Archive of Our Own

i.

There was light chatter in the restaurant as the patrons clinked their glasses. But only a faint dim of voices reached Yeonjun in his private booth.

He had been waiting for five minutes.

Yeonjun hated waiting.

The man he was supposed to meet should have been there 15 minutes earlier. But he wasn’t and now Yeonjun had to be the one waiting.

His guards were tense. They wouldn’t do anything so unprofessional as to move unnecessarily, but as Yeonjun started tapping his foot, they went on high alert.

“Sir," the voice of Yeonjun’s right hand spoke from behind him.

He hummed in response. He just wanted to get back to his house and make a plan to deal with an asshole like this. Yeonjun’s baby was out of town, so there would be no one to temper his anger. Maybe this was for the best. 

“We’ve received intel that Byungho’s escort has been rerouted, and he is making his way to one of his safe houses," Taehyun explained calmly. “We believe that this meeting may have seen a set-up.”

Yeonjun stilled. “It took you five minutes to find that out?”

“It took me five minutes to apprehend the men who tried to poison your meal. I found out about the set-up before we even got in the car, sir.”

Out of all of his employees, only Taehyun could speak to him in a certain way and get away with it. His father and his friends often called him out on the blatant favouritism, but honestly, it was because Taehyun was the only one who knew how to do his job.

“So, why was I not informed of this before we got into the car?”

“I wanted to make sure we had the men apprehended before I informed you.”

Translation: I wanted to bring you positive news instead of telling you this and then letting the men go.

“Let’s go see them," Yeonjun decided and got up. He had not touched anything that was set in front of him, having got a hint from Taehyun. “Where are they?”

Taehyun fell in step with him, and the guards converged around them, creating a protective circle as they made their way out of the restaurant. “I had them moved to the warehouse near the Han River.”

“What about Byungho?”

“I have a few men on him. They are keeping their distance.”

Yeonjun considered that. “Increase the men on him. Have a blueprint of his safehouses ready for me at the mansion.”

“Yes, sir.”

“And, Taehyun.” Yeonjun waited outside his car as the other gave his commands. “Take the car and go to the mansion, handle the communications and find me a trail of the money.”

“Thank you, hyung.”

Yeonjun had been thirteen years old when he had found Taehyun, a small, slight boy eleven years old with the biggest eyes he had ever seen. Yeonjun kept him immediately. Granted, it had been his father who found Taehyun. But he knew what the older man had planned for the boy, and Yeonjun hadn’t wanted that. 

Taehyun used to be so small and so scared. He hadn’t spoken for the longest time, Yeonjun was convinced that he was mute, or he didn’t know how to speak. But Yeonjun was determined. He used to take him everywhere. To the private school, language classes, music classes. The more physical classes too. Everywhere except for the shooting range, because Taehyun had flinched from the sound so bad, one time, that he had hurt himself. 

So, even now, after all these years, Yeonjun never took him to any place with guns, or the possibility of guns. In everything but blood, Taehyun was his little brother.

His car only started moving towards the warehouse after Taehyun’s had left. His number of guards had halved, which Yeonjun preferred. The warehouse they were going to be one of the smaller ones. It wouldn’t do to have so many people inside there. It would be far too crowded.

When they reached, there were already men lining outside the walls. Some of them had blood on them. 

Yeonjun raised an eyebrow as he drew closer. The head of this squad, Hyunjin, stepped beside him. 

“What the fuck happened?”

“They tried to struggle and had knives," Hyunjin answered, short and precise. “Taehyun informed us about the situation so we went to get the men who were hiding out in the restaurant. There’s another group of our men currently capturing the other base. You’ll have a complete report and the men by tomorrow morning.”

“Have Kai deal with the men tomorrow morning. I want information about the bases, money, drugs, women, everything that these fuckers touched. Get Soobin to get me their contacts. They wouldn’t have attempted this without help, and I want to know how many more bodies I need to bury.”

“Yes, boss.” 

“What did you get from these men?” 

“Nothing, sir. They are very tight-lipped.”

Yeonjun made a questioning sound. “How is it that one of my best men can’t make someone talk?”

“They have training, sir. They know exactly what to do in case of interrogation.”

“Fine," Yeonjun snapped. “I was under the impression that you were given training too.”

Hyunjin didn’t reply. He moved back when they entered the room the men were being kept in. 

Yeonjun’s phone pinged, and he felt his lips curling into a smile. A reminder.

Fine, he’d make it quick. 

The scene back at the mansion seemed familiar. Everyone was rushing around, trying to get things done according to his orders. His father was probably in his study, Yeonjun should probably go to him. He won’t, not yet. He had other things that demanded his attention, namely, Taehyun and the paper trail he had for him.

Byungho had been getting ambitious. The meeting today was supposed to check that ambition in place and maybe redirect it into something that could benefit them both. 

Being an arms dealer, Byungho had many contacts. It could have been such a favourable partnership for them, had he not decided to be a little bitch. Yeonjun thought you were supposed to get smarter the longer you stayed in the underground, not stupider. Now, Byungo has made a mess and it’s distracting Yeonjun from his more important priorities.

His phone weighed heavy in his pocket the longer he ignored the text. 

If nothing else, Byungho would bleed for this. 

Taehyun was in the Ops room when Yeonjun got back. He was busy relating the information he got with that he knew previously. Yeonjun observed the coming and goings of the room, still unnoticed by the mess of workers. 

It's been years since Taehyun was given the full command for the place and he had only proved his efficiency and loyalty since then. However, there were some people who still had a problem with him. Yeonjun had been trying to lure them out, but it’s been difficult with everything else on their plate. Though now, as he watched Taehyun give out orders, he could easily tell there were a few of them who resisted everything he said. 

Yeonjun made a note of them all, specifically the ones who were being a pain in the ass to Taehyun. The younger was very calm and centred, so when he started shouting at one of the guys – the same one that was on Yeonjun's list – he knew that this matter was serious. 

Blondie – and it was such an offending shade of blond too – looked nonchalant as Taehyun started yelling, snatching his phone away, and breaking it in half with his bare hands.

He didn't interfere, wanting to see how Taehyun handled the crisis and the man. 

“How many fucking times do I have to tell you not to bring your damn phone in here?!" Taehyun yelled, not bothering to back down even when the person finally flinched, in the face of Taehyun's rage. "This was your last fucking strike, get the hell out of here. If I see your face in the Ops room again, I will kill you myself."

“You don't have any authority," the man stuttered, and really, Yeonjun did not understand where this stupidity came from. Considering what Taehyun was saying, this was a repeated offence too. Which meant that he must have reported it, so why had this not reached Yeonjun's ears.

They needed to make a lot of changes, it seemed. Yeonjun kept a note of it all, he really did not want his baby to live in conditions like this. 

Taehyun laughed, something dark and mean. "You think I don't have authority?" He said slowly, walking towards the man and forcing him to retreat backwards. The entire room was silent now, so their footsteps echoed in the space.

“You think anyone will dare stop me if I decide to take your pathetic life right here? Right now? Do you really think the gun I carry is for show? But," Taehyun chuckled again, “I don't even need a gun to take care of people like you.” 

That was all he needed to say before turning around and walking back to his station. this should have ended there, if the blondie knew what's good for him, he would not have dared to run after Taehyun with a pocket knife.

Really, everyone and their mother saw that coming. No one even gasped. 

Yeonjun sighed. Since when did they start hiring people as idiotic as him? He was going to do a thorough check at their recruitment process. 

He walked briskly over to the blondie, covering the distance in three long steps. He grabbed the offending arm, twisting it as he brought it behind the man's back.

Taehyun didn't even turn around, focused on his work once again.

“Did he not tell you to get out of here?” Yeonjun hissed in his ears. He didn't typically get his hands dirty, but this was an exception. 

“He asked you a question," Taehyun called out. “I would answer it, if I were you.”

The man started stuttering even more as he said his answer. Yeonjun stopped listening. 

The pocket knife was far too blunt to actually hit him, but it was enough to cause a lot of pain. 

Taking the knife away from blondie wasn't difficult. Yeonjun spun the man around and threw him on the floor. Going down on one knee, one hand on the man's neck and the other holding the knife, Yeonjun probably looked insane, but who could blame him?

He's had a stressful day, this was just getting rid of excess energy. 

Everyone in the compound was used to the screams at this point, so one bothered to come close when Yeonjun carved out an X on his cheek with the same blunt pocket knife. 

Just what sort of damage did he think he could inflict on Taehyun with this rubbish weapon? Yeonjun wanted to scoff, but he was too focused on the task at hand to even think about moving. 

“Hyung," Taehyun said, “you might want to see this.”

Yeonjun grunted in response, still focused on carving out blondie's face. The man had stopped screaming now, 

“Yeonjun hyung," Taehyun insisted. “Please, this is about Byungho. You really want to see this.” 

That finally pulled Yeonjun away from the task at hand. He got up, taking the towel handed to him to wipe himself off the blood. 

“Take him to medical, I'll deal with him later," Yeonjun dismissed him. Immediately, two men came up and started dragging blondie away. 

“Tell me," he said to Taehyun as soon as the man was out. Everyone resumed their work as well with one wave of Yeonjun's hand. 

“Byungho's assets are all over the country, but none of them are secured. One tip to the Finance Bureau and he's busy. But, most of his cash is all the way in the Cayman Islands and it's been rerouted through shell companies. I have the details ready, just tell me what to do," Taehyun reported. And this was why Taehyun had the position and power he did.

Yeonjun hummed in consideration. There were a few ways they could handle this now. But his baby's been asking for a new car, and Yeonjun saw this beautiful Bulgari jewellery set that would look adorable on his baby. 

His mind made up, he gave his orders. “I want the buildings burned. If they've got any cash in them, donate it to charity or something. The cash in accounts, transfer that to our company. I want half of the funds in my account, half in my baby's. The rest you can deal with it as you see fit.”

Taehyun nodded. “Got it, boss. Anything else?”

“I want Byungho dealt with by tomorrow. Have Kai on the case.”

“He already is.”

“Perfect. Transfer the funds asap.”

Another nod, and that was it. Yeonjun still had a lot to deal with, mainly the deals that Byungho had made with any family recently. 

The second he stepped out of the Ops room, Soobin ambushed him. 

“Soobin," Yeonjun greeted him curtly, taking the stacks of paper Soobin had. 

“Boss, these are the details of Byungho's contacts. Some of the deals he had made were with the Kim family. I've talked to them, and they are willing to cut ties with them if you get them another deal with a weapon's distributor.”

“What else?” Yeonjun asked, going over the list of weapon's distributors their family kept on contract. One of them would do perfectly.

“He has a few cartels operating out of the country, women, and drugs. I've sent a few tips to the Intelligence Agency. They'll handle the rest.”

