”Sleepy.” Myungsoo hears Sungyeol mutter as the other’s head suddenly plops against his shoulder, the other’s hair tickling the side of his face and neck. Cheeks turning pink at Sungyeol’s gesture, Myungsoo can’t help but panic for a quick second, the younger boy not expecting something like this to happen. Slightly confused and unable to stop himself from wondering why the other had done such a thing, especially since he and Sungyeol had only shared a few kisses and touches so far, Myungsoo can’t help but look down and to the right, only to notice that the other was fast asleep.

Eyes going wide and cheeks turning pink, Myungsoo can’t help but think Sungyeol looks quite cute - something he’d never really thought before since Sungyeol had always been beautiful and gorgeous to him - situated against his side. The other’s nose occasionally twitches, almost like a bunny, that Myungsoo barely finds himself stifling a silent giggle.

He hadn’t expected his boyfriend to fall asleep against him, but for him to have quickly accepted the gesture without flinching is a testament to how comfortable he has gotten around the other boy. No one has ever gotten this close before, no one has ever really wanted to, and to Myungsoo, that’s amazing to him. Sungyeol’s amazing.

Feeling warmth spread through his chest at Sungyeol’s subconscious gesture, Sungyeol having gotten increasingly -feely with him, Myungsoo finds himself drinking up the attention and touches like a sponge. His entire being craving for it, Myungsoo can’t help but desire the warmth that Sungyeol has consistently provided him. It’s a ludicrous thought to have, but Myungsoo knows it’s impossible for him to go back to a life without the slightly older boy, at least, not anymore.

Sungyeol made him feel cherished, and even though he doesn’t really deserve it, he’s grateful to Sungyeol’s ability to look past his flaws and treat him as if he’s something special and worth something more than what his father has seen him as. He’s not the worthless, idiot that can’t do anything right that his father likes to portray him. (He’s not the piece of scum that shouldn’t have survived over his mother— the piece of scum that- no, Myungsoo couldn’t go there. It would break him if he did, at least more than he already is.)

Unable to stop the sudden memory that overtakes him, something that he was unable to get out of his head all night, Myungsoo winces at the sudden pain that flares through his right arm. The painkillers that he had taken earlier slowly starting to wear off in conjunction to the physical imprint of the memory. Because most memories that he had of his father were filled with pain, emotional and physical.

Eyes glazing over, he recalls as Sungyeol dreams beside him: 

“Myungsoo, who’s car is outside?”

Freezing at the sound of his father’s voice coming through the walls and the subsequent sound of the front door shutting close, Myungsoo suddenly finds himself unbearably nervous in a way he hadn’t seconds before. Because as much as the other man’s voice had sounded curious in its execution, Myungsoo instinctively knew that there was something darker lining his father’s words as well. His relationship with his father, Myungsoo knowing most of his father’s quirks when it had come to him, makes it impossible to not miss his father’s slightly sour mood. However, to the casual listener, to his boyfriend and soulmate who didn’t really know much about his father as Myungsoo wasn’t one to talk about him much, Sungyeol notices nothing.

The words may sound nice and cordial, Myungsoo’s father pretending to be that way for the sake of the other person within the house, but Myungsoo knows that as soon as Sungyeol leaves, it would become a different story. And that fact does nothing to calm the fear that Myungsoo feels inside, Myungsoo having no clue to how his father would take their guest. Especially since Myungsoo knew his father disliked surprises and Sungyeol was going to be one hell of a surprise. But with Sungyeol and the others wanting him to go on that ski trip, something that Myungsoo desperately wanted to do as well, it didn’t take much for Sungyeol and the others to convince him to ask. Nor did it take long for Sungyeol to volunteer his help as well, the older boy hoping his presence would help when it came to asking and getting Myungsoo’s father to say yes.

