Archive of Our Own

SLAM! 

“Sorry, I don’t believe in your “religion” or whatever you’re trying to promote.” A muffled voice speaks sternly beyond the closed door, leaving a pair of siblings dumbfounded in the front.

“Huh?” The girl stares at the solid hardwood door. Her hands firmly grip a tray of warm pie, at loss for words.

“W… what the-” Before Saheon could make a move, she grabs his hand and drags him away from the unmoving structure before them. “Noona– no, what the fuck?!”

“It’s… it’s fine, Saheon-ah. We can just eat this if…” She gulps, visibly trying to hide the shakiness in her voice. “If he doesn’t want it.”

“He could’ve just said he doesn’t want it! There’s no need to.. do that! What the fuck?!”

As they quickly make their way to their brand new home next door, Saheon wouldn’t stop prattling about how awful the guy was, that there was NO need to be that rude while his sister just sighs.

“Saheon-ah it’s okay, it’s not like we were actually trying to promote… that kinda stuff,” She coughs. “I mean, the news is everywhere, it’s just normal to be cautious.”

Saheon opens his mouth, then closes it again, unable to retaliate.

“We can have this for lunch, okay?” The brown haired girl smiles warmly, pointing at the pie in her hand.

“But you worked so hard to make it…”

“The more reason for us to enjoy it! Then, we can have plenty of breaks until tomorrow.” She ruffles Saheon’s hair. “Whew! Who knew moving to an actual house would feel so different than hopping from apartments to apartments?”

Saheon just nods silently.

He does feel happy about everything. The new scenery, a real, secure home, and the thought of finally being able to live peacefully with his sister. But…

“We can just unpack this like… tonight?” She ponders. “My job starts in two days, and yours… wait, you did get the job, right? In that coffee shop you mentioned the other day?”

“Hm? Oh, I… yeah, sure,” Saheon snaps from his train of thoughts. “My training starts in a week. I can handle stuff around here while you work, Noona.”

“Great!”

Saheon smiles looking at his sister who looks as lively as ever. But of course, he wouldn’t just forget that big shit who did them wrong on their first meeting (he considers calling him a little shit, but the guy was holy big he just couldn’t bring himself to use little to refer to him).

.

.

.

It’s time.

His sister is out for her first day at work after moving, and Saheon’s all alone in the house.

He’s done plenty of research on that damn neighbor who hurt their hearts not even a minute in after meeting, and he’s ready to unfold the plan he’s devised.

“How to Ruin Your Neighbor’s Day”

As the name suggests, Saheon is just very determined to make the guy suffer, to make him pay for what he has done.

Ryu Jaekwan, 21, firefighter.

Saheon almost scoffed in triumph when he found out the guy, namely Jaekwan, is a public service worker. That would make it easy for him to annoy that Bastard, he thinks.

He scrolls his phone, rereading the list of activities he plans on doing.

1. Take out the trash

2. Get some groceries (noona wants chocolate spread)

3. Get to know more of neighborhood routes

4. Check in on bastard (He usually gets night shift so morning-noon’s ideal?)

5. Dinner (noona says shes been craving some chicken so: braised chicken if they got the good soy sauce, but just soup if not)

He nods in satisfaction before standing up. Saheon stretches his body, preparing to get the trash.

1.

Ryu Jaekwan has had an exhausting day despite it being only nine in the morning.

Among days of drills and miscellaneous calls, earlier today was quite the heavy incident he had to take care of.

Starting from a simple gas leak, a single fire managed to spread across three houses. It burned one down into complete ashes while the other two suffered some damage. 

He felt like he’s strained some muscles, and got brand new injuries from the incident, and despite the literal hell he went through, the only living thing he and his unit managed to save from the collapsing house was two dogs. The owners were trapped under impossible rubbles and the smoke was far too thick– it was inevitable, he says to himself. It truly was.

He grunts, heavy steps making their way to his room.

A faint noise could be heard, and he glances at the turned-on television, belatedly realizing he had forgotten to turn it off the previous night before going to work. He turns, hand about to reach for the remote when he hears the same news again.

“A mass of yet another self-proclaimed “Believer of The Name” has made its way again to the main roads, causing chaos and fear among citizens. We believe this cult-like organization is making another attempt to spread the beliefs of their God…. cults are increasing….. Harm caused by… neighborhood infiltration has….” 

The news anchor’s voice rings in Jaekwan’s ears, though the exhaustion blurs some of his understanding. He grits his teeth, finally pressing the Off button on the remote.

“Those heretical guys….” He murmurs.

His mind wanders back to the interaction he had two days ago, where a young woman and man knocked on his door with a suspiciously beaming expression on their faces. Their similar appearance led Jaekwan to assume they were siblings, and the woman was holding a tray of something in her hands.

Jaekwan had just closed his eyes after an annoying day when they came, ruining his sleep. In his tired mind, a similar news echoed, raising his suspicion of cultists and their deceivingly kind manners— in which he portrays exactly like the two people standing before him.

He remembers slamming the door on their faces after the woman cheerfully said something about wanting to hear something…. And Jaekwan is not dumb. He is not some kind of gullible guy who listens to what anyone has to say just because he works in public service, especially to some “teachings” and “beliefs”.

Thus he shooed them away and went back to sleep.

Just like now, he gets rid of unnecessary thoughts and plops down to his bed, too exhausted to even clean himself first.

The soft mattress takes him in, lulling him to sleep but…

[그래, 날 쏴 BANG, BANG 너의 BULLET, BULLET, BULLET—]

He catches a familiar tune playing out way too loudly than normal near his house. Jaekwan blinks once, then twice to register what’s currently happening.

“What…” He croaks out, barely managing to get himself up to see just who the hell is playing a song so loudly with no party to enjoy. Alas, when he looks outside he couldn’t find a single person he could point to as the culprit.

His and the next door neighbor’s backyards look awfully empty even though he could clearly hear the song blasting in his ears. Jaekwan squints, and squints harder but he finds nothing.

Jaekwan feels his head throbbing. He decides against searching for whatever the hell it is, and drags his exhausted body back to the bed, too tired to continue.

Little did he know, a certain green-eyed man is controlling a loudspeaker from his house, barely able to hold back his laughter seeing the disheveled firefighter.

2.

Another day another beat muscles Jaekwan has to face. This time, though, he still has the energy to clean himself before falling into a deep slumber on his bed.

He hums as he dries his hair from the shower, leisurely walking toward the bed as he hears a rapid knocking on his door.

“Hello–” Just as he opens the door, Jaekwan is met with an older man with fury in his eyes. 

“Young man, do you not understand about resting time for your neighbors?” He spits out, face all red as if ready to burst anytime. “Please, some people are trying to sleep!”

What?

“I’m sorry, what?” He replies, bewildered. “Sorry sir, I’m trying to rest as well, what seems to be the problem?”

“Leafblower!! Can’t you just use it later when everybody’s awake?!” He roars again.

Jaekwan grimaces, trying to keep himself from blatantly wiping the spit spraying from the man’s mouth. “I’m.. I’m sorry sir, I haven’t used my leafblower in forever, are you confusing me with someone else?”

“You think I’m stupid?! I could hear them loud and clear from miles away, kid!” Jaekwan steps back, trying to avoid another onslaught of that disgusting substance sprinkling on his face when the man opens his mouth again. “Don’t take me as an easy guy, I’ll make a complaint as many times as I can so people like you won’t be able to mess with my sleep schedule as well!”

He closes his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration. This man is NOT helping him in the slightest to see where the problem lies. He then decides to assert his dominance, body standing upright and looking down on the man before him despite the protesting muscles weighing his shoulders down.

“I’m sorry sir, once again I have no idea what you’re talking about, and how I can help you. Please speak clearly because this is my resting time as well.” He sternly speaks, staring straight at the eyes of the guy who starts to quiver.

“Ugh, well, if you don’t stop using the leafblower and making noises early in the morning….!” He stammers.

“I did not use the leafblower. You are confusing me with another person.”

“....”

“....”

Silence falls, before the man sputters out another sentence.

“W.. well, then tell that to your neighbor!!” He stomps.

“So it was my neighbor, and not me?” 

“Well, yeah I did complain about the leafblower to the house next door but nobody was answering!”

Jaekwan feels his eyes twitch. “So you decided to come here to accuse me of it because you couldn’t reach the guy next door?”

“Ugh, that, I assumed you guys are all just the same! Tell the homeowners to shut up next time!” The man storms off, his face flushed red— Whether it was from fury or embarrassment Jaekwan couldn't tell. He ends up standing alone in the hall, swallowing the retort that had laid stiff on his tongue.

God, Jaekwan’s head really hurts. He needs to sleep, but….

Well, here he goes to the next door, then. The complaints would've endlessly gone on and on if he decides to ignore it, so a little sacrifice should be nothing. He stretches his body, mustering the last of energy he has in him before going out.

Ding dong….

Maybe they will cooperate.

Ding dong….

Jaekwan doesn’t really know who lives here now that the previous owner moved out a while ago, but implementing a little discipline to them won’t be bad…. It’s like weeding out the bad stuff.

Ding dong….

He frowns, pressing down on the dorbell harder in hopes for any response. Surely after five minutes of standing straight in front of the door like a pathetic dog, Jaekwan would get an answer, but…

Ding dong….

Jaekwan takes a deep breath. Again. And again. Repressing the urge to go crazy right there and then after ten whole minutes of an unanswered door. He could’ve sworn he heard a familiar song from inside, but alas, nobody answers.

He contemplates about getting them a letter or something, but really, at this point Jaekwan’s energy has been sucked dry that he couldn’t even bother to get angry anymore. He takes long strides back to his home and throws himself on the bed after locking the door.

Truly, the next time he will get the next door neighbor.

3. 

Ding dong….

Jaekwan’s ears perk at the doorbell noise. It has been around two days since the last incident so maybe his next door neighbor is finally visiting to apologize or something…

Ding dong

Ding dong

Ding dong

What an impatient jerk.

