Decerto: Road to Freedom
Title: Decerto: Road to Freedom
Chapter: 30/40 + epilogue
Fandoms: Super Junior, U-Kiss
Pairings: KyuHyun/Zhou Mi, Han Geng/HeeChul, KiBum/SooHyun
Rating: R overall
Warning: AU, violence, angst
Summary: Taking place six years before the events of Decerto, the story of how a human and a slave started a revolution.
The ride back to the Kim house was long, giving KiBum more than enough time to fret over seeing his brother again for the first time in 4 years. He'd graduated a week ago, celebrating with SooHyun, Kevin, and the couple other friends he'd made in the same year. KiBum had taken his time packing to come back home, writing out a letter to Henry and sorting out with Han Geng how long he could be gone from his job for. Han Geng had assured him he could manage for the summer, and that the job would still be there when KiBum came back to the city.
About an hour into the trip, KiBum had fallen asleep with his head in SooHyun's lap; sleep hadn't come easily the night before. Some time later, a sudden bump in the road jolted him awake, eyes snapping open. "Are we there yet?" He mumbled into SooHyun's shirt.
"No, I don't think so," SooHyun said, looking down at KiBum and running his hands through the man's hair. "All I can see are fields and hills. Did you sleep well?"
"Mhm," KiBum tilted his head to blink up at SooHyun, eyes half-open. "What have you been doing, just watching outside the window?"
"Yes... it's very peaceful out here," SooHyun said, looking out the window again. "All the trees and flowers. I've never seen so many plants, they go as far as I can see. It must have been very nice growing up out here."
"I'll have to show you around, there's a massive forest by the Jung's house," KiBum yawned. "If Master Jung's not around, we'll sneak over. Best place for all sorts of games when we were kids."
"I look forward to it," SooHyun smiled, tracing his finger over KiBum's jaw. "Are you still nervous about seeing your brother?"
"Yeah," KiBum nodded, closing his eyes. "I don't really know what I'll say to him…it's been a long time. Guess I'll just try not to get into another fight right off the bat."
"Maybe it won't be as bad as you fear," SooHyun said. "It has been a long time. Is there anything I can do that will make it easier for you?"
"Not really…I think this is something I have to do myself," KiBum sighed, finding the hand against his jaw and twining their fingers together. "But I already feel better having you here with me."
"Good, I'll be right here if you need me for anything," SooHyun said, smiling down at him. He looked up when the car started to slow. "I think we're here... is this really where you live?" he said, looking up at the giant house they were pulling up to.
Opening his eyes, KiBum sat up in his seat. He looked out the window at the manor, watching as they drove past the practice fields. "Yeah, this is it. Come on, let's see if anyone's home," he paid the driver before opening the door and getting out, stretching his arms and legs after the long ride.
"I'll get the bags sir," SooHyun said, climbing out after him. "I'll be right behind you," he said, motioning a little to go to the door as he waited for the driver to open the back door of the transport.
Pouting a little, KiBum knew better than to argue by now. He didn't like leaving work for SooHyun to do (he could carry his own bags), but a lot of their relationship right now was about picking his battles and letting the goat do what made him comfortable.
Heading up to the door, he took a deep breath and squared his shoulders before pushing it open. To his surprise, his brother was right on the other side, and KiBum smiled. "Hey hyung! Long time no see! What are you doing so close to the door, you're going to get yourself hurt." He pulled HyungJoon into a tight hug.
SooHyun heard the two talking as he picked up the few bags they had and started for the door. When he got up the steps, he blinked slightly as he looked between the two brothers. If he couldn't smell KiBum, he wouldn't be sure which was which they looked so alike.
"Just set them down there, the servants will take care of them," HyungJoon was motioning towards the bags. "So you going to introduce me KiBum?"
"Oh, right," KiBum and SooHyun had talked (and argued) about this; KiBum had wanted to introduce SooHyun as his boyfriend, but he didn't even know how HyungJoon would react to that. "This is my personal slave, SooHyun, I've had him for about a year now. SooHyun, this is my brother."
Setting the bags down, SooHyun bowed low to HyungJoon. "An honor sir, Master has told me a lot about you."
"Good things I hope," HyungJoon said. "Nice to meet you SooHyun, KyuJong should be down momentarily and he'll show you to your room. Your room is still the same KiBum, you remember where it is?"
"Of course I do, I haven't been gone my entire life," KiBum replied, then looked up as a very familiar rabbit slid down the railing from the second floor. "Hey, Kyu's gotten better at not sliding right off and landing on his head." KyuJong immediately turned red, bowing repeatedly.
"Don't make him panic," HyungJoon was saying. SooHyun returned the bow to the rabbit, ears twitching a little. He sniffed the air a little, unable to mistake the fact that the rabbit's scent was all over the human and vice versa. Hadn't KiBum said that KyuJong wasn't his brother's bedwarmer? He kept his expression neutral though, even as he straightened back up. "Why don't you show SooHyun here to his room Kyu, and then you two meet us in the dining hall. Lunch is just about ready right?"
"Yes sir," KyuJong nodded, turning a smile to SooHyun. "Please follow me SooHyun sshi, the bags will be brought upstairs shortly." The rabbit turned to head up the stairs again, long ears flopping over his shoulders.
"Okay," SooHyun said, looking to KiBum with a frown. Hopefully KiBum would be okay without him, he knew how anxious KiBum had been about talking to his brother again. He followed KyuJong up the stairs, grabbing at least one of his bags. "I won't be needing my own room," he said, keeping his voice low. "I will stay with master."
Blinking, KyuJong looked back at him as they reached the landing. The rabbit opened his mouth to reply before his nose twitched. "…Oh," he said, clearly smelling KiBum on SooHyun just as well as SooHyun could smell HyungJoon on him. The rabbit's brow furrowed slightly, and he looked like he was going to ask a question before he thought better of it and smiled. "All right then. Makes my job a little easier, let me show you to KiBum's room." He turned to walk down the hallway.
"Master has told me a lot about you," SooHyun said, looking around the hallways as they walked. "I have to say, I may admire you a bit. You actually won the pretournament?"
"By default," KyuJong flushed, looking back at SooHyun. "I haven't really done anything worth admiring, but thank you. Is there anything I can get for you? If you ever need anything while you're here, just let me know."
"I should be fine, but thank you," SooHyun said. "It's more than just the fighting... master tells me you have a garden that your master lets you tend. I... am envious that you have a hobby like that, and that you get to do things that you want."
"I'm…confused," KyuJong tilted his head slightly. "KiBum doesn't let you do the same? Or is it that you don't know of any hobbies you would like?"
"I don't have any hobbies," SooHyun said. "My master... the one before, he didn't want me doing anything but serve him and his friends. I guess you could say my hobby was sex."
"Oh." KyuJong chewed on his lip, walking slowly down the hallway. "I see. You've belonged to KiBum for a year though? You haven't found anything that would interest you?"
"No, but it's okay," SooHyun shrugged. "I've already let master know I'm happy with my life right now and don't want to change anything. I'm happiest serving master."
"I understand," KyuJong smiled at him. "While you're here though, you'll find the servants take care of most of the serving that needs to be done. And here's KiBum's room." He opened a door, stepping into the room and moving to the window to open it.
"Master doesn't really like it when I do things for him either, but it's what I'm here for," SooHyun said, setting his bag down on the floor. "Are there any rules of the house I should know?"
