Donghae drops into bed. It's been another long day. Not necessarily tiring. Or new. But it's hard to go through it all. Like nothing happened.

He's been feeling down. Since his conversation with Heechul. The last time he saw Hyukjae. He's realized... that something about their short meeting... felt final.

That's why he has been... kind of sad. His thoughts have remained. About Hyukjae. It's probably why he dreams of him.

Dreaming of Hyukjae isn't new either. It's just been more frequent lately. He's dreamt of him four times now. This week. He's had innocent dreams of them on a date. To not so innocent ones. Of Hyukjae in his bed. Gorgeously wrecked.

All his dreams have Hyukjae with some lipstick. Soft pink. Flaming red.

The dreams make Donghae feel worse.

His own place reminds him of Jaeho. His sweet nature with Donghae. The hateful and malicious attitude toward Hyukjae. Then whenever Donghae passes his windows... he remembers Siwon. Remembers Hyukjae wrapped up in his coat. Trying to hide the signs of Siwon's time with him.

Basically, there's a lot to upset Donghae.

How was Donghae even boyfriends with someone like Jaeho? He thought him an angel. Too good for Donghae. How is his family friends with the Kwans? They sound ing awful.

You hated your stepfamily not long ago, he tells himself. You ignored your own mother for years because she got married to another man. You're no saint either.

Would he hate Hyukjae too? If he was in Jaeho's place? Would he hate Hyukjae's mother? Because her existence ruined his family?

It's possible. But he hopes and thinks... he'd smarten up. He'd come to his senses. Like he did with his mother. Heechul and Solmi. Because he doesn't see why Hyukjae should have to suffer in this case.

But no one died because of anyone else in your story. And you still don't know everything.

Donghae groans. Gets up. Wanders around his apartment. Stops at his windows. He's done this a lot too. Just to see. If Siwon's car shows up. He hasn't seen it this week. He's started to both want to see it... and not.

Because... why is Hyukjae with Siwon? The man's gotta be using Hyukjae for pleasure. He can't even drop him off closer to his apartment building. So he's probably an .

Donghae would take better care of Hyukjae.

He leans on the windows. Pulls out his phone. There have been no updates from KissThyLips. And there isn't one today...

Donghae scrolls. To his older posts. Watches a few. Hyukjae's slender fingers. His plump luscious lips. Donghae likes the way he parts them. The glimpse of tongue. His teeth. He likes the lips bare. Before those pretty colours are swiped across. He likes them with the colours. Dark. Tinted. Glossy.

He shakes his head. Closes his eyes. A minute later he checks again.

No new posts. Stories.

Honestly, where is he? There are even comments now. Followers curious about the lack of a post. Because Hyukjae usually posts twice or thrice a week. Or at very least, once.

Is he okay? He hasn't been online at all. Could his absence here... have anything to do with Donghae? His visit with Heechul? Donghae was mad at himself for that. For allowing Heechul to convince him that day. To go to Hyukjae's apartment.

But with KissThyLips showing no sign of Hyukjae... Donghae feels an ache. A need to try again already--

Donghae looks up. He a breath. That's Siwon's car!

Is Hyukjae with him?

---

Siwon's in the closet. Checking everything. The clothes on the hangers. They're all here. All the same. He clicks his tongue. Steps away. 

Hyukjae hasn't taken anything. Of course. Why would he? And why would he come here for these clothes anyway? They're all too sheer. Skimpy. Only meant for their time together.

Did Siwon expect him to take them? Maybe. But would he mind? If Hyukjae did? Siwon bought them for him. They're his. To use. Sell. Whatever. If he's out searching for another man... or spending time with him... that's all the better. Isn't it? Siwon has to let him go soon.

He sits on the bed. Looks around the room.

No. He hasn't been here.

Siwon clenches his jaw. Where is he? Why isn't he responding to him? Is this because Siwon asked him a few questions? About his family? Does he think Siwon doesn't want him now?

Or is this because