Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Yeonjun is seriously reconsidering all his past decisions that had led him up to his point, sitting in the office of MEGA Entertainment’s CEO with his own boss (head of his bodyguarding firm) seated next to him on a leather couch that was way too stiff for it to be used as a place to sit down. 

The CEO of the infamous company that had brought most of the well-known Korean artists to high levels of fame was a stout man with eyes too small for his face and a wrinkly white shirt with some ramen soup stains. So… not exactly the image Yeonjun had thought of when told he was meeting with MEGA Ent’s CEO today.

If Mr. Jeong (Yeonjun’s boss) was surprised at the lack of glam from the other man, he didn’t show it on his face. 

“Thank you, Mr. Baek, for choosing our firm to assign a bodyguard to one of your top artists. We’d be honored to work for you, which is why I brought with me today our firm’s top employee,” Mr. Jeong says professionally. “This is Choi Yeonjun.” He nods at Yeonjun, who startles and straightens up immediately, bowing his head at the CEO. 

“Nice to meet you, sir.” He murmurs. 

“Mhm,” Mr. Baek hums. “You’re the number one firm all entertainment companies hire bodyguards from. It’s expected I do the same.” 

“I’m flattered,” Mr. Jeong bows his head slightly. Yeonjun can tell it’s all a matter of being polite. It’s always how Mr. Jeong acts, polite and strictly professional, even around Yeonjun who he’d known for years. “Now… you only mentioned briefly about the assignment you wanted our employee to take. Would you mind clarifying us on it a little more?” 

Mr. Baek nods, leaning back on his chair from behind his desk. He sticks a pinky in one ear to pick at, and Yeonjun fights the urge to scrunch his nose. What kind of CEO was this guy, seriously?!

“One of my artists, Choi Beomgyu, I’m sure you’ve all heard about him?” Mr. Baek starts.

Mr. Jeong nods. “Yes. He’s all over the news these days. And you mentioned him in your proposal email, so me and Yeonjun, we took the liberty of learning a little more about your artist.” 

Yeonjun tries not to scoff. From what he read on the numerous articles on Beomgyu, he was a young singer who had reached the top quickly and all the fame had turned him into a spoiled and entitled brat of a celebrity; the public had loved him like crazy in the beginning, but as he began canceling schedules for his own personal reasons and acting all arrogant (as some of the company directors had stated in press conferences). Normally, Yeonjun wouldn’t be so quick to judge a person he’d never met in person, but there were just so many news articles and he knew Beomgyu hadn’t released any new songs for months when the public was eagerly waiting for him, with no interactions online towards his fans— as if they didn’t even matter. As if money and fame were everything to him. Probably was, Yeonjun concluded. 

“Well,” Mr. Baek continues talking, and Yeonjun snaps out of his thoughts to listen attentively. No matter how… odd this CEO was and how unprofessional, Yeonjun was being assigned this job and he wasn’t Choi Yeonjun if he didn’t complete his assignments like the ace of the firm he was. 

“Beomgyu has been acting up lately, going up against the company’s wishes for him, and wandering off, so I needed someone to watch him— someone who could stick around close for long periods of time without being a staff with other duties to fulfill.” 

“So I’m supposed to be a babysitter?!” Yeonjun blurts out and Mr. Jeong shoots him a look for it. 

Mr. Baek smiles. “Well, no.” He finally stops picking his ear and drops his hand to his side again. “There are normal bodyguard duties too. A lot of paparazzi, and schedules he hasn’t cancelled to get to with big crowds of his over enthusiastic fans that still idolize him, and even some stalkers that he needs to be protected from. You’ll do all that, but also keep watch over Beomgyu and report back to me. I’ll be giving you permission to go anywhere Beomgyu does, with no restrictions so that you can remain watch as close as possible.” 

“Have there not been any other bodyguards before?” Mr. Jeong inquires. “Why did you want to assign another one, if I may?” 

Mr. Baek sighs. 

“I needed a long-term assignment, Beomgyu’s first one. We’ve kept security light until now— he’s been cancelling most of his schedules, rarely goes out. But with his popularity rising still, and him starting to act out— you understand, we need to adapt. I’ve reassigned his previous bodyguards. Yeonjun-ssi, was it? You’ll be his sole bodyguard.” Mr. Baek responds.

Sole bodyguard? Me? Yeonjun tries not to frown. 

“But… won’t Beomgyu-ssi need several bodyguards according to his fame level? Yeonjun is trustworthy and a very talented bodyguard, yes, but I don’t recommend having him as the only bodyguard around, especially with large crowds.” Mr. Jeong furrows his brows. 

Mr. Baek rolls his eyes. 

“Crowd control is our job. Security at venues, entrances, red carpets— we’ve got that covered. What we need is someone who’s with him personally, not making a big scene. One bodyguard, discreet, well-trained— one that fits our brand.” Then he adds on: “Beomgyu’s barely left the company grounds for months. We’re only reinstating public schedules now, trying to get him back in line and… please his fandom again. A crowd might gather, yes— but we’ve adjusted for that. Besides, if we flood him with new faces, he’ll just shut down again. Stability matters more than manpower right now. We’ve found that too many bodyguards overwhelm him. He shuts down, becomes uncooperative.” 

Mr. Jeong hesitates. 

“Well? Are you in or not?” Mr. Baek asks impatiently. “I’m offering a huge amount of money for this. I need a talented bodyguard immediately, and if your firm can’t, I’ll find a better one.” 

Mr. Jeong narrows his eyes. Then he turns to Yeonjun. 

“Choi. Will you accept this assignment?” He asks, raising an eyebrow. It’s not hard to tell he wants Yeonjun to say yes, and he’s only asking for formalities. 

Yeonjun wants to scream— seriously, what had he done wrong in life?!— and nods. 

“Of course, Mr. Jeong. I’d be honored to.” He lies through his teeth, and shoots a polite smile at Mr. Baek who looked like he could care less about anything. 

“Good. Yeonjun-ssi, you’ll start immediately.” Mr. Baek says, standing up. “Finally, this meeting is over.” He mutters.

“What— immediately?!” Yeonjun sputters. “Like, right now, Mr. Baek?” 

Mr. Baek snorts. 

“Yes. We have prepared a room in Beomgyu’s apartment complex already, which you’ll be moving into straight away today.” He says, already moving towards the door to head out. 

“Are you sure it’s alright to just push a new bodyguard onto Beomgyu-ssi, and have Yeonjun move into his own home—?” Mr. Jeong starts. 

“He can handle it,” Mr. Baek says dismissively, opening the door. “Yeonjun will start now. And that’s final. I’ll give you half an hour to get all your things and move into Beomgyu’s dorm to meet him.” 

—

Yeonjun stands in front of the company doors again, this time with his duffel bag of a bunch of his clothes and his bodyguard comms earpiece, plus his stungun he always had on deck during his work hours, and his phone and charger. He was still hesitant about moving into Beomgyu’s home like this, without them having met beforehand and especially knowing what Beomgyu was like, apparently. And the company seemed to think he was a brat too, and what better proof than the ones Beomgyu worked with and under? 

He spots Mr. Baek striding towards him and ducks his head in a polite greeting. 

“Yeonjun. Good, you aren’t late. You have your phone on you, boy?” 

Yeonjun winces at how casual the man is being, considering he’d only met Yeonjun half an hour ago for the first time, but he instead busies himself in digging out his phone to offer to the older man. 

Mr. Baek fiddles around on it, before handing it back to Yeonjun. There’s a new contact on it, labeled BEOMGYU (MEGA Ent.) and an app icon linked under the contact digits with a red and black map symbol. 

“His number, and you’ll also be able to track his location too.” Mr. Baek nods. 

“Uhm… thank you…?” Yoenjun winces, feeling more and more uncomfortable. He was moving into the artist’s home this quick (if at all, like what, why would a bodyguard be keeping such close watch on an artist to be living with them so early on? Just what kind of maniac was this Choi Beomgyu?!) and getting an app to track him for gods sake. 

“And of course, if you need to use a firm hand, I’m allowing that, just as long as the public isn’t aware.” Mr. Baek says and Yeonjun blinks dumbly at him, confused and not understanding what the man was talking about.

He doesn’t get a chance to ask or blink in confusion any longer because Mr. Baek is leading him to a black van with MEGA Ent’s logo etched on the side. 

A younger man Yeonjun’s age is sitting in the driver’s seat, adorned with a simple white cap on his head and a denim jacket over a white tee. 

“Yeonjun!” Mr. Baek calls out (no need to be that loud in the car, Yeonjun thinks to himself). “This is Soobin. He’s Beomgyu’s driver, and he’ll be yours too now. You have full responsiblity to ask Soobin here to get Beomgyu to his schedules. You’re also gonna be acting a bit like his manager too, did I mention that?” 

Yeonjun is starting to get a bit annoyed— what, he was a glorified babysitter and now a manager too? But he keeps fake-smiling at the man because this is his new assignment for the next seven months (ugh, seven months is too long), which could well extend to over an entire year. And he does his duties the best he can no matter what. Even if this time, it’s something long-term and for some spoiled celebrity.  

Soobin, from the driver’s seat, dips his head in greeting and Yeonjun mirrors him, a more genuine smile curling his lips now that his attention wasn’t so focused on the CEO. 

“I’m Choi Yeonjun,” he says. 

“Choi Soobin, nice to meet you Yeonjun-ssi. I’d be happy to drive you around from now on.” The man replies back. His voice is soft for such a tall man, to the point his head almost reached the roof of the car inside. 

“To Beomgyu’s apartment,” Mr. Baek grunts out, leaning back on his seat. 

Soobin nods wordlessly. 

—

Yeonjun and Mr. Baek stand outside the apartment complex of Choi Beomgyu. It’s just a metal door with a keypad, and Yeonjun’s a bit shocked when Mr. Baek punches in the code and barges in without even ringing the bell first. So… maybe artists didn’t have privacy when it came to their company higher-ups? Yes, that must be it. Artists and celebs were different, Yeonjun decided. And besides, apparently, Beomgyu was acting out— that must be why the company was allowed to enter, because they needed to get control over their crazy artist. (Right…?)

The hall is bare, and Yeonjun follows Mr. Baek inside, shuffling his shoes off and cautiously entering, one hand gripping his bag and the other clenched against his side. He has no idea what to expect from his new assignment. Choi Beomgyu. Singer. Spoiled. A brat, probably. 

He glances around, but no one’s around. Where even is Beomgyu?

Before Yeonjun can ask, a figure emerges from down the hall— messy hair that’s been dyed an ashy blond, a hoodie zipped to the chin despite the warmth inside his apartment, eyes shadowed and cautious.

Beomgyu.

He halts mid-step when he sees Mr. Baek and Yeonjun, eyes darting between them like he’s cornered. He mutters something like a greeting, voice barely audible.

Yeonjun frowns. 

Did he just glare at me?

“This is your new bodyguard,” Mr. Baek says curtly. “Yeonjun. From now on, he goes wherever you go. You’ll be going to more schedules. And the company has decided to be more strict with you.”

Beomgyu barely reacts— just gives a curt nod and shifts his gaze away, arms crossed. Dismissive. Wow. Just wow. 

Seriously? No thank you? Not even a handshake? No real greeting? No ‘nice to meet you’s?

Yeonjun straightens his posture, jaw tight. Well. Alright. He knew this was coming. This was just another assignment, another person to protect— and this time around, snap a bit into place, to manage like a little spoiled child. 

He glances at Beomgyu, who’s watching Mr. Baek’s every move like he's bracing for something. Yeonjun crosses his arms.

He really does just stand around expecting people to do everything for him, huh? I can’t believe it. The rumors were true. 

“Anything I should know about your routine?” Yeonjun asks, trying to keep it professional. After all, he’s gotta start playing his role here. 

Beomgyu flinches like he wasn’t expecting to be addressed. He shrugs stiffly.

“I don’t go out much.”

“That’s not what your reputation says,” Yeonjun replies before he can stop himself. It comes out sharper than intended, but it’s too late to take it back.

Beomgyu stiffens, then turns away.

“Guess you’ll find out for yourself.”

Rude. 

Yeonjun walks past him toward the hallway, deciding to avoid the other man for a bit, spotting a laminated schedule taped up beside the kitchen. Red Xs slash through multiple days. Notes scrawled in marker: REFUSED. CANCELED. NOT APPROVED.

Yeonjun tilts his head, scoffing. 

Skipping his own shoots and rehearsals. So the rumors are really all true.

He turns around and eyes Beomgyu again, watching how he lingers by the wall, fingers curled tightly into his sleeves.

Spoiled. Ungrateful. And apparently allergic to basic manners. Can’t even say a proper hi or converse politely. 

+ Beomgyu +  

Mr. Baek doesn’t even knock— just punches in the code and storms in like always. Beomgyu’s shoulders tense before he even realizes it. And then he freezes up when he realizes Mr. Baek hadn’t come alone. There’s a tall man in a black bodysuit and matching trousers— a new bodyguard. 

He wants to say hi, wants to act normal, but his throat closes up when he meets the bodyguard’s eyes. They’re unreadable. No, actually… they were… Beomgyu shivers. They were cold. And judging. 

Already, his new bodyguard was unfriendly towards him. Just like the last ones. 

“This is your new bodyguard. Yeonjun. From now on, he goes wherever you go. You’ll be going to more schedules. And the company has decided to be more strict with you.”

Beomgyu nods quickly— too quickly, probably. He doesn’t know what the right response is anymore. Talking too much gets him labeled as “difficult.” Saying too little makes him “ungrateful.”

So he stays quiet. Arms crossed in front of him, sleeves over his hands, zipper up high, trying to bury himself and hide himself in his hoodies. Don’t look too soft. Don’t look too weak. Don’t be such a mess. 

Yeonjun frowns at him. Not in worry, that was for sure. 

Beomgyu’s stomach drops.

Shit. He already hates me.

Yeonjun asks him something and Beomgyu answers automatically, praying it was the right answer and that it would satisfy Yeonjun enough that he wouldn’t immediately be hurting him. Beomgyu wasn’t ready yet— but was he ever? 

Yeonjun says something sarcastic, and Beomgyu can’t even process the words— just the tone. So he snaps, just a little. Enough to protect himself.

“Guess you’ll find out for yourself.” He hears himself saying, but it’s distant— it’s not fully registering inside his brain. 

Yeonjun gives him a look like that proved something. Like it confirmed every nasty rumor he’s read. And just like that, Beomgyu feels smaller than ever. He tries not to show it. Tries not to flinch when Yeonjun walks past him toward the kitchen, ignoring him and getting tired of him already. Tries not to look at the red marks on the schedule that feel like they’ve been carved into his skin.

Spoiled.

Unprofessional.

Brat.

They all see the same thing.

Not the flinching. Not the silence. Not the bruises under the sleeves.

And Beomgyu curls in on himself once more. 

Another bodyguard to survive through, another cruel being that would monitor him and force him to fit the standards set in place for him already. 

Chapter Text

Yeonjun cracks an eye open, then the other, blinking blearily at the ceiling. Years of working as a bodyguard had tuned his body to wake up at dawn, but even so, he still had to take a few seconds to shove the sleep out of his brain. 

Huh. The mattress is so squishy. He thinks. Why is it so squishy? 

He takes a moment of confusion on why the mattress underneath him felt so off, before realizing he wasn’t at his own apartment anymore— he was in the guest room of famous celebrity singer, Choi Beomgyu. And with that, he groans and immediately sits up.

Right. He had a new assignment now. 

He shuffles to his feet, glancing around at his new room. 

The guest room is bare, just a simple bed and a desk taking up the space. Yeonjun’s duffle bag slouches on top of the desk from where he’d tossed it last night, and it’s the only thing that actually belonged to Yeonjun. It feels so off, being in the house of, essentially, a flat out stranger who’s already been so unfriendly to Yeonjun that he doesn’t want to bother trying to make conversation— as if Beomgyu would even indulge it. 

He tries to think back to yesterday, tries to grasp what exactly he should be doing now. Usually, his assignments were very short-term; arrive at a venue or a gala, or to an airport to escort someone, sometimes stand guard as part of the temporary security team at big social events. Never did he have to wake up in someone else’s apartment, never did he have to work with a celebrity behind the usual privacy boundaries. But perhaps Beomgyu was different— or maybe all famous people’s bodyguards did these sorts of things when assigned. 

Yeonjun furrows his brows. The sleep is finally slipping out of him, and he feels more alert— more prepared to tackle whatever craziness or rudeness the singer might send his way. 

…Yes… he remembered now. 

Mr. Baek had left shortly after talking with Beomgyu and then Beomgyu retreated back into his room— anti-social much?— and Yeonjun had been left to his own devices to snoop around (wait no, wrong word choice… walk around? Explore?) Beomgyu’s apartment, trying to figure out what he’d need to be doing. In the end, the only thing he found was the fact that most of the apartment was bare and just… very dull and white. The fridges were nearly empty, and the only thing on the walls were calendars with big red X’s and scribbles of frantic writing. No picture frames or posters or clocks or color. 

Yeonjun sighs, standing up and beginning to get ready for work. He isn’t even sure Beomgyu is awake yet, nor does he feel like checking. But he does have a job to do— and it’s the mantra ringing in his head constantly, trying to convince himself to grit his teeth and get through the seven months. 

His phone buzzes and he glances at it. 

Mr. Baek (MEGA Ent.)

Yeonjun, please refer to the attached file for Beomgyu’s schedules for the day. You’ll be in charge of dragging him to these events, unless told they’ve been taken off the calendar, and making sure he’s secure and he follows all company directions and that he gives good public image. Soobin will drive you two. And report back to me at the end of the week on Beomgyu’s behavior. 

[File] 

Yeonjun rolls his eyes. This definitely had never been in his job descriptions as a bodyguard.  Upon clicking on it, he raises an eyebrow at the lack of different events. It’s… surprisingly small for such a bigshot celebrity. Not a lot of big events. 

8:00-10:00 AM — Vocal evaluation 

10: 30-12:00 PM — D’YA Photoshoot

4: 00-5:30 PM — Vocal lessons

6:00-7:00 PM — Internal meeting with company 

He’d have thought such a famous singer would have a packed schedule for the day— and then he scoffs. Of course. Beomgyu must’ve cancelled a lot of them, too lazy to show up or do things for his fans. 

Mr. Baek (MEGA Ent.)

If he does well with these, we’ll give him more schedules to attend in the future. Make sure he does well, and get him in line if I steps out. 

Yeonjun furrows his brows. 

Well. Okay then. 

Maybe the company was giving him time to get back all the busy days of work, or they felt Beomgyu needed to prove he still wanted to be on the stage and be out there for his fans. Yes, that was rational. Beomgyu would obviously have to work if he wanted to keep his fame and money. 

Yeonjun is ready to go in five minutes; he’s got his bodyguard suit on and face washed, hair brushed down with some hastily-done gel in an attempt to get going. It’s only seven in the morning (okay, so yes… Yeonjun’s slept in a bit— what happened to automatically waking up at five? The bed was too soft and weird— yes, that was the issue here, clearly, this whole assignment was affecting everything about himself— what a pain) so he has an hour to get Beomgyu up and out the door for… he squints at his screen again… vocal evaluations. 

—

Even though he’s moved in with Beomgyu and the latter has been incredibly rude to him, Yeonjun isn’t that mean to barge into the singer’s bedroom. It’s too much of a breach of the celebrity’s privacy to just enter his bedroom without asking, and so he settles for knocking sharply on the door.

“Beomgyu, you have a schedule to attend soon. Get up and get ready,” He barks out. He hears a shuffle of bedsheets, and then someone thudding to the ground. Yeonjun raises a quizzical eyebrow. Had Beomgyu… fallen off his bed? He opens his mouth to ask, but is beat to it by the door flying open and a breathless Beomgyu staring back at him, clad in a hoodie that looked way too big on him and sagged across his figure. 

“You oka—” Yeonjun starts to ask, but Beomgyu slams the door in his face. Yeonjun scowls. He kicks the door in mild frustration, satisfied to hear the startled yelp from the other side— serves him right— and calls out that Beomgyu would have to get ready quick if they were gonna grab something to eat before heading to the company, because good god there was nothing to eat in Beomgyu’s sorry excuse for a kitchen. 

With that, he strides to the living room and takes a seat on the couch— thankfully, Beomgyu’s is much softer than Mr. Baek’s, and waits for Beomgyu. They still had well over forty minutes to go, and the company was close by. 

He opens his phone to search for nearby cafes to grab breakfast, and then pauses, wondering what Beomgyu usually ate for breakfast. Yeonjun glances at the bedroom door. Should he ask…?

No, Beomgyu will probably demand whatever he wants to eat. He decides. He’ll probably whine about needing his little fancy dessert cup and a sugary drink that I need to fetch for him. 

A sort of… bitterness… bubbles inside him and he scrolls through the different nearby cafe options to purposely pick a cafe with no sweet options— that would knock that picky and spoiled brat a few levels down. 

Let’s see if Mr. Hotshot complains, he snorts. If he thinks I’ll just bow down and do whatever he wants, he’s wrong. 

He hears Beomgyu shuffle out of his room, but doesn’t turn his head. Then another door clicks shut, and a second later, the sound of the shower going echoes through the apartment. Yeonjun rolls his eyes, but he can’t be mad at the singer for showering of all things. 

—

He absolutely can be mad at the singer for showering, when he’s been taking thirty minutes to just get a morning shower done. Yeonjun nearly storms to the bathroom and knocks loudly on it. He’s beginning to get more and more frustrated with this goddamn singer. Doesn’t he think about his schedules? Doesn’t he care at all? 

“Beomgyu, get out! What is taking you so long?!” 

There’s a clattering of something falling, then the shower abruptly turns off and the curtain seems to be pulled back. Yeonjun snorts. Then he walks away into the foyer to wait for Beomgyu. They’re gonna be late now— only twenty minutes to get in the car and get to the company that’s oh-so-conveniently also twenty minutes away. 

If Yeonjun had known Beomgyu took so long to get ready, he’d have woken up much earlier to drag Beomgyu out of bed just as early. 

Beomgyu arrives shortly in a baggy white shirt and sweatpants, hair still wet and head bowed down. He’s probably pissed that Yeonjun interupted his sacred shower time. 

“Where are we going?” He mumbles out. 

Yeonjun raises an eyebrow. 

Doesn’t even know his own agenda? Must be nice to live so clueless.

“Vocal evaluations at the company,” he snaps. “And you took too long getting ready. We’re gonna be late. We don’t have time to grab breakfast, so get down in the car. We’ll be glad if we make it in time.” 

He expects Beomgyu to protest, to snap his head up and demand Yeonjun grab him something to eat, that’s starving and how dare Yeonjun tell him they’re gonna skip breakfast? 

To his surprise, Beomgyu only nods and remain silent. 

Yeonjun purses his lips and then starts making his way out the door. Beomgyu trails behind him wordlessly. They get to the car, Soobin is already there and waiting, and Yeonjun apologizes for making him wait, but Soobin shakes his head with a soft smile that, no, he’d just gotten here too. 

He sits in the back with Beomgyu, staring outside the window in a petty attempt to avoid Beomgyu for a while. Soobin starts the car and Yeonjun directs him to drive them over to the company building. 

Yeonjun enjoys the scenery for a while, letting the car rumble through the city streets. He straightens up when he spots a small cafe up ahead.

“Hey Soobin-ssi?” 

“Just call me Soobin. What’s up?” The man asks, glancing at Yeonjun through the rearview mirror, before settling his eyes back on the road.

“Soobin,” Yeonjun amends. “I know we’re late, but can you stop for a quick second up ahead?” 

Soobin nods, and pulls to a stop by the curve. 

“Wait here,” he instructs to Beomgyu, before rushing out of the car and nearly flying into the cafe. He thanks the gods above that it’s not too busy and rushes to order an iced Americano for himself, and a sweetened latte with a chocolate croissant for Beomgyu. He doesn’t know what Beomgyu likes, but hopefully he wouldn’t be so rotten enough to be picky with breakfast when Yeonjun had taken the liberty of buying it for him (with his own money too!). 

He rushes back out again (whew, that’s a lot of running around for him) and slides into the car, asking Soobin to start back on their route. He places his Iced Americano between his knees, before extending the latte and bakery paper bag towards the singer. Beomgyu’s eyes widen at them, frozen and not taking the offer. 

Yeonjun impatiently wiggles them around, waiting for Beomgyu to take them already. 

“Go on, take it. Breakfast. You gotta eat fast though. We’re late.” He says. 

Beomgyu still doesn’t move. Yeonjun sighs and places the paper bag on Beomgyu’s lap, noting how Beomgyu seems to tense the moment the bag touches him, and then grabs Beomgyu’s hand— it’s so stiff— to make him take the cup of warm latte.

“But… you said I couldn’t have breakfast.” Beomgyu says in a tiny voice. 

Yeonjun freezes up himself. 

“…What?” 

Beomgyu swallows, ducking his head to avoid Yeonjun’s eyes. 

“…You said I couldn’t have breakfast. That we were late because I took… I took too long showering.” 

Yeonjun blinks at the singer, a bit dumbfounded, before he finds his voice again.

“Don’t be absurd. No one can just go without something to eat for breakfast. Of course you gotta have breakfast, even if we’re late.” 

With that, he turns to the window again. 

Huh. Odd. 

When he glances at Beomgyu again, the male is nearly inhaling the croissant, almost choking on it a few times, hands shaking as he sipped at his latte. 

How strange. 

—

“Five minutes late!” The staff snarled, grabbing Beomgyu harshly by the wrist and dragging him forward. Beomgyu stumbles, tripping over himself and face twisting up in an expression of discomfort. 