"I'm sort of surprised KiBum has a slave, I remember he wouldn't talk to his father for a month when the subject first came up." KyuJong pulled the window open, breathing in deeply before turning around to look at SooHyun with a smile. "Try not to disturb the fighters while they're practicing, but you're more than welcome to ask me questions while I'm down in the practice field. Also, don't leave the property alone, Master Jung is not very friendly to anyone he finds on his property. Aside from that, feel free to look around, it's a big place. The gardens are out back if you ever need a spot of green, you can see them from the window actually." He stepped to the side to leave the window free.
SooHyun padded over to peer out the window, his eyes wide. "Wow, Master was right... the garden is beautiful." His lips thinned slightly and he looked down. "Master said it was the only way he could get me away from my previous owner. He... was not a kind or fair person like master is. He saved me."
"Ah, that sounds more like KiBum." KyuJong's eyes saddened, before he smiled. "You'll enjoy being part of the Kim house. Both brothers, and their father when he was alive, are very understanding towards Signs. And they reward our hard work just as they do with their human servants. Every Sign in this house would fight to protect it."
"I'm honored to be a part of it," SooHyun said, looking up and smiling brightly. "The Kim house is well respected, we are very fortunate to have such kind and fair masters."
"We are," KyuJong nodded, returning the smile. "We should check up on them now, the servants will be up with the rest of the bags while we have lunch. Do you have any other questions or concerns?"
"No, I'm sure Master will instruct me on anything I will need to know," SooHyun said, looking around the room they were in. "This room is very large... Master didn't share with anyone else?"
"No," KyuJong shook his head. "KiBum's always been by himself."
"Ah... no wonder," SooHyun said softly. "Where is Master now?"
"Probably in the dining hall with Master HyungJoon," KyuJong headed back towards the door before turning to SooHyun. "I was serious earlier…the servants take care of the majority of the work here, and there's only so many times laundry can be done a day. If you're ever restless and searching for something to do, you're more than welcome to work with me out in the gardens. I wouldn't mind an extra hand, since most of my time is spent practicing nowadays."
"I don't know if you should trust me with your garden," SooHyun admitted, shaking his head. "I may eat all your flowers on accident... and I'm not a wood element, I wouldn't know what to do."
"If you want flowers to eat, I can show you which ones I wouldn't mind eaten," KyuJong chuckled. "Some are tropical and so hard to grow. You don't have to be a wood element, just have patience."
"If that is what you wish me to do, then I will try," SooHyun said. "Of course I will have to ask master first."
"I'm not twisting your arm, you do as you like," KyuJong replied, stepping out of the room. "I'm sure you'll get the full tour from KiBum at some point. Let's rejoin them."
Nodding, SooHyun followed along behind KyuJong until they reached the dining hall. It was hard to concentrate on what they were saying until KiBum was speaking to him again, telling him to sit down. He tried to keep up with the conversation, but found his attention wandering more than anything until there was talk of a party for KiBum. He kept his thoughts to himself until they were done with lunch and heading back up to KiBum's room. "I'm surprised, they're throwing you a party?" he said quietly as they climbed the stairs.
"I'm just as surprised as you are," KiBum replied, brow furrowed. "I wonder if YoungSaeng hyung can come…" As soon as he thought about it though, he knew it wasn't possible. If YoungSaeng were to leave the Jung house, he would be in a lot of trouble with Master Jung. KiBum would have to find an opening to sneak over; he missed his hyung.
"Who is YoungSaeng?" SooHyun asked. That wasn't a name he was familiar with. "Is he a fighter?"
"Hm? No, you'll meet the fighters soon," KiBum replied, eyes lowering as he remembered what he'd been told about one of their fighters' deaths. "He's, uh…a slave in the Jung house. He was a very close friend before I left for university. I wonder how he's doing..."
"You are friends with a slave in the Jung house? I thought all of the slaves over there went crazy from how Master Jung breaks them," SooHyun said, reaching KiBum's door and opening it for him.
KiBum's jaw clenched slightly. It had been a struggle to keep his composure downstairs when Master Jung was brought up in the conversation. "That's the dragons mostly, and the other fighters too. Master Jung is a despicable, vile man who should die in a fire. I'm just glad YunHo has control of the house now…and that he's keeping YoungSaeng hyung safe from that man." He stepped into the room, heading to the window and looking out. All their bags had been brought up to the room.
SooHyun's brow furrowed slightly, watching KiBum as he closed the door. "If YoungSaeng is so important... why did you not offer to buy him like you did with me?"
"I never wanted a slave…the thought never crossed my mind back then. And if you'd ever met Master Jung, and I hope you never do… you'd know he doesn't give up anything he considers his. He would have mocked me, then hurt hyung even more after." KiBum leaned out of the window slightly, looking down at the grounds.
"But if given the chance, would you have?" SooHyun asked, approaching KiBum from behind, his arms going around the human's waist.
"I would have…I'd have to beat YunHo to it though." KiBum sighed quietly, straightening. "I'd buy every single slave in that house just to get them away from him. But I can't help them…as much as I want to, I can't."
"You are though, aren't you?" SooHyun said softly. "You, and the commissioner... you're working to help all slaves, especially the ones you know are being hurt like the ones in the Jung house. You're doing it as much for me as you are for YoungSaeng... probably more so."
"I'm doing it for everyone…for everyone who's suffering just because they're a little different. But I don't know if this is even going to work or not." KiBum's fingers gripped the windowsill tightly, shoulders stiff. "And it won't be in time to save everyone."
"Maybe not, but you at least helped the life of one," SooHyun said, resting his chin on KiBum's shoulder. "I hope that counts for something to you.. because it's everything to me."
KiBum finally gave a small smile at that, shoulders easing. "Of course it counts to me," he murmured, fingers covering SooHyun's at his waist. "Thanks…for reminding me. I'm just feeling a little useless right now. One of my friends here died while I was away…and I didn't even know about it. Never got a chance to say goodbye."
"I'm sorry," SooHyun replied. "But you aren't useless sir. So many people are going to be counting on you, and they don't even know it yet."
KiBum's hand dropped from SooHyun's. "I thought you weren't going to call me that when we're alone." He slipped out from between SooHyun and the window, picking up a bag and dropping it onto the bed to unpack.
"... I said I would try," SooHyun said, leaning his hands against the window. "Are you angry with me?"
"No…I could never be angry with you." Eyes lowered, KiBum slowly removed the books from the bag and placed them on a shelf.
"Disappointed then," SooHyun sighed, shoulders slumping. "I think I'm going to look around and explore... if that's okay."
"Yeah, go ahead," KiBum nodded, not looking towards the goat.
"... I'll be back in a bit then, KiBum," SooHyun said, moving towards the door. Closing the door behind him, he thought about just camping outside for an hour or so, but that would look too weid. He felt weird about wandering around the house without KiBum with him, nervous that someone would say something to him about being away from his master.
As it was, no one said anything to him. A few of the servants in the house gave him strange looks, but that was probably because he was unfamiliar to them. Not even KiBum's brother and KyuJong said anything to him as they went passed while he was returning to KiBum's room after exploring the different levels. As they passed, he caught a slight hint of a scent. A scent he was sure he had to be mistaken about.
Opening the door to KiBum's room, he frowned slightly as he stepped in and closed the door. "You said there hasn't been any snakes in the house since KyuJong came here because of his fear of them, right?"
KiBum had finished unpacking by then, dividing the dresser between his and SooHyun's clothes and dumping the empty bags in the closet. Stretched out on the bed in an attempt to nap, without much success, his eyes opened when SooHyun returned. "Uh…yeah. He goes into total panic attacks. Why?"
"I just passed your brother and KyuJong in the hall, your brother was carrying a box and I could have sworn I smelled snake on him when he passed," SooHyun said. "It was really faint, could barely smell it over the rabbit smell, but it was there."
