Rinwoo's breath hitched, his gaze fixed on the thin red lines streaking across Taekyun's skin. The cuts weren't deep, but to him they looked like open wounds from a nightmare he already knew too well. His hands trembled, and before he could stop them, tears were spilling freely down his cheeks. "No… no, it's the same… it's the same as...." he whispered almost to himself.
The rest of his sentence broke into a shaky breath. His chest tightened with the same dread that haunted his dreams.
Taekyun didn't move. He stood there frozen, still holding the weight of the fact that despite everything, despite the basement, the shouting, the fear Rinwoo was here. Concerned. Close. Like he meant more than he deserved.
Taemin rushed back into the room, first aid box in hand. He set it down on the desk with a thud and was already unscrewing the antiseptic when Rinwoo's soft but urgent voice cut in. "Sit… please. You're bleeding."
Taekyun let himself be guided to the edge of the bed, his long legs folding almost awkwardly as he sat. Rinwoo stayed close, his knees brushing against Taekyun's, one hand on his arm, the other gripping the sleeve of his shirt, pressing it gently against the cut on his cheek to slow the bleeding.
His touch was light but firm gentle enough not to hurt, steady enough to keep Taekyun from pulling away. "Don't move… just stay still."
Taekyun didn't. He didn't dare. Not when Rinwoo's face was this close, his teary eyes darting between the wound and Taekyun's gaze like he was afraid both would disappear.
Taemin glanced between them, pausing for just a second before clearing his throat and moving closer with the antiseptic. "Let me clean it..."
Rinwoo shaking his head "I'll do it."
The firmness in his tone startled even him. He took the cotton pad from Taemin and, with shaky hands, began dabbing at the cut, biting his lip when Taekyun flinched. "Sorry… sorry…"
Taekyun kept watching him, not because of the pain, but because every word, every touch was a contradiction to the fear he'd seen in Rinwoo hours ago.
Taemin was already moving around the wreck of the room, stepping over shards of glass and bent metal. He muttered under his breath about how much of a pain this was going to be for the cleaners, but his eyes kept darting back toward the bed toward Rinwoo close to Taekyun, carefully tending to the last of the cuts.
The air was still tense, the faint smell of blood mixing with the sharp tang of alcohol from the antiseptic.
Taemin finally broke the silence. "Alright, so… what the hell happened? And Rinwoo hyung how did you, even know something was wrong?"
Rinwoo froze mid-motion, the cotton pad still pressed lightly to Taekyun's cheek. His eyes flicked toward Taemin, then quickly away. He swallowed hard, his voice smaller than before. "…I… heard some noise. It woke me up."
Taemin straightened from where he was tossing shards into a bin. His brow furrowed. "Noise? What noise? I was literally sitting in the same room as you. If there was anything loud enough to wake you, I would've heard it too."
Rinwoo's fingers twitched, his grip on the cotton tightening slightly. He forced himself to nod, keeping his gaze fixed on the floor. "Maybe… you just didn't notice. I'm a light sleeper."
It was a weak excuse, but he couldn't tell them the truth not about the dream, not about the way he'd felt Taekyun's life slipping away in it. The thought of saying it out loud made his chest tighten, so he stayed quiet.
Taemin studied him for a long moment, clearly unconvinced, but something in Rinwoo's expression told him not to push. With a sharp exhale, he turned back to the mess. "Fine. Whatever."
The room was silent again except for the faint scraping of glass against the dustpan. Rinwoo dabbed the last wound, his motions slow and careful. Taekyun sat still, watching him in a way Rinwoo refused to acknowledge.
Finally, Taekyun spoke, his voice low and directed at Taemin. "Don't tell anyone about this. I don't want to make Dad worried."
The word Dad made Taemin stop mid-swipe, rolling his eyes so hard it was almost audible. "Oh please. Like he'd be 'worried.' More like pissed because you messed up the furniture."
Taekyun's jaw tightened, but he didn't reply. Rinwoo just kept his head down, focused on packing away the first aid kit as if the conversation wasn't even happening.
Taemin was the first to leave, hauling the bin of broken glass and twisted metal out of the room. The sound of his footsteps faded down the hallway, leaving only an uneasy quiet between Rinwoo and Taekyun.
Rinwoo lingered for a moment, his gaze flicking to the shallow cuts still visible on Taekyun's cheek. His fingers fidgeted at his sides before he finally spoke, his voice hesitant. "…Are you still… mad at me?"
The question hung in the air like smoke.
Taekyun's hand, which had been resting loosely on his knee, went still. He turned his head slightly, studying Rinwoo as if trying to figure out why, after everything that had happened, this was the thing he was worried about. His eyes searched Rinwoo's face for something guilt, fear, maybe sincerity before he finally looked away. "…I'm not mad anymore. But…" his tone sharpened slightly "…keep your distance from Eunjae. He's not a good guy."
