Sanctuary - Chapter Eleven
Title: Sanctuary
Chapter: 11/?
Authors: renichifreak and yeonah
Fandom: SS501
Pairings: KyuMin, HyunSaeng
Rating: PG-16
Warning:Angst, AU
Summary: In this era, people are bought and sold as though they are cattle. The human life is only worth what one is willing to pay for it. What happens when two such people end up in the possession of two brothers who refuse to follow the very practices they were raised to believe?
A/N: Another roleplay story by us for your enjoyment~! Yes, Unlock is still going XD We’re going back and forth. HyunJoong and JungMin are played by me (yeonah ) and KyuJong and YoungSaeng are played by renichifreak . Credit for the original plot goes to renichifreak and hakkais_shadow ~ <3
JungMin wasn't sure what to make of his new master yet. He still hadn't been ordered to do anything, nor even asked nicely, and he couldn't relax. The lack of activity was getting to him, the labor slave not used to having nothing at all to do for so long. Whenever he was left like this, he was usually punished right after, accused of being 'lazy'.
"When are you going to get me to do something?" he finally blurted out when it finally became too much.
KyuJong blinked at JungMin's words. Turning back to look at him, he didn't know how to respond. "JungMin, do you remember what I told you yesterday? I won't order you to do anything I can't do myself unless I have to," he finally replied.
"Yeah, well, aside from the obvious fact that I don't believe a word of that..." The redhead's eyes narrowed. "Even if you change it around so I'm a 'personal slave', I'm still primarily labor. If your father shows up and asks questions, where's the proof that I'm doing more for you than just sitting around taking up air and space?"
"Despite him being my father, he knows me well enough to know that I hate slavery. He'll think more is wrong if I have you doing every little thing for me, wouldn't you say?" KyuJong asked back.
"Valid point. One problem with that," JungMin rolled his eyes. "What's the point in him letting you keep a slave if you aren't using it, genius?"
KyuJong was silent. He was aware that what he was about to say would raise more questions than anything, but he spoke up anyway. "My father leaves me alone. He never comes to my room, so he'll never know."
"Glad to know that the possibility of me being tossed to one of the guards instead is being countered by blind faith in that staying the same," JungMin remarked wrily. Even with all his suspicions, he knew that this was as good as it was going to get in this household. Anyone else here would have beaten him black and blue for all the times he'd spoken out of turn.
"That will never happen," KyuJong stated with more conviction than he'd shown in a while. The guards employed by their father were just like him, and he'd be damned if he let them get their hands on JungMin.
"Then for God's sake start getting me to at least do something before someone decides I'm better used following after one of them instead," JungMin groaned. This was giving him a headache. "Are you sure you know how to own a slave? Even that brother of yours seems to understand there's some effort involved..."
"I'm sorry, okay?! What do you want me to do? There's literally nothing for even me to do!" KyuJong countered. His brain was already so muddled from everything earlier that he didn't know what to do anymore.
"There's always something. Just give me tasks whenever you go somewhere, alright? Something visible, that other people would notice. Don't you have work or school or something? I can do something with those. And stop standing up for me in public. Even the okay masters don't do that."
"I'm on summer vacation right now. Joongie Hyung's taking summer classes, which is why he's still got classes," KyuJong explained before sighing. "I'll try, okay? But just forgive me if it takes a bit of time." "I have friends who are just as protective of slaves. Just because you are one, doesn't mean that I can't stop any mistreatment, so I'm sorry to say that you're stuck with it."
JungMin looked at him for a long moment, then sighed. "I'm a slave, KyuJong. You can't stop it all. And while you're still sticking with the idea of treating me like a human being, I'd rather do a few tasks for you and get in trouble a bit to make it convincing than get hauled off to be beaten up daily by someone else." He tugged his sleeves down a little.
"You want an order? Fine then. HyunJoong's in the kitchen. Tell him I'm not hungry and go get yourself food." Not giving the slave a chance to respond, KyuJong walked into the bathroom and closed the door behind him.
Staring at the bathroom door in surprise, JungMin's eyes narrowed. "So YoungSaeng gets the clueless master, and I get the one who runs away. Great."
He stood up in annoyance and left the room, closing the door behind him. The redhead paused a moment, trying to recall the way to the kitchen. He was tempted to go off in a completely different direction, just wander around, but he wasn't looking to be beaten yet. So he headed off towards the kitchen, still fuming.
KyuJong tensed at JungMin's statement before sighing when the door opened and closed, sliding down the door to the floor. He really was running away, but he just couldn't help it. He wasn't as strong as JungMin...he was just weak, he supposed. And he hated that fact with a passion.
HyunJoong glanced towards the door when JungMin came in...alone. "Hey. Where's Kyu?"
"Sulking in the bathroom," JungMin grumbled, obviously in a bad mood.
HyunJoong was silent for a moment before sighing. "All right then. Can I give you some food to bring back to him?" He wondered what was bothering KyuJong...and when he could finally get a chance to talk to his sibling.
JungMin nodded mutely, then quickly got out of the way of the door when HyungJoon came in, drawn by the smell of food.
Bouncing in excitement, HyungJoon ran into the kitchen, eyes focused on the food cooking. "You really made it, Hyung! I love you!" he cheered before looking around. "Where's Jongie Hyung?" he asked, noticing KyuJong's absence.
"Saeng helped, thank him too brat," HyunJoong chuckled. "And...it sounds like KyuJong won't be joining us. I'll make a plate to take back to him," he added, starting to divide the ddeokbokee into 5 portions.
Brightening, HyungJoon turned toward YoungSaeng. "Thanks, YoungSaeng Hyung!" At HyunJoong's explanation, the youngest tilted his head. "Is he sick? He looked pale when you guys got back."
"I'm fine," KyuJong replied as he walked in to the kitchen, avoiding meeting anyone's eyes directly. Deciding that JungMin was right, he'd left the room and went to join them, though made sure to keep a comfortable distance from JungMin.
JungMin looked up as KyuJong entered the kitchen, looking at him for a moment before going to sit next to YoungSaeng again, lips pressed firmly together in an expression that meant he was holding his tongue.
"Great," HyunJoong smiled at his brother, though he knew he would be talking to KyuJong about all this later. "Just in time for dinner too." He started handing out the plates, shutting off the stove.
Accepting a plate, KyuJong looked at it, then his hyung. "While you're good at making it, it usually looks weird. I'm assuming YoungSaeng helped?"
HyunJoong gave a long-suffering sigh. "Such low faith in your hyung. Yes, YoungSeng helped, and stopped me from adding fresh fingers to the recipe if you want to gloat." He took his plate and went to sulk in the corner.
