulling his hand away. He was knelt down, eyes searching for the lost ring that had rolled away. The male's cheeks had grown hot, his hands lying flat on the floor and continuing to search for what had been lost.
"Hyung, mianhae." Gyehyeon held his head down, ashamed for having broken a valuable item.
"I'll pay for the damage I have caused. . . I shouldn't have been touching what isn't mine."
The male searched under the bed, finding a glint near his eyes that indicated that the golden band was there. His fingertips reached, touching the cold metal with his bleeding hand. He had his back towards Hoyoung, unable to see the darkening features of the male's contorting face. The male curled his fists at his sides, teeth bared out as he slowly approached Gyehyeon with open palms.
You're right, Gyehyeon.
Hoyoung's body inched closer to the male, watching him turn slowly to take him into his hold. His hands wrapped themselves around Gyehyeon's neck, pulling him up towards the bed. He forced Gyehyeon's body to the matress, trapping his lower body underneath his legs.
"Nuga nohante nae mulgoneul manjil gwolrireul jwosso?" Hoyoung growled, fighting against Gyehyeon's attempts to escape. Who gave you the right to touch what's mine?
You shouldn't have touched what's mine to begin with.
"Who told you that you could?!"
Hoyoung strangled the younger, hearing his heavy breathing growing inside the room. Gyehyeon's stifling breaths had slowly started to slow down, nails digging into the back of his hands. His legs kicking underneath, losing his strength as the oxygen he needed to breathe in was being taken away. He tossed and turned, groaning at the agonizing pain of Hoyoung's hands.
"G-Geumanhae. . . hyung." Gyehyeon choked, mustering all of his strength to drive his knee into Hoyoung's abdomen. "H-Hyung!"
Inside Gyehyeon's left palm was a golden ring, the ring that had broken off of the necklace. When he had been playing with the stuffed animal, the stuffed animal was about to fall on to the ground. By chance, Gyehyeon had caught it in mid-air but the necklace cut through his skin and broke the chain in the process. Now, the missing ring was inside Gyehyeon's hand, hot with a crimson substance.
Gyehyeon's eyes held tears, fear consuming his almond eyes. His body trembled inside Hoyoung's loosening grasp, hearing the male groan as the pain emerged from the pit of his stomach by the hit he had received. The younger questioned Hoyoung, unaware of the monstrous behavior he had deep inside. He was no longer sure if Hoyoung was truly what he was inside his eyes.
"H-Hoyoung. . ." Gyehyeon's managed to speak, voice throttled by the grasp. The older was now pressing harder than before.
"Ne gosi anin gol geunyang nomogage hal sun eopsso. . ."
I can't let you get away with what's not yours. . .
"Bae Hoyoung!" A shout was heard, footsteps ascending inside. A pair of arms trying to pull Hoyoung away from Gyehyeon.
"What do you think you're doing?!"
Hoyoung pushed the figure away, hands ripping away at Gyehyeon's throat. He grew reckless, not caring whether he heard Gyehyeon's dry coughs from the pressure of his own hands. The male's eyes were bewildered, pulling Gyehyeon closer towards his own body. His ears were filled with shouts, telling him to step away from Gyehyeon. But the male didn't stop, watching Gyehyeon struggling to find an escape.
"Hoyoung!" A last shout was heard again by the same voice, pushing Hoyoung's body down to the floor with a hard shove.
Hoyoung's gaze moved swiftly from the wooden planks of the floor to the two figures that were near his bed. He saw his partner, Dongheon, standing near Gyehyeon. There were voices inside his ears, but they were muffled and difficult to understand.
"Are you hurt, Jo gijanim?" Dongheon peered at the reporter, pulling him away from the bed. "What on earth happened here?"
Gyehyeon turned to Hoyoung, shaking his head. His eyes were empty, shuddered breaths being heard as his bleeding hand touched his bruising neck. "I-I should go. . ."
"No, you cannot leave. You have been hurt and there's no way I could leave you without being treated first."
"I-I-It's for the b-best. . . I'll pay for the damage I've c-caused." Gyehyeon staggered, keeping himself distanced from Hoyoung. His eyes were wide with horror, tears boiling inside his eyes.
"Jo gijanim. Jo gijanim!" Gyehyeon heard his name as he rushed to change shoes, tears streaming down his face as he stepped outside the house without a word.
Dongheon stood in front of the door, a stern expression washing over his face as he turned his heel to turn in direction of Hoyoung's room. He saw the male, who was still on the floor where he had fallen. The male observed the umber haired, shoulders shaking as sobs left his trembling lips. He held a hand to his chest, unable to face Dongheon's dark stare.
