Chapter Text
It was the middle of the night and the grand mansion was bathed in nothing but the dim moonlight, further dulling down as it filtered through the thick clouds.
“It looks like it could snow soon.” Daehwi said, drawing his knees in to hug them to his chest as he sat at the ledge of his window, curtains pulled back so he could stare at the stars that dared to shine bright enough to be seen from behind the grey fog.
The nineteen year old drew in a sharp breath, allowing it to fill his lungs, keeping it in for a moment and letting it out as soon as he had inhaled, letting it condense against the cool glass before resting his forehead against the steam. It was especially hard on nights like these. But who was he kidding, it was always hard.
The Lee mansion was always buzzing with life, if you call servants rushing here and there to prepare the house for breakfast life then sure, the Lee mansion was always buzzing with life. Daehwi combed back his fringe, setting it on his forehead in a teased comma before setting it in place. He liked to make his hair first thing in the morning; it gave him false hope of having ever thing under control. After dressing himself appropriately, the young master made his way downstairs. Nodding at the servants when they greeted him, Daehwi entered the dining room only to find it empty.
“Ah, young master, good thing you’re awake.” Ms. Jung, the head butler greeted him. She carried in the morning newspaper and set it down next to his plate, the only plate on the table.
“Where are mother and father?” He inquired, taking his seat, not quite phased anymore by his parent’s absence.
“Your father had to make an emergency business trip to Japan and you know how Mistress is, she couldn’t give up the opportunity to go shopping.” Ms. Jung patted his head affectionately as she sat down in the chair next to him. “You have ballet class today, right? I had your clothes pressed and hung in your closet.” She said before remembering an important task and hurrying out to go complete it.
Ms. Jung had been part of the family for as long as Daehwi could remember. More of a mother than his own, Ms. Jung had been there to catch him when he stumbled on his first step, the one to cheer for him at his first recital, the only one to feed him seaweed soup on his birthday and decorate his entire room with balloons and banners when he turned sixteen. For as long as Daehwi could remember, Ms. Jung had been family and her presence made the cold mansion more of a home for him.
When he returned home from class, his parents were already home. They sat in the living room, glasses of champagne set on the coffee table and a plate of macrons between them.
“Daehwi-ya,” His mother jumped off the couch upon seeing him, skipping towards him and enveloping him in a hug. “I got you the best cashmere sweater!” She squealed, gushing about her shopping spree and pulling him down on the couch with her. He bowed at his father receiving a fond smile in return.
Daehwi’s parents weren’t cruel, they didn’t despise him or treat him as a burden, they were just busy and Daehwi understood that. He was never one to complain. Well… not unless someone messed up his things, that’s when all hell broke loose.
The next morning, shrill scream echoed around the silent corridors and seconds later the entire cleaning staff was assembled in the grand hall.
“Daehwi, let’s let it go, okay?” Ms. Jung tried to intervene, trying to pry the piece of cloth out of Daehwi’s hands. However, it wasn’t that easy. Daehwi raised a hand, indicating her to step back and took a step forward himself. He addressed the crowd in front of him.
“I’ll ask for the last time and if none of you answer, I’ll get the shirt scanned for finger prints. WHO WAS IT?” He raised his voice, making the girls in front of him squirm. When he received nothing but silence in reply, he drew in a sharp breath letting it out with a sigh.
“Fine,” He said crossing his arms over his chest and flicking his bangs out of his eyes. “You’re all fired.”
“Young master,” Ms Jung stammered. “You can’t just-“
She was cut off when one of the girls sobbed out.
“It was me.” She choked back on her words. “I didn’t see it when I was loading the washing machine, I’m sorry ple-“
“I know it was you. It had your cheap lavender scent all over it.” Daehwi smirked, tossing the shirt to the girl. “You’re fired. Rest of you, get to work or leave along with her.”
As he casually strutted back to his room, a frustrated Ms. Jung followed behind him.
“If you keep firing my employees like this, pretty soon I’ll be the one wiping down the house and doing the dishes and laundry.”
“Hire better staff then,” Daehwi said, shrugging casually and entering his room, leaving the door open for Ms. Jung. “That was my favourite shirt.” He said, pouting as he plopped down on his bed.
“You have thousands of the same one, Daehwi.” She chided as she went around the room straightening things.
“Yes,” He pondered. “But that was my favourite one out of all of those.”
Even though he was a handful sometimes, Ms. Jung couldn’t help but smile at his cuteness at times. No matter how much the young master denied it, he was adorable but maybe that was just the mother in her talking.
“Yah!” Woojin felt it before he heard it. A harsh slam against his shoulder followed by another one and then a loud whine, “We waited for you for two hours! What the hell man?”
