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The first time Baam discussed Khun Aguero Agnis and Khun Ran’s close relationship with Leesoo was a very mild event. Leesoo has to wrack his brain to remember the conversation, it wasn’t anything spectacularly memorable to Leesoo. After all, as the father figure, he consoles all his children and helps them wade through their thoughts.
Anaak has told him that despite his initial impression, he was very caring and that she enjoys having that extra attention. She was also drunk. Hatsu still calls him an old man but will let Leesoo cling onto him and Hatsu always goes to Leesoo for advice for the smallest things. It gives Leesoo a confidence boost, that what he is doing is the right thing.
Little did he know, that perhaps what started off as a very simple conversation with Baam could lead to many, many other awkward conversations, and perhaps information about Khun Aguero Agnis he did not need to know about.
One
“Khun?” Leesoo is all smiles as he looks at Baam whose frown looks like it’ll leave permanent changes on his face.
Baam nods, “Specifically, his younger brother, Khun Ran-goon,” Baam clarifies, “his presence is always there.”
“Isn’t that because you’re always with Khun?” Leesoo tries to be gentle with his tone.
Baam looks at Leesoo in confusion, “How does that affect Ran?” After all, Baam has pretty much always been with Aguero.
A flash of pity crosses Leesoo’s face before he explains, “Because Ran is clingy with Khun… as well.”
Baam hums as he processes the information given to him. It makes sense.
“Ran refers to Khun as our A.A.” Leesoo points out, just in case Baam hasn’t ever noticed, “sometimes, my A.A.” But judging from Baam’s lack of change in expression, he definitely has noticed. It isn’t hard to notice when someone affectionately refers to their ice prince. Though it is surprising that the person closest to Khun Aguero Agnis still refers to him as Khun-ssi. Leesoo wonders if that’s what Baam calls Khun in private as well, He must admit that occasionally he will hear Baam drop the honorific, but it really wasn’t all that common, usually it was in a very dire situation.
Leesoo looks at the being who is still calling Khun Khun-ssi, and mentally sighs. He wonders when, or if, things will ever change. At least Baam calls Khun with all the fondness in the world.
“A.A.,” Baam presses his lips together as he taps his chin, “Khun-ssi is really, really well loved.” Baam concludes.
Leesoo nods in agreement, “We all love him.” He gently nudges Baam’s shoulder, “And we all love you too.”
Baam relaxes a little, his face slowly turning more human. “Ran-goon seems to really love Khun-ssi.”
“They’re brothers,” Leesoo states immediately as an inkling feeling of what might be going through Baam’s head knocks on his head, “and only brothers.”
Leesoo wonders if he should talk about family with Baam. Baam who has no siblings and is an orphan might have some very complicated feelings in regards to such a seemingly simple topic. In comparison, Khun comes from a large family, with more step-mothers than the stars, a father who is never really there and siblings who are out there to make you fail at life when their sticky fingers aren’t intertwining with your life and dictating your actions, it also isn’t what one would consider the average family.
Baam adjusts his school bag on his shoulders as he waits for Aguero outside of one of the many Khun households, this one is a mansion and one of the guards at the door occasionally glances at Baam to ensure he isn’t doing anything that can be regarded as suspicious.
A maid comes out with a silver platter and pancakes under the cloche for Baam. She is polite as she offers it to Baam but Baam shakes his head and refuses the breakfast. It’s the same every morning before school. The Khun house will invite him in for breakfast, and he will refuse. The Khun house will offer him breakfast when Baam refuses to enter the house and Baam will refuse. After all, Baam is just waiting for Aguero. Nothing else.
When Aguero eventually emerges from the mansion with his hair beautifully styled and a bandanna neatly peeking out from the left, Baam’s face lights up in a smile. “Khun-ssi,” Baam greets happily.
“Baam,” Aguero returns the smile. It’s so beautiful, Baam almost misses Ran who is barely awake as he holds onto Aguero’s sleeve, as though he has all intentions to follow Aguero to the end of the world.
Just like Baam. He supposes that this will be a three-person journey, not two.
Baam reaches out to hold onto Aguero’s other hand, he squeezes tightly once and leaves the hold firm.
If Aguero is surprised, he doesn’t show it, and only give Baam a wider smile as he squeezes back.
To Baam, this is perfect.
Until Ran’s fist connects with Baam’s face, leaving him with a bloody nose and Ran’s blue eyes suddenly look dark and stormy. He most definitely did not look sleepy.
Two
“Wow!” Leesoo is flustered as he waves his hands around at the sight of Baam who is sporting a black eye, “Baam!? What happened to you?” Leesoo already is plotting how to avenge his friend, he just hopes Khun doesn’t get to them first.
Baam sighs and covers his eye, “Ran-goon,” is all Baam says.
“Ah, don’t worry too much,” Leesoo encourages Baam and feels relief flooding in him, “when Ran discovered what I saved Khun’s ID as on my phone, he threw a fit and basically gave me a beating.” Good times.
Baam cringes, wondering how Leesoo can talk about that memory so fondly. “What do you save Khun-ssi’s ID as?”
