Super Junior (AU); The Difference Between Pawns and Kings; [2/__ ]
Title: The Difference Between Pawns and Kings [2/__ ]
Fandom: Super Junior (cameos by Epik High, Dong Bang Shin Ki, etc.)
Chapter Pairings: KyuMin, Eunhae
Word Count: 2332
Chapter Rating: PG
Overall Summary: The secluded world of South Korea has decayed and it's largest city, Seoul, has fractioned into two seperate halves: the kings and the pawns. Society is different; life is different. People struggle to survive in both worlds, either smothered by the rules of the city or the despair of the slums. The lucky ones managing to balance between the two extreems watch their friends suffer or survive, take or be taken. Still, life churns on, and no matter what hand you have been dealt, you must play the game.
Chapter Summary: Kyuhyun drowns while Donghae and Eunhyuk take the plunge. It's sink or swim.
Genre: AU
A/N: lol my chapter summaries are so lame. i try to be cryptic, i dont want to give anything away. im not sure how much i like this chapter, to be honest. i like the introduction of the new lives, but i need to remind myself to keep it simple. too much flair. i should be shot for the amount of flair in everything i write. ive been updating this till the last minute, and ill probably still tweak it here and there if its not right, but for the most part, i present you with chapter 2. hopefully you like it. chapter 3 gets a lot more depressing though XD actually this whole fic is bleak. ugh what is my problem.
**chapter updates every two weeks on fridays**
***UGH I FORGOT TO ITALICIZE WHEN I POSTED A FEW HOURS AGO IM SUCH A TARD.
[1]
Kyuhyun sat at his too-big desk in front of the too-big window in his too-big office and sighed. He ran a hand softly along the rich mahogany of the desk, wrinkling his nose at it. This entire place disgusted him. The superficiality, the front, the lies behind smiles in every office on every floor of every building owned by his company. Everything. Everything was cold. Nothing was real anymore. He swiveled in his plush leather chair, hands in his lap, to look out the too-big window that stretched the length of the entire back wall of his executive office. His eyes scanned the looming cityscape glaring back at him through the glass. The sky was grey. The buildings were grey. The world had turned grey. At least on this side.
Kyuhyun knew far too well that the city slums had turned black as night, had been infested with the sinful things that crawl along the bottom of his well-polished shoes, shrinking away from the silver gleam of technology. The dank gutters screamed with the woes of its inhabitants. It’s rank, decaying buildings threatened collapse on the shivering bodies hiding within. There was nothing. Anything that was left was in shadow. Even when the sun shone, it was a murky black, like the bottom of a dirty lake; it was despair.
But at least it was real.
Here, Kyuhyun felt nothing. He constantly felt a smooth, cool shell under his fingertips. Artificial. He longed for the touch of something warm, human, something with a pulse, a beat to the rhythm that life was supposed to have. He longed for something. Anything.
He ached.
Kyuhyun lived by this need and died by it every day he went without. But he was wary, because if he ever thought about it too much-
Without warning, everything went quiet, like there was cotton suddenly stuffed in his ears. He could hear his own breathing smothering him, short shallow draws. The room started to swim, everything dimming, becoming fuzzy, but Kyuhyun didn't notice, focused instead on the quiet hum flooding his thoughts, louder every passing moment. He let his eyes flutter shut as he stretched out a trembling hand unseeingly, not knowing what he was reaching for, his tingling skin hovering inches above his rather expensive, chrome telephone. His heart thudded faster, faster-maybe…this time…
And then Sungmin walked in. A knock on his door sounded and he was jerked out of his trance, looking up to see a lightly smiling man slip through the crack of the doors and shut it behind him with a gentle snap. His eyes were soft, veiled behind wisps of light brown bangs falling in front of them. He cocked his head to the side, regarding Kyuhyun’s face carefully. Kyuhyun knew he was probably pale, his pupils wide, and from the look on Sungmin’s face, it showed.
He had been spiraling again.
“Thinking too much?” Sungmin asked, voice sunny and calm and inquisitive all at the same time. At once, warmth spread into Kyuhyun’s chest. He felt a sudden surge of gratitude as he met the other’s eyes.
“Yeah…yeah,” he said, shaking his head, the depression dissipating slowly. He drew in a shaky breath of air, drawing the back of his hand under his damp bangs. He sighed as the relief spread through him slowly. He had to be careful. He didn't want another episode. “Thanks.” His smile pulled at the corners of his mouth as he pulled himself together, fixing his eyes on the boy in front of him. “Anyways, hi.”
