Archive of Our Own ^beta

Hyungseok was only 8 when he met his best friend. Though, maybe ‘ran into him’ would be a more apt description.

Hyungseok and his mother had been wandering around the city, one of their rare sightseeing days as his mom collected trash on the ground and took care of her son after school. Hyungseok himself was busy with all the sights on the wealthier side of town, so much so he had unintentionally strayed a bit farther from his mother than he had intended.

Due to that, he hadn’t heard his mother’s warning for him to stay close and wandered off far enough to get lost.

“Mama?!” The young boy couldn’t help but call out “Mama! Mama!” In his own panic, Hyungseok ran and ran, eventually bumping into someone and falling onto the ground.

When Hyungseok looked back up, he saw a fallen little boy right in front of him. The boy himself was small, maybe smaller than Hyungseok, with bowl cut hair that hid his eyes and a scraped knee from hitting the pavement too hard.

“I’m so sorryy!” Hyungseok yelled, ignoring the sting in his palm to help the little boy stand up “I wasn’t looking and I bumped into you! Are you ok?!”

The little boy seemed shocked, before hesitantly nodding and looking around in question.

“I lost my mama…” Hyungseok sniffled, the tears threatening to come back. It was nice that the little boy hadn’t let go of him though, even if his knee looked to be bleeding.

The little boy suddenly seemed alarmed, grasping his hand tighter and pointed behind Hyungseok, as if trying to ask him something. Hyungseok didn’t understand what his new friend seemed to be saying, but he thinks he knows what he meant.

“I don’t know where I last saw my m-mama…” Hyungseok sniffled again “I know she was close to this store that sold a…” Hyungseok furrowed his brow and tried to remember what it looked like. “It sold bags, not like my school bag though! It was kinda small, and really expensive looking.” He formed a shape between his hands like it could help the other boy understand.

The other boy did, surprisingly, his face seemed to brighten up and he started walking determinedly behind Hyungseok, grasping his hand as if asking to follow. With the thought of another boy helping Hyungseok find his mama, Hyungseok hadn’t hesitated in following.

In the end, Hyungseok hadn’t actually gone that far from his mother, they were only walking for a little while before his mama found him and hugged him tight enough that Hyungseok thought she was never letting go. In that little moment, Hyungseok hoped she wouldn’t.

When mama saw his new friend standing awkwardly to the side with blood on his knee, she hurriedly took what little cash she had on her person to buy him a box of bandaids.

“Thank you for helping my son.” She smiled kindly at the young boy and patted his head “I don’t know what I would have done if I lost him forever.”

His friend seemed to flush red at that, looking down at the concrete bashfully. “Do you want to wait with us while your parents find you? You must have gotten lost as well.” She offered.

HIs friend hesitantly shook his head, pointing back to the direction he came from.

“Your home is just up the street?” A nod. “Then me and my son will walk you home, it worries me to think you’ll be walking back all alone.”

His friend seemed even more bashful at that but agreed to let the mother and son walk him home.

Hyungseok found that his friends’ name was Jaeyeol and he was part of a wealthy family. They both promised to meet again next week.

They played together at the park in the city for a long time, always under the watch of Hyungseok’s mother and Jae’s butler. They built and talked and ran and played together for years, they became best friends, they grew up together and talked about their hopes and dreams together.

Then Hyungseok’s mother died in a car accident when Hyungseok himself was 10 and he had to be placed in an orphanage, his and Jaeyeol’s relationship practically fizzled out when Hyungseok realized his caretakers wouldn’t let him leave the orphanage.

Hyungseok spent a miserable 2 years in the company of children and caretakers that wouldn’t care for him and give him the love he had from his mother and his friend. Some nights he’d stay up late, sinking into memories of his life before the accident, reminiscing and wondering how his old friend was doing.

It should have been a reprieve, the promise of a happy life again when Hyungseok had been adopted by a seemingly loving couple.

It wasn’t, his new parents were on the wealthier side of life, but even newly-12 year old Hyungseok was aware that they only wanted a child to showcase, the pretense of a loving home with a loving family was a false narrative for the media to write about, waxing poetic and crooning over the generosity of a couple kind enough to take a poor child into their home and give them a good life .

Yeah, a week after Hyungseok was adopted his parents flew far away from him, his new mother commenting something about money and throwing a stack of cash onto the table.

“This is your monthly allowance, Hyungseok.” She had said “Tell us if you need any more.”

That was the only act of love they had given him throughout his life, whenever he was short on money he’d call his adopters and ask for money. Nevermind that his hefty allowance seemed to be disappearing quite rapidly, they only needed to see his name on their phone and they’d throw money his way.

It was hard, the first few months his new parents disappeared off the face of the earth. Eventually, he decided, in his own boredom and misery, to create his own entertainment and get ahead in life while he could.

It was good that his personal butler learned to shut up about Hyungseok’s personal dealings a long time ago, because the money his parents gave him were being funneled into company investments and the return payment was coming in like a waterfall. He didn’t need anyone around him spilling out his personal businesses to those bastards.

During that time, Hyungseok learned how to become less human, to no longer be a being of emotion and more an empty husk that could weaponize empathy and humanity. He learned to contort his face into something like innocence, he took self-defense classes from top teachers in Korea itself, he learned to be the worst of the worst, to be what was required of him so he could live.

Was it really a surprise that his emotions became muted? So muted that he was as empty inside as he always portrayed outside.

(“Likely a dormant gene that’s been passed down through your family. So dormant that it needed special requirements for it to activate.” A doctor told him. “I’m sure there’s a way you could reverse it, the gene itself won’t completely ingraine itself seeing as it’s been passed down for so long.”

“No need.” Hyungseok had said that day, his mother flashing in his mind’s eye. “I’ll reverse it only when I have to.”)

It was because of his investments that he got an email from HNH Group, asking him to meet with the CEO himself as a thank you for his continued trust in the company’s business.

Hyungseok wasn’t that stupid, he heard the rumors. Yet he couldn’t help coming in anyway with bodyguards flanking his every side.

Hyungseok may have been stupid to accept a meeting with the CEO of HNH Group, but that doesn’t stop him from having some form of protection for himself. So on that fateful day, dressed in a slim-fitting business suit and his most trusted men, Hyungseok met the man of the hour.

“Thank you for coming.” The CEO said when Hyungseok opened the door, his smile barely formed a smile. “I’m glad you could make it.”

If Hyungseok was a nicer man, a man built on the love of his mother and a man built on the steady support of a best friend, Hyungseok would say that the CEO, Choi Dongsoo himself, was exactly the kind of man Hyungseok expected.

But Hyungseok wasn’t a nice man, he was a man built from the ruins of car accidents and broken friendships, a man built on a loveless life and an aching heart filled by the void, a man who had nothing to lose but his money.

So all he could think was how terribly this man failed Hyungseok’s relatively low expectations. He’s seen Dongsoo’s photoshoots, a silverfox of an entrepreneur, creating an empire almost as large as life itself in an incredibly short time. His interviews gave Hyungseok the impression of a cold, cutthroat businessman who knew all the ways to reach the top and further, into the sky and piercing the clouds.

So Hyungseok had those thoughts in mind when he met the CEO and he couldn't help the slight disappointment when he saw the man himself. Sure, he upheld his expectations, but he also fell short.

Because the man in front of him wasn’t a cutthroat human playing god to get himself up. No, he was a human who didn’t even know how to make his business without dirty support.

“Thank you for inviting me, I was quite surprised to see the invitation.” Hyungseok settled on saying, locking his distaste away in his heart.

“It was warranted, no? You’ve invested a surprising amount into my company, I’m quite sure this shouldn’t have been quite a surprise.” The older man said, sitting up from his slightly slouched position in the chair. “Your continued support has greatly benefited the company, so I thought best to thank you in person.”

“You and I are both aware you want something else.” Hyungseok replied. A man like Dongsoo would never personally invite anyone to his office and thank them personally, Hyungseok always believed there was a catch to his every choice.

He was proven correct when the other man smiled, a light upturn on his lips to show he heard the accusation loud and clear. Dongsoo sat up properly again, taking out a contract from inside a cabinet.

“Quite a smart man, aren’t you?” He asked, a mild tone that never betrayed his emotions. “Very well, I wanted to make a deal with you, Park Hyungseok.”

“Work for me and I’ll give you anything you want.”

Hyungseok raised a brow “And what does this work entail, exactly?”

“You become one of my geniuses, you obviously don’t need the money but the pay to be a genius is rather generous.” The other man commented “I believe you’d be an amazing undercover worker, a spy, if you will. In return, you'd get paid. As simple as that.”

Hyungseok sat for a moment, looking around his office in thought before his gaze traveled back to the other man in the room. “I hope you don’t cut deals like that with other people, that was the most terrible pitch I’ve heard.”

Dongsoo huffed a noise in amusement. “Then what, pray tell, did you want from this deal?”

Hyungseok sat in thought for a long time before he settled on saying. “I’m not dumb enough to belive you are a pure, good man, Dongsoo-ssi. If I’m getting my work cut out for me in this, I want a 20% cut and something invaluable.”

“Something invaluable? Like diamonds?” Dongsoo hummed, staring at him with that ever-impassive gaze.

(Privately, Dongsoo couldn’t help but think about everything he knew of this young man.

His mother died at 10 and he had been adopted into the Park family at age 12, a private young man with rumored eyes everywhere. Those articles were dated years back, so the man in front of him right now must be 15 at most.

His daughter would have hated Park Hyungseok, with his void-like eyes and that frown marring his face, he made for a greatly intimidating boy. Hard to get a read on as well, the only clue Hyungseok showed in disliking Dongsoo was the distaste in his eyes when he first came in. Other than that, nothing.)

“Diamonds are already assigned value.” Hyungseok huffed lightly. “I want something no money can buy, something precious gifted just for me.”

Dongsoo frowned, though it looked more like his face went back to it’s natural position than anything.

They stare at each for a moment, Hyungseok was unwavering in his offer and Dongsoo trying to gouge in intentions.

Then, the CEO sighed. “Very well, tell me whatever it is that you want and as long as you continue to work for me, I’ll give that ‘treasure’ to you along with your money.”

Hyungseok smiled, something like victory warmed his cold heart. “Pleasure doing business with you, Dongsoo-sii.” 

Hyungseok was 16 when he decided what his treasure would be.

After his deal with Dongsoo, he began official work under the CEO, checking police reports and hidden forums for potential recruits and digging through any history he could find of them on the internet, biding his time until Dongsoo gave him a mission.

His missions had never been too long-term, mainly undercover work that asked him to eliminate pests to the CEO’s work.

Then one day, Dongsoo had given him his first long-term mission. “Infiltrate J-High.” The chairman said, “There’s been rumors of gang affiliation here, see if it’s any worth looking into.”

So here Hyungseok is, walking in the halls of J-High. When he arrived at the doors of his new class, he gathered all the confidence he had and opened the door.

“Class.” The teacher called. “This is Park Hyungseok, remember to treat him with respect. Please choose where you want to sit.”

He looked around the class, there were boys glaring at him in jealousy, a girl admiring him with too much love in her eyes and Jaeyeol.

Wait.

His head nearly whipped in his surprise. Instead, he managed to fake calm and turn his eyes over to the blond boy sitting at the back of the class.

And, he’s extremely sure that’s Jae. His Jae.

A windswept cut, slightly slicked hair covering his eyes, his round face now more narrow and mature, long piano fingers with chrome rings around all of them.

A surprised look, like he couldn’t believe Hyungseok was actually there. Hyungseok could say the same to Jae.

(During all the years they had been separated, all Hyungseok could think about was his friend, always wondering how he was at least twice every day.

Seeing him now, how much he’d grown and how handsome he’d become, Hyungseok realized how deeply he cared for his best friend.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and god was Hyungseok smitten.)

Without hesitation, he pointed to the seat right next to his old friend.

The teacher seemed to be stuttering out something, but Hyungseok wasn’t interested in listening. Without hesitation, he was walking straight to the seat next to his old friend.

“Hello.” Hyungseok said impersonally. “I’m Park Hyungseok.”

Jaeyeol looked back at him, before nodding lightly.

The teacher was teaching something, Hyungseok thought distantly, though all the students seemed rather transfixed on him and Jae. He kind of wanted to snap at them, ask them what they wanted and tell them to leave him alone so he could properly talk to his friend.

But what was there to say?

I missed you? I’m sorry I couldn’t find you after all these years? I’m not the same person anymore?

Jae must have a million questions, like Hyungseok does for him.

When the bell rang, Hyungseok had no hesitation in standing up and leaving the class. A quick tap on Jae’s shoulder and he was gone.

He walked to the men’s bathroom, standing and looking at his visage in the mirror. What was his face today, he wondered, what would be the perfect face needed to properly greet Jae?

Surprisingly enough, there was a knock on the door. A silent Can I see you?

“Come in.” Hyungseok said with an absent tone that held too many emotions. “You don’t have to knock on a bathroom door, you know.”

With much hesitation, there was Jaeyeol, standing awkwardly near the door.

“Jae.” Hyungseok breathed slowly, taking the time to truly appreciate how his friend turned out.

Long legs, slim torso, soft lips and high cheekbones that only accentuated his face. Jae looked at him with a soft, confused look in his body language, concern and worry palpable from where he stood.

He couldn’t help but jump and wrap Jae tightly in his arms. “I missed you.” He said quietly. “I wish I found a way to get in contact with you.”

(Something like surprise and infatuation bursts like a fountain in his heart. Warming him up for so long it felt like his mother was beside him again, carding her hands through his hair and listening to him speak about his day with Jae as if she didn’t see it happen.

It was then that a thought cemented itself into Hyungseok’s mind.

Jaeyeol will be mine. )

Jae didn’t spare a moment of hesitation to hug him back, something like tears dampening his coat. He never spoke in Hyungseok’s presence, but he can hear his dear friend all too clearly.

I missed you so much.

Hyungseok nearly didn’t realize that he was crying as well.

(In the void that was his heart, love and obsession threatened to mix.)

When their hug was over, Hyungseok couldn’t help wiping away the tear tracks on his friend’s face. “We have a few more periods until we get lunch, right?” Hyungseok asked.

When Jae nodded, the other continued. “We’ll catch up then, but I think we caused enough suspicion staying in the bathroom for 15 minutes.”

Jae’s small smile made his empty heart burst with life.

Merrily, Hyungseok held Jae’s arm, leading him back to the classroom as if Jae was the new student and not him. Jaeyeol shuffled nervously, seemingly worried but unable to protest against Hyungseok’s actions.

The class seemed to be gaping at their entrance, Hyungseok’s cold demeanor slid back onto his face like a mask, his slight smile suddenly a hard line.

“We’re back in class, Jaeyeol.” Hyungseok hummed, “Remember what I said.”

Jae seemed surprised before nodding and following Hyungseok back to his seat.

Hyungseok grimaced in distaste. Don’t people know it’s rude to stare? If you were to stare, the least you could do is not make it so obvious. Hyungseok’s used to the attention, he wasn’t vain but even he could see his own beauty.

But Jae had never liked attention when they were young, always shrinking into himself and hiding behind Hyungseok if a stranger approached them, always letting his friend take the lead and never once speaking his mind.

And the current Jae didn’t seem all that different. Sure he seemed more comfortable under the spotlight, but he was tense, aware of their eyes and more than uncomfortable with being stared at so blatantly.

Hyungseok glared at everyone in the class. “Is there a problem?” He smiled sweetly. It was his first line of defense, his syrupy smile that paired with his eyes made for a fascinating dichotomy.

A smile so sweet it could attract honey, eyes so empty it seemed to suck life out of everyone in the room.

Everyone looked away and the teacher came back to see the class dutifully looking at the board, avoiding the glacier-eyed stare of the Fashion Department’s new ice prince. All while the prince himself exchanged notes with the boy next to him.

When the lunch bell rang, Hyungseok dutifully cleaned his desk, putting all his equipment into his bag before turning over to his friend. “Ready to go, Jae?” Hyungseok smiled, warmth bubbling in his chest when Jae fell into step behind Hyungseok.

“Ahhh, I missed you so much, Jaeyeol.” Hyungseok bemoaned, his eyes suddenly brighter than the galaxy as he grasped Jae’s wrist. “I couldn’t find you anywhere I looked! You even moved out of your old home.”

Jaeyeol made little taps on his hand, their old communication tactic as children.

If possible, Hyungseok’s heart warmed so much it wanted to melt.

So forgive Hyungseok a little bit when he slammed the cafeteria doors open just a little too enthusiastically.

Immediately, all eyes fell onto the two of them.

Hyungseok had enough experience in the staring field that he took their attention in stride, if not fucking Jaeyeol a little closer behind his back while his guards huddled at their sides.

“Aish, does this school know when to keep their attention secretive?” Hyungseok commented, internally cheering when his friend shook his head slightly despite his nerves. “Aigo, they need to learn then, staring like that could get you killed.”

Seemed like no one heard that comment, because the moment Hyungseok and Jaeyeol stopped at the cafeteria booth, too many girls suddenly ran up them.

Hyungseok huffed, pulling Jae out from behind him to ask him what he wanted. “It’s my treat, Jae.” Hyungseok smiled. “It’s been years since I saw you, after all! What’s a little treat between the two of us?”

Jae seemed flustered, looking at him with shock in his eyes before shyly looking at the lunch lady.

The woman seemed confused on what he wanted to order, even with all the gesturing Jae attempted. When it got too sad for Hyungseok to watch the lady, the other man spoke up.

“2 lunches with the meat platter.” Hyungseok flashed a bright smile to the old lady, watching her immediately beam in response. 

“What a good young lad you are, helping your friend order his lunch.” The lady commented. “I always feel quite terrible whenever he orders, I could never understand him.”

Why are you talking as if Jaeyeol isn’t right here ? Hyungseok doesn’t say, instead he smiles brightly and hugs his friend impossibly close. “Thank you, ma’am.”

Jaeyeol didn’t bother paying attention to what he and the lady were saying, seeming to watch the guards create a barricade around the girls and the two boys.

“Thank you for the food, miss.” Hyungseok beamed, looking at the crowd that gathered around him.

Absentmindedly, Hyungseok blew kisses in their direction. You would have thought the girls watched someone die with how loud they screamed and fell to the floor.

“Works like a charm.” Hyungseok chuckled. “Come on, Jae. I think that table there is absolutely perfect for us.”

Jaeyeol had nothing else to do but follow.

When Hyungseok reached the table he planned on sitting at, he spotted someone else already sitting at his table.

Small, on the fatter ends of the weight spectrum, sitting with his shoulder slumped in defeat and miserably picking at his food.

Seeing him sat like a sad mutt was putting dampener on his surprisingly bright mood.

“D-Do you need me to m-move?” The boy asked, looking up from his lunch and staring at him so nervously Hyungseok would have thought of himself as a bully.

He could, but Jaeyeol staring at him in disapproval would only make Hyungseok feel like a criminal under the gaze of a jury. Instead, Hyungseok replied loudly: “Why should I move you? You’re only here to eat, I’m sure you won’t do anything.”

He ignores the shocked look pointed at Hyungseok’s back, instead he pulls Jaeyeol to sit next to him, opposite the short boy eating his lunch. “Did you think I was gonna be rude, Jae?” Hyungseok smiled teasingly, seeing Jae’s small smile of approval turned his cold heart aflame. “You’d know I wouldn’t do that.” In front of you.

Sure, Hyungseok never paid attention to people who were born ugly and poor. He was poor and ugly himself, and look at where he was now. He worked beyond hard to give himself the figure he wanted in life and he succeeded. Sure the journey would never be easy, but if anyone wanted they could have done it.

Or maybe he was just one of those rich people now, waxing poetic about trying hard to reach the finale and succeeding, going from rags to riches in such a short amount of time that it screamed financial support.

Hyungseok, if he were honest, doesn’t care. His moral compass broke the day he decided to change for the world he became a part of, his mind broke the day he realized no one would love him the way he craved.

But Jae wasn’t broken. In fact, he was still as lively as Hyungseok remembered him being, youth carved into every crack and wrinkle of his skin, life burning brighter than the sun despite everything.

(Hyungseok’s a selfish man, it’s how you build a reputation in the world of business. He takes and takes and takes in hopes of building his own empire and filling up the void that was his heart.

So if he wanted to have Jaeyeol, the warm little candle that burned him alive? He’ll have him.

But Jaeyeol was still his friend before he was the candle that will burn inside an empty cupboard. The least Hyungseok could do was give his friend a soft landing.)

They talked and ate lunch in bright chatter, where they’d trade stories of their lives and catch each other up on everything they missed. Hyungseok told his friend that he had been adopted into a wealthy family, Jaeyeol offered stories of him and his sister throughout the years.

Hyungseok would wrap himself around his friend and whisper his memories of their neglect into dyed blond hair, Jaeyeol would curl his arm around Hyungseok’s wrist and quietly speak of sins he thought of committing. 

(Hyungseok would later ask why he was so forthcoming about his actions to a man he hadn’t seen in 5 years, someone who could have easily ruined him, someone who used to know him inside out but hadn’t truly known him for a long time.

But maybe he only had one thought in it all: Jaeyeol was his, his candle and inferno. It’d be fitting for Jaeyeol to at least know his sins before they were tied together.

Or, maybe he just knew Jae would never willingly leave him, would heal and walk with him through terrible years and bright days and give him a million chances to better himself if Hyungseok promised.

Or maybe best friends just shared everything and Hyungseok wanted that kind of intimacy.

Look at him, already imagining a life with his best friend.)

Hyungseok himself was more than content to simply ignore the boy sitting across from him, but Jaeyeol was actually kind even if awkward and wanted to make sure the boy wasn’t uncomfortable in their presence.

Hyungseok wished he could curse his friend’s kind heart, but it was probably best that Jae didn’t turn out like Hyungseok. So, with his ‘innocent bambi’ smile plastered on his face, he finally looked at the boy across from them.

He was ugly, but weren’t most teenagers ugly? Then again, Hyungseok thought his best friend was the prettiest man in the damn room, so maybe he was biased.

“Sorry about ignoring you.” Hyungseok said cheerfully, like he didn’t purposefully ignore the other boy. “My friend wanted to know your name? Seeing as we’ve stolen your table and all.”

The other boy seemed taken aback by his question, looking up at him with squinted, shocked eyes. “W-what?”

“What’s your name?” He smiled wider, keeping his impatience in check by holding tighter onto Jaeyeol.

(He desperately wants to croon at his friend, when did his Jae begin to blush ? He was an absolutely gorgeous sight. His face on its own is enough to keep Hyungseok in line.)

“D-Dukhwa P-P-Pyeon.” The other boy stuttered out. Hyungseok would have clicked his tongue, but seeing his friend shyly attempting communication stopped him in his tracks.

“He asked what department you’re in.” Hyungseok cheerfully translated, nonchalantly taking a bite out of his food (it was good, lunch made by old ladies were always good).

“In the Vocal and Dance department.” Dukhwa said, tilting his head as low as it could go (not that low) and picking at his half-eaten food.

“What do you want to do, Dukhwa-sii?” Hyungseok asked, staring at a small piece of rice stuck to Jae’s cheek. The urge to simply wipe it off for him was nearly impossible to resist.

Instead, Hyungseok offered him a tissue and poked his friend’s cheek.

“I-I…” He looked at them, fear in his eyes and hesitance in his every movement, like they were going to ridicule him on his aspirations. Then, he seemed to steel himself and spoke with as much confidence as his little body could muster. “I want to be a rapper.”

The two of them paused, then Jaeyeol seemed to nod at Dukhwa as a ‘good luck’ symbol. Hyungseok, on the other hand, couldn’t help but stare.

“Are you even good at rapping?” Hyungseok raised a brow. “Those who usually say they want to make it big in the rapping industry always seem to fail.”

Hukhwa made a noise like he got kicked, the table closest to them seemed to erupt in laughter. 

“I-I…” Hukhwa seemed to shrink in on himself and his friend stared at him in disapproval. Look at what you did , he seemed to say, the boy’s meek because of you .

Hyungseok huffed “I’m telling the truth, Jae. If the boy doesn’t have talent he won’t make it far, if he does then it’ll be a whole other playing field. I hate seeing people fail in life as much as you do, if he tried to run after his dreams only to fall then wouldn’t it be better if I snuffed it out now?”