“Oh, actually it was my fault we’re late—” Yeonjun begins but the staff waves him off. Beomgyu is dragged off to a room labeled VOCAL EVALUATION STUDIO, and then he’s left all alone. The staff pokes his head out again after a few seconds. 

“You’re his new bodyguard, right? You can wait out here, or go off do your own thing for a while. We’ll call you back when Beomgyu is done.” The staff says curtly, before slamming the door again. 

Yeonjun frowns. He takes a seat on the plastic chair lying around; he figures he can’t just go wandering off alone, he’s technically Beomgyu’s bodyguard, and the only one apparently, so he had to stay around. 

He hears muffled voices in the room— one angry and loud… maybe Beomgyu getting mad at the staff for some reason? Or maybe the staff having a hard time getting the singer to cooperate? 

Yeonjun finds himself scrolling on his phone as he starts to get bored. Things keep falling and clattering inside the room, but the staff had dismissed him he tried to ask what happened. 

Eventually, the door opens and Yeonjun is relieved to see it’s finally 10 AM. The first of Beomgyu’s schedule was finished. Thank god. Only three more to go for the day. 

Limping out of the vocal evaluation room was a very tired looking Beomgyu. He looks exhausted. His hair is rumpled and so are his clothes, and now there’s a hoodie over his shirt that he keeps tugging the sleeves further down. 

“Please make sure he gets here on time for vocal practices later today,” the staff says to Yeonjun. “If he’s too slow or refuses to listen, just be a little rough with him and drag him here. Like this,” the staff grabs Beomgyu’s arm abruptly, to which the singer lets out a strangled cry that almost has Yeonjun bolting up in alarm— but he figures Beomgyu is just being dramatic. 

The staff drags Beomgyu to one side, then back again, making Beomgyu’s head loll at the motion and his legs stumble over each other. Then— to Yeonjun’s shock— the staff lets go of Beomgyu’s arm and the singer thuds to the ground in what surely is painful, especially with the wooden floor and from the pained yelp Beomgyu lets out.

“Oops, my bad, Beomgyu. Didn’t mean to let go.” The staff comments offhandedly. “You’ve gotten so fat, Beomgyu, I lost my grip with your weight. Don’t eat so much.” He clicks his tongue. 

Beomgyu is silent, still crumpled on the floor. 

And then the staff is bowing politely to Yeonjun and walking off.

What the..?

To say Yeonjun is a bit too confused and shocked in an understatement. First of all, Beomgyu was by no means fat— he was a bit too skinny, actually. And just… the staff just… left Beomgyu on the floor… without even saying sorry…? Without asking if he was okay?

Yeonjun… isn’t sure what to make of it all. 

And so, he crouches down beside the celebrity. 

“Beomgyu?” He asks softly. “You… Are you okay…. Beomgyu-ssi?” He tacks on the formality, deciding Beomgyu deserved that at the very least in this… odd situation. 

Beomgyu is silent, and Yeonjun’s worried he might’ve injured himself. 

“Beomgyu-ssi? Are you injured at all?” He questions. He puts a hesitant hand on Beomgyu’s shoulder and watches as the other flinches under his touch. Like a violent flinch. 

Yeonjun frowns. 

He pulls Beomgyu up to catch his face and is startled to see the tears welled up in his eyes. Being extra for attention, perhaps…? But still… 

Yeonjun might not like the singer that much, but he wasn’t heartless. He wasn’t going to sit around when Beomgyu was tearing up and he was on the ground. He steadily grips Beomgyu and pulls him up to his feet, supporting his weight and frowning when he could feel the ribs of the singer. Yeonjun gets Beomgyu to then sit down on the chair he had previously been on himself, and crouches down. 

“Did you hurt anywhere when you fell?” He asks again. “I’m not asking again. Just tell me if something hurts.” 

Beomgyu shakes his head. 

Yeonjun sighs. 

“Nowhere hurts?” He asks for clarification. “You’re fine then?” 

Beomgyu hesitates, before nodding. 

Yeonjun nods then. “We’ll get going then. The photoshoot starts at 10:30. We should start heading over.” 

Beomgyu nods again. 

Chapter Text

They arrive at the D’YA filming studio for the photoshoot, where Yeonjun walks beside Beomgyu who seems to know exactly where to go, as if he’s been here before many times— for photoshoots, Yeonjun guesses. He lets Beomgyu take the lead, slightly frowning at the way Beomgyu limped his way forward, but he’s more focused on getting into the filming area and getting over with the whole thing. He’s sure Beomgyu would tell him if something was bothering him. Probably would demand Yeonjun get ice for him. Yes. Beomgyu must be fine if he wasn’t whining about anything. 

Beomgyu is immediately taken into the makeup booth, situated on a chair with a big black cape draped around his shoulders, as makeup artists and hair stylists crowd around him. So much that now, all Yeonjun can see of the singer, is his tufts of brown hair. One of the ladies, an older woman with dark purple hair, ushers Yeonjun to sit down in the chair behind where Beomgyu sat on the stool in front of the mirror, telling him he could wait there till Beomgyu was done. 

Yeonjun watches in mild interest as the stylists and makeup artists work on Beomgyu. Thankfully, they move out of the way so Yeonjun could observe. He’d never been truly behind the scenes like this, seeing celebrities getting prepped for their photos and for work, essentially. The bright lights and glimmering mirrors, a buzz of energy with brushes and makeup palettes and chaotic orders of this and that. 

It’s honestly a bit overwhelming, so Yeonjun internally thanks whoever it was above that had allowed him to take a more or less peaceful seat on a chair to simply watch. 

To watch… Beomgyu. 

His hair is being styled in fluffy waves cascading down and around his head, tiny golden-colored roses being tied to his also very golden blond hair here and there, glittering under the bright lights overhead. Yeonjun can’t see what they’re doing to Beomgyu’s face from where he’s sitting behind them all, and grows uninterested after a while, as there’s nothing more to watch than the stylists crowd around Beomgyu. 

“Yeonjun-ssi?” 

He looks up at his name being called by one of the makeup artists, and finds Beomgyu being twirled around on the chair to face Yeonjun. He’s finished with his makeup then. 

“What do you think about Beomgyu-ssi’s new look?” The makeup artist asks playfully. 

Yeonjun is a bit embarrassed to admit that he’s staring. Because he is. 

Beomgyu’s pale face (Yeonjun notes to get the singer something to drink or eat at the very least) was admittedly already good-looking, but the shimmery eyeshadow and pale lip tint had enhanced it. He looks like a fairy, off to sprinkle magic dust everywhere and twirl around. 

“Wow.” Yeonjun coughs. “You… You look good.” 

He figures Beomgyu has heard an awful lot of compliments on his looks, and his ego is probably skyrocketing, but… it wouldn’t hurt to give one, just toss it out. He expects Beomgyu to turn all smug and give an “I know, right?” kind of reaction.

What he doesn’t expect is for Beomgyu to duck his head and give a small bashful smile. 

“Thank you,” he murmurs, not meeting Yeonjun’s eyes, and then the smile disappears just as quick as it had come. Huh. Again, very odd. 

Then Beomgyu is being ushered into the dressing room to change for the shoot. Yeonjun waits for Beomgyu to get out again, wondering if he’d make everyone wait just as long as Yeonjun had when Beomgyu was showering. Thankfully, Beomgyu comes out within a few minutes, wearing a modern-style hanbok, made out of almost silky and translucent yellow material that looks just as shimmery as Beomgyu’s face. 

Yeonjun’s eyes fall down on Beomgyu’s bare feet, and then the exposed ankles where… 

His eyes widen, heart jumping in his chest. And not in a good way. 

There’s ugly, dark purple bruises on both of Beomgyu’s ankles, stretching a little above across his legs. Yeonjun’s mind wanders back to the fall Beomgyu had taken earlier but… he knows deep down that the bruises weren’t from the fall earlier. He knows they weren’t. They couldn’t have been. They looked as if… someone had stepped on them. On purpose. But… that didn’t make sense. Who would dare touch the shining celebrity of the nation, the whole nation practically? 

Guilt stretches across his chest for not thinking to pry further earlier. Had Beomgyu been hiding something that looked so painful for this long? Why didn’t he say anything? Why had he remained quiet? What the hell was he trying to prove?!

Or, was it part of the concept and Yeonjun just hadn’t noticed them applying makeup around Beomgyu’s ankles? And yet Beomgyu had been limping and he’d looked in pain… 

So naturally, Yeonjun goes up to the makeup artist. 

“Uhm… I didn’t realize bruises were part of the concept,” he tries to say casually with a small, awkward laugh. He hopes it’s really all it was; that Beomgyu wasn’t actually injured. 

The makeup artist, this one with bright red hair and flashy eye makeup, raises an eyebrow at Yeonjun, finishing up with folding her equipment back into her bag. She looked like she could care less interacting and talking with some celeb’s bodyguard like Yeonjun was. 

“They aren’t. What are you talking about?” She frowns, almost in a deadpan. 

Well then. 

“Oh— nothing. It’s uh, nothing, ma’am.” Yeonjun chuckles nervously, before excusing himself (the lady shoots him a weird look at his hasty excuse) and rushing towards Beomgyu who was neatly perched on a chair, his shoes (part of the concept, Yeonjun assumes, from the sheer yellow of them) beside his bare feet. Beomgyu is making no move to put them on however.

Yeonjun comes over and stops in front of the singer. 

“Aren’t you gonna put those on?” He questions, his voice coming out rougher than he meant it to be. 

Beomgyu visibly flinches.

“S… Sorry,” he mumbles. “I’ll put them on now.” 

He bends over and grabs a shoe, fumbling with the glittery little thing, lifting his foot to put the shoe on— and he hisses sharply, sucking in a breath and freezing up. His fingers grab at his ankle— around the bruising— and he’s shaking. 

This isn’t normal. 

“Why the fuck are you trying to put them on when your ankles are fucking bruised?!’ Yeonjun snaps, frustrated and— no, he wasn’t concerned, just…. Whatever. “Why didn’t you tell me your ankles were bruised this badly?!” 

“I’m sorry,” Beomgyu whispers again. 

“How did you even hurt them like this?!” Yeonjun hisses, grabbing Beomgyu’s ankle— before softening his grip and trying to be as gentle as possible, delicately holding Beomgyu’s ankle in one hand to examine it closer. 

“Anywhere else hurt? And don’t lie— tell me everywhere that hurts other than your ankles.” Yeonjun orders. “You already lied to me once, don’t lie again.” 

Beomgyu’s lips tremble as if he was going to start crying. Seriously, why was he so quick to tear up when someone got mad? Why was he so sensitive and why was he so stubborn not to tell Yeonjun his ankles were brusied up?! 

“…My wrists. And back area too.” Beomgyu admits. 

“Let me see.” Yeonjun huffs. “How bad do they hurt?”

He lets Beomgyu roll up his sleeves to show him and he gasps at what are unmistakable finger grip marking around his wrist, reddened and bruised up as well. This… 

“…Your back? How bad is that?” Yeonjun asks in a hushed voice. “Is it… Is it just as bad as your ankles and wrists? What happened to you?” 

Beomgyu fidgets with his fingers, pulling down his sleeves again. 

“…Nothing. It’s nothing, Yeonjun-ssi.” 

Yeonjun raises an eyebrow at the formality, surprised to hear the singer being sorta… polite. He would’ve never expected Choi Beomgyu of all people use “ssi” when he seemed to think he was above all others. And again, Yeonjun has to question the articles and press reports. And why… Choi Beomgyu… why the Beomgyu he was seeing didn’t seem to match up with everything he’d read and learned about. 

—

When Yeonjun comes back to the waiting room with a first aid kit he only barely managed to ask around and retrieve, Beomgyu is gone. He asks a nearby camera staff who tells him the singer had already gone into the photoshoot, and that Yeonjun could find him on set. A bit annoyed, Yeonjun jogs over. 

In a white background studio, fluffy (fake) clouds are scattered across the floor with a dim blue lighting casting an almost dreamy image on the entire studio. A (again, very much fake) tree with golden leaves stands in the center, and Beomgyu is perched on one of the branches. Yeonjun tries to figure out why the singer’s smile looks so… sad. He’s so busy trying to figure it out, that he knocks right into someone. 

He maintains his balance, but unfortunately, the other does not. A young boy (man…?) topples to the ground with a loud yelp, the box of props he was carrying also crashing to the ground. 

“Huening Kai! Keep it down over there!” The director barks from across the room, where he’s currently busy trying to get poses out of Beomgyu. 

The young man on the ground stumbles back onto his feet, bowing at the waist in a ninety-degrees angle repeatedly in the direction of the staff by the studio, before hastily turning back to Yeonjun. 

“Sorry, sir. Are you okay, sir?” The young man asks anxiously. He doesn’t look completely Korean… but his Korean is hella good… and who was Yeonjun to judge based solely on appearances? The boy (man??) is kinda cute too, in a little baby sort of way, with his fluffy blond hair and cheeks that still held a little of his baby fat. The brown suit and glasses on him made him look like a little kid who had been caught trying on his dad’s work clothes— too baggy and not matching his youthful appearance. 

Yeonjun shakes his head. “No, no— I mean, yes, I’m fine, but— it really was my fault. I’m the one who should be saying sorry.” 

The boy ducks his head. “Still, I should’ve been watching where I was going. Ah, it’s only my first day here and I’ve already crashed into four different people. I think my boss was right. I shouldn’t be interning in such a chaotic field when I’m so clumsy.” 

“No, don’t say that. Everyone makes mistakes, right?” Yeonjun smiles easily and the young man mirrors him. 

“I’m Huening Kai, by the way. Are you an intern here too?” Kai asks.

Yeonjun shakes his head. 

“No, I’m a bodyguard. For that celeb, over there taking moon pictures.” Yeonjun nods over at Beomgyu, who now is holding up a ridiculously large golden rose prop in both hands, looking like he was struggling with holding it up. 

Kai glances over in the direction Yeonjun nodded in, and immediately gasps. 

“Oh. My gosh.” He whisper-screams. “You’re the bodyguard of the Choi Beomgyu?! Korea’s number one singer and celeb?! The Choi Beomgyu, the hearthrob of every young boy and girl?! Including me?!” 

Yeonjun chuckles. “Uh, yeah. I guess I am?” 

“You guess? Oh my goodness— I’ve been so nervous about interning here, and then I heard only this morning that my favorite celebrity ever was gonna be holding a photoshoot today! Here! I’ve only seen him on screens— and now in person, but only from afar.” Kai rambles. “You must be so, so lucky to have been working with Choi Beomgyu for so long! Probably since his debut into the entertainment field, right?” 

“No, actually. I’ve only been hired a day ago. Apparently… Beomgyu’s a bit of a difficult charge.” 

Kai tilts his head. 

“Difficult?” 

“Yeah. Haven’t you… Haven’t you seen all those news articles?” Yeonjun questions. “You’re still a fan even after all that? And Beomgyu cancelling all his shows?”

Kai purses his lips thoughtfully. 

“I… I honestly think he looks a bit sad.”

“Sad?”

“Yeah. Sad. He used to shine so brightly, and he’d be constantly smiling on the screen, for the cameras and the fans behind it, watching— and he was such a bright energy, almost infectious across the screen. I became a fan a few days after his debut. And then… I started to see him loose that shine in his eyes— though of course, what would I know, sitting behind a screen chewing on popcorn and watching him as some fan and a nobody among everybody else.” His face twists up. 

“And then he started cancelling his shows due to some minor injuries, and then for personal reasons, and then his company started saying Beomgyu wouldn’t be having any schedules. And the news companies grabbed onto it all like moths to fire. And they… I mean, really this is just my opinion but… they kinda blew this tiny thing into something so big. Now everyone thinks Choi Beomgyu just got too arrogant after being in the nation’s spotlight for so long.” 

“But you still believe him?” Yeonjun raises an eyebrow. “You still believe he’s a good guy? And not some guy who gained so much fame that he grew snobby?” 

Kai smiles sadly. “Hard to tell from behind a screen, right? They probably edit things out all the time. And Beomgyu-ssi isn’t even on any shows or radios anymore. Everyone sticks to him and news about him for all the negative chaos these days. I… have no idea what Beomgyu-ssi is like in real life, but… I hope for the best. And I hope he’s still doing okay.” 

Yeonjun stares at the other. 

“Kai…”

“Huening! Have you grabbed the next props yet?!” The director yells, and Kai scrambles into motion.

“Sorry, I gotta go now. It was nice chatting… uhm…”

“Yeonjun. Choi Yeonjun.” 

“It was nice talking, Yeonjun-ssi!” Kai bows, and then rushes off again. 

—

Yeonjun joins the crowd of staff by the studio where Beomgyu is still taking photos, posing in different ways and smiling at the camera. Beomgyu looks uncomfortable, perched on the same tree branch for hours, smiling daintly at the camera while simultaneously looking pained. The director keeps spitting out more poses for him to do and a few praises in between— some Yeonjun isn’t sure is very… appropriate, but then again, what does he know about this sort of industry? (But… even as an outsider… No, let’s not doubt the professionals.)

Then a bell rings for a short break, and Beomgyu seems to sag in on himself, still perched on the branch. 

“Beomgyu-ssi? Please stay seated there. A stylist will come over and touch up your hair and makeup soon! Someone please bring Beomgyu-ssi a waterbottle! We’ll take five, and come back to shooting!” The director commands loudly. 

Yeonjun smiles in minor amusement (and a bit of fondness) as Huening Kai stumbles forward with a plastic water bottle clasped in both hands, rushing over to Beomgyu. 

“Hopefully some convenience store grade water is enough for Mister Popular,” snickers one of the staff as he walks off with another man. Yeonjun frowns at the comment, but decides to let it go because honestly, it’s the same kind of thing he’d commented before about the celebrity. 

Kai is visibly nervous, hands trembling as he offers Beomgyu the waterbottle. In his hurry and anxiousness, he accidentally spills some of the water right on Beomgyu’s yellow garment. 

Yeonjun tenses, ready for Beomgyu to finally snap, for him to yell angrily at Kai for ruining his outfit and spilling water on him— he’s ready to go and try to defend the intern. 

Again, and maybe Yeonjun shouldn’t really be surprised at this point, Beomgyu only shakes his head and offers a small smile at Kai. 

“It’s okay, really. It’s just water,” he overhears the singer say. Kai is repeatedly bowing at Beomgyu in earnest apology, but Beomgyu seems to be… trying to reassure him, Yeonjun realizes.

Again, very, very odd. 

“Huening! How many more times are you gonna fuck up?!” A shrill voice rings through the studio hall, and a female staff storms over in her heels. “Spilling water on our client?! What are you doing, you half-brained idiot?!” 

Kai freezes up. 

Chapter Text

Yeonjun watches, a bit frozen in place, as the woman in a red dress and heels goes right up to Kai and jabs a finger into his chest with a furious look etched across her face. Kai is stiffly standing there, just letting the lady yell at him. The rest of the staff had all gone off, and now, it was only the four of them that remained in the studio— Beomgyu, Kai, the lady, and Yeonjun. 

“Honestly! I let you intern here on this big day, and this is what you give me?! Lousy excuses, fumbling around, knocking everyone over and now spilling water on Choi Beomgyu-ssi?! Just what are you doing, huh?!” 

Kai remains standing there, head bowed and silent. 

The lady continues to berate him.

Yeonjun grits his teeth, stepping forward. Oh, he can’t just stand around watching this any longer. He might just be some new bodyguard who tagged along for his charge’s photoshoot, and he might as well be strangers with Huening Kai, but no one deserves to be so harshly yelled at for being a little clumsy

“Hey!” he calls across the set, voice a bit sharper than intended as he turns toward the director. He cleared his throat, realizing he was coming off a bit rude, and softened his tone. “You don’t have to yell at him like that.”

The lady looks over at him, surprised and brows furrowing. Then her brow twitches with something akin to anger. This time, directed towards Yeonjun. Yay. 

Yeonjun swallows at her intense gaze. 

“It… It was just an accident. No need to humiliate him in front of everyone. Right, ma’am…?”

Huening Kai stares at him, wide-eyed, as if no one’s ever stood up for him before. Which is absurd, really, such a sweet kid didn’t deserve such harshness. Man, this industry was harsh. 

The lady suddenly lets out a short, scoffing laugh. “And you are?”

Yeonjun straightens up properly. “Bodyguard. For Beomgyu-ssi. I was to come with him today for the shoot and stand guard. But… it seems like there’s a lot of shouting involved with the waiting.” He winces internally, knowing very well this could go in a very bad direction— being somewhat rude to someone here, while his charge was taking photos with them, and as a bodyguard who was only recently hired. God. What was he doing?! (Defending a sweet little kid, that’s what.) 

The lady grumbles under her breath and waves a dismissive hand.

“Fine. Then tell your charge to hurry up and change into another outfit. We’ve got three more outfit changes left to shoot. The break’s over now,” she hisses, clearly fuming that Yeonjun had stepped up and blocked her anger tantrum. She storms off just as quickly as she had came, heels clicking against the ground so hard Yeonjun thought she might break them in half. 

Yeonjun takes the chance to rush over to Kai.

“Hey, you okay?” He asks, ducking his head to meet the younger boy’s gaze. 

Kai blinks. 

“Yeah, thank you. And… You didn’t have to do that…” He mumbles. “Now everyone’s gonna think I’m even more of a burden to them. Relying on others and stuff…” He ducks his head down. 

Yeonjun scoffs. “So what? Let them think whatever they all want. She’s a jerk. Anyone else who does that kinda thing also are all jerk heads. People like that— yelling at interns on day one— they don’t matter. I mean, that’s my opinion, at least.” He quirks a half-smile. 

Kai laughs quietly. “You don’t know me.”

“…No,” Yeonjun says after a moment, “Technically we’re strangers, but maybe I’d like to get close to you, even just a bit. Friends?”

Kai looks up at him, a little stunned, cheeks slowly tinting pink. He shyly nods and shakes hands with Yeonjun. 

“Sure, thanks hyung. Friends!” He says, his voice regaining his perkiness. 

Just then, a loud thud echoes from the other side of the studio. Both of them whip their heads toward the source—

Beomgyu has fallen from the tree. He was lying on the ground beneath the branch he had been seated on— should still be on— a crumpled figure on the ground with his hanbok splayed across the studio floor around him. And he wasn’t getting up again. His head sat still where it was on the ground. He wasn’t moving. He wasn’t fucking moving. 

Yeonjun is on his feet instantly, heart leaping into his throat. Oh fuck. 

He doesn’t even think. He just runs. Runs like his life depends on it. Realistically speaking, yes, his job depends on it. But also, he’s… yes… he’s concerned. Like crazy. 

—

Yeonjun paces around from in front of the medics booth, situated in the far corner of the D’YA studio grounds. He and Kai had managed to lift Beomgyu and get him to the medics tent so that the experts could look over the fainted singer and determine whether or not this was a ‘hospital’ kind of situation or not. The rest of the staff had yet to return. 

Kai is sitting in a plastic chair not far from the tent (and Yeonjun by proxy), biting at his nails. He looks so worried— and Yeonjun understands the feeling. He may not like Beomgyu, but honestly— Beomgyu hadn’t been particularly mean or snobby to him yet and he had just fainted. Not to mention the bruises on his ankles and wrists— 

Yeonjun’s eyes widen. 

Shit. The bruises. I forgot to get Beomgyu to tend to them. 

He hurries into the booth, practically barging inside, and finds Beomgyu situated on one of the cots, still very much out cold. A thin blanket covers him, and he’s still in that slightly drenched yellow hanbok. It must be uncomfortable— Yeonjun notes to grab Beomgyu a change of clothes when he got the chance—

Is that something a bodyguard like me can do? And why is it that I’m caring more than I should? No, I shouldn’t. But… still… he’s in sticky, wet clothes and he’s collapsed— of course he deserves someone’s care. And… what has he done to stop me from being nice to him? He’s been… oddly nice. Shy, a bit jumpy but… he wasn’t rude. Not after that first day which… now I don’t even know if that was rudeness or…

Yeonjun shakes the thoughts off. The bruises. 

“Beomgyu— bruises— the— he has— the bruises— the—” Yeonjun stammers out, very eloquently mind you (he mentally kicks himself because what was he even saying). 

The medic, standing over Beomgyu, raises an eyebrow. His brown hair was squashed under a black cap, and the only thing about him that made him look (more or less) like a trustable medic guy (ish) was the stethoscope hanging around his neck and the white latex gloves.

It occurs to Yeonjun that with the all-black attire this guy had, he could potentially have been pretending to be a medic and could have potentially been a danger to Beomgyu— call it bodyguard instincts, but something was… off with the guy. But of course, Yeonjun couldn’t be pointing fingers around just yet. 

“If you’re talking about the bruises we found on Beomgyu-ssi’s wrists and ankles, we’ve already put some ointment on them and wrapped them up. Please tell him to be more careful from now on.” He says. 

“And… why did he collapse?” Yeonjun asks, deciding to trust the guy and instead, focus on his charge. His worry resurfaces as he glances at Beomgyu again, eyes scrunched up in his sleep like he was in constant pain. 

The medic nods over at Beomgyu. “It seems he overworked himself. Dehydrated and nothing in his stomach since morning— and hence, no fuel or energy to get through things.” 

Yeonjun frowns.

Beomgyu had that croissant and latte for breakfast… and then… did he have anything after that? At all? That was around eight in the morning and now it was nearly eleven thirty… so had Beomgyu truly gone for three hours without anything to drink or snack on? Seriously?! 