Leesoo gives Baam a wide, wide smile, he takes out his phone and scrolls through his contacts, “Just to clarify, we’re just close friends. Ran didn’t even let me clarify before he beat me up, that rascal.”
Now Baam is worried. He looks at the Leesoo’s screen and an immense emotion of something rushes through him.
Khun My Love
Baam swallows thickly and his fists are tight, he immediately tries to control his breathing and reminds himself that Leesoo professes his love to all of them. He reminds himself that Leesoo doesn’t love Aguero the way he does, or the way Ran does. He reminds himself over and over again. By the time he is calm again, Leesoo is sitting far from him, eyes alert and slightly trembling.
“You good, Baam?” Leesoo asked.
Nodding once, Baam clears his throat, “Yes,” he croaks out, “I can understand why Ran beat you up.” If Leesoo had known that Baam would react to negatively to that ID name, then why did Leesoo show him in the first place?
“Eh.” Leesoo makes a pitiful face as he scoots back towards Baam and whines, “What do you mean?”
“Ran tried to beat me up when I held Khun-ssi’s hand this morning.” Baam confesses.
“Ah~” Leesoo can understand that, “Did Khun stop him?”
Baam shook his head, “It was just the one punch, he was lightning quick, we think it’s a reflex.” Baam lets out a quiet sigh.
“Oh”, Leesoo reorganises his thoughts. Perhaps this is more troublesome than he thought.
“Khun-ssi is talking to Ran-goon now,” Baam tilts his head back and looks towards the ceiling, he raises one hand to look at the hand he used to hold Aguero’s hand, it still feels warm and tingles. It’s a good feeling. He’s even tempted to think those two seconds of comfort and warmth is most definitely worth the bloody nose and the black eye.
Leesoo hums and nods to show that he’s listening. But wait, why did Khun never talk to Ran when Leesoo was the one who got beat up!?
“Hold on,” Leesoo pauses his thoughts and rewinds, there was something he had missed, “Baam, why were you holding Khun’s hand?”
Baam immediately fidgets as he looks at his hands playing in his lap, there is a rush of red from his neck to the tip of his ears and Leesoo swears he can see steam coming out of Baam’s ears.
Leesoo knows the answer, there isn’t anyone who knows Baam and Khun who would not know the answer to this question.
“Well, I,” Baam mumbles and is rather incoherent. Leesoo is patient and waits for Baam to tell him, if he’s ever ready to.
Baam clears his throat and sits up straight, he turns his head to look at Leesoo and then declares, “I really, really like Khun-ssi.”
Leesoo sucks in a deep breath, his eyes shining with unshed tears and his lips curved into a big smile.
“I love him,” Baam says in a quieter voice, “not like how you love Khun-ssi, not like how Ran loves Khun-ssi.” Baam’s eyes don’t waver, he shows confidence, “I want to hold him and spend the rest of my life with him, this is what people call romantic love, right?”
Leesoo is brimming with pride, Baam has grown up so much, he can even dissect his own thoughts and emotions and label them now, Leesoo is so, so proud as he nods furiously. “I wish I could’ve seen Khun’s reaction when you told him!” Leesoo imagines Khun must’ve been shocked, touched and relieved to know that their feelings are mutual.
“Actually, I haven’t told Khun-ssi yet,” Baam says sheepishly, lightly scratching his cheek, his demeanour suddenly meek.
Leesoo’s smile drops, “Oh, that’s why Ran punched you.”
Baam bites his lips and nods. The share an understanding look and Leesoo knows that Baam understands that he had skipped a step. Though Leesoo wants to argue that friends hold each other’s hands all the time. But not Baam. Not Khun.
“Baam!” Aguero calls out as he walks up to Baam and gives Leesoo a confused glance.
“Khun-ssi!” Baam stands up immediately, hands on his side and Leesoo can feel the nervousness radiating out of Baam. He’s sure Khun can too and that’s why he’s giving him strange looks.
Leesoo holds up both hands and shakes his head, he’s innocent in all of this.
Ran pops up from behind Aguero and looks at Baam. “You have a black eye.” Ran states.
Leesoo mentally face palms. That isn’t an apology. Perhaps it’s Ran who really needs the hardcore counselling and guidance. Not Baam. Or maybe they can have join counselling session with Leesoo, they’re both far too obsessed and possessive with Khun for everyone else’s good. He’d also never thought he’d actually see Baam sporting a black eye and a red face as he confesses his undying love for Khun. Leesoo peeks at Ran to see the other staring intensely at Baam, as though he wanted nothing more than for Baam to be pulverised. Leesoo will only learn later that Ran simply thinks no one is good enough for his A.A., but Baam is the closest to someone Ran can accept.
Three
“So, what happened this time?”
“Ran-goon, he, well, he’s always with Khun-ssi,” Baam fidgets nervously, “all day, every day.”
“Do you feel like you’re losing your position to him?” Leesoo makes a not-quite-haphazard guess.
Baam shakes his head again, “I know I can’t be replaced, to Khun-ssi.”
Leesoo lets out a low whistle, “That’s some confidence,” and he has to agree, anyone who has ever been in their presence will know so, “so what’s the problem?”