“I’m coming!” He rushes out, haphazardly putting his pajama shirt on.

Good god they’re gonna break his doorbell.

“Yes, hello?” He heaves out. Before him, stands a middle aged man holding what seems to be a map filled with printed documents. His toothy grin unsettles Jaekwan a little, combined by the plain polo shirt tucked into his shorts that gives a neat vibe that’s a little too… off-putting. “Can I help you?”

“We heard you have some problems with your internet connection,” He starts speaking calmly. “Isn’t that right?”

‘We?’ Jaekwan thinks to himself.

“I mean, what’s your business with my internet connection?” His brows furrow. He doesn’t have a good feeling about this. “Is it disrupting other people’s?”

“Oh, oh not at all!” The man’s smile widens. He proceeds to open the map he’s holding and continues, “It’s okay, young man. We can see that you’ve been troubled with little things in your day-to-day activities and we’re merely lending a hand to solve it.”

Jaekwan tilts his head but doesn’t object any further. This guy isn’t totally wrong, and if in fact he’s his new neighbor, it only makes sense that they share the same little troubles somebody creates. So he continues to listen.

“I can see we can agree on your little problems, hm?” 

Jaekwan nods.

“Well we do offer some solutions for you, as we have plenty of variations to choose from- in which one among them must suit you!” He turns the map, showing Jaekwan the printed documents consisting of several elaborate lists with images that seem to be about… Wi-Fi services?

“Excuse me– I’m sorry, but I have no interest in getting a new Wi-Fi service or whatever it is,” He pushes the map gently upon realizing what this guy is trying to do. It’s quite uncommon for Jaekwan to experience some door-to-door sales, and even then his hyung had been the one to turn them away.

“It’s fine, young man, everyone hesitates at first.” The man nods solemnly. “Even our cheapest option still offers you generous services without making it a strain to your finances!”

Jaekwan furrows at the exclamation. “I’m sorry, why are we discussing my financial situation again?”

He looks at Jaekwan sympathetically, “I struggled too when I was your age, didn’t have anybody coming around offering me cheap things for good quality but oh– how much time has passed! We now have a variety of services and amenities that are enough to keep us going but not too expensive that we can’t eat. How wonderful is that?”

Jaekwan stares straight at the man. What the hell?

“I.. I’m not interested in your services,” He firmly says, turning to close the door. He needs to get a good sleep.

“Wait, good sir,” But the man is surprisingly stubborn, grabbing the handle so that Jaekwan hesitates to push it against him. “I understand your predicament. But let’s take a look at the bigger picture here.”

“What bigger picture?”

“Let’s look at yourself in the next six months without the current problem solved,” he firmly says. “What would living look like for you? Would it be just fine, or, hear me out, the problem becomes unbearable, that you can’t access sites and even run Google properly without having to keep tuning your Wi–”

“I’m… I don’t need Wi-Fi!” Jaekwan grits his teeth. “Why, who even made you think this place has some internet connection shortage?”

“I.. but, but if–”

“Now if you’ll excuse me please, I have plenty of things to do.” And they are sleep, rest, and more naps before his next shift. Jaekwan then slams the door to the salesman’s face, in the manner akin to how he bid goodbye to the cultists.

Jaekwan pinches the bridge of his nose, clearly nauseated from the bizarre experience. Sure, door-to-door salesmen aren’t exactly known for their cordial and humble nature, but the man sure did act like he knew exactly what Jaekwan’s ‘problem’ was and that he has the perfect solution without even having to ask or interrogate him beforehand.

But oh well, that’s that and this’s this. Jaekwan focuses on the bed before him and sighs deeply before diving to the soft mattress. He wonders, when has his life suddenly become a mess like this?

Little does he know that the mess would keep on coming.

.

.

.

“Oh handsome young man, who would’ve believed you had such problems?” A middle aged woman exclaims in front of his door, holding a familiar map and styled in familiar fashion as the previous salesman. “I understand it, I have a son too…”

“Excuse me, what problems?”

“It’s okay sir, I won’t make you spell it out, I know how embarrassing it can get,” She sighs, looking at him sympathetically. “As I said, I have a son too so I get it.”

She then proceeds to open the map and shows him a list of a familiar style– but this time it’s something about showers.

“We can provide good and long sessions of bathing with cold, ahem, cold water without having the bills cranked up high,” She coughs shyly. “You’re a young man with excellent vigor, so it’s not weird at all that you… you would have high excitement in this that sometimes gets unbearable. We also understand that not everyone can pay tremendous amount for water alone so we–”

“What are you insinuating?” He shoots an irritated glare at the saleswoman. The tips of his ears are burning by the sheer embarrassment from the things she implied. How vulgar to assume such things about a stranger!

“Ah, I.. I mean, that we can help….” Her voice quiets down. “That, water bills and…”

“I don’t need it. Have a good day,” Jaekwan firmly says before closing the door.

.

.

.

“I do not need to install a solar panel!” Jaekwan almost cries out from frustration. Come on, this is the third day in a row! Can these persistent salespeople go away already? Why is he the one being greatly affected by this anyway?!

“Tsk, tsk, I pity your electric bills, my guy,” The stranger replies in an almost condescending tone. “Let’s do the math, if, by next year, your bills are cut in half, tell me how that would change your life.”

“I mean,” Jaekwan ponders for a second before catching himself. “No, that’s not it, I don’t have any issues with how things are currently! Can you please—”

“We’ll keep this hush-hush but between you and me, I’m not any braver than you are brother,” He lowers his head as well as his voice. “I get how challenging it is to keep your home brightly lit 24/7 and press your bills. It’s not like the ghosts will leave when they see the check, right?”

Jaekwan frowns. “I don’t have to keep my home brightly lit all the time.”

“I told you it’s fine, we’re the same,” He bumps Jaekwan’s shoulders in an overly friendly manner. “It was hard for me too, but damn after I took this cool solar panel, they really, really, helped me go through difficult situations while keeping my paranoia in check at night.”

Nothing he says will get through the thick skulls of these people, huh.

“I don’t know why you assumed I have ghost and paranoia problems, but no thank you,” He grips the door handle and bids the guy goodbye before slamming it in front of his face. “Have a nice day.

He sighs deeply as he returns to his bed after yet another interruption. At times like this, he remembers how Choi Hyung used to keep them away, and he thinks maybe he hasn’t thanked him enough.

He plops face-first to the bed, and groans before lulling himself to sleep.

4.

Or maybe one of the salesmen was right, he does have connection problems. 

Jaekwan clicks on the refresh button on his laptop again and again out of frustration, continuing to see nothing but loading page after loading page.

He needs to file his taxes today, as it totally slipped his mind due to the strange chain of events that kept on happening the days before. It’s not that he’s completely screwed, but Jaekwan needs to maintain a good schedule so his physical and financial activity isn’t strained in the future.

Yet, for the love of god the website just doesn’t load and it has been half an hour. He’s exhausted out of his mind after a long shift, and this is just making it worse.

He should’ve probably agreed to the first salesman he met a few days ago to get him a better Wi-Fi because fuck this sucks so much having your body physically and mentally ready to tap out for the day but the duty never ends, and even prolonged by this stupid–

“Ah!” He finally sees the landing page loaded, but…

It turns paper white with that nauseating circular loading animation right after he clicks to continue.

He bites his thumb in frustration, trying not to lose his temper as he recalls the exact information he needs to put in. He doesn’t really want to go back and forth to different tabs and devices just to check them again when his Wi-Fi is this damn bad.

After grumbling and groaning he decides to look up some cellular data plans and buys one out of impluse. Jaekwan truly couldn't take it anymore. Really, what the hell has he done to piss off the God of luck this week?!

Ah, what a wonderful day. 

Saheon sits by the window, his face basking in the morning sunlight as he gently puts a slightly crushed eucalyptus as a finishing touch to the gorgeous flower arrangement he worked hard on to greet his Noona when she’s finally back. He lifts a flower and smells it in bliss.

Truly, a perfect reward after a long week.

“Aaah, I’m beat… Work never really gets easier, does it?” A familiar voice is heard, making Saheon turn his head toward the door. There, he finds his sister, albeit exhausted yet still makes a gentle face. “Oh? Saheon-ah, some beautiful flower you got~”

“Hm, hm, they smell great too, try it noona!” Saheon cheerfully makes his way to his sister, putting said flower right beneath her nose and helps her get her bags. “I’m sure this’ll help with your fatigue.”

“Oh! I really love this, how much was it?” Her face lit up, taking the flower from her brother’s hand. “Woah, it’s so fragrant. Did you spray it with something?”

“No, they just smell that way… You know how jasmines are. I did get some fragrant herbs to make them smell better, though,” Saheon shrugs. He glances briefly to the neighbor’s yard before training his gaze back to his sister. 

“Jasmines… oh, isn’t this the same as our.. Neighbor’s?” Seems like she still has some lingering pain from the memory, but she tries to suppress it behind a grin. “What, you stole them?”

“No way!” Saheon barks a laugh. “They were just there by the front of that guy’s house, must’ve been arranged for a free giveaway or something. I saw yesterday some were falling and wilting so maybe he did that to minimize the petals getting thrashed around?”

Saheon’s sister wiggles her eyebrows playfully, not believing her little brother completely. “You sure your petty bum didn’t do it?”

“Nuh-uh!” He grabs her shoulders and guides her to the living room. “Go wash up, I got a good meal and downloaded new episodes of some of the series you liked. We can watch it while eating.”

“What? All of them?” Astounded, Noona whips her head to face Saheon. “Before we moved out, we watched like what, ten ongoing series? It must’ve been like 20 to 30 long-ass videos! How did you even do that when we haven’t taken care of our Wi-Fi subscription and stuff!”

“Don’t worry Noona, it was nothing,” He smirks triumphantly. “Saheonie got his way, you know~”

“Like spending one terabyte of cellular data?” She laughs. “Agh, stop pushing me– Okay, okay I’ll shower and then we can continue watching them!”