“Are you his manager?” The medic inquires. “If so, I have a few instructions—”

“No, I’m— I’m his, uh, bodyguard. But I can take the instructions. I’m not sure his manager is around at the moment.” 

He mentally notes to ask Mr. Baek about Beomgyu’s manager, and why he wasn’t around— and why Yeonjun had to apparently take over manager duties as well as his bodyguard ones he already had. 

The medic nods. 

“I put some nutritional fluids in Beomgyu-ssi and a little bit of a sedation so he is able to sleep and process the fluid to turn into energy. He’ll be a bit out of it at first, so I need someone he trusts to get him back to his dorms or house, whatever may be the case for him, and have him rest. I recommend he rests up well and eats some food, something light on the stomach preferably. Stays home for a bit.” 

He gestures at Beomgyu. 

“He’ll be waking up in a few minutes, so you— or whoever the trusted person is— may take him. I shall report to the director that Beomgyu-ssi is unable to continue the shoot.” 

The medic excuses himself, bustling out of the room. Huening Kai soon rushes in.

“Is Beomgyu awake? I mean, Beomgyu-ssi?” He asks, worried eyes scanning over the unconcious singer. “Oh… I guess he’s not.” 

“He will in a few minutes. And then I guess I’m taking him back home. I don’t know anyone else who would be his trusted person or whatever… and he’s technically my charge, right?” Yeonjun asks more to reassure himself, because he doesn’t want to be doing the wrong thing.  

“Right!” Kai nods. “…Did the medic say what’s wrong? Is Beomgyu-ssi sick?”

Yeonjun shakes his head. “Just overworked. And I don’t think he had anything to eat or drink since morning.”

Kai gasps, eyes widening larger than Yeonjun had thought was possible for a human.

“I’ll— I’ll grab something for him!” He volunteers and runs off again, almost frantic in his actions. He clearly wants to make up for spilling water on the singer, that, and he probably was worried about his all-time favorite celebrity. 

Yeonjun purses his lips. 

Why didn’t anyone say anything? Why didn’t Beomgyu, of all people, say anything? He could’ve asked for a short break— to drink water or eat a snack for fuel… why was he holding it all in to himself? Why—

Yeonjun’s heart clenches, and this time, he can’t deny it’s straight up concern. For the singer, yes, because no matter how snobby Beomgyu was said to be, this kind of treatment… overworked and not having any water or food, the bruises (the fucking bruises) wasn’t something anyone should deal with. If Kai didn’t deserve to be screamed at, then Beomgyu didn’t deserve all this bullshit. 

And… perhaps, there was something wrong with the system if no one worried about Beomgyu until he collapsed from exhaustion. If no one had asked, no one had cared enough and—

Yeonjun was tied alongside everyone else for that. He hadn’t thought to care much either. And it had led to Beomgyu lying on the cot, overworked. Bruises on his limbs, albeit bandaged up now. 

Yeonjun lets out a huff. 

“Seriously Beomgyu, what is up with all this? Why are you so…” He didn’t know how to finish that sentence. Quiet? Bruised up? Sad? 

Beomgyu groans, stirring. Yeonjun straightens up, eyes wide as he watches the celebrity cautiously. The blond frowns before opening his eyes blearily, blinking up at the ceiling.

“Whaz going on?” He slurs out, sitting up with shaky arms. Yeonjun reaches forward to steady him, before drawing his hands back because he didn’t think… think what? It was proper between a bodyguard and singer, for the bodyguard to care this much? But wasn’t it basic manners from human to human? Yeonjun’s head hurts.

He doesn’t know where the line starts or where it ends— he’s supposed to be a bodyguard, but he’s also acting partly as Beomgyu’s manager, which would mean he should care more than about security dangers, but he wasn’t actually his manager?! Or were bodyguards to care about more than just security breaches? Yeonjun’s idea of a bodyguard had been simple before— stand around and guard the area or a person while on the move, never more and never so close like this. He wasn’t usually bodyguarding for a celebrity like this, following their every schedule and acting…

…sorta like some watchdog, he realizes. Over Beomgyu— rather than those around him. It’s like… the company wants me to watch over him and bite him if he acts out. My fucking god— they’re trying to use me as a damn dog! Or… am I overthinking this?! Why is it that all of my training is flying out the window with this assignment? I don’t get what I’m supposed to be doing. It’s so… different from what I usually am assigned. 

Yeonjun purses his lips.

Instincts never led me wrong, so… I guess I should follow my instincts on this one too. If I overstep a line somewhere along the way, I’m sure Beomgyu or someone will point it out. So on that note…

“Beomgyu-ssi? You collapsed. You overworked yourself without having anything to eat or drink.” He explains, keeping his voice calm and collected. Steady, and reliable. If Yeonjun had to be the one person Beomgyu could trust here at the moment, then he would be. And if Beomgyu became the person the media painted him to be— if it ended up being the truth— then Yeonjun could be mean right back. But for now? If Beomgyu was nice, so would he. He couldn’t hate something that didn’t deserve such, could he? 

“Collapsed?” Beomgyu repeats, staring at Yeonjun. 

“Yes. Right off the tree you were—”

Yeonjun cuts himself short, surprised as Beomgyu started to fumble out of bed, still trembling and pale, almost falling when he tried to stand up. Yeonjun jumps to his feet, steadying Beomgyu. The singer twists away from his touch, shaking his head frantically, stumbling around despite Yeonjun protesting, trying to stand and get out of the medics tent.

“Beomgyu-ssi, relax—” Yeonjun tries to say. 

“No, they won’t— they won’t let me hold the concert if I— if I don’t— if I don’t finish this shoot!” Beomgyu gasps out desperately. “I have to— have to— have to do it—”

His eyes dart wildly but don’t seem to focus, pupils dilated and glossy. He blinks like he’s trying to clear fog off a lens, breath shallow and fast.

And then, he suddenly slumps down on himself, as if all the energy had sucked out of him all of a sudden. Beomgyu’s body gives a strange twitch, and suddenly he’s listing sideways. His knees buckle. His pupils are huge. For a second, Yeonjun thinks he’s going to pass out again.

“Hey— Whoa! Beomgyu-ssi!” Yeonjun lunges forward, catching him as Beomgyu almost topples to the ground. The singer is limp and his body is too hot to the touch, even through the silk hanbok. A fever? 

“No… please…” Beomgyu mumbles into Yeonjun’s shirt, then goes nearly limp.

Yeonjun frowns, and makes him sit down on the cot again with a stern expression, and he’s concerned at the way Beomgyu feels like some kind of doll, unmoving on his own but breathing, with Yeonjun needing to make him move. 

“Beomgyu, please, just sit still—” He tries, panic and fear rising inside of him— but he needed to remain calm for Beomgyu’s sake, who clearly was still out of it. 

Beomgyu lets out a shaky breath as he sits on the cot in front of Yeonjun, but it’s forced, like his body is trying to mimic normal breathing and failing at it. His chest jerks with each inhale, too shallow and fast, and Yeonjun frowns as he watches a tremor ripple through the boy’s fingers again. Something is wrong here. Very wrong. 

“You’re burning up,” Yeonjun mutters, crouching in front of him. He presses the back of his hand to Beomgyu’s clammy forehead, and Beomgyu flinches like it burns.

“I just— need to… get back out there,” Beomgyu mumbles, but his voice is distant now and too thin. He tries to rise again— Yeonjun blocks him, gently but firmly pushing him back down. 

“Absolutely not,” Yeonjun says sternly. “You’re not going anywhere like this. Not in this state. You need rest right now. And water too.”

Beomgyu shakes his head weakly. “They’ll... They’ll cancel it… the company… they’ll think I’m being difficult again—”

His eyes flutter shut mid-sentence. And he stops talking. 

Yeonjun jolts. 

“…Beomgyu-ssi?” He asks hesitantly.

Beomgyu’s head jerks back up a beat later, as if he’s just realized he dozed off. His expression is dazed and slightly panicked. His pupils are still huge. It’s weird. It’s wrong. His skin has taken on an unhealthy sheen, and Yeonjun notices the tips of his fingers twitching against the sheets— like his muscles are spasming.

“Okay,” Yeonjun says carefully. “You need to lie down, I think. Right now.”

“I—” Beomgyu tries to respond, but the word comes out barely audible. He reaches up to rub at his temple but misses, hand swiping weakly through the air before dropping into his lap again. His lips move but no sound follows.

“Beomgyu?” Yeonjun tries again, more urgently now.

The singer’s gaze has unfocused completely. He’s blinking slowly, mouth parted slightly. When Yeonjun touches his shoulder, he flinches violently— then slumps, visibly disoriented. His limbs are too loose, his reactions too slow.

Yeonjun stands quickly, alarm bells screaming in his head now.

“Someone get a real medic in here!” he shouts over his shoulder. “Now!”

No response. The tent is too far from the main set. And perhaps none of the staff had even returned yet, though the break was apparently over, according to the heels lady from earlier. 

He turns back. Beomgyu is swaying where he sits, his shoulders hunched forward, neck drooping. A low sound leaves his throat— almost like a whimper— and he crumples sideways into Yeonjun’s arms, half-conscious as he stands up again on his shaking legs.

Yeonjun catches him fully this time, lowering him down onto the cot as gently as he could, panic rising fast in his chest. He brushes the sweaty bangs away from Beomgyu’s forehead.

“Stay with me,” he says firmly, trying to keep his voice calm. “You’re okay. Just— Just stay awake, alright?”

Beomgyu blinks up at him, sluggish. Then, in a soft, frightened voice, he manages to say, “I… don’t feel right.”

Yeonjun’s breath catches. Oh shit. 

“I know,” he says. “I know. Just— Just please— hold on. Stay with me, okay? Don’t pass out again.”

And in that moment, something clicks in Yeonjun’s mind. The man in all black. The unplaceable gut feeling that something was off earlier.

Yeonjun stills. 

His bodyguard instincts had been right. 

That guy— a supposed medic— had drugged Beomgyu. All while no one was watching and Beomgyu was already out cold, unable to even shout for help or defend himself. 

Chapter Text

Yeonjun’s heart pounded in his ears. Beomgyu was barely responsive now— he stirred only slightly in Yeonjun’s arms, his breath uneven, skin pale and damp with sweat. He was clearly drugged— with what, Yeonjun didn’t know yet, but he had to figure it out— and why would someone even drug Beomgyu?! 

Yeonjun looked around the tent, eyes scanning the sparse medical setup and the entrance flap, half-expecting that black-clad man to appear again.

No one came.

And that was the problem.

No one could help. 

I can’t trust anyone here. The thought slammed into him like a punch. Not after that guy. Not after how they just let him walk in. No one even questioned him. What the fuck— why— how did he even get in here?! What if there are more of them?

His jaw clenched. I’m not leaving Beomgyu here. I’m not leaving him in this damn tent. This goes against the code— and I’m a bodyguard, damnit— his one bodyguard, and I was supposed to protect him against this sorta thing. Fuck. 

He slid his arm behind Beomgyu’s back, steadying him as gently as possible. The boy groaned faintly at the movement, head lolling toward Yeonjun’s shoulder. But it seemed he was passed out again. Just great. 

Just then, the flap of the tent flew open.

“I brought—!”

Kai burst in, holding a small bag in one hand and a bottled drink in the other. His smile dropped instantly when he saw Beomgyu slumped in the arms of Yeonjun, skin damp with cold sweat. 

“What happened?!” Kai gasped. “Did he get worse—?!” 

Yeonjun stood up swiftly, adjusting Beomgyu’s weight in his arms. He was beginning to get worried about Beomgyu’s condition— and why was he so light? So many questions and no answers. But the main focus right now was to get Beomgyu back to his house, where hopefully Yeonjun could get him some proper help. 

“No time. Help me get him to the car,” Yeonjun said, voice low and tight. “Now.”

Kai blinked, stunned. “What? What— What do you mean? Is he okay?!”

Yeonjun shook his head. “He was drugged. That guy in all black that you mighta seen leave here? Not a medic. I don’t know what he gave Beomgyu, but I’m not waiting around to find out.”

Kai’s eyes widened. “Wha— wait, what?! Shouldn’t we call—?”

Yeonjun’s stare cut him off. “No. No one here. I don’t know who to trust. We need to go. I’ll explain everything later, I swear.”

Kai hesitated, then gave a quick nod and shoved the bag and drink into his hoodie pocket, hurrying forward to help. Yeonjun shifted Beomgyu’s weight to one side and gestured with his chin. “Help me lift him. Arm under his shoulder. Steady, okay?”

Together, they hoisted Beomgyu upright. He stirred with a weak noise, waking up momentarily, eyes glassy and unfocused, legs barely cooperating. His head lolled forward, hair falling over his eyes. Did he pass out again?!

Kai’s voice wavered. “He’s really out of it…”

“I know,” Yeonjun muttered, scanning the path ahead. “Come on. The car’s out back. Soobin’s waiting. I hope.”

They moved as quickly as they could without jostling Beomgyu too much. The singer leaned heavily between them, murmuring something incoherent under his breath as his knees gave out again, only held up by their arms.

“Is he gonna pass out again?” Kai asked, glancing nervously at Yeonjun.

“He might,” Yeonjun said grimly. “I’m not letting him out of my sight ever— my god, the one time I’m not there and he gets drugged. I’m his bodyguard for fucks sakes.”

As they neared the back lot, the black car came into view, parked right where Yeonjun had told Soobin to wait earlier. The tinted window rolled down, and Soobin leaned out, eyes widening when he saw the three of them.

“What the hell happened?” he asked, gaping at them.

Yeonjun’s grip tightened on Beomgyu.

“Open the back. We’re getting him out of here.”

Soobin didn’t ask any further. He jumped out and popped the rear door open, already moving to clear the seat for Beomgyu. He glanced at the singer, clear worry painted across his features. Kai stepped aside for Soobin to take his place, and together, Soobin and Yeonjun maneuvered Beomgyu onto the back seat. 

Behind him, Kai looked between them, still clutching the bottle of water he never got to give. He shuffled anxiously on his feet. 

“What’s going on?” he asked again, more quietly this time. “Yeonjun-hyung… what the hell is happening? You didn’t really explain much earlier.”

Yeonjun helped ease Beomgyu into the seat, keeping a hand on his chest to steady him as he swayed. Beomgyu mumbled something again, something Yeonjun couldn’t catch, and Yeonjun pats his knee, trying to reassure the singer and get him as comfortable as possible. 

“I’ll explain later,” Yeonjun said, breathless now, voice edged with something sharp— panic, frustration, fear. “Just— please, Kai. Trust me.”

Kai swallowed and nodded. 

“I have your number. Text me later then, hyung.” 

Yeonjun nods. 

He climbed in beside Beomgyu and took the water bottle from Kai, thanking him and bidding him goodbye, before he pulled the door shut. He urges Beomgyu to take a few sips, figuring some water would help. He prays Beomgyu won’t throw up the little water he drinks. 

“Go,” he told Soobin. “Anywhere but here. Wait no— take us home.”

Soobin nods. And the car pulled away.

—

Yeonjun gets Soobin to help him lift Beomgyu up and carry the singer upstairs to the apartment complex. He manages to punch in the apartment code, still unused to the fact he was living in the same one as Beomgyu all so quickly, and that it had only been a day since he woke up for his first day as Beomgyu’s bodyguard. Only his first day, and he had gone right ahead and fucked up— he let someone harm his charge. How could he?!

Soobin helps Yeonjun lay Beomgyu on the couch, because Yeonjun isn’t sure he’s allowed to go into Beomgyu’s personal bedroom without explicit permission. Beomgyu groans again, unfocused eyes staring at the ceiling and about to close again. Soobin anxiously stands around, and Yeonjun dismisses him, reassuring he would take care of this and that he’d call Soobin if he needed further assistance. Reluctently, Soobin leaves.

Then it’s just Beomgyu and Yeonjun. 

Yeonjun stares at the singer. Beomgyu’s eyes have closed again, but his face is twisted up in pain. He writhes around slightly, panting in an attempt to breathe— except he’s not doing it properly. It’s the first time Beomgyu is truly worrying Yeonjun— even when he had been all weird with the coffee and breakfast Yeonjun bought him earlier, even with the bruises— this was too much. It was the tipping point of everything and— 

He knew something was definitely very wrong. 

Yeonjun took another long moment to watch Beomgyu fight pain in his sleep, before jumping to his feet and hurrying into the bathroom. He takes a few minutes— too long in his opinion— to find a soft, clean cloth to use and dunks it under running water. He hurries back to the living room, gently draping the cloth over Beomgyu’s forehead, maybe that might help, and then frantically goes on Naver to search: what to do when someone is drugged. 

Most of the results tell him to seek immediate medical help. And not to let the drugged victim fall asleep. 

But most of them are also about when you’re spiked at a bar— not when you’re a celebrity that’s been drugged by who knows, for whatever reason. 

Yeonjun groans. This was not the time to be hesitating and being all confused on what to do; he had to act fast. But also… he couldn’t trust anyone now, and he wasn’t sure if it was okay to bring Beomgyu to a hospital if the bad guy— whoever drugged Beomgyu— was still out there. What if something even worse happened? …But what more was there to hesitate and think upon? Beomgyu was dying, so Yeonjun should definitely bring him to a hospital—

Yeonjun’s phone buzzes with a call, and he curses, ready to decline the call because he was busy for fucks sakes his client was gonna die.

It’s Mr. Baek. 

Yeonjun picks up the call. 

“Hello—?”

“Yeonjun. Glad you picked up. I heard about Beomgyu being drugged.” Mr. Baek starts.

Yeonjun smiles in relief. “Yes, so I thought about—”

“Don’t bring him to any hospital— and don’t get this leaked. It will make things complicated with the public and the press as well.” 

Yeonjun blinks, mouth falling open. What in the—?!

Here Yeonjun was worried about bringing Beomgyu to a hospital because of another potential attack, but Mr. Baek was worried about the press?!

“Mr. Baek—” Yeonjun starts to protest, but the man cuts him off again. 

“Don’t do anything, you hear, son? Let Beomgyu get that damn drug out of his system and tell him to wake the fuck up. He has a job to do. And tell him to come to the meeting later, that’s been scheduled. At 6. You bring him here, Yeonjun. Don’t let him forget.”

Then the call clicks off. 

Yeonjun is gaping at his phone in complete and utter shock. What kind of person just— did Mr. Baek really—?! What the fuck?! 

—

Yeonjun calls his medics friend from his bodyguard firm. If he can’t bring Beomgyu to the hospital, he’d have to make do with the doctor he had trusted since day one at the firm. 

The door rings and Yeonjun checks that it is who it’s supposed to be, before letting the guy inside. A young male, only a few years older than Yeonjun himself, enters in his usual white shirt and trousers, with his med-kit in one hand. 

“Jimin hyung! Thanks for coming so quick,” Yeonjun smiles, relieved, and urgent to get back to Beomgyu. 

“Of course. You said it was an emergency, and that your client was drugged? And that someone drugged him and you couldn’t be trusting anyone else? Naturally, I ran over. And… if I get a speeding ticket in the mail tomorrow, I suppose that’s on me.” The older sighs, shaking his head. “Now, where is this Beomgyu-ssi?” 

Yeonjun leds Jimin over to the couch, where Beomgyu is starting to regain conscious after a while. He’s trying to sit up and Yeonjun nudges him to lie back down. Beomgyu complies obidently, but tries to sit up again when he spots Jimin, eyes wide and all.

“It’s okay, sweetheart, my name’s Park Jimin and I’m a doctor. I’m here to help you.” Jimin soothes. “Yeonjun says you got drugged? You’re not feeling too good, are you?” 

Beomgyu hesitates, before nodding. He glances at Yeonjun, and Yeonjun meets his gaze and maintains it. Beomgyu breaks eye contact first, before clumsily grabbing onto Yeonjun’s hand and squeezing it. Yeonjun’s surprised, but doesn’t let it show. He could address it later. Right now— Beomgyu’s life was on the line. 

Jimin examines Beomgyu— his heart rate, his blood pressure, all that— before declaring that he would give the singer an antidote, and that should relieve the effects until Beomgyu’s body drained the toxins out of his systems by themselves. 

“I’ll have to collect a blood sample for further investigation on the drug, and I’ll also administer an IV to help drain everything out faster, alright hon? The IV will also contain the antidote, and then you can take a nice nap— all safe, just with a tiny IV in your arm, but that’s all. During your nap, everything will drain out, and then you’ll be good to go— though, you’ll need proper rest even after all this.” Jimin explains. 

Beomgyu nods, though he doesn’t meet Jimin’s eyes. Jimin continues to smile gently at the singer though, and it turns sad.

“Poor thing… I can’t believe someone would drug you like this… Thankfully, from what I see right now, it isn’t a harmful drug— just meant to get everyone scared, and get you sick.” He shakes his head. “Dizziness, then passing out a couple of times, then vomitting for some people, and sometimes even fevers. You’re lucky I got here before it got any worse—”

Beomgyu suddenly bolts up and stumble to the bathroom in a hurry. Then Yeonjun hears the toilet cover being flung open, before the sound of retching echoes through the apartment.

“…Shit.” Yeonjun curses. 

“This is normal— and it’s good, actually! Beomgyu-ssi’s body is trying to repell everything on his own! He will mostly be fine after taking in the antidote, so just have him vomit everything out. Then I’ll collect a blood sample, hook him onto an antidote, and that will get him sleeping as everything filters out.” Jimin says. 

“And then he’ll be fine?” Yeonjun asks anxiously.

Jimin tilts his head, pursing his lips.

“…Not completely. Even after the toxins wear off, he’ll be very weak. He needs proper rest after today, so make sure he gets it. You care about him, right?” He raises his eyebrows, as if daring Yeonjun to disagree so he’d get a chance to channel his inner mother-figure-with-the-slippers-to-slap-with. 

Yeonjun nods. “Of course. Thank you, Jimin hyung.” 

“Yup. Of course, Yeonjun-ah.” 

And then Yeonjun rushes over to the bathroom to check up on Beomgyu. 

Yeonjun holds back Beomgyu’s hair as the singer sits crouched in front of the toilet, throwing up his guts into the bowl. It’s a bit gross, but Yeonjun has seen more gruesome things.

Beomgyu’s entire frame trembles with every retch, and he’s sobbing. Yeonjun feels so sorry for him— no, not even that, he’s… extremely worried. He isn’t sure where his boundaries as Beomgyu’s bodyguard lay but…

“It’s alright, Beomgyu-ssi, just let it all out. That’s it, just let all the toxins come out,” he says softly, rubbing circles onto Beomgyu’s back. He might as well try his best to take care of the singer, even more so than what he usually did for clients. He knew all too well what it was like being sick but all alone, with no mother or friend or anyone to take care of you. And it clenched at his heart. 

Beomgyu lets out another sob, before throwing up once more. And Yeonjun stays. 

—

Jimin gets Beomgyu in bed and in his pajamas, injecting an IV into Beomgyu’s arm and collecting a blood sample— to which Beomgyu flinches once again— and he also finds that someone had injected Beomgyu with the drug in the first place. He explains there was a light sedation in there to help Beomgyu relax and go to sleep, and then he’s telling Yeonjun to call if anything happened, and leaves— shooting Beomgyu one last worried look. 

Then Yeonjun calls Soobin over— who had apparently been waiting in the car in front of the apartment building. 

“Can we find out who drugged Beomgyu? And why?” Yeonjun questions. 

Soobin nods. “Yeah, we can, actually. Just ask Kang Taehyun. He’s the Digital Manager for Beomgyu, and he manages a lot of social media stuff, but he’s also a tech whizz and can look into anything.” He responds. 

Letting Soobin keep an eye on sleeping Beomgyu, Yeonjun heads to the company in search for this Kang Taehyun. He finds him in one of the higher-level offices.

“Uhm, hi? Hello, I’m Choi Yeonjun,” he greets the man sitting behind the desk. “You’re Kang Taehyun, right?” 

Kang Taehyun is a doe-eyed man who doesn’t look any older than Huening Kai, with thin-framed glasses and a brown suit. He’s clicking away at his computer when Yeonjun knocks. 

“Yes. How can I help you?” He inquires.

Yeonjun explains the situation at hand, and Taehyun’s face grows more shocked by the second. The man promptly goes clicking away on computer as soon as Yeonjun finishes, brows furrowed and lips pressed into a hard, angered line. 

Yeonjun waits, biting his lip. He’s anxious— and he worries something might happen to Beomgyu in the time he was gone. What if a stalker or the guy who drugged Beomgyu got to their apartment? What if Soobin couldn’t protect Beomgyu? And then Yeonjun asks himself what got him caring so much all of a sudden, almost obsessively. And then he also reminds himself that Soobin was very much capable of handling Beomgyu protection duties for a while, at least, to some degree. Well, at least, he hopes so. 

Taehyun finally sighs with a grim expression.

“It looks like a young man in his late 20s, named Jeong Minjun. He was hired by one of the company’s higher-ups… I’ll have to look into who exactly… but it seems Minjun was hired from this company. Why, I don’t know for sure, but I assume it’s to keep Beomgyu under their control, to make him know who’s ‘in charge’, that sorta thing. Make him all compliant for them.” 

Yeonjun snarls out loud, outraged. 

“What?! What kind of psychos—” 

Taehyun shakes his head. “This is the industry, Yeonjun-ssi.” 

“What do we do about this?” Yeonjun demands. 