Baam bites his bottom lips and he’s fidgety and Leesoo can see the other gathering his thoughts coherently before he speaks. He’s hasn’t seen Baam so nervous in a long, long time. Even when they first met, Baam was meek and quiet, but he was determined and knew what he wanted. So, whatever is chewing up Baam’s thoughts now must be a situation beyond what Leesoo can even deduce.
And the fact that Baam can’t go to Aguero for this is a constant reminder that if Leesoo doesn’t handle this carefully, he will die at Aguero’s hands. Or at his obsessive little brother’s hands. Or one of his crazy siblings’ hands.
Oh. Something clicks in Leesoo’s head, finally. It might look hard to spot to begin with, given how obsessive Aguero is with Baam and how possessive Baam is with Aguero. But Khun Ran? Yeah, he’s both obsessive and possessive with his A.A. as he likes to put it. Perhaps that is finally eating at Baam.
Leesoo really doubts Baam will make Aguero choose between himself and Ran. But, well, Ran? Leesoo can definitely see Ran making Aguero choose between himself and Baam. He is after all, part of the Khun family which automatically means he’s a (lazy, but) dangerous monster.
Both Baam and Ran will argue that Aguero is adorable in every sense. But Leesoo knows better, he’s been the victim of Aguero’s wrath one too many times. (Leesoo knows Rak will agree with him.)
“I want to kiss Khun-ssi,” Baam seemingly drops the bomb from nowhere.
Leesoo closes his eyes and then opens them very slowly, here it is, a part of him feared this discussion with Baam. Perhaps it’s because Khun is the one who Baam wants to smooch. He gets it, it must be hard to kiss Khun when his (barely) younger brother is always there, watching. Leesoo really starts thinking that he needs to have a talk with Khun Ran. Kind of hard when Khun Aguero Agnis is always within earshot.
“Have you tried?” Leesoo asks Baam.
Baam nods, “But I never make it, Ran-goon is always watching.” Baam’s shoulders drop as he continues to confide in Leesoo, “I really like it when Khun-ssi holds my hand and then pecks my cheek.”
Leesoo tried to not choke on his own saliva. He failed. He also really wants to see that play out in front of him. If only there’s a way to do so without his imminent death.
“I want to kiss Khun-ssi too, I want to initiate it,” Baam laments, “when I try, Ran-goon becomes exceptionally good at blocking my advances. I’ve kissed Ran-goon’s hand more than I want.”
Leesoo purses his lips together. He feels bad for Baam. But the situation is also hilarious. “Have you talked to Ran about this?” This seems to be a safe first step to avoiding conflict. Leesoo remembers Baam’s only black eye and thinks it might be too late?
“Ran-goon never leaves Khun-ssi’s side,” Baam says with a tone as though there is nothing left in this world, “even when I want to talk to him, Khun-ssi is there, so when I have talked about it with Ran-goon, Ran-goon just tells Khun-ssi that I’m feeling lonely and jealous so Khun-ssi will hold my hand and kiss my cheek…”
Leesoo hums, love advice is not his expertise, but he will try his best to help his friends. Though, Ran sticking close to his closest brother, physically and mentally isn’t really anything new, it does seem a tad awkward when Ran is kind of, well, third-wheeling. Leesoo really wants to ask Khun what he thinks of all this. And he would, but now that he really puts his mind to it, Baam is right, there is no chance to talk to Khun Aguero Agnis without Khun Ran there as well.
Afterall, this isn’t a ‘Date Khun Aguero Agnis and you get a bonus of Khun Ran’ situation, right? Because it sure seems like it is.
Leesoo will later discover that Khun Ran was just very keen on protecting his brother’s purity (Leesoo received a punch in the face, from Ran, when he questions Khun Aguero Agnis’ purity) and he’s acting as the best chaperone he can, to ensure that if anything does happen, Baam will die a painful death. Leesoo can only force himself to laugh when Khun Aguero Agnis hits Khun Ran’s head lightly at that comment. (“Is it not bothersome?” Leesoo would ask Ran, Ran would nod his head and Leesoo would interpret that as just how much Ran loves his brother.) Leesoo hopes that this conversation he has had with both Khuns will help lighten some of Baam’s concerns. He did put his life on the line after all. (When Leesoo questions Ran why it’s ok for his brother to kiss Baam but not okay for Baam to kiss his brother, Ran answers with “I can’t stop A.A. from doing what he wants.” And that seemed to open Leesoo’s eyes.)
Baam is all courage when he puts his desires into words first. He’s not the one who’s good with words, Aguero is. But, if he wants to kiss Aguero, then, it seems he will have to tell the other so, let Aguero know what he wants so that Aguero can want it too, that way, Ran won’t be shoving a hand and a foot in between them.
“I want to kiss you,” Baam says as they sit on a park bench, Aguero in-between Ran and Baam.
Immediately, Ran looks awake.
Aguero is flustered and Baam’s heart soars at how adorable the other looks when he is feeling out of his comfort zone. It’s not good for his or Aguero’s heart, he’s sure. And also not very good for Ran either.
Baam takes one of Aguero’s hands and pretends he can’t see Ran inch even closer to his A.A., though even if Baam could not see it, he most definitely could feel it. “I want to kiss your fingers, do you want that too?”