Sungmin’s smile widened and he walked up to Kyuhyun’s desk as the younger man leaned back casually in his chair, his dark eyes laughing now. “Hi. I have the analysis from the latest system test run for you.”
Kyuhyun groaned and let his head fall back, swiveling away in response. “Ugh. I don't want to talk about work.” He spun in his chair, stretching his arms above his head with a sigh. He knew he probably looked stupid, sounded childish, but he didn't really care right now. He was like a kid when he was with Sungmin. He couldn't help it. And maybe he didn't want to.
Sungmin chuckled at him. “Well, too bad. We are at work, you know.” He laid the thick, official-looking packet of paper on the desk as the young man in front of him rolled his eyes coolly. “Life isn’t all fun and games any more.”
“…I know.”
Sungmin watched him as Kyuhyun’s eyes slid to look out of his window again. The mirrored windows of the building across the street gleamed at him in the sunlight. Cold. Blank. Staring. “…I’ll come over tonight then, shall I?” Sungmin asked, voice gentle again the way it always was when Kyuhyun was on the brink of falling into a dark, dangerous place; another episode. Sungmin could always tell. As if he could hear the very blood run slow in Kyuhyun’s veins, thick with panic, hear his heart beat sluggishly, his breathing labor, his lungs fill with icy fear. Only Sungmin could tell. Only Sungmin could end it.
“Yeah.” Kyuhyun turned back around, and there was the vulnerability in his eyes that he never showed the world. He was scared. “I don’t think I can sleep alone again tonight.”
Sungmin nodded and tapped his fingers lightly on the edge of his desk, letting them linger, almost, before turning and disappearing again through the large office door.
Nineteen year-old Cho Kyuhyun sat at his too-big desk in front of the too-big window in his too-big office, running the too-big company in the too-big shoes his father left him. He sighed and faced the window and wondered if he could ever muster the courage to jump.
***
It was 7, a few hours before the club opened. The bass echoed quietly across the wood paneled dance floor as two men crossed it, heading towards the raised level that was covered in small tables and chairs.
“Hey Tukutz, on your own time, yeah?” the man with black hair, short on the sides and styled upwards, shot towards the head of the floor, smirking and nodding significantly at the man standing next to his DJ on the platform. Tukutz met his eyes and grinned, extracting his companion’s hand from his back pocket and leading him to the back door, chatting with him shortly before seeing him out.
Kibum shook his head, smiling lightly. “I give my employees too much leeway,” he muttered. “Tablo likes to take advantage of that.” The two men walked up the steps and onto the carpeted level, heading towards the gleaming bar.
“I really like what you’ve done with it,” the second, larger man said, taking in the rich look of the club. He was wearing a dark blazer and sunglasses, a pair of expensive looking jeans, and sleek black shoes. He looked rather important.
“Thanks,” said Kibum, looking around and admiring the small club too, a feeling of pride washing over him. He had done a damn good job. “I couldn't have gotten it without your help though…”
“Naaah,” the man scowled dismissively, waving a hand at him flippantly. “All I did was sell it to you.”
“Yeah. At half the price.” Kibum pointed out.
The man grinned. “Yeah, well, we were only roommates for 4 years, nothing to get excited about…”
Kibum rolled his eyes. “Since when do I ever get excited?” The other man gave him an answering smirk to the one already on his lips. “So where have you been, Shindong? The club has been open for nearly a year and this is the first time you've been by to see it.”
Shindong sighed. “SM is doing really well. I swear it’s all I do nowadays. I know I’m just there as a PR but seriously, they should pay me as a scout, what with all the people I find. I’m always doing work for them.” There was an edge of tiredness to his voice. He rolled his eyes for emphasis.
“So you’re a big-shot talent scout, is that what’s up with the shades inside?” Kibum teased, being rewarded with a shove. “Anyways, I promise these guys I’m bringing are worth it.” The two men sat down at the bar just as the large wooden door set in the small, slightly removed lobby of the club swung open. A smile spread slowly across Kibum’s face, pulling at the corner. “Speak of the devil.”
The soft, heavy thud of the door closing pushed a fresh breath of the night air inside, along with the two men who had pulled themselves past it. Kibum stood as the two approached, and Shindong followed his lead, watching the new arrivals carefully, appraisingly.