Jae, seemingly on impulse, pinched Hyungseok’s cheek. Why are you so rude? Jae huffed, suddenly putting distance between them. Apologize, at least.

Hyungseok huffed and looked back at Dukhwa, who seemed determined to make himself as small as possible. “Dukhwa-sii, I won’t apologize for my words because I’m being honest to you. If you want to make it big only for the money, you’ll have another thing coming for you.” Hyungseok huffed when the other boy seemed to shrink even more.

“But…” Hyungseok sighed. “I know that if your words come from your heart, even the most terrible beats can become something of beauty. The music industry is quite cutthroat, you may not have the looks but if you have the voice and talent, I like to think you’ll get a rather substantial following.”

Dukhwa seemed to look up then, growing brighter the more Hyungseok spoke. “S-so… you weren’t belittling my dreams?”

Hyungseok huffed and learned his elbows on the table, finishing his meal as quickly as he could. “Belittling someone’s dreams is the last thing I’d do. I like to think I’m somewhat above trash-talking in front of someone’s face.”

Dukhwa seemed to raise his brows at the phrasing, but the other man still smiled despite his nervousness. “You’re actually not that bad, Hyungseok-sii.”

Hyungseok raised a brow, looking at Jae who was cleaning his hands. “I would call you a liar, but I’m not interested in what you think of me.”

Dukhwa seemed to wince at his words, but he kept a smile on his face. “I mean it, you seem so cold and distant, but the moment you look at your friend it’s a sudden 180, and what you said to me was nicer than you think. I’ve never had someone like you encourage me before.”

Hyungseok ignored the light redness of his cheeks. “Didn’t I say I was uninterested in your thoughts?”

“Well, yes, but-“ Hukhwa was cut off by the sound of a smack. A smack that hit the back of Hukhwa’s head.

“Hey pig!” Some guy in sunglasses yelled, a snarl twisting his face like today was workout day for his lips. “Didn’t I tell you to get us our lunch?! Where the hell did it go?!”

Dukhwa shook in his seat, Hyungseok didn’t need to see his face to know fear was smeared all over it. Immediately, he frowned in distaste. It was rude enough to slap a man around in his presence, but to do it right in front of him and Jae?

“Don’t you know it’s rude to beat people around?” Hyungseok couldn’t help saying. “Have some class and do it behind closed doors at least.”

Dukhwa shrunk in on himself, Jae frowned at him in heavy disappointment and fuck he has to get involved now.

Sunglasses glared at him. “Who are you to push me around? We do what we want around here, pretty boy.”

People in the cafeteria were beginning to look again, their eyes alight with the excitement of a fight.

“Who the fuck are you even ? ” Sunglasses exclaimed in utter anger, then seemed to scrutinize Hyungseok for a moment longer. “Wait, you’re the Park Hyungseok!”

“Is there a problem with that?” Hyungseok smiled, no need for any confirmation. “I don’t do fan signings, if that's what you’re asking.”

The man switched from surprise to scowling pretty quickly. “I don’t know what your game is, but the table here is mine . The pig was supposed to keep it safe for me, not let the two of you come and sit.”

“And where does it say that this table is yours?” Hyungseok smiled. “Last I checked, you never paid for this table, have you? So it’s free reign for everyone.” He tapped the table in emphasis and smiled when Sunglasses started getting pissed off.

“You fucker!” He was held back from hitting Hyungseok by a girl with blond hair, must be his friend. “Get off me!” The girl glared, then glanced back at Hyungseok, then smiled and let go.

The boy sent their food flying.

Strong people were so annoying , he thought as he nonchalantly picked up his and Jae’s lunch tray. “Dukhwa-sii.” He smiled with an innocence that could rival a child. “Give these back to the lunch lady?”

Dukhwa seemed ready to refuse, but closed his mouth at the last second when Hyungseok’s eyes stared directly at him. Then, it was a hasty nod that had him running off.

“Really, sunglasses-sii.” Hyungseok chuckled and stood up to round the table. “If you have a bone to pick with me, be polite and fight me instead of everyone around me.”

His smile stayed in place in the face of Sunglasses' scowl, so twisted he was worried the angry boy would break the skin of his lips. “Sunglasses?! My name’s Jin Hobin! Show me some fucking respect !” He threw his hands out to try grabbing Hyungseok-

Only for Jae to grasp his wrists.

Hyungseok couldn’t help his surprise, before smiling so wide he must have looked manic behind his friend’s back. His friend was protective of him! It made his heart swoon and thump in his ribcage, like it was trying to jump into Jaeyeol’s arms.

“What the-“ Hobin seemed to growl then raised his leg to seemingly kick Jaeyeol to the side.

On instinct, Hyungseok pulled Jae closer to him and blocked the leg from hitting Jae’s head. “Now now.” Hyungseok crooned at the other man, his grip tight enough to break Hobin’s bones. “Your target is me, why target him?”

Hyungseok pushed his friend to sit down on the bench again, watching his guards shakily stand up before turning back to Hobin. “You can hit me, you can hit the damn tables and chairs all you want.” Hyungseok muttered, his bottomless eyes peering into Hobin’s shaded ones, “But I detest you hitting my best friend .” and future husband .

Hobin seemed to freeze in shock, as did everyone else in the cafeteria. It was only a short moment, but it was enough for Hyungseok to land a kick to Hobin’s side and knee him in his face. “Next time, don’t even try coming after me and Jae.” Hyungseok hissed, unable to conjure a smile even when Hobin was kneeling in pain.

They stand there, stock still as Hobin heaved on the ground. Clearly, the hit wasn’t hard enough to knock him out. Hyungseok distantly thought to finish the job and knock him out for good when Jaeyeol pulled him away, ignoring the wide-eyed stare of a certain short boy standing at the lunch counter.

“I didn’t do anything terrible!” Hyungseok pouted when they were outside the cafeteria. Jaeyeol huffed and titled his head at him, a hand on his hip told him how much his friend believed that statement.

“Okay fine.” Hyungseok dragged out the ‘e’ slightly. “I kind of wanted to knock him out and send him to the nurse’s office, but I didn’t!” Hyungseok chuckled and pulled Jae closer.

“He was going to hit you. He would have hit you because you wouldn’t have dodged.” Hyungseok muttered, confident enough to wrap his arms around Jae’s waist and shoulder, “How could I allow that?”

Jae’s blush made Hyungaeok’s empty heart ache . How did his friend become such a gorgeous man? He wished he could have been by his side to see him grow, to see him change and grow with Jae. His mind drifted as he thought of how that childhood could have turned out, living and basking in his best friend’s love as they grew up together, whether Hyungseok’s mother died or not.

Maybe then his empty heart could be filled with something like love.

Hyungseok’s first week at J High was more than interesting.

Of course, after the stunt Hobin pulled on the first day, hyungseok decided it would be better and more convenient if he read up on every student currently studying in the school, that way he knew what to look out for if they were to fight him. Seeing he and Jae stuck to each other like glue, Hyungseok was more than happy to use Jaeyeol as a way to get out of any uncomfortable conversations.

One girl was continuously pursuing him, annoyingly enough.

The girl was Park Haneul, a cute girl with big breasts and bigger eyes, her hair falling around her shoulder in an almost-pear shape. Her words fell out of her lips like honey, sweetened words to make him fall for her and give her a good life with a handsome and rich man.

Sadly for her, Hyungseok only had eyes for Jaeyeol, who constantly huffed when she came around. Yet as much as Hyungseok would love keeping Jaeyeol happy, he thinks having other people around would be more beneficial.

This begun his subtle quest of finding other friends.

Hyungseok had asked his teacher for his class’ student list and sat down one sleepless night to eliminate anyone he thought unbefitting of befriending him.

Immediately, people like Doo Lee and Jiho were crossed out. He had no interest in people only after his notoriety and money. Not to mention that smarmy smile Jiho spotted when he was talking to Jae once.

Jaeyeol was eliminated simply because Hyungseok was already friends with him and never had intentions of letting go.

On and on it went, until Hyungseok narrowed it down to only 3 people he’d willingly associate with on a daily basis.

First was Lee Jinsung, who saw his fight with Hobin and seemed more than uninterested in him. Though he didn’t seem all that aggressive whenever Hyungseok approached him, more annoyed due to Hyungseok’s reputation.

Second was Kim Mijin, Jingsung’s friend and very obvious crush, she seemed less than interested in Hyungseok but more than happy talking to Jaeyeol. If he were to guess, Mijin was more scared of his reputation, unwilling to talk to him if it meant that he could ruin her.

Third, annoyingly enough, was Miss Park Haneul, who was more interested in Hyungseok’s looks and money than actually being his friend. That could be fixed though, he just needed to know when to apply it.

He had no current interest in expanding his friend group outside the Fashion department, especially when he somehow made enemies with Burn Knuckles’ second in command. There was Dukhwa who seemed more comfortable whenever he and Jae sat at his table, but Hyungseok wasn’t as interested in talking to him as he did with Jae.

Hyungseok leaned back in his chair, staring down at the three profiles that weren’t crossed out.

Maybe he should approach Jinsung first.

So on his third day, Hyungseok finally tore himself away from Jae and cheerfully greeted Jinsung. “Jinsung-sii! Good morning!” He said as brightly as he could muster.

Jinsung stared at him, a mix of apprehension and shock in his eyes before it quickly turned into a glare. “What do you want?”

Hyungseok would pout but he didn’t care enough to. “Will you sit down for lunch with me and Jae?” He smiled. “You could bring Mijin over if you’d like.”

Jinsung blushed before his glare got even more poisonous. “What do you want from Mijin?” He hissed darkly. He seemed like he wanted Hyungseok dead on the spot.

“Calm down.” Hyungseok huffed. “Can’t a man learn more about his classmates?”

“Last I checked .” Jinsung hissed, Hyungseok guessed that bringing up Mijin was a bad call. “You only had eyes for the blond boy.”

Hyungseok chuckled.” His name is Jaeyeol . If I bothered to remember your crush’s name then you best remember my best friend’s name.” He said slowly, staring at him with the most empty eyes he could give.

Jinsung flinched minutely before grumbling out some kind of agreement. Satisfied that Jinsung bothered listening to him, he sauntered back to where Jaeyeol was arranging his desk and sat down next to him.

“Are you proud of me, Jae?” Hyungseok chuckled. “I’m trying to make friends.”

Jae quirked his lip in response and pointed to Jinsung.

I don’t know if that is called making friends if you intimidate them like that.

“What do you mean?” Hyungseok feigned a pout. “I was perfectly civil! It was him who misinterpreted my words as a threat.”

Jaeyeol laughed silently at that, though his body language turned mournful for a moment.

Hyungseok frowned, his friend was thinking back to their childhood, reminiscing about the little boy that used to laugh and cheer and stare in awe at the simplest of things. Hyungseok didn’t have to second-guess when he knew his friend was thinking about the little boy Hyungseok used to be.

If Hyungseok were an honest man, he would admit to missing that little boy as well.

When lunch rolled around, Haneul was pointedly tugging at his arm again, squishing her chest against his arm and pouting hard to exaggerate her features. “Pleasee sit with me, Hyungseok!” She whined, her voice shrill enough that Hyungseok would have felt irritated if he bothered to care.

“I don’t know about sitting with you one-on-one, Haneul, but you can sit with me, Mijin and Jinsung today.” He replied instead, smiling down at her and waiting for her verbal confirmation.

The girl seemed a little defeated at the thought of other people sitting at the same table, but cheerfully agreed all the same. Hyungseok let her guide him to the cafeteria, mind spinning itself into a tizzy about Jaeyeol.

He knew he was with Jae when he walked out of class, but whilst he was talking to Haneul he guessed Jaeyeol disappeared somewhere. Hyungseok hoped his friend would come back in soon.

Hyungseok smiled sweetly as Haneul led him to his table, where Mijin and Jinsung were milling close to. “Hello.” Hyungseok greeted them all “I didn’t think we had properly met yet, you’re Mijin-sii, right?”

The other girl smiled weakly, nervous about being so close to Hyungseok. “Nice to meet you properly, Hyungseok-sii.”

They sat down together. There was a long beat of silence where no one knew how to talk to each other, before Haneul spoke up. “So… are you two friends?”

That sent them spiraling into talking for the remainder of their lunch, they talked about lunch, their favorite food that somehow went to talking about their childhood then they started talking about their dream jobs.

Throughout, Hyungseok acted as engaging as he could, offering his own thoughts and opinions where he could. It wasn’t his fault he never thought much about his future aside from the occasional wish that he wasn’t working with Choi Dongsoo.

“Where’s Jaeyeol-sii, Hyungseok?” Mijin asked kindly, comfortable enough to flash a kind smile at him. “I thought he would come sit with us today, seeing as you two have been so attached.”

Hyungseok blinked out of his thoughts and checked his watch. Jaeyeol hadn’t come into the cafeteria, it’s been nearly 30 minutes by now.

Hyungseok smiled pleasantly. “I’ll go find Jaeyeol, he probably isn’t too far.” And speed-walked out of the room with as much grace as he could manage.

Internally, Hyungseok thinks he’s panicking. He’s only had Jae back for, what? 2 days? And he knows he’s desperately attached. Why else would he want Jae with him forever? Want him with Hyungseok for as long as time allowed?

(“You’re crazy.” One of Dongsoo’s bodyguards sneered. “Crazier than me and Goo, which is an absolute achievement. I pity anyone who catches your eye.”

“He’s already eyeing someone, Gun!” The other one laughed with joyous eyes that overshadowed his mania. “The boss’ rival son! The silent kid!”

“You’re quite the man, Hyungseok.” The other chuckled.)

He opened the bathroom door.

There stood Jae, nonchalantly cleaning the blood off his fingers while a few people seemed to be passed out in the stalls.

Hyungseok smiled and walked in, watching Jaeyeol’s sudden jump and whirl to stare at Hyungseok.

“I was getting worried about where you were, Jae.” Hyungseok whispered, unable to resist hugging his friend at the waist. “I couldn’t find you anywhere, was beginning to think you left me.” He couldn’t help but tease.

His dear friend seemed to laugh, his shoulders shaking gently with the motion. “Aigo” Hyungseok cooed, moving to stand behind Jaeyeol. “Did you beat these bullies up for me?”

Jaeyeol titled his head to the side, smiling almost sheepishly. “My silent angel.” Hyungseok cooed sweetly, something like adoration sinking into his bones and pulling away from the panic.

Why would he ever believe that Jae’d leave? Hadn’t he been the one to pull away the first time?

He stared at him and his friend in the mirror as Jae dried his hands with a tissue. Then, he gently brushed his thumb over Jae’s cheek.

Satisfaction curled like a cat when Jae’s cheek went red. “I’m sorry, dear. There was just some blood on your cheek.” He purred. God, how did his friend become so cute ? He wants to eat Jae alive at this rate.

Jae sputtered, waving his hand indignantly and glaring at Hyungseok when the other man chuckled.

He finally led Jae back to their lunch table, where the other three watched them with various emotions in their eyes.

Hyungseok didn’t care, more preoccupied with watching how the cafeteria lights bounced off of Jae’s hair.

“Oh, there’s a festival?” Hyungseok asked, walking home with Jae.

It was a nice day, a day where Jae decided to get exercise by walking to school instead of riding his fancy bike. That meant, to Hyungseok’s delight, Hyungseok could walk Jaeyeol home instead of heading off in separate directions the moment school ended.

Jaeyeol nodded, making gestures to expand his opinions.

“I heard from the sophomores that we have to participate in an auction.” Hyungseok hummed. “The girls will bet on us and whoever wins gets a date. If it were me, I’d make you come up and spend all the money I have on you, make sure everyone knows that you’re off the market.”

Jae huffed a pout and gently shoved Hyungseok, who laughed and didn’t tell his friend how true his thoughts were.

The day of the festival was more fun than he thought, he dragged Jaeyeol just about everywhere he could, pointing at food and more than happy to buy his friend all the gifts he wanted.

(Which sadly wasn’t a lot.)

Jinsung was much too unwilling in joining the auction, which meant that he set up his own boxing booth to raise money.

Hyungseok wanted to join the booth if he were honest, join and box with the other man to see if he could win against Jinsung.

But Jae was being so cute next to the bread stall, so Hyungseok didn’t have the mind to leave his friend the entire day.

Then, the ever-dreaded auction came up.

(Hyungseok fought like hell to get time for himself before the auction started.

“If you’re going to make me get up there,” Hyungseok started with a bright smile on his face. “Then I want the auction to be delayed by 30 minutes, I had plans to look at all the stalls you know.”

The girls pouted and whined. “But why? You’d bring us a lot of money if you joined the auction.”

“No.” Hyungseok could almost feel the poison dripping out his mouth. “The sophomores are planning a fashion show, yes? Then they can go first. After that, if we are truly planning to do that auction, I either come up there with Jae, or I don’t come up at all.”

“Jae?” One of the girls’ face twisted in confusion before it broke into recognition. “Oh, you mean your blond friend! Sure, he can come up too.”

Hyungseok desperately fought the urge to snarl at her and retreated back to Jaeyeol. “I’m sorry for dragging you into the auction, Jae.” He simpered. “If it makes you uncomfortable, I could always do it on my own.”

Jaeyeol looked at him, something a little angry in his eyes before he sighed.

Just remember to tell me next time you do this, ok?

Hyungseok smiled. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure the attention won’t even pay attention to you, you just need to be my emotional support, ok?”

Jaeyeol huffed a laugh, as if asking him how he’d pull that off.

“I have my ways.” Hyungseok settled on saying.)

Hyungseok watched in unbridled amusement as people came and went at the auction, occasionally chuckling at how low the money went for some of the men.

“Oh Jaeyeol…” He hummed softly and hugged his friend again. “I don’t think any amount of money can compare to you. You’re definitely worth more than 10 million.”

The taps on his back told him what his friend truly thought of that.

You’re placing too much money on me, I’m worth a thousand at most.

“Lies and slander!” Hyungseok fake-gasped. “You’re worth more than diamonds! I can’t let you say that to yourself.”

Jaeyeol smiled and ignored the blush rising on his face. He looked gorgeous at that moment, smiling like Hyungseok’s words meant the world, shining so brightly despite the black curtain behind them blocking out the sun.

Your picture itself is worth more than a thousand words, worth more than all the diamonds combined. Hyungseok thought to himself. Why do you lower yourself so much?

“And lastly, the most special of the bunch today, we have the Park Hyungseok and Hong Jaeyeol of the Fashion Department!” The MC announced.

“Looks like we’re up, Jae.” Hyungseok chuckled and held his wrist. “Come on, we need to get this show on the road.”

When they walked onto the stage, the screaming was loud enough to drown out the MC.

“That really is the Park Hyungseok?!” “I never realized Park Hyungseok went to J High! Do you think I can transfer?!” “Park Hyungseok!! Marry me!”

On and on it went, they were so distracted by the sight of Hyungseok that they barely even realized Jaeyeol was standing meekly behind him.

Hyungseok smiled and blew a kiss into the crowd, the screaming got a thousand times louder. “I did say no one would pay attention to you, Jae.” Hyungseok said to his friend who was still grasping his shirt. “Everyone always wants my attention.”

“Hey, Hyungseok-sii!” The MC said, fear utterly prevalent in his eyes. “Do you see that girl? The one with the dark and gold uniform?”

Hyungseok raised a brow and scanned the crowd. There, at the front of the line, was a girl with masterfully styled hair and a smile so smug she might as well have won ‘Most prideful person in Korea’. 

Hyungseok carefully hid his distaste and his Jaeyeol’s head behind him. “I do, what about her?” Hyungseok said carefully, assessing the crowd for more people he should watch out for.

“Her name‘s Kim Lala from Chanel Private School, she’s the auction queen around here.” He was brave enough to look Hyungseok in the eyes. “She’s won the last 2 auctions, I can tell you from experience that the all-day date schedule was horrible . If she wins, run .”

Hyungseok huffed. “She better bring in at least 10 thousand won, then. It’s not just me on this stage.” The MC looked confused before he remembered the other man behind Hyungseok.

Jaeyeol was still clinging tightly to his shirt, terribly anxious even if there was no one staring at him.

“My best friend is here too, and I think he’s the most handsome person here.” Hyungseok smiled like a doll. “He’s worth more than 10 thousand, but that’s my baseline number for him.”

The MC chuckled nervously, before looking back at Kim Lala.

“1000 dollars.” She said, raising her hand like she was the epitome of grace itself.

Hyungseok could think of people better than her at grace.

“Nothing higher than 1000 dollars?! Already breaking DJ Roofy’s record from 2 years ago! Going for 1000 dollars are Hyungseok and Jaeyeol!”

Hyungseok stared at the girl. She wasn’t anything worth gawking at, and the look on her face told him everything he needed to know about her.

Rich girl, too much money to spend, wants him for his looks and his money.

He resists the urge to frown.

“That means we’re only worth 500 dollars individually, Jaeyeol.” Hyungseok said casually, loudly. “I’ve never felt so belittled in my entire life.”

Jaeyeol looked at him in confusion and finally stood up straight. Kim Lala scowled in confusion and offense before landing on the other man behind Hyungseok.

“Oh my god! Who is that?! How did we not see him?!” “He’s so handsome!! What an absolute beauty!”

Hyungseok chuckled as his friend blushed bashfully. “I told you were pretty, Jaeyeol.” He teased.

Jaeyeol huffed at him playfully.

“2000 dollars.” Someone else said. When they all whipped their heads to see her, Hyungseok couldn’t help the shock.

Why is Choi Soojung here?!

Judging by the surprise on Jae’s face, he guessed he knew who Soojung was. Of course he knew, the Hongs and Chois were business rivals after all.

He fought to keep the scowl off of his face.

Hyungseok had never had a good relationship with Soojung, they hated each other’s guts from the moment they met each other. Hyungseok always thought the girl was too bratty for his tastes, too huffy and sassy for him to bother with holding a meaningful conversation.

Despite that, Dongsoo was persistent in forcing the two of them together, always arranging meetings with the two of them working together, doing jobs and businesses together despite how protective the CEO was of Soojung.

When they realized that Dongsoo wanted them to fall in love so he could have leverage over Hyungseok’s ‘priceless treasure’, the two of them swore a shaky truce that held them together ever since.

Their relationship wasn’t that much better, but at least they weren’t exchanging barbed words and death wishes anymore.

Though he wished Soojung wasn’t here, if only to shield Jaeyeol from her.

“And it seems like these 2 handsome boys are going for 5000 dollars!!!! ” The MC screamed into the mic.

Oh right, the auction was still ongoing.

Soojung stared at him from the audience, her eyes practically asking him to come down and talk to her.

So Hyungseok, like the good man he was, turned to Jaeyeol and asked him for his opinion. Because he can drag his friend into auctions and biddings, but he’d rather burn the school than let Jaeyeol anywhere near his dirty business.

“Do you want to talk to Soojung, Jae?” Hyungseok asked quietly. “I won’t force you to talk to her if you dislike her.”

Jaeyeol shrugged. My father doesn’t like any of the Chois, but I couldn’t care less if I had to talk to her.

“Alright.” Hyungseok sighed. “I’ll need to have a private conversation with her, I told you I have business with her father, so wait for me?”

Jaeyeol looked mildly surprised, then he nodded.

Hyungseok hugged him again and ignored the squeals from girls. “I’ll see you at the bread stand.” He said, then reluctantly left.

Soojung had been waiting by her car with her bodyguard Gun standing off to the side.

“You never told me you liked boys.” Soojung remarked, looking at him with something like surprise in his eyes.

Hyungseok glared at her, though by the way she raised her hands placatingly she didn’t seem to mean any harm.

“Saying I like boys would be assuming I actually like boys . I only like Jaeyeol.” Hyungseok said brightly. “I only ever liked Jaeyeol.”

“Doesn’t change the fact that Hong Jaeyeol is a boy.” Soojung stressed, frowning. “Don’t bother denying it either, I have never seen you so touchy with someone before in the years I’ve known you.”

Hyungseok didn’t bother to hide his dislike of her. “And this matters because?” He asked, raising a brow as Gun hid a smile.

Soojung huffed in annoyance but slowly looked at him again. “Father wants to speak with you regarding your work at this school tomorrow. The usual time and location.” She slid back into her car.