Aguero swallows thickly and Baam wants to watch the way Aguero’s Adam’s apple bobs, but he is too enticed with Aguero’s beautiful eyes which encompasses all the hues of blue, vibrant and soft, how is it possible to be so beautiful? Baam knows Aguero is very flustered when he can barely speak and just nods. A small nod, but still a nod.
“Thank you,” Baam smiles before he lifts Aguero’s hand to his lips and he looks down at those slender and pale fingers, blemish free, skin as white as snow and as soft as a feather. Baam’s heart bursts open with all the happiness as he presses his lips against Aguero’s fingers, one at a time, five in total for the hand, and Ran doesn’t stop him. He only watches.
Kind of like a guardian angel.
Except Aguero is the angel in this case and every case. Then what would that make Ran? Baam is confused and files that question to ask Leesoo next time.
Four
“So, there was progress”, Leesoo states as he picks at his casserole before his next class.
Baam nods enthusiastically.
“And now you want to kiss Khun on a different body part…?” Leesoo states as a summary after listening to Baam.
“Yes.” Baam is very serious as he nurses his cup of long black coffee. A peculiar choice of drink, but nothing about Baam is seemingly normal. Except, his appearance. Baam sure looks normal. But Leesoo knows much better now that Baam’s appearance is just as it is, an appearance.
Leesoo sits back in his chair and then crosses his arms and closes his eyes for a few seconds before opening them again. “You can’t use the same tactic?” Leesoo asks, “Tell Khun what you’d like to do, get his approval which means Ran won’t be able to say or do anything about it?” It sure seemed like it worked, and according to Baam as well.
Baam gives Leesoo a wry smile before he answers, “Khun is shy.”
Blinking rapidly, Leesoo wishes he had cleaned his ears free of earwax earlier that morning so that he could hear Baam drop the honorifics more soundly. It’s not the first time Baam has dropped honorifics when referring to Aguero, but it still feels so fresh that to Leesoo, each time of late, seems like the first.
And, he was so distracted, Leesoo didn’t even get to mull over the fact that the Khun Aguero Agnis is shy? What he’d give to see his son act all shy!
“Perhaps Khun just needs to be exposed to your love more.” Leesoo contemplates and mentally pats himself on the back for saying the right thing when he sees Baam’s eyes light up in sparkles, his back straightens as though he wanted nothing more but to continue to listen to what Leesoo has to say.
“Thank you, Leesoo-ssi!” Baam’s enthusiasm rings throughout the university cafeteria.
“No worries!” Leesoo sits up proudly and gently taps his chest with a loose fist.
Leesoo buries his face in his hands as he watches Aguero parade around campus with Ran attached on one of Aguero’s arms and Baam on the other. He can barely watch as Baam continues to openly shower Aguero in kisses. They look so happy that Leesoo feels like he’s intruding on something extremely private. Leesoo had once thought (not even very long ago), that it would be brilliant to see the resident ice prince act all shy, and now that the campus has seen it for the nth day in a row, it’s too much. All Leesoo wants to do now is pull Baam aside and ask him to tone it down. He wonders how Ran does it.
Leesoo groans when he watches Baam successfully kiss Aguero on the lips for the 25th time that day. Yes, he was counting, and so is every other student in the vicinity. The frown Ran gives Baam is no joke. Leesoo does not miss the twitch in Ran’s hands as he has to physically restrain himself from socking Baam.
Five
Leesoo feels out of place with Khun Ran sitting in front of him in a private room of a 3 Michelin star restaurant. Is Ran going to ask for his kidneys or is he going to just take it? Leesoo keeps looking over his shoulder and at the door, knowing that Khun Aguero Agnis will walk in. Because why else would he be in the same room as Khun Ran? Their only connection is that sly fox.
“A.A. isn’t coming,” Ran says coolly as he stares at Leesoo
Turning his head around to look at Ran again, Leesoo convinces himself to stop re-evaluating the current situation for the nth time. Leesoo feels like he knows a lot about Khun Ran and Khun Aguero Agnis’ relationship, from observing himself and from the counselling he gives Baam. But now that he’s face to face with Khun Ran by himself, Leesoo feels his confidence waver.
He has no idea why he’s here with Ran.
“Should you not now be with Khun?” Leesoo decides to play it safe. The root of the problem must be Khun Aguero Agnis, otherwise they’d never meet, one-on-one.
Ran shakes his head, “A.A. went out of town to go see Maschenny-noona. Asensio-hyung is escorting him, plus, Viole is…,” Ran takes out his phone to open up google maps and check for Baam’s mobile phone location, “is not with A.A.”
Leesoo laughs dryly, thank heavens no one is stalking him through Google maps, or through any means in general. And from the peek Leesoo made, Ran was stalking many mobiles. “Right.” Leesoo hopes his voice sounds convincing. He’s also not going to question why Ran doesn’t refer to Baam as hyung, though he supposes he doesn’t refer to Aguero as hyung either, it kind of makes sense.
