“I've met someone.”
Home
Believe.
Yongguk watched as the smoke from his cigarette swirled in the air before glancing out the window. He hadn't seen the younger boy in a while. He was missing him terribly; he felt almost empty and like the days would never end. The only thing he would look forward to was sleeping a little so time would just move faster.
He had to stop himself from driving to the younger boy's home more times than he could count. He sighed and took another long drag as he tried to focus on the work he needed to have done by the morning.
It was too difficult to focus.
He ran a hand through his hair and closed his eyes in annoyance. He just wanted to know if Junhong was okay. He wonder if the boy was in the juvenile center. He hoped not, even though he believed the younger needed to learn he couldn't hurt other people and get away with it. He shivered at the thought.
He knew he'd be a fool to not be scared of the younger. He wouldn't admit it out loud but Junhong's mood swings, emotions- just how he looked at everything frightened him. He didn't know what the younger was capable of. Even though he was scared, all he wanted to do was heal him. He wanted to be the one person Junhong could trust.
He honestly didn't know if the younger boy was capable of trust though. He wanted to try. He wanted to make him feel loved and appreciated but he didn't know how to make Junhong understand that.
Yongguk his dry lips. He almost jumped out of his skin hearing the door bell. He stood up and hurried towards the door and turned the camera on. He couldn't help the small pout on his lips when he realized it was just his friend, Himchan. He sighed and decided to ignore him. Himchan had a key, anyway.
He sat down on the couch and the TV, flipping through the channels for something interesting. He stopped on a program Junhong seemed to be particularly interested in and it comforted him in a way.
He pretended to be fully focused on the TV when he heard his front door opening and then shutting. Himchan lazily greeted him before going off into the kitchen to steal food.
Yongguk rolled his eyes, his lips twitching upwards ever so slightly as he got up and walked towards the kitchen. He leaned against the door frame, watching as his friend went through his refrigerator.
“Long time no see, Himchan.”
His friend ignored him, finally settling on a sub sandwich Yongguk had bought earlier.
“I was going to eat that.” He said as his friend sat down at the table.
Himchan finally looked at him. He narrowed his eyes. “Doesn't look like you've been eating anything, actually.”
“Then put down my sandwich.”
“No.”
Yongguk laughed and sat down at the table. He rubbed his forehead, feeling a migraine coming on. He sighed for what felt like the millionth time.
“You look really bad.” His friend said after a while. “Work getting to you?”
“I guess that's part of it.” He replied quietly. He silently debated over his next words. “I've met someone.”
Himchan almost dropped the sandwich in surprised. He looked at the older man with wide eyes. “Who?"
"Don't look so surprised." Yongguk rested his cheek against his knuckles. "It's a young boy." Judging by his friend's expression, he quickly realized he had misunderstood. “No, not like that-” He quickly tried to correct himself, stumbling over his words until his friend's laughter cut him off. He narrowed his eyes.
“No need to get so defensive.” Himchan was quiet for a moment. “How did you meet him?
Yongguk felt a little awkward talking about how he met the younger. It was embarrassing and he couldn't help but notice how creepy he seemed now that he was really thinking over these things. He'd never meant to come off as creepy; he had just felt so drawn to the young boy.
It felt good to talk to someone about Junhong.
“He sounds like he's had a rough life.” Himchan said thoughtfully once he was done speaking.
He nodded slowly. He watched his friend closely; wondering what he was thinking. He thought over everything that had happened in the short span of time since he'd started actually talking with the younger boy. Junhong's smile that night of the first snow replayed in his mind. His breath hitched ever so slightly. He wanted to see that smile again.
Time seemed to fly by as he talked with his best friend. It had been a long time since he'd seen the younger man. Himchan had suddenly disappeared but it was normal for him to do that. It always had been. He never knew where his friend would disappear to and he didn't try to ask anymore. He hoped he was wrong, but he had a feeling his friend was part of something very much illegal.
He thought maybe Himchan could understand the boy better than he could. From what he knew of Junhong's past, it seemed like they both came from similar backgrounds.
“Why don't you give the kid a job at the hotel?” Himchan suddenly suggested. “It might be good for him.”
Yongguk looked a little surprise by the suggestion. He felt a little apprehensive at just the thought, especially since he didn't know what the younger boy was capable of. “I don't think that's a good idea-”
“Maybe he just needs someone to believe in him.” Himchan quickly cut him off. “Do you think anyone has ever offered him anything like that?”
“Why have you never accepted my offers, Himchan?” Yongguk had offered his friend a job at the hotel countless times but he always rejected it.