Hyungseok stared at Gun, challenging him to say something. “You should be careful with your infatuation, Hyungseok-sii.” Gun said ever-casually, his demented smile distorting his face like a funhouse mirror. “The people we surround ourselves with might use it as leverage against you.”

Hyungseok smiled brightly, sweet enough to put sugar to shame. “I hope that wasn’t a threat towards Jaeyeol, Gun-sii.”

Gun chuckled and turned around, opening the car door. “It will be if you don’t know how to play your cards right.”

Hyungseok watched them drive off, then turned on his heels to find Jaeyeol again.

(“I know what I want as my treasure.” Hyungseok sang lightly, life shining through void eyes and smiling more human than before.

“And what, pray tell, is it?” Choi Dongsoo asked, wondering what made such a dead boy bright with life and youth.

“Give me Hong Yaeyeol.” Dongsoo blinked in surprise.

Hong Jaeyeol, the youngest son of H Group. That Hong Jaeyeol?

“I’m sorry?” Never would he think that one of his own geniuses could surprise him like this. Then again, Park Hyungseok was always a special man.

“You heard me loud and clear, Dongsoo-sii.” Hyungseok exclaimed cheerfully. “I don’t care what you have to do, but I want Hong Jaeyeol to stay with me for the rest of our time together. He will be my prize.”

He stared at the young man before him for a long moment. “Why can’t you be an easy man, Park Hyungseok?”

“Since when did you like things easy?” Hyungseok said with the air viper looking to strike. “I want Hong Jaeyeol as my prize, no exceptions.”

Dongsoo sighed after a long moment, his gaze unreadable as he stared into the eyes of a demon masquerading as a boy once young. “You have yourself a deal.”)

One day, during a rare time where Hyungseok wasn’t actually staring at Jae and instead focused on his homework, Jinsung appeared in front of him.

“Hey, Hyungseok.” The man in front of him said, an angry sneer across his face screamed of murder. “Come with me, I need backup.”

“For what?” Hyungseok chuckled. They’ve been having lunch together for the past few weeks and Hyungseok was glad to say his quest for friendship had succeeded, now that his current circle was wider he had been planning on making more connections outside the classroom itself.

“I asked Namsoo to buy me some new shoes and he got scammed.” Jinsung huffed. “So we’re gonna go get my money back. You’re a businessman, yeah? So I’ll need your stupid charisma.”

Hyungseok smiled at the compliment. “You sure know how to make a guy feel special.” He crooned.

Jinsung glared harder, but his slight blush was undeniable. “Not as special as whatever the hell you and Jae are.”

At the mention, Jae looked up at them with an inquisitive expression. Hyungseok immediately brightened up under Jae’s attention. “Jaeyeol, do you want to come with me and Jinsung?” He asked.

Jaeyeol seemed confused but nodded either way, Hyungseok ignored the snide “It’s like you die without Jae’s attention” from Jinsung and stood up, dragging his friend up by the arm.

“Let’s go then, Jinsung!” Hyungseok cheered brightly, watching the man huff in exasperation before following them out the door.

Hyungseok was more than happy to let Jinsung lead the way, content to simply  be back-up and cling to his friend. Though he had to act more aloof when they got on the train, fixing his mask and becoming the cold businessman Park Hyungseok never was in school.

“Ahh, it’s such a nice day, isn’t it Jae?” Hyungseok chatted away, a hand holding onto his boba as Jae sipped his tea. “I never thought about skipping school, but I guess Jiinsung is really making me into a delinquent.”

Speaking of Jinsung, he was… making the most idiotic face Hyungseok ever had the displeasure of seeing.

“Jaeyeol! Jaeyeol!” A man sitting next to Jae spoke. “Can I have more milk?”

Right, Vasco was here too.

He didn’t really know why Vasco wanted to tag along, all he knew of the man was that he was the leader of Burn Knuckles and, apparently, a somewhat-friend of Jinsungs.

Which meant that Vasco was also dropped into Hyungseok’s life rather unceremoniously.

‘Unceremoniously’, in this case, meant that Vasco tried to break his shoulder when they first properly talked. Then his dear Jaeyeol entered the scene and nearly broke Vasco’s wrist from outrage.

Hyungseok, ever the diplomat and mastermind, took Vasco to the nurse’s office where he inquired about Vasco’s hate towards him. Of course, while Vasco left many details of his life out, Hyungseok had a general understanding of what happened to him.

To be bullied and used the way Vasco was, Hyungseok could only imagine the anger and humiliation he would feel that day. So, instead of giving fake comfort for something he never experienced before, he simply said: “You’re quite courageous, to live through something like that and rise to be the hero people like you needed. What an admirable man.”

The light that shone in Vasco’s eyes could almost be compared to the first time Hyungseok saw Jaeyeol smile.

Now here they were, friends.

If Hyungseok were honest, he didn’t necessarily care about being close to the man, but Jaeyeol seemed oddly proud of him for making friends, so Hyungseok naturally sucked it up and kept in contact with Vasco.

“You look like a monkey, Jinsung.” Hyungseok muttered to himself as Jaeyeol bought more milk for Vasco. ‘Keep your face like that and you’ll be so ugly you’re nigh unrecognizable.” 

Jinsung turned that scowl over to him. “Shut up! Hearing that from a pretty boy like you only makes me extra pissed.”

Hyungseok smiled, watching Jaeyeol talk to Vasco from the corner of his eye. “Whatever you say, Jinsung.”

Hyungseok continued drinking his boba in peace, paying no mind to the whispers and Jinsung’s sudden departure. He must’ve seen the girls passing by the window, Hyungseok thought absently, They weren’t really discreet when they decided on following the us.

“Trouble’s in the water, Vasco, Jae.” Hyungseok commented, watching the three men Jinsung was making faces at leave the coffee shop a little after the boxer left.

Jaeyeol titled his head in question.

“You’re asking if we should leave now?” Hyungseok hummed. “No, let’s just let Jinsung do what he wants, if we go now he’ll think we don’t believe in his capabilities.”

Surely enough, when the idiot came back in he was sporting a nasty mark on his head and a scowl that would send chills down normal men. “We gotta go, the meeting’s starting.”

Hyungseok couldn’t help the amused smile that came onto his face. “Come on, Jae, we can go watch a movie in 3D.” Hyungseok mused, chuckling when Jae clocked his side again in disapproval.

“Hello ladies.” Hyungseok greeted jovially, discreetly checking the girls for any injuries. “May I ask why you’re here?”

Mijin flushed in embarrassment, no doubt realizing that she was found out. “I-I was just going to find a book, is all.” She mumbled meekly, Yui nodding rapidly in response.

(Right, Yui. Hyungseok harbors a lot of distaste for her.

Since the day he met her, Hyungseok always thought she was rather shallow, more than Haneul. When she saw him for the first time, she batted her eyelashes at him and smiled so sweetly he was surprised he didn’t get cavities just looking at her.

Then she started giving him gifts. Expensive gifts that only told him how much she wanted to be in his life. Of course, being the man he was, Hyungseok gently let her down everytime only for her to come back in gifting more.

It was cute how hard she tried at the beginning, but it got annoying quick when she started trying to spend more time with Hyungseok. Now, Hyungseok wouldn’t have cared if she pulled his attention away during most times at school.

But no, she decided it was better to personally interrupt the time he spent with Jae specifically.

Hyungseok had been ready to be the pettiest man alive when suddenly all her attention fell on poor Jinsung.)

“Just stay behind us, ladies.” Hyungseok chuckled. “That way we can shield you from being hit.”

Hyungseok decided it was more fun to watch the fight from afar.

Jinsung was a capable man, he thought to himself and watched with thinly-veiled satisfaction when the boxer managed to knock two of the boys out.

Then reinforcements came in, to Hyungseok’s disappointment. “Aren’t you a supposed ‘leader’? Smart men and smarter leaders know how to pick their battles.” Hyungseok drawled, letting Jaeyeol scan the surrounding area and estimate the number of people present. “You’re a stupid man if you thought of fighting us and winning.”

The ringleaders’ eyes almost bugged out of their sockets, to Hyungseoks’ utter joy. “Park Hyungseok?! What the hell are you doing here?!” The other man shouted, instinctually backing away.

“Playing back-up, of course!” Hyungseok replied evenly, watching as the rest of Burn Knuckles rode in like they were actors in some rip-off of a popular movie. “I’m only here to watch the show.”

He heard a thump somewhere behind him, Jae must’ve decided to join the fight, then. He whipped his head around to watch Jae in action.

And what a powerhouse their group made. Jinsung had decided to rest nearby, if ‘fighting off weaker goons’ could be called resting, Vasco himself ended up holding one of the lackeys in place with his signature shoulder move.

And Jae. Jaeyeol was an absolute madman . His friend had clearly learned from the best of the best, his hits hit hard and fatal if it weren’t for the random headcovers he conjured up somewhere. His movements were precise and clean, made for efficiency and brutality that made it seem like a hypnotic dance only he knew the steps to.

And Hyungseok was enamored . So enamored, even, that he almost forgot to dodge the hit directed at his head.

“Didn’t I tell you I was only here to watch the show?” Hyungseok asked sardonically, annoyed that some nobody forced him to look away from Jae’s fight. He turned his eyes to see the panicked leader standing behind him with a fear so palpable Hyungseok was surprised he didn’t notice him sooner.

Hyungseok quickly pushed the man back with a headbutt and with a speed no normal human should have he crouched low, put his hands on the ground and stood on his hands, strategically kicking the leader’s chin with as much speed and force as he could manage.

Which was a lot seeing as the man flew a few feet into the air.

Hyungseok couldn’t help his smile at that moment, watching a man’s bloodied face flying through the air before finally landing only a few feet away from where he stood to punch Hyungseok. He wasn’t a particularly bloodthirsty person, but men like Hyungseok couldn’t deny the joy derived from good hits and better fights.

To live the life Hyungseok did, something like morals weren’t par for the course. The more you sink yourself into the business, the darker of a person you become, the crueler you are as a human.

And you could say Hyungseok was one of the cruelest.

(“More like bloodthirsty!!” Goo howled and laughed when Hyungseok mentioned it to him. “Just face it Hyungseok!! You’re just as bad as us!”

“Bold of you to assume I ever denied it.” Hyungseok quipped in response, a smile threatening to break his face.)

“Anyone else want to take away my fun?” Hyungseok cajolled, his voice becoming high pitched in his mocking. “Make me cry and break my face in? Make a trophy and tell the world how weak Park Hyungseok really is?” He laughed.

The silence was deafening around them, they all stared at the sudden insanity the youngest businessman in Korea was displaying. It was a sudden 180° from seeing a young man watching his friend(???) in adoration to the laughing maniac in front of them.

“Are all businessmen crazy or something?…” Jinsung muttered under his breath.

It was like Jinsung’s words were a wake-up call, because the entire group went back to fighting and some were bold enough to try jumping Hyungseok.

They had no time to dwell on Hyungseok, each having to put focus into their own fights and pushing the man’s mental state to the back-burner.

(No one dared to look at Hyungseok as he fought, his limbs contorting to odd angles and using every martial art he learned and observed to handicap his opponent.

Those who glimpsed at him saw his eyes were bright with unbridled mania, a smile stretched so wide across his face they could imagine the skin thinning and stretching his mouth into something inhuman. 

Though they didn’t really have to look at Hyungseok to see that, his oddly cheerful laughter was enough to give everyone ideas.)

Though, when everyone either fell to the ground or retreated, Jaeyeol walked over to Hyungseok and put a hand on his shoulder.

That seemed to knock Hyungseok out of whatever mental state he had been in, the smile that stretched to cover half of his face loosened into a straight line, that prevalent insanity slowly dissipated until the blond was staring at empty black eyes.

Jaeyeol shook him again and, like puppets on a string, Hyungseok suddenly bursted into motion.

“I really shouldn’t have smiled so widely.” Hyungseok feigned a pout, squishing his cheek in a way that would have been adorable in any other situation.

“Are you sure you’re okay, Hyungseok?” Vasco asked, concern on his face as he looked at the man in the eye.

“Yeah, I’m okay, why do you ask?” Hyungseok asked, his empty eyes were an afterimage in Vasco’s mind.

“You acted like a man possessed, that’s what.” Jinsung glared. “It was so bad you scared the girls and like, half of the people fighting us.”

“That just happens when I fight.” Hyungseok said casually, like it was normal for everyone. “I kind of get lost in the heat of it all and lose myself.”

Jaeyeol titled his head in concern.

Hyungseok’s casual smile turned disgustingly sappy the moment he looked at Jae. “I’m okay, I probably shouldn’t smile too much now that I stretched the muscle on my cheeks.”

(Everyone around them stared at the sudden affection shared between the two of them.

Are they boyfriends? Everyone thought. Though Jinsung, Mijin and Yui knew the truth.

Can’t you two just kiss?! )

“Jaeyeol.” Hyungseok dragged his friend’s name out and pulled his friend close to him. They were in Hyungseok’s apartment, doing homework together and talking about a million things that don’t matter in the process. “I’m bored.”

Jaeyeol seemed to laugh at him, leaning back against Hyungseok’s couch and looking at him with amusement in every line of his body.

What do you want to do then?

“I don’t know.” Hyungseok hummed, gently biting at his pen. Then his eyes lit up in realization. “Right, there’s a school trip after midterms, right?”

Jaeyeol looked at him in confusion, so Hyungseok happily elaborated. “I like to keep tabs on everything around me, so when I heard midterms were coming up I started talking to the sophomores and asked around. That’s how I found out we were going on a little retreat after the midterms ended.”

Jaeyeol shook his head in exasperation. It’s not fun if you spoil everything, you know.

“Hey!” Hyungseok smiled, leaning onto Jae’s shoulder and smiling coyly. “It is very fun if I spoil everything. I don’t even know where we’d be going anyway!”

Jaeyeol laughed silently and put his head on top of Hyungseok’s head. Knowing the way you are now I know you’d look through the teacher’s documents for it.

Hyungseok smiled widely in response.

(There wasn’t a lot of things Hyungseok would hide from Jaeyeol. Not many at all.

So when Jaeyeol asked to stay at his apartment for studying one day, Hyungseok thought it was best to tell him what happened.

Because Jaeyeol was going to stay with him forever, and if his friend were angry about it Hyungseok wanted him to at least know the person his childhood friend became.

So after they settled onto the couch together, Hyungseok pulled Jaeyeol close to him and said in his most resolute voice: “Can I tell you what happened?”

And Jaeyeol, sweet sweet Jaeyeol who has been nothing but an absolute angel even after all the months of them reuniting again despite having a million different questions for him ever since the beginning, asked: Are you sure you want to talk about it?

Hyungseok smiled so brightly his cheek ached for a brief moment. “How are you such an angel, Jae?” He asked with his chin laying on blond hair.

Due to Hyungseok being touchy constantly, Jaeyeol sadly stopped blushing as often as he had to. But Hyungseok delighted in the comforting weight on his friend all the same. “I am ready to talk about it, Jae. Don’t worry.”

And he spoke, and he spoke and spoke until the starless night sky turned madder blue and Hyungseok’s voice was so hoarse he could barely speak by the end of it.

The topic itself never felt hard, whenever he moved about his life it always felt like a fact, a simple reality that never changed even if Hyungseok wished for it.

But when he finally laid his thoughts and memories into words, forced them into being and made himself acknowledge his own life by proxy, Hyungseok realized for the first time how cruel the reality he lived in truly was. How much pain and how much misery he has gone through, how much he changed for the wish of living a life he would be happy in.

Never had he been so glad to have Jaeyeol in his arms, the amount of times he nearly broke down crying only for his friend to bring him down by simply being there made the experience he put into words easier than he could ever imagine.

“If I told you that you were my angel, would you believe me?” Hyungseok whispered, his head nosing gently at Jae’s jawline. “I never realized how much I needed you to get through my day until now.”

Indeed, Hyungseok knew he had Jaeyeol in his head ever since he was young, but he never realized how much he missed his friend until he thought of how every-near breakdown and anxiety attack he had was soothed by the thought of Jae, how every happy memory and every sad memory made better went hand-in-hand with Jae.

In a way, Jae has always been with him, had always been a kind of guardian angel pulling Hyungseok back from the deep depths of anger and loneliness.

Jaeyeol laughed, but didn’t object when Hyungseok called him ‘angel’ in class, if anything his face got redder.

Jinsung would scream in despair if he could.)

“Hey, angel.” Hyungseok said, nosing Jaeyeol’s neck. “We’ll be split into dorms at the retreat right? How do you feel about rooming with me?”

Jaeyeol made a gesture with his hands, ignoring when Hyungseok shifted slightly. Aren’t the dormitories assigned by the counselors or whoever is in charge of planning the retreat?

“Yes, but why should I care about something like that?” Hyungseok shifted again, Jaeyeol automatically made space so Hyungseok could get comfortable. “I want you with me, so I’ll get you with me.”

Aren’t you being too bratty, Hyung? Jaeyeol teased. Right, Hyung. A joke about Hyungseok being older even though Jaeyeol was the elder between them.

It’s a stupid joke that got wrapped into a nickname, but Hyungseok preened at the thought of having a nickname from Jae anyway.

“Sadly, angel, I’m your brat.” Hyungseok retorted, watching with delight as Jaeyeol laughed again. “A brat you can never get rid of.”

Bold of you to assume I ever want to get rid of you. Jaeyeol teased and pinched Hyungseok’s stomach and the other man laughed so genuinely it felt like he was a child again.

Jaeyeol’s smile widened, his head falling onto Hyungseok’s shoulder as he also laughed about something that shouldn’t have been as funny as it was.

(Hyungseok internally cheered when the camera took a photo of them without Jae realizing.

It was a simple photo of the two of them, Hyungseok having successfully shifted so that Jaeyeol was seated in his lap, his head laying on the crook of Hyungseok’s shoulder as they laughed about things that didn’t matter, the blond’s arm wrapped around the noirret’s shoulders like a hug.

Hyungseok himself looked as happy as he could be, one hand gently holding onto Jae’s waist like his dear could fall off any moment, another gently holding the back of his angel’s neck. He looked happy, a laugh on his tongue and his eyes staring at Jae as if the man hung the stars.

For that little moment in time, they looked like the happiest couple in existence.

Jae, ever aware, had realized what happened a moment after and pouted so hard Hyungseok had to resist the urge to kiss it away. Then, he quietly asked Hyungseok to send the photo to him.

Jaeyeol never showed it to anyone and Hyungseok proudly made it his phone background.)

When the day of the retreat finally arrived, Hyungseok came in with the full plan of enjoying his 3-day vacation as much as physically possible.

How? One would ask. Simple: Make Jae laugh as much as he physically could.

Which definitely didn’t bode well with the current seating arrangements.

See, Hyungseok had a seat right in the middle at the back of the bus, Jinsung would be sitting on left, Doo Lee (An annoying man who tried to get Hyungseok drunk but he ended up outdrinking the man) sat on his right, the girls and Jiho (Gambler, annoying and threatened to tell the whole school that Hyungseok and Jae were dating.) in the front of him.

Which left zero space for Jae to sit.

He eyed the chair right next to the teacher for a moment before looking back at the group.

He wanted to sit there, but he also wanted to seat with Jae who hadn’t entered the bus yet…

“Stop thinking so loud.” Jinsung glared. “If you want Jae to sit with you so much he might as well sit on your lap or something.”

It was definitely meant as a joke, Hyungseok himself knew it was a joke, everyone in the bus knew it was a joke.

But the brightest smile that broke out on Hyungseok’s face spoke aloud everything he thought of that suggestion.

Jae ended up sitting on Hyungseok’s lap, sporting the reddest face anyone had ever seen on the Fashion Department’s prince. If you looked at the ice prince, however, one would have thought he was trying to outshine the sun with how happy he looked.

Though he lived up to his name when he heard a girl mutter, “Who would have thought two of the most handsome people in the Fashion Department were gay ? What an absolute waste of good looks.”

The glare he shot at her when Jae sunk into the seat from insecurity made everyone shut their mouths quickly.

On Hyungseok’s left side, Jinsung looked ready to throttle the two friends.

When they arrived at the camp itself, everyone left the bus in bursts of loud chatter, Hyungseok grasped Jae’s wrist while his eyes explored the camp ground currently visible. 

It was secluded, too secluded.

Hyungseok ran an internal checklist as he looked around minutely, the forest was dense enough that if sound were to travel it would be hard to track down, the surrounding area had no cameras in case anything were to happen, the facility itself lacked the necessary measures to keep its students safe.

This place, Hyungseok privately decided, wasn’t good enough for someone like Jaeyeol.

“Angel.” Hyungseok crooned and hugged Jae. “Room with me, please?” He faux-begged, smiling when his friend huffed a faux-exasperated sigh and nod.

“Hyungseok! I’ll room with you!” “Can I room with you too!? Please?!” “No fair! I wanna come too!”

Hyungseok smiled brightly then lowered his lashes, pulling Jae so close they were cheek-to-cheek and purred out “All you ladies are so beautiful I don’t think me nor Jae would be able to handle you all.”

They squealed so loud the counselors ran out in a panic thinking the girls got murdered.

Instead, all they found were several girls passed out on the floor around two boys hugging each other.

“What happened?” One of the counselors said. The man was tall enough, only shorter than Hyungseok by a centimeter or two, his smile was kind and his eyes were kinder. But the man had an air of danger around him, like he was trying too hard to compensate for something else.

Then Hyungseok remembered going online one day to check public police wanted lists and seeing the wanted poster for the man in front of him.

People like him are after girls more…. Hyungseok thought, then glanced over to the others. Mijin, Yui and Haneul aren’t safe, then.

Outwardly, Hyungseok smiled and said in the most genuine saccharine tone he could: “I’m not quite sure, mr. counselor! One moment I was just talking to my best friend and then the next thing I knew the girls were falling around us!”

Subtly, he nudged all the girls’ legs closed.

The counselor seemed to smile, ready to retort something when another counselor ran up to them. This man was shorter than both him and the counselor, built to be fatter but still taller than Dukhwa. Like the professional he clearly seemed to be, he surveyed all the girls on the ground and directly asked Hyungseok “Are they okay?”

Hyungseok chuckled and nodded. “Ladies, can you stand up?” He flashed his brightest smile at the girls. “You’re scaring everyone.”

“Yes Hyungseok-sii!” “Anything for you!” “Always!” “Aigo! You’re so nice!”

Hyungseok chuckled good-naturedly. “They’re fine, sir. I appreciate your worry.” He said kindly to the smaller man, then glanced up at the taller one (a glance at his badge told Hyungseok his name was Zeus.)

“Gather up everyone!” Zeus eventually moved away from Hyungseok and his circle of now-standing women. “We’re on a time crunch here! Move quickly into position and we can start the day!”

Hyungseok padded back over to where Jae was standing, obviously bored of the conversation he had with the counselor. Hyungseok smiled and leaned close, acting like he was tucking a hair on Jaeyeol’s head as he whispered “I think I saw counselor Zeus on a wanted poster, help me keep watch over the girls.”

Jaeyeol looked back at him and huffed, pushing him away with a gentle tap to his shoulder. That was Jae’s code for agreement.

Hyungseok couldn’t help but preen.

Hyungseok lost himself in his own daydream, only getting himself out of it when he felt Jae’s presence next to him. Why does his friend look so innocent, Hyungseok wondered.

Shrugging it off, Hyungseok pulled his friend close to him again. Then he thought something was odd, why were Jae’s hips bigger than he remembered?

Hyungseok stared at him for a moment, then looked down at his pants. Nothing, looked up at his face again.

Jae smiled at him cheekily and Hyungseok couldn’t help but huff and pulled Jae closer, “Since when was my sweet Jae such a gorgeous temptation, hm?” Hyungseok teased. “Look at you, being a terrible student.”

Jaeyeol blushed but seemed to roll his eyes, then he gestured back to the students still behind them.

Hyungseok nonchalantly looked back where the entire school look at them in a mix of surprise and outrage.

Before Hyungseok bothered to think about it, he smiled at the school with his most disturbing saccharine smile and cooed out, “Is there a problem?”

They all stuttered out multiple variations of ‘no’. Hyungseok smiled in reply before discreetly looking at the counselors.

They didn’t seem too surprised, though they definitely were surprised. The smaller counselor, Won Bin, looked at them with a look that screamed ‘How are you that bold in front of your school?’ while the other man, Zeus, suddenly looked delighted.