“Hm, hm~ I even got the contacts of some good internet service providers, don’t you worry about a thing~”

“Saheon-ah, where did you buy this milk again?” She shakes an empty carton of milk, sweeping her gaze in the contents of the fridge. “Maybe we should go grocery shopping today.”

“Just the supermarket a few streets away,” Saheon walks toward his sister, glancing at the fridge over her shoulders. “Milk, eggs, butter, kimchi– Mm, I can make that, so fresh veggies and gochujang, maybe fruits? What do you want, Noona?”

“Apples and strawberries sound good, let’s get some yoghurt and a few types of cheese, too.”

.

.

.

“Okay why don’t we go over the list one more time… Why do I feel like there are more and more chocolate bars in the cart? Saheon-ah, did– Hey, just how many of those are you about to put in?!” Saheon’s sister retorts, quickly grabbing Saheon’s hands that are actively putting various sweets in the trolley. “Can you even finish them all? This much sweets aren’t good for your body, you know!”

“But Noona, we can afford it now,” Saheon whines, blinking his wide, green eyes to the very same pair that looks at him in amused disbelief. “You don’t understand, I grabbed one of these a few days ago and it tasted so good, like, you would love it!”

She sighs, smiling gingerly toward her little brother. “Fine. But you can’t get everything, get some of these back. Like that extra pack of cookies, and the two bars of chocolate with the same flavor.”

Saheon pouts at his sister’s demands, but still grabs them for return anyway. “What’s wrong with a few extra sweets…..” He grumbles.

“You’re a grown ass man, get that frown off your face!” She giggles, slapping the back of Saheon’s back as he sulks away.

“But I’m keeping this, this, and this, okay?!” Saheon swiftly points at several candies and chocolate-filled crisps, almost grabbing them defensively.

“Yeah, yeah, sure, you’ll share them with me,” She shrugs. “Don’t look at me like that. We’ll be paying for this after you return them all— don’t stall! I know you’d purposefully walk so slowly ‘coz you’re waiting for a change of mind. That will not happen.”

Saheon lets out a last huff before striding his long legs toward the sweets aisle near the cashier, poutily gazing at the snacks he’s about to let go from his embrace. Though, when he’s about to slowly but surely put them all back one by one, a familiar someone catches his attention by the corner of his eyes.

A large figure with short, black hair, intense deep blue gaze, and a bulky figure barely hidden by the graphic tee he’s wearing.

Saheon almost stops whatever he’s doing, mind already wandering to certain tricks he can probably pull against the guy. He sees him push his trolley toward the cashier, lining up behind two more people before him.

Saheon immediately shoves the snacks in his arms to the rack, keeping it as neat as possible within a four-second timeframe, and rushes back to his Noona. He skips over, feet light with anticipation of what he's going to do next.

“Wow that’s unusually fast– Dude, what’s the rush?!” Noona exclaims upon Saheon’s rushed return, her whole body being pushed along with the trolley in her hands by the younger guy.

“Noona, quick, there’s something I need to do,” He replies in a hushed voice, eyes focused on a single lane to the cashier. “Do you remember that guy who… Forget it, just see for yourself.”

The older girl opens her mouth, then closes it again after realizing that there’s no use arguing with her brother when he looks that determined to show her something.

Saheon swerves the trolley skillfully among the aisles, striding toward the familiar guy before slowing his steps. He walks more quietly, as if to seamlessly blend into the crowd of people like a normal grocery shopper without any intent behind his moves at all before fixing the trolley right behind the guy he saw a few moments ago.

Saheon smirks at his sister before returning his burning gaze at the guy in the front, hands gripping the bar on the trolley firmly. He seems to pull the trolley back a little, preparing to push it hard against the stranger when…

“Oh, this guy? The one who… hey, you,” before Saheon could ram the trolley right up his ass, Noona already comes forward and calls Saheon’s target. “I know you.”

He turns around, gaze piercing at the pair of siblings before slightly widening in surprise. 

“Noona, what– I almost…” Saheon snaps his head, pouting again when his plan fails.

“You guys are…” The man trails off, his expression subtly contorts into various emotions at once.

“Hey, mister neighbor,” Saheon’s sister smiles sweetly, threateningly so, holding back a twitch at the corner of her mouth. “I believe we’ve met before.”

Saheon blinks a few times, feeling palpable tension rising in the air as the two people beside him stare at one another with unblinking eyes. Huh. He thought he’s the one to enact revenge, humiliating that guy in front of the cashier for hurting him and especially his sister, but….

He couldn’t utter a word at his sister’s signature intimidating smile, directed right at the guy. She grins, extending a hand toward him.

“So, we finally meet again, huh?”

.

.

.

“Jaekwan-ah, I wouldn’t have thought you’re around our Saheon-ie’s age!!”

Noona slings her hand around Jaekwan, patting his back in newfound friendliness. Said guy only bashfully nods, cowering right before the older girl as immense guilt washes over his face. Saheon, witnessing all of it right behind them, couldn't wipe the visible scowl off his face. He huffs and puffs, holding big grocery bags that he swear he has zero intentions to smash to Jaekwan’s head, at all.

“Ah, yeah, that I’m so sorry about the…” He utters again, but Noona just barks a laugh.

“Hey, how many times are you going to apologize? I told you we’re good!”

Saheon’s face scrunches up even more at his sister’s words.

“It’s that… well, I should’ve–”

“Nope, not gonna hear more of it. Besides, the jasmines you gave away are enough to mend it anyway! They smell so good, ya know. I had a hard day before, but Saheon-ie just arranges them so well!”

Uh oh.

Jaekwan stops at his track. “Jasmines?”

“You know, the ones from your backyard. Heard you gave some of them away! We got some, and used them as refreshers around the house.”

At first, Saheon almost instinctively looks away, wanting to feign ignorance upon being caught, but…

“Hm… yeah, so…” 

Jaekwan accusingly looks his way, yet the guilt in his face is still very much visible... So Saheon knows what to exploit. Instead, he cocks his head, smirking triumphantly just out of Noona’s sight.

‘What, ya wanna blame me? After all that apologizing you did?’ Is what he would’ve said had his sister not been there.

He sees Jaekwan’s face harden at his taunt, and lets out a faint chuckle in victory. Ah, at least he gets to take this anger out a bit more, seeing the guy’s face lightens Saheon’s heart.

“Uhm, yeah, sometimes the jasmines… um, wilt around my backyard so I try to… try to gather them and give them away before it.. Happens,” Jaekwan bites his tongue, bitterly forming a sentence with much difficulty. “I’m… I’m glad you like them.”

“Mhm! It’s nice to have a wonderful neighbor like you are, I’m glad we got the misunderstanding sorted out before it can sow hatred in our hearts~” Saheon looks away at his sister’s words, almost comically whistling in ignorance. “Though you look exhausted as hell, you doing good? What do you do on the daily anyway?”

“Um, I work as a firefighter… office’s near here, but I do work a night shift so you’ll rarely see me outside at this hour anyway… as I’m resting and all.”

“Oh! Wonderful, we got mister rescuer here,” Noona laughs, her face visibly relaxing at the thought of a reliable figure. “Though then, why aren’t you sleeping at this hour?”

“Well, I ran out of groceries,” He sheepishly replies. “Couldn’t really sleep anyways.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know how to say this but… There have been inconvenient incidents around here, so my sleep gets disturbed a lot these days, after….” Jaekwan scratches his head as he stops in realization and glances at Saheon before swiftly dragging his gaze back to the woman in front of him. “Oh, um.. Well, yeah this neighborhood sometimes gets weird, it’s nothing new at all.”

Still, Saheon smiles pleasantly upon his victory as Jaekwan catches himself before making himself sound like he’s blaming them.

“Hmm, well, we can handle weird people just fine, so.. That should be okay!” Noona nods solemnly. “Must be tough, though, I heard there was a house fire a few days ago. Were you the one who handled it?”

“Hm.. yeah,” Jaekwan’s expression falls grim. “That was…”

“Oh, sorry for the difficult topic. We should talk about something else, then.”

Jaekwan softly shakes his head. “It’s fine, things happen. There were dogs, though. I’m looking forward to adopt one of them.”

“Puppies!” She exclaims, eyes glimmering. “Ah, they were rescued there… um, but that sounds nice!”

“Mhm, they’re moved to the shelter as of now. It’s a good place, I used to volunteer there from time to time.” He nods. “I’m actually about to go there myself after putting the groceries back.”

“Wait, can we tag along? Saheon-ah, should we tag along?” Noona excitedly looks at Saheon who tries his best to hide his crude expression.

He opens his mouth, then closes again, nodding in defeat. He couldn’t say no to his very excited sister after all…

“What kinda dog do you want to get?” Noona chirps, looking at the puppies inside the crates. “Ooh~ This place is nice, bet they get lots of care and kisses here.”

“Yeah, this place is maintained nicely.” Jaekwan nods.”I’m looking for a small companion, nothing too difficult to maintain.”

Jaekwan and his Noona are walking ahead, chatting about dogs while looking at the animals in the shelter while Saheon trails just behind them sulkily. He barely has any interest in looking at these rescues, let alone adopting one of them. 

How did they get along so quickly anyway?! Saheon swears Noona’s gaze she gave Jaekwan was the same as when they’d faced that one asshole of a landlord in their previous apartment, but….

He hears a hearty laugh not far, immediately recognizing the owner of the voice. “Ah, you like these types of dogs don’t you?” She points at a crate, eyes filled with amusement.

He then sees Jaekwan nodding with a slight smile. “Yeah, the neighborhood auntie from a few years back had one of these, they’re really soft if maintained properly.”

Saheon walks off with a huff when he sees his Noona and that damned guy start to crouch and lean closely to the crates, he couldn’t be bothered to accompany them anymore. He walks listlessly among the sleeping furballs in the cages, sweeping his gaze in disinterest on every single one of it until something catches his eyes.

“Hey, uh,” he calls out who he presumes to be an employee, nudging his chin at a particularly cramped crate. “Don’t you think it’s a bit too small for it?”