"…That doesn't make sense though, there's no snakes here," KiBum sat up slightly, rubbing his eyes. "Closest snake would be in the Jung house, YoungSaeng."
"I'm not sure what is going on, but I'm fairly certain of what I smelled," SooHyun said, padding over to the bed and sitting down. "I'm sorry, about earlier... I am trying very very it's just... it's not an easy habit for me to break."
"I know," KiBum sighed, looking down at his knees. "I'm trying to be understanding about that. I'm sorry too."
Shifting around, SooHyun crawled over to KiBum on his hands and knees. "We can agree that we both have things to wok on still, and I KiBum.... I love you."
KiBum's eyes lifted to meet SooHyun's. "You do? Really?" He reached out with one hand, framing the goat's face lightly.
SooHyun nodded, moving forward a little more to push KiBum back down gently to the bed. "I think I have loved you for a very long time, but wasn't sure... Signs don't fall in love, but if a word could be used to describe how I feel about you... love should be it."
"Anyone can fall in love," KiBum grinned widely at that, arms looping around SooHyun's neck. "Even Signs. I love you too, you silly goat."
SooHyun's face lit up at that, leaning down to press his lips to KiBum's. "I want to be your silly goat forever KiBum... I love you, so much," he murmured against KiBum's mouth, his hand sliding up KiBum's shirt.
Groaning quietly, KiBum arched up against the older man. "If that's what you want, you'll always be my silly goat," he replied when they broke the kiss to breathe. His hands reached up to tug on SooHyun's shirt, trying to pull it off.
"It's the only thing I want," SooHyun said, sitting up long enough to pull his shirt off and toss it to the side. They made short work of each other's clothes, SooHyun drawing out the kisses as long as he could as his hands roamed over KiBum's soft skin. Being with KiBum was the only thing he ever wanted, it was the most important thing in his life.
It was quick, SooHyun a little more enthusiastic than usual. When he finally slumped over to the side, he panted harshly. "More of that too," he said breathlessly.
KiBum laughed just as breathlessly, arm wrapping around the goat's waist. "If it was possible to die from too much sex…" He pressed soft kisses to SooHyun's nose, cheeks and lips, humming in contentment.
"I don't know if I want to find out," SooHyun replied, his hand trailing up and down KiBum's back lightly. "Even if it would be fun..." he grinned, rolling slightly so he was back on top of KiBum and kissing him again.
A knock on the door startled SooHyun, the goat squeaking a little as he tried to roll off and find his clothes, tumbling off the bed in the process.
Blinking repeatedly, KiBum resisted the urge to laugh at the hapless goat. He wasn't sure who was at the door, but he needed to be dressed no matter who it was.
He found his clothes before SooHyun did, pulling them on and patting his hair down. Checking to make sure SooHyun was out of view of the door, KiBum pulled it open just enough to stick his head out. It was his brother. "Hey hyung. What's up, I thought you were locked up in your office."
Ears up, SooHyun tried to hear what was being said between the two brothers. "Well I was, can we come in?" HyungJoon was saying.
SooHyun's eyes widened and he flailed his arms in an attempt to get the blankets untangled from around his waist. He'd gotten up to his knees before he pitched forward and smacked his forehead on the floor.
"What was that?" HyungJoon asked, his voice sounding perplexed.
"Oh, that was...SooHyun getting his horns stuck somewhere, you know how goats are," KiBum glanced behind him at the goat, trying not to laugh at SooHyun's predicament. "Give me a sec to untangle him, he's a little embarrassed." Closing the door, he crouched beside SooHyun and pulled the blanket off of him completely. "Better?"
"Thank you," SooHyun whispered, cheeks flushed. Picking up his clothes, he pulled them on as quickly as he could and rushed to the door to open it for KiBum. Pulling it open, just as HyungJoon was whispering loudly to KyuJong.
"Sex?!"
SooHyun wasn't sure if his cheeks could get any redder at that, because he was sure the way KyuJong was looking anxious and the way HyungJoon looked at him, they knew. He tried a smile anyway. "Uh... um... sorry," he said, ducking to the other side of the door and looking at KiBum with wide eyes.
Managing to not turn the same shade of red, KiBum shook his head at the goat and resigned himself to the teasing that would follow for months now. He'd forgotten that with the keen sense of smell Signs had, KyuJong would definitely notice they'd been sleeping together, and if KyuJong knew then it was only a matter of time before he told HyungJoon.
Going to the doorway, he looked at his brother. "Well, are you coming in or not?"
"I don't know if we should," HyungJoon stepped in with KyuJong right behind him. "First of all, are you two sleeping together?"
"Yes," KiBum wasn't going to look embarrassed about it, not if HyungJoon was going to try bringing up the whole slave thing. "And what's your point, you're sleeping with KyuJong." He could see KyuJong flushing.
SooHyun shuffled anxiously behind KiBum, not sure what to do or say. There was such tension between the two bothers, both of them combative in their words.
"It was just a question," HyungJoon said, shrugging. "I can't be curious about who my brother's with?" SooHyun whined uncomfortably when HyungJoon's attention was turned to him, an accusing finger pointed at him. "What are your intentions with my little brother?"
"Oh leave him alone hyung, this was why I didn't want to tell you," KiBum grumbled, his hand finding SooHyun's and threading their fingers together. He used the grip to pull the goat out from behind him so they could sit down on the bed. "What was it you wanted to talk about?" He asked, to distract HyungJoon from going on a potential big-brother speech.
"Hm? Oh right, you remember YoungSaeng right? Well he's upstairs in one of the spare rooms, don't tell anyone and don't go up there," HyungJoon said.
"Was that the snake I smelled earlier?" SooHyun asked quietly.
"Yeah, he's our neighbor's personal slave," HyungJoon nodded. "We're hiding him here for the next couple of days... Master Jung is coming back."
"...Oh, fantastic," KiBum rolled his eyes, leaning back on his hands. "Keeping YoungSaeng here makes sense then. YunHo brought him by?" When KyuJong nodded, the younger brother's lips pursed. "Got it, no telling anyone. How long's Master Jung back for?"
"No idea, he could be here all week since the tournament is starting soon," HyungJoon said, crossing his arms over his chest. "I mean it though, don't go up there at all. He's shedding, and not very happy."
"Nope, not going anywhere near a shedding snake," KiBum shook his head. "Hopefully he'll be more talkative after it's over, haven't talked to him in a long time."
"Didn't know you two were so close," HyungJoon raised an eyebrow. "He should be back to normal in a couple days, so you'll be able to talk to him. Also, he'll be going to the games, so you'll be able to talk to him then."
"Hey, it's not like there were many people to talk to around here," KiBum wrinkled his nose at the older man. "He's going to the games? Not with Master Jung, right?"
"No, with YunHo," HyungJoon shook his head. "YunHo doesn't let YoungSaeng anywhere near Master Jung anymore. I really wish I could get details on what happened there, but you know YunHo, stoic as ever."
"There's probably a good reason he never shares details," KiBum shrugged. "We'll keep YoungSaeng safe, right hyung?"
"Of course we will. No one ever deserves to go through what that snake has, slave or not," HyungJoon said quietly, glancing at KyuJong out of the corner of his eye. "Well, we'll be going, sorry to interrupt."
"See you later hyung," KiBum nodded, watching them go. Once the door was closed behind them, he let out the breath he'd been holding and rubbed his face with one hand. "So it was YoungSaeng who you smelled…I'm really worried about him."
"Maybe when he's done shedding you'll be able to see him," SooHyun said. "And you wouldn't even have to sneak over onto the Jung house property."