Smirking, YoungSaeng chose to sit relatively near HyunJoong, kicking him lightly. "Quit pouting, you big baby. Aren't you the oldest here?"
"In actual age only." HyunJoong nudged YoungSaeng back under the table. "KyuJong beats us all with his mother-henning."
"Well someone has to do it. Between HyungJoon's inability to clean and your complete disregard for safety, that just leaves me," KyuJong retorted, taking a bit. HyunJoong really was good at making this dish.
"Hey, I'll have you know YoungSaeng was in the lab all afternoon and not maimed, poisoned, or turned inside out in any way," HyunJoong protested. "I don't understand why you people find it so hard to make it out in one piece."
"Calm down, Hyung," KyuJong stated between bites. "You're just too much fun to pick on."
"My caring dongsaengs," HyunJoong said to YoungSaeng with a long-suffering sigh. JungMin smirked despite himself, nibbling at the chopped carrots.
"You torment us hyung, so don't even try it," HyungJoon grinned.
"Agreed. We need to pay you back for all the things you did to us as kids somehow, right?" KyuJong replied, earning an energetic nod from HyungJoon and a light laugh from YoungSaeng.
"You never complained when I treated you out for shaved ice after," HyunJoong grumbled, flicking some of the sauce at his brothers. JungMin started to laugh at the scandalized look on HyungJoon's face.
KyuJong and HyungJoon looked at each other smirking. "Well of course not, Hyung. We got shaved ice out of the deal," KyuJong stated.
"I knew I was getting the short end of the stick," the eldest brother sighed. Seeing he was finished his plate, he smirked and continued to flick the remaining sauce at the other two with his chopsticks.
HyungJoon chose to hide behind YoungSaeng as KyuJong simply ducked under the table. HyunJoong was a mood maker, and KyuJong loved that about him.
HyunJoong cast YoungSaeng an amused look. "You might want to get out of the way," he suggested mischievously before flicking some sauce at JungMin, who had been looking at KyuJong with one eyebrow raised. The redhead yelped and glared at him, but lost the angry look when he saw HyunJoong motioning at his glass of iced water and KyuJong under the table. Despite himself, JungMin grinned.
While HyunJoong turned his attention back to HyungJoon and YoungSaeng, JungMin scooped out a half-melted ice cube and, seeing KyuJong was facing the other way...stuck it down the back of his shirt.
YoungSaeng yelped and ducked as a spoonful of sauce came his way, hitting HyungJoon square in the face. Laughing, he looked over to see what JungMin was doing, lips curling wickedly.
KyuJong was watching HyunJoong when he suddenly felt something extremely cold and wet against his back. With a shriek, he jumped to his feet and flailed slightly until the ice cube fell out of his shirt.
JungMin burst out into loud and uncontrollable laughter at KyuJong's reaction, face almost the same color as his hair for a moment.
HyungJoon whined pitifully, until he caught sight of the bottle of soy sauce. When HyunJoong was busy laughing at KyuJong, the magnae grabbed the bottle and unscrewed the top, dangling it in front of YoungSaeng like an invitation.
Eyes lighting up in a way they hadn't for years, YoungSaeng took the soy sauce and eased his way over to HyunJoong. He was going to just pour it over his head, but where was the fun in that?
Tapping him on the shoulder, he waited until the eldest turned before grabbing the waist of the man's loose pants and pouring, smile on his face before he let go and ran to the other side of the room.
A very undignified shriek burst from HyunJoong at the sudden splash of something down the front of his pants. By the time he'd figured it out, he looked like he'd just wet himself, YoungSaeng was running away, and HyungJoon was on the floor practically howling with laughter. It was a good thing the kitchen door was closed.
HyunJoong didn't really think about that though. Instead, he grabbed the remains of the kimchi dish and ran after YoungSaeng with it.
Knowing that he was trapped in the kitchen and unable to leave for fear of being caught and punished, YoungSaeng just kept running away, using his small size to maneuver and duck under things...anything to not end up wearing the kimchi.
JungMin watched HyunJoong chase YoungSaeng around, snickering. The older man really couldn't aim, the few times he tried shooting the kimchi at YoungSaeng missing by a mile. Debating if he should help, the redhead's lips curled into a smirk.
When YoungSaeng doubled back and came their way, JungMin reached out and hooked his feet into the legs of a nearby chair, dragging it right into YoungSaeng's path and blocking his escape route.
The slight delay that caused was more than enough for HyunJoong to catch up and dump the dish down the back of YoungSaeng's shirt, and JungMin fell onto the floor, clutching his stomach in laughter.
YoungSaeng faltered in order not to fall over the chair that was suddenly there when it hadn't been a second ago, only to all but squeal at the feel of the kimchi against his back. The fact that he was so overly sensitive to things made it even worse as he completely stiffened, releasing a loud and extremely uncharacteristic whine at the feeling.
HyunJoong laughed, backing up with the empty plate in his hand. For a moment the only sound in the kitchen was laughter, then the sound of their breathing as they all looked at each other.
HyungJoon snickered finally, wiping the sauce off his face. "I say HyunJoongie hyung cleans up...I so didn't start this."
KyuJong was laying on the floor, exactly where he had fallen when YoungSaeng had dumped the soy sauce down his hyung's pants. Barely able to breathe through his laughter, he nodded.
"Agreed," he forced out.
"Eh? But I can't get any cleaning done if I'm waddling around like I'm wearing diapers," HyunJoong whined, trying to stop his soaked pants from getting stuck...somewhere uncomfortable.
YoungSaeng choked on yet another laugh forcing it's way out. "Want me to get you something to change into? Because we sure as hell aren't helping with this mess unless someone comes in here and I have no choice in the matter."
"No one's coming in here around this time," HyungJoon laughed. "Joongie's stuck~"
HyunJoong chuckled, running one hand over his face. He hadn't felt like that in a while...just like a little kid. "I think a change of clothes would be helpful...I don't think it would look very good for me to walk around looking like I wet myself." That of course brought another round of laughter from HyungJoon as the eldest started cleaning up the mess.
Snickering, YoungSaeng nodded. "I'll be back. Try not to add to the mess, okay?" he said as he carefully schooled his expression before leaving the kitchen. He was glad that he was wearing HyunJoong's black shirt since no one could see the mess the elder made of it.
It didn't take long to get to the room and quickly change shirts, though he was definitely taking a shower before he went to bed. He also grabbed a pair of drawstring sweats for the elder to wear and returned to the kitchen. Once inside, he threw the pants at the man, smirk returning.
In the middle of wiping the table, HyunJoong barely caught the sweats thrown at him before they hit his face. "Thanks." He looked around for somewhere he could change.