While Myungsoo, who hadn’t wanted to disappoint Sungyeol and his friends, the brunet not wanting to put a frown on anyone’s face, couldn’t help but agree. To Myungsoo, it didn’t matter if he would be without money for a couple of weeks due to the trip (or Sungyeol’s Christmas present that had also taken precedence lately, Myungsoo having decided to knit Sungyeol a scarf in his favorite color since his old one was getting ratty), Myungsoo really wanted to do something that he’d never forget.

Hanging out with friends and his boyfriend, doing something he had never done before, and having fun, those were all the things that Myungsoo had wanted to do, and he couldn’t help but be terribly selfish and trick his father like this. Even though he really shouldn’t feel that bad, Myungsoo couldn’t help it. He had never been so underhanded with his father before, and while it was for something quite harmless, Myungsoo couldn’t help but feel even more terrified.

Something bad was going to happen, and while it most certainly wouldn’t happen with Sungyeol there, it would definitely happen afterward. He could feel a sense of foreboding taking root in his gut and with his left arm suddenly twinging in pain as well, it was without doubt that Myungsoo would have to deal with an aspect of his father’s anger. Punishment was coming and he just hoped that it wouldn’t be as bad as last time, or worse, as bad as the day that his father had ruined his arm.

However, not wanting Sungyeol to worry or catch wind of how terrified Myungsoo actually was, Myungsoo had forced his feelings of terror beneath a mask of happiness as he tried his best to smile as soon as his father had entered the room. While Sungyeol, too busy dealing with his own nerves and feeling a bit weirded out for being so worried in the first place, was unable to notice the negative emotions that had flown across Myungsoo’s face. But even then, it would have been miraculous if he had noticed them, because as soon as the emotions had appeared, Myungsoo had quickly hidden them within seconds.

Myungsoo may not have looked exuberant and joyful to Sungyeol with the grimace like smile that he had on his face, but he hadn’t looked any worse than he had at his parents’ place either. Myungsoo was naturally the type to needlessly worry about anything and everything, and with the younger man asking his father for something that he had never asked before, never mind showing his father his soulmate as well, Sungyeol couldn’t help but see the anxiety for what it was and wasn’t.

Taking Myungsoo’s expression at face value, Sungyeol couldn’t help but give the other a small reassuring smile and a soft, “It’s going to be all right, you’ll see,” before Myungsoo’s father finally graced them with his presence.

Only for the man to give the two of them a look, his gaze quick to size Sungyeol up before he was turning his attention to Myungsoo, his gaze lingering in a way that made Myungsoo gulp, “Oh, who’s this? A friend from school? You never mentioned anyone coming over today.” 

Body suddenly going cold at how nonchalant his father seemed to be, at how the other man was taking the recent revelation in stride, Myungsoo’s stomach started to churn. His father wasn’t happy in the least, despite the small smile that he was currently showing the two.

While Sungyeol, who knew he had to get the ball rolling, could only take a deep breath before he was speaking, “Sir, this wasn’t really planned and I’m sure that Myungsoo had wanted to do this whole thing in a different way, but I had got excited and couldn’t help but want to introduce myself- I’m Sungyeol, Lee Sungyeol, by the way, and I also wanted to give Myungsoo some support. He had wanted to ask you a question and we- no, I had thought it would be good if I was here as well.”

Eyes widening at Sungyeol’s response and the way Sungyeol had moved a bit closer to Myungsoo, the other boy giving his son a soft look that had easily told the man of the two’s relationship, Myungsoo’s father had given them a grin, “Ah, I see. Soulmates?”

His question causing Sungyeol to lightly blush while Myungsoo found himself putting his head down in fear or shame or something else, the youngest’s hair shielding his eyes, Myungsoo’s father was quickly given the answer that he wanted.

“No need to be ashamed Myungsoo, it’s great that you found your soulmate… You only have one of those you know and for you to have found him so young, you should be more confident about things…” Only for Myungsoo’s father to quickly follow that statement up as soon as he saw Myungsoo’s sad expression, “But really, I wish that you would have told me earlier though. Soulmates are such a precious thing and it would have been nice for you to share something like that with you dad… I know I’m busy sometimes and I can’t always be here for you, but it’s obvious that you two have been going out for a while and I can’t help but feel a little depressed that you’ve kept this from me for so long.”