"Yeah…" KiBum's lips quirked slightly at that. "At least he's somewhere safe now. Things must be…really bad over at the Jung house if YunHo's resorting to bringing him here when his father's around."
"...I don't quite understand why?" Soohyun said, brow furrowing. "You all speak of YoungSaeng in such a way that I don't understand... What does Master Jung do to him?"
KiBum didn't reply for a moment, lips thinned. "YoungSaeng is Master Jung's bedwarmer. Most of the times I see him he's got a handful of new bruises, sometimes worse."
"Oh..." SooHyun's ears drooped and he looked down at his hands. "As bad as my master was, he never truly hurt me in that way. But it's so common for Signs to be abused." Something clicked in his head and he looked up at KiBum. "... Who keeps a snake as a bedwarmer?"
"…You'd understand if you met Master Jung," KiBum sighed. "And again, I hope you never, ever meet him. He's a horrible man." KiBum rested his hand lightly on SooHyun's knee.
"Just from what I've heard, I hope I never do," SooHyun said, his hand covering KiBum's, his brow furrowed a little. "Master Jung is who the commissioner was speaking of when he said you needed to be careful right? If I ever did meet him, I would do whatever I could to make sure you were safe."
"Don't worry about me," KiBum said quietly, looking up at SooHyun. "As long as I'm careful with the club, he can't do a thing to hurt me. But you're too much of a target to someone like him, and I said I'd never let anyone hurt you ever again."
"I know, and you haven't," SooHyun said, smiling softly at him. "I am forever in your debt because of that... thank you, KiBum."
Smiling widely, KiBum leaned in to kiss SooHyun, turning his hand around to link their fingers together. "So…we have some free time, before the party tonight. Do you want to go walk around outside while there's still daylight? Or stay up here and mess up the bed some more."
"Both are tempting," SooHyun mused, returning KiBum's kiss. "It's really hard to say we should leave the room when I've got you right here."
"True," KiBum chuckled. "We could…stay a while, then go walk around after?" He shifted slowly to straddle SooHyun's lap, smiling at the goat and playing with one ear.
"You make a good argument," SooHyun hummed, his eyes fluttering slightly at the touch to his ears. "I..." he tried to speak again, but KiBum's fingers had brushed over a particularly sensitive spot and before he could help it he let out a very undignified bleat.
Blinking, KiBum burst into helpless giggles. "Ah…what am I gonna do with you," he smiled affectionately at SooHyun, touching their noses together.
SooHyun flushed at that, lips turning into a pout. "Are you going to try to get me to do that again? I don't consider it to be all that attractive..."
"I think it's adorable," KiBum grinned, fingers already trying to locate that spot again.
"No, it's not," SooHyun whined, ears flicking. "It's not, it's not adorable." His own fingers went to KiBum's sides in retaliation, tickling at his ribs.
"It is~-" KiBum squawked at the tickling, falling out of SooHyun's lap and onto the floor with a thud. "Ow."
"Sir!" SooHyun's eyes widened and was immediately up onto his feet to help KiBum back up. "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean for you to fall."
Opening one eye, KiBum smirked and took both of SooHyun's hands to pull the goat down onto the floor with him. He sat on top of the older man, pinning him down. "Gotcha."
SooHyun was very confused with this sudden reversal, looking up at KiBum. "That was a trick?" he asked with a frown. "I thought you were hurt... I don't know if the floor is going to be that comfortable..." his hands slid up to rest on the outside of KiBum's thighs.
"Falling down wasn't a trick, I just improved," KiBum grinned. "We can move back to the bed, after you agree that sound was completely adorable." He tried to reach SooHyun's ear again.
"No, never, not cute," SooHyun whined, squirming to get away from the searching fingers. "Goats are not adorable."
"Goats can so be adorable, you're proof of that," KiBum wasn't going to let SooHyun up off the floor until the goat gave in. "Your ears are cute, that sound was cute, and I bet your goat form's cute too."
"No, goats are not cute, goats are dirty and ugly and they smell," SooHyun said, wiggling to get away.
"You're not dirty, you're not ugly, and you don't smell," KiBum tightened his legs around SooHyun to stop the older man from moving. "I know some Signs change form by getting scared, or tickling…will you turn into a goat if I tickle you?" His fingers found SooHyun's waist.
"No... no please don't," SooHyun shook his head emphatically, the goat squirming even more. "Please don't... please master," he said, his tone pleading, pushing at KiBum to get him off.
KiBum pulled back, eyes hurt. He finally realized how SooHyun was reacting, letting the goat push him off. "I…I'm sorry," he said quietly, pushing his back up against the bed.
It took a moment of deep breathing before SooHyun could sit up, looking at KiBum with sorrowful eyes. "I'm sorry... KiBum... JaeSoo never let me be in animal form. He told me how dirty and disgusting I was all the time." His eyes closed, curling his knees up to his chest. "One time, I was startled by something and went into goat form... he... made me live outside in a barn for a month."
Swallowing thickly, KiBum looked up at SooHyun. "JaeSoo's wrong…you're not dirty or disgusting. He's the one who belongs in a barn, not you." He looked down at the floor. "You know I'd never do anything like that to you."
"I know," SooHyun whispered, his eyes shut tightly. "I just... had a moment there when you were telling me to do it that I couldn't think of anything but being punished again for it... He used to do that to me, make me do something and then punish me for it. It's... it's a hard thing to get over and I'm sorry."
"No, I'm the one who should be apologizing," KiBum said quietly. "I didn't mean to scare you…I…just wanted to show you that it's okay. That you don't have to hide a part of yourself from me…cause I love all of you."
"And I'm very grateful for that," SooHyun said, finally looking up at him. "Maybe one day I'll be able to... but I think I'm most comfortable in my half form for now."
KiBum nodded slowly, eyes trained on the floor. "I understand…I'm sorry. I didn't even realize…I was acting like a master."
"You weren't acting like a master... you were acting like a boyfriend," SooHyun said. "I'm sorry I reacted the way I did."
"You're not the one who should be apologizing," KiBum closed his eyes.
SooHyun sighed sogtly, scooting forward and placing his hands on KiBum's legs. "You don't have to apologize either. There are things we still have to work on, and work on them together."
KiBum opened his eyes again, looking down at the hands on his legs. "I just don't ever want to do that to you."
"KiBum... I know you would never intentionally do anything like that," SooHyun said. "You're not like that. I'm okay now, don't worry."
"I'll always worry," KiBum looked up at SooHyun. "I never stop worrying about you."
"And that's why you make a great boyfriend," SooHyun said, leaning in to rest is forehead against KiBum's. Looking into KiBum's eyes, his lips quirked slightly and he made a soft bleating noise.
A small smile appeared unbidden, the helplessness in KiBum's eyes easing. "So cute," he whispered, brushing his lips gently against SooHyun's.
"I can't agree with you on that," SooHyun replied, lifting a hand to thread his fingers into KiBum's hair. "But if it makes you smile, okay."
"Maybe one day you'll agree with me," KiBum murmured, slowly pulling SooHyun closer so he could wrap his arms around the goat.
SooHyun didn't reply, just leaning in for another kiss that turned quickly heated. He didn't want to say that he didn't know if he ever would, but what he probably should say is that when he was with KiBum he almost felt like he could. In the end it didn't matter, because as long as KiBum looked at him with those eyes, he could probably believe anything the human said.
And if KiBum found his ears and horns cute, then he was happy to keep them out. Because there may have been a little part of him that liked the way KiBum touched his ears. Especially once he had KiBum back up on the bed, and the human was paying more attention to those ears than the kisses or anything else that SooHyun was doing. He wasn't going to complain though, it actually did feel really nice, even if he made some very loud noises because of it.