"How could you do this to the reporter? What did he do for you to act like this?" Dongheon pressed, kneeling towards Hoyoung, who's eyes were hidden.
"Tell me, Hoyoung. What did that innocent person do to you?!"
Hoyoung pulled himself away from Dongheon as a pair of hands held him by the shoulders. He held his sobs, eyes staring at his own hands. His eyes shook, seeing the smears of dry blood over his hands. Curling his fingers, he pulled his hands to his knees. The male's body jolted at each yell, his heart sinking as he felt Dongheon's eyes narrowing at the silence.
"Gyehyeon. . . he-" Hoyoung sighed, eyes dropping to a golden band that had rolled to his fingertips.
"What were you thinking?" Dongheon forced Hoyoung to look at him, cupping his wet cheeks.
"Hoyoung-ah, no geu saram goi jugil pponhaetjjana."
Hoyoung. . . you almost killed him.
Hoyoung's eyes jerked open, the muscles inside his chest tightening as he heard his partner's words. His ears lingered on the words, penetrating through him. Lips had parted, a breath caught inside as he tried to speak. "I-I didn't want to hurt him."
"Nan jajeryogeul irosso."
I lost control.
"Is that even an answer to justify your behavior towards the reporter? You should apologize, whether it is your fault or his." Dongheon's hands dropped to Hoyoung's shoulders.
"Apologize, Hoyoung."
Hoyoung dropped his head down, chewing on his lip. He didn't want to apologize, feeling as if he had broken a promise for leaving a loved possession in the hands of someone else. But he lifted his head, hands reluctant as he tried to reach for Dongheon.
"Gyehyeon broke the necklace you had gifted me. . . it was an accident. But I feel as if it were my fault, for letting him touch something special to us." Hoyoung explained, fingers coming to Dongheon's wrists.
"You don't understand, do you?" The male noticed that Dongheon's eyes had remained the same.
Hoyoung's eyes flicked to each cold movement of Dongheon's eyes. He wouldn't understand, would he? Hoyoung's fingers pressed on Dongheon's wrists, his heart aching profoundly in his chest.
"Hoyoung, I won't be able to understand you unless if you tell me what's going on. I'm sorry if it's my fault for not staying with you often, but, we both have jobs that hold us back." Dongheon leaned in closer, searching for an answer inside of Hoyoung's resentful eyes.
Hoyoung's eyebrows furrowed, eyes becoming teary again. "Am I a bad person for what I did? You told me once that you can't trust people like that . . . does that mean you hate me?"
Dongheon's lips parted to speak, instead of answering the question, he lift Hoyoung off the cold wooden floor. His arms scooped Hoyoung up, carrying him until he rest him gently on his bed. Dongheon's heart beat softly as he felt Hoyoung's fingers take a bunch of his shift, holding onto him tightly.
"Hoyoung, let go." Dongheon knelt down beside Hoyoung's bed, raising an arm to stroke his partner's head, pressing him towards the pillows underneath him.
Hoyoung's hand soon released Dongheon's shirt, eyes closing. Streams of tears came down his hot cheeks, covering his face with his hands as he sobbed quietly. Dongheon sighed, running a hand through his hair as he watched Hoyoung turn away from him.
He won't want to talk to me again, I was too harsh with him, Dongheon thought, taking a seat at the edge of the bed. His eyes focused on Hoyoung's hands, they were marked with a mixture of dry blood and tears. He got up and retrieved a small wet cloth, returning to his spot. Dongheon was truly careful, taking Hoyoung's hands into his fairly gentle ones and cleaned off off the blood that stained his palms.
Hoyoung's eyes wouldn't meet Dongheon's for single moment. His breaths shaky as he held back his many complaints. His head was lowered, strands of his hair barely grazing Dongheon's neck as Hoyoung propped himself even closer to Dongheon's body for comfort.
A slow movement was made, making Hoyoung lift his head. Dongheon's fingers were underneath his chin, wiping away any mark that had stained his face. Their gazes were locked to each other, staying in silence until the younger male was slowly drifting off to sleep.
Dongheon closed his eyes, pressing pressing a tender kiss on Hoyoung's forehead as he slept quietly. "I can't hate you. Trust is a weakness to me, I trust you too much to think you're a bad person."
Parting away, Dongheon began to walk away from Hoyoung's bedroom, his foot kicking a stuffed animal. He bent down and pulled up Hoyoung's teddy bear. Blood dotted its fluffy face, the side of the bear had been torn. Dongheon placed the toy on a chair, leaving a note on it as he turned to check the window for rain. The sky was completely fading into darkness as was Hoyoung's apartment.
A quiet buzzing echoed inside of the home. Dongheon preceeded to pull out his phone, the screen's lighting bathing his face with a soft glow. The caller id read: 민찬.