“So, I took this chance to come talk to you,” Ran continues. And Leesoo really honestly thought that Ran was the type to not really talk, though that might be because Aguero does all the talking. He will have to re-evaluate all this. Leesoo looks at Ran and all he sees is an obsessed younger brother whose favourite food is strawberry yoghurt, and maybe second favourite is the strawberry parfait he’s taking apart now.
“Alright, shoot”, Leesoo decides that he will have to listen to what Ran has to say. Perhaps he should find a time to ambush Aguero himself and see what kind of logic the great and all mighty Khun Aguero Agnis follows, surely someone like him doesn’t enjoy having his brother hang off his back all the time. Though if even Baam can’t get alone time with Aguero, Leesoo thinks his thoughts will remain as just a dream.
“Viole is hanging with A.A. a lot.” Ran states bluntly.
Leesoo nods, of course. Logical. Factual. The truth.
“It’s becoming increasingly difficult for me to stop Viole’s advances.” Ran confesses.
“Wait.” Leesoo blinks slowly and then repeats Ran’s words, “stop Baam’s advances?” Hold on.
Ran nods as though it’s the most normal thing for him to do. “As A.A.’s closest friend, I thought you might have some good ideas…” Ran trails off as though he’s rethinking his choices. Leesoo is also starting to rethink his choices in friends.
“No, but,” Leesoo shakes his head, “Baam and Khun are dating,” Leesoo emphasises, “they should be all lovey dovey, and have their own time and space.” Leesoo gives Ran a pointed look in which Ran deflects easily.
“Yes but no.” Ran shakes his head, “Maschenny-noona hasn’t accept Viole.”
“Yet.” Leesoo quickly taps on to the end of the sentence.
Ran makes a face, “A.A. is meeting her today to convince her.”
“Without Baam?” Leesoo finds that strange.
“Without him.” Ran says, “Maschenny-noona might kill him on the spot otherwise.”
Leesoo doubts the possibility of that since Aguero is so loyal to Baam… and he knows Ran knows that fact.
“And Maschenny-noona will kill me too if she learns that Aguero has lost his virginity to Viole.” Ran says seriously.
“Wait, what?” Leesoo looks at Ran with wide eyes, last he heard from Baam, the other was still trying to figure out how to kiss Aguero in front of Ran!? Have they already escalated so quickly to the next step? Leesoo needs a break to process this big news.
“That’s what Viole is planning, isn’t he?” Ran narrows his eyes and leans forwards towards Leesoo.
Leesoo instinctively leans back with his hands up and shakes his head, “How’d I know?”
“You’re one of their best friends,” Ran stresses, “you know everything.”
“I’m not Khun.” Leesoo shakes his head again and lowers his hand, “Baam hasn’t mentioned anything about deflowering your A.A..”
Ran hums and tilts his head as he observes Leesoo. “Well then, we need a plan to stop him before it becomes a reality.”
Leesoo sighs. He really doesn’t want in on this. “Plus,” Leesoo casually waves one arm around and feigns cockiness, “You’re always stuck by Khun’s side anyway, Baam won’t be able to get any action that way.”
“Oh”, Ran nodded, “you’re right.”
“Yeah.” Leesoo nods with a victorious smile.
Later, Leesoo will come to figure out that what transpired after was perhaps partly his responsibility.
Six
Leesoo looks up from his smartphone when Aguero pulls the chair opposite him and takes a seat, by himself, without any of his usual companions. Leesoo turns his head from side to side, eyes looking for Baam and Ran. But he doesn’t see them. “Where are Baam and Ran?” Leesoo asks.
Aguero rolls his eyes, “They’re off running errands for me.”
“Ah.” Leesoo interprets that as they’re both off competing to see who buys the best lunch for Aguero. “Makes sense.”
“Going to take my time and breathe until they return,” Aguero mutters with a small pout which Leesoo finds endearing.
“What? Can’t breathe with them both sandwiching you?” Leesoo taunts friendly.
“You would know,” Aguero says and that’s all Leesoo needs to know that Aguero knows that Baam and Ran have been bothering him.
“Khun, my love, you really do understand!” Leesoo exclaims loudly with a kissy face.
Aguero makes a disgusted face.
There are so many things Leesoo wants and needs to ask Aguero. It has felt like a long time since they two have had any one-on-one meetings. There’d be the occasional text message or group meetings, but when was the last time they had a chat, just like this? Despite the massive list of things Leesoo has lined up to ask Aguero, the one he ends up asking is: “Khun, there really isn’t anything going on between you and Ran, right?”
The expression Aguero makes is a mix of disgust, disbelief and shock. Disgust at the thought of them together. Disbelief that Leesoo actually thinking of them together to ask such a question. Shock as Aguero himself considers the subject. “No.” Aguero firmly states, “We’re family.”
Leesoo hums as a lazy smile crosses his face, “Maria is family too.”
Aguero rolls his eyes, “Exactly. And you know those were just rumours, there was no actual content there, at all.”
Leesoo hums again, thoughtfully, knowingly, “What about Ran chaperoning you and Baam?”
Aguero doesn’t frown, his lithe fingers tap slowly against his cheeks as he rests his chin in the middle of his palm as he surveys Leesoo through his fringe, “What about it?”