Rinwoo froze, not expecting that. His lips parted, but no words came out. The weight in Taekyun's voice left no room for argument. Slowly, he nodded. "…Okay."
His eyes roamed over the room it was still a wreck, though the dangerous debris was gone. Shards of a shattered vase crunched underfoot, papers were scattered across the floor, and the curtains hung slightly off their hooks. Without thinking, Rinwoo moved to start picking up the mess.
Taekyun's voice stopped him mid-step. "Leave it. You should rest."
Rinwoo glanced over his shoulder at him, the same quiet concern still etched into his features. For a brief moment, his expression softened, as if he wanted to say something more. But instead, he just nodded again, set down the items he'd picked up, and headed for the door.
Taekyun watched him go, his gaze lingering until the door clicked shut.
The next morning, sunlight spilled weakly through the curtains of Rinwoo's room, casting long shadows over the soft blue walls. Rinwoo had just stepped out of the bathroom, hair still damp from his shower, when the door opened without warning.
Eunjae strode in, his usual confident smirk nowhere to be found. Instead, his expression was tight almost anxious. Without giving Rinwoo a chance to react, he pulled him into a sudden hug."Oh Rinwoo...i got so worried last night… But now that I'm here, I won't let anyone treat you badly. Not again."
Rinwoo blinked, stiff in his arms, unsure how to respond. He glanced toward the window, avoiding Eunjae's searching gaze. "No one treats me badly… They're just… distant, that's all."
His voice was light, but it carried that careful, practiced tone of someone who was lying to keep the peace.
Eunjae froze mid-embrace. Slowly, he leaned back, frowning as he studied Rinwoo's face. "…Are you serious right now? Do you think I'm blind?"
Rinwoo didn't answer, his eyes darting away again. "Do you really...." Eunjae voice hardened, cutting through the quiet "....fall in love with a guy like Taekyun?"
The question hit Rinwoo like a punch to the gut. His breath caught, and for a moment, he just stood there, staring at Eunjae as if the words had peeled back a truth he'd been trying to bury.
The silence between them was heavy, too heavy.
Eunjae's hand gripped Rinwoo's shoulder as he made him sit down on the edge of the bed. His tone was firm, but there was a flicker of desperation in it."It's never too late to run away, Rinwoo. You're still young, you're still handsome you could start over. This city's huge. You could disappear, make a new life. The way they treat you… it's worse than animals. And you just… take it. You don't fight back, you just suffer."
Rinwoo's eyes dropped to the floor, his fingers curling in the blanket beneath him. For a long moment, he said nothing. Then he lifted his head slightly, meeting Eunjae's gaze with a small, broken smile. "It's easy for you to say that, Eunjae… You have everything. A family that protects you. An education. Money. And… more than anything, you have a reason to live."
His voice cracked faintly, and his eyes shifted away again."But me? I'm just… a simple guy. No family. No money. No education. No will to live. My mom… she was pregnant with me when my father left her. She had nowhere to go."
Eunjae's brows furrowed, the sharpness in his expression softening. "Mrs. Lee… she gave her a place to stay. A roof over her head. She even helped her through the delivery. She was a kind woman. In return, my mother swore to serve this family to repay what they'd given her when she had nothing."
He swallowed, his hands tightening in his lap. "When she was on her death bed, she made me promise to repay them… to serve this family the way she had. To never forget what they did for us. And when she found out I was the fated match for Taekyun… she was so happy."
His voice trembled on the last words, and a faint, faraway look crossed his face, like he was seeing his mother's smile in that moment.
Eunjae sat back slightly, silent now. For once, he didn't have a sharp remark ready.
Eunjae didn't say anything for a few seconds he just moved forward and pulled Rinwoo into a tight, grounding hug. Rinwoo stiffened at first, not used to sudden warmth like this, but then his hands slowly came up to return the embrace.
When Eunjae finally pulled back, his hands stayed on Rinwoo's shoulders, his eyes locked with his in a way that made it impossible to look away. "Listen to me… If you ever want to leave, or if you just need someone to hear you really hear you ..I'll be here. Forever. I mean it."
For a moment, Rinwoo just stared at him, his heart clenching in his chest. Then, with the faintest smile ...small but genuine he gave a nod. "…Thanks. For everything, Eunjae."
Eunjae's lips curled into a half-smile, the kind that didn't quite hide the worry still in his eyes. "Good. Now let's go before the food gets cold. You're coming with me, no excuses."
Before Rinwoo could protest, Eunjae grabbed his wrist and tugged him toward the door with an easy, almost teasing strength. Rinwoo stumbled a little, still weak from last night, but Eunjae didn't let go just steadied him with a quick glance back and a quiet, "I got you."