“Unfortunately, we can’t really do anything about it. These company directors have a shit ton of money and recognition, and a lot of backup in court if we try to sue or say something about it. And who knows what will happen? They’ll probably fire us and blacklist us, and then Beomgyu will be truly vurnerable with no one to care about him. It’s best we stay quiet, and try to do our best to help Gyu out.” Taehyun says quietly. 

“You seem… close with Beomgyu.” Yeonjun observes, blinking at the guy. Gyu? What a nice nickname. 

Taehyun laughs, but his eyes look sad. 

“We’re friends from high school. We’re… close, yeah. I guess you can say that.” He nods. 

“What are the odds, friends being at the same company,” Yeonjun remarks. 

“Actually… When Gyu wanted to go into this singer, entertainment industry, I followed him in hopes of shooting a job as his manager— and ended up in the tech department,” Taehyun says sheepishly. “Later, I managed to get into his team as the social media manager deal, and… it’s how I protect him, in my own little way. I delete negative comments about Beomgyu, and tweak the company’s posts about him a bit, and I tip off some fans about the treatment here and there— though there hasn’t really been a big roar of action yet.” 

“…So we just stay quiet?” Yeonjun asks, feeling defeated. 

“It’s the only way to, so we can stay beside Beomgyu and be close by. It sucks but… it’s easier to help when you’re not fired.” 

Chapter Text

Beomgyu recovers— well, at least, he has all of the toxins out of his system— and as soon as he’s up, his face pales after reading a text on his phone. With that, he urges Soobin to drive him to the company building, despite the latter protesting that Beomgyu should still be resting, and Yeonjun, who had also adamently fought against the idea, finds himself standing in front of the company, with Beomgyu already hurrying inside. 

And so, he has no choice but to follow inside.

—

Yeonjun hadn’t meant to linger.

He was waiting outside the small conference room, scrolling through his phone while Beomgyu was inside, summoned by the director, for his meeting just as scheduled. He told himself he wasn’t eavesdropping— but the voices inside were far from quiet. So like, it wasn’t his fault, really. 

"You think collapsing in the middle of a shoot looks professional?"

That was one of the company higher-ups. His tone was so… sharp. Cutting, almost. Not a tone he should be using with one of his artists… was it? 

"I’m sorry—" came Beomgyu’s voice, quiet, strained. Yeonjun feels pity for him. Just recently over being drugged without consent, and immediately called in for a meeting and being scolded? 

“Sorry doesn’t cut it, fool. Do you know how much that location cost? You wasted everyone’s time! We have investors breathing down our necks.”

Then came Mr. Baek’s dry, mocking tone.

"Maybe we should just start pulling him from schedules. Concert, interviews, promos— what’s the point if he can’t stay on his feet for a few hours? Shall we cancel everything, hm, Beomgyu?” 

Laughter.

Then someone scoffed, “He’s lucky he still has fans after that stunt."

Yeonjun clenched his jaw. His blood was running hot.

What. The. Fuck.

So it hadn’t been Beomgyu cancelling everything on his own accord. It had been some sort of twisted thing— some punishment— from the company. And for what, exactly? 

“And to top it off— you missed your vocal lessons,” someone clicked their tongue. “How are you supposed to sing if you sound like a dying whale? If you can’t sing, don’t do it. We just might have to cut you out—”

“No, please— anything but that— I’ll do better—!” Beomgyu cries out desperately. “Don’t fire me— please— my fans— I need to keep singing— I need to be on stage— please—!” 

Yeonjun squeezes his eyes shut at the raw emotion— the desperation plea— in Beomgyu’s voice, resisting the urge to slam the door open and barge in. He can’t. He needs to be in a position where he could help Beomgyu. And he wouldn’t do that if he barged in all angry. 

When Beomgyu finally emerged minutes later, he looked drained. Paler than before. His eyes flicked up when he saw Yeonjun, but he quickly looked down again and started walking past him, silent. Ignoring him. 

Yeonjun didn’t let him for too long.

“Hey.” His voice was gentle but firm. “Come here with me for a sec.”

Beomgyu hesitated. “Is something wrong, Yeonjun-ssi?”

“Yeah,” Yeonjun said. “You.”

Beomgyu looked a bit startled, but agreed. 

They stepped into a quiet stairwell. Beomgyu blinked, confused and tense.

“Did I do something again? I’m sorry if I—”

“You’re not supposed to be treated like that.” Yeonjun cut him off, voice was low. Almost careful. “What they said in there? That wasn’t normal. That wasn’t okay.”

Beomgyu looked away.

“They’re just mad. I messed up. I should’ve— should’ve pushed through—”

“You were drugged, Beomgyu.” Yeonjun’s voice sharpened. “And you’re still trying to apologize for not smiling enough? For what, apologizing for not just overworking and killing yourself just for some photos?!”

The silence stretched. Beomgyu was silent. 

“I used to believe the rumors too, you know,” Yeonjun admitted. “That you were arrogant. Cold. Selfish.”

Beomgyu flinched at the words, but remained silent. 

Yeonjun let out a dry breath.

“But you’re just… surviving. And now I’m starting to think you’re the only one in this place trying to be human.”

Beomgyu’s throat bobbed. “You… don’t have to say any of this.”

“I want to,” Yeonjun said. “It’s the truth. I’m being honest.” 

There was a beat of quiet. Beomgyu’s eyes shone, just slightly. Then he nodded, giving a small, shaky laugh. “Thanks… Yeonjun-ssi. For your words, I mean. And everything, really.”

Yeonjun raised an eyebrow.

“And uh, let’s me casual. How old are you?”

“21,” Beomgyu replies shyly.

“Then you can call me hyung. Enough with the ‘ssi’ and all. We should be a little more friendly, right? Unless you’re too good for friendly terms?” Yeonjun lightly teased. 

Beomgyu blinked. “Of course not!”

Then he cleared his throat, voice softening.

“I mean… sure. Yeonjun hyung.”

Yeonjun smiled. Just a little.

“Good. Great.” He says and pats Beomgyu’s shoulder. The singer beams back at him. 

And things… things are starting to look up. Maybe this whole gig wouldn’t be such a bad thing after all if Beomgyu was just a misunderstood celebrity, and not the brat Yeonjun had initially thought he was. 

—

Yeonjun is called in for a meeting with Mr. Baek. Begrudingly, he walks with Beomgyu and makes sure the singer gets to the car safely and that Soobin has got him (honestly, with everything going on, Yeonjun isn’t entirely sure if Soobin was to be trusted, but Soobin seemed like he genuinely cared about Beomgyu, and until Soobin proved to be a danger and like the rest of the abusive company, he could stick around), before he walks back into the company. Beomgyu looks a little anxious as he sends Yeonjun off, but the latter reassures Beomgyu that he would be fine. 

Yeonjun walks into the office, where Mr. Baek is sprawled on his couch, picking at his nose— ugh, why was he even the CEO of this goddamn company? No wonder Beomgyu was getting the type of treatment he was. Yeonjun honestly didn’t know why this company hadn’t failed ages ago.

“Ah, Yeonjun, you’re here,” Mr. Baek nods his head. “I want a report of Beomgyu’s behavior from today. Of course, I heard about him collapsing and all— what a waste of time, and it ruined his image,” he complains. 

Yeonjun is disgusted. He didn’t even care about Beomgyu’s health? The same Beomgyu he’d scolded at, the same Beomgyu sitting in the car by the company building right now when he should be in bed and resting?!

“Respectfully, Beomgyu collapsed. Shouldn’t we be concerned about him.” Yeonjun asks, borderline demanding. 

Mr. Baek shrugs. “We’ll be concerned if he can’t function right and misses another schedule. Wouldn’t be the first. Don’t even push him that hard and he’s all sick— and then we lose money and waste time waiting for him when he misses schedules. What’s so hard about some singing?” He grunts. “Now tell me, does that ungrateful brat deserve more outings?” 

Yeonjun clears his throat. 

“Yes. In fact, he deserves quite a lot more. He pushed himself to do his best, even with bruises and without having anything to eat or drink, and that’s why he collapsed. And then he got drugged by someone which—” Taehyun tells me is someone from your fucking company, Mr. Baek, “—uh, we haven’t identified yet, but we’re working towards it. Beomgyu deserves some chances on stage and—”

“Pretty boy got a hold of a new fan, eh?” Mr. Baek narrows his eyes. “Probably spread his legs to make you—”

“Mr. Baek,” Yeonjun cuts him off. He doesn’t care if he’s being rude— not that he could even care about such a thing when faced with this monster of a man— but he definitely doesn’t want to hear the rest of that sentence. 

Mr. Baek barks a laugh. “He did, didn’t he!” 

“Mr. Baek,” Yeonjun tries again. “Will you or will you not give him more schedules?”

The man regards Yeonjun with a long look. Finally, he snorts. 

“Fine. I’ll let him attend his stupid fucking concert. And get him on a few interviews and shows and whatnot. Just don’t come complaining about not wanting so much to do— you or that brat.” Mr. Baek sneers. 

So, he’s gonna overwork Beomgyu? Wow. Just great. Wow. 

Yeonjun presses on a thin smile. 

“Am I dismissed now?” He asks, trying to be a polite enough so that he wouldn’t get fired.

“Yeah, yeah, go now then. And remember Yeonjun, you’re working for me. Don’t let that fucking brat get to your head. Do your job properly and fix that damn kid in line.” Mr. Baek threatens.

Yeonjun grits his teeth, keeping his lips pressed in a thin line, and hurries outside. He can’t— he just can’t with that man—

I swear, Beomgyu… I’ll get you out of this hellhole. Even if it kills me.

—

Yeonjun stepped out of the building, and the cool evening air rushing against his face, and his stomach growled— it was past eight in the evening. He tugged his hoodie tighter around his shoulders, glad he thought to wear it before going out, the door clicking shut behind him as he crossed the pavement toward the dark van parked under the streetlamp. Through the foggy window, he could make out Soobin’s silhouette in the front seat, his head turned slightly toward the back, speaking softly.

As Yeonjun approached, the side door slid open with a mechanical hum. Inside, Beomgyu sat curled up in a blanket, his eyes still a little red-rimmed but calmer than earlier. Soobin had one hand on Beomgyu’s head, fingers weaving through his hair with practiced gentleness, the same way someone might stroke a frightened animal to coax it out of hiding.

Yeonjun paused, just for a second, and watched.

There was something in Soobin’s touch— a quiet steadiness that Yeonjun recognized. It was the same steadiness he relied on himself. And the way Beomgyu leaned into it, still wary but trusting, tugged at something deep in Yeonjun’s chest. Alright, so he supposed Soobin was safe. For now. He didn’t seem to have the same intentions as Mr. Baek— power hungry and uncaring of his employee. 

He climbed into the van without a word, and Soobin gave him a nod through the rearview mirror. They didn’t need to talk. They both agreed— Beomgyu needed serious help, and they were willing to be that help for him. How could they just sit by, seeing Beomgyu being treated like he was some kind of kicked dog? Overworked and abused and mistreated— Yeonjun is angry. Livid, more like it. 

“Can we… get something to eat?” Beomgyu asked suddenly, his voice small but hopeful. “Ah— never mind. It costs money— oh, but we don’t have anything in the fridge…” He trails off. 

Yeonjun glanced back at him and offered a soft smile. “We can go to the market, Beomgyu-yah.”

Beomgyu blinks and then shyly nods. He still looks a bit too pale, and Yeonjun notes to get ingredients for a healthy soup so that Beomgyu could have that in his stomach at the very least. 

The supermarket was nearly empty when they pulled up, the fluorescent lights inside casting long, clean shadows over the aisles. Beomgyu stuck close to Yeonjun’s side at first, overwhelmed by the rows of shelves and the strange abundance of everything— so many colors, so many options— and it was probably a while since the singer had gone to a supermarket, judging by the emptiness of his fridge and cupboards. Maybe he got takeout often? Or perhaps… more sickeningly… he didn’t eat much. Like unhealthily too little. 

Yeonjun grabbed a basket and started filling it with groceries— ramyeon, eggs, fresh vegetables, a couple of premade things for busy nights, a few snacks and bottles of juice, fruits, and some soup packets. Soobin followed a few steps behind, pushing the cart and occasionally slipping in something practical. Beomgyu, once he got comfortable, was practically bouncing between aisles.

“Hyung, look! They have strawberry milk!” he exclaimed, holding up a pink carton like he’d discovered treasure. Cute. 

Yeonjun chuckled, nodding. “Put it in.”

He did, beaming like a kid allowed a rare treat.

Soobin and Yeonjun shared a look over the cart— a tired kind of fondness passing between them. It didn’t fix everything, but this… this felt like something solid. Beomgyu deserved something like this at the very least.

They get to the checkout, and Yeonjun is delighted to know that Soobin has a company card and that would be used to pay for everything they were getting tonight. 

—

Back at Beomgyu’s apartment, the warmth of the lights flicked on as they walked in. Beomgyu kicked off his shoes and wandered to the couch, clutching the strawberry milk to his chest like it was a prize. Adorable. He was like a little kid almost— in the good way. Yeonjun honestly wanted to wrap him in a blanket and squish him— which was an entirely new development in his feelings towards the singer. So far, no one was telling him following his instincts to care was wrong, so he might as well continue doing what he believed was right.

Yeonjun rolled up his sleeves and headed to the small kitchen, pulling out pots and unpacking groceries like muscle memory. He moved calmly, quietly— dicing, boiling, sautéing. The smell of garlic and sesame oil soon filled the apartment. Then the smell of cream soup, with some added vegetables, started to waft around the apartment complex. 

Soobin sat at the counter, watching over Beomgyu who had curled up again, this time not from fear, but comfort. His eyes were drooping, lulled by the warmth and safety. He tugged his legs closer to his chest and curled into a ball on the couch, eyes finally closing. 

Yeonjun glanced over his shoulder, watching them for a moment— this strange little patchwork family he hadn’t expected but was already fighting to protect. Which again, another new development but… whatever. If they were up against this big company, they might as well all stick together, right? 

“Dinner’s almost ready,” he said softly.

Soobin nods, and then gently shuffles over to Beomgyu.

“Hey, Beomgyu? Dinner’s ready. We should go eat now, hm?” His voice is low and almost… rumbles through his chest as he crouches beside Beomgyu on the couch to talk to him.

Beomgyu mumbles something in his sleep, before blinking his eyes open. 

“Huh?”

“Dinner. We should go eat, Beomie.” Soobin says gently. Huh, he had a nickname for Beomgyu too?

Soobin helps the bleary-eyed Beomgyu get up from the couch, and lets Beomgyu grip at his arm as he leads the youngest of the trio to the dining table, where Yeonjun had set the three bowls of his cream-veggie soup, and meat seasoned with garlic and sesame oil. He’s not the best cook, but it’ll have to do.

The three of them all sit down at the dining table. 

Beomgyu looks awed by the food and thanks Yeonjun profusely. 

“Of course,” Yeonjun smiles. 

“Thank you, this looks great!” Soobin comments, already digging in. 

Beomgyu hesitates for a split second, before he takes a spoonful of the soup with a big grin stretching across his face.

“Eat up… Beomie Gyu Gyu!” Yeonjun says, before cringing at himself. “…Sorry, that was really weird. I wanted to give you a nickname too…” He says sheepishly.

Beomgyu’s throwing back his head and laughing, eyes crinkling up. Yeonjun doesn’t even feel offended he’s laughing— Yeonjun’s words honestly deserved it. 

“No— it was sweet, Yeonjun hyung. Do it again please!” He requests.

“Beomie Gyu Gyu~!” Yeonjun says in a high-pitch, almost baby-talk voice. 

Beomgyu falls over laughing in his chair. And Yeonjun’s proud to have made the younger laugh like that, genuine and full of joy. 

Chapter Text

After dinner, Soobin offers to do the dishes before he heads on home— even with Yeonjun protesting— and then Yeonjun watches quietly from the couch, watching the apartment thrum with movement. Soobin in the kitchen, washing the dishes and humming under his breath. Beomgyu is sipping happily on his strawberry milk, kicking his feet from his perch on the dining chair. His eyes glimmer with joy— but it quickly diminishes when his phone buzzes and he sees the sender.

“Oh… Mr. Baek—”

Beomgyu’s voice dips, and the sparkle in his eyes flickers out.

Yeonjun doesn’t need to hear any further. He jumps to his feet and sprints over, grabbing the phone. He does it as gently as possible, so as not to hurt Beomgyu accidentally, but his urgency wins over him. 

“What does that fucker want from you now—?!” 

Oh. 

He pauses, lips tightening as his eyes glance over the words. 

“It’s just your schedule, huh?” He mutters. “He really did give you more.” 

| Choi.Beomgyu.Schedule |

ShowShowShow Interview - [9 AM - 10 AM]

RadioM, Interview - [10:20 AM - 11 AM]

JunMinB TalkShow - [11:15 AM - 12 PM]

Outfit Fitting - [1 PM - 2 PM]

Stage Rehearsal, MShow Venue - [3 PM - 5 PM]

Show, MShow Venue - [5:30 PM - 7 PM]

Let’sStar, Interview - [7:20 PM - 9 PM]

BlizFashion, Photoshoot - [9:40 PM - 11 PM]

Now the only problem was… this was too much in a day— and this was all scheduled for literally tomorrow, when Beomgyu hadn’t had enough rest yet. And it would make Beomgyu work till nearly midnight. Ugh— did Yeonjun have to go talk to that douchebag again?! This time to fight for less, so he could stop Mr. Baek from overworking Beomgyu?!

“Just don’t come complaining about not wanting so much to do— you or that brat.”

Right. Damnit. 

“Is that what you went to talk about with Mr. Baek earlier?” Beomgyu tilts his head, interupting Yeonjun’s interal monologue on if he could just grab Beomgyu and bolt, far away from Mr. Baek. Or sue Mr. Baek. Or something. 

Yeonjun nods. “Yeah. About your schedule.”

“We’ll be concerned if he can’t function right and misses another schedule. Wouldn’t be the first.”

Yeonjun tries not to grit his teeth as Mr. Baek’s voice fills his head. Just how did this kind of man become the CEO of this big entertainment company? Better yet, how did no one else know about what kind of person he was? How did nothing get leaked to the public on how he abuses his artists and doesn’t give a single fuck about them, working them like— like animals?!

“Just some… schedule stuff. I talked him into giving you more— but I guess he’s trying to overwork you now. Do you think you’ll be okay with it? Just let me know if you’re not and I can—” 

“Pretty boy got a hold of a new fan, eh?” 

Yeonjun swallows. “I can, uhm…”

“Probably spread his legs to make you—”

Oh god. He wants to smash his head into the nearest wall, anything to get Mr. Baek’s voice and his words out of his brain, to make them stop echoing— 

Okay. So. It’s true, Beomgyu’s insanely good looking, Yeonjun won’t deny it, but for Mr. Baek to say such a thing— how could he say that about another human being, much less his own employee, the singer under his company?! Just how could he?! 

Sadistic motherfucker, really. 

Pretty boy? 

Wow, Yeonjun didn’t want to hear that from Mr. Baek’s mouth ever again. 

“—jun hyung? Yeonjun hyung?” 

Yeonjun snaps back into the present, facing a worried looking Beomgyu still seated on the dining chair in front of him, while Yeonjun stood there awkwardly. Gosh, he needed to get himself together. This was not how the best bodyguard of the firm was like. Why was he so out of his game lately?! 

“Oh— uh, yeah Beomgyu?” 

“You zoned out. I was talking about the schedule— I honestly think it’s okay. I wanted more schedules, and Mr. Baek is really listening to me now! Maybe things are looking up a little.” Beomgyu looks so hopeful that Yeonjun’s heart aches, because he can’t break it to the younger— that this is still a terrible situation, and with Mr. Baek still in the picture, nothing was gonna ‘look up’ much. He was trying to overwork Beomgyu— and then probably would complain and go on and on about how his artist had collapsed— when it was his own fucking fault. 

“Well, if you’re sure. Go on and head to bed. You’ll need a charged up body for tomorrow’s schedule.” Yeonjun smiles gently. 

“Okay, you should too, hyung.” Beomgyu smiles— and finally, finally— Yeonjun sees the real Beomgyu, he should’ve seen it earlier. The innocent, tired, abused young boy who had been trying his best only to be met with harsh expectations and a horrible company. 

“Hey, uh, Beomgyu?”

“Yeah?”

Yeonjun swallows. “I’m… really sorry.”

Beomgyu blinks, furrowing his brows. “For… what?” 

“For misunderstanding…. Amongst everything else. For… For treating you so coldly when we first met, and pushing away all the red flags and the warning signs that you weren’t being treated well by the company.”

Beomgyu freezes up. 

“Oh.” He finally says, voice all subdued. 

“Let’s be friendly, like I said earlier and… let’s get through this. Together.” Yeonjun smiles. “Starting with me packing you some snacks for tomorrow. You passed out today because of overworking your body and not eating anything since morning. Is there anything you prefer, or are craving for a work day snack?” 

Beomgyu shakes his head.

“Anything’s fine. Th… Thank you, hyung.” 

Yeonjun nods. 

“Of course.”

—

Yeonjun wakes up refreshed and ready to tackle the day— ready to be a proper bodyguard for Beomgyu and deal with everything sent flying Beomgyu’s way. He hums as he washes his face and brushes his teeth, smiles as he selects his clothes, and hums again as he slides his phone into his back pocket. His first day was a bit of a wreck and all— but he’s determined to get all his bodyguard training into the front of his brain again and do his job properly. He hadn’t come all this way just to become a floppy mess. 

It’s only seven in the morning, and Beomgyu’s schedule doesn’t start till nine, which gave Yeonjun plenty of time to get some breakfast for himself and Beomgyu, and start putting together the bag of all the snacks he’d gotten the night before on a last-minute, impromptu convenience store run; some seaweed chips, a few banana-flavored ones, some strawberry milk that Beomgyu seemed to like, some ramen chips (okay, so maybe these were more for Yeonjun himself), and a bunch of other snacks he thought the singer might like to eat in between his busy schedule. 

Yeonjun’s a bit cheery now that he’d gotten things settled between him and Beomgyu— and he can’t wrap his mind around the fact that everything had all happened in just one day. It had been a crazy first day, that was for sure. 

His phone buzzes.

Mr. Baek

Have Beomgyu meet with me and some other managers at the company building at 8:30 AM. Just a quick meeting. 

Yeonjun scowled at the message. He considered ignoring it. But…

Who knows what would happen to Beomgyu then? What if Mr. Baek comes storming here himself and drags Beomgyu off? What if I can’t stop him, or he hurts Beomgyu? Would it be better to go and listen, or stay and brace for impact? 

He sighs. He supposes he’d have to listen to that sicko in order to keep Beomgyu somewhat safe— as twisted as that was. He honestly wanted to bash that man in the face and… 

Then what? Take Beomgyu and flee the industry? 

He snorts, shaking his head and opting to go wake up Beomgyu. Or, give him a heads up that they would have to head out in an hour or so. Yeonjun gently knocks Beomgyu’s bedroom door, a stark contrast from his behavior yesterday. 

“Beomgyu?” He calls out. “We have to head out in an hour, so please wake up soon!” 

It’s silence, and Yeonjun waits a few moments, before repeating his words. Again, no response from Beomgyu. Yeonjun furrows his brows worriedly, wondering if something had happened— Beomgyu had been drugged and he was still technically on recovery mode. 

“Beomgyu…? Hey, I’m coming in, okay?” He warns, before slowly opening the door and peeking inside. The room is dark except for the sliver of sunlight coming in from between the two black-out curtains. He could (kinda) make out a desk, a wardrobe, and a bed— and on that bed was a lump under the mess of pillows and blankets and a few plushies here and there. 

“Beomgyu?” Yeonjun calls out once again. 

There’s a small groan, and then a head pops out from under the blankets. Beomgyu’s hair is rumpled and sleep clings onto his expression. Yeonjun chuckles.

“Morning bedhead,” he greets. “You still have an hour to get ready, so you can either sleep in more and just get ready quick— without that crazy half hour shower again,” he teases. “—or wake up now and get ready, and you can take a long shower.” 

Beomgyu mumbles something unintelligible under his breath.  

He’s a lump beneath his blankets once again as he flops back down, tangled up like a sleepy worm, mouth slightly open, one arm flopped above his head. His hair sticks out in every direction — pure chaos — and his cheek is squished adorably against the pillow. Like a tiny baby. How cute. 

Yeonjun grins, the kind that sneaks in without permission because he wasn’t really supposed to be like this. But then again— he promised himself he was gonna be way nicer to Beomgyu and if acting a bit like himself was the way to go, then so be it. His voice drops into a whisper, half a laugh.

He pads in quietly, socks muffling his steps as he crouches down beside the bed. Beomgyu’s breathing is soft, almost a purr, and Yeonjun watches for a second, just a second, letting himself be still. Then he’s quietly opening up the curtains, watching in amusement as Beomgyu’s face scrunches up and he groans. 

“Wake up, sleepy head! Time for breakfast, if you can’t decide on whether or not you’re showering this morning!” Yeonjun says cheerfully. He almost can’t believe yesterday— just a day ago— he was so mean to Beomgyu. Now… things were looking way up. 

—

Yeonjun drops Beomgyu off at the meeting with Mr. Baek and the supposed ‘other managers’ in a small conference room that Yeonjun is apparently not allowed inside, with a blurred window on the door— locked and… well, luckily, not as soundproof as Yeonjun feared. In case something went wrong, Yeonjun could hear it. 

As it turned out— and not much of a shocker— Yeonjun hated every word coming out of the company’s so called CEO and the managers of… what, social media and social appearances for Beomgyu? What even?!

