Kangin had left the apartment with every intention of losing himself in one of the various bars downtown as he’d been rudely interrupted from doing the other night.  Instead, he just found himself making laps around the city park.  He hated to admit it, but Leeteuk’s words from the other night were playing in his head:  “I live with you.”  Shaking his head, Kangin hissed under his breath and grumbled something about it being too early. 

Soon enough, his wanderings took him out across town.  For hours he wound in and out of stores, buying nothing but thinking constantly of how much he wanted to buy a beer.  As he found himself farther and farther away from home, he tried to outpace the image of Leeteuk’s forced smile and the chiming laugh of a little girl that haunted him at every turn.   Whirling around sharply to escape the sound, he caught sight of a clock glowing in a store’s display window.  Wondering at the accuracy of the number, he looked out and saw the sun had started to fall.  Reluctantly turning and looking back toward home, he decided there was really nowhere else to run to so he started on his journey back.

Kangin opened the door to the apartment and quietly slipped inside.  Taking off his shoes with careful deliberateness, he then headed toward the living room.  He could hear the sound of the TV humming and his gaze was first drawn to the flashing images on the screen and then to the feet on the coffee table.  Eyebrows furrowing, Kangin jumped his gaze to the owner of the feet, knowing before he confirmed his suspicions that it was Heechul. 

 Heechul either heard or sensed Kangin’s presence, because he turned and gave a wide smile to the larger man.  “Hey, roomie,” he greeted. 

  It took Kangin a moment to notice his hands had clenched into fists but when he did take notice, he made a conscious effort to release the tension gathered there.  Attempting civility, he responded through only slightly clenched teeth.  “You’re still here.” 

“Leeteuk invited me to stay,” Heechul said, surprisingly without pretention. 

Kangin looked up, searching the apartment for his old friend.

Having heard the conversation transpiring in his living room, Leeteuk appeared from the left hand corridor, smiling sheepishly. 

“Leeteuk,” Kangin said with calculated calm.  “Can I see you in the kitchen for a moment?” 

“Of course,” Leeteuck responded, his light tone betraying that he knew precisely the nature of their upcoming conversation.

“It’s not like I don’t know you’re going to be talking about me,” Heechul shot over his shoulder breezily, not taking his eyes off of the TV.

“Kitchen,” Kangin growled, making his own way in that direction.

Leeteuk followed with assured motions.

Not helping the matter, Heechul’s voice floated after them, “Yeah, that’s right Kangin, you tell your woman to get in the kitchen.” 

Entering the kitchen and taking up position in the far corner of the room, knowing that any other position would be infinitely more threatening, Kangin leant against the wall and griped, “Why is he still here?” 

“He has nowhere else to go,” Leeteuk explained, folding his arms in a no nonsense fashion. 

Kangin a deep breath into his lungs and responded, “Your concern is touching, but Kim Heechul is not the sort of man you invite to stay in your house.” 

“I’m sorry,” Leeteuk responded, “but what exactly is the type of man I invite to stay in my house?”  His words were low, deadly even, his face devoid of all humor. 

Part of Kangin was too impressed with Leeteuk’s hidden authority to want to respond.  He might have seemed bright and cheerful, but when he needed to, Leeteuk could change gears instantaneously, taking charge and carrying a frighteningly compelling air.  Another part of Kangin was so miffed by Leeteuk’s, no doubt accusatory, words that he considered storming out again.  The last part of him, though, felt a twinge of shame at the reflection of himself that Leeteuk’s words had forced him to see.

Rubbing his temples, Kangin searched for something to say that didn’t make him seem like a complete . 

“It’s not that I don’t feel for the guy, it’s just that… he is who he is.  It’s not like you’re helping someone who wants to change.  Kim Heechul has always been like this and is perfectly content remaining that way.”

“No one can say for sure what another person wants if they’ve never asked.” 

“You don’t always have to ask.  Some people make it perfectly clear what they want.” 

“Most of the time those are the people who don’t have a clue what they really want.”

                Kangin paused, for his part, genuinely considering Leeteuk’s words, though he begrudged the effort. 

                “I’m not a fan of this idea.  I want to make that perfectly clear.” 

                “You’ve done a good job of that already.” 

                Kangin frowned, but he saw the glint in Leeteuk’s eyes and knew his old humor was returning.

                “Fine, but I am washing my hands of anything that comes out of this, even if that happens to be Heechul’s blood.”  

                Leeteuk would have laughed at Kangin’s words, but Kangin didn’t seem to be joking. 

                “Okay then,” the blonde man said uncertainly.  “I’ll take that as a yes.” 

                “Just don’t let him touch any of my stuff or I swear I’ll throw him out the window.” 

                “Got it,” Leeteuk confirmed, “touching equals defenestration.” 

                An impish voice floated from the other room, “I don’t know what that means…but it sounds dirty.”

                Leeteuk smiled, automatically looking to Kangin to see if he was smiling too:  he wasn’t, to the untrained eye, but Leeteuk could tell there was humor in his eyes.

                “Maybe if you’d finished college you’d understand better,” the larger man yelled toward the living room.

                “Oh, low blow, friend,” Heechul answered happily.

A/N  Shot update today!  BUT if, you know, you guys wanted I could always put up chapter 5.  :p    Um, not much to say about this one, it's really a quick transition so that I can get on to the fun stuff.  Hope I'm not disappointing and uh, yeah, just bear with me as I get through these first chapters before the story really gets going :p   Much love <3