Hyungseok smiled and curled a hand around Jae’s waist possessively. He definitely isn’t going after Jae, but Hyungseok’s never been a man who liked the thought of sharing.

When Hyungseok and Jae finally went into their shared dorm, Hyungseok asked innocently “So, how did my angel’s hips become so thick in just a day?”

Jaeyeol huffed and hit Hyungseok over the head lightly. Don’t say it like that, you’ll give people the wrong ideas.

“What about my statement would give people wrong ideas?” Hyungseok bemoaned, watching with an appreciative eye as Jae changed out of his shirt. “I just said that your hips got bigger.”

That would also imply my butt got bigger. Jaeyeol quipped as he started changing his pants

“Aw, are you shy, Jae?” Hyungseok murmured as he looked away and began changing. “There’s nothing wrong with having a bubble butt! In fact, I think bubble butts are quite nice.”

He didn’t need to look at Jae to know his angel was bright red. Hyungseok chuckled and finally looked back, padding close to Jae and putting his hand on Jae’s hips again. “What did you sneak in?” He whispered.

Jaeyeol smiled sheepishly. Cigarettes.

“You better give me one later, angel.” Hyungseok smiled conspiratorially. Jae chuckled and nodded. Fine by me, Hyung.

“Yah!” Hyungseok whined loudly and opened the doors again, acting like nothing was wrong as he held Jae’s hand. “I’m younger than you! You can’t call me hyung!”

But it’s in your name. Jae teased, his smile so sweet Hyungseok felt like he was floating on cotton candy. If your parents didn’t want you being called hyung, they should have never named you Hyungseok.

“You must think you’re very smart, angel.”

I am, in fact. Did you forget I was top 2 in the class?

The performance was… boring. If Hyungseok was blunt about it.

The Baking department’s show was fun enough, mainly because they decided to use knives instead of drums, but other than that Hyungseok had no interest in watching the show. Jae seemed to be in agreement with that fact even if he scolded Hyungseok for being rude about his opinions.

So, to keep his own mouth shut, Hyungseok spent the time watching his surroundings.

The counselors were staring at everyone, a mix of fear and disbelief prevalent on their faces. Zeus, on the other hand, was holding up his phone, his face pleasant and mild if it weren’t for the creeping smile stretching and contorting his face.

Hyungseok frowned, glaring at the man darkly when Zeus caught his gaze. The man’s smile widened, unrepentant under Hyungseok’s gaze before making a show of dragging his eyes up and down Jaeyeol.

Hyungseok nearly growled, pulling Jae so close he might as well be sitting on Hyungseok again. Jaeyeol looked at him in confusion before looking behind them.

Hyungseok glared at Zeus, his face as mild and pleasant as it ever was. “Don’t look at him angel,” Hyungseok advised. “I don’t want his attention to be on you.”

Jaeyeol nodded, discomfort in his every expression.

That night, when everyone had retreated into their own rooms, Jaeyeol finally uncovered the cigarette pack inside his pants.

“Jae, you’re my absolute savior.” Hyungseok bemoaned, taking one from the pack and letting Jae light the end up for him.

Hyungseok inhaled the familiar smoke of cigarettes. He wasn’t a regular smoker, if anything Hyungseok usually limits his smokes to only once a month if possible. Today was the day he used up his monthly smoking card, Hyungseok mused.

Then, his smoke was taken from his lips, Jaeyeol smiling cheekily before putting them on his own and inhaling, his body loosening until he looked like he could sink into the mattress.

“Jae.” Hyungseok whined. “If you’re gonna steal my cigarette and make it an indirect kiss, you could at least shotgun me.”

Jaeyeol smiled and leaned in. What is it with you and being so touchy with me, hm?

Hyungseok fake pouted, batting his eyelashes dramatically. “Can’t I want some attention from the prettiest man I know?”

Jaeyeol blushed, a pretty thing that sadly only brightened his cheeks before he shook it off with a huff and an exhale. You love me too much.

“Is it really a surprise?” Hyungseok leaned close to his angel’s face, staring at his bangs yet not resisting when his gaze traveled to a high nose, soft cheekbones and softer lips. “Absence made my heart grow fonder, so fond I fell in love when I saw you again.”

Jaeyeol frowned, his face so close to Hyungseok the man could imagine seeing every single crease on his skin. Wouldn’t that mean that you’re codependent on me?

“I don’t think so, why?” Hyungseok inhaled when Jaeyeol exhaled the smoke, smiling when Jae pouted at him with flustered cheeks. “I always thought of you, on a good day I’d wonder how well you were doing, on bad days you’d be the only thing on my mind.”

That sounds unhealthy, Hyungseok. Jaeyeol leaned until they were nose-to-nose, Jaeyeol’s legs shifting until it was curling around Hyungseok’s waist. It sounded like you could have become codependent on me, when we get into a relationship I don’t want to be fuel to your bad habits.

When, when, when, when. That word ran through his head. Now isn’t the time. He thought to himself and looked back at Jae, so close Hyungseok would have thought they were one person. “I’m not that codependent on you, angel.”

Hyungseok. The man resisted whining when Jaeyeol leaned back until they were far apart again. What about all the times you drag me everywhere just so you could stay with me? Or that first day when I was just in the bathroom and you got worried something happened to me?

Hyungseok wanted to deny it all, but Jaeyeol put the cigarette into Hyungseok’s mouth. Just face it, Hyungseok, I’m always on your mind and I really don’t think that’s healthy. Don’t you have other people in your life now? Why not rely on them?

“They aren’t you.” Hyungseok mumbled, pillowing his head on Jae’s chest. He’s soft. “I can’t open up as well as I used to anymore, Jae. I’m not that kid anymore.”

Maybe you’re not . Jaeyeol offered, tilting his head up so Jae could look him in the eye. But that doesn’t stop you from being better than you are now.

Hyungseok couldn’t help looking back at Jae. His friend who never seemed scared of what Hyungseok had become, who loved him more than he used to. “But what’s my reward?” Hyungseok feigned pouting, making the biggest puppy eyes he could.

Jaeyeol seemed to think for a moment before smirking slyly, then tapped once on his neck. If you open up to your friends and better yourself for me, I’ll let you do what you want to my neck.

Hyungseok suddenly felt very thirsty. “Isn’t that a little too big a prize?” He mumbled, feeling his face redden with every second.

It was true Jae had a lovely neck, long and gorgeous and very distracting whenever Hyungseok was in a mood. He was a teenager, of course he had urges to do less than innocent things. But his urges didn’t matter as much as Jae being comfortable did.

Though he did look at Jae’s neck for a moment too long a few times. It seemed like Jae picked up on that fact, sadly.

Is it? Jae feigned innocence, smiling cheekily. I heard some time ago that my neck was quite a sight to behold, you know.

He was joking, he had to be, Hyungseok thought to himself and tried to resist grabbing Jae too tightly.

You’re a really jealous man. Jae huffed, then leaned closer. Fine, I’ll change the deal, if you can create a good support system and become a better man, I’ll move in with you.

Hyungseok thinks he bluescreened.

“Angel!” Hyungseok exclaimed a touch too dramatically. “Are you trying to kill me? Having you around daily is going to be torture!”

Jae huffed a laugh. In what sense? Last I checked you liked me enough that I’m by your apartment every day after school.

“How would I be able to focus with you around so often?” Hyungseok pouted. “You’d destroy my impulse control, you know! I’d have to cuddle you while you and I both work!”

Jae laughed and Hyungseok internally cheered.

Then Doo Lee knocked on his door and Hyungseok reluctantly pulled away to go hangout with other people and leave Jae alone in their room.

(When Hyungseok came into his room that night, inebriated and more than ready to sleep, Jae had been sleeping peacefully without a care in the world. There no signs of anyone coming in, so Hyungseok decided that nothing had happened and went to bed.

When he did his usual police checks and rounds on forums, he saw a post that stuck out to him.

‘Is it just me or does this look like the son of that big shot CEO?’

And there, connected to the post, was a link to a post on a forum named ‘Young and Beautiful’.

With his experience of being in the underground, Hyungseok guessed this was some pervy forum dedicated to young teens or children of some sort.

Then he looked at the post right in front of him and had to fist his hand in the pillows in case he broke his phone.

There, laying on the bed and peacefully sleeping was Jae. Whoever posted the photo had come in while Hyungseok was gone and took a photo of him in his sleep, the low-cut tank top he wore showing his chest when the poster pulled back the blankets. His hair was barely hidden, strands of black and yellow peeking from the right of the photo.

The title? A sickening thing that spoke of mockery.

‘He’s so nice looking it’s kind of a shame that he’s a guy.’

And the comments were even more sickening. Snide comments complimenting Jae’s skin, some lamented how much they wanted to bite him, some so disgusting Hyungseok had to resist the urge to doxx them.

Then, a comment stood out to him. ‘Not that the photo isn’t nice but why did you take a photo of a guy?’

A reply from the poster (named Bin) was an innocuous ‘His boyfriend kept glaring and being so annoyingly protective I decided to take a picture while the boyfriend was away.’

Hyungseok knew exactly who posted the damn picture and pretended innocence when Jae looked at him in concern.

(It was a bad day for Hyungseok.)

The moment he stepped out of his room, he seemed to be absolutely livid. His eyes were almost angry, his face a consistent frown that never changed despite how many jokes or smart quips his friends decided to make.

Everyone in a 5ft radius could guess who caused his ire, because the moment counselor Zeus walked in it was like the room dropped ten degrees.

Jinsung tensed from his seat nearby Hyungseok, sensing the danger being directed at Zeus. “Did he wake up on the wrong side of the bed or something?” He hissed, glancing over at a panicking Jae. Jae shook his head and shrugged frantically, making gestures that Jinsung couldn’t make sense of.

Hyungseok then whipped his head around and smiled at Jae, a smile a touch too wide and frantic to be fully genuine. “Angel, so you want to go on the boat with me?” He cooed, a hand gripping Jae’s shirt.

Jae looked more than confused but nodded.

The entire day was spent walking on eggshells, the only reprieve in the day was when they had been in the boat, with Hyungseok and Jae creating a water fight that propelled their boat so fast their counselor was screaming as they flew off.

Then the night came and Hyungseok planned to enact his revenge.

He had been stalking through the hallways and listening to every closed door, yet no matter where he went he didn’t hear the pitter patter of Zeus’ footsteps. Then he noticed that Mijin’s footsteps hadn’t been heard anywhere he walked.

So he casually asked where Mijin had gone and mentioned that he recalled somewhere one of the counselors was a wanted sexual offender and watched Jinsung speed off.

“Jae!” Hyungseok called. “We have to get out, I think Jinsung is looking for Mijin.”

Jaeyeol looked panicked and the both of them rushed out the door to find Mijin.

They ran around calling out Mijin’s name, Hyungseok’s sugary words turned panicked as he tried to figure out where Mijin could be dragged to when he opened the warehouse door.

There, counselor Won Bin laid nearby, Jinsung sitting on a broken-faced Zeus and hitting him with as much energy as he could.

The picture they made was almost sad, something painted from the deepest depths of desperation and a love that couldn’t be conquered.

When Zeus was finally being taken away, Hyungseok was standing nearby, when the criminal walked past him, the young man whispered, “I wish I could have tortured you for the stunt you pulled on Jae.”

And smiled innocently when Zeus stared in disbelief. You’ve messed with the wrong group, he wanted to say, I’ll make sure prison makes you the most miserable human being.

Hyungseok was going to do everything he could to destroy this man, for Jae, Mijin and Jinsung. He was having so much fun already!

His second year in J High kicked off with a bang.

During the summer, he and Jae had only gotten closer than ever. It got to the point where the two of them were practically roommates in Hyungseok’s apartment, Jaeyeol had his own toothbrush, his own set of clothes and personal knickknacks littered around.

“It’s like you’re with me, always.” Hyungseok mumbled to himself, hugging Jae to close it was like he wanted them to merge. “I love you so much.”

Jaeyeol hugged him back, looking at him with the most unimpressed look on his face. I should have made the deal be ‘Let’s not date until you get your shit together.’

Hyungseok whined again, looking up at Jae with the biggest puppy eyes. “Please don’t, it’s bad enough that you keep dodging my kisses, I don’t want you rejecting my love!”

Jaeyeol sighed and kissed his nose. Stop being so dramatic, Hyung. I’m keeping to our deal.

Hyungseok outwardly mourned.

(Because they both knew it, these past few months were just them practically dating without saying a word about it. Technically, they were unofficial, but both him and Jae knew that they wanted to date each other.

The only problem was that Hyungseok was emotionally and mentally unstable while Jaeyeol had a strained relationship with his family. So strained, in fact, that no one knew Jae was the second son of H Group.

Hell, Hyungseok barely knew until he aggressively online-sleuthed Jae one day. Even then, there was barely anything on Jae, he had just enough to string the connection together.)

“Did Hyungseok-sii get more handsome over the summer?” “Ahhh, look at Hyungseok-sii! He’s so gorgeous!” “He’s our senior now! It’s such an honor!” “I heard he has connections to PTJ!”

“Ahhh, teenagers are always the same, right Jae?” Hyungseok laughed, holding his friend by the arm as he pulled Jae into the building. “It’s like trying to live with a swarm of flies, always annoying and trying to get something out of you.”

“You’ll protect me from the flies, right Jae?” Hyungseok cooed, laughing when his friend slapped his back again in scolding.

“That must be his best friend!” “I heard around the school that the two of them are suspiciously close.” “I heard on the internet that the black-haired boy is an entrepreneur and makes a load of money.” “Yeah? I heard that he and the blonde are dating.”

“Did you hear that, Jae?” Hyungseok chuckled, “Everyone already thinks we’re dating!”

You’re saying it because you want to make us official. Jae quipped, And if I let you get a win over me I know you’d somehow convince me into doing everything else.

“You’re no fun at all, angel.” Hyungseok teased. Sure, it kind of hurt that Jae was refusing to become his , but that just meant Hyungseok had to prove that he was good enough for Jae to not worry.

The last thing Jae needed was to worry over Hyungseok.

“So” Jinsung started when they finally sat down in class. “Did you two finally kiss?”

Hyungseok made an overexaggerated sad face and sighed forlornly. “Jae’s not letting me kiss him.”

Jinsung snorted, then looked at him in shock. “He rejected you? When the two of you were stuck together like parasites for the entire year I knew you?”

Hyungseok shrugged, then replied “He told me he was worried about how dependent I’d become so he told me that unless I actually get a support system he won’t let me kiss or move in with me.”

Jinsung snorted. “Ya know what, that sounds pretty fair, you weren’t so much attached by the hip but by the arm and leg last year.”

“How else should I act?” Hyungseok mumbled, “I certainly won’t get anywhere if I act like you do around Mira.”

Jinsung blushed and hissed darkly, “Shut the hell up.”

Due to the fact that Jae was encouraging him to sever his extreme attachment to the blond, Hyungseok decided to set himself next to Jinsung for his second year. It was a hard decision to make for some reason, his mind kept circling back to Jae, making it terribly hard for him to focus on whatever it was the teacher was saying.

More often than not, Hyungseok kept glancing over his shoulder, looking at the empty seat next to Jae and sighing in misery when he realized he couldn't be sitting there for the entire year.

When the lunch bell rang it was like holy Angels singing from above the clouds, Hyungseok cleaned his table with the speed of light and ran straight to Jae. “Angel!” He called, smiling so bright it felt like the sun was in the classroom. “Let’s go get lunch, please?!”

Jae shook his head in amusement, calmly cleaning up before he stood up. Calm down, it’s not like I’m going anywhere.

Hyungseok smiled lightly, eagerly taking his friend’s hand when Jae finally finished. “I really do see why you think I’m too attached to you.” Hyungseok sighed, his hand moving from Jae’s hand to his arm. “I didn't think sitting like, 3 seats away from you would be so hard for me.”

I told you . Jae said casually, looking at the other students wandering the halls.

When they opened the cafeteria doors, there was a fight in full swing.

“Already?” Hyungseok muttered, somewhat impressed by how fast everyone could escalate things. “Can’t they do it tomorrow?”

Jaeyeol shrugged, already walking around the commotion to get food when he paused and waved Hyungseok over. Jinsung, Vasco and Hobin are fighting someone.

Hyungseok leaned over Jae’s shoulder and stared. “Ah, I remember him, that’s Lee Taesung. He used to bully me.” He chuckled, heart warming in delight when Jae whipped his head around so fast his nose touched Hyungsek’s cheek.

A bully?! Jae just about shrieked, pulling Hyungseok close by the arms. When did he bully you?!

“When I was in middle school.” Hyungseok said casually. “I took his bullying all the way until a month after I got adopted. Then I was enrolling myself into gymnastics and self-defense classes and changed so much that Taesung-sii didn’t want to bother me anymore.”

More like Hyungseok became such a dead-eyed little boy that everyone got too nervous to talk to him, but that was neither here nor there. “Don’t mind the man, okay? Let’s just get our lunch and go away.”

His dear Jae still looked worried, but nodded anyway. Even still, Hyungseok carefully kept his hands to himself as they came to the lunch lady, wary eyes keeping watch on the fight in case Taesung decided he wanted to relive fond memories again.

Because Hyungseok will always say he changed completely, but a part of him will forever remain as that small little boy. The little boy who feared abandonment, the little boy who lost too much, too beaten to let go of anything that resembled mercy.

Do you want to interfere? Jae asked, his hands holding three lunch trays (Hyungseok guessed that his sister texted Jae to get one for her). You said you intimidated him before, right? Maybe he’ll stop bothering them if you jump in?

Hyungseok couldn’t help but chuckle. “Ah, Jae, you’re such an angel.”

Because who has ever been able to intimidate a man like Taesung?

“Jae, come here.” Hyungseok whined, falling onto Jae’s side of the bed. They were in Hyungseok’s apartment like always, having helped each other with homework on the couch until it got too late for Jae to be walking home.

(“Stay here?” Hyungseok offered, his hand wrapping itself onto Jae’s thigh. “Your butler won’t mind, right? Doesn’t he like you or something?”

His angel looked at him disapprovingly, as if telling Hyungseok he knew what the other man was playing at.

“Come on Jae, please?” Hyungseok frowned. “I don’t like the thought of you going home alone at…” He checked the clock. “9pm.”

Jae sighed and nodded in resignation.)

Jae was wearing a fluffly white robe, something Hyungseok could only imagine someone wearing after a shower. The robe itself was something Hyungseok bought and stored for Jae whenever he came over, something to give Jae a sense of comfort in Hyungseok’s home.

The young man eventually realized that Jae really liked wearing robes and was comfortable enough to wear them in Hyungseok’s apartment, which made him giddily buy more robes for Jae to wear. Jae always seemed to prefer the long white robes, something more fluffy and warm in the winter but silky and breathable in the summers.

(The chest window was always a nice touch.)

Jae looked up from whatever he was doing on his laptop, giving Hyungseok a questioning look when the other pulled the blond into his lap. “Why are you so pretty?” Hyungseok mumbled darkly, nosing gently at Jae’s neck and exposed collarbone. “I want to eat you up.”

Jae was content to let Hyungseok do whatever he wanted, only jumping when Hyungseok’s wandering hands traveled under his robe and grasped the ball of his shoulder, effectively forcing the robe to fall down and expose his chest. Perv! What are you doing?

Hyungseok laughed, pulling Jae so that his center of balance was propped against Hyungseok, Jae’s hands slipped back around his neck, the blond’s semi-clothed chest touching Hyungseok’s. “I just love you so much.” Hyungseok bemoaned. “Can we please go on a proper date?”

You know my answer to that. Jaeyeol chided, ignoring Hyungseok’s groan on despair. But if you want a date so bad, we could hang out together when we go on that trip to Notte World.

“Doesn’t your dad own that place?” Hyungseok frowned, maneuvering Jae so he was laying back down on the bed. “I don’t know if that’ll be properly romantic.”

You think I’m involved in that area of the business? Jae remarked, nipping Hyungseok’s chin like a reprimand. I think you forget that I’m the black sheep of my family.

“I don’t like that thought.” Hyungseok sighed and laid down. “You should be a star, be that bright and shining man I know you are.”

I don’t have the strength to lead the whole company like that. Jaeyeol replied, going back to work on his laptop. Besides, I’m not amazing at crowds.

“You have your own charm in them, you know.” Hyungseok sighed dramatically. “I think you purposefully ignore it, anyhow.”

He walked to the closet again and started changing. “Dongsoo-sii asked me to do another job for him, I won’t be back for a while, alright?”

He could see Jae’s displeasure. “Yes yes, I know you want to scold me cause I told you I didn’t want you walking home at night even though I am working at night. I can hear it loud and clear, angel.”

“But well, the apple of my eye is about to be sleeping in my bed now, isn't he?” Hyungseok crooned, looking down at Jae. “I’ll take all the scolding you give me if it means I’ll have you here for the night.”

In Hyungseok’s eyes, that thought was as true as the simple facts in the world. The sky was blue, fire burns, Jae was beautiful and Hyungseok was a possessive man.

And while Hyungseok had no preferences as to which Jae is the most beautiful (he thinks everything Jae is is beautiful.), he thinks that the way Jae looked now (his bangs fluffy and soft from his shower, a face red like tomatoes, his robe slipping off his shoulder from Hyungseok’s handling, sitting on Hyungseok’s bed and looking so adorable ) is the prettiest sight he’s seen yet.

(That one picture of him and Jae notwithstanding.)

“Jae!” Hyungseok hugged his friend by the waist and spun him around, ignoring the man’s silent squeal of surprise. “We’re at Notte World!”

For the first time in a long time, Hyungseok couldn’t help but be excited.

For one, this was a class field trip with his friends (he’s been opening up to his friends more, like Jae told him, and it’s been better than he thought.) where they could all hang out and have as much fun as they could together.

For two, he and Jae would finally have a date later that night, just the two of them wandering around Notte World and enjoying the food they have, just him and Jae, on a date.

Hyungseok was practically vibrating from excitement for later that night.

His friends, who were now fearless enough to call “Gay!” Whenever Hyungseok pulled Jae too close to be platonic, were laughing at how excited Hyungseok seemed.

“Then again..” Jaehye said faux-innocently. “Jae finally told Hyungie they could go on a date later tonight.”

Everyone in their group gasped. “Really?!” “Finally! Jae actually made a move this time!” “Gosh, I hope they get their feelings in order soon, it’s painful to watch them act like a married couple all the time.” “I know! I stopped being jealous because watching them was diabetes-inducing!”

Hyungseok smiled innocuously, still holding Jae up by his waist even though everyone could tell the man was fighting to be let down. “Are you guys bullying me?”

Mijin gulped, but Jinsung smirked defiantly and said “Yes. Who would have thought Jae would be the one to invite you out on a date?”

“Hey!” Hyungseok sighed dramatically. “He wasn’t letting me date him! I can’t ask him out cause it’s become a part of our agreement!”

“What agreement are we talking about?” Yui commented mildly, her face twisted in confusion.

Hyungseok sighed. “He told me, in more polite terms, that I needed to get my shit together. Otherwise I can’t actually be Jae’s boyfriend.”

“Setting up boundaries eh? That’s pretty good.” Jinsung remarked. “Though honestly, I thought you would have tried ignoring his words and just date him anyway.”

Hyungseok stared in irritation. “Do you really think so lowly of me? I may act like it but I like it better when Jae is comfortable and wants to go with whatever I do.”

“Sorry, I couldn’t help thinking it with the way you usually act with him.” Jinsung raised his hand. “Won’t bring it up again, alright?”

Hyungseok hummed and nodded. “You better not.” Jae huffed, scolding Hyungseok again and he responded in kind.

Despite the terrible beginning, it was the most fun day Hyungseok had in years. They had debated on which rides they wanted to go on, taking photos of each other at the dumbest booths with the most Oscar-worthy acting they could come up with.

(They all went on Disco Pow Pow together, wearing cute little headbands that made Hyungseok internally coo.

“Wow! Look at how cool those two are!” The announcer had said at the sight of Jaehye and Jaeyeol. “They don’t even budge!”

Jaehye had, for some really weird reason, decided to jump out of her seat and cannonball right towards him and Jae, only for Jae to block her like she was a football.