The How dare you and Is this young man really your soulmate, how did you even get one were silent, but Myungsoo had still heard the silent sentiments loud and clear. Myungsoo shakily signed:

I didn’t mean to keep it from you… I swear I didn’t. It’s just that… It’s just that we recently got together and I wanted to be sure. I-I didn’t want to bring up memories of-of mom. I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry. I’ll be better about it, I swear.

Sungyeol only grasping a few words, mom being one of them, he was quick to give, “It’s not Myungsoo’s fault that he didn’t tell you. It’s more me than anything as I had wanted to give us some time before we had come out about it, you know? I was the one that-”

However, before he could get anything else out, the older man had put up his hand to stop him, “It’s alright. No need to explain. I’m not terribly upset over it, I had thought it would have been nice, you know? We only have each other and it just hurt a bit is all.”

Staring hard at his son, Myungsoo’s body starting to shake at what he had seen, the man swiftly switched his attention to Sungyeol. The older man looking every bit the protective father that he was currently trying to portray, Myungsoo can’t help but remember something his father had told him once about needing to do odd things like this because there were people that wouldn’t understand his treatment of his son, Myungsoo watched the man continue speaking, “What do you mean, you were the one what? I know Myungsoo’s unique, but most people are usually happy when they meet their soulmates… I didn’t realize today’s world may have been different? Myungsoo didn’t do anything, did he?”

Feeling a little odd at the way Myungsoo’s father would talk about his son, the man occasionally saying negative things about him, Sungyeol couldn’t help but store the fact away with the rest of the things that he had been able to gleam from Myungsoo. The man may not be the worst father Sungyeol had seen, but little things like that were things that didn’t make the man a good father either.

No wonder Myungsoo had been nervous.

However, needing to set things straight, to give Myungsoo’s father a different impression of what had happened, Sungyeol answered, “No, Myungsoo didn’t do anything wrong… In fact, he’s been really good about everything… It’s just that I had never really thought much about soulmates before and when I had met Myungsoo, I hadn’t been ready for him just yet. In fact, our first meeting didn’t go that great, but after getting to know Myungsoo and being with him, things quickly changed. Myungsoo, your son, is a really good person, and because of how we met, I’ve regretted a couple of things. I kind of wish I could take everything back, because Myungsoo should have gotten someone that should have listened to him as soon as he had started signing… I didn’t mean to hurt your son, but I’m pretty sure I had. And now, I’m doing my best to make it up to him and make sure I don’t make the same mistakes, I really want things to last and I always want to be someone Myungsoo can count on…”

Heart beating faster at what Sungyeol had said and feeling the need to tell the other that his presence was enough and he didn’t have to beat himself up or do anything more than exist, Myungsoo couldn’t help but reach out to place a hand on the other’s shoulder in a gesture of comfort. However, before he could even finish the action, Myungsoo a hair away from touching the other boy, Myungsoo’s father had interrupted the two with a chuckle. The sound easily telling Myungsoo that touching his boyfriend wasn’t a good idea, Myungsoo ripped his hand away to let it drop limply to his side. His fingers itching to curl themselves into a fist of possible frustration.

His father was sad and angry enough about his past that Myungsoo could at least spare him from seeing the two of them act too comfortably together. He was already doing enough damage by bringing Sungyeol home and trying to ask him for things that would normally be impossible.

“Oh, no, I wasn’t trying to make you think anything less about Myungsoo. He’s a great boy, really. But sometimes, he can’t help it and knowing how some people are when it comes to others that are different, they don’t always understand that Myungsoo has special needs. But since it seems as if the two of you have been able to work things out, it really shows that you two are soulmates. I’m glad he has someone like you, okay?”

Seeing Sungyeol nod, Sungyeol a little calmer than he had been seconds before, the man quickly changes the subject, “You mentioned supporting Myungsoo in something? What is it? Myungsoo, is there something you want to ask?”

