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“HYUNG”.
A deafening shout rang through the whole house, startling Han Yoojin.
The man, leisurely playing with Peace on the couch, moving a fish attached to a long stick so that the Flame Manticore would follow and catch it, lost his balance due to the banging of the door opening wide, ending up, with his torso and upper body, right onto the ground.
“Hyung, is it true? Please, tell me those bastards are lying!” cried Han Yoohyun with the broken handle ripped out of the door in his grasp.
“Yoohyun-ah, would you kindly do me the favor of explaining?” Han Yoojin’s request was muffled by the carpet his entire face was splattered on.
“Oh my god, hyung are you okay? What happened?” his little brother yelled, voice filled with concern as he rushed to Han Yoojin’s side to help him up.
While lending him a hand, Han Yoohyun glared at Peace, receiving the same pissed expression and a growl from the beast, both internally blaming the other for Han Yoojin’s fall, without even trying to look for any kind of proof.
Han Yoojin, sensing the grave turn the situation could take if he didn’t intervene in a matter of seconds, jumped to his feet and showed the two that there was no reason to be worried as he was completely fine and unharmed.
Nevertheless he still got seated on the couch and checked thoroughly by his younger brother. To avoid falling behind, Peace licked Han Yoojin’s hand and purred lovingly when the man scratched under his chin.
“Have you calmed down, mh?” Han Yoojin patted the soft hair on his baby brother’s head and proceeded to question the reason for such abrupt visit.
Han Yoohyun, soothed by the calming gentleness of the warm hand on top of him, pondered whether to speak or not. He opened and closed his mouth a couple of times before he decided on spitting out what was bothering him once and for all, even if the answer he might be given made him shiver simply at the thought.
Stuttering his explanation, he then steadied his resolve and blurted out all he had seen not even ten minutes earlier on the news shared on his and Bak Yerim’s chat, as the girl sent him the hottest topic trending in the hunter’s world since the very same morning.
Han Yoojin’s expression began to falter, eyes widened in a mixture of confusion, fright and disgust meanwhile listening to the story his little brother was telling him with such a bashful expression he almost looked too pitiful to be a powerful S-Class hunter as well as the Haeyeon Guild leader himself.
“Wait a second, slow down” Han Yoojin begged in exasperation, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“Is it not a rumor but the truth, hyung? Have you been dating the Seseong Guild leader without me knowing anything of it?” murmured Han Yoohyun, the look on his face making him seem like a stray lost puppy longing to be adopted into a warm house and caring family.
Speechless, Han Yoojin forgot how to breathe and blink for a good minute, realizing it only when his lungs and eyes stung a little bit.
He was at a loss for words. Completely and utterly astonished.
His little brother’s pleading orbs were not helpful in the slightest, only urging him to admit or disregard the information as complete bullshit.
“HUH?!” a single monosyllable, loud and clear, was the only sound he could force out of his throat.
A sudden explosion came from behind them as pieces of the wall came crumbling down.
“Ahjussi, are you seriously dating that guy?!” Bak Yerim stormed into the room, entering from the same hole she created, demanding to know why she was left in the dark, even if she had the right to know since she was Han Yoojin’s lawful ward and he took the role of her guardian.
“I AM NOT!”
—————————
“So… the rumors are fake?” Bak Yerim gasped, sitting on her knees to show how apologetic she felt for the ruckus she herself caused, meanwhile squeaking out an excuse as to why she had no money to repair the shattered wall.
“All the news are baseless lies. Do not worry hyung, I’ll hunt and burn down whoever spread such nonsense!” exclaimed Han Yoohyun in pure relief, a satisfied grin making its way to his lips.
However, at Han Yoojin’s unimpressed glare, he immediately shut himself up and sat in the same position as Bak Yerim.
Letting out a distressed groan and picking up Peace in his arms to keep the beast close, using its fluffiness to calm himself down, Han Yoojin slumped back on the couch.
“I have no idea how nor why this happened, but apparently people have been going around spitting false information about my own nonexistent love life, this surely is bothersome” Han Yoojin concluded and began mapping in his head a plan to put an end to the mess he was unwillingly put in.
“Ajhussi, if you’re so lonely, I can try to find someone fit just for you!” Bak Yerim’s honestly thrilled suggestion made everyone’s expression contort in aversion.
“Hyung doesn’t need anyone, Bak Yerim you better stop giving those useless pieces of advice” barked Han Yoohyun, grinding his teeth.
“Thank you, Yerim-ah, but seriously I really don’t need anyone to date. I’m already busy as it is, with the breeding facility and everything else, you know” Han Yoojin gave her a condescending smile and Bak Yerim lowered her eyes in defeat.