The siblings continued like that for the entire ride, Jaehye yelling with a force bigger than life for her brother to catch her, Jaeyeol panickedly grabbing her in any way he could in fear of her falling.

Hyungseok crossed his leg and watched with unveiled amusement for the entire ride. Guess these two Hongs are just as crazy as each other.

Jaehye was laughing hard when they finally got off, yanking at her brother’s arm and yelling so loud she was attracting attention “Bro! Bro! That was so much fun!! LetMs do it again, please?”)

“Jae! Let’s try the photobooth!” Hyungseok crooned, somehow dragging the rest of the group in together. “Let’s not push!”

“Don’t make such an ugly face, Jinsung!”

“Leave me alone!”

“Don’t move so suddenly!”

The camera clicked.

It was the stupidest picture he’s ever taken of himself.

Hyungseok stood to the far left of the group, his hand curled possessively around Jae’s waist. Jaehye stood right between Jae and Yui, wrapping Jae’s arm around her shoulders and throwing up the devil symbol. Jinsung was watching him and Jae, his eyes looking down implying that he stared at Hyungseok’s hand position. Haneul was caught mid-laughter, hugging Mijin’s side. The two girls were making a heart with their hands, laughing so brightly it sounded like fresh air on a sunny day.

The picture was so goofy, but Hyungseok didn’t think his heart could be so warm.

Then they came to the strength test. A tall, thin looking pole with a score count at the top and a place to hit the hammer at the bottom.

“Jae, do you want any of the plushies?” Hyungseok cooed, looking at the stand right next to the strength test. Jae hummed, staring thoughtfully before shaking his head.

“Oh wow! A record hit for today!” The shop owner cajoled, staring in awe at the score at the top of the strength test.

It seemed like Jinsung decided to win a prize for his crush and the prize in question came to be the ugliest Pikachu Hyungseok has ever seen.

“Here Mira! Do you like it?” Jinsung cheered, bright and happy and that face makes it really hard to deny the guy anything.

It seemed Mijin thought so too, especially when she shakily smiled in agreement.

Then another man appeared. He was rather tall, built like a tank with the face of a man in his 30s, his outfit seemed cheap and basic in Hyungseok’s eyes, with a black T-shirt, black pants and the ugliest pair of Nikes he had ever seen.

“Gimme that hammer, I’ll show you how it’s done.” The burly man spoke with a thick country accent, unknowing to him Hyungseok was mentally checking if he knew this man.

“There are a lot of schools here today…” Hyungseok said absently. “Which school do you think he went to?”

Jae looked at him in confusion, ignoring the loud smack of the hammer as it scored an almost-perfect 99 points. I don’t know, I don’t pay a lot of attention to other schools.

Hyungseok chuckled. “Not everyone is like me, I should have remembered that.”

Jae chuckled and flicked his head. Hyungseok was so busy whining at his dear angel that he almost didn’t hear the man’s name. Ham Seonong.

Definitely not a transfer in Seoul then. Hyungseok thought, No need to worry about him.

Someone walked up to him and tapped his shoulder. “U-um…” The girl said. She was around Jaehye’s height, with round eyes and a curvy figure, wearing a white and brown school uniform that seemed to accentuate her figure. “You’re Park Hyungseok, right? Can I have your digits?” She said, in a tone that screamed ‘I’m not from Seoul!’

Hyungseok smiled as brightly as he could, watching the way she seemed to blush brighter at the sight. “Oh, I don’t know… what’s your name?” He asked sweetly, watching how she physically wilted for a moment.

“Can you not be mean to girls?” Jinsung huffed, looking at him with a glare in his eyes. “Not that hard to say you’re disinterested, you know.”

Hyungseok pouted. “Who said I was disinterested?” Hyungseok asked, as if his arms weren't wrapped around Jae. Jinsung glared harder and turned to the girl, who seemed both confused and saddened.

“Sorry lady, he doesn’t like you.” Jinsung said. “Try asking out other people and not him. He’s already got a crush.”

Hyungseok pretended to pout, then smiled cheekily at the girl. “Sorry, honey. But it’s as he said.”

If possible, the girl seemed even more rejected and ran back to her two friends.

Jinsung is right you know, Jaeyeol flicked his head again, Stop being so rude to girls that like you .

“Ow!” Hyungseok whined and acted like he physically got punched, pulling away from Jae and crying out. “My angel reprimanded me! What shadn’t I do but comply?”

“What in the Shakespearean?…” Haneul whispered, looking at the two of them in disbelief.

“What, so Jae reprimands you and you listen, but not when I do it?!” Jinsung growled.

Hyungseok laughed and nodded “Of course! Last I checked Jae’s the most important person in my life, after all!”

“What a romantic!” Jaehye cheered, launching herself at her brother enthusiastically. “You really chose a great guy!”

They all laughed and went on with their picnic.

Hyungseok kept by the Hongs side the entire time, watching them as they interacted and had fun on the rides. Sure, Hyungseok wasn’t getting as much attention as he could from Jae, but he was still satisfied as he watched them laugh and steal a bite of each other’s ice cream.

The youngest and middle children were close, anyone with eyes knew it, Jaehye knew his angel’s preferred clothing brands and favorite ice cream flavors, Jaehye was more than happy to blabber about all the handsome boys she meets during work.

Occasionally Hyungseok would chime in, but he was satisfied with watching them have fun, knowing that even if they didn’t get their own private time later that night, watching Jae be so happy in the presence of his sister was more than enough for him.

Then Jaehye and Jaeyeol both went off to meet their eldest brother and Hyungseok denied joining them, having no interest in meeting someone that Jae didn’t like that much.

“I should just find something to do..” Hyungseok muttered to himself, looking around at all the rides in the vicinity.

None of them will be fun with just me, would it? Hyungseok thought to himself, then shrugged and decided on doing it anyway.

He was correct that a few of the slower rides made him extra lonely when so many around him were couples, but the ones where they were fast and exciting made him forget that Jae wasn’t there at that moment.

In the end, Hyungseok came to their meeting spot with a feeling of bittersweetness, something so wholly unfamiliar to him it took him a while for him to figure it out.

That feeling only persisted until he saw Jae again, sitting in a booth with the rest of their friends, smiling and nodding along while Jaehye helpfully translated his words for the rest of them to understand.

Hyungseok spent no time whatsoever hugging Jae, unrepentant in his affections. “I missed you.” Hyungseok mumbled, now properly sitting down.

I only left for 2 hours. Jae commented mildly, giving him a burger in offering. At least you hadn’t panicked, right?

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” Hyungseok hummed softly, eating a bite of the burger. It was ridiculously good, Hyungseok mused.

They ate their dinner in bright and colorful chatter, Hyungseok curled around Jae like a particularly clingy koala as they chatted their night away.

“Wait, you were supposed to have your date now!” Haneul exclaimed, her big eyes widened in recognition, “Shoo! Shoo! Go have fun!”

Jaehye gasped in offense and nodded “I can’t believe you two forgot! Go! The night is still young!”

Their friend group practically pushed them out the door, the girls cooing and giggling with Jinsung yelling “I don’t want to see your face until 9pm! Go!”

Hyungseok sighed in exasperation but nodded anyway, having them goodbye and leading Jae away. “Where do you want to go, angel?” He asked.

We could just watch the concert and that Brazilian show happening, Jaeyeol offered.

“That’s a good idea, but those shows don’t start for another hour or so.” Hyungseok offered, then looked around. “Come on angel, let’s go look at the carnival games.”

They ran around the different stalls, somehow still able to stomach a few different types of food and playing different carnival games together. There were the hand-to-eye coordination games that Jae was terribly good at, Hyungseok himself had been particularly amazing at the strength games, but they both failed at the “catch-a-goldfish” game.

Hyungseok didn’t mind so much though, not when Jae was smiling so brightly, so fondly under the mountain of plushies they accumulated.

He’s so gorgeous. Hyungseok thought to himself, My own little angel .

If Hyungseok were to end their date here, he would have been more than satisfied with how their night had gone.

(Later, Jaeyeol had given him a chaste kiss on the cheek at the concert and Hyungseok had never taken back a passing thought so fast.

“You’re so lucky I can’t kiss you back.” Hyungseok growled, holding Jae so tightly he might as well be holding his angel hostage. “I want to kiss you on the lips so bad. ”

Jae had laughed and given permission to kiss only once.)

Let it be known that Hyungseok had an inherent distaste for Thanksgiving.

For all the years he has been in the orphanage and adopted, he had never experienced what a warm thanksgiving had been like, all he had known in recent years were the cold of an empty table and the tears of little kids who died and tried to pick up the pieces of what remained.

So, instead of spending this year alone and wallowing in his own twisted misery, he decided to do the one thing he’d been thinking about for the longest time.

Visiting his hometown with the love of his life, Jaeyeol.

Hyungseok hadn’t truly intended on inviting his angel to a hometown visit, but his Jae was intending on spending Thanksgiving alone, and Hyungseok had absolutely loathed the thought of leaving his darling alone on a day that was supposed to be special.

So like the good unofficial boyfriend he was, he invited his darling to meet his extended family.

“Don’t be so nervous, Jae.” Hyungseok murmured and kissed his dear’s forehead, the one thing he had been allowed to do by Jae.

His angel was practically shaking in the seat next to him, his nerves were alight and looking so troubled a stranger would have thought Jae was in terrible trouble. “My family’s not going to be forceful upon you, you know? I’d sooner leave then let them push you around.”

Hyungseok smiled when Jae dug his head into Hyungseok’s chest, his hand gently caressing his darling’s neck. “It’ll all be okay, alright? My hometown isn’t much to gawk at anyway, we’ll just be there to visit the family for 3 days then we’ll leave.”

Jae blinked up at him, his confusion written all over his face.

“You’re asking why I’m so calm when I haven’t seen them in years?” A nod. “Well, how can I be panicking when my perfect angel’s right next to me?” A dark blush and a gentle hit on his chest.

Truth was, Hyungseok was nervous, but seeing how panicked Jae was, it felt like bad taste to show his own anxieties in front of Jae.

It’s been a long time since he truly met his extended family, Hyungseok wondered if any of them were like how he remembered.

No point dwelling on something that didn’t matter too much, Hyungseok thought, especially not when Jaeyeol was cuddling his chest so adorably.

That was how the two of them spent their train ride, Hyungseok comforting a nervous Jaeyeol and ignoring the utterly disgusting state of the train and the carelessness of the passengers.

Hyungseok suspected that the low-grade train ride was also putting unnecessary stress on his dear. What a rich boy you are. Hyungseok thought, half amused.

When they finally arrived at the station of his hometown, Hyungseok gently led his dear down to the bus stop. “You didn’t have to bring all this food, angel.” Hyungseok chuckled, looking at the copious amount of bags Jaeyeol had in his hands, the one bag that carried his outfits hung off his shoulder.

“I’m surprised you hadn’t decided to bring more clothing, Jae.” Hyungseok mentioned. “My lovely angel always had the tendency to overpack.”

Jae flushed and gently kicked him in the leg. I’ll go home if you don’t stop teasing me.

“Fine, fine!” Hyungseok laughed, raising his hands in surrender. Jae was always so cute when flustered.

“I’m here!” Hyungseok called out, resisting the terrible urge to grimace in the face of the cobwebs.

Jaeyeol was practically shaking, staring down at the family dog that was barking at them aggressively. A dark glare from Hyungseok shut it up quickly enough.

“Hyungseok!” His family called out. “It’s so nice to see you again!”

Hyungseok feigned a bright smile, feeling Jae’s anxiety radiate from behind him. “Hi aunts and uncles, it really has been a while.”

They all looked like they wanted to hug Hyungseok but didn’t know if they should. Then they saw someone behind Hyungseok. “Kid, did you bring a friend?”

“Why yes, I did.” He chirped brightly, putting the bags down and gently pushing Jae forward. “This is Jaeyeol, my best friend. He didn’t have any plans for the holidays so I decided to bring him with me.”

His friend smiled awkwardly and thrusted the gifts forward. Hyungseok watched with hidden jealousy as his aunts’ eyes physically brightened and fawned over his angel.

“Look at you, such a handsome young man!” 

“Oh, he’s so sweet! What a lovely boy!”

Hyungseok smiled through the irritated twitch of his eye, watching when his cousin, Sarah, came over to look at the commotion and ignoring the burst of annoyance when hearts practically jumped out of her eyes. “Oh, who’s he?!”

“This is Jaeyeol, Hyungseok’s friend.” One of the aunts said, seemingly smitten with Jae.

Hyungseok chuckled and pulled him away, a hand possessively curled around his friend’s arm. “

 Don’t do that, you’ll scare him away.” He teased gently. “I’ll go help him settle his things, I’ll properly catch up later, okay?”

Without waiting for a response, Hyungseok brought his angel into the shared bedroom. “I’m sorry you’ll have to experience this, Jaeyeol. I’m beginning to think this is a terrible idea.” 

Jae smiled kindly at him. Don’t bother, I like seeing your family.

Hyungseok faltered, then pulled him in a hug. “You’re too nice, angel. Did you forget that I haven’t seen them in years? This will be just as strange for me as it is for you.”

But as long as you have fun, I don’t mind. Jae chuckled near silently and nosed Hyungseok’s neck in affection. It’ll be fine, let’s go meet the rest of your family.

Hyungseok couldn’t help his affectionate laugh and gently set Jae’s bag down. “Give me your jacket, angel, I’ll help you out.” He grabbed the back of Jae’s jacket and slowly pulled it down Jae’s shoulders, showing the white tee that hugged his beautiful body underneath.

Hyungseok had the sudden urge to bite, but he swallowed it down and put his friend’s jacket away.

“Is someone else here?” Hyungseok said when he walked out of the bedroom, laying his eyes on an absolute monstrosity of a man.

A large camo pattern hoodie with a shark mouth on the hood, shorts with another shark mouth around the crotch area, ugly calf-high socks with the words ‘left’ and ‘right’ on the front of his feet.

Underneath all that clothing was a man similar to Hyungseok. If Hyungseok were smaller and fatter than he is now.

“Wassup, Hyungseok?” His cousin said, “How’s ya been? We haven’t heard anything from ya in the past few years.”

Hyungseok smiled, waiting for his dear to come out. “I’ve been pretty okay, actually.” He started casually, “I haven’t found the time to visit the family, is all.”

Dylan laughed heartily, even if he seemed shocked how different Hyungseok became. “I heard you had a friend come with you? What does he look like?”

Like he was summoned, Jae walked out of the room, the bags hanging off his arms. “Jae.” Hyungseok smiled, taking a few bags off his dear’s arms. “Here, let me help you, I’m sure you’re tired.”

Jae shrugged, then looked to Hyungdylan, nodded, then whipped his head back so fast he looked like a man possessed. What the hell is that?

“What do you mean, Jae?” Hyungseok smiled at Hyungdylan innocently, watching his cousin gulp under their stare. “That’s my cousin, Hyungdylan. Isn’t he such an awesome sight to behold?”

He said, clearly meant to be a tease, but then his angel hesitantly nodded. Hyungseok swallowed down the shock that ran through his system and laughed, carrying the bags to the kitchen and hearing Jae’s padded feet behind him.

“You’re such a charmer, angel.” Hyungseok whispered, “did you really have to lie about that?”

I wanted to be nice, Jae shrugged. You don’t seem to be that keen on it, so I’ll take up the mantle.

Hyungseok huffed a laugh. “What shall I do without you my angel?”

Walk through life being the most miserable man. Jae laughed, Hyungseok wrapped an arm around his shoulder to make sure Jae didn’t fall in the small kitchen.

They walked out again, catching the tail-end of one of his uncles’ lectures. “My son is much cooler than Hyungseok! Look at Hyungdavy, he’s become such a cool man after college!”

“Where is Hyungdavy, anyway?” Hyungseok asked aloud, “Is he coming soon?”

“He’s in college now, Hyungseok, of course he’ll take longer to get here.” Hyungdylan said, his face oddly red. Hyungseok desperately hoped it was because a handsome man basically said Dylan was handsome and not because Hyungseok had new competition.

“I’m home!” A new voice called out,  Hyungseok glanced over to the gates and saw the strange face of his oldest cousin.

Like Dylan, Davy was on the fatter end, wearing a simple black and white ensemble that made him seem classy, his glasses were thick but not coke-bottle thick, just enough someone knew the guy had terrible eyesight. “Who are the two new people?”

Hyungseok glanced back at Jae, who looked back at him in confusion.

Hyungseok’s face broke into a smile and said brightly “Don’t you remember me? It’s Hyungseok! Your cousin!”

The pleasant smile on his eldest cousin’s face dropped into the biggest look of shock yet.

“So..” Davy drawled slowly over a game of uno. He was looking at Hyungseok and Jae strangely, like he couldn’t believe they actually existed. “Who’s your friend there, Hyungseok?”

Hyungseok chuckled, leaning casually onto Jae. “This is Jae, we knew each other when I was 11.” Hyungseok said, sneaking a glance at Jae’s cards only to get gently smacked. Hyungseok laughed brightly and nudged him back.

Dylan, who seemed to have been keeping his eye on the two of them for some time, spoke up: “Wait, this was the best friend you kept telling us about that Thanksgiving?”

Hyungseok blinked. Right, when he still had his mother, Hyungseok used to come to every thanksgiving gushing about Jae and their adventures together.

He pointedly ignored the confused look Jae shot at him and smiled brighter than the sun: “I don’t know what you’re talking about, uno!”

The other three looked back at the card game to find that, yes, Hyungseok really did only have 1 card left.

Hyungseok won the game and hugged Jae in victory.

“Hey Hyungseok.” Dylan said, his eyes somewhat nervous but confident all the same. “You’re in Seoul, right? Do you know the leader of Burn Knuckles?”

“Oh, yes, I do.” Hyungseok said, turning his head away from Jae’s collarbone. “What about him?

“Me and their leader are pretty close.” Dylan said, a smug smile stretching his face as he put a finger under his nose. “I’m a member of a crew in my region, ya know?”

Hyungseok didn’t bother to think about how illogical that actually was and just laughed, “Really?! You’re quite cool, aren’t you? Did Vasco scare you when you first met him?”

“Vasco? Who’s that?” Dylan replied. Hyungseok smiled despite feeling a record screech in his head.

Dylan you idiot. He thought unkindly, feeling a pantomime reprimand from Jae on his back. You were supposed to agree!

Then his phone rang. It was Vasco.

With a casualty that Jae only had the rights to, the blond picked up Hyungseok’s phone and gave it to him. “Hey Vasco.” Hyungseok said kindly.

“Hyungseok! How are you?”

“I’m paying a visit to my family with Jae, what are you doing?” Hyungseok thought he heard construction noises in the background.

“I’m making money!”

The two friends looked at each other, both bewildered. “Why do you need money, specifically?” Hyungseok asked slowly.

“I owe someone, is all! I’m trying to repay my debt!”

“How much money do you owe?!” Hyungseok exclaimed. Jae looked more bewildered the more they spoke.

“10 thousand dollars!”

The two of them looked even more confused. “Jae said that you could have borrowed money from him, he doesn’t mind. Same with me.”

Hyungseok ignored three identical wheezes of disbelief. “But that would mean I’ll be indebted to you! Also, I made friends with some of the guys, I’m keeping them company while helping out!”

Hyungseok gave up trying to understand a man like Vasco a long time ago, he just shrugged at Jae and said into the phone, “Well, if you need a thousand or two you know who to call.”

“Thank you for the offer Jae! Hyungseok! Have a nice thanksgiving!”

“What do you mean the two of you can offer 10 thousand dollars just like that?!” Dylan cried in confusion.

“Wait, you two don’t know?” Hyungseok frowned. Last he checked, even if he wasn’t on the front page regularly he was still a relatively big name in the business world. “I’m an investor of H Group and HNH.”

They looked even more shocked, somehow. Maybe his ego really did get too big.

“Then what does your friend do?” Davy asked, a shaky hand waving at Jae.

“Jae works for a clothing company.” Hyungseok replied calmly. “He doesn’t talk, so I translate for him when I can.”

It was silent for a moment, then Sarah spoke up. “Do you have a girlfriend, Jae-sii?”

Hyungseok chuckled, his hand unconsciously grasping Jae’s side. They were still hugging, even if they didn’t seem to register that. “ Jaeyeol is taken, by a very gorgeous might I add.”

Sarah looked devastated, pouting and demanding he showed her the pictures. “Sorry” Hyungseok cut in smoothly, letting go when Jae decided to slip out of his hold. “He doesn’t want to show pictures to strangers.”

“What about you then, Hyungseok?” Davy cut in smoothly, his smile suddenly easing up. “Do you have a girlfriend?”

Hyungseok chuckled, then replied “Maybe, how about you?”

Davy sighed dramatically, pushing his glasses up as he replied, “You guys definitely don’t have girlfriends. Dylan, you’re really overdoing it, girls like clean-cut men like me.”

They can like your looks, but they seem to love your money more. Hyungseok wanted to say but cut himself off. Guess Jaeyeol’s usual scolding truly did stick.

“I can give you some tips if you’d like. It all depends on how you present yourself…”

Hyungseok wanted to tune out the advice, but he couldn’t turn his attention to Jae nor did he want to look at the bookshelf where there were only advice on how to pick up girls, so he reluctantly listened to what Davy was saying.

It was terrible advice, in Hyungseok’s opinion, but he did his best to encourage his two cousins and their endeavors in getting a girlfriend. Though he internally cringed when Davy showed a picture of a girl’s Pacebook profile and it displayed ‘Dating Kimyung Woo.’

Then, Jae opened the door again. “Oh, dinner’s ready?” Hyungseok smiled, standing up gleefully. “Ahh, I’m so excited to see what the aunts and uncles made!”

He pointedly ignored the fact that his three cousins were staring right at him.

The food was subpar, if Hyungseok were honest, though he could admit that the pre-cooked dishes Jae brought with him tasted like heaven on his tongue.

His family around him were joking and laughing, making jokes and ribbing each other like they knew each other forever.

In a way, they practically had, Hyungseok’s the outsider, the one that had only come back after several years of being missing from their lives.

Hyungseok watched them with something like envy burning his veins, gently picking at his food.

He kind of wanted to go back to Seoul.

Then Jae nudged him, gesturing to his aunt who smiled in bemusement. “Did you not hear what I asked you, Hyungseok?”

“Hm, no, what did you say?” He replied mildly, his smile coming back.

His aunt chuckled and asked again “How are your studies doing?”

It was an olive branch, something for Hyungseok to grasp onto and connect with his family once again. Hyungseok thought about, and replied “I’ve been having a lot of fun! Jae’s been helping me…”

And then the night came when they had to go to bed.

Hyungseok and Jae laid side by side, one supposedly sleeping while another was still wide awake.

Hyungseok thought about the entire day, running back over and over again with a growing sense of unease.

Didn’t they bring me back into their lives a little too easily? 

Did they really not ask a single question about me?

Have they ever wondered about me while I was gone? Do they wish they could have adopted me?

Did they did they did they did they did they did-

There was a soft noise next to him that forced him out of his thoughts surprisingly quickly. He turned his head to see Jae smiling.

“Why are you still awake?” Hyungseok whispered, aware that everyone was already asleep at that hour.

Did you really think I wouldn’t hear your loud thinking? Jae replied, shuffling so he was impossibly closer.

“I kind of hoped so.” Hyungseok mumbled, his voice sounded like a death toll in the silence. “You shouldn’t be awake watching me.”

Jae sighed. Well, if you didn’t want to know why I was awake, I guess I’ll just roll over and sleep.

“No no, I’m sorry angel.” Hyungseok whispered when Jae began to roll over, his poisoned heart healing with every moment he saw Jae’s cheeky smile. “Why did you stay awake this late?”

Oh, I wanted to give you a gift. Jae commented lightly. Because you were a delight today.

Hyungseok resisted snorting in case he woke up his family members. “Was I, now?” Jae snuggled into Hyungseok’s collarbone, shuffling slightly on their shared mattress.

Yes you were. You actually humored your family members and didn’t try to find me while I was gone. That’s good for me.

“That’s quite the low expectation, angel.” Hyungseok said, unintentionally relaxed with Jae so close to him. “You should put them higher.”

Then I won’t give you your prize. Jae huffed playfully and laid more comfortably to sleep.