They headed downstairs together, the sound of clinking plates and low murmurs from the dining hall growing louder.
By the time Eunjae and Rinwoo entered the dining room, the long table was already alive with the quiet clink of silverware and the faint aroma of freshly brewed coffee. Mr. Lee sat at the head, posture rigid as always, his sharp gaze snapping toward them the moment they stepped in.
That one, short glance was enough to make Rinwoo lower his eyes instantly. Eunjae, however, just arched a brow, unimpressed.
Mr. Lee said nothing, simply turned his attention back to his plate, cutting into his toast with a precise, almost surgical motion. The silence felt heavier for it.
They took their seats Eunjae dragging his chair out without much care, Rinwoo slipping into his spot with practiced quietness. Rinwoo's gaze drifted around the table automatically, searching, but Taekyun's seat was empty. His brows knit in concern, though he said nothing.
A few minutes passed, filled only with the muted sounds of breakfast. Then, Eunjae broke the stillness. "Daon, be ready at seven tonight. Dad's arranged some dinner thing at home for us."
Daon paused mid-bite, glancing toward Mr. Lee. He didn't answer right away, as if silently asking for confirmation. Mr. Lee didn't respond at first, just sipped his coffee slowly, the pause deliberate enough to make Daon shift uncomfortably.
Finally, Mr. Lee set the cup down with a faint clink and spoke though not to Daon."Rinwoo, make sure you explain the house rules to Eunjae. In detail."
The words were calm, almost polite, but the weight behind them was unmistakable. Rinwoo straightened in his chair immediately, nodding quickly. "Yes, Father."
Eunjae froze mid-chew, his brows shooting up."House rules? Seriously? What does that even.."
Before he could finish, Rinwoo's hand moved under the table, fingers brushing against Eunjae's before gripping them tightly. His palm was cold, but his grip was firm.
Eunjae looked at him in surprise, but Rinwoo wasn't looking back his gaze was locked on his plate, his posture unnaturally stiff. The silent message was clear: Don't push it.
Eunjae's jaw flexed, clearly annoyed, but he stayed quiet. For now.
When breakfast ended, chairs scraped back and the quiet shuffle of movement filled the dining hall. Mr. Lee rose first, his black suit immaculate, Daon following right behind him. They exchanged a few clipped words about schedules and meetings before heading out the door.
The atmosphere lightened a fraction once they were gone, but Rinwoo didn't let himself relax. He gathered the used plates immediately, moving with the quiet efficiency of someone used to being watched. The servants stepped in to help, but he worked alongside them, stacking silverware neatly and wiping down the polished table surface.
Eunjae leaned back in his chair, watching him. His elbows rested on the armrests, one leg lazily crossed over the other. "Alright. Spill. What rules was he talking about?"
Rinwoo paused, holding a plate in both hands, and glanced at him eyes uncertain, like a deer caught in headlights."Eunjae… not here."
"Why not here? You think I care if the servants hear?"
"It's not about them hearing."
His voice was so soft it was almost drowned out by the clink of dishes in the background. He quickly turned away, heading toward the kitchen, as if busying himself would erase the question.
Eunjae followed, stopping in the doorway to the kitchen, arms crossed. "You're avoiding me. Which means the rules are bad. So, what are they? I need to know what kind of insane crap this house expects me to follow."
Rinwoo hesitated, placing the last plate in the sink. He wiped his damp hands on a towel, still facing away from him."I'll tell you later… when there's no one around. Please."
Eunjae exhaled sharply, leaning on the doorframe with a frown."Fine. But if these 'rules' are as twisted as I think they are, you know I'm not gonna sit quiet about it."
Rinwoo glanced at him briefly, a flicker of fear in his eyes before he turned back to fold the towel.
The late afternoon sun filtered through the half-drawn blinds of Juwon's office bedroom, stripes of warm light falling over tangled sheets. The air was heavy with the faint scent of cologne, skin, and the coffee they'd abandoned hours ago.
Juwon lay on his side, an arm draped lazily around Taemin's waist, their bare legs tangled beneath the blanket. His fingertips traced idle patterns along Taemin's hipbone, a content smile tugging at his lips. "When are you going to introduce me to your parents?"
The question landed like a stone in Taemin's chest. His body went still for a fraction of a second before he forced a casual chuckle. "They're… out of the country. Business trip."
He kept his tone light, his gaze fixed on the ceiling instead of Juwon's eyes. It was easier to lie when he didn't look directly at him.
The truth that he wasn't Taemin Kim at all, but Taemin Lee, part of the family Juwon probably hated wasn't something he was ready to spill. Not when things were going so smoothly between them.
Juwon hummed in understanding, nodding slightly, then rolled onto his back "What about your parents? You never..." Before Taemin could finish his sentence Juwon cut him with excitement. "Actually…" his eyes lit up, his voice picking up with boyish excitement "We can have dinner with my mom tonight. Actually my dad don't know about us yet but my mom do. She's been dying to meet you."