Sensing an opportunity, HyungJoon stood and snuck up behind his brother. Before HyunJoong noticed he was there, he shoved the older man into the closet with all the brooms and cleaning products and shut the door quickly. There was a loud yelp and a crash from inside.
"You can change in there, hyung!" HyungJoon laughed.
KyuJong just stared before laughing again, though not without reprimanding the youngest. "I shouldn't be laughing at this. Haven't we done enough to Hyung today?"
Chuckling, HyungJoon sighed. "I suppose we have. All right, all right~, I'll stop." He left the kitchen, waving cheerfully.
HyunJoong reappeared after a minute, looking around for HyungJoon. "Aish~, that brat," he shook his head in amusement, though he was sure he was going to have a few bruises later, rubbing his sore shoulder before finishing cleaning up.
KyuJong calmed down and turned toward YoungSaeng. "So how was it working in Hyung's lab?"
"It was...interesting, and quite colorful," he replied, recalling the different colors of smoke they'd created.
"In a good or bad way?" JungMin asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I'm not that bad," HyunJoong protested as he cleaned up the table.
"He didn't blow me up, so I don't really care," YoungSaeng replied before pausing. "It was interesting, though. I didn't know you could do that," he added.
"You can do a lot of things with the right mixtures," HyunJoong smiled. "I can show you more whenever you're interested."
"...We'll see," he said cautiously. He'd dropped his guard quite a bit that day and was confused by his actions. YoungSaeng was unsure as to what was so special about HyunJoong.
HyunJoong just smiled, finishing up and straightening. "Here, all clean," he sighed and dropped into an empty chair.
KyuJong smiled before patting his hyung on the back. "Good job, HyunJoongie. It looks good."
"Probably cleaner than it was before," HyunJoong chuckled tiredly. He then nudged KyuJong under the table and nodded slightly towards JungMin, who was starting to doze off where he was sitting before snapping back awake.
"It's been a long day. How about we all head back and get some rest?" KyuJong suggested, standing and looking at JungMin, head tilted. "You even have clothes of your own to change into..."
The redhead perked up at that, nodding as he sat up straight again. HyunJoong watched KyuJong for a moment. He still had to talk with his brother...
"Before that, Kyu, I want your opinion on something," he said, looking at his younger brother pointedly. He wasn't getting out of a conversation now.
KyuJong cursed internally. He knew what was coming, and he also knew that HyunJoong wouldn't let him out of it.
Looking back and forth between the brothers, YoungSaeng cleared his throat. "We'll be heading back now," he said, getting to his feet.
Blinking, JungMin stood up when YoungSaeng did, seeing the look that went between the two siblings. "Er...yeah." He followed YoungSaeng, glancing back at them.
HyunJoong smiled absently. "We'll just be a few minutes."
Once they had left the room, KyuJong turned his attention to HyunJoong, waiting for the inevitable.
Watching the door close, HyunJoong sighed and looked back at his younger brother, eyes sad. "I'm a little at a loss where to start. What happened earlier to make you not want to come for dinner, Kyu?" he asked quietly, the absent-minded mask dropped to reveal the deep concern hidden underneath.
"You know that I hate this, HyunJoong. Slavery, the idea of it...everything. If I can't do something myself, I'll ask for help. We got into a fight over me not making him do anything. I just don't know what to do, Hyung. I promised him I wouldn't order him to do anything, but now he wants me to..." KyuJong shook his head and sighed. He could barely get out what he meant coherently.
Listening, HyunJoong rested his head in one hand. "No one in their right mind wants to be ordered around," he pointed out. "I think all it comes down to is acting. You knew you would have to do some measure of acting when you took him in. Maybe he doesn't think you're doing enough of it."
"But why do I need to act when we're alone, or with you and YoungSaeng and Joonie? It doesn't make any sense, Hyung," KyuJong stated, frustrated. "We have yet to be in a public situation where I would need to order him around..."
HyunJoong just smiled a little sadly. "Sometimes it's needed to always act. It would make it more credible and realistic when such a situation does arise. Even if you hate slavery...if you want to keep him, you'll have to be a slave owner, and act convincingly enough. At the very least, run through scenarios with him. If he wants you to order him around...it's probably because he's afraid."
"It's hard to think of him as being afraid of anything..." KyuJong mused. 'Unlike me.' "I'll talk to him tomorrow morning."
The older man laughed. "Everyone has something to be afraid of." He paused. "Is there...anything else you need to talk about? You know I'm always here to help, right?" He was thinking mostly about seeing the brand on YoungSaeng, but he meant everything.
KyuJong could only look at his elder brother-his best friend-before averting his eyes. "Why can't he just leave me alone, Hyung?" he finally asked.
HyunJoong watched him for a moment before standing, walking around the table to sit in the empty seat next to KyuJong instead. "It's hard to avoid someone in his position," he murmured before sighing. "And it effects you more because you haven't gotten over him yet." He placed a hand lightly on KyuJong's shoulder. "The reminders may be there, but you have to remember he won't ever hurt you again if you refuse to let him."
"I understand that, but it's just so hard to accept it," KyuJong sighed. "The brand on YoungSaeng's neck..." he began, unable to continue.
The older man shook his head slightly. "It might not have been him," he said quietly. "It's the family brand, not his exclusively. But either way...don't think about things you can't control, Kyu."
"I was starting to move on, HyunJoong, wasn't I? I know that it isn't YoungSaeng's fault, and I know that he's just an innocent victim in this, but it doen't stop it from hurting..."
"This doesn't have to stop you from moving on," HyunJoong replied quietly, squeezing his shoulder. "That's part of being able to move on...not letting things like this get under your skin. Keep moving on."
KyuJong nodded his head and dropped his head on his brother's shoulder. "I know that. Seeing that brand just caught me so off guard."
HyunJoong smiled sadly, running his fingers soothingly through KyuJong's hair like their mother used to when they were little. "Nothing wrong with that. But don't let him hurt you any more, Kyu...you're stronger now."
Smiling softly, KyuJong relaxed. "I miss this feeling." As a small child, KyuJong had been all but attached to their mother.
The older man's smiled faded a little. He missed it too. Continuing the calming motion, he sighed after a moment. "We should head back before we're missed."
"Doubtable. I 'd be amazed if JungMin even made it to his room," KyuJong laughed quietly as he sat up and ran a hand through his hair.
"Then we better head back before someone finds him wandering around alone," HyunJoong chuckled, standing up and stretching. "Don't make me hunt you down like this again. I might not be umma, but if something's bothering you, I'm always around."
"I know you are. You're the only one I would ever trust with this," KyuJong assured.