“Don’t tease me anymore.” Hyungseok whined slightly, his ears tuned to pick up a rapid beating heart.

Fine. Close your eyes. Like any good (unofficial) boyfriend, Hyungseok closed his eyes. For a moment, nothing happened.

Then there was a soft peck on his cheek.

If Hyungseok were a cartoon, his hair would be flying in the air and hearts would be jumping out of his eyes.

As it was, he was a normal human being, meaning all he did was blush so much his shoulders also went red.

Jae silently laughed and turned over, ready to go back to sleep and leave Hyungseok to his misery.

Hyungseok will forever deny being able to sleep easier after that.

“Jae, why are you so scared?” Hyungseok laughed, walking with a certain blond-haired koala attached to him. “It’s just my grandma, no one else.”

Jae gestured frantically, Hyungseok’s extended family watching in confusion as Hyungseok had the most odd conversation they had ever seen.

“It’s okay Jae! Grandma won’t mind you being around, the more the merrier, as they say.” Hyungseok smiled, holding his friend in a way that didn’t fully suggest they were friends. Jae himself didn’t seem that bothered, only frantically explaining something to Hyungseok through a variety of gestures they didn’t understand.

‘I wonder if they’re dating’ Dylan and Davy thought.

His grandmother was weaker than Hyungseok remembered, small and frail and struggling with her own memory. She doesn’t smile like she used to, the smile that made Hyungseok felt warm when he was a child. No, grandma’s smile was weak and frail, lacking that familiar warmth that could brighten Hyungseok’s day.

She was so small and weak, not the same woman he remembered when Hyungseok was 10. He didn’t understand why she would never change.

“Oh, look at all of you! All of my kids finally under the same roof again.” Grandma croaked, shaking hands holding up a ton of almonds. “You all look so thin! Have some almonds while your mom makes food…”

Jae looked curious, reaching from behind Hyungseok to try one when Hyungseok grasped his dear’s hand. “I don’t think you should try it, Jae.” Hyungseok said casually.

Like clockwork, his grandma picked up the bag of almond candy, ate away the candy itself and spat out the almond into the tin.

Jae looked so green Hyungseok instinctively pushed his head away from the sight of grandma and her tin of almonds.

“Your friend has a really weak stomach!” Dylan laughed, as if he didn’t look green around the gills himself. Hyungseok smiled and resisted the urge to glare.

“Jae’s just not used to how things are around here, you’ll have to cut him some slack.” Hyungseok replied, it wasn’t like he was used to living in rags now either, but he’d hide that thought from his family for as long as he lived.

After they properly bowed down at the altar, Davy decided to invite them out for a day in the city. “We have some money now, so let’s go have some fun!”

Jae nudged him, a smile on his face. Why don’t you go hang out with your cousins? I’ll stay here around the house.

Hyungseok feigned pouting, pulling Jae’s arm like a petulant child. “Why can’t you come? I like spending time with you.”

Jae smiled and made a gesture that stopped Hyungseok’s functioning brain cells. I’ll kiss you again if you spend more than three hours spending time with your cousins.  

Hyungseok nodded very rapidly. “Okay! Let’s go to the city!” Hyungseok said much too loudly, causing his family to cast a confused look at Jae who shrugged.

“If you say so…” Davy and Dylan muttered, rapid footsteps following to catch up with Hyungseok’s long legs.

The city hadn’t changed since Hyungseok had first stepped here, Hyungseok thought. The same stores, the same people, if only older due to time.

“Hey! Look over there! At the front of the store!” Dylan said, pointing to one of the larger clothing stores in the area. Of course, in front of the store was a girl.

She was pretty, certainly not the prettiest girl Hyungseok had ever seen, but beautiful nonetheless. Hyungseok glanced over at his two cousins, watching how utterly smitten they already were with the girl they definitely hadn’t spoken a word to.

“Davy, didn’t you say you could get a girl's number, right?” Hyungseok asked excitedly. “Can you show me how to get her number?”

Never mind the fact that Hyungseok had eyes for no one but Jae. His angel wanted him to bond with his cousins, after all.

“A-are you sure?” Davy asked nervously. “I-I mean… y-you don’t look like you need any help in that regard…”

Davy was sweating a lot, more than what was thought possible, but Hyungseok still replied. “Of course I need help, my cool cousin said he had all the tips in the world after all! Why shouldn’t I learn from him?”

Instead of the reassurance he probably should have felt, Davy looked even more nervous. Then, he awkwardly pulled himself together and smiled as confidently as he could. “T-then.. I’ll show you player Park’s… technique!”

Hyungseok smiled and watched his eldest cousin walk towards the cute girl and oh was he nervous. His walk a touch too shaky, his shoulders much too squared to be relaxed, the way his head bowed was definitely from nervousness and nothing else.

He’s gonna scare the girl away. Hyungseok thought absently, watching bad he stopped short in front of the girl. The girl (maybe lady? She seems older than Hyungseok.) smiled that polite customer-service smile he sees on every person that worked retail and asked his cousin something.

Then they both walked into the store together.

“Well, should we follow them in?” Hyungseok questioned, his mind slowly drifting back to his dear Jae and how he was doing at the house.

“Nah, let’s go to the arcade!” Dylan announced with the confidence of a man who wanted to leave his cousin alone.

Hyungseok chuckled, “Fine, I have a curfew to burn anyway.” He mumbled, walking with Dylan to the arcade just a few blocks away.

“Wait, you got a curfew from ma and pa?” Dylan asked, his face twisted into confusion.

“Nope!” Hyungseok popped the ‘p’, “Jae told me that if I could spend the entire day not thinking about the family, then he’ll get me a gift!”

Dylan looked at him with something like suspicion in his eyes, Hyungseok flashed a bright smile down at him. “So… what happened to you?”

Hyungseok blinked, all the good feelings he felt just moments before disappeared, like the ever-lessening void in his heart had suddenly grown larger. “What do you mean?”

“I mean if, when we were younger you were just.. this chubby little kid who kept running after his mom. Now look at you.” Dylan commented, gesturing to all of him. “You don’t even look related to us!”

Hyungseok chuckled, “I started learning gymnastics.” He replied. “That’s all.”

Because what else could he say?

That he was bullied until he felt like breaking?

That the people he shared his house with were never there?

That he was so desperate for love he went to parties and made the worst decisions of his life?

That the stress of it all made him both overeat and undereat until he was in the hospital?

That the loss of his mother almost killed him and the only reason he kept going was because he wanted to reunite with Jae again?

No no, what happened between his last visit to them and now could stay between him and his angel.

“You do gymnastics?” Dylan asked, something like shock in his eyes before it morphed into awe. “You’re so cool, Hyungseok! I’d never be able to do something like that, how’d you manage to keep going like that?”

The thought of seeing my angel and being monitored by doctors. Hyungseok thought as his mouth replied, “A lot of motivation.”

Dylan made a noise that sounded like he was impressed.

Hyungseok stood back, watching Dylan win in the arcade. How much time did he spend on games? Hyungseok thought absently, watching him win against another kid again and again. I can’t ever imagine being like that. Maybe if I were different.

Then, distantly, Hyungseok thought about Jae again and nearly lost himself to his daydreaming.

“I’ll go shopping, okay?” Hyungseok said, already leaving out the door when he heard Dylan’s distant agreement.

Hyungseok wandered over to the few clothes shops around, occasionally picking up some clothes he thought would look nice on him. Though when he was checking out at the front counter he realized that some of the clothes definitely didn’t look like anything he wore.

In fact, a few screamed Jinsung and Vasco. Maybe he unconsciously picked them up?Hyungseok debated returning them back to the clothing rack, but sighed and checked them out anyway.

Carrying his bags out the door, he walked down the streets. I wonder why it’s so empty around here. He thought, I guess it’s because people moved on from this tiny place.

Right, where was Dylan? He thinks his 3 hour minimum curfew was up. Then again, what if Jae realized that Hyungseok was doing the bare minimum and only wanted a kiss from his darling?

Would he give Hyungseok a kiss?

He paused, mind running into overdrive trying to analyze his chances of getting a kiss if he came home now, wondering whether or not his dear would realize that he only came back after barely 3 hours just to get a kiss from his angel. 

Then, decided that he was being too cheaty. Jae wanted him to be spending time with the family he hadn’t seen in years, to catch up and see how they were doing even if he thought they were losers. The kiss was a reward for spending time with his cousins and connecting with them, not spending 3 hours out in the city and coming back barely making much progress.

Sure, Jae would still give him a kiss, but then he’d give a little smile that hid how sad he was and Hyungseok would feel like he committed grievous sins upon the world and he desperately didn’t want that.

Mind made up, Hyungseok searched for his cousins. Well, he tried to, seeing as Dylan was now tugging at his shirt sleeve, anxiously asking him to meet with guys in an alley.

Which was where Hyungseok was. In a dirty back alley with his cousin by his side whilst some men tried wrestling his wallet out of his pocket.

The fighting was half-hearted at best, when Hyungseok came to his hometown he was aware enough to leave most of his money home, carrying a little money and hiding his card away in the travel bag Hyungseok carried with.

“Why are you guys so persistent?” Hyungseok faked a whimper, widening his eyes and giving the most innocent-looking pout he could. “I didn’t do anything to you, leave me and my cousin alone.”

The leader, a terribly small man with tattoos on his arms and his shirt half-open like he was showing off the built body he didn’t have, scoffed. “What are you, some sissy? You got a crap ton of money in this wallet and all you have to show for it is an old wallet and expensive ass clothes?”

“What do you mean?” Hyungseok asked sweetly, his voice just shy of mocking. “My friend bought me these for cheap, I’m not sure what you’re talking about.”

The guy smirked “Then, seeing as your ‘friend’ is buying you these clothes, how about you give ‘em to us and run back to that friend for more clothes? I’m sure a friend like yours would prefer seeing you naked anyway.”

Hyungseok put a wide, shocked face on, exclaiming “I don’t understand what you mean, my friend has been nothing but sweet to me, he’d never act like that!” when Dylan suddenly ran off.

Hyungseok watched him, morphing his face into a look of disbelief that he’s seen on a few people before he changed to teary eyes. “Dylan! Where are you going?! Dylan!” He cried out, as if he was weak and didn’t know how to defend himself.

The leader laughed, mocking Hyungseok and calling him a variety of names. They’re really annoying, Hyungseok thought, making sure his tears were still running down his face, If they could go away I’d go back to living my own life.

“Oh, what’s this?” The leader pulled out a picture and Hyungseok’s heart stopped.

It was practically his treasure, the picture of him and Jae laughing on the couch.

“You give that back.” Hyungseok hissed, bringing his hand out. “Give that back, now.”

“Aw, did we hit a nerve?” The leader mocked, taking the picture out of his wallet. “Is this that ‘friend’ of yours? My, he is quite the looker ain’t he? Must be quite nice if you have a picture of him in your wallet.” The lead- boy looked like he was going to crumble the picture when there was a yell at the front of the alley.

“Hey!! There, Davy!! There they are!!” Dylan yelled, looking deathly out-of-breath with Davy not far behind him. “Hyungseok!!”

Hyungseok stared at them, surprised they didn’t actually run away. “Look at that!” The boy and his merry-go-round of friends said, smiling viciously as they took in the sight of the two. “They look like twins!”

Unbeknownst to anyone, Hyungseok was staring at the crumpled picture in the boy’s grasp, something dangerously close to anger bubbling deep in his guts.

(It’s been a long time since he felt something so close to anger.)

They were talking, but he couldn’t listen, his eyes fixated on the boys’ fist.

It’s crumpled. Hyungseok thought. It got crumpled .

His near-priceless treasure, crumpled in the hands of a little boy . 

Hyungseok only blinked out of his trance when he felt a shaky hand tugging him away. “Hey, you good?” Dylan asked nervously. “You looked like you were plotting murder in there.”

Hyungseok smiled serenely, looking back up. “I’m okay, where’s Davy?”

“He’ll deal with the gang for us!” Dylan smiled, still a tad nervous but happy to wax poetic about Davy. He kept going on and on about how cool Davy was, acting like a proper scary adult trying to defend his cousins. 

Hyungseok only chimed in occasionally, letting Dylan’s words wash over him to calm himself down. He can plan for murder when he’s out of sight of his cousins.

Which he couldn’t do apparently, because that boy came out with his two friends holding his eldest cousin’s bookbag.

When they ran in to meet Davy, he was leaning against the alley wall, acting like he didn’t have a red cheek mark on his face and smiling so charmingly Hyungseok couldn’t help but think.

Even though they got beat, they truly did try standing up for each other.

How sweet, Hyungseok mused and laughed “You’re so cool, Davy!” He said, smiling as bright as he could despite the dark thoughts swirling in his head “Thanks!”

Like nothing was wrong, they walked back to the clothing store, where Davy was telling them about how he was going to woo the girl in the store. Hyungseok kept the serene smile on his face despite how murderous his thoughts were becoming.

Crumpled crumpled crumpled crumpled crumpled crumpled crumpled crumpled crumpled crumpled CRUMPLED-

Jaeyeol.

Hyungseok snapped out of his thoughts when he saw Davy staring frantically at them, panic in every line of his face as someone else held his hair.

Hyungseok absently thought about killing everyone as someone stood behind him.

It wasn’t a big deal, in the end.

(Though when the guys at the store helped them get their money back, Hyungseok saw their raised eyebrows when they picked up the crumpled picture. He looked around and saw that Hyungseok’s cousins were too busy kissing their possessions to notice. “This is yours, yeah?” The one in black said. “He must mean a lot to you for you to be making that face.”

Hyungseok smiled sweetly, too sugary to be truly honest as he smoothed out the picture. “Can you distract my cousins for me?” He said quietly. “I want to exchange a few words with them.”

It must have been the look in his eyes that made them nod so quickly.

Later, when he returned feeling much better than before, the man in the white tank-top silently handed him a tissue. “Clean yourself up before your cousins notice” He had muttered, unable to look at Hyungseok in the eyes “I don’t want your cousins to see what you’ve done to those three.”

“I just paid their price.” Hyungseok whispered, dead eyes looking up at the sky. “They destroyed something quite dear to me.”)

“Jae!” Hyungseok called when they finally came to their grandmother’s home. “Where are you, Jae?”

His dear was sitting on the floor, dutifully helping one of Hyungseok’s relatives in cooking dinner.

Then, a bright smile painted itself across his face, as if he were glad Hyungseok returned home safely.

Hyungseok chuckled and sat down next to Jae. “What are you doing?” He asked casually, carrying a bag in his hand.

Helping your family, what else? Jae replied and skillfully flipped the meat on the grill. Did you have fun? You were out for half the day.

“Hm? Yeah” Hyungseok mumbled, watching Sarah help with the grill even though she didn’t seem eager yesterday. “I had a lot of fun.”

Meet me outside tonight. Hyungseok tapped onto Jae’s forearm. I missed you.

Jae laughed it off and forced Hyungseok to go change.

That night, when Hyungseok was sure everyone was asleep, he snuck off behind their home to find Jae sitting on the back porch. “There you are, my angel.” Hyungseok said, hugging Jae close by the waist. “I missed having you so close…” He muttered, gently nosing at Jae’s neck again.

Jae laughed gently, pushing Hyungseok’s hair back in amusement. I missed having you close, too. Has visiting your family again been fun?

Hyungseok pulled Jae into his lap, sighing at the familiar weight settling on his body. Somehow, his shoulders loosened up. “It has, actually. It’s been really fun.” He muttered, pinching Jae’s side gently. ‘Even if you kicked me out of the house for the whole day today.”

Jae shrugged innocently. Not my fault your cousins wanted to hang out, I knew you wouldn’t have willingly left my side if I didn’t put a reward over your head.

“The minimum was three hours!” Hyungseok bemoaned, holding Jae’s waist tighter and pouting up at him with the cutest face he had in his arsenal. “I wanted to go back to you the moment I passed three hours.”

Jae huffed a laugh and put his arms around Hyungseok’s shoulders. And why did you not, Hyung? I would have given you your reward either way.

Hyungseok huffed and buried his face into Jae’s chest. Warm… “And risk seeing you so sad? The point of you making me do that was to strengthen my restraint and force me to bond with my cousins, if I came back after three hours I’d make you unhappy.”

Jae laughed silently, his heartbeat picking up. That’s true, you needed to connect with your family.

“I know I know, that was why I came here anyway.” Hyungseok sighed dramatically, “They were really nice to hang out with, even if we got into some trouble on the way.”

And you didn’t go all overprotective on them? Jae asked, surprise on his face as he pinched Hyungseok’s cheek. I’m surprised, especially with how often you get yourself into useless fights.

“Hey, have more faith in your unofficial boyfriend!” Hyungseok pouted again, pulling Jae so close the blond had to shift his legs so they were on either side of Hyungseok. “I know restraint!”

No you don’t. Jaeyeol nipped his chin again, You nearly killed Taesung-sii when he grabbed my arm that one time.

Hyungseok’s face darkened, his hands grasping Jae’s waist a little too tightly for comfort. Then he relaxed them and held Jae’s hips instead. “You can’t blame me for that , I thought he was going to hit you.”

That’s what you always say when someone’s too close to me. Jae huffed playfully, even if he did seem a little exasperated at that. I’m surprised you haven’t pushed our friend group away when they pull me somewhere.

“Because, surprisingly angel,” Hyungseok remarked. “I do trust everyone we know to not hurt you the way others would.”

That’s very sweet, Hyung. Jae hummed, then grabbed Hyungseok’s arms and made it travel up the sides of his body. But you know what I think? I think you’re a jealous man.

Hyungseok sputtered through his blush. “I am not! I just think that some people don’t deserve to be around you!”

Aw, are you saying I’m too good for them? Jae teased, closing in so they were practically nose-to-nose. My sweet flirt.

Since when did his angel become so terribly hot?! Hyungseok huffed, glaring playfully at Jae when the man laughed silently. “When did my darling become such a terrific flirt?! I can’t live if you keep speaking to me like that!”

How was that terrible?! Jae slapped Hyungseok’s chest with a loud smack , You’ve said worse to me! When we were at that pool one time you told me that I should cover up else you’d eat me up!

“And you smacked me so hard I thought my ears were ringing!” Hyungseok pouted “I’m still sorry I made you uncomfortable with that joke..”

Jaeyeol sighed. I told you it was fine, I just didn’t like it being in front of so many strangers. At a pool.

“I should have been aware, seeing as you aren’t even ready to become official yet.” Hyungseok sighed. “I know I know, you want me to become better before we properly date, I know.”

Then don’t make me remind you of it again, Jae said, It’s not the end of the world if we wait a few years before becoming a proper couple.

“But I wanna kiss you! I wanna move in with you!” Hyungseok whined slightly, kissing Jaeyeol’s forehead when the other leaned down. “I wanna see you for the rest of my life.”

What a romantic man I’m in love with. Jae mused, Hyungseok didn’t need to look to see how red his darling was.

Now, regarding your reward today… Jae said slowly, getting jostled slightly when Hyungseok practically bounced on the hard concrete floor. “Right, my reward, what is it?! What is it?! A date? A gift? Can I finally dress you up now? What is it?!”

Jae smiled, a look so enamored Hyungseok could hardly believe this gorgeous man was gazing at him. Close your eyes.

Obediently, Hyungseok did. For a moment, nothing was happening, there was only Jae’s weight and their points of contact reassuring him that Jae didn’t just up and leave. Just when Hyungseok was getting worried his darling was doing something terrible, a pair of soft lips landed on his own and Hyungseok’s eyes shot open.

Jaeyeol was kissing him. The love of his life, his sweet angel, the apple of his eye, his most beloved.

Was kissing him.

Hyungseok thought he could die happy right then and there.

When he finally got his wits together, Hyungseok kissed Jae back gently, careful not to overstep Jae’s boundaries. The kiss was soft and innocent, something made from bone-deep love and a relationship filled to the brim with love and adoration, something deeply passionate but never pushing.

Something that went further than just love .

(Hyungseok’s kissed people before, kissed his crushes and kissed random strangers in clubs he shouldn’t be in. 

His kisses always ended in misery, in a feeling of betrayal he couldn’t quite pinpoint.

But with Jae? Everything seemed right since the beginning.)

Finally, shorter than Hyungseok would have preferred, they both pulled back.

Jaeyeol was red-faced, panting slightly above him. Once again, Hyungseok was struck by how beautiful his dear was above him, even with the ugly artificial light of street lamps shining behind him Jae looked ethereal.

Hyungseok knew his face wasn’t any less red. “When did my angel become so brazen?” He decided to tease. “If this is how you reward me every time, I really should get out of my shell more.” 

Jae smiled, hiding his face in Hyungseok’s neck and laughing, snacking Hyungseok’s chest gently. You really are a special guy.

“Only because of you, angel.” Hyungseok laughed, feeling like he could encompass life itself with Jae laughing like that. “Only because of you.”

(Just a scant few feet away, hidden behind a wall of the family home, three cousins watched the two laugh and talk.

They didn’t exactly mean to eavesdrop, but they all woke up when Hyungseok left their shared bedroom and ended up watching the entire conversation unfold.

“I should have realized Hyungseok was gay..” Dylan muttered. “He was really touchy with his friend…”

“Have you seen him laugh like that for the paat 2 days?” Davy said instead, his eyes creased thoughtfully. “Hyungseok must really like the blond, his name was Jae, right?”

“Yeah…” Sarah said, halfway between dejected and green. “His name was Jae, Hyungseok said he was mute.”

The three watched as Hyungseok stood and twirled Jae around, looking at his (unofficial???) boyfriend like he was worth the universe. 

“They look nice next to each other.” Sarah offered, less dejected and more thoughtful. “It must be hard being so in love.”

“I hope we get invited to the wedding at least.” Dylan commented, then suddenly turned to Davy. “Wait, is gay marriage even allowed in Korea?”

Davy frowned. “…maybe we can give them information on where gay marriage is legal.”

The three of them retreated back to their rooms and left the two to their fun.)

(There is one thing everyone in the underground knows about Park Hyungseok, the youngest entrepreneur.

“I heard he’s obsessed with the pretty blond in his class.” One member would whisper.

“I heard he guards the blond fiercely, like a dog to its owner.” Another will say.

“Would that mean that the blondie’s weak?” A girl would giggle, her smile so twisted and gnarly it was like looking at a funhouse mirror.

“I’m surprised he’s gay in the first place.” A store owner laughs, his booming voice reverberating through your whole body. “Then again, the cute blond is a rather nice catch.”

“That just means blond’s weak, if he’s been guarded so fiercely.” One laughs manically, his curls falling down to his shoulders. “A weak little prince and his shining armor .”

“You can’t even mess with him.” An information broker said, his eyes the story of a war untold. “Knights may not be weak, but that’s just the armor.”

“You don’t know the demon that hides under it, ready to burst out when the weak prince is hurt.”)

Hyungseok was sad.

Not really, but he was sad.

Why? Because his angel had gone to Cheonliang before he did.

“I miss him already…” Hyungseok bemoaned, throwing his head back onto the chair seat.

“Calm down.” Jinsung scoffed, as if he wouldn’t do the same thing if Mijin was away. “You’ll see your boyfriend soon.”

“I told you we’re not boyfriends yet.” Hyungseok whined, throwing up his usual ‘childish and handsome’ face. “I gotta become a better person first.”

“Aren’t you okay now?” Jinsung asked, briefly looking away from Mijin to look at him. “I don’t remember you ever having issues.”

Hyungseok sighed and pointed at his head. “Jaeyeol meant a lot of issues, not just the physical ones. Which means that my reward for becoming a better and healthier person is becoming official boyfriends with Jae.” His smile turned dreamy. “Then I can kiss him whenever I want.”

“You’re so disgusting.” Jinsung shivered, as if he wasn’t a hypocrite. “Honestly, props to you for actually trying to better yourself, god knows the tricks you could have pulled to make Jae stay with you against his wishes.”

Hyungseok laughed like he hadn’t done just that.

The train ride was beyond fun even if Soojung was there, Hyungseok liked watching the girls as they laughed and chatted and acted like normal teenagers.

Of course, they could never be normal for once in their goddamn lives.

Hyungseok was just glad the party finished before he had to actually step up. Especially when those men eyed Jaehye.

“I’m so glad we decided to go to the beach!” Haneul cooed, happy to splash in the water for however long they wanted.

