Chapter Text
The first time Juwon sees Vinny he thinks Pretty .
The next thing that comes to his mind is I want to buy him pretty clothes. And then he thinks I want to keep him all to myself.
The crimson red of his left eye and hair fascinate Juwon so much he finds himself spacing out a bit. Waardenburg syndrome. As a pharmacist and man with medical education Juwon was especially interested in Vinny’s appearance. He’s never seen a person with that syndrome before with his own two eyes, and with such unique colouring at that. He’s seen photos of people different nationalities with Waardenburg, he’s even met few of them personally; he’s read countless articles and studied researches on that topic, but who could guess he would find such a gem in the dirt in his home country. It was funny how much he researched that topic back at the US but all he should’ve really done to encounter such a pretty thing was to come back home.
Juwon unconsciously smirks in fascination, unable to avert his gaze from the younger boy. He looks younger than Yumi for sure. Is he still in high school? How do I get close to him?
Two moles under Vinny’s left eye also catch Juwon’s attention and he absentmindedly thinks how much more prettiness he can stomach before he breaks down completely and steals him right in front of Yumi.
He hands Yumi her birthday present and notices how red-haired guy follows it with hunger in his eyes. Is it envy? No. Desperation. Juwon’s hand shakes a little as he thinks that he wants to erase that ugly look from such a pretty face.
Vinny is suspiciously quiet while Yumi talks with Juwon, lost in his own thoughts. How much money did he spend on that tiny thing? And then he thinks I could probably pay my mother’s hospital bills with that one bag. His mood darkens instantly, and he decides just to escape quietly while the two people near him are engrossed in the conversation. He was so lost in thought that he didn’t even hear that guys name when Yumi introduced him earlier.
His hearing was muffled as if he was sinking, and his eyes couldn’t focus on anything in particular. Expensive watch on that man’s wrist. His stylishly slicked-back hair. His expensive shoes. His obviously as expensive suit. Everything about that man screamed Money and Wealth and Power. Vinny suddenly felt so small and miserable that he wanted to disappear right there and then. He was in a shitty mood most of the time because of his shitty life, but seeing this guy who’s from a whole completely different world just made his day even more shitty.
His pessimistic thoughts were interrupted when suddenly that man’s face appeared right in front of him (well, not literally in front of him because Vinny was at least few inches taller). He swung back a bit in surprise.
“Has someone ever told you that you’re pretty?” Juwon asks and Vinny stares back at him wordlessly because this is ridiculous. He’s not pretty in the slightest.
There’s no Yumi in sight, so Vinny thinks that she’s already left. How could he not notice?
“What’s your deal?” Vinny asks aggressively defensively. That guy makes him uncomfortable.
“I just wanted to tell you that you’re really pretty, that’s all it is” Juwon smiles brightly and Vinny just blinks at him dumbfoundedly.
Has anyone ever called him pretty before? Memories flash before his closed eyelids and he hears cruel words in his ears. A monster. A mutant. An abomination. His body is slightly shaking when he opens his eyes and finds himself under scrutinizing gaze. That guy observes him so intensively it’s scary, but there’s no disgust in his eyes. What is it? It looks like adoration. Appreciation? It sounds strange even in his own head.
Meanwhile Juwon is practically worshipping the sight in front of him. He wants to touch him. He wants to touch him so bad. Vinny looks so sad and broken and so desperate that Juwon reckons he could guess what a tough life the boy in front of him is suffering through. He wants to comfort him and protect him and nourish him and provide him with anything he could possibly need. He physically feels the need, the urge to ensure the comfort of this pretty little thing so bad that his skin crawls.
“No one…” Vinny hesitates, not sure if he wants to confess such a thing to a stranger. He finishes his sentence in a breathless whisper. “Has ever called me that before.”
Juwon’s eyes rounds slightly in shock and surprise and indignation. He’s so pissed off he needs a good smoke right that instant. He’s annoyed so his movements are jerky and impatient and he can’t light his cigarette for a few times because his hands are trembling in need to punch something.
“That’s fucking ridiculous!” He huffs angrily as he smokes, acid smoke coming from his mouth as he swears. Vinny’s surprised by his words and he tilts his head in a silent question.
“You see, although I’m a pharmacist, I’ve been interested in the Waardenburg syndrome for a long time. It fascinates me. I’ve met people with that syndrome before, people like you,” Juwon looks at Vinny again, as cigarette smoke is coming from his nose and Vinny can’t look away. “All of them were beautiful because of the Waardenburg, each in their own way, but I’ve never seen someone as pretty as you before. It’s a shame people don’t cherish such a unique kind of beauty.”
Vinny’s completely shocked. At a loss of words. He has no idea what to say and what to do. Sensing his emotional state Juwon laughs airily and throws away the cigarette butt, reaching inside his jacket. He hands to Vinny something, and it turns out to be a business card. Ryu Juwon. So that’s what his name was. There’s also his phone number written underneath.
“Hit me up anytime, pretty boy,” Juwon smirks and heads to his expensive car, but halfway through he turns away and adds “And the next time we meet, you can call me hyung!”
He waves at Vinny and then he gets inside the car, and Vinny finds himself watching the car til it disappears around the corner.
That was so fucking strange he thinks to himself. And then he thinks That Juwon guy is probably fucking wealthy and Should I contact him? and He’s handsome.
The last thought comes as an afterthought and Vinny blushes a little, carefully placing exquisite business card into his pocket.
“Juwon hyung…” he whispers to himself and he’s so embarrassed his cheeks are flaming hot. Vinny shakes his head violently to calm himself, and begrudgingly heads to his part time job, knowing that he’s already late anyway.
That night he can’t fall asleep almost till dusk because as soon as he closes his eyes he sees Juwon smile and call him pretty.