HyunJoong smiled, and messed up KyuJong's hair lightly with one hand. "Good to know. Let's head back." He walked to the door, pulling it open.
Getting to his feet and nudging HyunJoong, KyuJong nodded. "After you, oh brother of mine."
The older man chuckled, walking out of the kitchen and down the hallway towards their rooms. There were few other people around; it was late. "Night," he smiled as they passed by KyuJong's room, continuing on to his own.
"Night, Hyung." With a final smile and a bit of the weight removed, KyuJong watched HyunJoong keep walking before turning into his own room and closing the door behind him.
HyunJoong walking down the hallways before stopping at his room. Looking around to make sure the hallway was clear, he knocked lightly to let YoungSaeng know he was coming in before opening the door and walking in, closing it behind him.
Once back in the room, YoungSaeng had gone straight into the bathroom to shower once he'd gathered a clean change of clothes, almost excited at the concept of owning his own clothes. The water helped to sooth the stress that had built up during their excursion, something that happened whenever he left his owner's home.
Looking around to see the bathroom door closed and the shower running, HyunJoong smiled and locked the main door before padding over to his closet. He found a pair of pajamas to change into and made sure the temperature was fixed again before settling down into the desk chair, sighing as he looked over at his notes. There was a test tomorrow.
Once he finally shut the water off and stepped out, YoungSaeng dried himself off and slipped into the lounge pants and tank top, sighing at the feel of the soft fabric against his skin.
Towel drying his hair, YoungSaeng stepped out of the bathroom and paused when he saw HyunJoong studying yet again.
HyunJoong looked up as he heard the bathroom door opening, smiling to see YoungSaeng in his new clothes. "Are they comfortable?" he asked, nodding at them as he sat up straight again, stretching in the chair.
"Very," YoungSaeng replied, hesitating before walking over to the desk and looking at the notes, completely lost. "What is that? It looks like a foreign language to me..."
"That would be because it is," HyunJoong laughed, turning the papers a little so that YoungSaeng could see better. "That's Japanese. I have a test on it tomorrow, and I'll be up for a while studying since I completely forgot all about it under all the other work."
"You know other languages?" YoungSaeng asked before he thought it through. Of course he would, being in such a high profile family.
HyunJoong smiled and nodded. "Only Japanese really. Well, I know some English, but I've been told it's more gibberish than anything." He shrugged. "If you're interested in learning, I have a Japanese language book around here somewhere, along with an English one."
YoungSaeng narrowed his eyes slightly, trying to read the man. He still found it odd that HyunJoong was so willing to let him learn things while previous masters would never allow a pleasure slave to learn a thing.
The older man blinked at the look he was getting. "That's only if you want to. It's tough learning languages." He shrugged and picked up his papers again to study.
"Why are you so willing to let me learn?" YoungSaeng asked, too tired to think about his words.
HyunJoong shrugged. "I'm not stopping you from doing anything. If you want to cut your hair, you can cut your hair." He motioned at it, not looking up from his papers. "If you want to compose songs, you can compose songs. If you want to learn, who am I to stop you?"
"It's strange being given a choice. That's all I'm really saying," YoungSaeng stated. "I'm not good for anything but pleasure, so why should I learn anything?"
HyunJoong put his head in one hand, looking at YoungSaeng in his side vision. "Do you think you're not good for anything but pleasure?"
"As much as I want to say no, it's all I know how to do," YoungSaeng answered with a nonchalant shrug.
"Then I suppose being able to compose is pure luck," HyunJoong murmured, returning to his notes with a sigh. "Let me know when you're interested in being something more."
YoungSaeng was silent as he returned to the bed. Taking a seat, he hesitated before speaking again. "These language books you have..."
"In the closet somewhere, probably under the science books." HyunJoong's lips twitched upward slightly as he turned a page in his notes. "I'll put them on my desk before I leave for school tomorrow morning."
"Am I staying here then?" YoungSaeng asked as he laid down, sighing at how comfortable HyunJoong's bed was.
HyunJoong nodded. "I have a bunch of labs tomorrow, it would probably be easier that way. I'll let KyuJong know on the way out, perhaps he and JungMin can keep you company for a while."
YoungSaeng nodded his head before closing his eyes and trying to relax. He was exhausted, yet his mind was running too fast for him to fall asleep.
The older man looked back at the slave lying in his bed, smile rueful. After a moment he leaned over and turned off the main light, so the only light left was the one on his desk. "Good night," he murmured, returning to his studying.
"...You do a lot of studying," YoungSaeng murmured quietly.
HyunJoong's lips quirked slightly. "Perhaps. There's a lot to go over." Between intensive courses that had even the best students passing out at their desks, his various responsibilities, obligatory attendances and paperwork being the eldest son in this family gave him, and the tasks he gave himself (and surprises like looking after a slave), he couldn't afford to fall behind.
"You're also heir to your family, yes? Doesn't that bring about a lot of work in and of itself?"
"You could say that," the other man shrugged. He had gotten used to the constant pressure, the need to keep doing better in every aspect of his life, though the amount of work lately had been staggering. He kept from his brothers how much work he actually had, not wanting them to be dragged into the tricky game of politics. "It's something I'm used to."
YoungSaeng opened one eye before closing it again. "Whatever you say." He was quite aware of the pressure that being the eldest son had, having had so many high profile owners. HyunJoong, however, was the hardest-working person he'd ever seen.
The older man smiled faintly before returning his focus to his work, not commenting. He wondered if that had been meant to show skepticism as to HyunJoong's ability to keep up with everything, or just a way to close the conversation. Either way, he hadn't let anything get to him before, and wasn't about to start now.
YoungSaeng remained awake a bit longer before sighing and forcing his mind to calm, falling asleep soon after.
Listening to the other man's breathing even out, HyunJoong sighed softly and frowned down at the papers, forcing the words to make sense.
It was several hours later when he finally straightened, unable to get any further sense out of the papers. Glancing at the clock to see it was 3 in the morning, he rubbed his eyes and took off the glasses he'd put on at some point to read easier. Being quiet so that he wouldn't wake up YoungSaeng, though from what he'd noticed last night the slave would probably wake up anyways, he set up the alarm on his iTouch to wake him up in a few hours for class.
Gathering all his papers into one pile, he turned off the desk light and padded silently to the bed, lying down and being careful not to touch YoungSaeng as usual. He inserted the earbuds in his ears and slipped the iTouch under his pillow, closing his eyes. He was out within seconds.
The shifting of the bed woke YoungSaeng instantly. He remained still until HyunJoong had laid down and fallen asleep. Once he was sure he was out, YoungSaeng fell back asleep.