Freezing once again, his skin feeling tingly from sudden panic, Myungsoo finds himself looking at Sungyeol, silently asking him what to do next. While Sungyeol gives him a soft ‘You can do it, I’m here’ look, Myungsoo shakily nods before he’s turning back to his father. His trembling noticeable to everyone in the room, but before he can chicken out or cause Sungyeol to step in, Myungsoo barely manages to sign:

Can I go with Sungyeol and some friends on a ski trip?

Myungsoo?

Sungyeol~

Myungsoo?

“Hey you two, wake up, we’re there.”

Opening his eyes, confusion still wracking his brain, Myungsoo blearily noticed someone’s or something’s hand waving itself in front of his face. The hand so close that it had almost been touching his nose and for sure, had probably touched his seat mate's face at some point, Myungsoo couldn’t help but jump in surprise as he hadn’t expected one of the others on the bus to get so close to him. Let alone, close enough to touch him.

Shoulder hitting Sungyeol’s cheek in response to his jumping, Sungyeol waking up at the impact, causing the other to grumble about being woke up. It didn’t take long for Sungyeol to glare at the person in front of them, especially since Myungsoo’s shoulder, as bony as it was, had been kind of comfy to him.

Seeing a sheepish, almost apologetic, Woohyun give the two of them a small smile, Sungyeol couldn’t help but mumble, “Why the hell did you do that for?”

Which only caused Woohyun to let out a laugh, “I couldn’t help it, you guys have been sleeping for the past hour now, and while that was cute as to see. We all have pictures of it too, Myungsoo you look especially adorable. It’s been at least five minutes since we’ve parked and our driver needs to take off for the time being.”

Cheeks turning completely red at what Woohyun has said, not having expected anyone to take a picture of him and Sungyeol sleeping, Myungsoo’s not surprised when Sungyeol just rolls his eyes. “Okay, we’re getting up. Is there anything else we need to know? Has Haena regretted you yet?”

Spluttering at the question, Woohyun retorts, “I’ll have you know, Haena’s completely smitten with me, she says I’m charming! And if she really regretted me, she wouldn’t have come!”

Waving his best friend off, mouth forming a smile, happy to have gotten Woohyun back for waking the two of them up, Sungyeol turns his attention to Myungsoo, “Hey, you ready?”

While Myungsoo, who was now feeling a bit dazed, could only sign:

Yes, I’m good.

Grinning at the fact that he was able to understand some of Myungsoo’s signing, at least a tiny portion of it now, Sungyeol went to help the other up. Giving Sungyeol his hand, letting Sungyeol pull him into a standing position, Myungsoo didn’t expect the sudden pain to accompany the movement and it was on luck alone that he was able to hide a wince from his boyfriend and friend. Painkillers having worn off moments ago, Myungsoo bit the inside of his cheek to force him into focusing on something other than his arm (which didn’t do much because now the pain from the bruises on his stomach were more apparent than they had been), the three finally made their way off the bus, Sungyeol’s and Woohyun’s teasing of each other following them out. Something of which Myungsoo was grateful for because it made things feel a little more normal and also gave him something else to focus on, even if it was just the sound of their voices.

However, that feeling didn’t last, because as soon as the three of them were outside the bus, the air cold and the ground fluffy underneath their feet, Myungsoo couldn’t help but have a flashback as soon as he saw the bus driver’s cigarette.

Feeling his body tremble as he kept his right arm out, his father having told him to keep it as still as he could, a feat that was impossible, Myungsoo silently waited for his father to come back into the room. Standing there, unable to do anything but what he had been told, tears already making their way down his cheeks, Myungsoo waited for what had seemed like hours, but had only been a couple of minutes, the cigar and lighter didn’t escape his notice. Nor the menacing look that was wrapped around his father’s face, the man undeniably upset about what had happened that day.

Blearily seeing the man walk towards him, the man spatting words of rage, Myungsoo could only watch his father slice the cigar, light it, and then take a couple of drags.

Then-

“Myungsoo! Watch out!”