“Hm? Oh,” She hurries to Saheon’s side, tilting her head sideways to take a good look at the dog currently curled up, body pressing right against the metal bar. “That dog was taken in in a hurry, and we unfortunately ran out of space. We’re currently preparing a new, more proper crate for her, don’t worry,” She finishes with a reassuring smile, to which Saheon responds with a light nod.

Upon a closer look, it’s a huge black dog with oddly luscious fur. Saheon ponders about how expensive it must be to maintain a dog this size, though it could serve as a guard….

“Despite her elegance, it’s actually not that hard to maintain, you know?” As if reading Saheon’s mind, she continues. “The previous owner was a frequent donor to this shelter too…”

“...Why is she up in here, then?”

“Umm, you know that house fire a few days back? That’s… yeah, and the firefighters did their best, but only the dogs survived…” She casts her gaze downward. “A- Anyways, yeah, um, a bath once every few weeks would suffice if you use the right shampoo, and we even have it here!”

She tries to clear the mood, but upon hearing that, Saheon’s mind wanders to the interaction his sister had with that guy. About him being a firefighter and a house fire and all… Ugh, he couldn’t shake this bitterness he has for Jaekwan, he even starts to get irritated imagining the laughter he lets out with his sister…

“Ah, that really doesn’t suit you!”

“Hm.. a match or not in terms of looks, she’s still very endearing for me to not choose.”

“Alright, alright.”

Or maybe it’s not just his imagination at all. Hearing the fondness in the guy’s voice replying to his sister from afar just makes him so.. so….

At the thought of that bastard having fun with his sister again, Saheon’s mood sours. He holds back a sigh, giving the employee a slight smile before bidding her goodbye.

“Saheon-ah, you wanna adopt one too?” As if on cue, his sister shows up right behind him, nudging his shoulder. “Looking at all these cuties makes me want one too but hmm…”

“No, it’s fine. Our hands are full enough right now, we’ll just make that decision later,” Saheon murmurs. “Is he done yet?”

“Hm? Jaekwan-ie is currently torn between two puppies~ Wanna help him choose?” She chirps, grabbing Saheon’s arm.

As much as Saheon doesn’t want to see Jaekwan again, he holds back his pout and follows his sister along. At least she’s having fun and all.

They go through several lines of crates before seeing the tall figure again, hunched down with a sharp gaze. He looks scarily serious like he’s about to make a life or death decision, holding his silence for a long time before noticing the siblings’ presence.

“You look like you’re about to kill someone,” Saheon sneers. “What’s so hard about choosing a dog?”

Jaekwan doesn’t respond, he simply glances at him, and back at the crate in front of him.

What the hell?

“For God’s sake, is it really a life or death situation?!” He snaps, finally approaching him and peeks at the puppy inside the crate over Jaekwan’s shoulders.

And what comes into his vision makes Saheon want to kill that man even more. What the fuck? 

A pomeranian with round, greenish-brown eyes stands before him. Its fluffy fur makes it look exceptionally round, and its gaze is darting around the room. It’s so small yet holds so much energy, tail wagging endlessly, moving its whole body in the process. It yips and barks away with this extremely high pitched, small noises that’s almost entrancing him to keep looking at its full display of cuteness.

That literally looks like Noona?!

Saheon grits his teeth, anger rising in his face. To be fair, it only resembles her outside appearance with brown, fluffy hair and stuff, its personality doesn’t really match his Noona. The puppy is very… snappy, and barky, and annoyingly loud… it has sinister energy that Saheon doesn’t think exists within his sister.

But still….

“You fucker,” He whispers under his breath, “You want it ‘coz it looks like Noona doesn’t it?”

Jaekwan seems to be taken aback, slowly turning his face toward Saheon. He seems to be taking a good look on Saheon’s contorted face before returning his gaze to the dog. Again, he briskly glances back to back in an awkward manner.

“What the…”

“Oh my god this one is totally you, Saheon-ah!” His sister slides right past him, crouching along with Jaekwan to coo at the puppy. “Look, it barks just like you!”

“Noona what–” Saheon grimaces. Barks? He barks? Saheon? “I’m.. what? What do you mean it barks just like me?”

“Well, y’know, when you whine and stuff,” She grins toward him. “Look, it’s got kinda greenish eyes.. What? I didn’t know poms come with green eyes…”

“Ah, she’s our precious green-eyed baby!” A voice chirps from behind, it’s the previous employee Saheon had encountered. “Her name is Fifi, short for Profiteroles!”

“Oh my gosh, she does look like a cream puff….” Noona clutches her chest at the cuteness before her as the employee carefully takes the dog out of the crate. “Oh my gosh, oh god… Saheon-ah, she looks just like you!”

“Noona, what do you mean? She looks like you,” He retorts. “And this guy right here wants to–”

“No way! Jaekwan-ah, wouldn’t you agree? Look, she barks just like how you sulk just now! Right?” Jaekwan doesn’t answer at that, gaze still flickering between him and the dog.

“So you’re telling me I sound like a dog?”

“You know that’s not what I mean… you know?”

“Um… so, which one of you guys is the one who wants to adopt a dog again?” The employee stands awkwardly between the siblings, carefully holding Fifi in her arms. “And being too loud here isn’t good for other pets….”

“I’m taking the Sa… I’m taking Fifi,” Jaekwan suddenly coughs out a fumbled sentence. “I..'m the one who’s adopting a dog here.”

Saheon snaps his head to glare at Jaekwan while his sister is visibly holding back an amused laugh. He throws daggers in his gaze, Jaekwan could almost see the sworn words emanating from Saheon’s thoughts.

“I mean, yeah, this does remind me of someone kinda,” Jaekwan coughs again in an attempt to conceal his giggle. “The snappy attitude… Um, I’m sure she’ll be a good companion to me.”

“Good then, we’ll need a few paperworks and some assessments, right this way please,” The employee smiles brightly, walking toward the back with Fifi in her arms.

Jaekwan then follows suit, leaving the siblings alone between the animals.

After making sure the man is out of sight, Saheon immediately whines, “Noona, can’t you see? That motherf– I mean, that guy totally wants the dog because he… because…”

“What? Fifi’s cute, I’d adopt her too if I were him,” Noona casually swipes her gaze around to look at other puppies. “What’s got you so pressed?”

“Fifi looks like you, Noona, that’s why he… he’s…” He couldn’t bring himself to finish the revolting thought, brows furrowing even deeper.

She looks at Saheon in amusement. “To me, she looks more like you, ya know? I mean, to him too.”

Huh?

“Huh?” Saheon almost takes offense again at the statement had confusion not consume his thoughts whole. “What do you mean to him too?”

Noona only wiggles her eyebrows playfully before it dawns on Saheon. Jaekwan previously kept glancing at the dog and him because… because…

“Ugh, let’s just go back,” He grabs his sister’s arm, dragging her outside. “I can’t believe this bullshit he’s pulling, what, that dog looks like me? That dog? What bullshit!”

“Why? Fifi’s plenty cute!” She laughs as she allows herself to be dragged around by her pouty little brother. “You sure you don’t want to bid her goodbye? And her future father too?”

“Stop that, Noona!” He snaps, “He… I don’t like him! He’s.. ugh, he’s the worst!”

Noona obviously almost laughs at Saheon’s elementary grade level insults, but instead she holds back and stops Saheon in his tracks.

“Saheon-ah, you won’t apologize to him? He apologized to us so many times already.”

“Why the hell would I apologize to him?! He’s the one who has done us wrong! Why are you so enamored by that guy anyway? Don’t tell me you’re…!”

“Watch your mouth!” She playfully slaps Saheon’s arm. “You’re the one who diligently irons and packs my lesbian flag safely whenever we’re running away or moving out! Like, literally always, and you’re telling me you forgot all that?”

“Well, you just defended him so much I got scared…”

“You think I don’t know?” She ominously says, tilting her head in amusement. “Looks like you’ve been having fun when I’m working, huh?”

“W… what?” Saheon’s words falter at that.

“I know you’ve been pulling all sorts of tricks to prank him.”

“But how… I, no, Noona, how could you know?”

“Why wouldn’t I? The look on Jaekwan-ie when we talked about the jasmines is enough to convince me,” She snickers. “You don’t think I’m that oblivious do you?”

Saheon opens his mouth, and closes it again. He no longer has any reason to lie to her when she can read him like an open book.

“So, you’ll apologize to him.”

“But, Noona! He was so disrespectful toward us– toward you! Especially for the circumstances we were in–” But Saheon’s words are cut by Noona’s hand reaching to his head, ruffling his fluffy hair in adoration.

“Noona knows, Saheon-ah,” She softly says. “But you don’t have to worry about me, you know me better than anyone else.”

“Yeah, but.. That.. I just hate to see…”

“I understand, and thank you for taking care of me so diligently,” She smiles, reaching for Saheon’s hand. “In return, you should start taking care of yourself too. I’m more than capable of pulling my own weight... Remember, I’m your older sister!”

Saheon falls silent before softly nodding along. He couldn’t refute a single word, and he agrees that maybe, maybe he’s acting just a little, very little bit like an asshole. Just very little.

“So, you’ll apologize to him.” The sentence repeats its way back to Saheon. “If you don’t wanna do it today, you can visit him tomorrow before your shift. He should be off his work by then.”

“I don’t wannaaaaa!” He whines as his sister drags him back. “Noona we’ve settled this haven’t we? It was totally, completely justified! I don’t want to apologize to him–”

“I know the bajillion episodes we watched a few days ago were downloaded using his Wi-Fi.”

“But… but you enjoyed that!”

“It’s because I didn’t know! And I realized that the tattered bush in his yard is your doing, isn’t it?”

“Well the jasmines–”

They go back and forth like that, Noona dragging Saheon back to the shelter, and Saheon trying his best to run away with no avail. She pinches him repeatedly, albeit lightly, and Saheon whines and whines and whines…

“I knew you looked familiar!” A voice shouts not far.

A heavy, hoarse voice renders the siblings frozen as it approaches them with light and careful steps.