One had dark brown hair cut boyishly short that still stuck out slightly at odd angles. His smile was bright and wide and curious, his small mouth splitting wide to let out a little bubble of laughter as he walked up to Kibum, arms open, to embrace him. They obviously hadn’t seen each other in awhile. The second one followed him, a wide, toothy grin plastered on his face, his longer hair just brushing over his shining eyes. He hung back a little nervously, looking around the club affectionately. He was thinner than the first; Shindong noticed he was trembling slightly. Shindong wasn't sure if it was out of nervousness or the cold. He was very, very thin.
The first man was still smiling when he pulled away from Kibum, and his companion scooted up to his side, grinning around at them.
“Hyukjae,” Kibum said warmly, smiling widely and nodding at him. “You’re looking better!”
The second one shrugged and smiled lightly. “Can’t complain. You know how winter knocks me out every now and then.” The other, shorter man wrapped an arm around his shoulder casually, fingers squeezing just a little before dropping away again. Shindong barely caught it, but Kibum didn’t seem to notice.
“Shindong, this is who I wanted you to meet. That’s Donghae and Hyukjae, and they’re…well, they’re brilliant.” He nodded to each of them respectively.
The shorter one, Donghae, stepped forward and held out his hand, grinning. “Hi, it’s nice to meet you. My name’s Donghae. I’m a dancer.”
Shindong nodded and smiled at him in return, before Hyukjae stepped forward and introduced himself the same way.
“Donghae used to bartend for me. We go pretty far back,” Kibum said, putting an emphasis on the last statement and winking slyly at Donghae, who just laughed and rolled his eyes. Shindong remembered the way Donghae had put his arm around Hyukjae earlier and he shot a glance at the other. Hyukjae didn't seem to notice the playfulness being exchanged between the other two, or he didn't seem to care. Instead, he was mouthing a silent hello and directing a wave at the bartender, a man who’s name he knew to be Yunho. Yunho met his gaze and pulled a rather rude, sour face. Shindong’s eyes widened in surprise and he looked back to Hyukjae quickly, just in time to catch a bolt of shock flit across the others face. Shindong tensed, unsure of what exactly was going on. He looked between them uncertainly, silently watching the exchange before he looked back at Hyukjae in time to catch him stick two fingers in his mouth, pulling it into a grimace and sticking his tongue out back at the bartender.
Oh.
Shindong relaxed and chuckled to himself, shaking his head. The pair had obviously been here multiple times before. As this exchange had been going on, Kibum and Donghae had chatted shortly, but Shindong didn't notice the lull in the conversation until he heard a shout behind him.
“Hey Hyuk,” Donghae called, and Shindong looked around to find him stalking away from them and onto the wood paneled dance floor, pulling his jacket off to reveal a black wife beater underneath. “Are you going to keep making faces at Yunho or are you going to come here and help me give this guy the show he came for?” He looked over his shoulder where the three men were still standing and Shindong caught the glint in his eyes. He shivered involuntarily as it sent a chill down his spine, surprised. It was dangerous, purposeful, and intense. It was fierce. It was rare. This guy wasn't a rookie.
Shindong looked over at Kibum, who smiled knowingly, waving a hand for him to follow. He turned and led the way over to a table positioned right in front of the dance floor. Hyukjae hung back, rummaging around in the small pack he had brought in with him. He fiddled around with something noisily, before unscrewing the water bottle in his hand. Shindong caught a glimpse of something small and white between Hyukjae’s curled fingers before his hand came up and he threw his head back, taking a swig of water. When Shindong looked again, it was gone. Aspirin, he dismissed. Hyukjae smiled back at Donghae and made his way over to the dance floor, striping himself of his heavier jacket in the same manner and tossing it next to Donghae’s, already lying in the corner. He took his position on the floor next to him.
Shindong settled himself in his chair and laid his sunglasses on the table, suddenly alert, watchful eyes locked on the pair. He could practically feel his heart rate increase in excitement and expectation, and could only imagine how fast the pulses of the pair in front of him raced. He was there once, in their shoes, in front of a total stranger, ready to sacrifice it all. Ready to have his life changed. And now he was that stranger, the one to determine their fate. The though made him cringe just a little.
Before the opening beat sounded loud and clear and deafening across the club, Hyukjae shot out his hand and wrapped his fingers around Donghae’s and squeezed.