That was all Myungsoo heard before a snowball had hit him in the side of the head, his hair suddenly drenched in cold, white powder. He could only give Sungyeol a confused look, while the other couldn’t help but ask, worry spread across his features, “You, okay?”

Hand reaching up to grab what was now sitting on his head to give the substance a look, Myungsoo’s sudden confusion was quick to go away and be replaced with a smile. Even if it was a bit shaky at the edges, his heart still hammering away in his chest at the flashback that had overcame him moments before. But as he felt the cold wet snow in his hands and hair and the pain that was still radiating from his arm and torso, Myungsoo couldn’t help but give a sigh of relief.

He was okay.

He wasn’t back with his father.

He was with everyone else… In the mountains, far away from the man that had constantly hurt him, but he still loved despite it all…

It was a minute before Myungsoo returned Sungyeol’s worry with a small smile of his own.

I’m okay.

”That’s good, you had me worried for a second…” Sungyeol admitted, unable to shake this odd feeling that had suddenly overtaken him, a feeling that he couldn’t exactly place, he could only push the feeling down as he noticed Myungsoo’s smile grow wider as he kept looking between the snow and him. Sungyeol feeling a bit sad at the wonder that he could see across the other’s face, a wonder that shouldn’t be on a teenage boy, but on a young child, he forces himself to give, “Do you know the best way to really experience a snowball?”

Not knowing how to answer, Myungsoo just shakes his head, cheeks flushed as he waits for Sungyeol to tell him. The only quick to give him a perfectly formed snowball in response, he hears the other say, warmth in his voice,“You throw one back.”

Then whatever oddness that had occurred among the group, among Myungsoo and Sungyeol, was finally lifted as Sungyeol softly told Myungsoo to where to aim, intending to get the person that had thrown the first snowball back. The action quickly causing everyone to get involved in an impromptu snowball fight, Myungsoo smiling and having fun despite the pain. The second youngest able to hide his hurts away from everyone else in the group, Myungsoo was finally able to let go of his worries for at least a little while.

(However, Sungyeol, he couldn’t help but worry.)

[ A/N ] : I know it's been a while and this probably isn't my best work, but I hope you guys still enjoyed the chapter anyway. I may be busy with working full-time and doing school on the side, but I am determined to finish this. So even if it takes me longer than most due to my busy schedule, I'll always have an update at some point. I can't promise anything remotely regular at the moment, but I'm definitely trying to find the time to write. I don't know if it's just a me thing, but a third of my chapters probably have me rewriting certain scenes mulitple times or having to rewrite what I have planned in various ways until I'm somewhat happy with the outcome, which is why it may take me a while to updateevery once in a while. This chapter was a bit like pulling teeth, hence, the long update time, otherwise I would have had this finished at least a month or two ago.

For the child abuse scenes, I do try to keep them non-explicit to keep the rating that I have. But if any of you find that I need to change the rating, just tell me and I will. But so far, I think I've done a decent job at keeping most scenes non-graphic or at least written in a way that only hints at what has happened, without going into too much detail, but still giving you all what you need to know. My focus is more on the emotions than the actual written acts, so hopefully I haven't gotten worse at being able to do that just yet.

Last thing, I really do appreciate the comments you guys have given me so far. It definitely helps me write and keeps me updating. Sure, I may not be able to update as much as other authors, but I'm definitely trying my hardest to give you guys a good, finished fic. So if you like what you've been reading, don't hesitate to tell me. I'll accept other sentiments too, but I just like writing the things that I like to see to see and unless my stance on writing changes - I won't be writing or publishing books any time soon, I'd rather get positive comments over negative ones. Just saying. 

However, to keep you guys busy while you patiently await updates, I suggest tuning into some anime: Yuri!!! On Ice, Natsume Yuujinchou (spawned 5 seasons, it must be doing something right), My Love Story!!, Mob Psycho 100, and the Disastrous Life of Saiki K. (between this and Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions has put the idea of possibly writing a MyungYeol oneshot about Myungsoo being a chunibyo in the future, but no promises there).