“Woah, long time no see, the Baeks!” Comes to view is a man, presumably in his 50s, with a thin figure and hollow eyes. His appearance looks shabby yet neat, eyes glimmering with genuine satisfaction and relief. “We’ve been wondering about how you guys are faring! The Elders are worried sick about you guys, you know!”

“Ah…” Saheon’s breath is caught in his throat. Upon the familiar figure, fear envelops him whole, unable to utter a single thing.

“So when will you guys return? Our Revered Elder misses you, he keeps on praying for your return, especially you,” He turns to the sister with eyes full of melancholy. “You guys were his favorite… Why have you decided to abandon us?”

“We… we’re,” Saheon stutters out with much difficulty. His hands feel cold, unconsciously gripping his sister’s wrist so hard his knuckles turn white. “We don’t…”

“I know you’re scared that he will not accept you upon your return, but our Revered Elder’s benevolence truly knows no bounds,” He preaches, inching closer to the siblings. “He will welcome you with open arms so let’s go back to Jisan…”

“No, we’re– We’re staying here,” Noona steps forward, glaring daggers at the man. “We’re not coming back so... So you can go back to.. To that village.”

“But your presence was so important to us,” He extends a hand, reaching out to them. “What is it that you don’t like about it, hm? We can help change it so you can come back comfortably.”

“To hell with comfort, we’re never coming back!” She bites, feeling a surge of anger rushing through her nerves. 

“Oh this place has seriously taught you malevolent things, hasn’t it?” Discontentment flashes in the man’s eyes. He flings his hand forward to grab Noona’s arm when another pair snatches his wrist away. “Ugh?!”

“Do you know him?” A familiar figure steps forward, hands gripping the wrists firmly.

“I.. ye– no, we’re–” Saheon sputters out. “He’s… We, we don’t…”

“They have even taught you to utter such lies!” The man cries out. “You have to come back, you have to atone to our elders, you–”

Before he could finish his sentence, Jaekwan pulls his arm and locks it behind his back. He wails and struggles in shock which leads Jaekwan to restrain him even more.

“I know you. The news, reporting suspicious activities, you were there. At the front of the crowd.” He sternly says, gaze burning through the frail man’s eyes.

“How– how could you prove that?!” He barks. “You must’ve been mistaken! The television brings you lies and deceit!”

“And you’re assaulting citizens.”

“I did no such a thing! They’re family, we have a right to get them back!”

“We’re not your family,” Saheon spits out, venom dripping from his voice. “And we never ever want to return to that nasty pit you call home.”

“See, he’s no stranger to me!” He cries again, “You’re assaulting an innocent citizen right now– get off me!”

Jaekwan releases the man with a grunt, unable to refute his words any longer. He then stomps away in anger and fear, yelling something like we’ll always bring you back and stuff.

Just after the man vanishes from their sight the siblings are finally able to breathe again, almost slumping down to the road. They hold each other tightly, visibly trembling.

“Sa.. Saheon-ah, you good?” She croaks out, barely manages to stand on her own.

The younger brother nods, “Noona too?”

At the small exchange, Jaekwan turns around with a grave look. Guilt visibly washes through his face again and again, hesitating to do something for them. He tries to open his mouth, but only ends up closing it again to no avail. Regret shows in his eyes, glancing at the direction where the man had set off, yet his body is unable to chase after him. He couldn’t come up with enough justifications.

“I… won’t ask,” He sighs in defeat. “You guys can tell me when you’re ready, but I’m not going to make you do that.”

“Thanks,” Noona whispers. “Help us out, please?”

“Ah, of course,” Jaekwan stammers, hurriedly supporting the siblings up. He hesitantly reaches for Saheon’s waist, and is surprisingly met with compliance– no, more like in surrender, as if the soul has been sucked out of him.

They go through the whole walk in silence, Noona gripping Saheon’s arm with endless worry while he staggers merely by walking.

“Will you guys be fine if I leave you for the night?” Jaekwan cautiously speaks up, peering at the siblings.

“It’s fine, no need to concern yourself with us,” She smiles with difficulty. “How was the adoption procedure so quick anyway? Didn’t expect you’d get out that fast… Huh, where’s the dog?”

“Oh that, I have to submit some paperworks to complete the procedure so I’ll go back tomorrow.”

With a light nod from the older sister, the walk falls back into silence…

And the next day, Jaekwan faces a very unexpected guest.

“I… I’m sor– I apologiz… ugh, I,” The guy stands before him bashfully, croaking out incoherent sentences with much difficulty.

“...Baek Saheon.”

“Yes?! I mean, what I want to say is… I’m… I…” He sighs in desperation.

Jaekwan doesn’t really understand what he’s trying to convey, but the sight before him is amusing. He feels something stir in his heart the way Fifi did, and… that strangely pushes him to not respond, and just watch as Saheon stumbles over his own words again and again.

“Are you laughing?” Saheon shoots up a glare. “I’m… you’re laughing at me.”

“I’m not,” He firmly says, truly, he’s not laughing physically. It does look a bit funny though.

Saheon grits his teeth, fidgeting with the hem of his oversized sweater. His face looks visibly red, and Jaekwan can’t help but think that it’s cute how it resembles a ripe tomato.

“I’m sorry, okay!” He finally blurts out.

Jaekwan blinks in confusion. Saheon sure hasn’t been the most pleasant guy around, but that’s also because Jaekwan made a grave mistake over their first meeting. He reckons the guy is also not the type to apologize for something like this so why…

“It’s… that, ugh,” again, he coughs awkwardly. “I’m so..rry.. About the jasmines…”

“Huh?” Jaekwan tilts his head slightly. “The jasmines?”

“That… I pruned. And the bushes.”

Jaekwan nods, clearly knowing about his doing yet not expecting him to apologize about it. This feels a bit fishy…

“And that I used your WiFi to download like 40 episodes of dramas,” He pouts, clearly ashamed but he refuses to face Jaekwan. “And the salesmen…”

Huh. Wait.

“That was you?” Jaekwan is truly taken aback by the turns of events. So it wasn’t just his bad luck or anything? “You did all that?”

“And the.. And…”

There’s more?!

“Don’t tell me you caused the noise complaint too,” His breath hitched in his throat. This is unbelievable, it’s not because they’re harbingers of bad luck, Saheon is the bad thing that sabotages his luck!  

The silence that befalls is enough confirmation. Saheon’s gaze is stuck on the floor between them, and his hands wouldn’t stop fidgeting. Though, again, this feels a bit fishy. His reluctance is enough to tell Jaekwan that he had no intentions of apologizing over a single one of his actions, so why? Why now?

At first, Jaekwan thinks maybe it’s a way for him to show his gratitude for the incident that happened yesterday, but his attitude seems to be telling him otherwise. It’s strange.

“So, what do you want?” He bluntly asks, not wanting to prolong the silence anymore.

Saheon’s eyes widen in response, looking like he’s been caught in the act. “W.. what do you mean?”

“I don’t think you’re coming here just to apologize to me. Is there anything you need?”

Saheon opens his mouth, and closes it again, letting go of his defensiveness.

“...The shelter… me…” He speaks just barely audibly.

“What?”

“Please… ca.. Can't you come to the shelter with me..?” He grits his teeth for the umpteenth time, regret and shame washing over his face over and over again.

Huh.

“Why?” Jaekwan is truly dumbfounded. It’s not that far, and if Saheon hates Jaekwan so much, why ask for his help over something this trivial?

“Noona took the day off but..” he glances around warily, as if expecting someone to jump at him at any moment. “She’s not well.”

“Ah… There’s a clinic around the block, I also have some basic medications if–”

“Not physically!” Saheon snarls in response. “That… yesterday…”

Jaekwan blinks once, twice, before it dawns on him that the events yesterday had left them terrified. It didn’t really register to him how utterly helpless the siblings were at that time, so…

“So you’re scared,” Jaekwan says. He receives a bloodshot gaze in return, sharply piercing his chest the pain in Saheon’s eyes. “Why the shelter?”

“Ugh, I guess I wanted to… have something to protect us,” Saheon murmurs, spite coating every word he says. “Not like you’d understand.”

Jaekwan has to hold back a sigh at the snarky remark. He needs to remind himself that the siblings’ sensitivity is completely justified under this circumstance. He had only seen so little about the things they’ve gone through, and he had no say in how they should or should not act. Yet…

“So are you coming or not?” He retorts again.

Maybe not everything’s justified. Saheon can be a little bit of an asshole too, despite all that.

“..Yeah, I have to submit paperworks before bringing Fifi home anyway,” He sighs, turning back to get his documents.

“Wait, why are you going back?!” But Saheon reaches to his shoulder, grabbing it haphazardly.

“I.. I’m getting my paperworks?” Jaekwan turns to him, shooting a weirded out look.

The response leads to Saheon scrunching his face a little more. “What, you don’t have it all in your phone?”

“Um… no? Not all, at least.”

At the response, Saheon groans and lets Jaekwan go to grab the papers.

.

.

.

“Ah, you’re back!” The very same employee welcomes them cheerfully. “Sir, you wanna continue where we left off?”

“Oh, yes please.”

Thus, Saheon is left alone to wander around the shelter once again. He huffs, starting to sweep his gaze around to try and find a dog that looks even remotely scary enough to repel Annoying Bastards.

Small, small, too young, maintenance’s expensive, too aggressive…?

Saheon hesitates in front of a cage, then moves on to another. Then another, and another. Until he stops at the corner, starting to regret his choice and pickiness.

There’s not a single dog that feels intimidating intimidating to his eyes. The aggressive ones are either too small or too dangerously big. The perfectly sized ones are too soft and friendly to maintain a scary facade. He had a lot of hesitation, thinking he should just go back, or bring a big enough puppy home to train to be scary…

He walks again, examining each and every single one of the dogs, but…

“Ugh, who knew it would be this hard?” He murmurs. “I saw a lot of people having scary dogs so why is finding one myself so…”

“That looks scary enough I think.”