“It’s so nice, isn’t it angel?” Hyungseok cooed, hugging Jae from the side, determined to not look down.

He is only a teenager, and teenagers can barely keep their hormones together. 

So he is determined to not look down, determined to not see his darling’s perfect body shape and that high v-line-

Ah, he has the sudden urge to eat again.

Hyungseok decided to swim laps in the water instead of acknowledging Jae’s mischievous smile. How did you become such a demon? Hyungseok thought. My angel really is trying to kill me!

Like the sun’s ever approaching doom, night falls.

“Darling.” Hyungseok crooned, holding Jae’s waist and spinning in a circle. “You’re an absolutely fine specimen.”

What, are you finally dishing your compliments now after I changed out of my swimsuit? Jae laughed, pushing Hyungseok to let go of him

“Well…” Hyungseok leaned close to Jae’s ear, a mischievous smile stretched across his face. “If I stared long enough to have given you that compliment, I think I’d have laid underneath me right then and there.” He whispered, laughing when Jae’s face went bright red and began smacking Hyungseoks’ chest.

“I'm sorry, angel! I won’t say that in public again, okay?! Don’t be so mean to meee!” Hyungseok cried dramatically as he ran around the shoreline, Jae hot on his heels with a bright blush on his dear’s face.

They laughed the night away with the joy of youth in their bones. 

Which only made it more depressing when their night ended earlier than anticipated.

Jae’s hurt.

That’s the only thing he’s thinking.

His Jae, hurt. On the ground, right behind Lee Taesung.

Someone’s grabbing his arm, someone had thrown him onto the ground a few minutes ago, but he can’t focus on anything else.

Jae, Jae, Jae, Jae.

Before he knew it, he had his darling in his arms.

A mess, that’s what he looks like. A mess. His hands were burnt enough that Hyungseok worried about third degree burns, if he moved Jae’s fringe he thinks he’d spot where the blood was dropping from as well.

He focuses his hearing. Alive, breathing, awake.

Like a cut marionette, Hyungseok sags. Slowly, his vision opens up to see the people around him. They were surrounded by a thousand, maybe, all of them staring at Hyungseok with a kind of wariness reserved for a wild animal.

(They had watched Hyungseok, watched as Kwon Jitae threw him into the middle of the ring, watched him freeze and his friend tense up before the young man suddenly flew across the circle.

They had thought he was charging at them, but instead he picked up his friend who had laid on the ground, unconscious.

It was total silence, those who could look at his face only said one thing.

“His face looked like those expensive china dolls.”

Beautiful and utterly devoid of life.)

“Should I bring you somewhere else, darling?” Hyungseok asked quietly, pulling Jaeyeol closer. “It’d be great for my piece of mind if I knew you were safe…”

Whispers picked up from among the crowd. “Oh, so you’re the mighty Park Hyungseok, huh?” Someone from the crowd called out, their voice a song of mockery as they took in the sight. “I didn’t know that was the blondie. I guess he was weak after all.”

Laughter amongst the crowd, only stifled when doll-like eyes landed on them.

“Hey, are you there, Hyungseok?” Vasco asked. No reply.

“Leave it.” Taesung hissed, pulling everyone away from Hyungseok. “He’s not gonna be listening to your words.”

Jinsung looked surprised, staring up at the large man’s apprehensive face. “Why do you look so hesitant?!” Hobin yelled, looking too tired to properly kick and throw a tantrum. “What?! Is he supposed to be scary?!”

“You haven’t seen the shit he did, huh?” Taesung huffed. “Tell me, is the blond systema bastard important to him?”

“Really important.” Jinsung said slowly, confused at the line of questioning. “Pretty sure Hyungseok waxed poetic about marrying him in the future.”

Taesung tensed up. “Ah shit…”

“Guess we’re here to watch a bloodbath.”

(When information brokers had been asked about Hyungseok, they had laughed.

“Oh, the Park boy?” A guy had said, “I heard his face was like a china doll. Pretty, easily broken.”

“Don’t let his face fool you though.” A girl had said, her eyes grim and her hands practiced as she lit a cigarette. “He’s pretty, but rumor has it that he’s batshit insane.”

“We don’t have any proof on him.” Another said, somehow perfecting the art of a perfectly straight slouch. “All we have on him is that one account from middle school.”

“What happened then, you ask?” A young man said, his smile sleazy and his eyes hooded. “Well, they said he killed someone.”)

Hyungseok felt.. serene. Empty, but not quite.

As he gazed at the people around him, his darling awake and resting in his arms, Hyungseok couldn’t help but smile.

What do you want right now? He asked himself, staring at his darling. You want to kill.

Kill who?

“Who decided to hurt my Jaeyeol?” He asked sweetly, pitch black eyes staring into the depths of their souls.

No one replied.

Hyungseok smiled wider, then glanced at his angel. “My love, may I ask who hurt you?” He asked in a sugary sweet tone, staring at Jaeyeol with impossibly empty eyes.

Without looking, Jae gently tapped on his shoulder.

With a sweeter smile than he ever thought possible, Hyungseok pulled Jae even closer. “Thank you for your help, my angel.”

“I’ll decimate everyone in this ugly ring.”

With a smile uglier than the heart holding up an angel, Hyungseok fought.

(If you were to ask Gun or Goo about Park Hyungseok, they’d laugh in your face.

“What do we know about a ‘Park Hyungseok’?” Gun said, “If you wanted to mess with him, I wouldn’t recommend it.”

“No one knows who he really is.” Goo said conspiratorially, like a best friend sharing a secret “He always wears a mask, you know. Not a trace of a real personality there.”

“You know what we think, though?” Goo said. “We think that Park Hyungseok is a terrific fighter.”

“What good is it that he’s on our side.” Gun huffed, “I can’t even fight him without worrying about the boss. He’s a monster of a man, though.”

“Broke my arm pretty bad when I said his boyfriend was cute enough for me to snatch up.”)

Before they knew it, they were fighting again.

Jae had been put down somewhere, no one truly knew where , exactly, but judging by the sounds of smashing they thought Jae got up again. Though the attention was almost solely-focused on Hyungseok, who smiled and laughed as he danced around his opponents, his hands grasping shoulders before sending them tumbling like a bowling ball.

They would be normal, if he hadn’t nearly ripped their muscles out before throwing.

He fought like a well-rehearsed dance, each movement spoke of a fight well-fought, every pull and every push spoke of a man who knew common weak points, every bite into the arms told a story of ripped veins and fractured bones.

They would say that Hyungseok fought like an angry Jang Hyun, rabid and angry, like starving dogs fighting over scraps of food.

The difference was that Hyungseok pulled sinews, where Eli only bit.

Two monsters in human form, one only slightly better than the other.

“Whatever you do, don’t try attacking the blond bastard!” Jang Jinhyuk commanded, watching Hyungseok dance and jump and maneuver like he knew their every move. “He’ll only go crazier!”

A demon’s laugh echoed amongst the crowd.

“Looks like the party started without us.” A voice called out. “Hyun, what do you think?”

There, standing at the back of the crowd, were two men.

They all stopped to stare.

“Ah, Jang Hyun!” Hyungseok perked up, his voice saccharine as he took in the sight of the other man. “Lovely to see you.”

Jang Hyun looked back, familiar eyes staring into his. The leader seemed beyond angry, his face pressed into a smooth, cold line unlike Hyungseok.

“Are you ready to clean up your mess, Big Daddy? ” Hyungseok crooned, his arms holding someone he bit at the neck, the boy groaning as he struggled to breathe. “The little group one of your members made hurt my angel. I hope you deal a fitting punishment to him.”

Else he’ll be dealt by me, he doesn’t say.

Jang Hyun’s hard stare grew even colder, before looking away and staring at Jang Jinhyuk “I’ll keep it short, where’s Wang Ochun.”

“Are you sure you’re okay, angel?” Hyungseok crooned, pulling Jae even closer than physically possible. “Your hands were so burnt! I ought to hunt those people down and make them pay!”

Didn’t I tell you that I did that? Jaeyeol sighed, the blond was sitting sideways on Hyungseok’s lap, his hands so bandaged they looked like a mummy. I think you just wanted a reason to go mad that time.

“No no.” Hyungseok pouted, his hands holding onto Jae’s waist a little tightly. “I’m quite sure you told me they hurt you!” He said brightly, silently hoping he could leave a mark on his angel’s waist.

Jaeyeol looked at him with disapproval, as if he knew what Hyungseok was doing. You can’t deny me telling you I burnt my own hands, just admit that you got angry when you realized I was hurt.

Hyungseok pouted, then sighed and relaxed his grip, “Fine, I really was angry.” He muttered, “Seeing passed out on the ground like that… god I don’t know what I’d do if you were fatally injured.”

Well, he had some ideas. Just ones that would lead to his own eventually end.

Feeling that familiar anger welling up again, Hyungseok smushed his face into Jae’s collarbone. “Are you sure your head is okay, angel?” He asked, his voice muffled. “You would have fallen to the ground if I didn’t catch you.”

My hero. Jae chuckled, his blond hair mussed and his eyes hidden away by bandages.

(The doctor had seen the state of them and nearly screamed in alarm.

Hyungseok himself were so hurt he might as well be lugging broken bones, Jinsung was still in hospital from extended hits to the head, Vasco was in the least pain out of all of them, being built of pure muscle it somehow protected his bones from breaking.

Jaeyeol’s hands were so grievously burnt the doctors were discussing getting him skin grafts.

All of them had extended damages to the head, which meant that they were all bandaged like mummies and forced into doing less-backbreaking work for a long while.)

Hyungseok had been better for some time now, getting in as much snuggles and pampering as he could before his angel’s hands were properly healed.

Because nothing sparks greater joy in Hyungseok than to pamper and love Jae while his dear was healing.

“I’m so sad that I have to work tonight, I can’t feed you anymore.” He whined, kissing Jae’s neck and chin sadly. “I’ll miss you so much…”

It’s only a night or so. You can live. Jae laughed, kissing his nose. Stop being so dramatic, Hyung.

“Fine, fine.” Hyungseok whined, gently caressing Jae’s thigh. He always looked so nice in the bathrobe. “Anything for my perfect angel.”

“You must really like that boy..” Yoojin whispered, his voice as broken as the wrist Hyungseok was stepping on.

Hyungseok giggled with a mask on his face, his eyes brighter than the sun and darker than the empty universe. “I proved that time and time again, didn’t I?”

He had a private letter from one Yoojin, CEO of Workers, asking for a meeting with him that very night.

Yoojin wanted to see if they could talk privately, to know if he could sign a contract with Hyungseok over a matter he didn’t want to say over invitation.

Seeing as Yoojin also worked under Choi Dongsoo, Hyungseok had agreed.

So you could tell why he was surprised when he saw so many people at their meeting point.

“What’s the meaning of this, Yoojin?” Hyungseok called, “I thought we had a private meeting, not a public get-together with the gangs.”

Everyone on his side of the room paused, staring at him in confusion.

“What are you saying, Hyungseok?” Jinsung asked, a frown on his lips whilst he clenched his hand in preparation. “You had a meeting with these guys?”

Hyungseok smiled sheepishly. “Ahhh, I’m sorry we had to see each other like this, Jinsung.”

“Like what?!” Jinsung glared. “Don’t tell me Jae doesn’t know you’re here.”

Hyungseok feigned a pout, making a face so endearing they all blinked in whiplash. This is the man Yoojin personally wrote his name to ask?

“He doesn’t, why do you ask?” Hyungseok hummed. “He’s sleeping right now.”

“Now, Yoojin.” Hyungseok hummed, walking into the center of the room. “What is it that you wanted to bring me here? I expect the truth, you already have one strike from lying to me.”

Yoojin smiled, a sweet little thing that truly hid his cunning personality. “It’s a pleasure to properly meet you, Demon.”

Demon? Jang Hyun thought, his eyes widening.

(Years ago, rumors ran through the underground like parasites.

Rumors of a ruthless demon, biting away every crew that threatened Choi Dongsoo’s hard work. Almost like a lapdog, if dogs had free will and a mind ready to kill its owner.)

“ You’re the Demon?” Kim Gimyung whispered, most likely having heard the rumors. “I… didn’t think I’d fight a demon face-to-face.”

“I’d love to throw my face away and greet you properly.” Hyungseok cooed, “You all look lovely this evening, but I have a meeting to finish and a warm bed to go home to.”

They tensed, he guessed they hadn’t properly forgiven him for that one time Hyungseok went angry on them.

“I apologize for the late hour, Demon.” Yoojin greeted kindly, “We had prepared a chair for you, but as you can see over there…” He pointed to the smashed chair next to Vasco. “It was broken when the gangs started fighting.”

“We didn’t realize you were coming.” Seong Yohan said, as respectful as a child who’s first learning high society etiquette. “Sorry, maybe you can get another chair?”

Hyungseok chuckled. “No need, I can stand just fine. What did you need from me, Yoojin?”

The elder smiled, “I’d like to make a deal with you. I’m sure you’re aware, but Choi Dongsoo has been thinking of wiping out the Four Major Crews. We haven’t been touched just yet , you see, seeing as we know Dongsoo-sii’s secret.”

Hyungseok stared, then smiled and asked. “This involves me, because…?”

“Don’t you care about the four crews?” Yoojin crooned. “Look at them, all the friends and allies you’ve made in them.”

Friends and allies? All Hyungseok sees are terrified faces in every one of them.

Aside from Hostel, seeing as he and Hyun were in the same school together.

There was movement behind him, Hyungseok pretended not to notice. “Get to the point, Yoojin-sii. I don’t have time to play around tonight.”

“What I ask, Demon-sii.” Yoojin hummed, “Is that you join forces with Workers, in order to defeat Choi Dongsoo.”

Hyungseok smiled, acted like there wasn’t a figurative brick wall at his back. “Sorry, but I’m sure you’re aware of how my deal with Dongsoo-sii went. If I were to make a deal with you, I’m sure you understand what needs to happen.”

“And what, pray tell, went into your deal with Dongsoo-sii?” Yoojin asked, as if they didn’t have an audience of gangs around them plus Hyungseok’s own friends.

Unconsciously, everyone seemed to lean in, like it was a drama despite the obvious tension in the air.

“A 20% cut of his entire company share, and a priceless treasure.” Hyungseok sang, hearing the room choke around him. “You can give me all the money in the world, but what about the treasure, hm? Dongsoo-sii has already guaranteed something quite lovely for me.”

“Oh, and what’s that?” Yoojin asked, like he didn’t know the answer.

“Now why should I tell you that?” Hyungseok cooed, spinning and kicking Bang Mandeok’s head, finding something like delight in the way the man grunted and fell to the floor. “I want to hear what you can offer me as treasure .”

“And what would you like, Demon?” Yoojin asked, bright eyes staring right into his soul.

Hyungseok smiled, stepping off of Bang Mandeok. “Make a guess, Yoojin-sii.”

(“It’s like watching two tigers circle each other.” Chae Wonseok whispered to Hyun. “Is this like that time he was fighting with his teeth?”

“Not yet.” Hyun whispered. “Hyungseok’s capable of much worse, why do you think they call him Choi Dongsoo’s lapdog?”)

“Having your angel all to yourself?” Yoojin asked, smile twitching when Hyungseok jumped and yelled:

“Ding ding ding! And we have a winner!”

(“What a childish man…” Kim Gimyung muttered, looking at Kwon Jitae. “Is this really the same guy?”

“If I remember right,” Jitae said, his eyes slightly distant. “This is him in the flesh.”)

“You’re going to use Jaeyeol?!” Vasco yelled in alarm. “What are you doing?!”

“Has Jaeyeol even agreed to this?!” Jinsung growled, his eyes hard and his hands fumbling for his phone. “I swear-!” His phone got smashed by the mysterious VVIP.

“Your angel’s name is Jaeyeol?” Yoojin asked, smiling kindly. “What a gorgeous name.”

“It is.” Hyungseok hummed. “What do you want with him?”

“Simple.”

“Join the Workers, and your angel won’t die.”

The room seemed to drop ten degrees, the gangs looked at each other nervously before staring at the demon.

It was silent, even Jinsung and Vasco hadn’t tried to disturb it. “That’s quite a terrible deal, Yoojin sii-bal.” Hyungseok suddenly said, his voice oddly quiet as the childishness suddenly disappeared.

Yoojin smiled kindly, looking unsurprised at the lack of respect. “I’m older than you, Hyungseok-sii.”

“That doesn’t absolve you of what you said to me.” Hyungseok advanced, only barely stopped by the VVIP’s hand on him. “Did you get your terrible negotiations from Choi Dongsoo? Because that deal was the worst one yet.”

(“Quite a man your friend is.” Gimyung said to Jinsung, “Never seen someone that disrespects their own boss like that.”

“He’s never listened to anyone.” Vasco commented mildly. “No one but Jaeyeol, anyway.”)

“Don’t compare me to someone like Dongsoo, can’t you see that he’s only giving you less than what I can?” Yoojin said, as if desperate to bring Hyungseok over to his side.

“Will you take back the deal?” Hyungseok said, earning a simple smile in response. “Then I’m not interested in playing games, ssi-bal.”

“Then I hope you don’t mind if I blow out your angel’s brains?”

Hyungseok smiled. “Then I sincerely hope you don’t mind me doing this.”

Just as the VVIP’s hand grew tight, Hyungseok pulled back and threw a leg right into the man’s crotch.

They watched in silence, staring at Hyungseok’s sweet smile as he pulled the VVIP to the ground, a knee on the man’s back and another leg twisting to crack the man’s wrist. “If you move, I’ll dislocate his shoulder.” A pop. “Oops!”

Yoojin’s smile was strained, now falling into a hard line as he took in the sight.

Mandeok fast approached from the back, stopping when Hyungseok’s face twisted up, a smile too wide to be normal and too empty to be human. “Move and I’ll break all his fingers next.”

The man underneath him laughed, before he pushed Hyungseok off of him.

“Aww, how saddening.” Hyungseok mocked. Then he bounced up and used their heads as step-stools. “You really need to learn , Yoojin.”

“Don’t you understand?” Hyungseok cooed as they tried to get him off, only for him to dance on their shoulders. “Your Gun and Goo , aren’t even that close to the real deals.” He bent at an odd angle, his feet up in the air as his head turned low.

Mandeok screamed as his teeth dug deep into muscle. Hyungseok hung like a spider, his hands held onto the triceps as he dug his teeth as far as it could go.

Then, just as he began to pull back, a kick to the front meant that Hyungseok flew into the wall.

Hyungseok laughed his anger into the sinews of Mandeok’s shoulder.

Mandeok frantically reached behind his back and ripped Hyungseok right off. “What an annoying fly.” He gritted out, his eyes in deep pain.

Hyungseok smiled, spitting the man’s blood right back in his face. “I wasn’t done.”

“Are you going to ignore me?” Jinsung huffed, punching VVIP in the chest. “I’m not the only player on the damn chess board.”

“That was actually a good analogy, Jinsung.” Vasco commented, twisting his body and trying to  fling the VVIP away.

Mandeok’s hands were big enough to encase Hyungseok’s ribs, but Hyungseok didn’t suffer through his gymnastics class for nothing.

Especially when he could bend his body like a spider.

“You’ve never seen a circus before?” Hyungseok giggled, his legs now laid on top of Mandeok’s arm, the man somehow twisting himself upside down. “You should see them, they’re amazing at what they do.”

And he forced himself out of Mandeok’s grip. “You’re not my type!” Hyungseok cooed, “It’s your fault really, threatening my angel like that.”

“What about this then?” Yoojin finally spoke up, empty platitude on his face and a broken-twisted VVIP by his side. “If I promise your angel stays by your side, will you work with us?”

“Hm?” Hyungseok cooed, Jinsung and Vasco standing to his side. “What about my dear friends? I can't let loopholes happen in a deal.”

Yoojin smiled, even if it was a shaky thing. “I can retract all my deals for your friends. In exchange, I want you to work for me.” He said, his voice sweet. “But your little angel has to come as well. We don’t want any leaks, do we?”

“You also don’t bother Hostel, or Yohan Seong.” Hyungseok cooed, flashing his bloodied teeth to see Mandeok tense. “Our deals aren’t their problems. Big Deal’s already allied with you, keep the other two out.”

Hostel seemed surprised. “Shouldn’t we make that decision ourselves?” Jang Hyun commented. “I don’t know if you have the right to do that for us, Hyungseok.”

He chuckled. “Deal with it!” He sang. “My darling would hate me if he knew I involved you guys.”

They all glanced at each other.

“So, do we have a deal?” Hyungseok cooed, walking with a confidence he shouldn’t have when both of the VVIPs tensed for a fight. “Your offer is already cheaper than what Dongsoo-sii offered me, be glad I’m even thinking about your deal .”

Yoojin’s eye twitched. “And I don’t need to entertain your deal, Demon. I could be making better deals with the other gangs right about now, but here I am, talking with you.”

Hyungseok laughed, a thing so empty they shivered at the encompassing cold. “But you know, Yoojin. You know that if I denied you, you’d be decimated when he sent me to hunt you down.”

“You know it more than anyone else, Yoojin. That’s why you’re still standing here, trying to look me in the eye!” He laughed, ignoring the way two hands tightened on his arms. “You know that you can’t defeat me! You know that even if I die I’d still win! You know that there’s no logical way to win without your numbers being depleted to nothing!”

“You know you’re useless without me on your side!”

Yoojin’s glared, unable to retort.

And the gangs could only stare in awe at the monster before them.

(Gun and Goo were already rather remarkable opponents to beat when Workers eventually went to war with Choi Dongsoo.

That isn’t even mentioning the demon lapdog, a man so insane people believed that he had no leash.

Except, apparently, the leash an angel had.)

“…you’re correct.” Yoojin eventually replied. “We are nothing without you on our side.”

“So I’ll agree to your terms. In exchange for you and your angel, everyone will stay safe.”

Hyungseok giggled, pushing his friends away and shaking Yoojin’s hand. “Pleasure doing business with you, Yoojin.”

And the world watches with fear.

(“Did you really mean what you said, boss?” Bang Mandeok said, a plaster on his shoulder and his eyes forever fearful. “Did you truly mean everything you said to that demon?”

“...What else could I have said, to appease men like him?” Yoojin muttered, glancing over to his dear big brother, smiling down at the cast on his wrist. “Looking at you two, I knew there was simply no way around it. I either appeased him, or you would have been killed.”

“...What’s the plan now, then?” Mandeok asked, refusing to look in the rearview mirror, where he’d get a full view of the cast on his shoulder.

The doctors said he was lucky it hadn’t gotten infected.

“The plan now is to watch the two in action.” Yoojin said with a calm he didn’t feel. “The Demon is protective of his angel, no? That means we must see how they work together, and take the angel for ourselves.”

“He’d kill our entire organization if we do that.” Mandeok replied slowly, hiding his shock away.

“That just means that we’ll need to be careful, don’t we? He’s already taken down our Third and Fourth Affiliates, that was without Choi Dongsoo’s orders. If his one weakness is his angel, then when we take down the angel wouldn’t that mean the Demon with fall too?”

“...You’re being much too reckless, boss.” Mandeok said slowly. “He’ll take us all out if we kill his angel.”

“We’ll just have to make sure the angel is ours then.” Yoojin replied, a smile on his lips.)

What have you done? Jaeyeol asked him later that night.

His darling was a bloodied mess, his white robe decorated in red and falling off his shoulders, a bloody gash on his lips and shaking where he stood. What have you done, Park Hyungseok?

And where he stood was in the middle of a body pile.

Hyungseok ran and tried to grab Jae-

Only to be stopped.

Stand right where you are, Park Hyungseok. Jaeyeol glared. Stand there and tell me what you did.

Hyungseok slowly pulled his hands away and stood where Jae ordered.

The man in front of him wasn’t his angel right now. No, the man in front of him was the young heir to H Group, the ever-fearsome CEO and reason why H Group’s fashion industry was booming.

He stood still, then replied. “I made a terrible mistake.”

Jae tilted his head, his glare dark and pointed as he sat down on their couch. Tell me everything .

(There is no denying a man who knows of his own power.)

Hyungseok couldn’t help but kneel and speak.

He told him about his deal with Choi Dongsoo, he told him about his meeting with Workers, he spilled every secret and every misery and every thought of that entire fight, spilled his heart and his secrets and his thoughts and hoped that Jae wouldn’t leave him alone, hoped that Jae would forgive him.