Ah… Youngmin’s whining was all he needed after spending quality time with Mr. Joon in detention. Woojin brushed the older off of his shoulder, and re-adjusted his backpack.
“Just because you two are in college now doesn’t mean I get a free pass out of detention.” He whined as well, eyebrows furrowed in attempt to reduce his increasing headache.
“Well, hurry up and graduate then.” Donghyun spoke from his right, looping an arm around his neck and ruffling his hair.
The trio walked down the streets, the setting sun behind them, talking about how much fun it would be if Woojin, too could quickly make it to university. It wasn’t that easy though, exams were just around the corner and the young red head would have to do more than just study to get by.
Woojin bid goodbye to his friends, both walking only five more steps to get home, before walking into his own. The three had been neighbours ever since Woojin’s family moved in when he was five. Youngmin’s family owned the house to his right and Donghyun, Youngmin’s best friend lived right across the street. At first, it had been tough for Woojin to make friends on the street and it got worse as he started school.
He was a shy kid and people mistook it for him being cold, thus no one ever approached him for him to open up. One day, when his mother encouraged him to head out to play with the other kids, he fell and scraped his knee. He didn’t cry but it did hurt, before he could run back home, a hand clasped around his wrist.
“Are you okay?” The boy asked, his raven hair falling over his forehead and his eyes shining from underneath.
Woojin nodded.
“Oh,” The boy beside the raven haired one spoke, “It’s bleeding.”
Woojin looked down at his knee, bending it slightly to get a better look. He hissed when it stung.
“Come on.” The older boy pulled him along in the opposite direction. “Donghyunie here is great at fixing things.” He announced as the boy following behind, Donghyun, puffed his chest out in pride.
That was the first day they met, who would have thought they would be joint at the hip afterwards. The older boys opened up first, tagging Woojin along with them wherever they went and soon it became a habit. They molded together into the perfect example of best friends and even after Youngmin and Donghyun had to leave for college, they stayed in touch, sharing each and every detail of each other’s life.
“Mom, I’m home.” Woojin called out, directly making his way to the kitchen to greet the only woman in his life. Well, the only woman he actually loved.
Woojin stopped in his tracks when he saw a man dressed in black seated on the dining table. His mother was laughing when he crossed the threshold and Woojin knew…
“Dad?” He called out, said man turned around to face him.
“Dad!” Woojin rushed forward, lunging into his father’s embrace.
“I missed you too, boy.” The man chuckled, patting his back and then pulling back to take a look at him.
“Ah,” He let out a sigh. “Our boy is all grown up.”
“Are you home for longer this time?” He asked, eyes laced with longing,
His dad shook his head, a frown forming on his lips.
“I’m sorry buddy… but,” He reached for a bag on the chair next to his, “I just got back from Japan and I got you something.” He urged Woojin to take the bag.
Woojin smiled down at the bag in his hands, getting giddy with excitement and quickly searching through it. A gasp escaped his lips and he clasped his hand over his mouth in shock.
“You didn’t-“He whispered, eyes wide with disbelief. When all his dad did was nod, he carefully set the bag down and lunged forward once again. “Thank you thank you thank you oh my God you’re the best dad ever!” He chanted, proceeding to kiss his old man on the cheek. He giggled, prying Woojin’s hands off of his neck and patting his shoulder.
“It’s alright. I’m glad you love it.”
After his dad left and dinner was over, Woojin lay in bed, the iron man action figure clutched in his hand as he admired each every one of its parts and details.
“I have another surprise for you but I’ll tell you what it is after your exams are over.” His dad had said before heading out. Woojin was excited, scratch that, Woojin was ecstatic. It was rare seeing his dad other than on holidays and it was little moments like this he cherished the most.
The door to his room squeaked open and a small head poked in, pulling him out of his daydream. Woojin lifted his head off the pillow to see who it was.
“Oppa…”
“Can’t sleep?” He asked, a fond smile playing on his lips.
His sister threw open the door completely, pulling her lips between her teeth and shaking her head. Woojin chuckled, carefully placing the action figure on his night stand before shifting a little and pulling off the covers.
“Come on.” He said and Yireum quickly shuffled into the room, jumping up on bed and hugging her brother.
“Thanks.” She whispered before slowly making herself comfortable. “Won’t happen again”
“You said that the last time.” Woojin chided receiving a smack to the head in return.
Before he could whine about being the older sibling and having no respect in the house, Yireum’s soft snores filled the room and his annoyed façade quickly melted, replaced by a soft smile as he patted his sister’s head to sleep quickly drifting off himself.