“Argh?!” Saheon yelps at the sudden heavy voice speaking behind him. “What– ugh, you!”

Jaekwan takes a step back, having accidentally startled Saheon. He’s softly holding Fifi in his arms, calm and compliant. She snuggles her fluffy head closer to her new papa, as if already content with him.

“Seems like she recognizes me,” He says, smiling rather bitterly at his own words. “Anyway, I’m sure that Shepherd will do just fine scaring people.”

Saheon reluctantly redirects his gaze at a certain large crate. True, the dog has a crazy intimidating stare, but… 

“‘M not getting that.” He turns away. “Noona’s not gonna like it.”

“Why?” Saheon couldn’t hold his pout back at the question.

“Why so curious? You like Noona?” He spits out. “And don’t even try to hide it, you’re trying to get your way with her!”

Jaekwan stares at Saheon with a scandalized expression Saheon didn’t know the guy could even make.

“So you're serious about that,” He solemnly says. “That’s why… Okay, let me get this clear, you’re wrong.”

“Liar!” He snarks again, staring straight at Jaekwan’s eyes.

“I don’t have the slightest interest in her, Baek Saheon. What makes you think that I do?”

Saheon widens his eyes in a dramatic surprise. “How can you say that! So you hate Noona?!”

“That’s not what I– Hah… you’re just doing this on purpose, aren’t you.”

Saheon huffs in triumph, his childish tricks once again makes it through Jaekwan. 

“I don’t want a German Shepherd either.”

“...Will you answer me if I ask why?”

“Whatevs. We had one. Went home one day, found 'im lifeless. That’s all.” Saheon shrugs his shoulders as if it’s the most normal thing in the world.

“...Lifeless?” He hesitates. “Of old age? Sickness?”

Again, Saheon shrugs his shoulders lightly. Though, the look on his eyes seems to be telling otherwise. “Dunno, they probably got to him.”

Jaekwan considers asking who ‘they’ Saheon is referring to, but…

“Sorry for your loss.” He exhales heavily. “So, which one will you get? I need to get proper rest before my shift.”

“Oh… Uh,” Saheon slightly panics at the thought of having to walk back home alone. He desperately throws his gaze at every single one of the dogs again, trying to single one of them out.

Then his eyes land at the dog inside a crate that’s currently moved by an employee. A familiar dog.

“That… uh, should be good,” He points at a fully black-coated dog with shining blue eyes. It looks intimidating and mighty, but also calm and collected.

Upon closer look, that’s the dog he saw yesterday, already replaced into a bigger crate as the employee said previously. Though, the colors and the vibe it gives out feels strangely familiar…

Saheon couldn’t help but glance at the black-haired man with deep, blue eyes standing just beside him. 

…

“On a second thought–”

“Hmm? That’s Fifi’s…” Jaekwan’s words cut him off. “Isn’t it Fifi’s sister?”

“What? That thing? They’re like two whole different breeds–”

“Ah sir, you’re right!” The employee cheerfully approaches them with the dog’s crate in her hands. “This is Sable, Fifi’s little sister! They were rescued from the same home, so…”

Saheon retracts his words, nodding in understanding.

“If you’re close to this fella right here who just became Fifi’s new dad, getting Sable’s a sure way to go! They won’t be having a hard time getting along~” She crouches down, freeing Sable from her cage.

The dog slowly steps outside, showing her smooth, black fur and intense gaze with certain coldness to it. It’s not overwhelming, but it doesn’t seem to be something to take lightly of either. Most of all, it looks healthy and docile.

As much as Saheon doesn’t want it due to the looks of her being uncannily similar with… a certain someone, Saheon also knows his sister would’ve loved Sable to death.

In that silly predicament, Saheon sighs in defeat before agreeing to adopt Sable.

“I’ll… Yeah, I’ll get her.”

.

.

.

Thus, begins an odd relationship that’s totally caused by the dogs’ familiarity with each other.

“Saheon-ssi, sorry I just woke up,” The man in a graphic tee yawns as if showing how sleepy he is.

“So you don’t want to walk Fifi? That’s too cruel! You–”

“Ugh, you’re never getting tired of it, do you?” Jaekwan grumbles, turning back to his house. “I’ll get her leash. Come in, Fifi misses Sable.”

Saheon only snickers at that, freely hopping into Jaekwan’s home to see the fluffball energetically runs toward them before coddling the two dogs together.

He giggles at Fifi's enthusiastic licks and yips, circling around him and Sable's body before hopping onto Saheon's chest.

“Profiteroles,” Jaekwan calls Fifi. Though, he is met with no answer from the dog. "Fifi?" He asks again, extending his hand with half-lidded eyes— but he accidentally reaches for something else instead.

“What the hell?!” Saheon’s face turns beet red when Jaekwan ruffles his head instead. “Why– I’m not Fifi!”

At that, Jaekwan retracts his hands. His face warms up seeing the other’s bashfulness(?), turning his gaze somewhere else.

“Sorry, your hair…” He fumbles around. “Fi.. Fifi? Fifi, come here, I’ll put your walk leash.”

With much difficulty, Jaekwan pulls Fifi away from Sable’s smothering licks. He securely fastens the leash around Fifi’s tiny body before signaling Saheon to walk together outside.

Since their feet step out the door until they're a few blocks away, Jaekwan and Saheon's daily walk today is enveloped in an awkward silence, only interrupted by occasional barks from the dogs.

“...Sable’s been a huge help, huh,” Jaekwan awkwardly starts a conversation—finally.

“Mm. No one has approached me or Noona weirdly anymore.”

“That’s a relief.”

.

.

“Did you do that because Fifi looks like Noona who has similar hair to me?” Saheon blurts out.

“What— huh? I told you Fifi doesn’t look like Noona.”

“Don’t call my Noona ‘Noona’!” He jerks his head, clearly taking offense at the assumed familiarity.

“I meant Noonim,” Jaekwan coughs in response. “Fifi doesn’t look like Noonim.”

“Ugh, you and your lies,” He sneers.

“I told you I’m not lying. She’s snappy, Noonim’s not.”

“You just haven’t seen her when she’s angry.”

“Well yeah, that’s why I don’t think Fifi looks like Noonim.”

“....”

“....”

“But, but her outside appearance–”

“God, I didn’t get Fifi because she looks like Noonim. It’s that she just reminds me of you!” Jaekwan blurts out in frustration before regretting it instantly. “I meant, Fifi’s… Fifi’s snappy attitude is just… just…”

Jaekwan’s voice slowly fades in embarrassment while Saheon stares at him in disbelief. Warmth creeps up his face, coloring his cheeks rosy while his jaw falls open.

“Y– You–”

“Woof!” But before Saheon could answer, Jaekwan is already pulled forward by Fifi, forcing them to keep walking to match the dogs’ pace.

“...”

"I guess Sable too… Looks kinda like you," Saheon murmurs, facing away from Jaekwan. "That, you're scary. And makes people don't wanna talk to you."

"….hm."

They then continue the whole walk in silence, before awkwardly bidding each other goodbye and getting into their respective homes.

“Saheon, you’re not walking Sable today?” Jaekwan finds himself in front of the brunette’s house after a long while of Saheon visiting his. “Hey, Fifi’s been crying to meet her, you know? Her temper is totally like yours.”

Jaekwan waits for no longer than a minute before a soft thud, a groan, and slow footsteps are heard.

When the door opens, what meets Jaekwan’s eyes is a bundle of blanket-covered human save for his beet red face and messy hair. Jaekwan almost blurts out something he knows he’ll regret, but he manages to catch himself in time before he could run his mouth carelessly, again.

“Nggh… ‘m not feeling too well, so…” He croaks out, his voice sounds nasally. “You can just.. Cough, walk Fifi alone today.”

“...What about Sable?”

“She’s still sleeping.”

“Can Fifi see her?”

“...Sure. She’s dirty though,” He murmurs, stumbling to make way for Jaekwan and Fifi. “Wanted to bathe her yesterday but I caught a cold.”

“You… hah,” Jaekwan sighs. “Just go back to your room, I’ll take care of Sable today.”

“...You’d do that?” He lifts his puffy eyes to stare at Jaekwan in disbelief.

“What makes you think I won’t?” Jaekwan furrows his eyebrows.

“...It’s… I guess, uh… whatever, I’ll watch you just in case.”

“No you can just go back to bed, it’s fine.”

“No, what if you steal something?”

Jaekwan holds back a groan. “What could even be stolen?”

“So you’re saying we’re broke. Is that it?”

“Oh God, just go back to your room and rest,” He grabs Saheon’s shoulders and pushes him toward his room. “You sound like you could collapse any minute.”

“Mmgh, no, I’ll lie down on the couch,” He stubbornly plants his feet on the floor, clearly not wanting to leave Jaekwan alone with the dogs. 

His stubborn demeanor elicits a long sigh from the older. Jaekwan gives up pushing Saheon back to his room as he guides the sickly guy to the couch. He spots a bundle of black fur near the brown sofa and reaches out to it after he gently lays Saheon down.

“Sable,” He murmurs, petting the dog awake. “Wanna walk with Fifi?”

Unexpectedly, instead of getting up at once at the sight of Fifi, Sable only whines. She slowly stands up only to stretch and lie back down again.

“Sable… Why not take a walk with your sister…?” Saheon tries to speak in his hoarse voice. “You’ve been cooped up... Cough, since yesterday…”

Sable whines yet again. She looks up at Saheon and stretches her snoot to nudge lightly at Saheon’s thigh, letting a voice that’s closer to a worried whimper.

“Looks like she’s worried about you,” Jaekwan fondly says, petting Sable’s head softly. “She’s very attentive.”

On the contrary, Fifi has been yip-yapping on the side at Sable’s uncooperativeness. She circles around the larger dog and snuggles her fluffy fur at her sister’s sides with a rapidly wagging tail.

“Fifi, not now,” Jaekwan sternly says. “Your sister is worried about Saheon. Let her be.”

At the talk, Fifi whines and jumps at Jaekwan’s lap. She curls up in a sulky motion, still yipping away her discontentment.