Taemin blinked at him, caught off guard. "Tonight?"
"Yeah. I'll book a place. Something nice. She's going to love you."
Juwon sat up, the blanket slipping from his torso as he reached for his phone. His grin was wide, like a kid planning a surprise.
Taemin studied him silently, the corners of his own lips twitching into a faint smile. Juwon's excitement was genuine and guilt prickled at the back of his throat. "Alright… I'll come." Taemin said it smoothly, but his mind was already working overtime, wondering how long he could keep his real last name a secret.
Taemin's arm slid around Juwon's waist, pulling him back down into the warm dip of the mattress. "Mmm… forget the phone for a bit. Let's cuddle."
Juwon laughed under his breath, shaking his head. "I just need to tell my mom .....seven o'clock..."
But Taemin wasn't letting go. He pressed his chest against Juwon's back, his hand roaming slowly up the ridges of Juwon's toned stomach before brushing lower. "She can wait a minute…"
Juwon's breath hitched as Taemin's fingers trailed over sensitive skin, his touch deliberately slow and maddening. He managed to grab his phone from the side table, thumb quickly dialing. "Hey, Mom. Yeah… tonight at..."
A sharp inhale cut his words short when Taemin's mouth found the side of his neck, warm lips and teeth teasing at the skin. Juwon bit down on his bottom lip, trying to keep his voice steady for the call.
"...seven o'clock. I'll bring him. You'll love...."
Taemin's hand slid over his chest, fingers brushing against his nipple. Juwon let out an involuntary gasp, quickly covering it with a fake cough as his mom asked if he was okay.
Taemin smirked against his skin, clearly enjoying the game. His touch was light but precise, drawing out quiet, restrained whimpers as Juwon tried to hold the conversation. "No, no, I'm fine. Just… something in my throat." his voice strained, eyes squeezing shut for a second
By the time he hung up, his cheeks were flushed and his breathing uneven. He tossed the phone aside, grabbing Taemin's wrist with a mix of exasperation and desire. "You're trouble, you know that?"
Taemin only grinned, leaning in until their noses brushed.
Juwon's eyes glinted with mischief as his fingers snagged the black tie from the floor. "You've gotten clingier… and way too impatient."
Before Taemin could shoot back, Juwon caught both his wrists and pinned them above his head against the pillow. The cool silk slid over Taemin's skin as Juwon looped the tie around, knotting it tight enough to hold but not hurt. "What if I actually had to leave for a week? A business trip? What would you do then, huh?"
Taemin smirked, unbothered, his eyes locking with Juwon's. "I can be patient… if I want to."
"Oh yeah? Let's see."
Juwon lowered himself slowly, his warm breath skimming over Taemin's chest. His lips hovered dangerously close to Taemin's most sensitive spot before his tongue finally grazed it slow, deliberate, sending a sharp jolt through Taemin's body.
Taemin's smirk faltered for just a second, his breathing hitching. "That… all you got?"
Juwon chuckled low, the vibration making it worse. He traced lazy circles with his tongue, then alternated between teasing licks and sudden, harder flicks never giving Taemin the satisfaction of a steady rhythm.
Taemin tugged against the tie, his muscles flexing, but the restraint only made the tension worse
"Still feeling patient?"
Taemin's grin returned, though there was a flicker of strain in it."Keep going… and find out."
Juwon smirked and sat down on Taemin's lap, their bodies bare except for the blanket beneath Juwon. He rolled his hips slowly, the friction maddening, while his tongue traced torturous patterns over Taemin's sensitive spot. Every flick, every teasing lick was deliberate just enough to make Taemin's breath stutter but never enough to give him relief.
Taemin arched beneath him, the tie still holding his wrists firmly above his head. His fingers flexed, desperate for contact, but Juwon kept him pinned, his movements calculated to drive Taemin wild.
"Juwon....it's....ch...cheating" Taemin's voice was rough, strained. His usual composure was slipping, his body trembling with the effort to hold back.
Juwon slowed his hips, dragging the motion out, and nipped lightly at Taemin's skin. "Yeah?" he murmured, feigning innocence. "Something you want?"
Taemin exhaled sharply, his control fraying. "Let me touch you."
Juwon chuckled, low and teasing. "I thought you could be patient?"
Taemin's jaw clenched, his restraint finally snapping. "Damn it, Juwon...please."
The plea sent a thrill through Juwon. He leaned down, his lips brushing Taemin's ear. "Since you asked so nicely." With one swift tug, he undid the tie, freeing Taemin's wrists.
The second his hands were loose, Taemin grabbed Juwon's hips, flipping them over with a growl. "Now it's my turn."
Juwon grinned up at him, eyes alight with challenge.