Chapter: 30/40 + epilogue
Fandoms: Super Junior, U-Kiss
Pairings: KyuHyun/Zhou Mi, Han Geng/HeeChul, KiBum/SooHyun
Rating: R overall
Warning: AU, violence, angst
Summary: Taking place six years before the events of Decerto, the story of how a human and a slave started a revolution.
The ride back to the Kim house was long, giving KiBum more than enough time to fret over seeing his brother again for the first time in 4 years. He'd graduated a week ago, celebrating with SooHyun, Kevin, and the couple other friends he'd made in the same year. KiBum had taken his time packing to come back home, writing out a letter to Henry and sorting out with Han Geng how long he could be gone from his job for. Han Geng had assured him he could manage for the summer, and that the job would still be there when KiBum came back to the city.
About an hour into the trip, KiBum had fallen asleep with his head in SooHyun's lap; sleep hadn't come easily the night before. Some time later, a sudden bump in the road jolted him awake, eyes snapping open. "Are we there yet?" He mumbled into SooHyun's shirt.
"No, I don't think so," SooHyun said, looking down at KiBum and running his hands through the man's hair. "All I can see are fields and hills. Did you sleep well?"
"Mhm," KiBum tilted his head to blink up at SooHyun, eyes half-open. "What have you been doing, just watching outside the window?"
"Yes... it's very peaceful out here," SooHyun said, looking out the window again. "All the trees and flowers. I've never seen so many plants, they go as far as I can see. It must have been very nice growing up out here."
"I'll have to show you around, there's a massive forest by the Jung's house," KiBum yawned. "If Master Jung's not around, we'll sneak over. Best place for all sorts of games when we were kids."
"I look forward to it," SooHyun smiled, tracing his finger over KiBum's jaw. "Are you still nervous about seeing your brother?"
"Yeah," KiBum nodded, closing his eyes. "I don't really know what I'll say to him…it's been a long time. Guess I'll just try not to get into another fight right off the bat."
"Maybe it won't be as bad as you fear," SooHyun said. "It has been a long time. Is there anything I can do that will make it easier for you?"
"Not really…I think this is something I have to do myself," KiBum sighed, finding the hand against his jaw and twining their fingers together. "But I already feel better having you here with me."
"Good, I'll be right here if you need me for anything," SooHyun said, smiling down at him. He looked up when the car started to slow. "I think we're here... is this really where you live?" he said, looking up at the giant house they were pulling up to.
Opening his eyes, KiBum sat up in his seat. He looked out the window at the manor, watching as they drove past the practice fields. "Yeah, this is it. Come on, let's see if anyone's home," he paid the driver before opening the door and getting out, stretching his arms and legs after the long ride.
"I'll get the bags sir," SooHyun said, climbing out after him. "I'll be right behind you," he said, motioning a little to go to the door as he waited for the driver to open the back door of the transport.
Pouting a little, KiBum knew better than to argue by now. He didn't like leaving work for SooHyun to do (he could carry his own bags), but a lot of their relationship right now was about picking his battles and letting the goat do what made him comfortable.
Heading up to the door, he took a deep breath and squared his shoulders before pushing it open. To his surprise, his brother was right on the other side, and KiBum smiled. "Hey hyung! Long time no see! What are you doing so close to the door, you're going to get yourself hurt." He pulled HyungJoon into a tight hug.
SooHyun heard the two talking as he picked up the few bags they had and started for the door. When he got up the steps, he blinked slightly as he looked between the two brothers. If he couldn't smell KiBum, he wouldn't be sure which was which they looked so alike.
"Just set them down there, the servants will take care of them," HyungJoon was motioning towards the bags. "So you going to introduce me KiBum?"
"Oh, right," KiBum and SooHyun had talked (and argued) about this; KiBum had wanted to introduce SooHyun as his boyfriend, but he didn't even know how HyungJoon would react to that. "This is my personal slave, SooHyun, I've had him for about a year now. SooHyun, this is my brother."
Setting the bags down, SooHyun bowed low to HyungJoon. "An honor sir, Master has told me a lot about you."
"Good things I hope," HyungJoon said. "Nice to meet you SooHyun, KyuJong should be down momentarily and he'll show you to your room. Your room is still the same KiBum, you remember where it is?"
"Of course I do, I haven't been gone my entire life," KiBum replied, then looked up as a very familiar rabbit slid down the railing from the second floor. "Hey, Kyu's gotten better at not sliding right off and landing on his head." KyuJong immediately turned red, bowing repeatedly.
"Don't make him panic," HyungJoon was saying. SooHyun returned the bow to the rabbit, ears twitching a little. He sniffed the air a little, unable to mistake the fact that the rabbit's scent was all over the human and vice versa. Hadn't KiBum said that KyuJong wasn't his brother's bedwarmer? He kept his expression neutral though, even as he straightened back up. "Why don't you show SooHyun here to his room Kyu, and then you two meet us in the dining hall. Lunch is just about ready right?"
"Yes sir," KyuJong nodded, turning a smile to SooHyun. "Please follow me SooHyun sshi, the bags will be brought upstairs shortly." The rabbit turned to head up the stairs again, long ears flopping over his shoulders.
"Okay," SooHyun said, looking to KiBum with a frown. Hopefully KiBum would be okay without him, he knew how anxious KiBum had been about talking to his brother again. He followed KyuJong up the stairs, grabbing at least one of his bags. "I won't be needing my own room," he said, keeping his voice low. "I will stay with master."
Blinking, KyuJong looked back at him as they reached the landing. The rabbit opened his mouth to reply before his nose twitched. "…Oh," he said, clearly smelling KiBum on SooHyun just as well as SooHyun could smell HyungJoon on him. The rabbit's brow furrowed slightly, and he looked like he was going to ask a question before he thought better of it and smiled. "All right then. Makes my job a little easier, let me show you to KiBum's room." He turned to walk down the hallway.
"Master has told me a lot about you," SooHyun said, looking around the hallways as they walked. "I have to say, I may admire you a bit. You actually won the pretournament?"
"By default," KyuJong flushed, looking back at SooHyun. "I haven't really done anything worth admiring, but thank you. Is there anything I can get for you? If you ever need anything while you're here, just let me know."
"I should be fine, but thank you," SooHyun said. "It's more than just the fighting... master tells me you have a garden that your master lets you tend. I... am envious that you have a hobby like that, and that you get to do things that you want."
"I'm…confused," KyuJong tilted his head slightly. "KiBum doesn't let you do the same? Or is it that you don't know of any hobbies you would like?"
"I don't have any hobbies," SooHyun said. "My master... the one before, he didn't want me doing anything but serve him and his friends. I guess you could say my hobby was sex."
"Oh." KyuJong chewed on his lip, walking slowly down the hallway. "I see. You've belonged to KiBum for a year though? You haven't found anything that would interest you?"
"No, but it's okay," SooHyun shrugged. "I've already let master know I'm happy with my life right now and don't want to change anything. I'm happiest serving master."
"I understand," KyuJong smiled at him. "While you're here though, you'll find the servants take care of most of the serving that needs to be done. And here's KiBum's room." He opened a door, stepping into the room and moving to the window to open it.
"Master doesn't really like it when I do things for him either, but it's what I'm here for," SooHyun said, setting his bag down on the floor. "Are there any rules of the house I should know?"
"I'm sort of surprised KiBum has a slave, I remember he wouldn't talk to his father for a month when the subject first came up." KyuJong pulled the window open, breathing in deeply before turning around to look at SooHyun with a smile. "Try not to disturb the fighters while they're practicing, but you're more than welcome to ask me questions while I'm down in the practice field. Also, don't leave the property alone, Master Jung is not very friendly to anyone he finds on his property. Aside from that, feel free to look around, it's a big place. The gardens are out back if you ever need a spot of green, you can see them from the window actually." He stepped to the side to leave the window free.