“...Sable I’m okay,” Saheon coughs again. “Take a short walk with Fifi and Jaekwan, okay? I’ll rest up here– Ah, god I forgot I haven’t fed her yet…”

“Right.”

Jaekwan wordlessly picks Fifi up and sweeps his gaze around. Finding the feed bowl, he reaches for the kibbles and a can of meat near it before putting them carefully into the bowl in one quick string of motion.

“Do you usually put water in too or is the wet food enough?” He asks after swiftly closing the dry food container.

“Mhm… We feed her like a cup of… Hold on, how, cough, how do you even know how much food to give to Sable?” Saheon rises from the sofa with difficulty, seemingly taken aback with Jaekwan’s precision on the measurements.

“You mentioned her diet once while we were on a walk. I just forgot if she needs water too or not in the bowl.” Jaekwan quickly ushers Saheon to lie back down.

He doesn’t comment any further, only saying Sable drinks her water separately. Saheon then obediently lies with the soft pillow Jaekwan snatched nearby for him and just stares at the man with the two dogs around him.

At this angle, Jaekwan looks especially… warm while locking his gaze with Fifi and Sable. His soft pats and giggles betray the intimidating gaze and toned body he maintains for his harsh job. The calloused fingers run through the fur with so much gentleness that it almost feels airy, and Saheon feels like he couldn’t rip his gaze away at the display of affection playing out in front of him.

A pat on the head would be nice, he thinks.

And surprisingly, the hand he has been staring at makes its way to gently ruffle his hair in a rather awkward manner.

“Like this…?” Jaekwan softly asks, eyes searching for Saheon’s.

Huh?

“You… just asked me to pat your head.”

Heat creeps up Saheon’s face– No, it’s just the fever. It’s just the fever that makes him weird like this.

Saheon coughs, clearly not expecting the soft caress of Jaekwan’s hand making it to his face. “I– that, fuck,”

“...You're a mess… I’ll get you some medicine after I walk Fifi and Sable. You stay put, okay? Oh, have you even eaten anything?”

“Mm.. No, but don’t worry about it. I’ll manage.”

After that, Jaekwan doesn’t even say anything. He just stands up again and goes straight to the kitchen, doing whatever he deems necessary for Saheon. Before Saheon knows it, Jaekwan is already back, holding a bowl with smoke emanating from it.

“When I walk the dogs, you better finish this up,” He sternly says, carefully moving the tea table within Saheon’s arm’s reach before putting the warm bowl of porridge and water on it for Saheon to eat. “I took the instant porridge and canned soup from your cupboard. There’s still some on the stove, but for now you just have to eat this and lie back down.”

Without giving Saheon time to respond, he immediately turns back to Sable, coaxing her to take a walk for a little while to keep her healthy and exercised. He swiftly fastens the leash he put on Sable and slowly makes his way outside.

“I’ll be back in a second.” He says, leaving Saheon dumbfounded, staring at the closed door across the room.

What the hell?

He feels his face warming up indefinitely, and forces his gaze back to the piping hot bowl of food on the table. That doesn’t help the thrum in his chest, at all…

Saheon shakes his head. He decides to think about it maybe another day. For now, he’ll just eat this and recover as Jaekwan instructed him to do.

.

.

.

“He’s asleep…” A soft voice makes its way back to the soundly sleeping Saheon on the couch.

Jaekwan carefully puts the medicines he’d bought on the table, trying to be as quiet as possible to not wake Saheon up. After a while of being together– Ahem, a few weeks of caring for the dogs together, Jaekwan notices Saheon’s high sensitivity to foreign sounds and touches, making him build a new habit of being careful with his own presence in Saheon’s.

Jaekwan notices how Saheon is such a light sleeper, even Sable’s breath on his skin could stir him awake. Though, said sensitivity might be gone the moment he gets sick because why do Fifi’s barks don’t wake him up now…?

He carefully puts a hand over Saheon’s burning forehead before placing a cooling patch over it. Jaekwan huffs in satisfaction noticing the empty bowl on the table and lets out a small chuckle when he sees the bits of the food left on the corners of Saheon’s lips. He reaches out to his face again, wiping the dirty cheeks along with some tear marks around his eyes.

Jaekwan really couldn’t help but hold back from squeezing the soft and utterly helpless round face before him. He really couldn’t pinpoint it, but he has been feeling way too fond toward Saheon and it never really dissipates. Better yet, or worse, he feels like it exponentially rises whenever he sees Saheon again and that’s…

Even when he feels exhausted and sleepy after a shift, Jaekwan finds himself unable to refuse the younger’s calls to walk the dogs together. He couldn’t really decline Saheon’s requests even if he feels like yawning every five seconds, feeling too compelled to comply and take care of the snappy guy with all his might.

Yawn…

Just like now.

He was really sleepy after the tedious shift, yet when he couldn’t hear Saheon’s calls at exactly 7 AM Jaekwan grew anxious and chose to visit him instead of taking the time to rest. Then he finds himself unable to stop doing just everything to make sure Saheon is healthy again after seeing him in such a state…

Ugh, the exhaustion is finally getting to him. When he's done cleaning up after the dogs and Saheon, Jaekwan immediately feels the weight of the night shifts on his muscles. Though, he eventually chooses to sit down near the sofa to try and keep Saheon in his sight with the dogs.

He absentmindedly caresses both Sable and Fifi in his arms, slowly drifting to sleep listening to Saheon’s slow and steady breaths beside him.

…

“Saheon-ah, Noona took half a day off to take care of y– oops,” The door opens with a rather loud call before immediately dwindling down to a whisper. “Oh wow~”

She takes in the utterly adorable sight before her. Noona’s little brother bundled up in a blanket on the sofa, truly looking soft and sickly accompanied by the even fluffier dogs and a large, familiar man falling asleep right at the edge of Saheon’s feet.

She has to hold back from making an audible squeal before swiftly grabbing her own blanket to drape over Jaekwan’s body. Though, he soon stirs awake at the contact before she could even cover him properly.

“Um.. ah, uh,” He looks obviously flustered, redness creeping from his neck to his cheeks. “Noonim..!”

“Ssh, you might wake Saheonie,” She puts her index finger over her widely stretched lips, forming a playful grin with deep fondness in her eyes. She pats Jaekwan on the shoulders, hushing him silent.

“Um… Sorry, I wasn’t supposed to sleep…” Jaekwan scratches his head, haphazardly standing up and straightens his posture. “Uh, I was just… Um, Saheon wasn’t coming so I went to walk Sable and turns out he’s sick so…”

Noona makes an attempt to hold her laughter back to no avail. “It’s okay, you’re twisting your tongue over that. Thank you for taking care of my baby brother, Jaekwan-ah.”

“Huh? Oh, yeah, I.. that was my pleasure,” He shakes his head. “I… Uhh, oh god it’s already this late, um I have to prepare for work…”

“Of course! Take it slowly, don’t stumble around like that,” She lightly chuckles at the sight of Jaekwan visibly panicking in embarrassment. “You put so much care into caring for Saheon-ie’s sick ass it almost looks like you like him or something.”

At that, the guy freezes, his gaze planted firm on the jacket he’s holding.

Ah.

“Oh my God,” She whispers.

“It’s not.. That’s not what it looks like– I mean, it kinda looks like it but that’s not…”

“It’s fine, Jaekwan-ah, it’s totally fine,” Her voice shakes in amusement. “You’re not exactly the most subtle person but you’re fine. I totally support you.”

“It’s not…!” Jaekwan’s voice is strained in his throat, face completely red. He’s already turned into a blubbering mess and he’s about to be reduced even more to a mush of embarrassment.

“Well, whatever you say Jaekwan. Just know I’ll be supportive, okay?”

“Uh.. Um, th- thanks, I’ll be late to work so…” He sprints outside right when Noona kindly opens the door for him, startling Fifi as he grabs her so suddenly. He bids Noona goodbye in a flash and disappears to his house as a stumbling mess with a pounding heart.

“Noona!” Saheon calls out toward the bedroom. “Noona, let’s bathe Sable!!”

“Saheon-ah, I think I caught your flu…” She groans, not moving an inch from the sofa she’s currently sprawled on.

“No way!” He shouts, footsteps rapping against the floorboards approaching the woman. “You literally just moved the bookshelves around for space! You just don’t wanna get wet with Sable do you?”

The older pouts, rolling around with a pillow over her head. She looks at Saheon lazily, clearly not wanting to move at all from the cozy spot.

“‘M tired Saheon-ah…”

“”You know I can’t bathe her by myself,” He contests Noona’s pout. “She's too heavy.”

“Why not ask Jaekwan-ie for help then?” At the suggestion, Saheon’s face involuntarily heats up.

“Ja– why him?”

“...? Why not? He’s our… close neighbor isn’t he?”

“But… he’s… ugh, I’ll just bathe her myself!”

With that, Saheon stomps away to get Sable in his room while his sister just giggles without moving, gaze back at her phone again.

“Don’t forget to give him many thanks Saheon-ah~” She teases aloud as the younger brother passes by her again.

“Why?! Ugh, you’re so annoying.”

“Well he took good care of you and all when you were sick,” Noona wiggles her eyebrows playfully. “Y’know he stayed with you the whole time before I arrived? I think he might like you.”

“W–what?! No way!” That comes out a little too loud for Saheon’s liking– and maybe Sable too, as she starts to bark in displeasure. “Oh, sorry, um, Noona stop teasing me!”

“I’m not! I’m just saying you gotta thank him is all!”

“Whatever!”

Saheon begrudgingly ushers Sable outside to the yard, kicking away all thoughts his sister planted in his brain before carefully setting up a proper space for him to wash Sable.

He kneels on the small patch of grass on the patio, fixing the hose to the faucet before turning it on. Saheon splashes the water around for him and Sable to feel, making sure the temperature isn’t too low nor too high.

“It’s a bit hot out right now, you want the water a little colder?” He coos, rubbing Sable’s jaw while carefully spraying the water to her paws.