“Good work, Soobin. I'll take care of the deals. Help Taehyun out in the Ops room, some people think they can order him around, take care of that," Yeonjun ordered. He stopped in his steps when his phone buzzed again. His baby was very impatient today. 

He patted Soobin on the back when he asked if he was okay, brushing off his concern as he went straight to his study, as Soobin went to Ops room. Yeonjun trusted Soobin to follow the rest of his orders, and Kai was already tracking down Byungho.

Finally, he could relax. 

The study felt boring without his baby, and no matter how many times his baby went on trips, Yeonjun would always fiercely miss him. This wait would never get easier. 

Situating himself in the study, he finally opened his phone to a barrage of text messages. That wasn't unexpected though, but what made Yeonjun smile widest was the line of texts, i am coming home early, hyung!!!! you better be at the airport to pick me up or i'll be very, very sad.

As if Yeonjun would do anything else.

Finally, his baby was coming home. Everything else could wait. 

It was hours later, the matter of Byungho was coming to a conclusion after Kai had hunted the man down. Yeonjun dealt with the man personally, leaving nothing for the dogs and ripping him apart limb by limb. 

Why do these people think they could go against Yeonjun and come out unscathed?

He almost felt pity. 

Almost. 

The pity evaporated when Byungho - stupid, foolish Byungho - said something about his baby. There were a lot of things that Yeonjun could say. Most of the time they were simply not worth his time or effort. But, this?

It was a mercy to Byungho that Yeonjun didn't actually burn him alive.

(though, as he lay crying and bleeding on the floor, begging for death as the nail gun did its work, no one would call it mercy.)

as soon as that was over - Yeonjun really hated getting his hands dirty – he hopped in his new car and went straight to the airport. 

His baby should have landed by now, and getting through customs always took time. And even if Yeonjun was late, he had gifts and those should be enough to pacify his baby for the time. 

Reaching the airport did not take as long as he expected. By some miracle, though, he reached exactly five minutes before his baby exited the airport, carrying a single bag. It was Louis Vuitton if Yeonjun remembered correctly. 

None of that mattered, though. Because the second his baby saw Yeonjun, he started running towards him. 

Yeonjun made no effort to hide his laughter as he moved to his baby, throwing his arms open to catch him. He was light as a feather, something that Yeonjun did not like but couldn't do anything about because his baby liked being a model. 

“Hyung, I missed you so much," he mumbled in the lapel of his suit. Yeonjun hummed and hugged him tighter.

“I missed you too, Beomgyu, so much you have no idea," Yeonjun replied and pressed a few kisses into Beomgyu's crown. 

“I am saying no to any overseas trips that are longer than three days. This was torture, hyung, I never want to do this again," he whined, snuggling even closer to Yeonjun.

“It's over now, baby. I am not letting you go anywhere now.”

“Promise?” Beomgyu looked up, stars in his eyes, and Yeonjun could never say no to him. 

“Promise, my love. Let's go home now?”

His baby nodded empathetically. Yeonjun couldn't help but laugh, as he guided Beomgyu to the new car waiting for him. 

The Bulgari set was at the house, and he had a lot of time to show it to Beomgyu. 

“Hyung!!” Beomgyu looked at him, nearly vibrating with how excited he was. “Is this for me?”

“Of course, my love," Yeonjun answered, looking at him fondly. 

Though, the scream of pure joy that left Beomgyu's mouth was reward enough. The ecstatic way he looked at Yeonjun afterwards was worth the hassle that Byungho had put up. 

And the picture that Beomgyu painted, writhing on his sheets, with diamonds on his neck and Yeonjun's marks all over his body, was worth every trouble that Yeonjun had ever gone through. 

ii.

Beomgyu was hiding something. 

Yeonjun noticed it maybe two days after it started happening. The delay in realization was only because of the meetings he had been forced to attend. The mess with Byungho was still being cleaned up, and for Yeonjun it translated into a hellish amount of calls and people to deal with.

Which was why he didn't notice when Beomgyu started acting shifty. To be fair, Beomgyu usually acted like that when he was pulling a prank on Soobin, so Yeonjun hadn't paid much attention. But when Beomgyu didn't return to their bed for the second night in a row, Yeonjun got worried. 

It got worse when Beomgyu refused to go out on dates, citing some excuses but nothing concrete, and nothing that he couldn't push back. 

But the truly concerning thing was Beomgyu saying no to sex. 

Not once in their three-year relationship had Beomgyu ever said no to sex. If Yeonjun was a lesser man, he'd be in tears right now. As it stood, Yeonjun was not a lesser man, but he was only capable of taking so much of his boyfriend's indifference. 

It was completely logical, then, that he'd spent his night bugging Taehyun and Soobin as they all got progressively drunk. Beomgyu had said to another date, and Yeonjun could only take so much. 

“Do you think he doesn't love me any more?” Yeonjun asked, again. He had been stuck on this line of thinking since he had started drinking and, if the irritated huff was anything to go by, Taehyun and Soobin were done with him.

“Hyung,” Taehyun answered with his endless patience, though Yeonjun knew he was thoroughly testing the limits today. “Beomgyu hyung loves you. Anyone with eyes can see that he loves you. Heck, even blind people can see that he loves you.”

“What he said," Soobin slurred. The glass in his hands was dangerously close to slipping out.

“It's just," Yeonjun said, close to tears at the thought of his boyfriend breaking up with him. “I love him so much, you know. But he's not even spending time with me now. We've got that Gala coming up, too, and I don't want him to be sad when we go there.”

Taehyun pulled the glass from his hands, ignoring Yeonjun's whining. "Hyung, have you talked to Beomgyu yet?" Taehyun knew he hadn't, but he had to redirect Yeonjun into doing something. 

"No," Yeonjun sniffled. 

"Okay, so go talk to him. Tell him what you told me. I can promise you that Beomgyu hyung still loves you and is not planning on leaving you."

"But what if he doesn't want to talk to me?" Yeonjun whined again. He was thirsty suddenly, he wanted more whiskey, or scotch. Or whatever they were drinking right now.

"He will," Taehyun reassured him and slid the glass further away from him. "In fact, I bet that he will talk to you right now."

"Right now?" Yeonjun stared at him dubiously. "Right now right now?"

"Yes, right now."

"You think I should talk to him right now?"

"Yes, you should absolutely talk to him right now. Hell, I'll call him right now and you can talk to him right now."

"Hah! He won't come!" Yeonjun exclaimed happily, and then got sad, because Beomgyu won't come if he called him. "Why won't he come? Did I do something wrong? Should I get him that new Swarovski set? Or just take him to Tiffany's?"

"Hyung," Soobin's sleepy voice interrupted his ever spiralling thoughts. "Beomgyu will come. Now pass me that bottle."

"Pass me the thing first," Yeonjun replied. 

"What thing?"

"The thing! You know? the thing?"

"No, hyung, I don't know what thing," Soobin groaned. "Just pass me the rum!"

Oh so that's what they were drinking right now. No, focus, Yeonjun. "Pass me the thing first."

"WHAT THING?!" 

"The thing you drink out of! You know the thing!!"

"YOU MEAN A GLASS? YOU WANT A GLASS?"

"YES, A GLASS!! WHAT ELSE DID YOU THINK I WAS SAYING?!" 

"NOT A FUCKING GLASS THAT'S FOR SURE!"

"Soobin hyung," Taehyun's deceptively calm voice broke in between the yelling. Yeonjun shut up immediately, still trying to reach for the glass. "If you give him the glass, I will turn you inside out."

Soobin swallowed. "I won't give him the glass."

"Good," Taehyun nodded and turned his attention back to Yeonjun. "You."

"Me?" 

"Beomgyu hyung is coming to pick you up."

At the reminder of his boyfriend, Yeonjun started sniffling again. "He won't come, he hates me now. Do you think he doesn't love me anymore?"

Taehyun's groan could be heard throughout the building.

Yeonjun was out of his face drunk by the time Beomgyu got there. He was clinging to Taehyun and they were so lucky that no one else was in this hole-in-a-wall bar, because they would be so fucked. 

The future head of the biggest crime family crying in a bar about his boyfriend. Yeah, they were lucky Beomgyu got there when he did.

"Hyung," Beomgyu called out the moment he stepped inside. “Hyung, come on, let's go home."

Yeonjun didn't say anything, just stared at Beomgyu with unseeing eyes. He looked at Beomgyu and then back at Taehyun and then back at Beomgyu. 

"This is not real," he said finally, refusing to look at Beomgyu again.

"What do you mean? Of course I am real." Should Beomgyu be offended or not? He was just very confused.

"You are not real, because real Beomgyu wouldn't come." Yeonjun answered resolutely. 

Beomgyu looked helplessly at Taehyun. Maybe he would speak some sense. 

Taehyun took pity on him and explained. "Yeonjun hyung thinks you don't love him anymore, and that you wouldn't come to see him or pick him up because you hate him now."

"hyung," Beomgyu whined, actually sad that Yeonjun would think that. "You know that's not true."

Yeonjun did not reply. He kept on staring at Beomgyu. 

"Hyung, I promise, I'm the real Beomgyu and I love you very much."

"Nuh-uh, real Beomgyu wouldn't come. He hates me now."

Why was Yeonjun so stubborn? Beomgyu wanted to groan. Time to change his  approach, then. "Why do you think that hyung?"

"He doesn't love me anymore."

"Yeah, but why?"

"Ask him, he won't even talk to me now," Yeonjun sniffled. Finally, he looked at Beomgyu and did a double take. "Are you a clone?"

And that did not answer any question that Beomgyu had but at least he knew what his boyfriend was thinking. 

Beomgyu wouldn't lie and say that it didn't hurt him, having his boyfriend think that he didn't love him anymore, but this was entirely Beomgyu's doing. He had been trying to get a project done, not wanting to show Yeonjun the unfinished piece, but unknowingly had ignored Yeonjun. 

Yeonjun was such a crybaby, though, Beomgyu thought fondly exasperated as he convinced Yeonjun to come into the car and that this Beomgyu was actually the real one. 

He would have a hell of a hangover tomorrow, Beomgyu winced in pity. This was partially his own fault though, he'd try very hard to make it easy on Yeonjun. Plus, they were due for a talk anyways, what was better than waking him up with kisses and breakfast in bed. Nothing, Beomgyu thought resolutely. 

Beomgyu would fix it. Yeonjun was prone to sulking and crying - though he hid it very well from anyone that wasn't Beomgyu - when ignored for a period of time, and really, how had Beomgyu forgotten about that in the haze of his project? Nothing was as important as Yeonjun. 

Yeonjun woke up to something burning. 

His first thought was to check beside him, and when he realized the bed was empty, he shot up. Grabbing his phone and the gun beneath his pillow was second nature as he raced out of the room to try to find Beomgyu.

Yeonjun was still half-asleep but armed and ready to go, because something was burning dammit, and where were the fucking guards?!