SooHyun padded over to peer out the window, his eyes wide. "Wow, Master was right... the garden is beautiful." His lips thinned slightly and he looked down. "Master said it was the only way he could get me away from my previous owner. He... was not a kind or fair person like master is. He saved me."
"Ah, that sounds more like KiBum." KyuJong's eyes saddened, before he smiled. "You'll enjoy being part of the Kim house. Both brothers, and their father when he was alive, are very understanding towards Signs. And they reward our hard work just as they do with their human servants. Every Sign in this house would fight to protect it."
"I'm honored to be a part of it," SooHyun said, looking up and smiling brightly. "The Kim house is well respected, we are very fortunate to have such kind and fair masters."
"We are," KyuJong nodded, returning the smile. "We should check up on them now, the servants will be up with the rest of the bags while we have lunch. Do you have any other questions or concerns?"
"No, I'm sure Master will instruct me on anything I will need to know," SooHyun said, looking around the room they were in. "This room is very large... Master didn't share with anyone else?"
"No," KyuJong shook his head. "KiBum's always been by himself."
"Ah... no wonder," SooHyun said softly. "Where is Master now?"
"Probably in the dining hall with Master HyungJoon," KyuJong headed back towards the door before turning to SooHyun. "I was serious earlier…the servants take care of the majority of the work here, and there's only so many times laundry can be done a day. If you're ever restless and searching for something to do, you're more than welcome to work with me out in the gardens. I wouldn't mind an extra hand, since most of my time is spent practicing nowadays."
"I don't know if you should trust me with your garden," SooHyun admitted, shaking his head. "I may eat all your flowers on accident... and I'm not a wood element, I wouldn't know what to do."
"If you want flowers to eat, I can show you which ones I wouldn't mind eaten," KyuJong chuckled. "Some are tropical and so hard to grow. You don't have to be a wood element, just have patience."
"If that is what you wish me to do, then I will try," SooHyun said. "Of course I will have to ask master first."
"I'm not twisting your arm, you do as you like," KyuJong replied, stepping out of the room. "I'm sure you'll get the full tour from KiBum at some point. Let's rejoin them."
Nodding, SooHyun followed along behind KyuJong until they reached the dining hall. It was hard to concentrate on what they were saying until KiBum was speaking to him again, telling him to sit down. He tried to keep up with the conversation, but found his attention wandering more than anything until there was talk of a party for KiBum. He kept his thoughts to himself until they were done with lunch and heading back up to KiBum's room. "I'm surprised, they're throwing you a party?" he said quietly as they climbed the stairs.
"I'm just as surprised as you are," KiBum replied, brow furrowed. "I wonder if YoungSaeng hyung can come…" As soon as he thought about it though, he knew it wasn't possible. If YoungSaeng were to leave the Jung house, he would be in a lot of trouble with Master Jung. KiBum would have to find an opening to sneak over; he missed his hyung.
"Who is YoungSaeng?" SooHyun asked. That wasn't a name he was familiar with. "Is he a fighter?"
"Hm? No, you'll meet the fighters soon," KiBum replied, eyes lowering as he remembered what he'd been told about one of their fighters' deaths. "He's, uh…a slave in the Jung house. He was a very close friend before I left for university. I wonder how he's doing..."
"You are friends with a slave in the Jung house? I thought all of the slaves over there went crazy from how Master Jung breaks them," SooHyun said, reaching KiBum's door and opening it for him.
KiBum's jaw clenched slightly. It had been a struggle to keep his composure downstairs when Master Jung was brought up in the conversation. "That's the dragons mostly, and the other fighters too. Master Jung is a despicable, vile man who should die in a fire. I'm just glad YunHo has control of the house now…and that he's keeping YoungSaeng hyung safe from that man." He stepped into the room, heading to the window and looking out. All their bags had been brought up to the room.
SooHyun's brow furrowed slightly, watching KiBum as he closed the door. "If YoungSaeng is so important... why did you not offer to buy him like you did with me?"
"I never wanted a slave…the thought never crossed my mind back then. And if you'd ever met Master Jung, and I hope you never do… you'd know he doesn't give up anything he considers his. He would have mocked me, then hurt hyung even more after." KiBum leaned out of the window slightly, looking down at the grounds.
"But if given the chance, would you have?" SooHyun asked, approaching KiBum from behind, his arms going around the human's waist.
"I would have…I'd have to beat YunHo to it though." KiBum sighed quietly, straightening. "I'd buy every single slave in that house just to get them away from him. But I can't help them…as much as I want to, I can't."
"You are though, aren't you?" SooHyun said softly. "You, and the commissioner... you're working to help all slaves, especially the ones you know are being hurt like the ones in the Jung house. You're doing it as much for me as you are for YoungSaeng... probably more so."
"I'm doing it for everyone…for everyone who's suffering just because they're a little different. But I don't know if this is even going to work or not." KiBum's fingers gripped the windowsill tightly, shoulders stiff. "And it won't be in time to save everyone."
"Maybe not, but you at least helped the life of one," SooHyun said, resting his chin on KiBum's shoulder. "I hope that counts for something to you.. because it's everything to me."
KiBum finally gave a small smile at that, shoulders easing. "Of course it counts to me," he murmured, fingers covering SooHyun's at his waist. "Thanks…for reminding me. I'm just feeling a little useless right now. One of my friends here died while I was away…and I didn't even know about it. Never got a chance to say goodbye."
"I'm sorry," SooHyun replied. "But you aren't useless sir. So many people are going to be counting on you, and they don't even know it yet."
KiBum's hand dropped from SooHyun's. "I thought you weren't going to call me that when we're alone." He slipped out from between SooHyun and the window, picking up a bag and dropping it onto the bed to unpack.
"... I said I would try," SooHyun said, leaning his hands against the window. "Are you angry with me?"
"No…I could never be angry with you." Eyes lowered, KiBum slowly removed the books from the bag and placed them on a shelf.
"Disappointed then," SooHyun sighed, shoulders slumping. "I think I'm going to look around and explore... if that's okay."
"Yeah, go ahead," KiBum nodded, not looking towards the goat.
"... I'll be back in a bit then, KiBum," SooHyun said, moving towards the door. Closing the door behind him, he thought about just camping outside for an hour or so, but that would look too weid. He felt weird about wandering around the house without KiBum with him, nervous that someone would say something to him about being away from his master.
As it was, no one said anything to him. A few of the servants in the house gave him strange looks, but that was probably because he was unfamiliar to them. Not even KiBum's brother and KyuJong said anything to him as they went passed while he was returning to KiBum's room after exploring the different levels. As they passed, he caught a slight hint of a scent. A scent he was sure he had to be mistaken about.
Opening the door to KiBum's room, he frowned slightly as he stepped in and closed the door. "You said there hasn't been any snakes in the house since KyuJong came here because of his fear of them, right?"
KiBum had finished unpacking by then, dividing the dresser between his and SooHyun's clothes and dumping the empty bags in the closet. Stretched out on the bed in an attempt to nap, without much success, his eyes opened when SooHyun returned. "Uh…yeah. He goes into total panic attacks. Why?"
"I just passed your brother and KyuJong in the hall, your brother was carrying a box and I could have sworn I smelled snake on him when he passed," SooHyun said. "It was really faint, could barely smell it over the rabbit smell, but it was there."