She seems content with the water as she starts to duck and lick the wet patches, following the hose around.

“Right! Okay, I’ll– eugh,” He groans when Sable jumps around. Saheon hugs Sable with all his might to stop her from leaping everywhere, but it only pushes his body away. “Sable! Sable, c’mere!”

“Woof!” She happily barks, still prancing around Saheon and the water.

Saheon tries, and kinda fails, to fully soak Sable. His grip on the hose is unstable as he twirls around in circles, trying to get water on the dog.

Spin, spin, and spin again they go, until…

“Woah!” A stumble, and Saheon falls. He tries moving his legs to shift his balance, but is shocked to find his ankles tied together by the length of the hose.

At that, Sable hops onto Saheon with her half-wet fur in joy with barely any remorse for the poor guy beneath her. She rolls and soaks Saheon’s shirt without a care despite him groaning and wailing underneath.

“Sable– Sable don– Uahk?!” He chokes when Sable steps on his chest, punching the air out of his lungs. “Sa.. ugh.. Oh my gosh… Sable…”

The dog only barks and licks Saheon’s face as he limps pathetically, sprawled on the floor. The water is running right on his clothes, Sable’s fur is all over his face, and Saheon is really considering yelling at the top of his lungs to call for his Noona when…

“Saheon? Are you alright?” A soft, concerned voice is heard over the gates, making Saheon bolt to sit upright.

“Huh? Whuh, yeah?” He says, tidying himself up in a vain attempt to look at least a little bit presentable for the guy approaching him. “I’m– that, cough- uhk.”

“You’re soaking wet, and… oh, hi Sable,” Jaekwan reaches out to the wet dog, greeting her happily. “You trying to wash her?”

Saheon shrugs, as if saying ‘can’t you see?’

“Glad to see you’re already healthy and kicking, then,” He chuckles.

“Why aren’t you at work?” Saheon sulks, feeling like he’s being teased by the older.

“Took time off. Need help with Sable? You seem… to be more than just struggling.”

“Ugh I’m doing just fine!” He exclaims, turning his back to spray Sable with water before she leaps at him again, crashing them both down to the ground.

“You can’t hold Sable’s weight, huh,” There’s a faint tremor in Jaekwan’s voice, visibly holding back a giggle. “I can help you if you need me to.”

“Fuck, my hip!” Saheon cries out when Sable stomps on his sides.

“Ouch, come here, I’ll help,” Jaekwan grimaces at the sight, holding his own hip as if he feels the pain himself.

With a groan, Saheon begrudgingly decides to accept the help and lets Jaekwan pick up his limp body with ease. He then takes off the jacket he was wearing and drapes it over the smaller guy, reflectively patting him on the head.

“You’ll catch a cold... again,” He coughs in embarrassment, just realizing what he has done.

“...You’re about to get wet too, you know that?” Saheon retorts, face as red as Jaekwan’s. “Whatever. Why not grab Fifi as well? Y’know, two birds, one stone and stuff.”

“...You’re right, Fifi is kinda dirty too.”

After that short, awkward exchange, Jaekwan ruffles Sable’s head once more before going back to his home to get Fifi, leaving Saheon alone with his thoughts.

Had it been a cartoon, there would be smoke fuming from his head just from how hot his face goes when he touches the jacket over his shoulders. Saheon sneakily sniffs the piece of clothing, reeling in the musky scent before catching himself falling deeper into the weird habit.

‘Fuck, what the hell…’

An enthusiastic bark snaps Saheon out of his train of thoughts. He recognizes the sound of Fifi's from beyond the porch, and Jaekwan who has changed his outfit to a more casual sleeveless shirt that shows his… um, Saheon swiftly redirects his gaze to Sable, trying hard not to glance at Jaekwan’s toned arms.

“C’mere, I’ll help you handle Sable and you get Fifi.” He crouches down, releasing Fifi to play with Sable while helping Saheon to get up.

Without a response, Saheon grabs the hose and hands it to Jaekwan, signaling him to start.

.

.

.

“Hey.. H- hyung, get me the shampoo bottle,” At the stuttered remark, Jaekwan stares at Saheon in disbelief.

“Huh?”

“What?! The shampoo, c’mon!” He puffs his cheeks, pointing at a lavender bottle just in Jaekwan’s arm’s reach. “Did the barks break your ears or something?”

“No, um,” Jaekwan seemingly wants to comply without arguing any further, but his movements stop halfway and he turns back to Saheon. “What did you just call me?”

“W… What the hell did I call you?”

“You just called me ‘Hyung’,” Jaekwan couldn’t stop the twitch at the corner of his mouth. The other just gapes in silence, trying so hard to come up with excuses or retorts, making Jaekwan’s heart swell with… something.

“I didn’t! Whatever, even if I did, so what? Didn’t you always protest whenever I call you by your name, because you’re older or something?!”

“Not really, it’s– pwah?!” Jaekwan’s sentence comes to a halt when he feels a sudden splash of cold water on his face. “Guh– Saheon?!”

“Shush! Just bathe the babies!” Saheon turns his head away, but the mischievous smirk creeping up his face isn’t missed by Jaekwan’s gaze.

He leans back in amusement, hands ready to deflect more water coming to him when Saheon points the hose again.

“Take this, you– Uwah?!” Saheon yelps when Jaekwan successfully splashes water to his face in return.

“That’s not fair when you’re the only one holding the hose, is it?” Jaekwan clicks his tongue playfully, grabbing Saheon’s wrist to redirect the hose right to Saheon.

“Buh- uh- pwah– Get off!!” Saheon screams, pushing Jaekwan away.

The action leaves both of them stumbling. Jaekwan successfully regains his balance, ready to grab Saheon but…

“Woof!”

A bundle of brown fur jumps enthusiastically, enveloping Saheon’s face in a sloppy hug that sends both of them stumbling down messily on the floor. A pained scream is heard along with two sets of loud barking, turning the situation a complete mess.

“Fuck!” He cries out, holding his poor hips. “Fifi– cough, oh my god!”

“Are you okay?” Jaekwan crouches in worry along with Sable, huddling around Saheon in concern. “You seem to be falling on your behind a lot today.”

“It hurts like shit, y’know?” Saheon groans. “Now please help– ugh, Fifi stop licking me! You made me fall!”

“Woof?” As if pleading innocence, the pomeranian whimpers and jumps, looking at Saheon with her big, boba eyes in confusion.

“Don’t look at me like that!” He pouts in return.

“Woof!” She barks again, as if arguing with Saheon.

“Hyu– Jaekwan, get your dog!”

“You almost called me Hyung again,” He says, eyebrows raised in amusement.

“I don– gosh, c’mon, Fifi is harassing me!” 

“She’s just trying to play with you, don’t be so dramatic,” Jaekwan giggles under his breath. “I’ll help you if you address me properly, though.”

“Ugh, how petty,” Saheon sneers, but his voice is quickly drowned out by the barks and whines. “Argh! Fuck, Fifi– Sable help me?!”

Said dog just prances around Saheon, entertaining Fifi and the neglected hose endlessly streaming out water. She seems to find enjoyment in the scene, thinking Fifi is playing happily with Saheon. Her sister’s happiness is hers too, after all.

“Ugh, urgh, c’mon…!!” Saheon tries to swat the dogs away from his face, but that only makes them more enthusiastic to chase after it and step on Saheon carelessly. “Ja… Hyung, c’mon help me!!”

Jaekwan almost barks a laugh at the desperate’s plea before bending down.

“Alright,” He crouches to grab Saheon’s arms and leads Fifi away, but… “Huh–?”

Wham!

At the distracted approach, Fifi jumps away, making Jaekwan’s hand slip on air and stumble forward. It’s not helping that Sable’s course of steps is right around him, pushing him over the slippery floor.

“What the–” A sudden shade blocks Saheon’s sight of the sun, shadow looming over him heaving in slight panic and shock.

He finds himself trapped beneath Jaekwan who is hanging on dear life to the arms that are actively supporting him on either side of Saheon’s body in order to prevent him slamming his whole body weight over the younger’s.

They stay in silence for a few seconds, breathlessly looking at each other. Jaekwan’s blue eyes lock at Saheon’s brilliant green ones, widening in shock and anticipation. As for the other…

He is still panicking for a spot to land his gaze on, the toned arms on either side of him, the thick neck, the sharp jawline, lips parted in heavy pants, and the… the…

Saheon almost wants to scream at the realization of their bodies being way too too close, but his heart skips a beat at the intense gaze from the man above him. Their body heat flushing together makes it impossible for Saheon to flail and break free. It was truly, truly an uncomfortable position to be in but hell if Saheon knows why he.. Likes it too much. So much that he forgets to breathe.

He feels strange. The churn in his stomach, the heat, it doesn't feel unwelcome. The way Jaekwan's breath tickles his skin too makes him shiver all over, yet…

“Oh my god!” An exclamation that didn’t come from neither Jaekwan nor Saheon snaps them back to reality. “Oh wow, sorry, did I interrupt something?”

At that, Jaekwan scrambles to get up as well as pulling Saheon’s body toward him, careful not to hit any of the dogs.

“Ah, Noonim– This is, that–” He stutters, face red as a tomato looking at the sister who wears a totally mischievous expression on her face.

“Sorry, you guys just look so lovey-dovey that I just can’t…” She sighs in an overdramatic manner, voice shaking holding in her laughter.

“N– Noona, scram!” Saheon pushes Jaekwan away, grabbing the hose to resume his work. “It’s… you said you didn’t wanna help so go back!”

“Damn, so angry huh,” She whistles before turning around back to the house. “Enjoy your lovely time together then~ tsk, young lovebirds.”

“We’re not lovebirds!” With a vain rebuttal, Saheon’s scream falls into deaf ears.

“Not yet!” A voice responds, leaving the both of them in dumbfounded silence that… doesn’t seem too bad. Though, really, the chaos in both of their minds are rendering them unable to act on anything first. That might finally be the point they would need to process it, lest all hell breaks loose.

Not yet, huh…

-Fin