“Hyung!” Beomgyu's shout brought Yeonjun out of his state. “What are you doing? Are you okay? Did something happen?”

Slowly, Yeonjun came to himself. They were in the kitchen, Beomgyu was wearing an apron. The guards were all outside, as they had been instructed by Yeonjun himself. They were in their house, Beomgyu was safe. The burning smell was of the breakfast that Beomgyu was trying to cook.

Yeonjun exhaled. Finally, being able to breathe as his brain registered that everything was okay. They were all safe. Beomgyu was safe.

Beomgyu kept on speaking, but he didn't touch Yeonjun and that hurt. What was happening to his boyfriend?

"Hyung, are you okay now?"

"Yeah, cub," he gave him  a gentle smile, hoping that would ease his worry and maybe Beomgyu would finally touch him now.

"What happened?"

"I woke up and you weren't there and something was burning. I panicked," he shrugged. 

"You panicked?" Beomgyu asked, bewildered. Yeonjun didn't know what was so unbelievable about that. His boyfriend wasn't in bed with him, so of course he panicked. 

He felt his boundaries rise up. Something was up with Beomgyu and Yeonjun had enough.

"Of course. Are you done making breakfast, cub?"

"Um, yeah, I think so, hyung," Beomgyu blinked. He had to visibly gather himself after the sudden rush in the morning. He looked back at the breakfast, and even from this distance, Yeonjun could tell it was unsalvageable. He winced in sympathy at the crestfallen look on Beomgyu's face.

"Okay," Yeonjun nodded. He grabbed Beomgyu's arm, not wanting to take any risks for this discussion. The chances of Beomgyu running away from this were high and Yeonjun really did not want to ignore this topic any further. "We need to talk."

To his credit, Beomgyu didn't look surprised, just resigned and slightly determined. So, he did know what was happening. Yeonjun didn't know how that made him feel except for the slight hurt he could feel. 

He dragged Beomgyu to the dining table, pulling out a chair for his boyfriend and sitting opposite to him as soon as Beomgyu sat down. 

"Do you know what this talk is about?" Yeonjun asked as he placed his phone and gun on the table. He double checked the safety on the gun and quickly silenced his phone while he was at it. This was his and Beomgyu's time, Yeonjun would shoot anyone who dared to interrupt them.

Beomgyu nodded, but he still didn't say anything, instead played with the hem of his apron. He was avoiding eye contact and it pissed Yeonjun off a little. 

"Beomgyu, look at me," Yeonjun, softly at first but when Beomgyu failed to follow the instruction, he repeated it again but just a bit more firm. 

Finally, his boyfriend looked up and Yeonjun was surprised to see his eyes well up with tears. This was not expected. 

Was Beomgyu actually planning on breaking up with him?

"I am sorry, hyung," he cried out and it made way for ice to settle into Yeonjun's heart. "I am so sorry for ignoring you, hyung. I really didn't mean to."

"So tell me what's been happening, Beomgyu. Because, this is not good," he replied helplessly. He wanted to reach out and wipe those tears away but he also wanted an explanation.

"I have been working on this project hyung, for you. It was just a stupid idea that one of the models had said out loud, and I thought it'd be fun to try it. So I got around to making it and I wanted to surprise you and wanted to show you the finished piece. But I didn't realize I was ignoring you, hyung. I am so, so sorry. Beomie is sorry, hyung," he sobbed out. 

And oh, his precious, precious boy. 

That was it, Yeonjun couldn't hold back any more and quickly gathered his baby into his arms. "It's okay, Beomgyu. It's okay, you're alright, hyung is not mad."

Beomgyu whined a bit more, but snuggled closer to Yeonjun. His arms held tightly around Yeonjun's shoulders as he buried his head in his neck. Yeonjun sighed. 

Of course his baby didn't hate him, Yeonjun felt so stupid for doubting him. 

"Hyung is sorry, Beomgyu, I should have never thought that you don't love me. I must have caused you so much worry, yeah? Hyung is really sorry," he whispered to Beomgyu, holding him closer when the younger whined again. 

"What is it, Beomgyu?" 

"You're saying my name," he complained. "Hyung never says my name."

"Oh?" Yeonjun smiled. His boy was so, so, precious. "If I don't call your name, what do i call you by?"

"Hyung always calls me baby, or cub. Hyung is being mean," Beomgyu whined again. 

"I am sorry again, cub. Is this better?"

Beomgyu hummed happily and Yeonjun wanted to wrap him in a bubble and keep him to himself for all eternity. 

"You know, cub," Yeonjun said after a few moments of silence. Beomgyu had stopped crying and was happily leaving love bites on Yeonjun's neck. "You still haven't told me what the project is."

Immediately, Beomgyu stopped. He extracted himself to look at Yeonjun, who silently cursed himself for his question. It could have waited for a few more minutes when he didn't run the risk of upsetting Beomgyu again. 

There were very few things in this world that hurt Yeonjun, nowadays, and the most painful of them were Beomgyu's tears.

Thankfully, however, his boyfriend didn't start crying, but instead very happily got off Yeonjun's lap and dragged the elder into his studio space as he rambled about his project.

“The model, her name is Yunjin, she said it'd be a very pretty look if someone wore mesh and leather. I mean, we know that it's a very sensual type of look, but I wanted to see if I could make it pretty. And I just know you would look so gorgeous in it. But instead of leather I was thinking silk? Blue silk, since blue is totally your colour."

Yeonjun nodded, trying his best to keep up with the words Beomgyu was saying, but he was just so relieved and happy that his boyfriend was back to normal. Beomgyu could make him wear a rubbish bag and Yeonjun would do it as long as it made Beomgyu happy.

"So it's a fashion project? You're creating your own look?" Yeonjun asked. 

Beomgyu nodded, rushing around the studio to show him the designs and everything he had made so far. "It's not a lot of progress so far, I know, but I needed to learn to sew these templates from scratch so it's taking me some time. I'm going to make a rough outfit from muslin first, and then use the expensive fabrics. All in all, though, this should be ready by the time of the Gala." Then, Beomgyu turned back towards him. Yeonjun was well aware of his boyfriend and his expressions to know what was coming.  "So, Yeonjun hyung, will you wear the outfit to the Gala?" Beomgyu asked, exactly like Yeonjun had expected. 

Yeonjun was feeling a little mean, so he didn't reply straight away. He looked at the design seriously, not making a sound, and he knew that it was driving Beomgyu crazy. Yeonjun did not have to look at him to know that Beomgyu was probably biting his lips right now and shifting on his feet. 

He knew his boyfriend inside out, he knew what he could take and how much he needs to push until Beomgyu fell apart, again and again. So, instead of answering with a simple yes, Yeonjun asked, “Are you sure that you can make this before the Gala?”

"Yes!" Beomgyu answered earnestly. He looked like a puppy wanting praise and as much as Yeonjun wanted to shower him with compliments, he held strong. 

"You've never done this before, Beomgyu. If you can't make it before the Gala, it's okay." 

Beomgyu looked crestfallen, but still answered, determined to convince Yeonjun. "Hyung, I promise I can do this. Please wear it for me?"

Yeonjun didn't answer, he waited a moment, and then another, before finally giving in and looking at Beomgyu. 

"Of course hyung will wear it.” 

The look on Beomgyu's face was worth the teasing and the whining he had to hear afterwards. 

Beomgyu kept on pressing quick kisses all over his face, and Yeonjun laughed every single time. 

"Thank," kiss, "you," kiss, "hyung," kiss, "I," kiss, "love," kiss, "you." 

"I love you too, cub," Yeonjun laughed and drew him in for a proper kiss. "Your designs are gorgeous. Take however much time you need, I am only ever going to wear the clothes you make for me."

When they pulled back, Yeonjun just stared at his boyfriend, taking in every curve and every line of his face. He was so lucky to have found this man when he did, and now Yeonjun would simply never let him go. These past few days were hell and they only reminded Yeonjun about how much he loved Beomgyu. 

"Say, hyung," Beomgyu began conversationally, though from the look on his face, Yeonjun knew he was going to ask something devastating. "What would you have done if I told you I didn't love you?"

Yeonjun didn't have to think about his answer, he verbalized the thoughts that were echoing in his head. "You are mistaken if you think you can leave me now," he chuckled, pulling Beomgyu impossibly closer and kissing him again to punctuate his sentence. "I love you, my darling. I am not letting you go, so get that silly thought out of your head. This stunt you pulled, however unintentional, was enough to tell me how indispensable you are. You are mine, baby, as I am yours."

When Beomgyu kissed him again, there was something dark simmering in his eyes, something pleased and satisfied with the answer he got.  

The love bites on Yeonjun's neck throbbed as Beomgyu made his claim again, and again. 

iii.

As the date of the Gala approached, Yeonjun and Beomgyu threw themselves into work. 

Beomgyu worked hard to make his project on time, and Yeonjun worked to make sure that the Gala would go uninterrupted and smoothly. He didn't realize, though, how much time had passed since they both got busy. Yeonjun missed his boyfriend far too much, but after the fifth all-nighter he had to pull because of the financial records of Byungho's Family, he had lost track of time.

Byungho wasn't the only one of the old guard who thought they could try Yeonjun and come out unscathed, because following that mess, there had been three separate attempts on Yeonjun's life. 

The only saving grace of it was that none of them happened in Beomgyu's vicinity, otherwise he would have lost it. 

Yeonjun was in the compound, the space was far different from the house he shared with Beomgyu. His father was against it, in the beginning, citing security concerns  but Beomgyu had felt uncomfortable in the compound. It was only logical that Yeonjun moved out with Beomgyu then, because even back then, the thought of the two of them separating was unfathomable.

Now, it made Yeonjun grateful. Keeping his actual place of residence a secret had afforded him more security and privacy than staying at the compound would have, it also meant that Yeonjun could freely do the dirty work without worrying about Beomgyu walking in. 

So when he stabbed the man in front of him, he did not feel sorry or even the slightest bit of remorse. 

The man screamed. Yeonjun pulled the knife out, cleaning it on the shirt that the man was wearing. 

If Yeonjun remembered correctly, and he knew he did, this one was responsible for trying to damage the breaks in his cars. 

Amateur move if nothing else, but Yeonjun admired the tenacity. 

Kai had already taken care of that man that tried to poison him, again, and that only left the man who tried to shoot him. In the middle of a drug deal.

Really, who the hell was hiring these amateurs?

Taehyun was on the case, as he always was, but because of the nature of these attacks and the lack of paper trail, it was getting a bit difficult to track down the men. 

Yeonjun was patient, though. He knew that he would get his hands on them and he would make them bleed, for every single second of his that they wasted. 

“Want to tell me who hired you?” Yeonjun asked conversationally, as if he hadn't just stabbed the man, repeatedly. 