"…That doesn't make sense though, there's no snakes here," KiBum sat up slightly, rubbing his eyes. "Closest snake would be in the Jung house, YoungSaeng."
"I'm not sure what is going on, but I'm fairly certain of what I smelled," SooHyun said, padding over to the bed and sitting down. "I'm sorry, about earlier... I am trying very very it's just... it's not an easy habit for me to break."
"I know," KiBum sighed, looking down at his knees. "I'm trying to be understanding about that. I'm sorry too."
Shifting around, SooHyun crawled over to KiBum on his hands and knees. "We can agree that we both have things to wok on still, and I KiBum.... I love you."
KiBum's eyes lifted to meet SooHyun's. "You do? Really?" He reached out with one hand, framing the goat's face lightly.
SooHyun nodded, moving forward a little more to push KiBum back down gently to the bed. "I think I have loved you for a very long time, but wasn't sure... Signs don't fall in love, but if a word could be used to describe how I feel about you... love should be it."
"Anyone can fall in love," KiBum grinned widely at that, arms looping around SooHyun's neck. "Even Signs. I love you too, you silly goat."
SooHyun's face lit up at that, leaning down to press his lips to KiBum's. "I want to be your silly goat forever KiBum... I love you, so much," he murmured against KiBum's mouth, his hand sliding up KiBum's shirt.
Groaning quietly, KiBum arched up against the older man. "If that's what you want, you'll always be my silly goat," he replied when they broke the kiss to breathe. His hands reached up to tug on SooHyun's shirt, trying to pull it off.
"It's the only thing I want," SooHyun said, sitting up long enough to pull his shirt off and toss it to the side. They made short work of each other's clothes, SooHyun drawing out the kisses as long as he could as his hands roamed over KiBum's soft skin. Being with KiBum was the only thing he ever wanted, it was the most important thing in his life.
It was quick, SooHyun a little more enthusiastic than usual. When he finally slumped over to the side, he panted harshly. "More of that too," he said breathlessly.
KiBum laughed just as breathlessly, arm wrapping around the goat's waist. "If it was possible to die from too much sex…" He pressed soft kisses to SooHyun's nose, cheeks and lips, humming in contentment.
"I don't know if I want to find out," SooHyun replied, his hand trailing up and down KiBum's back lightly. "Even if it would be fun..." he grinned, rolling slightly so he was back on top of KiBum and kissing him again.
A knock on the door startled SooHyun, the goat squeaking a little as he tried to roll off and find his clothes, tumbling off the bed in the process.
Blinking repeatedly, KiBum resisted the urge to laugh at the hapless goat. He wasn't sure who was at the door, but he needed to be dressed no matter who it was.
He found his clothes before SooHyun did, pulling them on and patting his hair down. Checking to make sure SooHyun was out of view of the door, KiBum pulled it open just enough to stick his head out. It was his brother. "Hey hyung. What's up, I thought you were locked up in your office."
Ears up, SooHyun tried to hear what was being said between the two brothers. "Well I was, can we come in?" HyungJoon was saying.
SooHyun's eyes widened and he flailed his arms in an attempt to get the blankets untangled from around his waist. He'd gotten up to his knees before he pitched forward and smacked his forehead on the floor.
"What was that?" HyungJoon asked, his voice sounding perplexed.
"Oh, that was...SooHyun getting his horns stuck somewhere, you know how goats are," KiBum glanced behind him at the goat, trying not to laugh at SooHyun's predicament. "Give me a sec to untangle him, he's a little embarrassed." Closing the door, he crouched beside SooHyun and pulled the blanket off of him completely. "Better?"
"Thank you," SooHyun whispered, cheeks flushed. Picking up his clothes, he pulled them on as quickly as he could and rushed to the door to open it for KiBum. Pulling it open, just as HyungJoon was whispering loudly to KyuJong.
"Sex?!"
SooHyun wasn't sure if his cheeks could get any redder at that, because he was sure the way KyuJong was looking anxious and the way HyungJoon looked at him, they knew. He tried a smile anyway. "Uh... um... sorry," he said, ducking to the other side of the door and looking at KiBum with wide eyes.
Managing to not turn the same shade of red, KiBum shook his head at the goat and resigned himself to the teasing that would follow for months now. He'd forgotten that with the keen sense of smell Signs had, KyuJong would definitely notice they'd been sleeping together, and if KyuJong knew then it was only a matter of time before he told HyungJoon.
Going to the doorway, he looked at his brother. "Well, are you coming in or not?"
"I don't know if we should," HyungJoon stepped in with KyuJong right behind him. "First of all, are you two sleeping together?"
"Yes," KiBum wasn't going to look embarrassed about it, not if HyungJoon was going to try bringing up the whole slave thing. "And what's your point, you're sleeping with KyuJong." He could see KyuJong flushing.
SooHyun shuffled anxiously behind KiBum, not sure what to do or say. There was such tension between the two bothers, both of them combative in their words.
"It was just a question," HyungJoon said, shrugging. "I can't be curious about who my brother's with?" SooHyun whined uncomfortably when HyungJoon's attention was turned to him, an accusing finger pointed at him. "What are your intentions with my little brother?"
"Oh leave him alone hyung, this was why I didn't want to tell you," KiBum grumbled, his hand finding SooHyun's and threading their fingers together. He used the grip to pull the goat out from behind him so they could sit down on the bed. "What was it you wanted to talk about?" He asked, to distract HyungJoon from going on a potential big-brother speech.
"Hm? Oh right, you remember YoungSaeng right? Well he's upstairs in one of the spare rooms, don't tell anyone and don't go up there," HyungJoon said.
"Was that the snake I smelled earlier?" SooHyun asked quietly.
"Yeah, he's our neighbor's personal slave," HyungJoon nodded. "We're hiding him here for the next couple of days... Master Jung is coming back."
"...Oh, fantastic," KiBum rolled his eyes, leaning back on his hands. "Keeping YoungSaeng here makes sense then. YunHo brought him by?" When KyuJong nodded, the younger brother's lips pursed. "Got it, no telling anyone. How long's Master Jung back for?"
"No idea, he could be here all week since the tournament is starting soon," HyungJoon said, crossing his arms over his chest. "I mean it though, don't go up there at all. He's shedding, and not very happy."
"Nope, not going anywhere near a shedding snake," KiBum shook his head. "Hopefully he'll be more talkative after it's over, haven't talked to him in a long time."
"Didn't know you two were so close," HyungJoon raised an eyebrow. "He should be back to normal in a couple days, so you'll be able to talk to him. Also, he'll be going to the games, so you'll be able to talk to him then."
"Hey, it's not like there were many people to talk to around here," KiBum wrinkled his nose at the older man. "He's going to the games? Not with Master Jung, right?"
"No, with YunHo," HyungJoon shook his head. "YunHo doesn't let YoungSaeng anywhere near Master Jung anymore. I really wish I could get details on what happened there, but you know YunHo, stoic as ever."
"There's probably a good reason he never shares details," KiBum shrugged. "We'll keep YoungSaeng safe, right hyung?"
"Of course we will. No one ever deserves to go through what that snake has, slave or not," HyungJoon said quietly, glancing at KyuJong out of the corner of his eye. "Well, we'll be going, sorry to interrupt."
"See you later hyung," KiBum nodded, watching them go. Once the door was closed behind them, he let out the breath he'd been holding and rubbed his face with one hand. "So it was YoungSaeng who you smelled…I'm really worried about him."
"Maybe when he's done shedding you'll be able to see him," SooHyun said. "And you wouldn't even have to sneak over onto the Jung house property."