This was it.
[3]
Fandom: Super Junior (cameos by Epik High, Dong Bang Shin Ki, etc.)
Chapter Pairings: KyuMin, Eunhae
Word Count: 2332
Chapter Rating: PG
Overall Summary: The secluded world of South Korea has decayed and it's largest city, Seoul, has fractioned into two seperate halves: the kings and the pawns. Society is different; life is different. People struggle to survive in both worlds, either smothered by the rules of the city or the despair of the slums. The lucky ones managing to balance between the two extreems watch their friends suffer or survive, take or be taken. Still, life churns on, and no matter what hand you have been dealt, you must play the game.
Chapter Summary: Kyuhyun drowns while Donghae and Eunhyuk take the plunge. It's sink or swim.
Genre: AU
A/N: lol my chapter summaries are so lame. i try to be cryptic, i dont want to give anything away. im not sure how much i like this chapter, to be honest. i like the introduction of the new lives, but i need to remind myself to keep it simple. too much flair. i should be shot for the amount of flair in everything i write. ive been updating this till the last minute, and ill probably still tweak it here and there if its not right, but for the most part, i present you with chapter 2. hopefully you like it. chapter 3 gets a lot more depressing though XD actually this whole fic is bleak. ugh what is my problem.
**chapter updates every two weeks on fridays**
***UGH I FORGOT TO ITALICIZE WHEN I POSTED A FEW HOURS AGO IM SUCH A TARD.
[1]
Kyuhyun sat at his too-big desk in front of the too-big window in his too-big office and sighed. He ran a hand softly along the rich mahogany of the desk, wrinkling his nose at it. This entire place disgusted him. The superficiality, the front, the lies behind smiles in every office on every floor of every building owned by his company. Everything. Everything was cold. Nothing was real anymore. He swiveled in his plush leather chair, hands in his lap, to look out the too-big window that stretched the length of the entire back wall of his executive office. His eyes scanned the looming cityscape glaring back at him through the glass. The sky was grey. The buildings were grey. The world had turned grey. At least on this side.
Kyuhyun knew far too well that the city slums had turned black as night, had been infested with the sinful things that crawl along the bottom of his well-polished shoes, shrinking away from the silver gleam of technology. The dank gutters screamed with the woes of its inhabitants. It’s rank, decaying buildings threatened collapse on the shivering bodies hiding within. There was nothing. Anything that was left was in shadow. Even when the sun shone, it was a murky black, like the bottom of a dirty lake; it was despair.
But at least it was real.
Here, Kyuhyun felt nothing. He constantly felt a smooth, cool shell under his fingertips. Artificial. He longed for the touch of something warm, human, something with a pulse, a beat to the rhythm that life was supposed to have. He longed for something. Anything.
He ached.
Kyuhyun lived by this need and died by it every day he went without. But he was wary, because if he ever thought about it too much-
Without warning, everything went quiet, like there was cotton suddenly stuffed in his ears. He could hear his own breathing smothering him, short shallow draws. The room started to swim, everything dimming, becoming fuzzy, but Kyuhyun didn't notice, focused instead on the quiet hum flooding his thoughts, louder every passing moment. He let his eyes flutter shut as he stretched out a trembling hand unseeingly, not knowing what he was reaching for, his tingling skin hovering inches above his rather expensive, chrome telephone. His heart thudded faster, faster-maybe…this time…
And then Sungmin walked in. A knock on his door sounded and he was jerked out of his trance, looking up to see a lightly smiling man slip through the crack of the doors and shut it behind him with a gentle snap. His eyes were soft, veiled behind wisps of light brown bangs falling in front of them. He cocked his head to the side, regarding Kyuhyun’s face carefully. Kyuhyun knew he was probably pale, his pupils wide, and from the look on Sungmin’s face, it showed.
He had been spiraling again.
“Thinking too much?” Sungmin asked, voice sunny and calm and inquisitive all at the same time. At once, warmth spread into Kyuhyun’s chest. He felt a sudden surge of gratitude as he met the other’s eyes.
“Yeah…yeah,” he said, shaking his head, the depression dissipating slowly. He drew in a shaky breath of air, drawing the back of his hand under his damp bangs. He sighed as the relief spread through him slowly. He had to be careful. He didn't want another episode. “Thanks.” His smile pulled at the corners of his mouth as he pulled himself together, fixing his eyes on the boy in front of him. “Anyways, hi.”