“You’re… aware?” Leesoo can feel the clicks in his head as he starts to understand the situation at hand more.
Aguero shrugs, “There’s not much to say about it.”
Leesoo is a patient man.
“Maschenny-noona thinks Baam is a carnivore.” Aguero states plainly, knowing that that’s what Leesoo is waiting to hear. “Like my old man.”
Immediately, Leesoo slaps a hand over his mouth as he wants to bursts out in laughter. Aguero’s lips quirks up and Leesoo knows that Aguero wants to chuckle at that comparison too. If you looked up polyamory in the dictionary, Leesoo won’t be surprised to see Khun Eduan’s name bolded under it as the prime example. Whereas Baam couldn’t be further from that term. Baam would be the perfect description of monogamy.
“That’s so sweet,” Leesoo croons, “your siblings are concerned for you.”
Aguero bursts out in laughter, his laugh is hearty and he holds his stomach as his head tilts back. Leesoo is not dumb, but even then, he isn’t sure what he said that made Aguero laugh so hard. But he doesn’t get time to contemplate on it more or ask when Baam and Ran come running, both juggling a tray with food each as they sandwich Aguero. Leesoo watches fondly as they both light up at Aguero’s laughter.
Seven
Leesoo is a patient man. And even more so when it comes to Baam. Baam is special. He grew up differently to most people. (Though the same could be said for Aguero as well. But Baam is particularly different.)
And so, as Baam tries to figure out what his current dire predicament is, Leesoo waits and kindly offers prompts or an array of adjectives so that Baam can best convey his thoughts to Leesoo. After all, not everyone is Khun Aguero Agnis – there is only one, which means there is only one person who can read Baam easily. Sadly, Leesoo is Ship Leesoo and he can’t read Baam nearly as easily.
When Baam finishes his spill, Leesoo gathers all the clues he has been presented with and strings them together comprehensively before summarising.
“In conclusion,” Leesoo clears his throat, “you also want to call Khun with a nickname.”
Baam pauses and taps his chin and then nods furiously, “Yes! Just like how he is A.A. to Ran-goon!”
“What do you want to call Khun by, then?” Leesoo asks, he’ll help Baam sort out his thoughts.
Baam hums, “Something that shows how close we are. Something to show Khun how much I appreciate him!” His enthusiasm is infectious.
Leesoo nods, that’s a good start.
They end up making a list of nicknames or terms of endearment. Leesoo makes Baam read them all out so he can check that the intonation is correct and that the pronunciation does not need any fixing. In the end, Baam chooses a simple word. Sickeningly sweet, in a good way.
“Honey!” Baam says loudly as his steps lightens and he runs towards a wide eyed Aguero.
Even Ran looks taken-aback for a few seconds before he immediately steps in front of Aguero and holds up a hand towards Baam which comically halts Baam in his steps. Leesoo tries not to laugh, he’s 100% sure Baam can physically win over Ran if he puts his mind to it.
“Honey?” Ran questions, his voice deadly, it was most definitely laced with poison and not honey.
This time, Baam frowns, he shakes his head, “No, I was not referring to you, Ran-goon.”
Leesoo chokes on his own saliva and wants to collide his head with a brick wall.
“I know,” Ran does not seem very calm. Leesoo has always found the other fairly short-tempered, especially next to Aguero who usually appears cool, calm and collected – unless Baam is involved. “You called A.A. honey.”
“Yes.” Baam confirms, he’s looking at Aguero now, their eyes connected.
Leesoo is swift as he takes out his smartphone and starts recording, trying to stifle his laughter and amusement at Aguero’s pink ears.
“Ba-Baam,” Aguero’s nose twitches as he pulls Ran back so that he can stand closer to Baam, “I’d rather you not call me that in public.”
Baam physically deflates and the air around them suddenly turns sombre.
Aguero tilts his head and then reaches out to grab one of Baam’s hands in his own, holding it firmly in his own. Ran crosses his arms and lets out a small huff.
“Khun?” Baam questions, already feeling better now that Aguero was holding his hand.
Aguero sends Baam a smile and shakes his head, “How about you call me by my first name?” Aguero suggests, “I call you Baam already, after all.”
“Oh.” Baam instantly lights up, brighter than any star in the universe. “Yes. Aguero.”
The smile Baam and Aguero share is the definition of beautiful. The rays of light poking through the clouds only highlight this special moment between the two even more.
Ran clicks his tongue and mumbles something Leesoo couldn’t catch, but it earns him a light nudge from Aguero.
Eight
“I want to marry Aguero.” Baam declares seriously.
Leesoo spits out his americano, good thing his reflexes are fast enough so that he doesn’t spit it all out onto Baam’s face. Though Baam seemed prepared and ready to dodge. That guy has insanely good reflexes.
“That’s not new.” Leesoo manages as he wipes his mouth and the poor table that was on the receiving end of his initial shock.
“Do you think Aguero will agree?” Baam asks.
Leesoo’s actions stop and he turns to look at Baam. There is no way Baam actually thinks Khun Aguero Agnis who is head over heels for Baam will say no, right? Right!? There must be something else Baam is trying to ask here. They both know very clearly Aguero will say yes without a second thought. And then Leesoo remembers the talks he has had with Ran and Aguero. “Is this about Maschenny-nim?”