“That’s why the Seseong Guild ahjussi is not actually that bad of a choice! Think about it, he might be a horrible person and definitely annoying, but he does treat you well and you’re already business partners, so you wouldn’t have to make time outside your schedule to meet up with him!” observed the young girl, unknowingly turning the Han brothers’ gaze from aversion to repulsion.
“First and foremost, we have to stop the fake rumors from spreading any further. Then, to prevent any kind of conspiracy regarding why the news disappeared on every site, we better release an interview where I state the truth myself and last but not least, I must bring out of their hiding spot the asshole who decided to ruin my peaceful morning”.
Han Yoojin’s plan was simple and coincise, not a single slip was allowed as his own dignity was on the line. Motivated by his own speech the man hurriedly got up and readied himself to make some calls.
“Hyung, tell me what I have to do!” demanded in all seriousness Han Yoohyun.
“Yes, ahjussi, me too!” Bak Yerim added excitedly, raising energetically her hand.
However their requests were left unanswered and Han Yoojin only smiled truthfully at them.
“No, kids aren’t allowed in adults’ scandals. You two just stay put and observe how a responsible grown up handles the situation”
Typing rapidly a number on his phone, Han Yoojin brought it to his ear.
“Now, you see, I have to reach out to the other victim who is in the same situation as me” he informed, pointing with his finger towards the object in his hand.
The phone rang a few times before the call was picked up.
‘Han Yoojin-gun, to what do I own the pleasu-‘
“WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING ON THE NEWS?!”
…
Bak Yerim and Han Yoohyun exchanged a confused look, the words “responsible grown up” still lingering in their minds.
—————————
Once he arrived at the Seseong Guild leader’s penthouse, Han Yoojin got off the expensive car that was sent at his house to give him a ride, he was greeted and welcomed by the man himself on the front door.
Sung Hyunjae lightly smirked at his partners pissed expression, already figuring out what the problem might be.
Kang Sooyoung, his ever so diligent subordinate, had already informed him of the news going around not only among hunters, but also in unawakened people’s websites.
“Before you say anything, would you like this humble S-Class to offer you a quick lunch? I’m quite sure you haven’t eaten yet and the young master and young miss would get mad at me if I made you skip a meal” the blond man suggested nonchalantly, as if he hadn’t already prepared with his own hands a luxurious three courses meal.
Han Yoojin sighed and rolled his eyes at the older’s antics, however he went along with it, as he always does.
“Who am I to refuse such kindness? After all this guest has promised to exploit whatever he can in this magnificent mansion” Han Yoojin grinned, taking part in his and the blonde’s usual roleplay, making his way to the open space kitchen.
Sung Hyunjae lowered in what seemed like a bowing gesture as he helped Han Yoojin sit on the chair and pushed it in front of the table.
All types of food, from western to traditional Korean dishes, turned the younger man’s neutral face into a longing look, his eyes glowing and mouth watering at the sight of such glorious cooking abilities.
“If I find a single strand of hair, your rating will fall down with not point of return Mr. tour guide” informed Han Yoojin, even when knowing without a doubt that such outcome could never occur.
“I am confident in my skills of perfectly appealing to my client and serving him without fail” Sung Hyunjae’s confidence written all over him as he poured still white wine into two fancy glasses and handing one of them to Han Yoojin.
Both of them sat down and started digging into the food, enjoying the meal and chatting.
About halfway through, realization suddenly hit Han Yoojin like a truck.
“Your heated expression makes me wonder why would you be so enraged during our lunch date” pondered Sung Hyunjae, pinching his chin in between his thumb and index finger.
Han Yoojin almost choked on his steak hearing such shamelessness.
“So you did know why I came here and still acted all innocent!” Han Yoojin fumed.
“Well, I can say I am always informed about what the media says regarding my person, I have a guild master’s reputation and dignity to uphold” he blatantly boasted.
“Yes, of course, the all mighty Seseong Guild leader could never be found clueless, whichever the subject may be” Han Yoojin brushed it off, not bothering to hide the fake praising words to the man in front of him.
Acknowledging how the blonde only gave him a knowing smirk, he continued.
“Not to stain your perfect image and to avoid your fan girls from trying to approach me with killing intent, we have to erase all those rumors from the media. Can I leave this to you? In the meantime I’ll book us an interview to explain the whole misunderstanding”.
“All right, that I can do” nodded Sung Hyunjae and proceeded to give a call to his subordinates to handle the situation.