The man didn't reply. He was short, rough around the edges, his hair wasn't combed, the clothes he was wearing were already tattered, even before Yeonjun got his hands on him.

This man was hired to die.

“We could make this easy, you tell me who talked to you, what they gave you, and I'll let you die fast,” Yeonjun offered, waving the knife around and watching with dark pleasure as the man flinched away from him. “What do you say? Deal?”

The man still didn't say anything. He kept on panting and screaming, but he did not say a single word.

Yeonjun sighed, this game was so boring without the man playing back. What can Yeonjun do to make it more interesting?

' Oh, that's right,' Yeonjun thought, almost giddy, when he saw the pliers on the table. He almost reached for it, but then remembered that Beomgyu hated it when he got his hands unnecessarily dirty. That's alright, he'll just come up with a better plan. 

Yeonjun hummed as he ran his gaze over the assortment of toys on the table. Most of them were surgical instruments, and Yeonjun could spy a scalpel on the table too.

He had recently done that with a blunt pocket knife, the scalpel would be a piece of cake in comparison. 

This time, when he reached for the scalpel, the man started stuttering. He still didn't say anything. But he was crying, and despite everything, the tears were notably absent before.

Yeonjun regarded him, the man was mumbling, opening his mouth and trying to say something but nothing came out. 

The realization dawned on Yeonjun slowly, the louder the man got, the louder he sobbed. 

Someone had cut his tongue off.

In a flash, Yeonjun was crouching in front of him. One of his hands gripped the man's jaw tightly, something he had a million times to Beomgyu, but this lacked all the care and gentleness of before. Yeonjun pried his jaw open, not a tough task, as the man practically opened his mouth himself.

Yeonjun cursed, when he saw the stub of what should have been his tongue. 

“Well, this was just a waste,” he sighed. He threw the scalpel away, and opened the ties around the man's hands. He didn't stick around to check if he was okay, poking his head out instead to call Kai, while signalling one of the guards to call medical. It wouldn't do, him any good if the man died out before Yeonjun could get a statement. 

“Yes, boss?” Kai answered immediately. 

“Did the other man have his tongue cut out too?” Yeonjun asked, running a hand through his hair, not caring about the blood. 

“No, Boss. He was scared, a civilian that was hired by someone, but he didn't have a name.”

“This one, the one who messed with the breaks, has his tongue cut off. Get here immediately, take his statement, and deal with him,” Yeonjun ordered. He has had enough of this, honestly. He just wanted to go home now, and sleep with his baby in his arms. “Does Taehyun have anything yet?”

“No, Boss. He's still trying to track down who hired these men.”

Yeonjun hummed. It seems like he'd have to visit Taehyun himself. “Fine, take care of this one. I'll deal with the last one later. For now, I am going home, and nobody better interrupt me for the next two days.”

“Yes, boss. By the way,” Kai spoke hesitantly, probably afraid to risk Yeonjun's ire, but still continued bravely. “Taehyun told me to remind you that tomorrow at the Gala, your father and Beomgyu are both expecting your attendance.” 

Fuck. Yeonjun checked the date on his phone to confirm, and nearly dropped it in shock when he realized that Kai was right. Tomorrow was the Gala that Beomgyu had been working so hard for. There was no way he could skip it, even if his father wasn't expecting him, he had made a promise to Beomgyu and he intended to keep it. 

“Make that four days,” he revised his previous order. “And route any new issues through Soobin. Only contact me if he actually cannot handle whatever it is.” With that said, Yeonjun hung up. 

This was getting more and more complicated by the second.

If Taehyun still couldn't track who did it, it meant that different Families were either working together or someone had gotten their hands on a gold mine of resources. Neither of those options boded well for Yeonjun because it meant someone was getting ambitious.

Letting this ambition go unchecked would lead to more problems for Yeonjun's Family, and if it hurt Beomgyu in the crossfire, Yeonjun would raise hell. 

He wouldn't let it come to that, he couldn't. For now, all he could do was wait as Taehyun and Kai collected the information. 

And he missed his baby, he had to see him now.

He hurriedly washed himself off the blood, Yeonjun had been too busy to properly take care of Beomgyu for a while. They saw each other every day, because Yeonjun could not keep away from him, but the workload meant that they couldn't do much besides kissing each other and maybe a few make-out sessions here and there.

It was nothing compared to their actual routines and in plain words, it sucked. 

Yeonjun was so relieved to finally have a few days to himself. So relieved, in fact, that he failed to check the time and he forgot to tell Beomgyu that he was coming home. 

He was hoping to see Beomgyu awake, but when he got home to Beomgyu sleeping on the couch, he couldn't help but press a kiss on his forehead. Yeonjun wanted to cuddle him on the couch, but he knew that he was covered in blood and Beomgyu would not appreciate that. Beomgyu had been working so hard recently, and Yeonjun couldn't even reward him properly. It's no matter, he'll spoil his baby now that he finally had some time. 

So, with all the self-control he had, Yeonjun pulled himself away to take a shower. The events of the past week were finally hitting him, and all he wanted to do was fall asleep for at least three days.

Alas, that wasn't possible.

Yeonjun sighed, he wanted to look at the silver linings, however hard it was.

When he got out of the shower, he was expecting to see Beomgyu still asleep on the couch, but was pleasantly surprised to see him awake and looking at him, something fragile and fierce in his eyes.

“Where the hell were you?” He asked as soon as Yeonjun was in the ear-shot. Yeonjun was shocked at the anger in Beomgyu's voice, but still stepped forward. He reached out to touch him, but Beomgyu snatched his arm back.

“What's wrong?” Yeonjun asked, concerned. 

“What's wrong? What's wrong!?” Beomgyu laughed hysterically, pushing Yeonjun back again when the other tried to reach out. “You didn't call me the whole day! I haven't seen you properly in like five days!”

Yeonjun looked at him with regret, but didn't excuse his actions. Beomgyu was valid in his anger and frustration, and the best way to get through that was to let him shout and take it out on Yeonjun.

“Do you have any idea how I felt? When I couldn't even see you properly in the past five days! Do you even remember that the Gala is tomorrow? Or is work so important that you won't even be attending that any more? Answer me, Choi Yeonjun!! ” Beomgyu sobbed. 

“Oh my baby,” Yeonjun whispered. He tried one more time to hug Beomgyu, but when it was rejected again, he pushed Beomgyu's arms away to grab him by the waist.

He held him tight, as Beomgyu struggled against him, but eventually, those struggles lessened as Beomgyu clutched the collar of Yeonjun's shirt and sobbed into his chest. All the while, Yeonjun whispered sweet nothings, and apologies into Beomgyu's ears.

Yeonjun knew how he felt. He had felt the exact same way when Beomgyu had gotten busy with his own project and had unknowingly ignored Yeonjun for a few days. He felt so sorry for putting Beomgyu through the same pain. 

“I keep saying this so often these days, but Hyung is really sorry, cub,” Yeonjun whispered. “You must be so hurt, I didn't mean to ignore you, pup, I promise it won't happen again.”

“Stop lying!” Beomgyu sobbed and clutched him tighter. “You say this now, but you're going to go again tomorrow and you won't come back and we won't go to the Gala and you'll never wear what I made for you.”

Yeonjun shushed him before he worked himself up more. “No, baby, that's not going to happen at all, I promise. I am home the next four days, I am not going anywhere.”

Beomgyu stilled, after a moment, his sobs slowed down enough to let him breathe properly. When he looked up at Yeonjun, his tear stained face was so openly vulnerable, it made Yeonjun's heart ache. “Do you promise?”

“I promise, baby. Even after those four days, it won't be like last week. I'll spend more time with you, you won't have the chance to miss me or be angry at me again.”

Beomgyu looked at him with distrustful eyes, but still, nodded slowly in agreement. “If you break this promise, hyung, I'll take my revenge. I'll go out to drink with people and I won't come home and I'll turn off my phone and I'll throw out all the trackers. I swear.”

Yeonjun was sufficiently threatened and he kissed his Beomgyu, softly, deeply, to show his regret and to bind his promise. 

Every breath that Yeonjun takes is a promise – an oath – to Beomgyu, that he'd come home, that the only home for Yeonjun is Beomgyu. It was a slight on his part that Beomgyu hadn't realized it yet, but he'd fix it. 

Yeonjun had his whole life to prove his devotion to his lover.

The next day, when they went to the Gala, all eyes were on them. 

That wasn't unexpected. However, the way everyone swarmed around him, asking for the designer and the brand his outfit was from, was certainly unexpected. 

In the beginning of the night, Yeonjun had a lot of fun directing the curious attendants that his one is a million suit of silk and mesh, was designed by Beomgyu, who was also wearing a complimentary navy suit with a royal blue blazer and silk shirt that was also created entirely by his lover. Yeonjun gleefully escaped the clutches of small talk by pointing them all towards Beomgyu, who was completely in his element as he talked fashion with some pioneers of the industry.

Beomgyu was popular in his own right, as a global model and a former ambassador of some elegant houses, but Yeonjun had never seen him shine the way he did right then. Yeonjun himself was content to stand on the side and watch Beomgyu masterfully handled the room and the conversations. He was the future head of the Family, right beside Yeonjun, and he was truly stepping into his mantle now. Yeonjun couldn't be prouder. 

 “I had the inspiration from some older pieces of leather and mesh, those looks are always sensual, but I just knew that Yeonjun could pull off mesh and silk and it would look just as elegant. I am so happy that I wasn't wrong,” Beomgyu stated, very pleased while showing off Yeonjun like an arm candy. It made Yeonjun giddy. 

“Amazing,” someone from the group replied, fawning over Beomgyu as he kept on talking about every other project he had in his mind. 

“You know,” a lady, different from before, spoke up, speaking a bit coyly as she tried to keep Beomgyu's attention on her. Yeonjun hated her immediately. “I have been looking for a few designers for my House, anyway, if you're interested, I'll be glad to have you on board.”

Beomgyu faltered in his response here, but turns out, he didn't have to say anything, because half of the people in his audience started arguing on his behalf about whose House Beomgyu should join and under whose tutelage Beomgyu should hone his craft. 

Yeonjun had half the mind to pull Beomgyu away from this conversation and deal with all of them in his way, but it was obvious to see that Beomgyu was flattered by the attention. If the pensive look on his face was anything to go by, Beomgyu was seriously considering the offers being presented to him.

He nudged Beomgyu, asking him to end the argument in front of them before Yeonjun did, and was not surprised at all, to see him shake his head in refusal. Out of all the times to be a brat, Beomgyu chose this one, Yeonjun thought in amusement.

Fine, then, he won't come in between Beomgyu and his entertainment, but that didn't mean he couldn't have his fun either. He snaked an arm around Beomgyu's waist and didn't react at all when Beomgyu pinched him on the same arm. It was supposed to be a warning, but it hardly deterred Yeonjun. 