“—almost laughable! Ha! One nice thing someone says and you’re all bowing and stumbling over for them, huh?” Someone sneers. “That new bodyguard, yeah? He’s acting all friendly, and suddenly you think he’s on your side, that right? Think he cares? Did you think there’s at least one person in this industry that cares about your wellbeing?” 

Yeonjun flinches. 

“Well, Taehyun and Soobin-ssi—” Beomgyu starts, but someone cuts him off. 

“Who even are they?” The same guy snorts. “Beomgyu. Listen to me. Stop wasting everyone’s time and being so naive. It’s only been a day and you’re already being so pathetic to that new guy. Man up, Beomgyu. No— that’s not the right word… act properly… yeah! Act properly, goddamnit. Think that new guy wants some overgrown puppy to follow him around? Grow up. You’re in an idol industry, yeah?” 

Yeonjun grits his teeth, and seriously considers barging into the meeting room. But before he can, the meeting room door bangs open and out walks three men; Mr. Baek, a middle-aged guy in a dark red suit, and another old guy in a grey suit. 

“And if you think you’re ever above the people in this industry— wake up. You’re an artist. You’re supposed to be at the bottom.” A voice sounds from inside. Then Beomgyu is stumbling outside, followed by a man not much older than Yeonjun. 

The four men glance at Yeonjun, nod at him or smirk, and walk off. Yeonjun’s more concerned about Beomgyu.

“Hey, Beomgyu—”

Beomgyu takes a step back, bowing his head. Yeonjun freezes. 

“I’m sorry— I shouldn’t have been such a burden—” The singer starts to apologize. 

Yeonjun had gone one step forward, and then three steps back, it seemed. He and Beomgyu— and Soobin too— it had all been going well and now…

Fuck. Yeonjun thinks. Just when things were looking all sunny. 

Chapter Text

Yeonjun is honestly worn out— and then he thinks he might explode when he sees Mr. Baek walking back towards them. He steps forward in an attempt to shield Beomgyu from Mr. Baek’s burning gaze, but the CEO only barks a laugh.

“Relax, son. You’re supposed to protect that overgrown mutt over there from saesangs, not his own CEO,” he says and laughs again as if it’s all some joke, calling Beomgyu— a human being— a mutt or that Beomgyu doesn’t need protecting from his own CEO— he does, and he needs it all too much. 

Yeonjun purses his lips.

“Call Beomgyu by his name— don’t call him a mutt,” he snaps out before he can stop himself. “…sir.” He adds reluctantly in a hurried attempt to not get Mr. Baek too fired up— he could hurt Beomgyu. (Not that Yeonjun would let him even lay a finger on the singer.)

Mr. Baek throws his head back in laughter. But nothing about this moment is at all funny. 

“That right, son? Yeah, yeah. Alright, Beomgyu. Happy now, Yeonjun?” 

Yeonjun grits his teeth. No matter what Mr. Baek does or says— it always gets on his nerves. This psycho should be blacklisted. 

“The ShowShowShow interview is to begin at nine, so you better get going.” Mr. Baek smirks. “Wouldn’t want Beomgyu to be late and have him face horrible backlash from the media and public about him standing up to important interviewers and backing out or something.”

Yeonjun fights the urge to scoff. 

“…Of course, Mr. Baek.” He grits out. 

“Attaboy.” 

Yeonjun jerks a bow (that he does not want to do) in Mr. Baek’s direction, and puts a gentle hand on Beomgyu’s shoulder. The younger jerks at the touch and then bows his head in a string of apologies that break Yeonjun’s heart with every frantic word spilling out. 

“Hey, Beomgyu? C’mon, let’s go.” Yeonjun says softly.

Beomgyu jerks a nod, avoiding Yeonjun’s eyes and looking at his feet, hands linked together in front of his waist. The hoodie he’s wearing— he seems to be drowing in them. And not for the first time, he looks far too small for the world he’s living in and for all the troubles coming his way. 

Yeonjun and Beomgyu turn around, and slowly shuffle down the hall. Beomgyu had toast for breakfast— but it would be good to get him some water, and maybe a snack too? Yeonjun mentally notes to get Beomgyu some snacks once they got in the car. And maybe Beomgyu could get a small nap in between— Beomgyu’s not a little kid, he’s a grown up, Yeonjun reminds himself, catching himself in the act of a fussy parent. 

“Hey, son.” 

Yeonjun bites down on his tongue and turns around. 

“Yes, Mr. Baek?” He asks politely. 

The man regards him with a long look.

“You may be untouchable— since you come from that big ass bodyguarding firm. But that doesn’t mean I don’t have my ways of making sure Beomgyu gets too comfy, yes?” Mr. Baek says— and it sounds like a threat. It may well be one. 

Yeonjun doesn’t know what to say in reponse to that kind of statement, and so he shuffles forward and tugs Beomgyu along with him. His heart thunders inside his chest, ringing around in his ears. The whole world must hear how loud and fast it was getting. He didn’t know what the hell Mr. Baek meant by that, but he didn’t want to find out. 

—

They get into the car, and Soobin glances back at them. 

“Hey! To the ShowShowShow building, right?” He asks. “Must be so exciting, Beomgyu-ssi! You’re finally getting a lot of gigs!” 

Beomgyu nods, but remains silent. 

Soobin frowns, confused by the sudden difference from the night before, and even up till this morning in the car ride to the company building. Gone was the cheerful Beomgyu that had finally opened up— and back was the clammed up one that refused to share his worries and pain, and thought himself as a burden— which he was not by any means. 

The man glances at Yeonjun for an answer, but Yeonjun just shakes his head. He would share what the managers and Mr. Baek had said to Soobin, later. Not now though. Soobin settles with that, and turns back around.

“To the interview, we go.” He says softly. 

Yeonjun shuffles through his bag and pulls out a small packet of fruit jellies, nudging it against Beomgyu’s arm. 

“Here, something light to get your sugar up and get some energy in you. I also have some juice— and water, if you prefer that instead. Let me know if you need anything to drink, or eat.” He smiles.

“…Sorry that you have to act as a babysitter.” Beomgyu mumbles and Yeonjun’s face falls.

“Wha— Beomgyu, no.” He says, crestfallen.

Beomgyu flinches. “I’m sorry—” 

“No, no, I’m not— I’m not mad— and please, don’t apologize, okay?” Yeonjun says. “You did nothing wrong— I just was upset you said that— this isn’t, like, babysitting, it’s taking care of you. And I want to do it, okay? So just… just… please. Please just let me.” 

“…Okay.” 

—

The twenty minute ride felt like ten hours, each second dragging by all too slowly. Yeonjun leaned his head against the window. 

Mr. Baek and the managers… how could they say something like that? Why would they say something like that? Beomgyu was finally trusting them, and now they were going backwards. Why did the company want to make Beomgyu so miserable? Why were they so sadistic? Treating Beomgyu like an animal, trying to make his life horrible, mistreating him, abusing him, mocking him, gaslighting him— the list could go on and on. 

He briefly considered video taping all the abuse and mistreatment and posting it online— anonymously or something— but then again, it would have to be done discreetly so the company didn’t find out— and it would have to blow up enough to arise concerns and get something done. Maybe get the company and Mr. Baek sued. But then… where would that leave Beomgyu, or the other artists? Would they be able to find a job again? Would this company be taken over, or would it fail and die out? Probably the latter.

“…concert… my concert…” Beomgyu mumbles. 

Yeonjun turns to him, escaping the rushing river of his worries. 

“That one that starts at 5:30 today?” Yeonjun frowns. “Is… something wrong?”

“I just…” Beomgyu tries and fails to say. “I… My concert… The company kept going back and forth about it… so I’m not sure if anyone will even show up. I… I wanted to show my fans that I didn’t leave— that I’m still here and I want to show them my best— that I care for them and— and that I want to continue gifting them my music and all the songs I’ve written— I want to sing it for them—” He bursts into tears. 

Yeonjun is at lost for words, and freezes up. 

Oh. 

“Beomgyu…” He finally says, feeling choked up himself. He reaches over and gently rubs Beomgyu’s shoulder. “Oh Beomgyu…” 

Soobin’s grip on the steering wheel tightens, and he grits his teeth.

“Fucking company…” He swears softly, keeping his eyes on the road. 

Yeonjun feels like saying the same thing. 

“Hey, I’m sure people will come, okay? There’s bound to be at least a few fans, right? No, I bet there’s gonna be thousands of them, and they won’t be able to all fit.” He tries to joke. “We’re gonna have to expand that venue and grab more seats for them all.”

“What if…” Beomgyu’s breath hitches as he lets out another wet sob. “What if no…. no… no one comes at all?”

“They’ll come,” Yeonjun says softly. “They will.” 

And then he leans over as much as he could while being restrained by his seatbelt, and hugs Beomgyu (awkwardly bending his body to do so). Beomgyu lets him. 

Yeonjun squeezes Beomgyu closer to himself, feeling his heart beat and hearing Beomgyu’s heartbeat with how close they were. He wanted to hold Beomgyu together, he wanted to kick that stupid company, and he wanted to be able to run fast enough to round up all the fans in the world for Beomgyu. He would, if he could. Truly. He would. 

“Hey… we’re here.” Soobin suddenly says. “The interview building, I mean.” 

Yeonjun glances outside the window and sees a dark, cream-colored building in front of them, with a big billboard of a very popular idol, boy group, TOMORROW = FOREVER, with the five members grinning as they huddled up together behind the single microphone stand, their hair colors making up the rainbow; dark red, a neon yellow, a dark blue, a dark green, and a bright pastel pink. 

Yeonjun briefly wondered if, in another life, he was an idol like that, singing and dancing and filming all sorts of things. Seeing how Beomgyu is being treated, he wasn’t sure if he could endure the industry and survive in the harsh atmosphere. 

If he could, he would create a group— one that Beomgyu could be free in, without the misery of Mr. Baek and his shitty company. He and Beomgyu together— and maybe Soobin… maybe Taehyun too? Oh yes, and that Huening Kai kid too. The five of them… idols… perhaps in another world. 

“This company hosts talk shows and interviews, but they also host stage filming for popular idol comebacks,” Soobin says, following Yeonjun’s gaze up at the billboard. 

“Oh,” Yeonjun nods. 

—

They walk inside, and a smiley-faced lady directs them over to where Beomgyu is supposed to be for the interview with someone named Kim Namjoon— and Yeonjun could only hope this interviewer was nice to Beomgyu. 

He’s so focused on worrying about Beomgyu’s interview and the fact that he and Beomgyu’s friendly relationship was going backwards— and he runs right into someone.

“Oh my, excuse me—” He starts, and then blinks. “Huening Kai?!”

“Yeonjun hyung?!” 

Huening Kai stands there, this time in a plain white shirt with, CREW, printed across the front and black trousers. His hair is tousled like he had been actively fighting a tornado, and he looks exhausted.

“You work here too?” Yeonjun asks.

“I… got fired from D’YA, actually.” Kai admits sheepishly. “But a friend of mine suggested me to the manager here, and so I’m starting my first day here today— again, as an intern. They’re keeping an eye on me to see if I fit well here— and they all seem nice here! More so than that photoshoot company!” 

“That’s good,” Yeonjun smiles. “Looks like you and Beomgyu overlap schedules again.” 

The young male’s eyes widen. 

“Hey!” He suddenly shouts.

Yeonjun blinks. 

“…Yes?”

“You left me on silent— just went silent and didn’t even bother texting me,” Huening Kai huffs. “I was so worried sick about Beomgyu-ssi. No updates, no nothing— but I didn’t want to bother anyone by calling or texting— but I thought about it— and I thought maybe one text wouldn’t hurt, but then I wasn’t sure and I— is… is Beomgyu-ssi alright?”

Yeonjun’s face relaxes. 

“Oh, yes, he’s alright. He… needed more recovery time, but his company forced more schedules on him. “Actually…” 

Yeonjun glances over to Beomgyu who is awkwardly perched on a seat while on standby for the makeup artists to return so that he could be escorted into the booth for makeup and hair before going on set for the interview.

“He’s over there, so maybe you can give him a quick hello,” he suggests.

Kai is gone in the speed of light. 

Yeonjun watches as Kai greets Beomgyu enthusiastically, the latter startled by the sudden appearance of the kid. As soon as Beomgyu stands up, Kai hugs him and bounces up and down with the singer still in hold. Beomgyu looks surprised, but his face quickly relaxes and he’s smiling.  

They talk for a bit, before makeup artists come over and rush Beomgyu into the makeup booth. Kai follows suit, and then Yeonjun jogs over. Beomgyu gets some light touches done and his hair is combed back a bit, and then he’s being given a dark brown sweater and khaki pants to dress into. 

Once that’s done, Beomgyu is led onto set, with Yeonjun following close behind, keeping watch for any threats— and anyone who might be another danger to Beomgyu, drugs or knife, or whatever it may be. 

Beomgyu bows at the interviewer, a slightly older man with dark brown hair and square glasses, with dimples that pop out when he smiles as he stands up and shakes Beomgyu’s hand in greeting. The man wears a dark blue suit and holds a set of cue cards.

They talk for a bit, and then they’re both sitting down and the cameras start rolling.

Yeonjun watches from the sidelines, out of the camera’s shot. 

“Hello everyone, and welcome to the ShowShowShow Interview! Thank you for joining our live broadcast of the interview!” The man says. “I’m Kim Namjoon and our guest here today is our country’s one and only, beloved singer, Choi Beomgyu!” 

“I… didn’t know this was being broadcasted live,” Beomgyu laughs awkwardly, glancing into the camera lense. “I’m getting more nervous now, Namjoon-ssi!” 

The man smiles gently. 

“Don’t be nervous, Beomgyu-ssi! That’s what I’m here for— for setting down all the tension and making sure our guest is comfortable! I’m sorry no one informed you of it being live, but please, tell me if I can do anything to make you more comfortable.” Namjoon says.

“Okay. Thank you.” Beomgyu smiles shyly. 

“Alright, so a lot of your fans watching may already know this, but could you give us a brief summary of who you are, for any newcomers?” Namjoon asks politely.

Beomgyu nods. 

“Ah… Hello, I’m Choi Beomgyu and I’m a singer under MEGA Entertainment. I’ve been in the industry for three years, and have been making music, and… and writing songs. I… This is boring introduction, huh?” He laughs, but it doesn’t seem sincere at all. 

Namjoon chuckles softly, the corners of his eyes crinkling behind his glasses.

“Not at all! I think people like hearing the basics from you yourself. But if you’re willing, I’d love to hear a little more. Maybe… who you are behind the artist? What’s something that fans might not see from the stage?”

Beomgyu’s smile falters for a second— barely, but it’s there.

He glances at the camera again, then down at his hands in his lap, fingers lightly twisting together.

“Uh… well,” he starts, voice quieter now. “Off-stage, I’m actually a lot more quiet. People expect me to always be loud or funny, but… I get really in my head a lot. I like being alone sometimes. I overthink lyrics, I stress over the smallest sounds in a track… I guess I’m just… kind of different from how I come off.”

He lets out a small puff of air— half a laugh, half a sigh.

Namjoon’s voice is warm.

“That sounds like someone who cares a lot about what he creates.” He says. 

Beomgyu looks up at him, then nods slowly.

“Yeah. I do. Maybe too much sometimes.”

From the sidelines, Yeonjun shifts, arms crossed as he watches. Something flickers behind his eyes— something soft, almost protective.

Namjoon nods thoughtfully, then picks up one of the cue cards.

“Let’s talk about your most recent album. There’s a lot of emotion packed into it— did that come from somewhere personal?”

Beomgyu straightens up a bit. “Yeah… very personal.”

He doesn’t elaborate. Not yet. But the way his eyes briefly flit toward Yeonjun and then back to the camera doesn’t go unnoticed.

“And please, feel free to promote your current activities. Any new concerts or fansigns?”

Beomgyu opens his mouth. 

“I… As a matter of fact… I… I have a show— a concert, today, at 5:30. I know my com— I kept going back and forth with having the show on or not, and I— I apologize for not having a fixed schedule. I understand if my fans aren’t able to attend on such short notice of it being today.” 

Namjoon frowns a little.

“Now, don’t say that! I’m sure a lot of fans will come!” He says. “I’m sure everyone will be very excited to come!  

Beomgyu smiles. “Yeah.” He says softly. 

“Did Namjoon break another mic?!” Someone says abruptly from behind Yeonjun, but he keeps his eye on Beomgyu and the interview going on. “I swear— he’s out to get all of my company’s mics! This is the sixth one, like what the hell! He keeps borrowing them— and he keeps breaking them all!” 

Yeonjun’s getting a bit curious, but he stays focused on Beomgyu. 

Another voice then pipes up: “It’s called the Kim Namjoon method. You break everything and anything you touch. Kinda like Midas’ Touch with the gold and stuff, but it’s Namjoon hyung and mic breaking.”

“Taehyung, I know.”

“Well if you know, why ask, Jin hyung?”

“It’s Mr. Kim to you, brat. Or better yet, CEO Kim.” 

“Yeah, yeah. Whatever.”

“Why you—” 

Yeonjun glances behind him, unable to hold back his curiousity any longer. A tall man in a dark purple suit stands with a slightly shorter man with curly brown hair and a boxy smile on his face as he teases at the man in the suit. 

“I am the CEO of Jinhit Entertainment! Respect me!” The purple-suit man sniffs. 

The curly haired man rolls his eyes. 

“Oh~ don’t get so bloated with pride, hyung. You’re the CEO of the company that TOMORROW = FOREVER is under. Big deal. I hate to break it to you but, you’re not in the spotlight.” 

The man in the suit gasps dramatically. 

“I practically raised those five! They’re my kids! And— And my face is all over the news, mind you!” He exclaims, waving his arms around. 

The curly-haired one just snorts in amusement, clearly used to this level of dramatics.

Yeonjun can't help the quiet laugh that slips out. They’re chaotic, sure— but in a warm, familiar kind of way. Loud, teasing, full of affection. It’s nice to see. 

He turns back toward Beomgyu, who’s still speaking calmly into the mic, all polite professionalism despite the noise behind them.

Yeonjun sighs.

If only Beomgyu could be under a company with a CEO like that guy— eccentric but proud of his artists, protective even through the jokes, and friendly to his staff (was that curly guy staff?). Maybe then things would truly start looking up for him. 

The squabble continues on, and Yeonjun opts to focus his eyes on Beomgyu, but listen to the bickering. It’s a bit funny. 

"After Namjoon finishes this interview— I’m telling him he’s fired.” CEO Jin decides.

“But he’s not even under your company?!” The other guy says incredulously. “Jin hyung— he works here, and you’re just a CEO that’s still lingering around even after your so called sons all left for their next schedule. What part of your little following-my-sons-around-for-the-day like some sort of bring-your-kid-to-work day, but it’s actually hey, bring-your-parent-in-for-work day, is of standing around for your mic to be given back?” Curly guy’s voice says. 

“Shut up,” CEO Jin grumbles. “You’re no help, not stopping Namjoon from stealing my mics.” 

Yeonjun hides his snort, and tunes into Beomgyu’s interview. 

Chapter Text

Yeonjun continues watching Beomgyu’s interview with Namjoon, and he’s thankful for how friendly the interview is, and the staff behind the cameras are all smiling reassuringly towards Beomgyu— the environment around here is definitely better, more comfortable, than with D’YA. Yeonjun’s glad, even if Beomgyu still looked a bit too stiff. 

“Poor kid— he looks so nervous, even with Namjoonie trying to ease the tension.” CEO Jin clicks his tongue. Yeonjun couldn’t agree more. “Look— his hands are shaking!”

What?

Yeonjun frowns, glancing down at Beomgyu’s hands folded over each other, placed delicately on his lap. It was out of frame from the camera (Yeonjun glanced over at the monitor to check) but they were indeed shaking. 

Yeonjun’s chest tightens. Beomgyu’s smile is calm, his voice even, but his hands— his hands told the truth. They trembled like a leaf caught in still air, subtle, but constant.

He doesn’t even try to hide it.

“Why didn’t he tell me he was this anxious?” Yeonjun murmurs, more to himself than anyone else. The two people behind him catch onto it though, and the clicks of heeled shoes draw closer to Yeonjun until he finds the tall, purple suited man standing next to him at a polite distance. 

“He probably didn’t want you to worry,” CEO Jin replies, a little softer now. ”My own boys— I mean, my company’s main boy group… you know TOMORROW = FOREVER?… well the members do that sometimes. Overworks themselves, gets a little jittery before a big stage— doesn’t tell me, ends up breaking down, all because they didn’t want to ‘bother me’.” His face twists up in anguish. 

Yeonjun swallows. The bright studio lights, the camera crew, Namjoon’s kind tone— it should all feel safe. But Beomgyu still looks like he’s bracing for something to go wrong. Like someone’s going to shout ‘cut’ and drag him offstage, like someone’s about to hurt him and he needs to be on guard for it.

Yeonjun glances back at the monitor, then at Beomgyu in real time. On the monitor is a Beomgyu, shown from head to mid-torso, in a cute outfit and with a polite smile as he answers Namjoon’s questions and laughs from time to time. But in real life… a Beomgyu sits, hands shaking where they lay on his lap. 

“Are you his manager?” CEO Jin nods in the direction of Beomgyu.

“Oh— ah, no. I’m his bodyguard.” Yeonjun answers, clearing his throat. 

CEO Jin raises an eyebrow. 

“Huh.” He says. “Sorry, I just assumed you were, because of how you standing around watching him. Managers usually do that. Bodyguards rarely show interest in their artists beside security stuff— so I’m glad Beomgyu-ssi has such a good friend of a bodyguard!” CEO Jin smiles. 

“Yeah… A friend…” Yeonjun echoes. 

—

After the ShowShowShow interview, they go onto the next few schedules— an interview with a kind lady at the RadioM one, and a gruff but somewhat nice man at the JunMinB Talkshow— and then Beomgyu is being measured and put into different outfits during the outfit fitting slot (pastel colored sweaters, pale brown outfits that make him look like a cute teddy bear, and some others), and then they’re finally at the venue for Beomgyu’s concert.

To Yeonjun relief, a few people are already starting to trickle in— there was hope that the concert seats wouldn’t be completely empty. He had already considered calling a few of his friends for them to fill up the seats, but maybe it wouldn’t be necessary? 

As soon as they start heading inside the venue, they’re stopped by someone walking over to them. A tall man in a dark green silk shirt and black trousers, with black sunglasses tucked over his shirt collar, strides over with a slick grin. 

“Ahhhh, hello.” He drawls. “Nice to meet you all, lovely day isn’t it, hm?” 

Yeonjun stares at him.

“And, uh… who might you be?” He raises an eyebrow. “Are you authorized to be in this building? If not, I’ll have to ask you to leave, sir—”

The man laughs. 

“Ah, so you’re the bodyguard, hm? Stepping up to protect your artist, very good.” He sounds so condescending that it makes Yeonjun feel a bit sick just hearing him. It’s as if this man doesn’t have an ounce of respect for anyone at all— at least, from the way he’s sneering down on them and talking to them in the way he was. 

The man then holds up an ID badge, with a ID picture of him and the name, LEE JAEMIN, with the MEGA Entertainment logo underneath it. 

This didn’t seem like good news at all. 

“Lee Jaemin, you see? Beomgyu’s new manager. The company mentioned he didn’t have a manager since the last one got fired a year ago, and that their poor bodyguard was being forced to take on both bodyguard and manager roles. Dreadful— absolutely a mess— dreadful!” The man said. “So naturally, they hired me. I’ll be working alongside you. You protect him, I manage.” 

Oh no, Yeonjun thinks. Oh fuck no. 

And sadly, for the rehearsal, Yeonjun is to join the rest of security and take charge of making rounds, and Beomgyu is put in the hands of his new manager. Yeonjun tried to protest, but Jaemin would have none of it, and dismissed Yeonjun right away, before forcibly dragging Beomgyu off. Beomgyu looked panicked to be going off with a man he’d just met— and looked as if he wanted Yeonjun to come along with him, twisting his head to look back at Yeonjun with widened eyes that practically screamed ‘save me’.

Yeonjun did— well, at least, he tried to follow after, but another security guard got in his way and started dragging Yeonjun away.  

Yeonjun didn’t see Beomgyu for the rest of the rehearsal.

—

To his luck, he secured a spot where he could see Beomgyu on stage, just in time for the concert to start. And to his relief, the venue was filled— not completely, but it didn’t look all too empty either. Fans held up homemade signs and waved their phone flashlights around in support. 

Beomgyu rose up on stage, just as artificial fog started to roll across the stage, white and blue mixing together, and the bright lights shining a spotlight on Beomgyu who now stood in the middle of everything. 

The stylists had left his hair fluffy, and he wore a white shirt with a black and blue leather jacket over it and ripped jeans. It was a nice look— and he really looked like a singer now, standing on stage with a mic in hand and a genuine smile lighting his face. His eyes— they practically glowed. 

Yeonjun stared.

So… this was why Beomgyu continued to sing and stay in the company, even though they treated him so horribly. This is why he never quit. He was a singer— he was born to be one. He practically shined on stage, holding that mic, under the gleaming spotlight. 

“Thank you for coming, everyone, even with such short notice! I’ll get the show started now, right away, so I hope everyone enjoys tonight’s show!” Beomgyu says, his voice amplified through the speakers set around the venue.

The crowd cheers loudly. 

“This is my new single, Panic. It’s the first time I’m performing this so… please listen carefully!” He smiles, even though his eyes look so sad all of a sudden. Something catches in Yeonjun’s throat at the look of utter pain, hidden behind a shining smile. 