Chapter: 11/?
Authors: renichifreak and yeonah
Fandom: SS501
Pairings: KyuMin, HyunSaeng
Rating: PG-16
Warning:Angst, AU
Summary: In this era, people are bought and sold as though they are cattle. The human life is only worth what one is willing to pay for it. What happens when two such people end up in the possession of two brothers who refuse to follow the very practices they were raised to believe?
A/N: Another roleplay story by us for your enjoyment~! Yes, Unlock is still going XD We’re going back and forth. HyunJoong and JungMin are played by me (yeonah ) and KyuJong and YoungSaeng are played by renichifreak . Credit for the original plot goes to renichifreak and hakkais_shadow ~ <3
JungMin wasn't sure what to make of his new master yet. He still hadn't been ordered to do anything, nor even asked nicely, and he couldn't relax. The lack of activity was getting to him, the labor slave not used to having nothing at all to do for so long. Whenever he was left like this, he was usually punished right after, accused of being 'lazy'.
"When are you going to get me to do something?" he finally blurted out when it finally became too much.
KyuJong blinked at JungMin's words. Turning back to look at him, he didn't know how to respond. "JungMin, do you remember what I told you yesterday? I won't order you to do anything I can't do myself unless I have to," he finally replied.
"Yeah, well, aside from the obvious fact that I don't believe a word of that..." The redhead's eyes narrowed. "Even if you change it around so I'm a 'personal slave', I'm still primarily labor. If your father shows up and asks questions, where's the proof that I'm doing more for you than just sitting around taking up air and space?"
"Despite him being my father, he knows me well enough to know that I hate slavery. He'll think more is wrong if I have you doing every little thing for me, wouldn't you say?" KyuJong asked back.
"Valid point. One problem with that," JungMin rolled his eyes. "What's the point in him letting you keep a slave if you aren't using it, genius?"
KyuJong was silent. He was aware that what he was about to say would raise more questions than anything, but he spoke up anyway. "My father leaves me alone. He never comes to my room, so he'll never know."
"Glad to know that the possibility of me being tossed to one of the guards instead is being countered by blind faith in that staying the same," JungMin remarked wrily. Even with all his suspicions, he knew that this was as good as it was going to get in this household. Anyone else here would have beaten him black and blue for all the times he'd spoken out of turn.
"That will never happen," KyuJong stated with more conviction than he'd shown in a while. The guards employed by their father were just like him, and he'd be damned if he let them get their hands on JungMin.
"Then for God's sake start getting me to at least do something before someone decides I'm better used following after one of them instead," JungMin groaned. This was giving him a headache. "Are you sure you know how to own a slave? Even that brother of yours seems to understand there's some effort involved..."
"I'm sorry, okay?! What do you want me to do? There's literally nothing for even me to do!" KyuJong countered. His brain was already so muddled from everything earlier that he didn't know what to do anymore.
"There's always something. Just give me tasks whenever you go somewhere, alright? Something visible, that other people would notice. Don't you have work or school or something? I can do something with those. And stop standing up for me in public. Even the okay masters don't do that."
"I'm on summer vacation right now. Joongie Hyung's taking summer classes, which is why he's still got classes," KyuJong explained before sighing. "I'll try, okay? But just forgive me if it takes a bit of time." "I have friends who are just as protective of slaves. Just because you are one, doesn't mean that I can't stop any mistreatment, so I'm sorry to say that you're stuck with it."
JungMin looked at him for a long moment, then sighed. "I'm a slave, KyuJong. You can't stop it all. And while you're still sticking with the idea of treating me like a human being, I'd rather do a few tasks for you and get in trouble a bit to make it convincing than get hauled off to be beaten up daily by someone else." He tugged his sleeves down a little.
"You want an order? Fine then. HyunJoong's in the kitchen. Tell him I'm not hungry and go get yourself food." Not giving the slave a chance to respond, KyuJong walked into the bathroom and closed the door behind him.
Staring at the bathroom door in surprise, JungMin's eyes narrowed. "So YoungSaeng gets the clueless master, and I get the one who runs away. Great."
He stood up in annoyance and left the room, closing the door behind him. The redhead paused a moment, trying to recall the way to the kitchen. He was tempted to go off in a completely different direction, just wander around, but he wasn't looking to be beaten yet. So he headed off towards the kitchen, still fuming.
KyuJong tensed at JungMin's statement before sighing when the door opened and closed, sliding down the door to the floor. He really was running away, but he just couldn't help it. He wasn't as strong as JungMin...he was just weak, he supposed. And he hated that fact with a passion.
HyunJoong glanced towards the door when JungMin came in...alone. "Hey. Where's Kyu?"
"Sulking in the bathroom," JungMin grumbled, obviously in a bad mood.
HyunJoong was silent for a moment before sighing. "All right then. Can I give you some food to bring back to him?" He wondered what was bothering KyuJong...and when he could finally get a chance to talk to his sibling.
JungMin nodded mutely, then quickly got out of the way of the door when HyungJoon came in, drawn by the smell of food.
Bouncing in excitement, HyungJoon ran into the kitchen, eyes focused on the food cooking. "You really made it, Hyung! I love you!" he cheered before looking around. "Where's Jongie Hyung?" he asked, noticing KyuJong's absence.
"Saeng helped, thank him too brat," HyunJoong chuckled. "And...it sounds like KyuJong won't be joining us. I'll make a plate to take back to him," he added, starting to divide the ddeokbokee into 5 portions.
Brightening, HyungJoon turned toward YoungSaeng. "Thanks, YoungSaeng Hyung!" At HyunJoong's explanation, the youngest tilted his head. "Is he sick? He looked pale when you guys got back."
"I'm fine," KyuJong replied as he walked in to the kitchen, avoiding meeting anyone's eyes directly. Deciding that JungMin was right, he'd left the room and went to join them, though made sure to keep a comfortable distance from JungMin.
JungMin looked up as KyuJong entered the kitchen, looking at him for a moment before going to sit next to YoungSaeng again, lips pressed firmly together in an expression that meant he was holding his tongue.
"Great," HyunJoong smiled at his brother, though he knew he would be talking to KyuJong about all this later. "Just in time for dinner too." He started handing out the plates, shutting off the stove.
Accepting a plate, KyuJong looked at it, then his hyung. "While you're good at making it, it usually looks weird. I'm assuming YoungSaeng helped?"
HyunJoong gave a long-suffering sigh. "Such low faith in your hyung. Yes, YoungSeng helped, and stopped me from adding fresh fingers to the recipe if you want to gloat." He took his plate and went to sulk in the corner.