“Beomgyu,” he said out loud, drawing the attention of the still-arguing audience in front of him, “didn't you say you had an interest in vintage pieces? As I understand, Ms. Sohee's House excels in that.”

He wanted to laugh as the woman mentioned, puffed up in pride. Beomgyu hated vintage, and he especially hated Sohee's House. Yeonjun had heard him go on long rants about how abhorrent some of her designs were. Yeonjun laughed internally and excused himself to make a few calls as he watched Beomgyu deal with the fall-out.

If the next day Beomgyu woke up late, tired and exhausted from the Gala, and he went down the stairs, he would see a bunch of workers exiting his house. He would see Yeonjun nod and politely say goodbye and settle the bills. Beomgyu wouldn’t ask anything, though, far too used to this happening. 

Yeonjun would then turn around and race towards Beomgyu to greet him with a deep kiss, one full of promises and love. Beomgyu would return it, still half-asleep, despite it being late in the day. He would follow Yeonjun blindly, as he led him down the house, and towards a previously locked room. Beomgyu would open the door, after a lot of insistence from Yeonjun and he would see it completely decked out.

The walls are painted a light colour, the window allowed for natural light to come in. The white walls were covered in rows and rows of fabric. The centre of the room would sport state-of-the-art equipment, and the room would have drawers and shelves and cupboards, filled with absolutely everything a fashion designer could possibly need. 

All the equipment would have a logo, a mix of their Family's emblem and their initials – The Blue Spring Fashion House. 

Beomgyu would cry, would fall down to his knees to thank Yeonjun, who would pull him back up and wipe all of those tears away, as he kissed him deeply.

Yeonjun would press a kiss on every inch of his body, would show his love and regret, and would accept grace and warmth back. 

If all of that were to happen the next day, it would be no one's business except for theirs. 

iv.

If anyone looked at Yeonjun and Beomgyu, the first thing they would notice would be the love between them. The next thing they would notice is that they were very devoted to each other. 

If Yeonjun ever allowed anyone to get close enough to them, the observer would see how much Yeonjun liked to lavish his boyfriend in luxuries and gifts. Yeonjun showed his love in many ways, one of them being buying very expensive gifts.

In all the three years of their relationship, Beomgyu had never wanted for anything. How could he? Yeonjun was proactive and presented anything and everything that Beomgyu wanted in front of him on a silver platter. Be it rings, diamond necklaces, expensive clothes and designer handbags; all Beomgyu needed to do was just glance at it and he would have it. 

It was one of the many benefits of being who they were, for sure, but if you asked Beomgyu, he would say that it wasn't even the top ten benefits of dating someone like Yeonjun. 

The matter of fact being, while there was hardly any chance for Beomgyu to want something, this was the one time that he did. It wasn't even anything extravagant. Beomgyu had been on set for a shoot, and while he was coming back, he had seen beautiful butterfly-shaped accessories. They had also put him in a body chain that was just stunning. 

Naturally, he had asked the creative director for it and had been only slightly disappointed that he couldn't buy it. 

(Beomgyu was not slightly disappointed, he was sulking and ready to throw a tantrum.)

Beomgyu had gotten ready to go back home, still sad, still wanting both the body chain and the projector they had used during the shoot. He could buy a piece similar to that and call it a day, but the way those particular accessories had looked on him was simply too good to pass up. Beomgyu was obsessed with how comfortable the body chain was, and it was the only striking part of the entire shoot. He was so done with it that he had even ignored Yeonjun's messages.

Logically, he knew he could try to find a few replicas of it online, but instead of the body chain, he had found a gorgeous butterfly top. He had bought that instantly, and before he knew it, he had spent a considerable amount of money on different things, and still couldn't find the damn body chain!

Yeonjun wasn't home when Beomgyu got there and it just added to his increasingly worsening mood. He wanted attention and he wanted to tell Yeonjun about his day and about the body chain and the other accessories and every other little thing that had happened. But Yeonjun wasn't here! And lord knows how much time it would take for him to get back home, either. 

The two of them had gotten better at not ignoring the other for longer periods of time, and had learnt their lesson from the two occasions of accidental neglect. It didn't change anything overnight, but they were working on it. It was just one aspect of their relationship, a new challenge for them to overcome. 

That was the optimistic way to look at it, and following the slightly annoying events of the day, Beomgyu wasn’t feeling positive at all. 

Naturally, the only thing for him to do now was go shopping. Online shopping was fun and all, but nothing beat the cathartic feeling of retail therapy, of trying new clothes and having fun while doing so. 

Beomgyu wasn't prone to spending all this money in a single day – that was more Yeonjun's speed – but exceptions exist. He would take this line of defence to the grave, if he had to. Because in his rush to go out and forget about his day, he had forgotten the express orders from Yeonjun to not go out unnecessarily.

He had been having far too much in the mall. The clothes were stunning, and he took the pleasure of checking out some smaller brands and newer businesses that were opening up. 

He even bought a few things for Yeonjun, mainly skin care that he was running out of, and some pieces of clothing that he thought his boyfriend would enjoy. 

Beomgyu got so lost in the thrill of it, that he failed to notice when his guards (already a smaller amount than what Yeonjun considered acceptable) started dwindling. He should have definitely paid more attention when the amount of people in the stores also decreased.  Maybe, if he was more alert, he would have noticed his phone buzzing from where it was buried underneath a pile of clothes.

As it stood, he wasn't paying attention to anything except for the clothes in front of him.

Now it came back to bite him, as he stood in front of the two assholes with guns, with his arms filled with bags and his guards somewhere far away, he finally remembered his orders.

Fuck.

This was not ideal.

It really did not help that they had somehow managed to vacate the entire mall. He wondered just who was behind this to evacuate one of the biggest public spots with little to no fanfare. From what he could tell, the local authorities hadn't been alerted either. 

“Gentlemen,” Beomgyu greeted them cautiously. “What do I owe this pleasure to?”

The men didn't reply, as expected. Discreetly, Beomgyu tried to move the bags back, there was absolutely nothing useful in them, except maybe a stiletto heel he had bought. Oh, no. He also had a knife. Granted, it was more decorative than useful, but a weapon was a weapon and he would use it. Ugh, did this have to happen on a bad day? He was already going to hear it from Yeonjun for going out when he wasn't supposed to, but adding this and the distinct lack of guards around him all spelled a recipe for disaster. 

Beomgyu wanted to stomp his heels and throw a proper tantrum, but he couldn't even do that, because of the men with guns in front of him who were most definitely trigger-happy. One wrong or sudden move from his end would be painful.

He just hoped that one of the guards he had bought with him already alerted Yeonjun about this, because if Beomgyu was left to his own devices to deal with this, he couldn't guarantee what the outcome would be. 

Additionally, Yeonjun had made it clear that, no matter what, Beomgyu wasn't to get his hands dirty. 

Considering how many rules Beomgyu had broken today, it was in his best interest to not add this one to the list.

“Don't make a scene, and come with us,” one of them, the slightly taller and bulkier one, finally said. Beomgyu didn't reply, fiddling with his hands and his bracelet. To them, it would look like a nervous tick. To Beomgyu, it was a small emergency button that would send his exact location to Yeonjun. He placed the bags exactly in front of his midsection. The knife was supposed to be a gift for Yeonjun and it was in one of the smaller bags. 

It was no effort at all to pull it out and hide it behind the bags.

“I am not making any scenes,” Beomgyu frowned. How dare they? “In fact, you are being unreasonable by asking me to come with you when I barely know you.”

Bulky looked at him, he made a move towards Beomgyu, as if trying to threaten him. Beomgyu didn't flinch, still fiddling with the bracelet. He looked around quickly, hoping to see someone who could help him out.

Not-so-Bulky still maintained his posture. He hadn't made a move yet and it left Beomgyu wondering just how they had gotten into the mall looking like they did. Or did they carry an outfit change with them? Did they sneak into the bathroom to change into their costumes? 

The thought made Beomgyu snicker. His laughter apparently wasn't as nice as Yeonjun had hyped it to be, because the two men finally moved towards him. They each had a hand on their guns, and Beomgyu knew they were trying so desperately to be scary, but it all made him laugh even more. 

“You really shouldn't do this,” Beomgyu warned them once, for the sake of being a good person. He wanted to use the knife already, but that would lose him his advantage of surprise, so he waited. “You know who I am, you know what will happen if you lay a hand on me.”

“We don't particularly care,” Not-So-Bulky replied. He tried to corner Beomgyu against the other man, but growled when Beomgyu slipped away.

Beomgyu hummed. “You should care.”

“It's not like your boyfriend will be able to get here on time,” Bulky answered. Beomgyu dodged another attempt at being grabbed and nearly laughed at the growing frustrations on their faces.

“You sound really sure of that. How would you know?”

They looked far too smug as they explained their oh-so great plan. “Your guards are gone, they couldn't have alerted anyone in the last five seconds of their life. The mall has jammers, so no emergency alerts from your phone would have reached him.” 

This time, Beomgyu laughed. “Do you really think Yeonjun didn't already know where I was? Did you really think he would let me go anywhere defenceless?”

This made them falter, but the smug look on their faces didn't go anywhere. “Really? Where is your back-up now, then? Come on, baby boy, don't make it hard on yourself. Come with us, and we won't hurt you. That much.”

Beomgyu sent them a disgusted look. “Yeah, don't call me that. If it wasn't already clear, I am not going anywhere with you.”

One of them sighed. “You know, this could have been done faster.”

Beomgyu scoffed in reply. “Who even sent you? Is it some sort of new trend to hire amateurs?”

That got the reaction Beomgyu wanted, as one of the men got riled up to come close enough to him. Beomgyu got ready to get his hands dirty. “Aw come on now, you were doing so good, baby boy-

He shut up. 

Not by his own will, but because of the sudden appearance of a bullet in his mouth.

He fell with a spray of blood that went everywhere, some of it landing on Beomgyu's face.

Yeonjun's deep voice broke through the ringing silence in the wake of the gun shot.

“I think,” he said, deceptively calm, “he told you not to call him that.”

Beomgyu cried out in relief at seeing his boyfriend. He stepped over the rapidly cooling dead body to rush into his arms, dropping the bags on the ground now that he no longer had to use them to conceal a knife. “Hyung!”

Yeonjun didn't reply, but he still hugged Beomgyu back, tucking his face in the small of his neck. 

Someone handed Yeonjun a handkerchief and an antiseptic wipes. Delicately, Yeonjun wiped off the blood on Beomgyu's face. 

The rest of the men he had brought with him fanned along the empty area, circling around the man and forcing him to his knees. To Beomgyu, that was all secondary. 

“Hyung, I am sorry, I forgot about your order. I had such a bad day, hyung, I missed you and I wanted to get you someth-”

Yeonjun cut him. He still had the gun in his other hand, and now it was caressing Beomgyu's forehead as Yeonjun spoke. 