Han Yoojin’s mind was divided in two very different parts: a side of him thinking of Sung Hyunjae as a truly diligent person who acts carefully with firmness, while the other couldn’t stop spitting insults and curses at him saying he had to act as soon as he knew what was happening if he truly cared about the public’s opinion of him, as he stated before.
Not being sure to which current of thought give in, his simple resolve was to stay silent until the man himself proved him if he deserved to be praised or verbally abused for his negligence.
Nevertheless, Han Yoojin was more eager to lean towards the second option.
When the call ended, Sung Hyunjae’s assertive guild leader tone softened into a much calmer and gentle one, inviting Han Yoojin to finish his meal without rushing it. Suggestion that the black haired man gladly accepted.
The two picked up the same idle conversation left unfinished when they had to go down on business and spent the rest of the meal without giving the situation much thought.
—————————
Following step by step Han Yoojin’s plan, a day had passed and the man gleefully lay on the couch with Chirpie on the top of his head play-fighting with Bellare and Peace curled in his lap.
Sung Hyunjae promised him he would take care of the issue with the press and the interview he gave the day before was scheduled to be released that very afternoon.
Han Yoojin turned on the television, changing the channel to the right one with the remote control and waited for Sung Hyunjae’s declaration, while sipping on some lemon flavored soda.
On the screen he recognized his partner’s unmistakable handsome face, his signature smiling lips yet cold eyes when he had to deal with those he considered boring and below him.
Sung Hyunjae spoke with ease and, with his usual politeness, he ended the speech briefly.
Watching the scene on the screen change from the program with Sung Hyunjae and the interviewer into a random advertisement, the lemon soda drink in his mouth was spat out mercilessly.
The beasts jumped from their resting place all at once, startled.
‘Wait a minute… what was that?’
Han Yoojin didn’t even get to organize his thoughts regarding the interview that his phone buzzed twelve times consequently in a row.
The man abruptly raised his back from the sofa and glanced at the screen of his phone: he was loaded with messages from everyone he knew, some demanding to know what happened, others feeling betrayed because they had no idea, a couple of them questioning whether it was once again a lie. Han Yoohyun fitting in all three categories.
Han Yoojin turned the screen of his smartphone to face the cushion not to look at it, both exasperated and fed up.
Sung Hyunjae neither denied nor confirmed the allegations, the only words he truthfully confessed with a gentle look in his golden eyes was: “All I can say is that Han Yoojin and I spend quite some time having fun together, we are each other’s partner after all”.
‘What was that even supposed to mean?!’
Han Yoojin didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Maybe bombing Sung Hyunjae’s house once more wouldn’t be that bad of a solution, although it would trouble chief Song Taewon, so that was out of question. He couldn’t put that man under any more stress.
He took a deep breath… a long and deep breath… a calming, long, deep breath…
“SUNG HYUNJAE, WHAT THE HELL!”
His loud ranting was interrupted by Han Yoohyun’s call.
“Y-Yoohyun-ah, let me explain” he frantically tried to stammer.
‘You really are dating that asshole?! Hyung, I know you like strong people who are taller and older than you, but the Seseong Guild leader? Really?’ Han Yoohyun objected, betrayal and dejection in his voice.
“No, we really are not like that… actually at this point even I fail to understand what that man wants from me” he rapidly denied Han Yoohyun’s accusation.
“Anyway, don’t worry, I’ll talk to him once and for all, he probably just finds this whole mess amusing enough for his taste, he’ll get bored of it eventually” he then added.
“I’ll kill him if he bothers you any longer, hyung” his little brother’s cold voice sent shivers down his spine.
“Yoohyun-ah, what did I tell you to do about this situation?” Han Yoojin scolded.
“… To stay put and let hyung handle it” whispered Han Yoohyun in defeat.
“Yes, that’s right. No causing ruckuses, trust your hyung” assured the older brother, after giving him a heartfelt goodbye and promising to be home for dinner, he hang up the call.
Han Yoojin got dressed and gave one last glance to the already turned off television.
‘Sung Hyunjae, just you wait’.
—————————
“For you to take the initiative to see me two days in a row… it makes me question how special I am to you” Sung Hyunjae’s irritating voice and perfect smile were waiting for him at the door, his arm leaning on the frame.
“Cut the crap, Sung Hyunjae-ssi” Han Yoojin didn’t even bother greeting the owner of the house before entering, taking off his shoes and sitting on the large couch in the living room, arms crossed over his chest.
“Whatever do you mean, Han Yoojin-gun” the blond haired man simply shrugged, then coaxed his guest into accepting his newly bought red leaves tea he brewed beforehand.