_____________
location;
YEOUIDO SAETGANG BRIDGE
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
Thunderous clouds emerged from the sky, light protruding form the foamy grey clouds as they moved farther into Seoul. Rain would putter across the streets, diving into the neighborhood of Seoul and even the center of the city where Dongheon was inside of. He walked on large puddles of water, hair wet by the rain as he started to quicken his pace. The call he had received belonged to someone he had known for years, their families tied together from a cold case that had reached the entirety of Korea.
Dongheon's eyes met with the newly constructed bridge that was settled in Seoul's neighborhood, Yeouido. Fog enveloped the structure, surrounding Dongheon inside as he continued to run until his legs grew tired. His steps slowly began to loosen the pace, walking swiftly to see a figure standing at one of the sides of the bridge, a black umbrella inside his hand. He looked at the male, seeing a police identification card over his neck. 홍민찬.
Hong Minchan.
"It's been a while, has it not?" A low voice spoke, a small smile perking on his lips.
"Why did you call?" Dongheon asked, his breath visible by clouds of white.
Minchan's smile fell, gaze lowering to a brief case he held at his side. He opened the brief case, heart sinking into a pit inside his stomach that caused him to grimace slightly. Inside his hand were two files, both entitled as "cold cases". They were marked in red, Minchan's eyes on the files as he offered them to Dongheon.
"Seo Hyejin. She belongs to a cold case not too long ago." Minchan said, eyes turning to look at Dongheon.
Seo Hyejin. Dongheon's eyes met with Minchan's, eyes narrowing as he heard the name. He started to shake his head, a gasp leaving his mouth as he took a step back. "W-What about that case?"
Minchan handed the files over into Dongheon's hands, telling him to look for himself. As he watched Dongheon page through the files, he explained his reasoning behind which he called him over.
"I believe that Hyejin's case is connected with another case. Yoo Kangmin's case." Minchan affirmed, his voice coming with a slight tremble.
"There's something about these two cases that are similar. . . the locations where they were last seen is the same. But the strange thing is. . . that they haven't been found yet."
"Seo Hyejin and Yoo Kangmin. . . I believe that they are both victims of the same culprit." Minchan entrusted his words on Dongheon, hoping that he would believe his words.
Dongheon scoffed, stepping closer to Minchan. He couldn't believe a word that came from Minchan's mouth, thinking it was absurd to be comparing two different cases. His eyes burned, burning with a wrath that was consuming his every move until he swung a fist at Minchan.
"Similar? How can you say that these two cases are related?" Dongheon snapped, his voice gruff as he pulled Minchan closer. "Hyejin-ssi sagone gwanyohaji maseyo. . . geunyoe daehae amugottto moreujanayo."
Stay out of Hyejin's case. . . you know nothing about her.
"Dongheon–" Another punch was thrown, causing Minchan to step backward. He lost balance on both feet, falling to the wet concrete floor.
"I told you to stay out it!" Dongheon yelled, his empty stare causing fear inside Minchan. "I don't think I'll be able to trust a mere investigator like you."
"You're just like your father. . ."
Dongheon kneeled at Minchan's feet, the rain pouring harder than before. "You and your father compare cases as if they were the same. But they aren't. . . and as for Kangmin's case. . I wonder why you're so caught up with trying to find the culprit."
"There's so many other cases that are happening. . . but instead you're working on a cold case that hasn't been solved yet for the past year!"
The male dropped the files on to the wet pavement, not caring about destroying documents that were important to two cold cases. "Dangsineun igijogieyo."
You're selfish.
Minchan's eyes grew enlarged, ears filled with Dongheon's words. He pulled himself up from the floor, staring heavily at the male. A hand took the files, tearing slightly at his hold. The male was inching closer to Dongheon when he heard his name being called.
"Minchan-ssi!" A blonde male ran, coming between Minchan and Dongheon.
The blonde investigator held Minchan back, forcing himself to pull the male's tall body away. "It's not worth it. . ."
"There's no reason to fight." Yongseung tried to settle the situation, hearing the scuffing of Minchan's shoes.
Minchan shoved Yongseung, walking away with a chide of annoyance. He walked away, a fury blazing inside his chest as he walked farther away from the bridge to reach land. His eyes were on the files, tears filling inside his light eyes. "What am I supposed to do, now?"
The ink haired male turned back to the one figure that stood still on the Yeouido bridge, wondering the sudden anger that had occurred within. His eyes searched, watching the male leave the bridge at a different direction. Minchan felt the urge to follow, but he couldn't. He was now holding two cases inside his hands, no direction in which to go to solve two cold cases that were believed to be done by one person.
If merciless justice exists, then I am willing to yield by it.