Smirking, YoungSaeng chose to sit relatively near HyunJoong, kicking him lightly. "Quit pouting, you big baby. Aren't you the oldest here?"
"In actual age only." HyunJoong nudged YoungSaeng back under the table. "KyuJong beats us all with his mother-henning."
"Well someone has to do it. Between HyungJoon's inability to clean and your complete disregard for safety, that just leaves me," KyuJong retorted, taking a bit. HyunJoong really was good at making this dish.
"Hey, I'll have you know YoungSaeng was in the lab all afternoon and not maimed, poisoned, or turned inside out in any way," HyunJoong protested. "I don't understand why you people find it so hard to make it out in one piece."
"Calm down, Hyung," KyuJong stated between bites. "You're just too much fun to pick on."
"My caring dongsaengs," HyunJoong said to YoungSaeng with a long-suffering sigh. JungMin smirked despite himself, nibbling at the chopped carrots.
"You torment us hyung, so don't even try it," HyungJoon grinned.
"Agreed. We need to pay you back for all the things you did to us as kids somehow, right?" KyuJong replied, earning an energetic nod from HyungJoon and a light laugh from YoungSaeng.
"You never complained when I treated you out for shaved ice after," HyunJoong grumbled, flicking some of the sauce at his brothers. JungMin started to laugh at the scandalized look on HyungJoon's face.
KyuJong and HyungJoon looked at each other smirking. "Well of course not, Hyung. We got shaved ice out of the deal," KyuJong stated.
"I knew I was getting the short end of the stick," the eldest brother sighed. Seeing he was finished his plate, he smirked and continued to flick the remaining sauce at the other two with his chopsticks.
HyungJoon chose to hide behind YoungSaeng as KyuJong simply ducked under the table. HyunJoong was a mood maker, and KyuJong loved that about him.
HyunJoong cast YoungSaeng an amused look. "You might want to get out of the way," he suggested mischievously before flicking some sauce at JungMin, who had been looking at KyuJong with one eyebrow raised. The redhead yelped and glared at him, but lost the angry look when he saw HyunJoong motioning at his glass of iced water and KyuJong under the table. Despite himself, JungMin grinned.
While HyunJoong turned his attention back to HyungJoon and YoungSaeng, JungMin scooped out a half-melted ice cube and, seeing KyuJong was facing the other way...stuck it down the back of his shirt.
YoungSaeng yelped and ducked as a spoonful of sauce came his way, hitting HyungJoon square in the face. Laughing, he looked over to see what JungMin was doing, lips curling wickedly.
KyuJong was watching HyunJoong when he suddenly felt something extremely cold and wet against his back. With a shriek, he jumped to his feet and flailed slightly until the ice cube fell out of his shirt.
JungMin burst out into loud and uncontrollable laughter at KyuJong's reaction, face almost the same color as his hair for a moment.
HyungJoon whined pitifully, until he caught sight of the bottle of soy sauce. When HyunJoong was busy laughing at KyuJong, the magnae grabbed the bottle and unscrewed the top, dangling it in front of YoungSaeng like an invitation.
Eyes lighting up in a way they hadn't for years, YoungSaeng took the soy sauce and eased his way over to HyunJoong. He was going to just pour it over his head, but where was the fun in that?
Tapping him on the shoulder, he waited until the eldest turned before grabbing the waist of the man's loose pants and pouring, smile on his face before he let go and ran to the other side of the room.
A very undignified shriek burst from HyunJoong at the sudden splash of something down the front of his pants. By the time he'd figured it out, he looked like he'd just wet himself, YoungSaeng was running away, and HyungJoon was on the floor practically howling with laughter. It was a good thing the kitchen door was closed.
HyunJoong didn't really think about that though. Instead, he grabbed the remains of the kimchi dish and ran after YoungSaeng with it.
Knowing that he was trapped in the kitchen and unable to leave for fear of being caught and punished, YoungSaeng just kept running away, using his small size to maneuver and duck under things...anything to not end up wearing the kimchi.
JungMin watched HyunJoong chase YoungSaeng around, snickering. The older man really couldn't aim, the few times he tried shooting the kimchi at YoungSaeng missing by a mile. Debating if he should help, the redhead's lips curled into a smirk.
When YoungSaeng doubled back and came their way, JungMin reached out and hooked his feet into the legs of a nearby chair, dragging it right into YoungSaeng's path and blocking his escape route.
The slight delay that caused was more than enough for HyunJoong to catch up and dump the dish down the back of YoungSaeng's shirt, and JungMin fell onto the floor, clutching his stomach in laughter.
YoungSaeng faltered in order not to fall over the chair that was suddenly there when it hadn't been a second ago, only to all but squeal at the feel of the kimchi against his back. The fact that he was so overly sensitive to things made it even worse as he completely stiffened, releasing a loud and extremely uncharacteristic whine at the feeling.
HyunJoong laughed, backing up with the empty plate in his hand. For a moment the only sound in the kitchen was laughter, then the sound of their breathing as they all looked at each other.
HyungJoon snickered finally, wiping the sauce off his face. "I say HyunJoongie hyung cleans up...I so didn't start this."
KyuJong was laying on the floor, exactly where he had fallen when YoungSaeng had dumped the soy sauce down his hyung's pants. Barely able to breathe through his laughter, he nodded.
"Agreed," he forced out.
"Eh? But I can't get any cleaning done if I'm waddling around like I'm wearing diapers," HyunJoong whined, trying to stop his soaked pants from getting stuck...somewhere uncomfortable.
YoungSaeng choked on yet another laugh forcing it's way out. "Want me to get you something to change into? Because we sure as hell aren't helping with this mess unless someone comes in here and I have no choice in the matter."
"No one's coming in here around this time," HyungJoon laughed. "Joongie's stuck~"
HyunJoong chuckled, running one hand over his face. He hadn't felt like that in a while...just like a little kid. "I think a change of clothes would be helpful...I don't think it would look very good for me to walk around looking like I wet myself." That of course brought another round of laughter from HyungJoon as the eldest started cleaning up the mess.
Snickering, YoungSaeng nodded. "I'll be back. Try not to add to the mess, okay?" he said as he carefully schooled his expression before leaving the kitchen. He was glad that he was wearing HyunJoong's black shirt since no one could see the mess the elder made of it.
It didn't take long to get to the room and quickly change shirts, though he was definitely taking a shower before he went to bed. He also grabbed a pair of drawstring sweats for the elder to wear and returned to the kitchen. Once inside, he threw the pants at the man, smirk returning.
In the middle of wiping the table, HyunJoong barely caught the sweats thrown at him before they hit his face. "Thanks." He looked around for somewhere he could change.