Baam fidgets in his seat. “I want her approval.” That much is obvious. “Aguero has mentioned that she is a menacing figure in the family, that she’s never cared for any of them…”
Pensive, Leesoo nods to show that he is seeing the bigger picture now as he completes the rest of Baam’s thoughts and explanation for him, “Which is why, now that she is so interested in Khun’s relationship with you, you want to make sure that there’s no room for disagreement?”
Baam confirms Leesoo’s suspicions with a nod, “You always know how to word things better.”
Leesoo crosses his arms and there’s a frown on his face as he lets out a sigh. This is becoming more complicated than he thought. He always knew the Khun family was messed up. It was always interesting that Aguero hung out with his barely younger brother, Ran, but not any other Khun family member. Leesoo knows that Aguero has lost his older sister and mother, a tragedy that was splashed all over the newspaper at that time, but they don’t talk about it. Perhaps Maschenny is trying to fulfill the role of a mother for Aguero? Though, would sending her younger brother to chaperone dates be the best move from someone acting as a mother?
Is it even normal for one’s half-brother to be so obsessive and possessive? Leesoo closes his eyes as he thinks about Khun Ran and thinks, yes, yes it most definitely is normal for Ran. It’s labelled as a brother-complex in the modern world. It’s still a type of love, and Leesoo cannot deny that Khun Ran loves Khun Aguero Agnis deeply.
Eh.
Huh.
Nine
When Baam, Aguero and Ran all miss class on November 25th, Leesoo should’ve been wary from then. But he wasn’t. He sat next comfortably in class as the Professor droned on and on. Rak sat next to him, munching on bananas with one hand and chocolate bars with the other. Hatsu sat on his other side and listened intently, he’s also a good kid. Anaak sat in front of him with her head tilted back, not even hiding the fact that she was sleeping. If he took a video of Androssi removing her cardigan to make a makeshift pillow for her adopted sister and sent it to the group chat, Leesoo can only declare that it was for the better of this world.
They all know that despite the arguments Androssi and Anaak jump into together all the time, the two of them care deeply for each other, but neither will ever admit to it.
So, when Baam, Aguero and Ran were still missing the following day, Leesoo thinks that maybe they’ve caught the cold? He checks his phone and notes that none of the trio have even read his messages. Leesoo quickly types in another message to bump their conversation up, perhaps they just missed his message?
There’s no reply. And the read notification doesn’t pop up either.
On November 27th, Leesoo looks around campus and even looks around the cafeteria to look for any sign of the trio. Nothing there though. It really is unlike Aguero to skip 1 day of lectures, and even more uncharacteristic for him to skip three days in a row. Sure, Ran skips all the time and sometimes Baam isn’t present either, but since this very public relationship between Baam and Aguero has blossomed, the three of them always come to class together.
Leesoo asks their friends to see if any of them have seen or heard from either of the three. No one knows anything, and none of them seem particularly concerned. It’s when he bumps into Hwaryun and decides to ask for the hell of it that she points out something that Leesoo had unexpectedly overlooked.
“November 29th,” Hwaryun’s expression does not change, “is Khun Aguero Agnis’ birthday.”
It’s true that Aguero is a celebrity at their university, most knows of his birthday, it’s always celebrated lavishly and the amount of attention on Aguero is unsurprising yet surprising at the same time. It’s an oxymoron. It makes sense because Aguero is that popular, but it’s also bewildering that he is that popular.
Leesoo knows that Hwaryun is implying that it won’t be unusual for Khun Aguero Agnis to be captured prior to his birthday, to keep prying eyes away. And really, it shouldn’t even be a shock knowing that he keeps both Ran and Baam so close to him.
Leesoo decides that he’ll just have to go knocking on their door after class, before the weekend rolls around. Just in case the troublesome trio got themselves into some sort of unfortunate event and needs his help. Or just help in general.
No one answers at Baam’s apartment, Leesoo even tries peering through the gaps in the curtain through the window, but there’s no answer there. He even stopped one of Baam’s neighbours at the elevator and asked if they’ve seen Baam recently. The neighbour shook their head and hurriedly made their way home.
Even at Aguero’s main residence, the butler shook his head and said that the young master was not at home though he is indeed with Baam and Ran. But the butler did not act worried so that did provide Leesoo with some relief. At least Leesoo knows the trio are together. Hopefully not up to any mischief. Leesoo really needs to concentrate on his exams, not cleaning up after whatever mess his friends decide would be a good past time.
The weekend passes with Leesoo going over his study notes when he wasn’t at his part-time job at the local convenience store.
Ten
Alarm bells were most definitely ringing when Leesoo was reviewing the next lecture’s notes on his tablet in peace before Khun Ran plops down next to him, effortlessly and making the action seem like a chore.
Leesoo is not a chore.
“Ran!?” Leesoo looks from side to side, peering behind Ran to see if anyone else was there, “You’re by yourself?”
Ran scowls, “You ask that every single time.”
Leesoo raises one eye brow, and looks at Ran.
Ran stares back defiantly.