The lights dim a little, and the smoke fades. And Beomgyu is left in the middle of the stage, in the dimmed yellow spotlight. 

And then… Beomgyu sings. 

Close my eyes

I want to escape to somewhere far away

I'm left here in this silent room

All alone

Yeonjun’s breath hitches. Oh. Beomgyu’s voice…. is amazing— and the lyrics itself… Did Beomgyu write them?

You can't pick up

The pain that has drifted away

It still remains the same

These nights are growing deeper

What if it had been you?

The back track slowly grows louder as the chorus hits, and Beomgyu closes his eyes, leaning into his emotions and bending down a little to belt out the chorus.

Beneath the dark night

Let's not stay here, but move on

In the days of bruises

Every step we take

You and I

Will find our way through

Yeonjun’s eyes watered. 

This is my answer~

Scratch that— he was full on sobbing at this point (okay not really, but he was, internally). Beomgyu had spilled out all his emotions into his voice as he sang, and the lyrics… it had definitely come from his heart. It wasn’t something that could just be written in a snap. And there was so much truth inside the lyrics, behind each word.

After Panic, Beomgyu sang a couple more songs— Sukidakara, Wonder, 4 O’Clock, Forest. He went backstage mid-way for a quick outfit change as the screen featured his latest music video, for Panic, and then he was back in a yellow shirt and brown trousers with tiny yellow flowers in his hair. He danced for a few songs, sang for a couple more, and then the conert had come to an end. 

“Thank you so much for coming, everyone! I really appreciate it— and I’m…” Beomgyu’s voice hitched. “I’m really grateful… that I got to share my love of music to everyone… to my fans… I’m really glad that I got to gift my songs— and perform for everyone. I’m… I’m really happy to be back on stage and seeing my fans again. I’m so glad you all stayed even though… even though I couldn’t give as much. So… thank you. Thank you so much.” 

+  +

@CBG4Eva

Did y’all see Beomgyu today during his concert?? Like OMG what???? He’s back and he’s on FIREEEEE 🔥🔥🔥

@Sweetgyulover

Thank you to those of you who uploaded videos of Beomgyu’s concert!! I didn’t get to go in person because I’m too far to get there on time 😭 like what the heck so unfair! But at least I got to see through videos! 😅 Way to Gyu~! I’m so proud of you! 

@Gyusideeye

Wtf Beomgyu?! That ending ment??? Literally had me in TEARS like Beomgyu you can’t just say stuff like that ugh snot and tears and all that shit rn omg 

@beomyuwu

“Gift my songs”? “Glad you all stayed”? 🥺 Beomgyu… OFC WE STAYED LIKE WHY WOULD WE EVER LEAVE OMGGG AND LIKE FKJECWDHJKNE THAT’S SUCH A BEAUTIFUL THING TO SAY GIFT SONGS SO SO GLAD I’M A FAN AHHHHH EBHJQADGBIJKE

@Rbgkjdhjjhgkj

What’s the deal with this Choi Beomgyu singer? Blowing up online. Big deal. Shitty singer came back to sing after abandonning his fans, and has the fucking audacity to return and makes some cheesy ment to hook his fans again. What a player. 

@Mylovegyu

CHOI BEOMGYU! CHOI BEOMGYU! Everybody with me! CHOI BEOMGYU! CHOI BEOMGYU! CHOI BEOMGYU! 

Reply to @Rbgkjdhjjhgkj

↪ @Riseandshinegyuishere

Literally stfu anti 🙄 you don’t even know him. The company literally said he had HEALTH ISSUES like is that not worrying you? Bet you don’t even follow him or anything— just making stupid comments and getting everyone all riled up.  

Reply to @Rbgkjdhjjhgkj

↪ @Me.and.gyu.sitting.in.a.tree

WTF????? He never abandoned us! 😤

Reply to @Me.and.gyu.sitting.in.a.tree

↪ @GyuGyu

Ok don’t attack me here… Not taking any one side but… Beomgyu kinda did leave us for a long while, silent on social media, no songs or media or anything, just went radio silent. I mean, celebrities usually upload one or two things during health concern hiatuses— even just a selca or something y’know…? He had nothing.

Reply to @Riseandshinegyuishere

↪ @Izizie

Lol, what health issues? Seems normal to me.

Reply to @GyuGyu

↪ @4kGyuBear

Yeah I noticed that too!! Just disappeared, thought he died. And then he suddenly comes back with this concert out of nowhere and expects us to come and just be all cool like hey nice you’re back?? Like no explainations whatsoever?? We were worried!!

@Idolnumberonefan

Is Choi Beomgyu even sick? He was gone and off the grid for a long while because: “health issues regarding our artist Choi Beomgyu and so he will be temporarily suspending his activities due to these health-related concerns” as copied and pasted from that official notice. And he’s just popping back out, doesn’t look like he’s sick or hurt or anything. Seems fine. 

@GyuIsBackSoScream

Y’all act like health issues are always VISIBLE 🙄 ever heard of mental health?

@beargyubear

He doesn’t owe us details about his suffering. He came back. That’s all that matters. Like calm down guys. 

@myteddybear

The way he cried during that last song… y’all REALLY think he faked it?? Like genuinely. No way someone can fake that kinda thing. 

@GeeGeeBee

Honestly think the label used ‘health issues’ as a PR cover. His image was tanking.

#ChoiBeomgyuFakeHiatus

@ IJBOL-itis

Cheesy lines and teary eyes to hook the gullible fans back in lol it worked though.

@kinggyu

OK BUT THAT HIGH NOTE IN THE 3RD SONG?? KING IS BACK 🔥🔥🔥

@beamgyu

Did anyone else sob uncontrollably or was that just me 😭

#BeomgyuComeback

@Iategarlic

It’s kinda weird, just coming back like that. Beomgyu what’s going on???

@Kaikaihuekai

I trust that Beomgyu had his own reasons for going MIA and I’m happy that he’s back, seriously. Beomgyu shouldn’t have to explain his reasons and I’m actually a bit worried for him. I hope he’s happy being back and that he isn’t feeling pressured when he just returned. Beomgyu, hwaiting!

@T=F.4Gud

Hey T=F fan here (TOMORROW = FOREVER for those who don’t know T=F is their abbreviated name) I saw the live broadcast of Beomgyu’s interview with Kim Namjoon and Beomgyu looks so happy. He seemed genuine talking about his music. 

@beomgyumusicisslay

Guess he got his rest and is back to rock and roll again.

#BeomgyuComeback

Chapter Text

Yeonjun isn’t a fan of the new manager. At all. 

First he dragged Beomgyu away and kept Yeonjun away for the entire rehearsal, and then, as soon as the concert is over and Yeonjun is making his way over to Beomgyu backstage, the guy drags Beomgyu off for some “light talking on his performance” to who knows where— and Yeonjun had been left running around trying to track the two, worried sick that the manager might do something to the already terrified-of-company-people Beomgyu.

He finally finds the manager and Beomgyu in the car, with a Soobin who quietly informed Yeonjun that the two of them had just entered the car, and… that Beomgyu had boarded with red eyes and tears still rolling down his cheeks, with a stoic-faced Lee Jaemin. 

Yeonjun is seething— and he’s about to burst when Jaemin tells him he can’t sit in the back with Beomgyu, and should be sitting up front like a “good bodyguard”. Yeonjun argues— but Jaemin ended up winning the little argument and gives a smug smile in Yeonjun’s direction as he storms up front and plops down in the passenger seat. It seemed Lee Jaemin was ten years his elder— and respect had to be played into the whole damn thing. 

And then, when Yeonjun tried to twist his head to check up on Beomgyu sitting in the back with the god awful manager, that said god awful manager clicks his tongue and jerks a single finger in a gesture for Yeonjun to turn back around— like he was some misbehaving kid. The nerve! 

Lee Jaemin instructs Soobin to drive them over to the next schedule— it’s already 7:04 PM and Beomgyu still has more for the day, how ridiculous— and Soobin quietly obeys. Yeonjun seethes from his seat up front, and he can practically feel the tension in the air, with a quiet Soobin, a smug Jaemin, and a nervous (maybe even terrified) Beomgyu. 

So this is what Mr. Baek had meant. 

—

At the Let’sStar interview with a tall lady with blond hair and a too-short red dress, Beomgyu is seated on a white stool as the interviewer lady sits on another beside him, again too close for comfort, and it’s clear Beomgyu’s uncomfortable, though he makes no move to get away or scooch over a bit, in case people took it the wrong way. 

Yeonjun’s growing increasingly frustrated at everyone. 

Lee Jaemin slouches on a nearby couch and immediately goes on his phone, evidentally not even interested in Beomgyu now that he’s on set and on camera for the interview shoot. Yeonjun fights the urge to roll his eyes. 

“So, Beomgyu-ssi! I hear you just had a concert! That’s awesome, darling!” The lady grins. “My name’s Song Jia.”

“Hello, nice to meet you,” Beomgyu says politely. “Thank you for having me here tonight.” 

“No problem, darling,” the lady purrs. “Ooh, you’re so handsome up close and in person! Bet your fans are all absolutely falling over for you!” 

She leans even closer and Yeonjun grits his teeth. He wants to storm onto the set and pull that fucking lady away from Beomgyu. He probably had the right to, as Beomgyu’s bodyguard, if he claimed the lady was being a danger to the singer or claimed it was a matter of the singer’s protection. 

“So, I hear you released a lot of songs! They all have a similar vibe— all cozy and warm, and all very emotional ballads. Now, don’t get me wrong, they’re all very nice but… don’t you have any plans to release any… other genres? Maybe a bit seductive? After all, you have such a nice face.” The lady says.

Beomgyu’s face sours a little, even though he tries to control his expression.

Yeonjun grits his teeth even harder. Honestly, he can’t even hear Beomgyu’s responses— all he could focus on was the furrow in Beomgyu’s brows and the tremble in his eyes, the shaking of his hands—  he wanted to pull Beomgyu away and tuck him in bubble wrap, away from all these cameras and that fucking interview lady. 

“So, Beomgyu-ssi… Be honest— are you single right now? Or is there a lucky someone we don’t know about?” Song Jia asks teasingly— or at least, she pretends it’s just all jokes. 

Beomgyu laughs nervously. “No, I’m still— still single.” 

“Well, still single, huh? Some lucky gal might snatch you up real soon then!” She winks. Beomgyu laughs nervously again, and glances at the camera, before setting his attention on the lady. 

“Oh… You’ve always had such pretty eyes. Did anyone ever tell you you look even better when you cry? I saw that clip from the concert— whew! What a look!” Song Jia giggles. 

“Oh… uhm… thank you?” 

“Fans are all going crazy on social media,” Song Jia says. “I’m honestly going a bit cray-cray too!” 

Beomgyu looks as if he doesn’t know how to respond to that— Yeonjun doesn’t know either— and so the singer settles for yet another nervous laugh.

Song Jia looks at him quietly for a long moment and Beomgyu squirms in his seat. 

“Wow… You're so quiet and polite— are you like that all the time, or do you have a wild side no one knows about?” She finally asks, smiling sweetly again. 

“I— I’m like this all the time,” Beomgyu answers. “Uhm… are there any questions I can answer about my… my music… or….?” 

Song Jia frowns, slightly, but it’s obviously there. She lets out a quiet huff and starts asking some basic questions with a smaller, less excited smile and dull eyes. Obviously she had lost interest once Beomgyu turned the topic away from what she wanted. 

Stupid interviewers. 

—

The LBlizFashion photoshoot was held at a large building in a open-spaced studio with a black background and golden lights shining down on the set. Beomgyu was rushed into the makeup room, and this time, Yeonjun figures Beomgyu would be okay in there with only the makeup artists and stylist ladies who all seemed very sweet, without Lee Jaemin allowed inside either, and so he makes rounds to make sure no other would be drugging Beomgyu. 

Yeonjun returns to find Beomgyu standing by the cameras on standby for the photoshoot to begin. It seems the photographer is yet to arrive.

Beomgyu looks stunning, in a silky black dress shirt with golden tear drops dangling from the front, with flowy black pants to match, and dark brown heels. His hair is slicked back a little bit and it seems the makeup artists did a bit of a shadowy makeup over his eyes, with his lips a little more redder and plumper. 

…Unfortunately Lee Jaemin is standing next to Beomgyu and seemed to be muttering something to the singer, who looked increasingly anxious and uncomfortable. 

Yeonjun hurries over— though the studio is huge. 

“Suck in your stomach a bit, yeah?” Jaemin was muttering to Beomgyu. “Can’t have a singer looking too fat, yeah?” 

Beomgyu obeys, face twisting up in discomfort. It looked a bit abnormal with his stomach curving inwards like that— he looked skinny enough, and the manager was making him suck in his stomach, making comments like that?! Did he even have eyes or—?!

Yeonjun blew out a breath. 

Calm down, Yeonjun-ah. You can’t punch that guy for a comment no one else heard and probably everyone else will think I’m insane for punching the supposed ‘lovely’ manager. 

Yeonjun quickens his pace even more until he reaches them. He sides up a little between Beomgyu and Jaemin to separate the guy from Beomgyu, with a cheery smile. Beomgyu looks relieved, the tension seeming to melt out of him as he shuffles closer to Yeonjun, almost hiding himself behind Yeonjun’s frame. Yeonjun’s chest puffed out a bit, happy to see Beomgyu saw him as a safe place. This is why he wanted to become a bodyguard— to protect people, to see them feel safe around him, feel secured. 

Jaemin narrows his eyes, but backs off. 

“Uhm… thank you, Yeonjun-ssi.” Beomgyu says shyly.

“Hyung,” Yeonjun correct. “I told you, call me hyung.” 

Beomgyu glances up at him. 

“Thank you, Yeonjun hyung.” 

And Yeonjun smiles. 

“Yeah, of course.” 

—

The photographer comes in a little while, laughing and apologizing for being so late. He wears a bright yellow and green shirt with baggy shorts, and glasses too big for him that they keep sliding off his face. He introduces himself as Baek Gongseo, and Yeonjun narrows his eyes as the guy gets too close to Beomgyu and brushes his hand over Beomgyu’s arm that has Beomgyu flinching. 

Jaemin and Yeonjun are sent to go sit by the couches and then the photographer is wiggling himself onto his seat and ushering Beomgyu over to go sit on the chair on set. 

Yeonjun crosses his legs, perched on one of the seats avaliable. This, and then they were going home. Just one more photoshoot, and then all the schedules for the day would be done. He hoped Mr. Baek would give Beomgyu a rest tomorrow. For now, all Yeonjun could do is just watch. 

Beomgyu shifts awkwardly on set as the stylist adjusts his collar. The studio lights are too hot, even for Yeonjun, sitting a little farther back, so he can’t even begin to imagine what Beomgyu must be going through. 

The photographer clicks his tongue from behind the camera.

“Okay, Beomgyu— chin up a little. Eyes softer. You look like you’re at a funeral.”

Beomgyu forces a small smile. Fixes his expression. 

Click.

“Better,” Baek Gongseo mutters. “Now bite your lip.”

Beomgyu hesitates.

The photographer lowers the camera slightly and grins.

“C’mon, I’ve seen your concert photos. You know how to make the fans go wild. Just a little teeth, yeah? Like you’re asking for it.”

Beomgyu's smile falters. His fingers curl slightly at his sides.

From his spot, Yeonjun stiffens. His arms are crossed, jaw clenched. He doesn’t move— yet. He can’t claim anything when the photographer’s technically doing his job… somewhat. 

“Perfect,” Baek Gongseo hums, clicking a few more shots. “Now lean back on your hands. Let the shirt ride up a bit. Looks good when your waist is showing.”

Beomgyu doesn’t move.

The photographer lowers the camera again.

“Aw… You deaf now?” he says, too sweet. “C’mon. Don’t act all modest. You’ve got a body. Use it.”

Beomgyu lets out a soft breath, expression tight. He shifts into position slowly, deliberately— not because he’s following the photographer’s words, but because he wants this to be over fast.

Click. Click.

“Mmm. Sexy. That pout? Killer,” the photographer says. “Bet your fans wonder what you sound like when you moan.”

The camera shutter doesn’t even click that time.

Beomgyu’s eyes drop to the floor.

There’s a pause.

And then—

Yeonjun moves.

He doesn’t shout. Doesn’t storm. Just walks. Quiet and precise, the heavy kind of silence that makes everyone look up at him. 

He steps between Beomgyu and the photographer, one hand resting lightly on Beomgyu’s shoulder. Protective. That’s all he feels right now. Rage, and protectiveness. The look he gives the photographer is ice cold.

“Photoshoot’s done,” Yeonjun says calmly. “We’re leaving.”

The photographer raises a brow. “Excuse me?!”

“You heard me,” Yeonjun replies, not raising his voice. “You got enough shots. If you need more, talk to management.”

Beomgyu hasn’t moved. His hands are folded tightly in his lap now. He’s not even looking at either of them, head bowed down and hands trembling. 

The photographer’s eyes flicker between the two of them.

“Tsk. You bodyguards take your jobs too seriously. I was just giving some direction. He’s a professional, isn’t he?”

Yeonjun’s smile doesn’t reach his eyes.

“Try something like that again, and see how professional I get.”

For a second, no one breathes.

Then Yeonjun turns slightly, placing a hand on Beomgyu’s back.

“C’mon.”

And Beomgyu rises without a word, shuffling behind Yeonjun as he leads the way. 

As they walk off set, Yeonjun’s hand never leaves him. And though neither of them speak, the weight of that silence is louder than anything the photographer ever said.

—

Beomgyu takes a deep breath. 

“I… I don’t want to do this shoot anymore.” He says to Jaemin. “I… I’ve had enough.” 

Lee Jaemin scoffs. 

“You know, some idols would kill for a shoot like this. You could at least pretend to be grateful.”

Beomgyu flinches, but for once, he doesn’t back down. 

“The photographer— you heard what he was saying, right? I… I can’t do this.” 

Lee Jaemin shakes his head. “That’s what goes on in the industry. Just deal with it. Now go back, and continue the shoot.

“But I—”

In slowmotion, Yeonjun watches as Jaemin’s hand makes contact with Beomgyu’s cheek, and as Beomgyu falls, collapsing in a heap of limps, head bowed, down to the ground with a sharp, pained cry. 

Yeonjun’s frozen for a single second, before he’s running over and fumbling over Beomgyu’s body on the floor, before glaring up at the manager.

“Oh, don’t look at me like that, yeah? Just doing my job. And you shouldn’t have butted in like that either.” Lee Jaemin clicks his tongue. “I just slapped some sense into Beomgyu, yeah? Now be a good bodyguard and bring this kid back on set. We still got more to shoot.” 

Chapter Text

Yeonjun puts a gentle hand on Beomgyu’s curled up form, rubbing circles onto the younger man’s back as he continues to glare up at the manager. 

“You can’t just hit your artist like that,” he seethes. “This is abuse.”

Lee Jaemin shrugs. “Not if no one sees it, and the public doesn’t know.”

…What? What?!

“Motherfucker,” Yeojun mutters under his breath. 

The manager narrows his eyes. 

“Repeat that, I dare you.” 

Yeonjun grits his teeth, and he would but— the manager had some sort of status, and he couldn’t risk getting fired and leaving Beomgyu alone in the shitty industry full of equally horrible people.

Jaemin smirks. “Ha, that’s what I thought. Now get Beomgyu up and ready for the shoot. I’ll go apologize to the photographer for making a scene and have him continue. We can’t risk things getting out and ruining Beomgyu’s chances of gigs, right?” 

Yeonjun is livid.

“The shoot’s over. You can’t expect Beomgyu to continue— not with that photographer!” He snarls out and Lee Jaemin snorts.

“Of course he can. Just deal with—”

There’s a knock on the door and a head pokes in— a young guy with dirty blond hair and a nervous smile. 

“Uhm, hello, hi.” 

Yeonjun and Jaemin stare at him. 

“Sorry to interupt your, uh, conversation, but Gongseo-ssi refuses to continue the shoot with Beomgyu-ssi.” The guy says awkwardly.

Jaemin whirls to Yeonjun.

“This is your fucking fault. Now the shoot’s ruined and you can probably kiss Beomgyu’s career goodbye.” He hisses, and then laughs. “Good for the two of you then.”

Yeonjun’s heart drops.

No. This wasn’t what he’d meant to do— he didn’t mean to ruin Beomgyu’s career or anything— he just wanted to protect Beomgyu from that nasty photographer and his inappropriate comments!

“But!” The staff guy says quickly, still by the doorway, only his head visible. “We have another photographer who says he’s willing to take over! He’s still kind of an assistant to Gongseo-ssi, but I promise you, his skills are really good!” 

Yeonjun blows a sigh of relief, and then pauses. What if this other photographer was equally bad? What if he wasn’t any better than Baek Gongseo, and also made rude and inappropriate commentary?

“Alright then, what’s everyone waiting for?” Lee Jaemin says loudly. “Let’s get going with this other photographer guy.”

Yeonjun opens his mouth to protest, but the staff guy nods with a brightened expression and hurries off to inform the rest of the staff that they were continuing the shoot. 

Lee Jaemin smirks, and saunters off.

“Get Beomgyu up and ready. We don’t have time to waste.” 

He slams the door after him. 

Yeonjun bites down a curse word or two.

—

Beomgyu is trembling on the ground, and Yeonjun’s heart clenches up. How could Lee Jaemin do this to him?! Yeonjun gently stroke Beomgyu’s hair.

“Hey, it’s okay— well, not really— but seriously… do you need me to grab an ice pack? Fuck, that’s a stupid question— I’ll be back—” Yeonjun is interupted by Beomgyu slowly raising himself up, eyes watery and his left cheek bright red with a handprint. Fuck, that’s gotta hurt. 

“It’s… It’s okay.” 

Yeonjun was getting up again but he quickly kneels back in front of him, eyes wide and panicked.

“No, it’s not,” he says, voice cracking. “None of this is okay, Beomgyu. You shouldn’t have to— fuck.”

He swallows hard, trying not to let his own emotions spiral. Beomgyu’s shaking, and it’s clear he’s trying to hold it together again, lips pressed tight, eyes refusing to meet Yeonjun’s. He’s been hurt— slapped, abused by his manager— and he’s still trying to stand back up to please the guy and do what he asks of him?! How ridiculous! 

“You don’t have to say that,” Yeonjun murmurs, gently cupping Beomgyu’s uninjured cheek. “You don’t have to protect him. Why should you?”

Beomgyu’s eyes flicker up to meet his. For a second, just a second, the mask slips, and the fear underneath rushes out.

“…I’m scared,” he whispers. “If I mess this up, if I complain— he’ll tell the others I’m difficult. That I’m not worth hiring. He really will ruin my career like he said— and I think it’s messed up already, and I’m— I’m just not worth anything.”

Yeonjun lets out a slow breath, forcing himself to stay steady even as rage coils inside his chest. This was all partly his fault too, but how could he have just stood by watching?!

“You are so worth it,” he says, quietly fierce. “You don’t have to prove anything to people like him.”

He helps Beomgyu sit up fully, keeping one arm protectively around his waist as Beomgyu leans against him, seemingly unable to find his own balance after being crumpled up on the floor and from being hit in the face. 

“I don’t care what happens with the shoot,” Yeonjun says, softer now. “If you want to stop, we’re walking out of here. I’ll deal with the fallout. I’ll deal with Lee Jaemin. You don’t have to face any of this alone, okay?”

There’s a beat of silence.

“…Do you think the new photographer’s safe?” Beomgyu asks, voice paper-thin.

Yeonjun clenches his jaw.

“I don’t know… If he’s not, we’re out. No second chances. No more letting people hurt you.”

Beomgyu nods, slowly. And Yeonjun thinks maybe— maybe for the first time today— there’s a flicker of trust in his eyes.

—

The dirty-blond hair guy from earlier introduces himself as Jake, and waves over the supposed ‘other photographer’ from the crowd of staff. It’s a tall guy, who looked younger than Yeonjun himself (but older than a teenager obviously), with narrow eyes and fluffy white-blond hair (though his black roots were starting to show). He was wearing a casual black hoodie with baggy jeans (why did it have so many zippers?), and he shot Yeonjun a gentle smile as he approached Yeonjun and Beomgyu, and Jake too, standing beside the two of them.

Once the white-blond guy arrives, Jake pats his back and then shoots off towards the staff, calling out orders for props and camera adjustments. 

Yeonjun turns his attention on the new photographer. 

“Hey, I’m Nishimura Riki— but call me Ni-ki. I’ll be taking over for Gongseo-sunbaenim.” He says, and whoa, his voice is really deep. “I’m still his assistant, but I take photos on my own and take over for him sometimes, so I’ve done this kinda thing before.” 

Yeonjun nods. Ni-ki didn’t seem all that bad, but of course, he had no idea what he might be like with Beomgyu— just like he hadn’t really known before Gongseo held the camera. 

Ni-ki glances at Beomgyu, hidden behind Yeonjun’s frame and head ducked down.

“Hey,” he says softly. “Choi Beomgyu, right? Nice to meet you, Beomgyu-ssi.” He bows his head in polite greeting. 

Beomgyu peeks over Yeonjun’s shoulder and gave a tiny nod and a mumbled, “You too, Ni-ki-ssi”, before looking back at his feet again. Ni-ki didn’t seem at all bothered by that, and continued smiling gently.

“If you’re ready, we can start the shoot right away. And uh…” Ni-ki glances behind him at all the staff milling around. “…I heard what Gongseo-sunbaenim was saying to you while he was taking photos and… I sincerely apologize on his behalf.” He says in a quieter tone. 