Sensing an opportunity, HyungJoon stood and snuck up behind his brother. Before HyunJoong noticed he was there, he shoved the older man into the closet with all the brooms and cleaning products and shut the door quickly. There was a loud yelp and a crash from inside.
"You can change in there, hyung!" HyungJoon laughed.
KyuJong just stared before laughing again, though not without reprimanding the youngest. "I shouldn't be laughing at this. Haven't we done enough to Hyung today?"
Chuckling, HyungJoon sighed. "I suppose we have. All right, all right~, I'll stop." He left the kitchen, waving cheerfully.
HyunJoong reappeared after a minute, looking around for HyungJoon. "Aish~, that brat," he shook his head in amusement, though he was sure he was going to have a few bruises later, rubbing his sore shoulder before finishing cleaning up.
KyuJong calmed down and turned toward YoungSaeng. "So how was it working in Hyung's lab?"
"It was...interesting, and quite colorful," he replied, recalling the different colors of smoke they'd created.
"In a good or bad way?" JungMin asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I'm not that bad," HyunJoong protested as he cleaned up the table.
"He didn't blow me up, so I don't really care," YoungSaeng replied before pausing. "It was interesting, though. I didn't know you could do that," he added.
"You can do a lot of things with the right mixtures," HyunJoong smiled. "I can show you more whenever you're interested."
"...We'll see," he said cautiously. He'd dropped his guard quite a bit that day and was confused by his actions. YoungSaeng was unsure as to what was so special about HyunJoong.
HyunJoong just smiled, finishing up and straightening. "Here, all clean," he sighed and dropped into an empty chair.
KyuJong smiled before patting his hyung on the back. "Good job, HyunJoongie. It looks good."
"Probably cleaner than it was before," HyunJoong chuckled tiredly. He then nudged KyuJong under the table and nodded slightly towards JungMin, who was starting to doze off where he was sitting before snapping back awake.
"It's been a long day. How about we all head back and get some rest?" KyuJong suggested, standing and looking at JungMin, head tilted. "You even have clothes of your own to change into..."
The redhead perked up at that, nodding as he sat up straight again. HyunJoong watched KyuJong for a moment. He still had to talk with his brother...
"Before that, Kyu, I want your opinion on something," he said, looking at his younger brother pointedly. He wasn't getting out of a conversation now.
KyuJong cursed internally. He knew what was coming, and he also knew that HyunJoong wouldn't let him out of it.
Looking back and forth between the brothers, YoungSaeng cleared his throat. "We'll be heading back now," he said, getting to his feet.
Blinking, JungMin stood up when YoungSaeng did, seeing the look that went between the two siblings. "Er...yeah." He followed YoungSaeng, glancing back at them.
HyunJoong smiled absently. "We'll just be a few minutes."
Once they had left the room, KyuJong turned his attention to HyunJoong, waiting for the inevitable.
Watching the door close, HyunJoong sighed and looked back at his younger brother, eyes sad. "I'm a little at a loss where to start. What happened earlier to make you not want to come for dinner, Kyu?" he asked quietly, the absent-minded mask dropped to reveal the deep concern hidden underneath.
"You know that I hate this, HyunJoong. Slavery, the idea of it...everything. If I can't do something myself, I'll ask for help. We got into a fight over me not making him do anything. I just don't know what to do, Hyung. I promised him I wouldn't order him to do anything, but now he wants me to..." KyuJong shook his head and sighed. He could barely get out what he meant coherently.
Listening, HyunJoong rested his head in one hand. "No one in their right mind wants to be ordered around," he pointed out. "I think all it comes down to is acting. You knew you would have to do some measure of acting when you took him in. Maybe he doesn't think you're doing enough of it."
"But why do I need to act when we're alone, or with you and YoungSaeng and Joonie? It doesn't make any sense, Hyung," KyuJong stated, frustrated. "We have yet to be in a public situation where I would need to order him around..."
HyunJoong just smiled a little sadly. "Sometimes it's needed to always act. It would make it more credible and realistic when such a situation does arise. Even if you hate slavery...if you want to keep him, you'll have to be a slave owner, and act convincingly enough. At the very least, run through scenarios with him. If he wants you to order him around...it's probably because he's afraid."
"It's hard to think of him as being afraid of anything..." KyuJong mused. 'Unlike me.' "I'll talk to him tomorrow morning."
The older man laughed. "Everyone has something to be afraid of." He paused. "Is there...anything else you need to talk about? You know I'm always here to help, right?" He was thinking mostly about seeing the brand on YoungSaeng, but he meant everything.
KyuJong could only look at his elder brother-his best friend-before averting his eyes. "Why can't he just leave me alone, Hyung?" he finally asked.
HyunJoong watched him for a moment before standing, walking around the table to sit in the empty seat next to KyuJong instead. "It's hard to avoid someone in his position," he murmured before sighing. "And it effects you more because you haven't gotten over him yet." He placed a hand lightly on KyuJong's shoulder. "The reminders may be there, but you have to remember he won't ever hurt you again if you refuse to let him."
"I understand that, but it's just so hard to accept it," KyuJong sighed. "The brand on YoungSaeng's neck..." he began, unable to continue.
The older man shook his head slightly. "It might not have been him," he said quietly. "It's the family brand, not his exclusively. But either way...don't think about things you can't control, Kyu."
"I was starting to move on, HyunJoong, wasn't I? I know that it isn't YoungSaeng's fault, and I know that he's just an innocent victim in this, but it doen't stop it from hurting..."
"This doesn't have to stop you from moving on," HyunJoong replied quietly, squeezing his shoulder. "That's part of being able to move on...not letting things like this get under your skin. Keep moving on."
KyuJong nodded his head and dropped his head on his brother's shoulder. "I know that. Seeing that brand just caught me so off guard."
HyunJoong smiled sadly, running his fingers soothingly through KyuJong's hair like their mother used to when they were little. "Nothing wrong with that. But don't let him hurt you any more, Kyu...you're stronger now."
Smiling softly, KyuJong relaxed. "I miss this feeling." As a small child, KyuJong had been all but attached to their mother.
The older man's smiled faded a little. He missed it too. Continuing the calming motion, he sighed after a moment. "We should head back before we're missed."
"Doubtable. I 'd be amazed if JungMin even made it to his room," KyuJong laughed quietly as he sat up and ran a hand through his hair.
"Then we better head back before someone finds him wandering around alone," HyunJoong chuckled, standing up and stretching. "Don't make me hunt you down like this again. I might not be umma, but if something's bothering you, I'm always around."
"I know you are. You're the only one I would ever trust with this," KyuJong assured.