"Yeah…" KiBum's lips quirked slightly at that. "At least he's somewhere safe now. Things must be…really bad over at the Jung house if YunHo's resorting to bringing him here when his father's around."
"...I don't quite understand why?" Soohyun said, brow furrowing. "You all speak of YoungSaeng in such a way that I don't understand... What does Master Jung do to him?"
KiBum didn't reply for a moment, lips thinned. "YoungSaeng is Master Jung's bedwarmer. Most of the times I see him he's got a handful of new bruises, sometimes worse."
"Oh..." SooHyun's ears drooped and he looked down at his hands. "As bad as my master was, he never truly hurt me in that way. But it's so common for Signs to be abused." Something clicked in his head and he looked up at KiBum. "... Who keeps a snake as a bedwarmer?"
"…You'd understand if you met Master Jung," KiBum sighed. "And again, I hope you never, ever meet him. He's a horrible man." KiBum rested his hand lightly on SooHyun's knee.
"Just from what I've heard, I hope I never do," SooHyun said, his hand covering KiBum's, his brow furrowed a little. "Master Jung is who the commissioner was speaking of when he said you needed to be careful right? If I ever did meet him, I would do whatever I could to make sure you were safe."
"Don't worry about me," KiBum said quietly, looking up at SooHyun. "As long as I'm careful with the club, he can't do a thing to hurt me. But you're too much of a target to someone like him, and I said I'd never let anyone hurt you ever again."
"I know, and you haven't," SooHyun said, smiling softly at him. "I am forever in your debt because of that... thank you, KiBum."
Smiling widely, KiBum leaned in to kiss SooHyun, turning his hand around to link their fingers together. "So…we have some free time, before the party tonight. Do you want to go walk around outside while there's still daylight? Or stay up here and mess up the bed some more."
"Both are tempting," SooHyun mused, returning KiBum's kiss. "It's really hard to say we should leave the room when I've got you right here."
"True," KiBum chuckled. "We could…stay a while, then go walk around after?" He shifted slowly to straddle SooHyun's lap, smiling at the goat and playing with one ear.
"You make a good argument," SooHyun hummed, his eyes fluttering slightly at the touch to his ears. "I..." he tried to speak again, but KiBum's fingers had brushed over a particularly sensitive spot and before he could help it he let out a very undignified bleat.
Blinking, KiBum burst into helpless giggles. "Ah…what am I gonna do with you," he smiled affectionately at SooHyun, touching their noses together.
SooHyun flushed at that, lips turning into a pout. "Are you going to try to get me to do that again? I don't consider it to be all that attractive..."
"I think it's adorable," KiBum grinned, fingers already trying to locate that spot again.
"No, it's not," SooHyun whined, ears flicking. "It's not, it's not adorable." His own fingers went to KiBum's sides in retaliation, tickling at his ribs.
"It is~-" KiBum squawked at the tickling, falling out of SooHyun's lap and onto the floor with a thud. "Ow."
"Sir!" SooHyun's eyes widened and was immediately up onto his feet to help KiBum back up. "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean for you to fall."
Opening one eye, KiBum smirked and took both of SooHyun's hands to pull the goat down onto the floor with him. He sat on top of the older man, pinning him down. "Gotcha."
SooHyun was very confused with this sudden reversal, looking up at KiBum. "That was a trick?" he asked with a frown. "I thought you were hurt... I don't know if the floor is going to be that comfortable..." his hands slid up to rest on the outside of KiBum's thighs.
"Falling down wasn't a trick, I just improved," KiBum grinned. "We can move back to the bed, after you agree that sound was completely adorable." He tried to reach SooHyun's ear again.
"No, never, not cute," SooHyun whined, squirming to get away from the searching fingers. "Goats are not adorable."
"Goats can so be adorable, you're proof of that," KiBum wasn't going to let SooHyun up off the floor until the goat gave in. "Your ears are cute, that sound was cute, and I bet your goat form's cute too."
"No, goats are not cute, goats are dirty and ugly and they smell," SooHyun said, wiggling to get away.
"You're not dirty, you're not ugly, and you don't smell," KiBum tightened his legs around SooHyun to stop the older man from moving. "I know some Signs change form by getting scared, or tickling…will you turn into a goat if I tickle you?" His fingers found SooHyun's waist.
"No... no please don't," SooHyun shook his head emphatically, the goat squirming even more. "Please don't... please master," he said, his tone pleading, pushing at KiBum to get him off.
KiBum pulled back, eyes hurt. He finally realized how SooHyun was reacting, letting the goat push him off. "I…I'm sorry," he said quietly, pushing his back up against the bed.
It took a moment of deep breathing before SooHyun could sit up, looking at KiBum with sorrowful eyes. "I'm sorry... KiBum... JaeSoo never let me be in animal form. He told me how dirty and disgusting I was all the time." His eyes closed, curling his knees up to his chest. "One time, I was startled by something and went into goat form... he... made me live outside in a barn for a month."
Swallowing thickly, KiBum looked up at SooHyun. "JaeSoo's wrong…you're not dirty or disgusting. He's the one who belongs in a barn, not you." He looked down at the floor. "You know I'd never do anything like that to you."
"I know," SooHyun whispered, his eyes shut tightly. "I just... had a moment there when you were telling me to do it that I couldn't think of anything but being punished again for it... He used to do that to me, make me do something and then punish me for it. It's... it's a hard thing to get over and I'm sorry."
"No, I'm the one who should be apologizing," KiBum said quietly. "I didn't mean to scare you…I…just wanted to show you that it's okay. That you don't have to hide a part of yourself from me…cause I love all of you."
"And I'm very grateful for that," SooHyun said, finally looking up at him. "Maybe one day I'll be able to... but I think I'm most comfortable in my half form for now."
KiBum nodded slowly, eyes trained on the floor. "I understand…I'm sorry. I didn't even realize…I was acting like a master."
"You weren't acting like a master... you were acting like a boyfriend," SooHyun said. "I'm sorry I reacted the way I did."
"You're not the one who should be apologizing," KiBum closed his eyes.
SooHyun sighed sogtly, scooting forward and placing his hands on KiBum's legs. "You don't have to apologize either. There are things we still have to work on, and work on them together."
KiBum opened his eyes again, looking down at the hands on his legs. "I just don't ever want to do that to you."
"KiBum... I know you would never intentionally do anything like that," SooHyun said. "You're not like that. I'm okay now, don't worry."
"I'll always worry," KiBum looked up at SooHyun. "I never stop worrying about you."
"And that's why you make a great boyfriend," SooHyun said, leaning in to rest is forehead against KiBum's. Looking into KiBum's eyes, his lips quirked slightly and he made a soft bleating noise.
A small smile appeared unbidden, the helplessness in KiBum's eyes easing. "So cute," he whispered, brushing his lips gently against SooHyun's.
"I can't agree with you on that," SooHyun replied, lifting a hand to thread his fingers into KiBum's hair. "But if it makes you smile, okay."
"Maybe one day you'll agree with me," KiBum murmured, slowly pulling SooHyun closer so he could wrap his arms around the goat.
SooHyun didn't reply, just leaning in for another kiss that turned quickly heated. He didn't want to say that he didn't know if he ever would, but what he probably should say is that when he was with KiBum he almost felt like he could. In the end it didn't matter, because as long as KiBum looked at him with those eyes, he could probably believe anything the human said.
And if KiBum found his ears and horns cute, then he was happy to keep them out. Because there may have been a little part of him that liked the way KiBum touched his ears. Especially once he had KiBum back up on the bed, and the human was paying more attention to those ears than the kisses or anything else that SooHyun was doing. He wasn't going to complain though, it actually did feel really nice, even if he made some very loud noises because of it.