“Where were you these last few days?” Leesoo asks, he glances at the calendar on his tablet, “I haven’t seen you, Baam or Khun since the 27th, and it’s the 30th already. Did you guys go on a trip?” Leesoo’s tone is incredulous. Exams are around the corner; it is highly unlikely Aguero went on a leisure trip and compromised his education.
Though if Baam requested it… then that might be a different story.
Ran sighs as he sinks further into the seat, his eyes drops and Leesoo really starts to worry now.
Khun Ran is known to be hardworking and lazy at the same time. He doesn’t speak when necessary and a lot of the time, it’s Aguero who does the speaking for Ran. So Leesoo really should not have been surprised when Ran gives him the bare minimum as an answer: “Pre-marital sex.”
Leesoo blinks slowly as he processes the very intimate answer. He does not want to imagine Baam and Aguero having sex. But because he was so adamant on not wanting to think of what that would be like, his brain was already many steps ahead of him and providing him with a detailed analysis on what the most likely type of sex Baam and Aguero would engage in. With each other. The first, second, third and nth time.
There was a time where Leesoo was proud of himself and his intelligence. It was reassuring to know that the Khun Aguero Agnis acknowledges his brain power. Yet, at this moment in time, he really does not need his brain to dissect the exponential improvement Baam will display with each time he engages in intimate activities with Aguero.
“Wait, pre-marital?” Leesoo’s frown deepens, Baam has mentioned that he wants to propose to Aguero, but, that was not that long ago? Leesoo is confused and his brain is overworking as he tries to pieces all of the bits and pieces of information he has gathered together. There are too many bridges that need connecting.
Ran nods, he then digs through his pocket and pulls out a gold envelope embossed with an intricate pastel blue border. It looks expensive. Ran hands it to Leesoo who takes it and the weight of the envelope and the feel of the paper definitely alerts Leesoo that he was correct to assume that it is expensive. Ran nods again, a motion for Leesoo to open the envelope and look at the contents.
As Leesoo pulls out the card from the envelope, he ignores the fact that Ran is packing up his tablet. Leesoo reads the print on the card once, twice, thrice and almost faints when he realises that Baam and Aguero are getting married.
Today.
Fuck.
The bridges connect.
“Is this real?” Leesoo asks Ran.
Again, Ran nods, and Leesoo is starting to wonder if that is Ran’s default gesture when things are too bothersome.
“A.A. says he wants you to walk him down the aisle.” Ran states as he stands up and pulls Leesoo up, passing Leesoo his now packed bag and then dragging him out of the lecture theatre.
“Wait, what,” Leesoo has a mix of emotions, shock is at the forefront, excitement boils underneath and confusion still lingers like a sticky web at the back.
“Rak is Viole’s best man”, Ran explains as though that answers all of Leesoo’s questions.
“Makes sense.” Leesoo acknowledges.
Ran grunts, “Be careful with A.A. he’s had a string of difficult few days, his legs are wobbly and his hips are constantly aching.” Ran sighs, “At first, Viole acted as though A.A. would crack and evaporate into thin air if he pressed too hard, but it didn’t take long for Viole to learn that A.A. has good stamina and can take it rough.”
“Eh.” Leesoo shakes his head as if that will help separate his thoughts from forming more bridges.
Ran massages one temple gently and mumbles, “Can’t get their voices out of my head.”
“Hold on, Ran, why do you know so much about…” Leesoo clears his throat, “about Baam and Khun’s sex life?” Being blunt was best in this situation, that’s what Leesoo’s brain has decided.
Ran abruptly stops in his tracks and turns around to look at Leesoo.
Taking a good look at Ran, Leesoo see’s Ran’s eye bags, deep and dark in colour. It makes his skin look even paler than usual.
“Our stupid old man said that I have to chaperone till the end.” Ran’s voice is monotonous. Dread feels Leesoo as he really starts to understand what Ran has been going through.
“Hachuling-hyung has my national ID card.” Ran continues.
Leesoo winces. Sounds like it can turn into identity theft all too quickly.
“Asensio-hyung threatened my life.” Ran states easily.
Leesoo gulps loudly; his Adam’s apple bobbing prominently.
“Maschenny-noona said that this is how we get rid of competition, by marrying them off.” Ran’s tone is serious and he doesn’t look away from Leesoo.
The same Maschenny who Aguero believes thinks Baam is a carnivore. Right. And Aguero who laughed when Leesoo mentioned how much Maschenny must care for him. Right. It is all starting to make more sense. Leesoo is actively grasping the situation now.
There are so many words in the dictionary, so many different sentences Leesoo can string together, but at this point in time, he did not know what to say. This is a whole new level of obsession and possession. One in which Leesoo is more than happy to not be a part of, thank you very much.
“A.A. is hot, but it’s not a good feeling when you’re watching Viole fuck him for the 4th day straight.” Ran’s expression finally changes, he looks lost and exasperated. Leesoo must admit he isn’t sure how he should read into it. He’ll just have to continue to believe in Aguero.
Leesoo sighs when he realises that all this time, he was pitying Baam, but the real victim here has been Khun Ran all this time.
The Khun family really are all douchebags.