“You scared me today, cub,” Yeonjun said, and there was reprimand in his voice, but Beomgyu couldn't care less. He nuzzled his head into the gun, it was slightly warm, and it felt good against his skin.

“I am sorry, hyung,” Beomgyu replied again in earnest. He could not have his boyfriend be mad at him, he wouldn't survive it.

“We'll talk about this at home, cub. Are you okay? Did you get your hands dirty?”

Beomgyu nodded to the first question and shook his head for the next, not wanting to say anything else. 

Yeonjun accepted the answer, thankfully. He turned towards the other assailant. Without wanting to, everyone in the space held their breaths. The guy was only alive by Yeonjun's grace. If Yeonjun wanted, the man would be dead in the next blink. But, this was Beomgyu's decision, and Beomgyu wanted to know who was stupid enough to put a target on him.

So, without removing himself from his spot, he shook his head slightly in the embrace. 

Every day, he thanked the gods for Yeonjun, because that little gesture was enough for him to bark out orders of apprehending the guy and putting him in custody – to be dealt with later. If Beomgyu knew anything about Yeonjun, he knew that his boyfriend would personally take care of this. 

It was over. 

He was back in Yeonjun's arms. Both of the men who had dared to go after him would be dealt with. And Beomgyu could finally breathe.

He did not let go of Yeonjun the entire way. Just readjusted his grip to make sure both of them would be comfortable. Yeonjun could be as angry as he wanted, but right now, Beomgyu required affection and he needed to ground himself and his partner could not fault him for that.

The air between them wasn't tense or angry like Beomgyu had worried it would be, but rather it was calm, fuelled by Yeonjun's gentle hands on Beomgyu.

Beomgyu exhaled and settled deeper into Yeonjun's arms. 

They were finally on their way home. Yeonjun could do whatever he wanted when they got back, but until then, this was okay. Beomgyu was fine. He could breathe in concern. He could feel it on his skin and on his face, he felt it in his lungs and in veins. 

“Hyung,” Beomgyu's voice was hoarse when he finally got the courage to break the silence. 

“Yes, cub?” Yeonjun matched the quiet mood in the car with his quiet voice.

“I am sorry,” Beomgyu whispered. He didn't reply, but his hands tightened on Beomgyu's waist. 

Eventually, he said. “You're forgiven. Tell hyung about your day?”

And that was all Beomgyu needed to start talking. A bit hesitant at first, but when he saw the fondest smile on Yeonjun's face, he gained confidence and started talking a mile a minute.

He poured out every single thought that had crossed his mind that day, and felt valid in his temper and bad mood when all Yeonjun did was agree to him and press kisses against his face.

When they reached home, Beomgyu was still talking, complaining about his schedule and the shoot he had that day. And could Yeonjun believe that Beomgyu still didn't have the body chain? 

All of this happened, and Beomgyu still hadn't found the body chain he wanted!

Yeonjun laughed a little at Beomgyu's frustrations and shut him up with a kiss. Beomgyu melted into his arms immediately.

They needed to talk about what happened today, but Beomgyu was so grateful that Yeonjun wasn't immediately pressing for it, and letting him relax and normalize a bit.

The spell around them broke eventually, and by the time the day came to an end, Beomgyu was finally ready to talk.

Yeonjun took notice, as he always did, and gathered Beomgyu in his arms, before they finally discussed what happened. 

Beomgyu was the first one to speak. “I know you said to not go out, hyung, and I am sorry to break your order like that and all the other rules I broke. I was just really frustrated today. The shoot was tiring, I couldn't find the body chain I wanted, and by the time I got back home I was done with the day.”

Yeonjun didn't say anything for a while, and it made Beomgyu nervous. He tried to shift a bit, but Yeonjun's grip kept him in his place. 

“Today was just a bad day,” Yeonjun answered finally and it eased something in Beomgyu. “We all have a bad day, and that's okay. If you're okay with it, I'll chalk everything up to that and forget about any rules today.”

Beomgyu considered this proposal. On one hand, it felt like cheating to break his rules and not face the consequences for it, on the other hand, he had already been through enough that day. Beomgyu didn't know if he was in the mental space to take punishment on top of everything else. Besides, the near kidnapping had been punishment enough, according to Beomgyu.

Having weighed his decisions, he gave Yeonjun a hesitant nod, in response to which, Yeonjun smiled a gummy smile and stood up. Beomgyu yelped at suddenly being in the air, but aside from laughing at him, Yeonjun didn't do much else.

His boyfriend sprinted up the stairs, and Beomgyu still shouted out his discomfort. But when Yeonjun put him down and directed him inside the room without a single word, Beomgyu felt apprehensive. 

Just what had he been planning?

“The next time you want something, cub, just tell me,” Yeonjun whispered into his ears.

When Beomgyu finally noticed what was laid out on the bed in front of him, he couldn't help but gasp. 

The body chain he had been wanting the whole day was right there, and Yeonjun got it for him.

“Hyung!” he squealed and threw himself at Yeonjun, peppering him with kisses to show his thanks. “How?”

Yeonjun chuckled. “I get your pictures from every shoot. I saw you in the chain and I knew I had to get it for you. The designer agreed after hearing your name and seeing the check.”

“You're the best boyfriend ever,” Beomgyu said in awe. “I'll just tell you next time, I swear.”

“That's great, but won't you show me what you got for me today?” 

And after that, they were simply too busy to talk for the night.

v.

There were a few facts of the universe that Yeonjun ascribed by. He wasn't religious, didn't believe in faith and gods and spirituality. He didn't believe in fate and destiny, either. In all his years, the only thing he had ever truly believed in, had devoted his life to, had been Beomgyu, and the love they shared between them.

The two of them hadn't grown up together, but they had rather found each other when they needed it the most. It made sense, then, for Yeonjun to be so protective of Beomgyu, but never jealous. In fact, in the three years that they had known each other, Yeonjun had never been jealous; of Beomgyu or of anyone else.

There was no reason to be, because Beomgyu belonged to him as much as he belonged to Beomgyu. That was one fact of the universe, that was the truth universally acknowledged. 

Yeonjun hoped that Beomgyu felt the same way, he could never know it for sure, but he liked to pretend that one of Beomgyu's smiles was reserved just for him. 

It was a known fact that Yeonjun was a hopeless romantic. Beomgyu teased him a lot about it. 

All of it made sense, that they were never bothered by anyone else in their space. Yeonjun has made his peace with it early on in their relationship. They were both attractive, Beomgyu worked in one of the more demanding industries by ways of being a model, and Yeonjun was Yeonjun - the heir to the biggest crime family in the country. 

They were always around people. Sometimes, those people had ulterior motives. They think that they had a chance with either of them, and Beomgyu had a lot of fun in reminding them of their places. Yeonjun was happy to sit back in those moments, Beomgyu was far more skilled to handle the politics in conversation, and he always got a rush from watching his boyfriend work his magic. 

There were other times, though, when people refused to take a hint and back off. When pointed barbs and meaningful kisses weren't enough of a deterrent for some people's ambitions and greed. Those were the people that got Yeonjun's attention and he dealt with them very happily. One of his most essential rules was to never let Beomgyu get his hands dirty, and Yeonjun made full use of that whenever someone stepped a little too close to his love.

Sadly, or maybe not, no one tried to do that particular brand of stupidity that often. 

It was more common in the beginning of their relationship, admittedly, because as the years went on, their reputation as a couple spread. Now, there was no one, in the underbelly of the city or in the regular public, that didn't know about them and their relationship status. But while advances like those were not common, there were still a few idiots who wanted to try Yeonjun. 

One of the newer ones being this up-and-coming Director at Beomgyu's shoot.

Now, Yeonjun could admit that he was a reasonable man, so he listened, calmly and soberly, as Beomgyu complained about the man yet again. This time dropping all the honorifics, because 'he deserves no respect for me, hyung, none!' 

“And can you believe his audacity to ask me out on a date again?” Beomgyu yelled from the bathroom. Yeonjun was settled in their bed and was watching Beomgyu finish his skin routine, but this topic of conversation was not relaxing at all. “After I told him no five different times? I even showed him the pendant and the ring, hyung, he is still not backing off!”

“You know,” Yeonjun said in a measured tone when Beomgyu got out, still wiping his face. “There is a very easy solution to this.”

Beomgyu made a face. “We can't kill him, Yeonjun hyung, he's got connections in Vogue and I need that. I still want to be the first Asian man on the cover of Vogue, you know,” he teased. 

Yeonjun nodded, not really listening as he thought of all the ways he could get rid of the director. He only tuned back when Beomgyu started whining about not paying him attention. “Hyung, I am serious. Don't kill him, not yet. As much as I hate him, I really do need his connections.”

He could say yes and agree to Beomgyu's request, despite being annoying, the man hadn't actually done anything harmful yet. But Yeonjun had killed for less. Still, this was the one time Beomgyu was asking for his patience, and for him, Yeonjun could do that. 

He nodded his agreement slowly, “I won't do anything. For now. But if he tries to do anything again, I won't hold back.”

Beomgyu nodded, eyes wide and a beautiful smile on his face. He threw himself on the bed, and on top of Yeonjun. “Thank you, hyung. Want to know about my next shoot?”

“Of course, cub.” 

Beomgyu made a happy noise and launched into a deep explanation about the concepts. Except, his phone kept buzzing. Yeonjun made a questioning sound, but Beomgyu just ignored it. “Whoever it is can wait until the morning. And if it was actually important, they'd call you.”

Yeonjun couldn't argue with that, so he settled back in and cuddled Beomgyu. “Right, so, as I was saying. The next theme is supposed to be extra-terrestrial, and I think it would be so cool to make it into a metaphor for refugees. Very informative and educational, plus it would draw attention to the issue. Like, the theme is so vast. There's so much potential in there, it's definitely better than the last shoot—that one was just underwater with no actual meaning except underwater.”

He was sure that he would appreciate this more if Beomgyu's phone stopped buzzing. Yeonjun could tell it was getting to Beomgyu, too, from how annoyed he looked. When the phone buzzed for the fifth time in a row, Beomgyu finally had enough and got up to grab his phone. 

“I don't know this number,” Beomgyu stated. He looked at the screen for another second before wordlessly handing it to Yeonjun.

Yeonjun raised an eyebrow but went through the messages. 

hey beomgyu, it's lee dong hui, how are you?

i tried calling you a few times but you didn't answer 

i just wanted to personally share the details of the next shoot with you

if you notice in the schedule, you have free block, i was wondering if we could grab coffee then

and don't give me that crap about your bf

what he doesn't know, won't hurt him right?

anyways, let me know about that coffee tomorrow, i'll be waiting for your reply 

“What the hell?” Yeonjun growled, clutching the phone tightly in his anger.