HyunJoong smiled, and messed up KyuJong's hair lightly with one hand. "Good to know. Let's head back." He walked to the door, pulling it open.
Getting to his feet and nudging HyunJoong, KyuJong nodded. "After you, oh brother of mine."
The older man chuckled, walking out of the kitchen and down the hallway towards their rooms. There were few other people around; it was late. "Night," he smiled as they passed by KyuJong's room, continuing on to his own.
"Night, Hyung." With a final smile and a bit of the weight removed, KyuJong watched HyunJoong keep walking before turning into his own room and closing the door behind him.
HyunJoong walking down the hallways before stopping at his room. Looking around to make sure the hallway was clear, he knocked lightly to let YoungSaeng know he was coming in before opening the door and walking in, closing it behind him.
Once back in the room, YoungSaeng had gone straight into the bathroom to shower once he'd gathered a clean change of clothes, almost excited at the concept of owning his own clothes. The water helped to sooth the stress that had built up during their excursion, something that happened whenever he left his owner's home.
Looking around to see the bathroom door closed and the shower running, HyunJoong smiled and locked the main door before padding over to his closet. He found a pair of pajamas to change into and made sure the temperature was fixed again before settling down into the desk chair, sighing as he looked over at his notes. There was a test tomorrow.
Once he finally shut the water off and stepped out, YoungSaeng dried himself off and slipped into the lounge pants and tank top, sighing at the feel of the soft fabric against his skin.
Towel drying his hair, YoungSaeng stepped out of the bathroom and paused when he saw HyunJoong studying yet again.
HyunJoong looked up as he heard the bathroom door opening, smiling to see YoungSaeng in his new clothes. "Are they comfortable?" he asked, nodding at them as he sat up straight again, stretching in the chair.
"Very," YoungSaeng replied, hesitating before walking over to the desk and looking at the notes, completely lost. "What is that? It looks like a foreign language to me..."
"That would be because it is," HyunJoong laughed, turning the papers a little so that YoungSaeng could see better. "That's Japanese. I have a test on it tomorrow, and I'll be up for a while studying since I completely forgot all about it under all the other work."
"You know other languages?" YoungSaeng asked before he thought it through. Of course he would, being in such a high profile family.
HyunJoong smiled and nodded. "Only Japanese really. Well, I know some English, but I've been told it's more gibberish than anything." He shrugged. "If you're interested in learning, I have a Japanese language book around here somewhere, along with an English one."
YoungSaeng narrowed his eyes slightly, trying to read the man. He still found it odd that HyunJoong was so willing to let him learn things while previous masters would never allow a pleasure slave to learn a thing.
The older man blinked at the look he was getting. "That's only if you want to. It's tough learning languages." He shrugged and picked up his papers again to study.
"Why are you so willing to let me learn?" YoungSaeng asked, too tired to think about his words.
HyunJoong shrugged. "I'm not stopping you from doing anything. If you want to cut your hair, you can cut your hair." He motioned at it, not looking up from his papers. "If you want to compose songs, you can compose songs. If you want to learn, who am I to stop you?"
"It's strange being given a choice. That's all I'm really saying," YoungSaeng stated. "I'm not good for anything but pleasure, so why should I learn anything?"
HyunJoong put his head in one hand, looking at YoungSaeng in his side vision. "Do you think you're not good for anything but pleasure?"
"As much as I want to say no, it's all I know how to do," YoungSaeng answered with a nonchalant shrug.
"Then I suppose being able to compose is pure luck," HyunJoong murmured, returning to his notes with a sigh. "Let me know when you're interested in being something more."
YoungSaeng was silent as he returned to the bed. Taking a seat, he hesitated before speaking again. "These language books you have..."
"In the closet somewhere, probably under the science books." HyunJoong's lips twitched upward slightly as he turned a page in his notes. "I'll put them on my desk before I leave for school tomorrow morning."
"Am I staying here then?" YoungSaeng asked as he laid down, sighing at how comfortable HyunJoong's bed was.
HyunJoong nodded. "I have a bunch of labs tomorrow, it would probably be easier that way. I'll let KyuJong know on the way out, perhaps he and JungMin can keep you company for a while."
YoungSaeng nodded his head before closing his eyes and trying to relax. He was exhausted, yet his mind was running too fast for him to fall asleep.
The older man looked back at the slave lying in his bed, smile rueful. After a moment he leaned over and turned off the main light, so the only light left was the one on his desk. "Good night," he murmured, returning to his studying.
"...You do a lot of studying," YoungSaeng murmured quietly.
HyunJoong's lips quirked slightly. "Perhaps. There's a lot to go over." Between intensive courses that had even the best students passing out at their desks, his various responsibilities, obligatory attendances and paperwork being the eldest son in this family gave him, and the tasks he gave himself (and surprises like looking after a slave), he couldn't afford to fall behind.
"You're also heir to your family, yes? Doesn't that bring about a lot of work in and of itself?"
"You could say that," the other man shrugged. He had gotten used to the constant pressure, the need to keep doing better in every aspect of his life, though the amount of work lately had been staggering. He kept from his brothers how much work he actually had, not wanting them to be dragged into the tricky game of politics. "It's something I'm used to."
YoungSaeng opened one eye before closing it again. "Whatever you say." He was quite aware of the pressure that being the eldest son had, having had so many high profile owners. HyunJoong, however, was the hardest-working person he'd ever seen.
The older man smiled faintly before returning his focus to his work, not commenting. He wondered if that had been meant to show skepticism as to HyunJoong's ability to keep up with everything, or just a way to close the conversation. Either way, he hadn't let anything get to him before, and wasn't about to start now.
YoungSaeng remained awake a bit longer before sighing and forcing his mind to calm, falling asleep soon after.
Listening to the other man's breathing even out, HyunJoong sighed softly and frowned down at the papers, forcing the words to make sense.
It was several hours later when he finally straightened, unable to get any further sense out of the papers. Glancing at the clock to see it was 3 in the morning, he rubbed his eyes and took off the glasses he'd put on at some point to read easier. Being quiet so that he wouldn't wake up YoungSaeng, though from what he'd noticed last night the slave would probably wake up anyways, he set up the alarm on his iTouch to wake him up in a few hours for class.
Gathering all his papers into one pile, he turned off the desk light and padded silently to the bed, lying down and being careful not to touch YoungSaeng as usual. He inserted the earbuds in his ears and slipped the iTouch under his pillow, closing his eyes. He was out within seconds.
The shifting of the bed woke YoungSaeng instantly. He remained still until HyunJoong had laid down and fallen asleep. Once he was sure he was out, YoungSaeng fell back asleep.