Sungmin’s smile widened and he walked up to Kyuhyun’s desk as the younger man leaned back casually in his chair, his dark eyes laughing now. “Hi. I have the analysis from the latest system test run for you.”
Kyuhyun groaned and let his head fall back, swiveling away in response. “Ugh. I don't want to talk about work.” He spun in his chair, stretching his arms above his head with a sigh. He knew he probably looked stupid, sounded childish, but he didn't really care right now. He was like a kid when he was with Sungmin. He couldn't help it. And maybe he didn't want to.
Sungmin chuckled at him. “Well, too bad. We are at work, you know.” He laid the thick, official-looking packet of paper on the desk as the young man in front of him rolled his eyes coolly. “Life isn’t all fun and games any more.”
“…I know.”
Sungmin watched him as Kyuhyun’s eyes slid to look out of his window again. The mirrored windows of the building across the street gleamed at him in the sunlight. Cold. Blank. Staring. “…I’ll come over tonight then, shall I?” Sungmin asked, voice gentle again the way it always was when Kyuhyun was on the brink of falling into a dark, dangerous place; another episode. Sungmin could always tell. As if he could hear the very blood run slow in Kyuhyun’s veins, thick with panic, hear his heart beat sluggishly, his breathing labor, his lungs fill with icy fear. Only Sungmin could tell. Only Sungmin could end it.
“Yeah.” Kyuhyun turned back around, and there was the vulnerability in his eyes that he never showed the world. He was scared. “I don’t think I can sleep alone again tonight.”
Sungmin nodded and tapped his fingers lightly on the edge of his desk, letting them linger, almost, before turning and disappearing again through the large office door.
Nineteen year-old Cho Kyuhyun sat at his too-big desk in front of the too-big window in his too-big office, running the too-big company in the too-big shoes his father left him. He sighed and faced the window and wondered if he could ever muster the courage to jump.
***
It was 7, a few hours before the club opened. The bass echoed quietly across the wood paneled dance floor as two men crossed it, heading towards the raised level that was covered in small tables and chairs.
“Hey Tukutz, on your own time, yeah?” the man with black hair, short on the sides and styled upwards, shot towards the head of the floor, smirking and nodding significantly at the man standing next to his DJ on the platform. Tukutz met his eyes and grinned, extracting his companion’s hand from his back pocket and leading him to the back door, chatting with him shortly before seeing him out.
Kibum shook his head, smiling lightly. “I give my employees too much leeway,” he muttered. “Tablo likes to take advantage of that.” The two men walked up the steps and onto the carpeted level, heading towards the gleaming bar.
“I really like what you’ve done with it,” the second, larger man said, taking in the rich look of the club. He was wearing a dark blazer and sunglasses, a pair of expensive looking jeans, and sleek black shoes. He looked rather important.
“Thanks,” said Kibum, looking around and admiring the small club too, a feeling of pride washing over him. He had done a damn good job. “I couldn't have gotten it without your help though…”
“Naaah,” the man scowled dismissively, waving a hand at him flippantly. “All I did was sell it to you.”
“Yeah. At half the price.” Kibum pointed out.
The man grinned. “Yeah, well, we were only roommates for 4 years, nothing to get excited about…”
Kibum rolled his eyes. “Since when do I ever get excited?” The other man gave him an answering smirk to the one already on his lips. “So where have you been, Shindong? The club has been open for nearly a year and this is the first time you've been by to see it.”
Shindong sighed. “SM is doing really well. I swear it’s all I do nowadays. I know I’m just there as a PR but seriously, they should pay me as a scout, what with all the people I find. I’m always doing work for them.” There was an edge of tiredness to his voice. He rolled his eyes for emphasis.
“So you’re a big-shot talent scout, is that what’s up with the shades inside?” Kibum teased, being rewarded with a shove. “Anyways, I promise these guys I’m bringing are worth it.” The two men sat down at the bar just as the large wooden door set in the small, slightly removed lobby of the club swung open. A smile spread slowly across Kibum’s face, pulling at the corner. “Speak of the devil.”
The soft, heavy thud of the door closing pushed a fresh breath of the night air inside, along with the two men who had pulled themselves past it. Kibum stood as the two approached, and Shindong followed his lead, watching the new arrivals carefully, appraisingly.