Yeonjun’s eyes widened, and Beomgyu seemed equally surprised, judging by his soft, “oh!”, from behind him. 

“Gongseo-sunbaenim… I’ve worked with him for about a year, and he’s always been really… weird to the clients, always making comments to them. But everyone brushes his actions and words off as being part of the job, and none of the clients ever go against him... no one does because his work always comes out great.” Ni-ki continues, a little bitterly. “And this time around… I couldn’t stand watching it. His comments were even worse today, more than the other times. I’m sorry Gongseo-sunbaenim said all those things, but hopefully I can improve your impression of this company. It’s quite a great one— minus Gongseo-sunbaenim of course.” 

Beomgyu’s eyes were wide, and he was stepping forward from behind Yeonjun. 

“Oh, uh, thank you. That would be great.” He mumbles. “I look forward to working with you then, Ni-ki-ssi.”

“The same goes for me,” Ni-ki bows his head. “Shall we?” He smiles gently, gesturing at the set. Beomgyu nods. 

Yeonjun smiles a little. Well, maybe Ni-ki wouldn’t be so bad after all. 

—

Yeonjun, feeling a bit paranoid even though Ni-ki seemed like a decent guy, especially after admitting Gongseo was in the wrong and then even apologizing for it, and decided to watch Ni-ki and Beomgyu, this time a little closer to the actual set.

Lee Jaemin had disappeared— and a quick chat with another staff informs him that the manager had gone to the car after seeing Ni-ki would be taking over. Yeonjun could only hope Lee Jaemin wasn’t going off and tattletaling anything to anyone, especially the company. 

Ni-ki is gentle in the way he talks to Beomgyu, asking Beomgyu what would be more comfortable for him— sitting down or standing up?— and calling out for the staff to adjust the lighting a bit so it wasn’t so bright and hot on Beomgyu. Beomgyu looks a lot more comfortable— and upon finding out Ni-ki was indeed younger than him by four years, he told Ni-ki he could call him ‘hyung’.

Ni-ki looks a bit startled, but quickly grins. “Okay, Beomgyu hyung!” 

It reminds Yeonjun a bit of Huening Kai— him and Ni-ki both were literal babies— and he chuckles. It would be nice if Huening Kai was here too. 

Ni-ki situates himself on the chair and picks up the camera. Yeonjun tenses up, knowing Ni-ki was probably going to be nice to Beomgyu seeing his actions till now but… now that Ni-ki was going into work-mode…. 

Beomgyu looks a bit nervous too, looking at the camera Ni-ki now holds up, but he maintains a shaky smile. 

Ni-ki lifts the camera but pauses before clicking anything. His eyes peek over the top, and he tilts his head slightly.

"Beomgyu hyung, do you want to try some test shots first?" He asks gently. "No posing— just you, just breathing. You don’t even have to look at the lens. We’re just figuring out angles, lighting, that sort of thing."

Beomgyu blinks. 

“Okay,” he then says, voice barely audible.

Ni-ki grins.

“Cool. Sit however you like— don’t worry about posture or angles or anything. You could literally slouch and I’d still make it work.”

That earns the tiniest twitch of a smile from Beomgyu. He moves to sit on the low prop stool placed off-center on the set. Yeonjun takes a few careful steps back, giving him and Ni-ki space but staying close enough that Beomgyu could see him if he looked up.

Ni-ki adjusts the lighting himself instead of barking orders, and lowers the camera again as he walks to tweak a reflector.

“Hyung,” he calls out softly from the side, “you okay if I turn this one a little more toward you? It might bring out the softer shadows under your jaw.”

Beomgyu blinks at him, like no one had ever asked before— they probably just did it, this fucking industry and all.

“Yeah, sure,” he murmurs.

Ni-ki nods and tweaks it. He returns to the camera, lifts it again, and says: “Okay, here comes one test shot— just blink like normal, you don’t have to freeze.”

Click.

Beomgyu flinches a little at the sound.

Ni-ki doesn’t react harshly. Instead, he just lowers the camera immediately.

“Too soon?” he asks, a small furrow in his brows. “Do you want to hear it a couple times without being photographed? Might help you get used to it again.”

Beomgyu hesitates. Then he nods.

“Sure. I… I think that’d help. Thank you, Ni-ki.”

Ni-ki clicks the shutter a few times, not pointing the lens at Beomgyu, just letting the soft click, click, click fill the space like harmless background noise. 

Beomgyu exhales slowly.

“Thanks,” he says, and this time when he speaks, his voice isn’t as small. His shoulders have lost the previous tension. He looks more relaxed now. 

Yeonjun’s chest feels a little less tight. This— this is how people in the industry should treat each other. This— this comfortable, friendliness… He could literally hug Ni-ki right now if it wasn’t so awkward hugging a kid he’d just met. 

Ni-ki glances at Yeonjun, just once, and gives him a tiny nod. Yeonjun nods back. Yeah, they were cool. Ni-ki had proven himself. 

“Alright,” Ni-ki says after a beat. “Want to try a real one now? We can do something low-pressure. Maybe… imagine you’re waiting at a bus stop in the rain. You don’t want to be there, but you’re making the best of it. Just you, your thoughts, a bit of sky.”

Beomgyu lets out a surprised laugh. “That’s really specific.”

Ni-ki grins. “Photography is just acting without sound, hyung. It’s a form of art.”

Beomgyu lifts his chin slightly. His shoulders are still a little stiff, but there's a shift in his gaze— something faint, like a shimmer of calm settling in. He crosses one leg over the other, adjusts the shirt around his shoulders, and looks slightly off to the left of the lens.

Ni-ki lifts the camera.

Click.

Click.

Click.

He lowers it again and walks over slowly, holding the screen out.

“These aren’t final edits or anything, but here— just to show you.”

Beomgyu peers at the display. His eyes widen a bit. Yeonjun wants to see the pictures too— but doesn’t want to interupt their session. It was technically work. 

“You look thoughtful here,” Ni-ki says quietly, but loud enough that Yeonjun could hear him from the sidelines. “It’s really gentle. I think it looks nice.”

Beomgyu swallows. “I didn’t think… it would come out like that.”

Ni-ki smiles. “I take pictures to reflect what they want to show. Even if it’s just a sliver. And yeah, I suppose this is what you want to show to the world— even if you don’t know it yet.”

And for the first time today, Beomgyu straightens up.

“Let’s keep going,” he says, steadier now. 

“Of course, hyung.” Ni-ki grins. 

—

Yeonjun ends up wandering to the couches, satisfied with Ni-ki’s behavior towards Beomgyu, enough to trust he would continue being nice to Beomgyu. He stays half-shadowed behind one of the set dividers, sitting on the couch. 

Ni-ki and Beomgyu are still working— though Ni-ki takes a few minutes in between to get Beomgyu some water and some snacks. Ni-ki really is amazing. All photographers should be like him, not that Gongseo bastard. 

Yeonjun watches from a farther distance, as the younger man crouches slightly to Beomgyu’s eye level, not towering over him like Gongseo had, not throwing out orders like Jaemin. No— he talks. He listens. He even asks. Yeonjun sees Beomgyu pause, unsure, then nod slowly, just once. His shoulders rise, then settle.

It’s subtle. Quiet. But it’s everything, especially with what Beomgyu had been through.

They take some shots and then talk again. Yeonjun can’t hear every word, but he catches the way Ni-ki jokes around lightly and the way Beomgyu laughs, eyes crinkling in genuine amusement. 

Yeonjun’s chest tightens. It almost makes him want to cry.

He watches as Ni-ki brings the camera over and shows Beomgyu the screen. Beomgyu leans in, hesitant. Then— his lips part slightly in surprise, and Yeonjun sees his hand rise and hover near his own face, like he doesn’t quite believe what he’s seeing. It’s the same reaction, over and over again, each time Ni-ki shows him the shots. 

Yeonjun exhales, his breath shuddering.

It’s strange, feeling this overwhelmed by something so quiet. But after everything that had just happened in that godforsaken room— Jaemin’s slap, the cruel laughter, the threats— everything since he’d arrived— it’s almost jarring to see someone treat Beomgyu like he matters again. Like a human being. 

He deserved this. He always had.

Yeonjun runs a hand through his hair, watching Ni-ki raise the camera again. Beomgyu looks right at the lens this time. Still a little fragile, still not quite steady, but he's trying. And more than that— he’s being seen, not objectified.

Click.

Yeonjun leans his head against the wall. His heart pounds quietly in his ears.

Maybe this wasn’t a total disaster. Maybe— just maybe— they could get through the rest of today without Beomgyu breaking again.

And maybe… Ni-ki wasn’t just a temporary patch.

Maybe he was exactly the kind of person Beomgyu needed in his corner, too.

Chapter Text

Ni-ki finally announces that they were done with the photoshoot and that Beomgyu had done absolutely amazing. Beomgyu looks a bit shy as Ni-ki walks him to the sidelines where Yeonjun awaits them. Beomgyu’s glowing a little bit, and Yeonjun’s glad Ni-ki had brought that side of Beomgyu out again. 

“I’d love to work with you again, Beomgyu hyung!” Ni-ki says earnestly. “Thank you for your work today. You did really awesome! If you need a side job, you should consider modeling!” He jokes. Beomgyu ducks his head. 

“Ah, thank you. And uhm, you two, Ni-ki. Thank you for taking over for Gongseo-ssi even after all the trouble.” He says. 

Ni-ki’s face twists up a little bit.

“Of course, hyung. And it wasn’t trouble— it was valid, even if no one else seems to be brave enough to speak up or realize it.” He rolls his eyes a little. “I apologize too. I should’ve been quicker to get Gongseo-sunbaenim to stop, but I was so caught up in some file review that I didn’t realize he was harrassing another client.” He bows his head looking sad. “I’m glad you stopped him, um…”

“Yeonjun. Choi Yeonjun. And you can call me hyung as well.”

“Well, I’m glad you stopped him, Yeonjun hyung.” Ni-ki says with a smile. “It’s getting really late, so please get home safe, the both of you!”

Yeonjun and Beomgyu nod. 

“You two, Ni-ki. Thanks for today. I hope more people like you are in the industry— friendly and being a comforting presence.”

Ni-ki laughs. “Well, Jake hyung calls me a menace to society, so I’m glad I was able to be more of a comforting guy to you today.” 

“Riki-san, stop being a menace to society and come clean this up!” Jake’s voice echoes through the studio.

“Case in point,” Ni-ki says wryly. “I better go. See you guys around!” He says, before rushing towards a Jake with his hands on his hips.  

“Bye!” Beomgyu says, and then he turns to Yeonjun.

“Ni-ki was so nice to me today! He kept asking me what I wanted— no one ever does that for me— and kept adjusting everything for me himself and asking if I was okay,” He says. Yeonjun smiles back, trying not to let his heart clench too hard because… how could simply being asked for his opinion to something rare?

But Yeonjun can’t dwell on that. Right now, it’s a little past 11 PM, and he should be getting Beomgyu back to the apartment, and get him resting. 

—

As they step out of the studio into the cool night air, Beomgyu gently pulls his coat tighter around himself, still glowing faintly from the praise and warmth Ni-ki had given him. Yeonjun keeps a close step beside him, carrying Beomgyu’s bag slung over his shoulder.

The parking lot is dimly lit, quiet, almost peaceful. For a moment— just a moment— Yeonjun and Beomgyu are just two civilians walking into the parking lot under the street lights and the glowing moon overhead, just two people there, existing. Then the moment is over, and they are once again singer Choi Beomgyu and bodyguard Choi Yeonjun. 

Soobin is already there, leaning against the company car and scrolling through his phone, looking up the moment he hears their footsteps. He offers them a small smile, nodding toward the back seat. Inside, Lee Jaemin sits in the passenger seat with his arms crossed, face unreadable.

“Hyung!” Beomgyu calls, relieved at the sight of Soobin.

“Hey,” Soobin greets softly, then opens the door for them both. “You’re back to your peppy self!” 

Beomgyu lets out a small laugh, and boards inside, with Yeonjun following a second later. 

Lee Jaemin snorts at them. Not in a good way, that was for sure. 

The tension in the car settles in the second the doors shut behind them. It’s silent for a few minutes. Beomgyu shifts uneasily in his seat. Yeonjun keeps his gaze ahead, jaw tight.

Then Jaemin speaks.

“Yeonjun-ssi,” he starts casually, like he’s bringing up the weather. “I’ve put in the transfer for your housing. Starting tomorrow, you’ll be living in the company-owned unit next door to Beomgyu’s.”

The words sink like lead in Yeonjun’s brain. 

What? 

Beomgyu’s head snaps toward him, eyes wide. 

“What? Wait— why? Why is he moving out?”

Yeonjun’s eyebrows furrow and he grits out, “With all due respect, sir, why now?”

Jaemin doesn’t even glance back at them.

“It’s policy. We’ve received complaints from the higher-ups about boundaries, just earlier. If it was just security, a building guard could do the job, but you’ve become too involved. He needs proper supervision now— not personal attachment.” He sneers. 

Soobin’s hands tighten around the steering wheel.

“…He doesn’t need supervision, he needs protection.”

“He needs both,” Jaemin snaps. “You saw what happened with that Gongseo guy. If Yeonjun interfered, and it’s a whole mess right now! The boy’s already on thin ice. From now on, a manager is going to be with him full-time. Like it should be.”

Yeonjun’s voice is low and cold. “So your solution is you?”

Jaemin shrugs. “He’s my responsibility.”

Beomgyu hasn’t said a word. He’s trembling slightly, hands balled in his lap, eyes glued to the floor. It’s obvious he doesn’t want this. 

“But—” he manages, voice barely above a whisper, “I don’t want to be alone with you…”

“Don’t be dramatic,” Jaemin says, rolling his eyes. “I’m not a monster. I’m your manager for fuck’s sake.”

Yeonjun looks at him sharply. “You hit him.”

Jaemin sighs.

“It’s the industry, kid. Now quit arguing with me. You won’t get nothing done. You either move, or you don’t get to stick around.”

Yeonjun grits his teeth, fists clenched, but he says nothing more. The rest of the drive is tense.

—

Yeonjun is unpacking the last of his things into the clean, crisp apartment. It’s furnished, sterile, cold. And… it’s too quiet. It’s a bit like Beomgyu’s home, with no personal attachments, but at least there, Beomgyu was there— and Yeonjun was close enough to be able to protect him. His phone buzzes once— Soobin checking in— but otherwise, there’s no noise. He sits on the edge of his new bed, rubbing his temples. It’s all so sudden. And he doesn’t like it. 

A knock sounds at the door.

Warily, he opens it, and to his surprise, there’s Beomgyu, in an oversized hoodie, a backpack slung over one shoulder. Yeonjun hasn’t got the slightest clue why he’s here, but at least he can know Beomgyu is safe from the manager. 

“Hi. Uhm…Can I stay here?” Beomgyu asks softly. “Just for a while.”

Yeonjun steps aside wordlessly. Of course Beomgyu could. 

Beomgyu walks in, eyes scanning the new space.

“So… something happen?” He questions. Beomgyu ignores him, opting to glance around the space Yeonjun had just unpacked into. 

“It’s really quiet here,” he murmurs.

It doesn’t answer Yeonjun’s question. 

Yeonjun watches him.

“Did he say something to you?” He presses. 

Beomgyu shakes his head.

“No. He’s just… around. All the time. Watching everything I do. I just— I couldn’t breathe, you know…? You moved in, and I was all tense, but we figured it out a little… and now he’s there.” 

Yeonjun nods. “You can stay here tonight. You should stay here.” 

They sit on the couch, side by side, barely a gap between them. It’s silent for a few long seconds, but it’s a comfortable kind of silence. 

“You shouldn’t have had to move,” Beomgyu finally talks.

“I’ll live.”

“…I liked it better when you were just down the hall. Or in the next room.”

Yeonjun smiles faintly. “Me too.”

Beomgyu leans his head on Yeonjun’s shoulder, lifting it back up when Yeonjun tenses in surprise, but Yeonjun gently nudges the singer’s head back down on his shoulder.

“Yeonjun hyung?”

“Hm?”

“…Do you think they’ll ever stop treating me like a product? Like… I’m not even a human?”

Yeonjun stiffened at the question. Of course Beomgyu wasn’t an idiot— he knew the industry was treating him badly and that it was wrong, and that they shouldn’t do it. It made the fact that he just dealt with it and took the blows, despite knowing, even sadder. 

“I think,” Yeonjun begins carefully, “the wrong people are in charge right now.”

Beomgyu hums his agreement. 

“And… one day, we’ll put an end to their abuse.” Yeonjun adds on softly. 

He doesn’t know if that’s true, but Beomgyu’s breathing is slowing, and when Yeonjun glances at him, his eyes are fluttering shut.

They fall asleep like that on the couch— pressed shoulder to shoulder, the quiet hum of the night a small, strange comfort between them. And Yeonjun gets the silent comfort that, yeah, this is what he’s supposed to be doing— he may be Beomgyu’s hired bodyguard, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t allowed to get attached and be friends with Beomgyu and genuinely care about him, to want Beomgyu to be happy and safe. 

—

Yeonjun wakes up with a knot in his neck muscles and the determination to fix Beomgyu’s situation. The little talk he had with Beomgyu last night echoes through his brain and— for how long was he going to just sit around, watching and not doing anything because he was scared to get fired and lose his spot in protecting Beomgyu properly? If there was no company, there was no one to hurt Beomgyu in the way he was being hurt, and Yeonjun wouldn’t be fired and worrying about not being able to protect Beomgyu.

Admittedly, he had worried before on what would happen to Beomgyu and the other artists if he made the company fall— but luckily, now he had a company to turn to. One he hoped would be better for the singer. 

Beomgyu is still fast asleep on the couch beside Yeonjun, so he manuvered the younger so that he was actually lying down on the sofa, and draped a blanket over Beomgyu. Then he set to work, preferably before Beomgyu had another schedule sent his way. 

“Hey, Huening Kai?” Yeonjun talks into his phone. “Do you have the contact information of CEO Kim Seokjin, from that ShowShowShow thing? You said you worked at the company, and CEO Jin was there.”

“The CEO of Jinhit Entertainment? Yeah, I think I do, why?” Kai asks. 

“I’m trying to singlehandedly take down Beomgyu’s company to save him, and I was hoping Jinhit would take him in if the company falls.” Yeonjun explains.

“What?! Really?! You’re taking down MEGA Entertainment?!” Kai gasps over the phone. “Wait, I’m in!” 

Then the line clicks off. 

—

Huening Kai not only sends Yeonjun CEO Jin’s contact information (a.k.a his work phone number and email), but also says he would talk with Kim Namjoon, who was apparently close with the CEO, so that Yeonjun could get a meeting in with the CEO. What a wonderful kid, really. 

With that area somewhat being handled and figured out, Yeonjun calls Taehyun (he’s so, so glad he remembered to ask for the guy’s number the other day he visited him).

“Hey Taehyun-ssi, it’s me, Yeonjun.” He says.

“Hi, Yeonjun-ssi. Is there something you need?” Taehyun questions.

“I’m, uh, as ridiculous as it sounds, I’m trying to get Beomgyu’s company sued, and try to stop their abuse.” He says.

“…Well, I suppose we could gather evidence and security footage of the abuse, and use it but… we’d have to get in contact with lawyers… good laywers… and what would happen to Beomgyu if the company falls? He doesn’t have anywhere to go if—”

“Actually,” Yeonjun cuts him off. “I looked into that too, just now. I kinda… met?… I guess I kinda met CEO Jin of Jinhit Entertainment, and I’m going to try to get a meeting with him and see if he’s willing to take in Beomgyu. He seemed like a decent guy, so maybe if we explain the situation… he’ll understand?” Yeonjun sounds a bit absurd, even to himself, he realizes. But he really wants to help Beomgyu and… he wouldn’t know if it worked or not, if he didn’t even try in the first place. So he would.

“…You’re crazy.” Taehyun says finally. “But okay. I’ll help. I can gather the evidence— that’s my forte. But for the lawyers… I’m not sure where we can find suitable ones.”

“Don’t worry— I can also handle that. My bodyguarding firm has good connections to a law firm, so if you get the evidence, I can get a lawyer for us.” 

“…Why didn’t you think of all this before?” Taehyun demands. 

Yeonjun chuckles awkwardly. “Well… at first, I believed all the rumors— and I was more worried about Beomgyu, and also about the fact that his career might not go anywhere— but now I think maybe Jinhit will work— though we’re not sure yet, so lemme just reach out to CEO Jin and convince him to take Beomgyu in.” 

“…You know what? While I gain the evidence, you make sure Jinhit will take Beomgyu in— or else I’m not gonna let you take down the company if it means Beomgyu won’t be able to find another place to go after it falls.” Taehyun says.

“I will. I’ll also reach out to my boss and ask for a lawyer or two. I promise, I’m starting all this, so I’ll make it work.” Yeonjun vows.

“You better.” Taehyun sighs. “Good luck then, Yeonjun-ssi.”

Chapter Text

The universe must like Yeonjun, because Mr. Baek sends a brief text that Beomgyu had the day off— specifically that ‘he hasn’t fucked up any of the schedules, so he’s free for the day I suppose’— so Yeonjun informed Beomgyu of that, before explaining his little plan. 

Beomgyu’s eyes are wide when Yeonjun finishes. 

“…Wow. You’re really doing all that for me?” He asks softly.

Yeonjun’s heart clenches, not for the first time, and he softens his expression. 

“Yeah, Beomgyu. You deserve to be in a company that doesn’t treat you like the way Mr. Baek and the rest of the people do. And… a lot of people care. Kai’s looking into making a meeting with CEO Jin, Taehyun’s gathering evidence, and Soobin also agreed to look into other possible companies if Jinhit doesn’t work out. And… I’m sorry— I think I got a little too ahead of myself without even asking if this was all okay with you—”

“What, of course it’s okay!” Beomgyu says. “It’s amazing! I… thank you,” He whispers. 

Yeonjuns smiles. “You’re welcome. And I’m sorry it took me so long to fugure out a solution— and start acting on it.” 

Beomgyu sits back on the couch, stunned into silence for a moment. Then he laughs— quietly, a little breathless, like he can’t quite believe it. His fingers curl loosely into the hem of his oversized hoodie, and when he looks up again, his eyes are glassy but bright.

“I didn’t know people like you still existed,” he says, voice wavering with a half-smile. “People who… who care. Without expecting something in return. Like Ni-ki, like Jimin-ssi from that day I was drugged, like Namjoon-ssi. You all… You’re all the kind of people that should be in the industry.”

Yeonjun swallows, the words settling deep into his chest.

“And you don’t owe me anything, Beomgyu. This is what should’ve been done a long time ago. I’m sorry no one else stepped up for you.”

Beomgyu nods, but doesn’t say anything right away. Instead, he leans forward, resting his arms on his knees, expression thoughtful.

“…Do you think CEO Jin will actually agree?” he asks after a beat. “Like— really take me in? After everything? I’m kind of… damaged goods, you know.”

Yeonjun’s brows knit together, and he shakes his head almost immediately.

“Don’t say that. You’re not damaged goods, you’re—” He stops himself, biting the inside of his cheek. “You’re a human being, Beomgyu. One of the most talented, kind, ridiculously patient people I’ve met. And you deserve better. If CEO Jin doesn’t take you in, that’s his loss, not yours.”

Beomgyu’s lips twitch upward at that, but the smile doesn’t quite reach his eyes.

“…You really think I’m talented?”

Yeonjun exhales.

“Beomgyu, you could sing the weather forecast and I’d still get goosebumps.” He jokes. 

That earns him a proper laugh, the kind that bubbles up from Beomgyu’s chest and momentarily banishes the weight pressing down on the room. Yeonjun grins, relieved.

“Okay,” Beomgyu says after a moment. “Let’s do it. I’m in.”

Yeonjun blinks. “You’re really in?”

“Yeah. I know I already said I’m in, but I’ll say it again for good measure,” Beomgyu confirms, more firmly this time. “If you’re going to fight for me, then I’ll fight too. I don’t want to live like this anymore. Not scared all the time. Not waiting to be hit or yelled at or told I’m not enough.”

Yeonjun nods slowly, the fire in Beomgyu’s voice settling into something fierce and determined in his chest.

“Okay. Then we’ll do it together.”

Beomgyu reaches over, his pinky brushing against Yeonjun’s on the couch cushion. He doesn’t say anything more, but the gesture feels like a promise. Yeonjun curls his pinky around Beomgyu’s in return.

They sit like that for a while, hand barely touching hand, the weight of what’s to come stretching out before them— but for the first time in a long while, it doesn’t feel hopeless.

It feels like a beginning. Something powerful. A change, a shift in the air. 

—

A couple quiet hours pass. 

Beomgyu had dozed off again, curled up on the couch, a soft throw blanket draped over him, with his breathing steady and peaceful in a way Yeonjun hadn’t seen much. The apartment was quiet, save for the occasional buzz of Yeonjun’s phone— which he’d been checking every few minutes. Not very important messages. 

But finally, it lights up with a message from Kai.

Kai:

HE SAID YES!! CEO Jin wants to meet you! He said tomorrow at the latest, but he’s free tonight too if you guys are up for it. I said it was really urgent to Namjoon hyung, and he passed it onto CEO Jin, and now he’s agreed to meet!!

Yeonjun nearly drops his phone in his rush to reply.

Yeonjun:

Awesome work, Kai! Send me the time and location pls 

Another message arrives almost instantly.