“Check the call logs,” Beomgyu said. When Yeonjun didn't straight away do so, he repeated forcefully. “Check the call logs, hyung.”

Yeonjun did. 

15 missed calls from Unknown Number.

He looked at Beomgyu incredulously. “15 calls? At fucking 11 pm? Who the fuck does he think this guy is?”

Beomgyu shook his head helplessly. “I have a shoot with him tomorrow, hyung. I don't want to.”

Yeonjun tsked. “You don't have to, you know that. And after this?” Yeonjun waved the phone to emphasize his point, “You have every right to say no.”

“But that would make it look like I am running away,” he whined. “I don't want to give him the satisfaction!”

“You know, my offer still stands,” Yeonjun said conversationally, and pulled Beomgyu back under the covers. He put the phone on silent and placed it somewhere on the bedside table. They could deal with it later. 

Beomgyu settled into his previous position. “I know, but my point still stands, too. Besides, I'll handle him tomorrow. There is a certain professionalism to this, and he just crossed the line.”

“Damn, wish I could be a fly on the wall for that conversation,” Yeonjun whistled lowly.

It made Beomgyu laugh, “You just like it when I'm mean to people.”

“It makes my day,” he replied sincerely, laughing loudly when Beomgyu smacked his chest. 

Yeonjun had honestly considered the issue with Lee Dong Hui to be settled when Beomgyu left for the shoot the next day. 

That's how Beomgyu did things, and he was very efficient. There was no reason for Yeonjun to think that, after whatever verbal lashing Beomgyu had given the director, that he would still be stupid enough to pursue him.  Right? Yeonjun had no doubt that his boyfriend would have made it extremely clear about how uninterested he was. 

So, to him, it was over. Case closed. 

Yeonjun really shouldn't have underestimated the ambition of some people. 

Beomgyu had called him in the middle of his shoot, hysterical and on the verge of breaking his most important rule. “Hyung,” he said, and it was the emotionless manner in which he spoke that concerned him over anything else. “Hyung,” Beomgyu repeated. “I will murder him.”

“Beomgyu,” that should have been warning enough, but evidently it wasn't.

“This fucker touched one of the younger girls, he was so lucky I didn't have my knife on me,” Beomgyu continued, completely ignoring Yeonjun.

“What did you do?”

He scoffed, “Nothing much. I just sprained his wrist. He thinks it was an accident and I was jealous that he was touching the girl and not me. Hyung, I will murder him. He keeps on touching me. If he tries to grab me, one more time, I will cut his arms.”

Yeonjun stilled. This was serious. “Can you get out of there? I am going to be stuck in a meeting for the rest of the day, I don't know if I can come out to your location right now.”

Beomgyu sighed. “No, it's okay. Don't come here, I'd just get distracted and won't be able to get anything done. Just, tell me if I have your permission.”

Yeonjun considered this. It wasn't like the rule was made out of some stupid reason, it was to protect Beomgyu and his image. Lord knows that they had far too many enemies. While it was common knowledge that Beomgyu was his partner, there wasn't any evidence tying him to the more illegal aspects of their family business. That was something that Yeonjun wanted to maintain. 

“If you can avoid it, don't do it. And just, wait for me. I will deal with him tomorrow, or tonight, depending on how late I am,” Yeonjun compromised. 

Beomgyu hummed. “We are going to this work event tonight. It's some party that the magazine is throwing for publicity, and all of us have to go. I tried getting out of it, but my agent and the magazine are insisting.”

“So, you'll be late too? Do you want me to pick you up?” 

“Please,” Beomgyu begged. “He can't fucking take a hint that I am not interested. Even spraining his wrist wasn't enough. I'm hoping that if he sees you, he'll finally fucking back off.”

Yeonjun couldn't help but laugh at that, the fact that Beomgyu had to resort to this to stave off attention was pretty funny. The director wouldn't be alive for much longer regardless, so Yeonjun will take his entertainment. “Alright, cub. I'll see you in the evening. Tell me the time and where this party is happening.”

“It's the Palazzo Banquet Hall, and get there around nine or ten, please. I want to get out of there fast.”

“You got it. I'll see you tonight, darling. Love you.”

“Love you too, hyung.” Beomgyu teased him for being a hopeless romantic, but the soft way he replied to Yeonjun was proof enough that Beomgyu was just as far gone.

The call ended and Yeonjun focused back onto the papers spread in front of him. 

“Lee Dong Hui,” Yeonjun said out loud. “Just who do you think you are?”

The papers detailed every contact number saved in his phone, every single person that he had ever talked to. Lee Dong Hui had only made it so far on the graces of others. He didn't have many of his own achievements to boast about, because all of his success came from knowing the right person. Or rather, knowing the dirty little secrets of the right person.

Yeonjun wondered how he'd react to having his own secrets be aired out. He wondered which one he should publish first. The one about his mistress? The one about his wife filing reports against him for domestic violence? 

Or should he go the more scandalous route and release every single one of them?

No, that would be overkill, Yeonjun mused.  Plus, Beomgyu would want to have something done about him and Yeonjun wouldn't want to take away his fun. 

Anyhow, all of this was for a later time. Right now, he had to go to meetings with the police department to talk about the nerve of some Families. 

Yeonjun got out of the meetings later than what he had expected. They were boring but more productive than what he was expecting, so that was fine. 

He couldn't help but note the lack of texts and phone calls from Beomgyu though. His boyfriend had a habit of texting him minute by minute details of whatever event he was at, especially the ones that Yeonjun would be picking him up from. It was a fun game of theirs, and he had smiled in the middle of the meeting as his phone had kept buzzing, but somewhere in the middle it had stopped. 

Yeonjun hadn't received a single text since.

Considering that it hadn't been that long since the attempted kidnapping, Yeonjun was completely justified in breaking the red lights to get to the location as fast as he could. Taehyun had already confirmed that Beomgyu was still there, his tracker was on, his phone was on too. So there was a different reason as to why Beomgyu had stopped texting him.

In a quick second, Yeonjun remembered that the cumbersome director was also there. If that man had anything to do with this, Yeonjun would raise hell. 

Besides, there was no actual use for him anymore. Yeonjun had already secured a business dinner with some of the contacts that Beomgyu had wanted. The director had run his course, and it would be Yeonjun's greatest pleasure to get rid of him. 

“Boss,” Taehyun said through his in-ears, “Beomgyu hyung's location is unchanged, but there is some activity on his phone. I'd suggest you get there faster.”

Yeonjun pressed on the accel.

“Beomgyu!” 

Yeonjun could not be blamed for his entrance, not at all. He didn't even register the surrounding masses flinching away from his wild appearance as he tried to spot Beomgyu in the crowd. 

He called out his name again, but still didn't get a response. Beomgyu was still here, so where the hell was he?

Yeonjun stalked the place, slamming open the various doors and not giving a damn about the patrons. None of Beomgyu's bodyguard had anything unusual to report, and Yeonjun was going to fire them all as soon as this was done.

He slammed open another door, and this time, it was the right one. There were two people in the room, one of them was on the sheets, mumbling something – clearly out of it – and the other was standing over him as he removed his clothes. He looked up, startled, by the door slamming open.

Yeonjun heard his name being called out by one of them, and it took him a second to realize that the form on the bed was Beomgyu and someone was stupid enough to try to roofie him.

“Hey man, this is a private room, I paid for it-”

Yeonjun didn't let him finish him, as he punched him straight in the mouth. 

“Hyung,” Beomgyu mumbled into the fabric of Yeonjun's suit. He probably had no idea what was happening, and still all he wanted was Yeonjun. “Yeonjunie hyung. Where is he? It's too hot.”

Oh how, he was going to rain blood for this. 

“You're Lee Dong Hui,” Yeonjun stated calmly. It wasn't a question, but the man still answered with an affirmative. Yeonjun didn't bother sparing him a glance, he kept his focus on Beomgyu and making sure there weren't any injuries. 

His hair was ruffled, there were scratches on his arm, and it looked like a bruise was forming on his right wrist. 

“Get him. Hold him in the cells, have Kai prep him. I want him alive tomorrow morning.”

“Yes, sir.”

He didn't bother listening to the pleas and the threats falling from the director's lips. It wasn't worth his time.

Right now, the priority for Yeonjun was to get back to their house and take care of his baby.

“Hey, cub,” Yeonjun cooed. He picked up Beomgyu in his arms easily, feeling another wave of anger at how helpless his boyfriend was in a state like this. “Sorry, for being late, darling. I'm here now, let's get home?”

Beomgyu couldn't even open his eyes to look at Yeonjun and, really, all of this was just making him angrier. He nodded still, trying to keep up with the words being said to him. “Wan' hyung.”

“Hyung is here,” Yeonjun promised. “I am not going anywhere. I won't leave you alone.”

“'Mm, 'Kay.”

It would take the national police department three weeks to be informed about the absence of Lee Don Hui. Furthermore, it would take them another two weeks to file a Missing Person's Report, as asked by Choi Yeonjun. 

While the police department was known for their efficiency in time-sensitive matters like these, it would still take them another month to start a search for the missing person.

The first piece of the body would be found a year later, following an anonymous tip left to them by a good Samaritan.

The police department would try their best, but the last piece of the body wouldn't be found until years to come. 

(Beomgyu had wanted a slow death, a painful death, and who was Yeonjun to deny his baby anything?)

 + i

In all his life, Beomgyu had been known as many things. His friends called him dedicated, his teachers and parents used to call him talented and a troublemaker. When he met his Yeonjun hyung, he learnt that he could be a brat, too. And when he finally started modelling, he learnt to become patient. 

Beomgyu wasn't patient by nature, in fact, with how Yeonjun spoiled him, it was honestly a miracle that he could still call himself that. But, modelling was a strict industry and behind the scenes it could be very slow. From the conception of an idea, to its execution, to its creation—it was just a very slow process. Beomgyu had learnt to adapt, because that is what he did best. 

It wasn't often that anyone faulted him on his patience. By now, it was a refined art for him. But ever so frequently, there would come along one particular annoyance who would test his patience like no other.

This time, it was the daughter of a tycoon who wanted to do business with their Family. 

She was beautiful, no doubt; had all the perfect, delicate features that would make anyone fawn over her. 

Beomgyu was not impressed.

From the moment he and Yeonjun had entered the party – a private one this time, thankfully – she had zeroed in on his Yeonjun hyung and had not left their side since.

It was unbecoming of a girl of her station. But from where he was standing, right beside Yeonjun, he could see her father wear a proud look. It made Beomgyu livid. The disrespect, the audacity, the nerve of these people to do this while Beomgyu was standing right there!

It must have been his expression, or his rapidly tightening hold on Yeonjun's hand, that alerted the other about his stormy mood, because it didn't take him more than five seconds to push the girl away, while pulling Beomgyu in. 