“This isn't about me.” He sounded annoyed. He was quiet for a moment. “ I don't need help; I'm fine. But, it seems like this kid needs someone, judging by the way he reacted when you came after him.”
Yongguk stared at him for a long time. It made sense. He was afraid of what Junhong would do but maybe Himchan was right. Maybe he just needed someone to believe in him. The topic suddenly changed and the conversation was relaxed as they lost track of time, chatting with one another.
Himchan left early that morning.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
“Is Junhong here?”
Yongguk had finally made up his mind to check on Junhong. He felt awkward and out of place and wondered if this is how the younger boy felt.
“Who are you?” The frail woman spoke after a moment, looking him up and down.
“I am Bang Yongguk.” He held out his hand and the woman simply stared at it. He awkwardly dropped his hand back down to his side. He decided it would be easier to lie. “Junhong has been helping out occasionally at my hotel in Gangnam.”
He swore he could see dollar signs in the woman’s eyes. “I haven't seen him in a while and I just wanted to check and see how he was doing-”
“Come in, come in.” She grabbed his arm and pulled him inside.
Before he could even react, he was forced to sit down in the small living room. He shifted uncomfortably when the woman called for her daughter. He gave an awkward smile as the woman started talking about her daughter. He furrowed his brows, wondering why she was ignoring the wedding band on his finger.
- - - - - - -
Junhong opened his bedroom door and peeked out, wondering why his foster mother and sister were suddenly so fussy. He quietly walked towards the living room and looked in. His eyes widened when he saw the older man sitting in the living room, his foster mother obviously invading his personal space.
He felt like his body was on fire from embarrassment. He never wanted Yongguk to see the inside of this place. He just wanted to curl up into a ball and die. His insecurities kept telling him that the man would never want to have anything to do with him anymore now that he'd seen this horrible place.
The older man suddenly looked his way and their eyes locked. He was finding it hard to look away, even though he just wanted to run away and never come back. He finally got his legs to work and took off out the door.
Yongguk politely excused himself before taking off after the younger boy. “Junhong!” He called out, hurrying down the front steps.
Junhong froze in the middle of the drive way.
“Junhong.” He hurried over. “What are you running away from?” He asked gently.
The boy didn't reply as he slowly turned around to look at him. They stared at each other in silence for a few seconds. Yongguk couldn't help but smile when he noticed how red the younger boy's face was. The boy averted his eyes to the ground. “Hey, look at me.”
“I've missed you.” Yongguk said once the younger finally looked back at him.
The words made Junhong's heart beat a little faster. He'd never had someone say they missed him before and he didn't know what to say back. So, he chose to say nothing at all.
“Let's go out for dinner.” He smiled warmly. “Go get your shoes.”
Junhong hesitantly did as he was told.
- - - - - - - -
Dinner had been quiet but that wasn't surprising. Both felt so content to just simply be in each other's company as they ate. Junhong realized it had been silly of himself to even think that the older man would think badly of him after seeing his current living condition.
“How have you been?” He asked carefully, not wanting to set the younger boy off.
“I've been okay.” He replied and he watched as the older man's face subconsciously contorted in frustration. He realized the man had been hoping for a more detailed answer. “I. . . um, they've been moving me into different foster homes because my foster mother had guests over and needed the guest room. . .” He trailed off. He didn't want to bore the older man.
It felt good to finally have one of his questions answered. Junhong lived with foster families. “I'm glad you've been well.” He said softly as he examined the younger boy's face closely. “You look good.” He looked healthier; his cheeks were fuller and rosy.
Junhong felt his face heat up in delight and embarrassment; the butterflies going crazy in his stomach. He looked towards the table. “Thank you.” He said quietly, his lips twitching upwards. He didn't understood how a simple compliment from the man could do this to him.
Yongguk couldn't help but smile and all he could think was how beautiful this young boy was. He quickly shook the thoughts away. “I was wondering. . .” He trailed off waiting until the boy looked back at him. “Would you like to have a job?”
He didn't wait for a reply. “I was wondering if you'd like to help me out at the hotel.”
Junhong quickly shook his head. “I can't.”
“Why not?”
“I. . .” He bit his lower lip for a moment. “I just can't.”
“I think you can.” He was careful with his words, sensing he was already pushing Junhong out of his comfort zone. “I believe in you.” He paused for a moment, watching the younger boy's reaction closely. “Just give it a try?”
And with some gentle persuasion, he got Junhong to agree.
- - - - - - -
AN:
So, me being the brilliant person I am- I accidentally deleted chapter two. It's back up now, but the comments are gone, so if you commented on chapter two, please don't think I deleted them. I honestly appreciated them and yes, it's AFF's fault. lol
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