Kai: 

Done. He said to come by the company’s private side entrance at 6 tonight. I’ll meet you guys there to sneak you in ;D …okay well actually Namjoon hyung’s doing all that, BUT! I’ll be there for emotional support, hyung! 

Yeonjun exhales slowly, like he’s been holding his breath all day. Then he looks over at the couch. The singer is curled up like a cute little teddy bear, and he looks so peaceful that Yeonjun almost doesn’t want to wake him up. But this is really important news. 

“Beomgyu,” he says gently, crouching down to rest a hand on the boy’s shoulder. “Hey… wake up. Kai just texted.”

Beomgyu stirs, blinking up at him. “Huh…?”

“He got us a meeting. CEO Jin wants to see us tonight. At six.”

It takes a second to register— but when it does, Beomgyu sits up so fast the blanket slips off his shoulders. “Wait— tonight tonight?”

Yeonjun nods. “Are you okay with that? We don’t have to go if it’s too soon—”

“No,” Beomgyu says, already rubbing the sleep from his eyes. “No, let’s go. I want to. If this is our chance, I don’t want to waste it.”

Yeonjun offers a small smile and stands.

“Alright. Let’s get ready, then.”

Beomgyu looks confused, and Yeonjun laughs. 

“I don’t know if you noticed, but the day flew by— it’s nearly five, and we should start getting ready so we aren’t late at all. Maybe we can get there early and take some time to breathe.” 

“What?!” Beomgyu’s eyes fly towards the clock. “Oh.” He says, upon seeing it.

“Is it early? Do you still want to go?”

Beomgyu hesitates, but finally nods. “Yeah. Just… Let’s get it over with.”

“Alright then,” Yeonjun smiles. 

They both move around the apartment with a quiet urgency— Yeonjun changes into a clean button-down, trying to look presentable but not stiff. Beomgyu hesitates in front of the mirror, pulling on a dark hoodie from his backpack, before quickly swapping it for a more fitted jacket instead.

“You look good,” Yeonjun says.

Beomgyu ducks his head. “Thanks. Um…You too.”

—

The Jinhit Entertainment building stands tall against the evening sky, modern and sleek, its glass panels glowing under the fading sun. It’s quieter than Yeonjun expected. But it’s also very beautiful. 

He and Beomgyu approach the side entrance as instructed, and the door cracks open before they even knock.

“Kai,” Yeonjun says, a little breathless with nerves.

Kai grins. “Hey, you made it.”

Beomgyu hovers just behind Yeonjun, wide-eyed, hood up again like it’ll help him hide. He offers a small wave. “Hi.”

“Come in,” Kai says, stepping aside. “Welcome to Jinhit. I have also never been here ever but welcome.” 

Inside, the hallway is polished and quiet. Just as they round the corner, Namjoon approaches— tall and composed like at the interview— and carrying a thermos cup. 

Yeonjun straightens. Beomgyu freezes.

Namjoon smiles.

“Beomgyu-ssi! It’s so good to see you again. Since the ShowShowShow interview, right?”

Beomgyu blinks. 

“Oh— uhm, right. Yeah. Um. Nice to see you too, Namjoon-ssi.”

Namjoon chuckles and waves a hand.

“Relax. You don’t have to be formal with me now that we’re not interviewing and stuff. Let’s head upstairs— Jin-hyung’s waiting.”

As they walk, Kai keeps pace beside Yeonjun, giving him a subtle thumbs-up and a reassuring nudge. Yeonjun tries not to look too nervous. Beomgyu sticks close, fingers brushing the edge of Yeonjun’s jacket as they step into the elevator.

Namjoon hits the top floor. “Just a heads-up— he’s in a weirdly good mood today, which usually means he’s about to annoy me.” 

The elevator dings open to a warmly lit floor with an open view of the city. CEO Jin’s door is slightly ajar, and from inside, his voice floats out.

“—I told you my face is better from the right side! And did that photographer listen? God no, he didn’t. And you know who that interviewer is who made the photographer take my less beautiful side? Kim Namjoon, that’s who!”

“Oh boy,” Namjoon sighs, before stepping inside. 

“Hey Mr. Yogurt Thief,” he nods at CEO Jin, who gasps at the name. 

“Hey! I didn’t touch your yogurt! Why would I steal your yogurt, Namjoon?!”

“You always steal my yogurt,” Namjoon mutters as they approach, raising his voice: “You labeled it ‘Joonie’s Snack Hour’ and still ate it!”

“It was expiring! I saved your digestive system, you ungrateful oaf!”

Kai snorts under his breath in poorly disguised amusement. Yeonjun would too, if he weren’t so nervous. 

Namjoon sighs once again and then says. “Hyung. They’re here, by the way.”

CEO Jin, who had been lounging behind a desk cluttered with files and snacks, sits up.

“Ah! The bodyguard and the boy from your interview the other day!”

Yeonjun bows slightly.

“Hello, sir.”

Beomgyu opens his mouth, probably to say the same— but his stomach gets there first, growling audibly in the suddenly quiet office.

There’s a beat of silence. Then Jin gasps like he’s just witnessed a tragedy.

“Did you— did you come here on an empty stomach?!” 

Yeonjun winces. “I— we kind of skipped breakfast. And lunch. Sorry.” He says, feeling like he had to apologize to the wide-eyed, outraged looking CEO. 

Jin slaps a hand to his chest, eyes wide with mock betrayal.

“You came into my office with nothing in your stomachs? No, no, this is inhumane! Namjoon, I demand justice!”

Namjoon sighs and takes a seat on the couch like this is routine.

Kai’s trying not to laugh.

Jin pulls out his phone. “I’m calling catering— wait, no, they’ll take forever. Oh I know!”

He sticks his head out into the hallway.

“Taehyung!”

A muffled, “What now?!”, comes from around the corner.

“I need you to get food for our guests!” Jin calls back in response. “Something warm and comforting. And no salads. I want carbs Real carbs. And before you ask, no, not your weird gym rat protein chicken thing either!”

There’s a pause. Then Taehyung appears, his expression like someone who just got told his weekend shift was extended into eternity.

“Why do I feel like I’m being punished for existing?” He wonders in a deadpan. 

“Because you are,” Jin says sweetly. “Now go, and don’t come back with anything low-fat!”

Taehyung shoots Yeonjun and Beomgyu a look.

“Welcome to Jinhit,” he mutters before walking off. “A place where the CEO orders his own little brother around 24/7 just because his brother was stupid enough to work here.” 

Jin turns back to them with a sunny smile.

“Now, where were we? Ah, yes! Come in, sit down. We’ve got some serious business to talk.”

Yeonjun meets Beomgyu’s eyes briefly as they step in.

Somehow, this feels like the first time in a long time that things are starting to look up.

Beomgyu lowers himself carefully into the seat across from Jin’s desk, his fingers twisting in his lap. Yeonjun sits beside him, only a little more composed, though his leg is bouncing slightly under the table.

Jin props his elbows on the desk and folds his hands under his chin like he’s hosting a reality show.

“Well?” he says. “Let’s hear it.”

Yeonjun straightens. “First, thank you for agreeing to meet with us, sir.”

Jin waves a hand.

“It’s Jin-hyung, or just Jin. Sir makes me feel like I’m about to get sued. Which— okay, let’s be honest— is most days, but still.”

Beomgyu lets out a quiet huff of laughter despite himself.

Yeonjun continues, his voice steadier now.

“I’ll get to the point. Beomgyu here, is being mistreated by his current management. Intimidated, silenced, overworked. He’s been hit. Verbally abused. And I’ve seen it. Others have too, though no one thought to speak up yet.”

Jin doesn’t interrupt. His playful expression fades slowly into something more focused, eyes narrowing slightly in thought.

“We’re collecting evidence,” Yeonjun continues. “Taehyun’s— he’s part of social media and stuff, and he might be the only company member at Beomgyu’s that actually cares— helping with that. Kai’s the one who helped arrange this meeting— at the ShowShowShow company. Soobin— he’s Beomgyu’s driver, and another good person at the company— is looking into other options in case this doesn’t pan out. But… I believe Jinhit could be the safest option. The right one. I uh… I saw how you interacted with Taehyung-ssi at the interview, and you seem like a good person. And I believe your company will reflect that.”

Jin is still silent. 

“I know this is a risk,” Yeonjun adds quickly. “And I know you don’t just sign people off a sob story. But if you give Beomgyu a chance, I promise he’ll exceed your expectations. He’s kind. He’s talented. He’s hurting, but he still works harder than anyone I’ve ever seen.”

Jin leans back in his chair, silent for a moment. Then:

“Well, damn.”

Yeonjun blinks.

Jin gestures at Beomgyu. “You really are surrounded by good people, huh?”

Beomgyu stammers. “I— I guess I am.”

Jin then sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. “You know, I thought this was going to be a dramatic, scandal-filled meeting with some overblown company gossip, but this—” He gestures broadly. “This is very real. This is messed up, actually.”

Namjoon, still perched on the couch, nods.

“It’s true. I remember thinking something was off during that interview. The way Beomgyu kept flinching. No offense, of course— this is out of concern.” 

Beomgyu flushes, clearly embarrassed, but Jin leans forward, his voice gentler now.

“Hey. None of that was your fault. And if even half of what Yeonjun says is true, then your current company is skating on thin ice.”

Right then, the door opens and Taehyung enters with two takeout bags, his face flat as he mock-glare at Jin, but it turns softer when he turns to Yeonjun and Beomgyu.

“Here ya go. Spicy pork rice bowls. And strawberry milk. Because Jin-hyung said you needed comfort food?”

Beomgyu’s stomach growls again, and Yeonjun gives a sheepish smile.

“You’re a lifesaver.”

Taehyung shrugs with a small smile. 

“Just helping out,” He says, before plopping into the chair beside Namjoon.

Jin clasps his hands again.

“Alright. Here’s the deal. I’m not saying yes. Not yet. I’ll need to see the evidence. I’ll need to meet with my legal team. But… if everything lines up the way you’re saying it does?”

He looks directly at Beomgyu.

“I’d be honored to have you join Jinhit.”

Beomgyu’s eyes widen. His lips part, but no sound comes out. Yeonjun nudges his arm gently, and Beomgyu finally breathes out: “Thank you. Thank you so much!”

Jin grins. “Ohh, don’t thank me yet. I’ll probably make you do a dozen evaluations and mock showcases. Namjoon’ll make you work out in our company gym.”

“I will. Health and working out is essential,” Namjoon comments.

“But,” Jin finishes, “you’re safe here. That’s what matters first. All artists, especially in this kind of industry, should feel safe— especially with their own company.” 

Yeonjun exhales slowly, tension finally starting to unravel from his shoulders.

—

Yeonjun has Taehyun send over the evidence he currently has, and shows it to Jin, before explaining all the instances of abuse he’d witnessed since being hired. Jin takes it all in— the actual video footage and photos, the bruise still on Beomgyu’s face, and everything Yeonjun tells him— before nodding with a grim expression.

“This is clear abuse,” he states. “And again, I will be happy to take you in, and will be happy to help you take that company down. MEGA Ent, right?”

Beomgyu nods and Jin’s face shrivels up. 

“Ugh, I always respected that company and its CEO— but to think Mr. Baek does that to his artists, and he doesn’t even try to be presentable? Ramen stains, picking at his nose like that?! Ugh.” He rolls his eyes. Then he softens his gaze to look at Beomgyu. 

“I’m sorry no one tried to help you before— but I’m glad you’re getting out of that company now. And I can promise you right here— and I’m not sure how much words will be for you— but I treat my artists like family. They’re my children— and I treat them right. I treat them with care, and make sure they are comfortable enough to come to me with concerns or problems.” Jin says.

Beomgyu smiles. “Thank you. For… For agreeing to let me join.”

Chapter Text

After meeting with CEO Jin, Yeonjun now had to go meet the lawyers he’d gotten a hold of earlier that day, while Beomgyu had napped— he had sat on the couch all day beside the sleeping singer and made a bunch of phone calls to his bodyguarding firm, and then to the lawyer firm they were allied with, and had managed to find suitable ones— ones he already were familiar with. 

“Sunghoon, Jay!” He greets, stepping into the law firm building. Beomgyu had opted to stay with CEO Jin to talk about contracts and things, and CEO Jin assured Yeonjun that Beomgyu would be safe with him. Yeonjun trusted his guts and left him— and seeing as Beomgyu was content to stay, it seemed like the right choice. He didn’t seem scared of Jin. 

The two young men’s faces light up upon seeing Yeonjun.

“Hyung!” They both greet, walking over in quick strides.

Sunghoon wears a black suit and Jay wears a brown one— and they both wear glasses that make them look even more professional, if that was possible. Kinda cool looking too— Yeonjun was a bit jealous. 

Yeonjun grins as the two lawyers approach, his shoulders relaxing for the first time in hours. Sunghoon pulls him into a quick hug while Jay claps him on the back.

“God, it’s been ages,” Yeonjun says, brushing his hair back with a tired hand. “You both look like you stepped out of a law drama.”

Jay smirks, adjusting his glasses. “And you look like you haven’t slept in days, Jun hyung.”

“I haven’t,” Yeonjun says dryly, but there’s warmth in his voice. “And by the way, thanks for meeting me on such short notice.”

“Of course,” Sunghoon says. “You wouldn’t have called unless it was important.”

Yeonjun nods, serious again. “Yeah. It’s… It’s really bad.”

Sunghoon and Jay exchange worried glances. 

“…Come on,” Jay says, gesturing toward the hallway. “Let’s talk inside.”

They lead him through the sleek, quiet corridor, past glass-walled conference rooms and softly murmuring interns. Jay unlocks a private office and holds the door open while Sunghoon flicks on the lights. The room is clean and modern; a marble table at the center, folders stacked neatly on one side, and a deep sense of quiet. Yeonjun takes a seat, running a hand down his face while the other two settle in across from him.

“So,” Jay starts, his tone turning professional. “Tell us everything. What’s going on?”

Yeonjun leans forward, elbows braced on his knees.

“His name’s Choi Beomgyu. He’s twenty-three. Signed with MEGA Entertainment a few years ago. He’s— he’s good. Talented, hardworking. Way too trusting.” He exhales sharply. “And he’s been stuck in hell.”

Jay and Sunghoon exchange a look.

“Emotional abuse?” Sunghoon asks.

Yeonjun shakes his head.

“Worse. Physical, too. I saw it firsthand yesterday. His manager hit him. Threatened him.”

Sunghoon’s expression hardens. “Did you record anything?”

“Not yet,” Yeonjun says. “I didn’t have time. I just got him out of there as soon as I really got a solution in hold. He’s with me now. And CEO Jin— you guys know him?— he’s offering to take Beomgyu under his company. Said he’ll protect him.”

“Kim Seokjin?” Jay asks, brows raised. “That’s a good ally to have. He doesn’t mess around. Especially in the entertainment industry.”

“Exactly. But Beomgyu’s still under contract. We can’t move forward until we get him out of it.”

“Which means…” Sunghoon flips open a notepad. “We sue.”

Jay hums in agreement. “We can claim breach of contract on their part— abuse, unsafe work environment, failure to protect the artist. Do you have any documentation you can present right now?”

“Some,” Yeonjun says. “From Taehyun. I’ll get more. Videos, messages. Beomgyu’s not in a state to dig through all of it right now, but I can get them. I mean, through Taehyun— he works at MEGA Entertainment. But he’s Beomgyu’s friend.”

Sunghoon nods thoughtfully. “I’ll get those from him directly then. Send me his contact?”

Yeonjun nods, already taking out his phone. 

“We’ll also want a medical record,” Jay adds. “If he’s willing, a visit to a doctor or psychologist will help build the case.”

Yeonjun nods quickly. “He’s bruised up right now. I’ll get him checked out… assuming he’s okay with meeting strangers so suddenly like this. I might get Jimin hyung to take a look. Jimin hyung and Beomgyu met before, so maybe that would make things better.”

Sunghoon’s voice softens a bit. “How’s he holding up?”

Yeonjun’s eyes drop to the table. “He came over to my house after his manager— also very abusive, and the one who actually hit him— moved in with him… He doesn’t have any schedules right now, for today— but I… I don’t know. I think he’s getting better.” 

Jay exhales. “Then we’ll make sure he is— fully.”

Yeonjun looks up, his jaw tight but his eyes grateful. He honestly doesn’t know what he would be doing if it weren’t for Sunghoon and Jay right now— and he’s glad he was multiple people he could trust. 

“Thank you. Both of you.”

“We’ve got this,” Sunghoon says firmly, already jotting down a checklist. “We’ll make MEGA Entertainment wish they never touched him.”

Yeonjun breathes out a laugh— tight and shaky— but the weight on his chest feels a little lighter.

—

Yeonjun sends over the evidence Taehyun sent to him, and Sunghoon and Jay nod as they look over it, brows furrowed and lips pressed in thin lines. Clearly— they’re not happy either. They put it all into the file they made, jotting down a few more notes, before they look back up at Yeonjun, who had been patiently waiting.

“We’ll have to have a chat with Beomgyu-ssi soon, get his words too. And we also want to talk with anyone else that might help this case— anyone in support of Beomgyu-ssi. You got any names for us?” Sunghoon questions.

“Uh… Soobin for one— Choi Soobin, Kang Taehyun too, and Huening Kai… Ni-ki— sorry, Nishimura Riki— and… Kim Namjoon… CEO Jin too… yeah, I think them.” Yeonjun lists off. 

Jay jots down each name. 

“Alright, thank you. We’ll start building up this case, so can you see if Beomgyu-ssi’s willing to get a check-up done? We need medical evidence, and I’m sure Park Jimin will do just fine with that if you ask him to find evidence of abuse.” He then says with a nod.

Yeonjun nods, fingers tightening around his phone.

“Yeah, I’ll talk to him when I get back. He trusts me. I think… I think he’s starting to believe he’s allowed to trust someone again.”

Sunghoon’s jaw tenses for a brief second before he nods. “Good. Let him know he’s not alone in this anymore. He shouldn’t have to be. Never should have been.”

Jay flips the folder shut and leans back in his seat.

“We’ll move fast. Once we have his statement, medical report, and supporting witnesses, we’ll draft the initial legal action. With this kind of pressure, MEGA Entertainment might settle quietly to avoid a public scandal— especially if Jin hyung is behind him now.”

“Do you think it’ll be enough to break the contract?” Yeonjun asks.

“If we handle it right, absolutely,” Sunghoon replies. “No judge would side with an agency who allowed this level of abuse. And if they want to avoid court, they'll offer to terminate quietly. Either way, he’ll be free.”

Yeonjun lets out a slow breath, as if releasing the weight of those words.

Free.

That’s what Beomgyu needed more than anything. And he might get it— he would get it. 

Jay gives him a half-smile.

“Now… Let’s just hope MEGA doesn’t get stupid and try to fight this.”

“Ha. If they do,” Sunghoon says, voice steely, “we’ll tear them apart.”

A beat of silence follows before Yeonjun chuckles, tired but sincere.

“Damn. You guys really did turn into law drama characters.”

Jay smirks again. “Just missing the tragic backstories, huh?”

“Speak for yourself,” Sunghoon mutters, and Jay snorts. 

Yeonjun stands, brushing the creases out of his jeans.

“Alright. I’ll talk to Beomgyu. Let’s move quickly— every day he’s still tied to MEGA is another day they might try something.”

“Agreed,” Jay says, rising as well. “We’ll keep everything confidential. Tell Beomgyu he can take his time, but the sooner we get his statement, the better.”

Sunghoon walks him toward the door, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “And Jun hyung— good job getting him out.”

Yeonjun pauses, eyes flicking to the hand on his shoulder before softening. “Thanks. I just wish I’d noticed sooner, and acted upon it quicker.”

“You noticed when it mattered and you’re acting now,” Sunghoon replies simply. “That’s what counts.”

With a final nod and the file secured under Jay’s arm, they see Yeonjun off.

As he steps back into the quiet hallway and pulls out his phone to text CEO Jin, Yeonjun feels— maybe for the first time in a while— like they’re actually getting somewhere. Like this time, someone would listen. Someone would help.

—

Yeonjun waits until they’re back in the car, parked in the shade near CEO Jin’s building, before turning to Beomgyu. The younger man looks better now— less sunken around the eyes, a little more color in his cheeks, hair tousled in a way that looked soft, not just unbrushed. He’s still quiet, though, still watching the world with that uncertain look like it might turn on him any second.

“Hey,” Yeonjun says gently, thumb rubbing against the steering wheel. “Do you remember Jimin hyung? From that day you got drugged?”

Beomgyu blinks, then nods slowly.

“He had really warm hands.”

Yeonjun smiles faintly.

“Yeah. I was thinking we could go see him? He might be able to help get you checked out, just… for documentation, for the case. You don’t have to talk much. Just let him do what he needs to, and I’ll stay with you the whole time.”

Beomgyu chews on the inside of his cheek. Then, softly, he says, “Okay.”

—

Jimin’s office is tucked into a quiet building just outside of the main Seoul cluster, elegant and sunlit with light wood panels and soft instrumental music playing faintly in the background. Jimin greets them both with a calm smile, his energy just as warm as Beomgyu remembered.

“Welcome, Beomgyu-ssi,” he says gently, ushering them inside. “It’s good to see you again.”

Beomgyu ducks his head but doesn’t flinch away when Jimin places a hand on his shoulder. 

Yeonjun watches silently as Jimin begins the checkup— always explaining what he’s doing before he does it, moving slowly, always watching for discomfort. He documents the bruises on Beomgyu’s back and ribs, the old marks on his wrists, and the small scars that litter his arms.

“You did the right thing,” Jimin says softly once they’re done. “Getting out. It’s brave.”

Beomgyu only nods.

Outside, as they walk back to the car, Yeonjun updates him.

“So Sunghoon and Jay are pulling together a file. They’ve got statements from Taehyun, and Soobin already emailed them last night. Ni-ki sent in a recorded voice message explaining how MEGA staff— and how Lee Jaemin acted towards you. Even Namjoon dropped in to say he’d testify on your behalf if needed.”

Beomgyu blinks.

“All of them…?”

Yeonjun smiles at him.

“Hey, you’re more loved than you think. Don’t sell yourself too short, Beomgyu.”

—

And a few months later, when the legal dust settles and MEGA Entertainment officially releases a statement confirming the termination of Beomgyu’s contract under “extraordinary internal review”, Yeonjun sits beside Beomgyu on the couch and watches him cry— not out of fear this time, but something closer to relief.

He’s finally out. 

MEGA Entertainment and Mr. Baek and all those awful higher-up managers… they wouldn’t be able to hurt him any more. He was safe. 

—

[Three Months Later – Jinhit Entertainment]

The sun pours through the wide windows of Beomgyu’s new studio— his studio, filled with plants Yeonjun kept buying on impulse and tiny trinkets that the rest of the Jinhit staff dropped off like offerings to a shrine. There’s a new guitar on the wall, a keyboard by the corner, and on the whiteboard is a messy scrawl of lyrics that Beomgyu had written at three in the morning.

He’s humming something quietly as he taps at the keyboard, hoodie sleeves pushed up to his elbows, one foot resting on Yeonjun’s thigh comfortably. They’ve gone a long way… from strangers, to bodyguard and singer, to friends, to best friends. 

“You know,” Yeonjun says, not looking up from his laptop, “You used to flinch when I sat this close to you.”

Beomgyu doesn’t stop playing, but the corners of his mouth curve up.

“Hey, you were scary.”

Yeonjun laughs. “And you were jumpy.”

“Hm. I still am,” Beomgyu says, turning slightly in his chair, “…But not around you, at least.”

Yeonjun tilts his head with a soft smile, and then nods over to the piece Beomgyu was working on.

“C’mon, finish that up and let’s wrap up.” He says.

“What are you doing exactly?” Beomgyu teases.

Yeonjun huffs in mock-offense. “I, for your information, am pulling up a list of potential choreographers because apparently, Jin hyung made me, like, head of staff… choreo… hiring?… I don’t know, I think he just pushed the boring stuff he didn’t want to do onto me… Ugh, fearless bodyguard, now demoted to a staff worker…” He pouts. 

Beomgyu laughs out loud at that. 

—

They make dinner together that night— well… kind of.

Beomgyu slices vegetables while Yeonjun burns the rice. They argue about seasoning and end up ordering takeout, collapsing on the couch with kimbap and spicy tteokbokki that they didn’t cook. Yeonjun plays a random drama episode while Beomgyu’s feet find his lap again, and Yeonjun fires up a complain he doesn’t actually mean.

There are soft knock sounds on the door around 10 p.m., and when Yeonjun opens it, it’s Soobin and Taehyun, grinning with convenience store ice cream— okay well, Soobin grins and Taehyun gives a curt nod.

Beomgyu perks up instantly, running to the door barefoot and bright-eyed.

“Hey!” 

They stay for hours, spilling onto the living room floor, talking about music and dumb memes and the new CEO Jin slogan someone made as a joke (“Trust Jin. Sign in.”). Beomgyu laughs until he wheezes, head thrown back, and Yeonjun watches the sound like he never wants to forget it.

Later, when the others leave and it’s just them again, Yeonjun tucks the blanket around them both on the couch. Beomgyu shifts closer, resting his head against Yeonjun’s shoulder.

“Do you think it’s okay now?” he asks quietly. “To be happy?”

Yeonjun doesn’t hesitate.

“Yeah. I think it’s more than okay.”

Beomgyu hums, almost like he’s already falling asleep.

“Good. ‘Cause I think I’m really happy right now.”

Yeonjun laughs. “Yeah… Me too.”

And for the first time in a long, long while, nothing feels fragile anymore.