Please don’t hate me. He wanted to say, Don’t leave me like they did, I don’t want to lose you.

I never want to lose you.

When he finished, there stood only silence. Jae sat there, his language unreadable as he took the ugly sight Hyungseok made. Kneeling before his angel with blood on his clothes and face, his head bowed so low it almost hit the ground, sitting so quietly Hyungseok might have been a statue.

I don’t like it when you kneel. Sit up here. Jae titled his head forward, and Hyungseok scrambled up like a dog to its’ master. You , Park Hyungseok, have made the worst decision I have ever seen. I don’t even know how to deal with this absolute mess. But the one thing I do know?

I’m clearly much too lenient with you.

Hyungseok didn’t try looking at Jae in the eye, keeping to himself before his angel forced Hyungseok to look at his face. Look at me when I speak to you, Hyungseok.

He nodded, showing a sign he understood. I clearly didn’t try to put better boundaries with you. Jae said, Did I put too much faith in you, Hyungseok? Am I being too lenient with you? Is this some late ‘I miss you’ greeting? Dragging me into the underworld filled with gangs when I’m supposed to be living in hiding? Using me as a goddamn bargaining chip?!

“I’m so sorry…” Hyungseok whispered, tears dripping down his face. “I’m so sorry, I shouldn’t have done that to you.”

Jae glared harder. But you did, Hyungseok. You did.

Hyungseok slowly raised his hand, but then thought better of it and put them back down. “H-how can I make it up to you?...” He whispered, breaking his gaze away from Jae.

Jae stared for a long time, his hand didn’t move away from its grip on his face as the tension and adrenaline seemed to fall away, leaving a shaking man in its absence.

Jae was crying. He made his Jae cry.

“No no no no.” He muttered, scooting closer to Jae and looking at him with worry. “I’m sorry angel, I didn’t mean to do this, I’m so fucking sorry.”

You did, Hyungseok. You did! Jae hit his arm. Even when distressed, Jae hit softly. You turned me into a bargaining chip! Do I really mean that little to you?! Is my worth a goddamn bargaining chip?!

“Of course not! You mean the world to me, Jae! I can’t do anything without you!” Hyungseok protested, careful not to touch his darling. “I didn’t mean to do this to you, but it was the only way I could keep everyone safe!”

Jae glared again through the tears in his eyes. You should have found a better way.

Hyungseok felt like collapsing, felt like kneeling before his angel again and beg for forgiveness from the person he cared the most about. “Please, please Jae.” He whispered, “Please, I don’t want you to leave me, please stay with me. I don’t want to be alone.”

“So please, please. Tell me what I have to do to make it up to you.”

Jae looked hesitant, like he was deep in thought before he replied. Help me clean up the apartment first, then we’ll talk.

An olive branch. One he was more than willing to take.

( When you see Choi Dongsoo again. Jae said later that night, sitting on the bed and gently grasping Hyungseok’s hand. Tell him you don’t want me as your priceless treasure anymore, tell him something else.

“Okay.”

Starting from today, I’m not kissing you anymore. You lost my faith, so we’re both going back to square one. You need to learn boundaries again, I don’t want to be played for a fool anymore.

“I understand.”

I’ll still go with you to Workers, but you can’t show them any obvious affection while they’re in the room.

“That’s fine.”

You’ll have to tell me about any important decision you try to make and we’ll talk it through together. Not using me as a bargaining chip is a no-brainer. That’s all I can think about right now, any questions?

“Why are you being so nice to me?” Hyungseok whispered, looking down at their conjoined hands. “Why aren’t you doing worse? Hit me, punish me, do anything. Don’t just… do this.”

Jae seemed to exhale, then leaned to touch their foreheads together. Because, Hyungseok, as much as you broke my trust, I still love you. I still want our relationship to work. For that, we actually use our words, not our hands or our fists.

Hyungseok sat in silence for a long time, before he put his head into Jae’s chest. “You’re too good for a guy like me, Jae.”

Jae chuckled, a hand gently touching his neck. I know.

To that, he wanted to say. I love you so much I want to destroy the world for you.)

The Demon’s angel wasn’t exactly the kind of man Yoojin expected.

Though if he were honest, there wasn’t even much of a profile on the angel, which only made him all the more threatening.

Then again, the man in front of him screamed of contradiction. Windswept hair that hid his eyes, a tall stature comparable to that of the Demon’s, a rather gorgeous jawline and steady confidence one could only get from doing the same thing a thousand times.

Which either meant that this Jaeyeol was a naturally confident man despite the situation he was in (his boyfriend basically gambling his life) or he was able to fake his confidence really well.

However, Yoojin glanced at the other man in the room, the Demon himself. I suppose you could be confident with your boyfriend around.

(Yoojin spots the faint tremor in Jaeyeol’s hands, and he thinks to himself, He’s too normal. How did he attract the attention of the Demon? )

“I’m so glad you could make it.” Yoojin greeted, glancing at the angel discreetly. There's barely any record of his existence, only a simple birth certificate saying his full name was Hong Jaeyeol, listing of the most barebones of information about him.

No notable achievements in any kind of field. No familial records to connect to. Nothing.

So it isn’t a stretch to say Yoojin was going in blind.

“You just be the Demon’s angel, what’s your name?” He asked, reaching out to shake Jaeyeol’s hand. The hand itself was accepted, but there was no answer to his question.

“His name is Jaeyeol.” Hyungseok said for him. “My darling is mute.”

How come there were no records of that? “Ah, I apologize, I didn’t know.” Yoojin smiled. Then, he gifted them their own set of masks. They were simple little things, one of a kitsune, another of Noh. “My name’s Yoojin, from today onwards I am your boss. Come with me, I’ll explain things as we go along.”

Yoojin wanted a demonstration of their loyalty, Jae had told him.

He knows you’re not loyal to anyone, Jae explained as they walked the halls of the 2nd Affiliate. Which is why it’s hard to gauge whether or not you’ll betray Workers the moment you get an opening.

Which is probably why I’m here. It was hard to understand what Jae was saying when his mask was covering his face. But his body language more than made up for it. They want to ensure that you stay loyal, right? And they believe you’re a loose cannon anyway. It was why Yoojin added me into your contract.

(Hyungseok winced at that statement.)

It was so he could have a way to control you. Keep you immobile as long as I stay here. Jae walked with a calm Hyungseok was envious of. I think you understood that already, though.

Hyungseok would marvel at how intelligent his angel was if he still wasn’t beaten down from their talk the night before.

They suddenly stopped, Jae slumping in his version of a sigh before he turned to Hyungseok. What’s wrong?

“I…” He struggled to get the words out. “I still feel guilty. About what happened.”

Jae looked at him and sighed. I know you do, I don’t need to see your face to understand that you’re guilty, Hyung.

But you know what’s happening now? Jae asked, gently fixing up Hyungseok’s tie and wiping away the dust on his coat. You promised me you were going to improve yourself, become a better person. And you know what comes with things like that? 

“What?” Hyungseok said weakly, fighting himself from touching Jae as much as he desperately wanted to, to lather him in affection and love and tell Jae he loved him . “What comes with promising things like that?”

There are ups and downs. Jae said gently, his hands grasping Hyungseok’s as a sign of comfort. Hyungseok ignored how much he relaxed at such a simple method of comfort. Every relationship has ups and downs, every fight to improve has ups and downs.

What matters here is that you genuinely fight to prove that you are improving. Improving for me and for yourself. I can’t forgive you as of right now, but I know I will in time.

Hyungseok stared at his angel’s face. “I don’t think it bắt saying again but…” Hyungseok gently hugged him by the waist, pulling him close and setting his chin on his dear’s shoulder. “You really are my angel.” He muttered.

Jae chuckled and let Hyungseok lay on his shoulder for a moment. Now, are you actually ready to meet the executives of the 2nd Affiliate?

“As I’ll ever be.” Hyungseok pulled away.

Shiba Inu was an interesting man, Hyungseok thought.

Anyone with two pairs of eyes and ears in the underworld knows Shiba Inu was the former no.1 of Big Deal, as far Hyungseok was aware the man was practically Gimyung’s older brother.

Which really did surprise Hyungseok, seeing as everyone thought he was dead when all he sees is a man alive and well.

Jae stood like a doll next to him, only shyly greeting back when Han Shinwoo waved enthusiastically. “Wow, you’re not much of a talker, are ya?” He asked, an obvious look of confusion on his face.

“You have to forgive him.” Hyungseok said casually. “Noh’s mute, he can’t really talk.”

“Ah, that’s a shame!” Shinwoo laughed, a joy brighter than youth shining on his face. “With a physique like his, I’m sure he’s quite a hit with the ladies!”

Hyungseok chuckled and hid his clenched fist. “I’m not so sure about that…”

Jae titled his head, an action that made him more childish than he truly was despite the ugly mask on his face.

I wonder what he’s playing. Hyungseok wondered, I’ve never seen him act like this before.

(Naive, childish, weak.)

Shinwoo seemed to coo. “Gosh, you’re pretty cute for a guy!”

A woman spoke as she came in. “<Sinu.>” She said, disappointment palpable in her voice. “<I told you not to take off your mask.>”

The girl in front of him was rather beautiful, Hyungseok thought, the kind of superficial beauty he saw in Soojung, anyway. A gorgeous hourglass figure, plump lips that looked cherry red, her eyes were big behind the Neko mask.

“<Ah…>” Shinwoo smiled awkwardly, “<Sorry Neko, you know I can’t help it.>”

“<Here, I’ll fix it properly for you.>” She said, something like adoration in her voice as he gently fixed Shinwoo’s mask back on. “<There we go.>”

They’re definitely dating. Jae said, And it seems like Nomen’s rather jealous of that fact.

Hyungseok glanced at Nomen. From an outside perspective it would look like Nomen wasn’t affected by the display of affection between the two, but when Hyungseok looked closer he saw the same clenched fist of a jealous person.

The two looked at each other across the room, then glanced at each other’s clenched fist. Nomen titled his head in a question: You after my girl?

Hyungseok shook his head and watched as realization zipped through his body.

They nodded at each other. Another jealous brethren, they thought.

“Nice to meet you, madam.” Hyungseok spoke up casually. “I’m sure you know who the both of us are, already.”

The lady smiled. “Yes, I do. Call me Neko. I’m excited to be working with you from now on.”

Hyungseok chuckled. “Likewise.”

“I should have known men like you were trouble, Lee Hyundo.” Hyungseok mused, looking at the man in front of him. “I knew you were a bully before you dropped out, but I didn’t think you’d be doing things like this .” He chuckled gently, “Then again, I should learn to stop playing around like that.”

“Damn right you should.” Hyundo huffed, still unable to look at Hyungseok even in the eye even after all this time. “I’m your senior now, you can’t boss me around.”

Hyungseok chuckled anyway, gently holding Jae’s waist. “Whatever you say, hyung.” He teased, “I’d forever remember you as the guy who loved attention.”

Hyundo huffed. “S-shut up! I’ve changed since then, okay?! If anything, it’s you whose gotten worse!”

Hyungseok froze, then stared up at Hyundo. “What did you say to me?”

Hyundo winced. “Sorry, didn’t mean for it to come out like that. But like… isn’t that your boyfriend? I thought you’d never involve him in stuff like this.”

Hyungseok looked away, shame obvious on his face for once. “Yeah well, I made a mistake, now my angel’s here with me.”

Jae huffed a noise similar to an agreement, which made both Hyundo and Hyungseok wince. “Messed up that bad, huh?” Hyundo muttered.

“Yeah…” Hyungseok replied.

Jae typed something out on his phone. As fun as it is to catch up to how you’ve been, Hyundo, may I ask about the circus?

Hyundo winced. “Damn, first time I’ve seen you in a while and you jump right to business?”

Jae made a movement similar to a snort. You and I have never talked once in our lives, I’m sure you’re not offended.

“That’s true but you don’t gotta rub it in.” Hyundo sighed. “Well, down to business it is.”

Hyungseok smiled so widely he kind of thought he was trying to commit murder.

His friends, coming to save him and Jae. Joining the circus even with the pain before that.

It was a fun game for Hyungseok, to relay all the clear-game strategies to them.

(Hyungseok had delighted in the thought of simply tormenting the people in the building.

Jae was playing a shy guy, but he guessed Jae decided to play a freak the moment they decided to share a bed.

Hyungseok smiled widely, punching their shared bed and making it rock as hard as he could. “Who knew my darling would be so cute?” He said, trying to muster up a low voice as he tried to speak loud but also like he was attempt to keep quiet.

It was an interesting dichotomy, made all the more fun when he tried to achieve it the best he could.

Jae was laughing hard, smashing the walls and shaking the cabinets like they were having the most intense fun of their lives. Sadly, he couldn’t speak, but Hyungseok did it for his angel.

They played that game for an hour, desperately pushing down the urge to laugh and making sure they traumatized everyone in the damn building as they did so.

Then, when they finally slowed down the creaks of their bed, Hyungseok pulled Jae into the bathroom to talk.

“So, what’s the plan, angel?” Hyungseok said quietly, turning on the shower and, with his angel’s agreement, helping his darling with the tie and button,

I’m planning on playing games with a few of the lower employees. Jae said casually as Hyungseok took off his shirt and unbuckled the belt. They’re all Workers, so we can’t rely on them for much, but I know the best ways to make sure people listen.

Hyungseok smiled, delighting in his angel’s intelligence. “What is it?”

Jaeyeol helped Hyungseok get ready for the shower. Hyundo has no one watching him, right? Maybe he can play as our silent messenger.

“What about us?” Hyungseok asked, directly his angel to the tub while he moved to the shower. “What are we playing?”

The insatiable couple hellbent on ruining people’s nights. )

“<Wah, you two really did come here to see the fruits of your own labor.>” Nomen said next to them, the glare from behind his mask even more prevalent today.

We just have really pissed him off. Hyungseok thought to himself, having been shaking the damn bed for an entire week straight. Hyungseok chuckled and replied. “<Of course we did, it was the polite thing to do.>”

Jae doesn’t reply, only watching the proceedings from above the ring. Jinsung was watching them, glaring at them with his saddened face.

Hyungseok doesn’t try looking at Jinsung, if he looked he would be too ashamed. Jae was bold enough to look, to stare at their friends and the participants in the game with the air of a true executive.

I’m sorry . Hyungseok doesn’t say. I’ll make sure you come out alive, Jae gently tapped the chrome rings on his right pinkie.

(“How the hell can you read Jae so easily?” Jinsung demanded once early in their second year.

“What are you saying?” Hyungseok laughed. “Understanding my angel isn’t that hard, you know.”

“Then tell me how to understand him, it’s a little annoying when you two fly into your own bubble when you talk.”

“Aigo! Fine,” Hyungseok sighed, then made a gesture. “The best way to understand Jae is through his body language. It doesn’t seem like it, but Jae’s a rather expressive man, you just don’t look at him when he’s acting like that.”

“Look for his tells, a tilt of the head, a tap on the shoulder, a gesture on the wrist,… the list goes on.” Hyungseok said, sketching Jae’s movements into the back of his notebook.

“The most important thing you should keep aware of is when Jae’s touching his rings. The ones on his left are his versions of sorry, while the one on his right is him reassuring.”

“Both of them, from the thumb to the pinkie, display how sure or guilty he is. So it might be the best tool if you want to know any reassurances or sorrows.”)

Jinsung’s eyes widened, and suddenly he seemed even more resolute than before.

It’s strange, though. Jinsung thought to himself as he watched the two standing on that podium. Jaeyeol, faking a realistic shyness despite his steady confidence. Hyungseok, displaying confidence despite being unable to look them in the eye.

I wonder what they talked about for it to be such a role reversal.

“Let the games begin!” The lady at the podium said to the pleasure of the viewers.

Hyungseok looked back down to the ring and valiantly looking away from a certain group of 4 that he knew. Let the games truly begin. He thought to himself.

(“What makes Hong Jaeyeol scary is that he’s an unknown variable.” Yoojin said casually. “There’s barely any records of him, his parents aren’t anyone remarkable, his birth certificate didn’t list any person of interest either.”

“It’s like Jaeyeol popped up from nowhere, if we didn’t have a birth certificate, he might as well have been born the day he and the Demon met.” Yoojin shrugged. “That makes it hard to guess his physical prowess and his intelligence.”

“If you could believe it, he’s even more mysterious than the demon.”)

Hyungseok glanced at his angel, then back down to the ring of criminals that harbored the group of people he called friends. Let the games begin, indeed.

Jaeyeol didn’t reprimand him for not meeting their eyes, this time around.

(“The thing with angels is that they’re supposed to be pure.” Yoojin started. “You think they’re rather predictable fellows, beautiful and created God’s perfect image, just and fair and always open to second chances.”

“But what people forget about these biblical thoughts is that angels are also demons in their own right.”

“The higher the angel, the more inhuman they become, it doesn’t take much for angels that were beautiful to become what humans deem as ugly and horrifying. What makes Hong Jaeyeol terrifying, in this instance, isn’t because he’s the Demons’ precious, weak angel that can only be protected, nor is it because he tamed the Demon himself.”

“No, what makes Hong Jaeyeol terrifying is because the man’s almost crazier than the Demon, an unpredictable mess only bested by the other. There are no known variables, only guesses that leave too much room for failure.”

“Hong Jaeyeol is a rather phenomenal actor.”)

“I actually thought men like you were supposed to be good, kinda like the Yin and Yang symbols I saw all the time.” Gimyung commented. On his face was the Kitsune mask, his eyes staring at Jaeyeol and Hyungseok. “Then again, everyone’s been calling you guys Angel and Demon, so maybe it wasn’t too big a stretch.”

“I don’t understand what you’re saying, exactly.” Hyungseok chuckled. “But you’re here now, so just make sure you dismantle this place nice and pretty. My Jae wants to make sure this place goes down.”

“That’ll be pretty hard.” Gimyung muttered, looking at the two of them while their masks weren’t on. They truly did make for a gorgeous couple. “Seeing as you helped Big Deal this far, consider us in your debt.”

Hyungseok hummed. “I’ll call on you one day.” He said offhandedly. “Now shoo. I wanna spend time with my angel before this place is properly dismantled.”

When Gun first met the new supposed genius working under Dongsoo, Gun had thought to himself. What a broken boy.

At that time, Hyungseok was, what? Only 14? And he was already broken. His eyes were the most transfixing thing about his thin visage. Two empty blackholes, so empty Gun thought they’d swallow him whole. Looking at a young Hyungseok, Gun had wondered if the young boy was a broken mirror.

One day, he decided to fight with the young man. He was curious, seeing as many of the boss’ geniuses knew how to fight, he wondered what the little boy was capable of. Was he a blank sheet of paper? Or was he drawn on with crayons and oils, a messy painting no one could look at?

The answer was neither.

“You rabid little dog.” Gun had gasped out, staring at a young teen’s empty eyes. He stood over the young boy, staring at the idiotic little thing with shock and rage and something like awe.

There, on his clavicle of all places, was a bite mark so deep Gun was pretty sure it broke bone.

“When I wanted to fight you, I didn’t think you’d actually bite and break my damn collarbone.” Gun hissed, laughter in his voice as he thought about the entire fight.

This damn little kid, who didn’t even try panicking when Gun went full force on him, who dodged and weaved and jumped and moved like he was a spider and Gun was the most stone-jointed man to ever exist.

This fucking kid, who didn’t even land a hit on Gun, managed to bite him, broke his bone, then attempted to rip the muscle from his body.

“I think, kiddo.” Gun said as he pulled the little man up. “That we’re going to be great colleagues.”

“Listen to me, I can tell you’re too inexperienced.” Gun jabbed a finger in the little man’s chest. “You know the moves, but they’re too proper and good . If you want to survive working under Dongsoo, I recommend hiring your own bodyguards. Better yet…” He leaned his tall stature over the young thing. “Let me train you, I’ll make you a masterpiece.”

The boy didn’t smile, but the crinkle in his wide eyes told him just about everything.

(“You know, when I trained that boy…” Gun muttered, staring at the wreckage in front of him. “I didn’t think he was going to pick up an angel that not only reigned him in, but also made him crazier. What a damn dichotomy.”

There, in the midst of a wreckage, stood an angel and his demon.

“Oh, there you are, Gun!” The crazy man that used to be his protege said, unnatural joy in his eyes as he held the Angel’s waist. “Finally here to pick up the trash bags?”

“Of course I am, guessing this is your angel?” Gun mused, looking the boy up and down. He looked beyond ordinary, but Gun knew not to underestimate anyone that caught the Demon’s eyes.

“Of course he is!” Hyungseok laughed a little too crazily, edging on the thin rope that held him up. “Your stupid little Workers told me that if I didn’t work with them, they’d hurt my angel and my friends! Yet when I agreed, I found out they tried to hurt him anyway.”

His face morphed into something uncannily like Gun’s. “I’m sure you understand why I needed to take revenge.”

A whack on his back and suddenly the Demon was a puppy begging for its owner's forgiveness. “I’m sorry angel! I won’t do that again!”

“Where are your two friends? Vasco and Jinsung?” He muttered, looking around.

“Jae said they got too injured so he had to take them to hospital.” Hyungseok said, “They were a great help in taking Yoojin down, honest!”

Gun shook his head in disbelief and went to get Yoojin. “Up now, Yoojin, you have a boss to get back to.”

The little boy masquerading as a monster shook in misery. “All my plans, and they all failed because of that goddamn demon.”

Gun chuckled and threw him onto his shoulder. There was only this idiot alive, Yoojin’s ‘Gun and Goo’ were dead bodies laying before the devil pairs’ feet.

“You should have thought about why we called him Demon in the first place. A kid like him was never a Genius, but that was why he could defeat every one of us.”

“That fool was a rabid attack dog in love, his Angel is the one truly keeping him tame. You should have realized that when you targeted them.”)

“My sweetheart.” Hyungseok cooed, looking down at his love peacefully sleeping. “Wake up please. It’s my day! I’m turning 25 today! I want my gift now!”

Jaeyeol blinked at him blearily, then huffed and tried to roll over. “No! I’m so sorry angel! Don’t turn around! I want a kiss!” Hyungseok cried, flopping down and hugging his dear from behind. “Pleasee?”

Jae sighed, feeling Hyungseok’s hands wandering across his skin.

After everything that happened during their high school years, Hyungseok did actually get better. Though ‘better’ did mean so much therapy that his now-husband threw a tantrum over for a while.

Everyone was living their lives again, despite the active gang activity still happening around Seoul, Jae and Hyungseok most definitely had some kind of bounty on their heads, but that also meant that their other friends also had bounties.

(“Why did I get involved with you?” Jinsung bemoaned once when they went for their monthly meet-up. “Some bounty hunters ruined my date with Mijin yesterday! I’m getting angry just thinking about it!”

Vasco sighed, hugging his baby kangaroo to his chest. “People tried to hurt my son.” His voice wobbled before steeling up dangerously. “To get to me! Bumjae was so worried!”

Hyungseok and Jae laughed. “At least it makes for a fun life! It’s been a while since we had any gangsters come for us!” Hyungseok cheered.

“That’s because you’re crazy enough to kill them and Jae doesn’t have the heart to put you in a psych ward!” Jinsung protested.)

If I kissed you, Jae started and turned around to face Hyungseok, who smiled so innocently Jae knew the man was up to no good. You’d find a way to make us stay in bed for so much longer.

“Not my fault I love being so close to you.” Hyungseok sighed, “My sweet angel.” His hands trailed up Jae’s sides and felt around his ribs. “My gorgeous angel…”

Jae shivered, then glared at him half-heartedly. Stop trying to fuck me, I’m still sore from last night.

Hyungseok pouted. “You looked so cute, I couldn’t help asking for more.”

Jae sighed, then he heard the glass of their bedroom window break. Well, Jae started sarcastically whilst Hyungseok’s grip tightened. I guess we aren’t getting any of that in this morning, hm?

“I’ll deal with it in 5 minutes.” Hyungseok glared darkly. “Then I want a kiss.”

Jae didn’t even get to protest before his husband began kicking them out of the bedroom. An absolute brute of a man. Jae huffed, settling back under the sheets and feeling the covers shift next to him. He’s damn lucky I love him.