One had dark brown hair cut boyishly short that still stuck out slightly at odd angles. His smile was bright and wide and curious, his small mouth splitting wide to let out a little bubble of laughter as he walked up to Kibum, arms open, to embrace him. They obviously hadn’t seen each other in awhile. The second one followed him, a wide, toothy grin plastered on his face, his longer hair just brushing over his shining eyes. He hung back a little nervously, looking around the club affectionately. He was thinner than the first; Shindong noticed he was trembling slightly. Shindong wasn't sure if it was out of nervousness or the cold. He was very, very thin.
The first man was still smiling when he pulled away from Kibum, and his companion scooted up to his side, grinning around at them.
“Hyukjae,” Kibum said warmly, smiling widely and nodding at him. “You’re looking better!”
The second one shrugged and smiled lightly. “Can’t complain. You know how winter knocks me out every now and then.” The other, shorter man wrapped an arm around his shoulder casually, fingers squeezing just a little before dropping away again. Shindong barely caught it, but Kibum didn’t seem to notice.
“Shindong, this is who I wanted you to meet. That’s Donghae and Hyukjae, and they’re…well, they’re brilliant.” He nodded to each of them respectively.
The shorter one, Donghae, stepped forward and held out his hand, grinning. “Hi, it’s nice to meet you. My name’s Donghae. I’m a dancer.”
Shindong nodded and smiled at him in return, before Hyukjae stepped forward and introduced himself the same way.
“Donghae used to bartend for me. We go pretty far back,” Kibum said, putting an emphasis on the last statement and winking slyly at Donghae, who just laughed and rolled his eyes. Shindong remembered the way Donghae had put his arm around Hyukjae earlier and he shot a glance at the other. Hyukjae didn't seem to notice the playfulness being exchanged between the other two, or he didn't seem to care. Instead, he was mouthing a silent hello and directing a wave at the bartender, a man who’s name he knew to be Yunho. Yunho met his gaze and pulled a rather rude, sour face. Shindong’s eyes widened in surprise and he looked back to Hyukjae quickly, just in time to catch a bolt of shock flit across the others face. Shindong tensed, unsure of what exactly was going on. He looked between them uncertainly, silently watching the exchange before he looked back at Hyukjae in time to catch him stick two fingers in his mouth, pulling it into a grimace and sticking his tongue out back at the bartender.
Oh.
Shindong relaxed and chuckled to himself, shaking his head. The pair had obviously been here multiple times before. As this exchange had been going on, Kibum and Donghae had chatted shortly, but Shindong didn't notice the lull in the conversation until he heard a shout behind him.
“Hey Hyuk,” Donghae called, and Shindong looked around to find him stalking away from them and onto the wood paneled dance floor, pulling his jacket off to reveal a black wife beater underneath. “Are you going to keep making faces at Yunho or are you going to come here and help me give this guy the show he came for?” He looked over his shoulder where the three men were still standing and Shindong caught the glint in his eyes. He shivered involuntarily as it sent a chill down his spine, surprised. It was dangerous, purposeful, and intense. It was fierce. It was rare. This guy wasn't a rookie.
Shindong looked over at Kibum, who smiled knowingly, waving a hand for him to follow. He turned and led the way over to a table positioned right in front of the dance floor. Hyukjae hung back, rummaging around in the small pack he had brought in with him. He fiddled around with something noisily, before unscrewing the water bottle in his hand. Shindong caught a glimpse of something small and white between Hyukjae’s curled fingers before his hand came up and he threw his head back, taking a swig of water. When Shindong looked again, it was gone. Aspirin, he dismissed. Hyukjae smiled back at Donghae and made his way over to the dance floor, striping himself of his heavier jacket in the same manner and tossing it next to Donghae’s, already lying in the corner. He took his position on the floor next to him.
Shindong settled himself in his chair and laid his sunglasses on the table, suddenly alert, watchful eyes locked on the pair. He could practically feel his heart rate increase in excitement and expectation, and could only imagine how fast the pulses of the pair in front of him raced. He was there once, in their shoes, in front of a total stranger, ready to sacrifice it all. Ready to have his life changed. And now he was that stranger, the one to determine their fate. The though made him cringe just a little.
Before the opening beat sounded loud and clear and deafening across the club, Hyukjae shot out his hand and wrapped his fingers around Donghae’s and squeezed.
This was it.
[3]