Six years ago

Ugly was a word all too familiar to Kang Daesung.

He's learnt to ignore the word and its meaning, simply because he had given up the idea of giving a damn. He didn't care about the jabs to his eyes, his face, or his bad skin anymore.

And honestly, all he wanted to do was just smile, because he was secretly just planning their demise. Well. Not really, but he wasn't going to let some annoying bastards put him down.

So, when Daesung saw a chubby guy getting harassed by a group of s, it was go time for Dae-man. And for him to pick a new and cooler superhero name, because "Dae-man" just wasn't doing it. 

"Last one in the 1600 metre run again, Sleepy." One of the bullies said, shaking his head in fake disappointment. "I guess we all know why, though." And cue the annoying snickers from his groupies ― er, posse. Daesung wasn't surprised by this, since this continually happened to him around a weekly basis.

"You'd think after failing physical education class again and again that he'd change, but I guess he can't fit it through his fat head."

Daesung even saw Sleepy's hands curling into fists, but he didn't hear any response from the chubby male. And thus, Daesung broke in, smiling widely with his eyes disappearing. Daesung didn't see Sleepy's face because he was standing in front of the larger male, but he knew what he was doing was right. Even if he might get punched. Yeah, he probably would get his kicked.

Now, Daesung had planned on excusing himself and Sleepy, and then pull the boy away to a much safer place. It would save him from aforementioned -kicking as well.

All until the bully said something. "What do you want? Couldn't see you over Sleepy's fat."

Daesung twitched. "Fat is a temporary caloric imbalance, but stupid is a permanent genetic malfunction!" He declared, but immediately slapped a hand over his face after he uttered those words. Why did I say that, why that?!

"...What?"

"I think he called you stupid." One of the guys said with a frown.

And that made the leader absolutely livid. "What's with the name calling, ugly?!"

And now, Daesung knew that was his cue to run off with Sleepy. He finally glanced at the chubby male, whose eyes were wide with surprise, and grabbed his larger hands. They were warm and soft, but Daesung just wanted out of the situation he had just made. Luckily, the bullies didn't follow them after a police vehicle parked across the street.

He dragged Sleepy to a nearby bench, collapsing into a seat and gesturing for Sleepy to do so as well.

An awkward silence begun between the two.

"Th-Thank you," Sleepy finally said, revealing a strangely deep voice that send pleasant shivers down Daesung's back, dark eyes meeting Daesung's in a shy glance.

"Don't mention it," Daesung laughed it off with the wave of his hand, "I know first hand what it's like to have those bullies down your throat. You shouldn't let them get to you, you're fine just the way you are. They always say to me, 'Oh, Daesung, can you even see the board?' I've heard that one hundreds of times. And ― 'Your mother must be sad that she has a son as ugly as you are.'" He waited for Sleepy to agree, because he knew that he wasn't anything remotely pretty.

Sleepy was only silent for a moment, but the next words he said had Daesung speechless. "...They're all wrong. I don't think you're ugly at all."

And Daesung can't stop the rapidly pooling warmth in his cheeks and his suddenly fast beating heart when he heard those words leave the larger man's mouth. He coughed into his fist and averted his eyes away from Sleepy's intense gaze to look at his hands. Daesung, why even blush over this? You just met the guy, and he's a guy, too. He chided himself.

His inner voice whispered to him. But what he said was sweet, right?

Well, yeah. But I mean ―

No use arguing with yourself, Daesung.

Ermf.

"Thanks," Daesung finally managed out, a bright smile crossing his lips when he looked at Sleepy, "I think you're great just the way you are, too. Even if you aren't necessarily the 'ideal size' people want you to be, I'm fine with the way you look."

Sleepy seemed genuinely surprised by Daesung's positive attitude and genuine words. He flushed pink.

Now Daesung wasn't the only one with red cheeks.