Han Yoojin however promised himself not to fall for the same trick twice and, declaring the drink was too hot for his weak F-Class mouth to handle, he put the cup on the coffee table carefully enough not to spill it. God knows just how much a single piece of forniture could cost in the Seseong Guild leader’s house.
“I thought you said you were one to resolve matters rapidly and without any kind of trouble, Sung Hyunjae-ssi. What happened, has dementia perhaps caught up to you?” nagged Han Yoojin, the grin on his face clearly showing his discontent.
“Could you be referring to this afternoon’s interview? I must admit I felt quite nervous talking about our relationship to so many viewers, I might have forgotten to specify the word “business” while bringing us up as partners. Lamentably, even someone like myself is pressured into making mistakes such as omitting important pieces of information. That was a slip from my part, I do apologize” Sung Hyunjae sighed loudly, bringing his hand to his heart as if to demonstrate how regretful he felt.
“Oh, I’m sorry if you felt such nervousness and discomfort” snorted Han Yoojin, sarcasm could be heard from every syllable he accentuated.
“After all, how awful would it be if people misunderstood?” innocently commented Sung Hyunjae.
“You should’ve seen the pitiful face Yoohyun-ie made when he saw the news, my little brother’s expression was truly worrisome”
“Then the only problem would be the young master, I see…” the older man mumbled, a smirk rapidly growing on his lips.
“What was that?” Han Yoojin failed to completely understand what the man muttered in such a low voice
However, before he could wait for Sung Hyunjae to repeat, his phone rang and he got up to take the call, telling his interlocutor he would be back in a couple of minutes.
“Have you found the source of the rumors, Chief Song? I’m sorry if I bothered you like this, but otherwise I would’ve been forced to use illegal methods to find out and I’m sure you wouldn’t have liked it” confessed Han Yoojin, still feeling slightly guilty for overworking the already busy man.
‘Indeed I preferred it this way’ Song Taewon’s voice sounded worn out, nevertheless he continued his explanation anyway.
‘You may or may not be surprised by who originally spread the rumor, but please do not try anything reckless’
“Of course, no need for concern, when am I not prudent in what I do?” Han Yoojin tried to brag, but honestly he himself didn’t believe a single word he professed.
In the same way, Song Taewon let out a sigh from the other side of the phone.
‘The source of the rumor is Sung Hyunjae-‘
Han Yoojin, who could finally confirm his hidden suspicion, immediately hang up on the public servant, mentally writing a note to his future self to apologize.
Running back to where the Sesong Guild leader was calmly drinking his tea, the black haired man pointed his finger at him and hissed.
“YOU!”
“Guess I was discovered then” Sung Hyunjae took a long sip of the warm drink in his hands, he then looked fondly at his pissed partner.
“Is that how you confess the stupid stunt you pulled out of nowhere?” Han Yoojin had no idea how that man could admit to such a thing so easily.
“No, first of all, did you have fun making my last two days a worrying hell?” he grumbled.
“Well, I certainly did enjoy witnessing you running around back and forth, trying your best to prevent the situation from getting out of hand and becoming too unmanageable, consequently coming to seek me for help” Sung Hyunjae snickered.
A second later, the collar of his neatly folded shirt was grabbed by the younger man.
Han Yoojin’s knee made his way through Sung Hyunjae’s parted legs, forcing the taller man to hit the back of the sofa.
The blonde’s golden eyes slightly widened at the sight of Han Yoojin’s irritated face on top of him.
“Asshole, at least give my feelings some thought before playing with them like that” Han Yoojin gritted his teeth and coldly stared at the man, he found it delightful to have Sung Hyunjae beneath him for once.
Sung Hyunjae was left speechless for a moment, but he recomposed himself in a matter of seconds, he let the tea cup in his hands fall to the ground, not bothering whether it broke or not.
With his freed hands he gently grabbed Han Yoojin’s waist and gave the man his most sincere apologetic look.
“I’m sorry, Yoojin-ah” his genuine apology shattering most of Han Yoojin’s built up anger.
The shorter man let out a regretful breath.
“What I’m saying is, next time you want to fool people, at least warn me beforehand, let’s do it together… it sounds fun” the hands that gripped Sung Hyunjae’s collar moved to his shoulders.
“‘Next time’, huh? Are you suggesting we do it together, as a couple, Han Yoojin-gun?” Sung Hyunjae’s gaze softened hearing such a bold declaration.
“No, shut up” argued Han Yoojin.
“Then… as partners?” Sung Hyunjae giggled lightly, his eyes still lingering on Han Yoojin’s soft features receiving a smirk from him.
“Yeah, that might work”.