He made a huge show about introducing Beomgyu to the rest, and about his status and importance. Beomgyu could tell it hadn't deterred the father-daughter duo. But still, he played nice. Nodded to the two of them politely and kept his hand hooked with Yeonjun hyung.

Beomgyu didn't bother learning her name, she wasn't important enough for it. 

He was a model, he knew how to make a statement.

Throughout the party, Beomgyu did not leave Yeonjun's side. It was for multiple reasons, following the incident with his former director, Yeonjun was far too protective. Beomgyu coming to this party was negotiated to a T, and it was all based on Beomgyu being right beside him the entire time.

Admittedly, he had grumbled about it to Yeonjun before. This one was about networking, and he couldn't do that properly if he was hanging off of Yeonjun's arms the entire time. But, it was a significant point, and Yeonjun refused to give him an inch on it. He had taken it. Coming to the party was still better than not going at all. 

Now, however, all of his grievances didn't matter, because being right beside Yeonjun gave him the first row seat to watching the girl and seeing her attempts at flirting fall apart. 

“Hyung,” Beomgyu called for his boyfriend's attention as soon as the girl left them alone. 

“Yeah?”

“Who is she?”

Yeonjun frowned in confusion. “Who, baby?”

“The girl, the one that has been all over you since the start.”

Yeonjun made a face and turned around to give his complete attention to Beomgyu. “I don't know, actually. Soobin is saying that she's the daughter of someone important, but I don't know myself.”

Beomgyu nodded. He was keeping an eye on her and as soon as she turned around to look at Yeonjun from the bar, he pressed a deep kiss against his lips. Beomgyu's only regret was that he couldn't see the look on her face. 

Yeonjun pulled back first, lips swollen and looking at him with so much mischief that Beomgyu knew Yeonjun would say yes to whatever plan he came up with. “Done staking your claim, baby?”

“Not even close,” Beomgyu scoffed. “Do you know the shit she's been doing since we got here? Not to mention the way she's been staring at me! If looks could kill, I'd already be dead by now, I swear.”

Yeonjun pouted at him and nodded in sympathy. He didn't say anything, but just let Beomgyu complain, nodding in all the right places and handing him a glass of champagne in the middle of it.

“She's focusing on someone else now, baby. Let's enjoy the night as much as we can, alright?” Yeonjun proposed to him.

“Hyung!” Beomgyu whined. “I really don't want her to put her paws on you. Can't we just kick her out?”

“Let me ask. Hey, Soobin,” Yeonjun called out his left hand. Soobin was always a few paces behind Yeonjun, and he stepped forward as soon as Yeonjun indicated it. “Can we kick that girl out?”

“Who?” Soobin echoed Yeonjun's question from before, and Beomgyu felt vindicated.

“The girl who is wearing pink. Which, who the fuck wears pink to a black tie event?” Beomgyu grumbled. “She is just making one mistake after the other.”

Soobin frowned but didn't say anything as he went over the guest list on his iPad. It took him a while to finally answer, and in that time Yeonjun had replaced the empty glass in his hand with a full one. 

“We can't kick her out. She's the youngest daughter of the Singapore tycoon,” Soobin said finally. “It would cause a problem, but I can keep her away from the two of you.”

“That would be great, thank you, hyung,” Beomgyu nodded in relief. He wanted to give the man a hug, but settled for a smile as Soobin nodded and directed the guards to carry out their orders. 

Finally, he could relax. As soon as the girl was blocked off, Beomgyu pulled Yeonjun to mingle with some guests.

There was a limited number of guests, and it just meant that everyone there was very important, and they had to shake hands with everyone. This was Beomgyu's forte and he gladly took the reins. 

It took them roughly an hour to make one turn around the room, but Yeonjun had a pleased look because of all the deals they had made, so it was an hour well spent. By the time they were done, they were being called forward to make a toast. He pushed Yeonjun forward to make a speech as he found his place beside Soobin.

There were a few more socialites around them, and Beomgyu maintained pleasant conversation as the glasses of champagne and other choice of beverages were being passed around.

This part of the evening was simple. Yeonjun would go up, say a few nice words, thank everyone for coming in, call Beomgyu up as his partner, who would then repeat the same words. They would make a toast and that's it. 

It was easy, it was rehearsed. They had done these hundreds of times before, and they would do it a thousand times again. So, why, the fuck, was the girl climbing over the podium as Yeonjun raised his glass?

Beomgyu was pissed. 

Who the fuck does she think she was, grabbing his boyfriend like that? 

He stormed his way to the podium as Yeonjun stepped away from her and told her to leave. He was about to signal one of the guards , but Beomgyu got there first. Not for the lack of trying on Soobin's part, though. From the second that the girl had stepped forward, Soobin had started whispering in his ears to calm down, to think of the consequences.

But then she had tried to hug his boyfriend, and Beomgyu thought, fuck no. 

Beomgyu wrenched her arms away from Yeonjun, the force of which made her stumble back and nearly fall down the steps. He took the glass of champagne in his hands and dumped it all over her head.

“If I see you near him one more time, I won't be this nice,” he hissed. “Consider this your last warning.”

Only then, did he signal the guards to take her away. She was a blabbering mess as they picked her up, and her dad was starting to get red in the face with how hard he was yelling at Beomgyu. He kept yelling and shouting even as the guards escorted him out.

The model didn't bother replying to either of them. Instead, he just dusted his hands and calmly made his way back to Yeonjun's side. He picked up another glass of champagne from the tray and watched Yeonjun intently as he wrapped up his speech, raising his glass high in synchronization with everyone else.

That was enough excitement for the night, if you asked Beomgyu. So, for the rest of the time, he stayed perfectly polite and docile and let Yeonjun manage the room. He had spent far too much energy on that woman, and now he must simply relax.

It seemed that the universe didn't agree with him, though, because not even two hours later, the girl and her father were back. The girl had changed her outfit into something black, and she was getting progressively drunk while shooting nervous glances at Beomgyu.

At least she was on theme now.

Yeonjun didn't let him pay too much attention to the woman, and kept his focus firmly on the people in front of him. It was an effective strategy, and it worked pretty well for the rest of the night.

A few hours later, and the party was finally winding down, with most of the guests having taken their leave. The only people that were left now were immediate contacts, and much to Beomgyu's displeasure, the daughter, and her father.

He was a good boy, so he didn't say anything. He just stayed beside Yeonjun and talked to the other businessmen who were still present, letting his boyfriend deal with the idiots. 

Considering that it was the end of the night, Yeonjun had finally given him more leeway, and he could walk around with just Soobin's company. And Beomgyu was taking advantage of that. He had walked towards the other end of the room, smiling mildly, and he hadn't noticed when Yeonjun had started speaking to the irritating duo.

Though, he certainly noticed it when a sudden hush fell over the room. 

Beomgyu looked up, and this time, Soobin didn't even try to stop him as he started marching his way to Yeonjun and fucking harlot, who had her hands down Yeonjun's shirt. 

Even from that distance, Beomgyu could see him batting away her hand and trying to step backwards. Yeonjun probably wanted to see Beomgyu slap some sense into her, but when her hand slid further down his shirt, Beomgyu realized a slap would be nowhere near enough.

He still had a champagne flute in his hands. For moments like these, Beomgyu preferred his knife. It was a gift that Yeonjun had given him for their first anniversary, and it was a very prized possession. But Beomgyu knew how to make do with what he had. 

He was adaptable, after all. 

Beomgyu slammed the flute down a table, with just enough force, at just the right angle, so that the top of the glass broke and all that was left in his hands was a very sharp stem.

If he were to look into the mirror right now, he was sure he'd have a deranged grin on his face. It was only appropriate, Beomgyu thought. And if anyone tried to stop him, well, Beomgyu had made his warning to her very clear.

You shouldn't play with fire if you are scared of getting burnt, after all.

Yeonjun didn't even bother to move aside when he finally noticed Beomgyu. He just crossed his arms and stood perfectly still when Beomgyu got there.  He didn't flinch when the girl started screaming as Beomgyu pulled her back from her hair.

Beomgyu gripped her hair tightly and slammed her head against one of the tables. “Did I,” he panted heavily against her ear, “Not fucking warn you?”

The girl whimpered, clutching Beomgyu's hand desperately and trying to get him to loosen his hold. 

Beomgyu scoffed, he pulled her back up just to slam her back down. “Did I not make myself clear? I told you, right? I warned you. Touch my boyfriend again, and I wouldn't go easy on you. And what did you do?”

She didn't answer, just kept on sniffling and crying. 

“ I ASKED YOU A QUESTION!” Beomgyu roared. The girl gasped.

“I-I t-touched hi-him.”

“ You fucking touched him. Do you know what happens to people who touch him?” He asked again, playing with the stem and running it gently across her arms. 

When she didn't answer, Beomgyu plunged the stem down her arms and ripped her arm open. He ignored the screams in favour of extracting his makeshift toy back from her. 

She continued screaming, using her other hand to grip the injured one. Beomgyu wondered how she's react if he cut her other arm too. 

“Beomgyu,” Yeonjun, spoke from behind him and broke his musings. He never said his name like that, and Beomgyu pouted at not being called by his nicknames. “Cub, you're getting your hands dirty.”

Beomgyu smiled when Yeonjun correct his form of address before looking down at his hands and realizing that his hyung was right. Beomgyu had got his hands dirty.

“It's alright, cub. Just finish playing and hyung will clean you up, okay?” 

He hadn't turned around to see Yeonjun, but he knew that his boyfriend was smiling that special fond smile that was just for Beomgyu. Yeonjun had asked him to do something, so Beomgyu would do that exactly, and then he would go to his hyung, and then they would go home and finally rest.

The stem weighed absolutely nothing in his hands, and dragging it against her neck wasn't anything difficult either. It made Beomgyu extremely satisfied, however, when he plunged the stem in, and she finally stopped screaming.

This was the consequence of touching what didn't belong to you. Beomgyu was sure that she had learnt her last lesson very successfully.

“Come to me now, cub. You did very well,” Yeonjun said, and Beomgyu nodded happily. He dropped the stem somewhere on the ground and skipped his way to Yeonjun. 

His boyfriend started praising him as soon as he was within reach and kept petting him all over. Beomgyu would only realize later that Yeonjun was wiping him down with his pocket handkerchief.

When he was done, Yeonjun chided him gently. “You broke your rule, baby. You know you aren't supposed to get your hands dirty.”

Beomgyu peered at him from his eyelashes, pouting a little for that extra kicked puppy look. “But hyung, she was touching you. Nobody touches you, hyung.”

Yeonjun cooed. “That's right baby, but next time, just let me handle it okay? I don't want you getting your hands dirty.”

Beomgyu nodded obediently. “Yes, hyung. I promise.”

“Let's go home now, baby. I love you.”

“Love you too, hyung.”