Hyukjae is now jobless. He got the last payment already. For his previous hours at Tempus and Haru. He also got a portion from the brand he sponsored. On KissThyLips.

He's going through the numbers. Calculating. He always comes short. Since he's got a massive sum to pay back.

But he's learned how to prioritize. What to use. How to use it.

He has decided to focus on KissThyLips for now. Get more followers. Offers. If he can do promos. He should focus on doing better videos too.

Which... requires investing in better equipment...

He sighs. Falls back on the floor. Thinks of Siwon. He could... use him. If Hyukjae wasn't how he is. If he didn't deal with that in the past. Maybe it'd be easier for him. To flirt. Act. Let the other man spoil him. Take and ask for whatever he can.

But their accusations... always ring loudly in his ears.

He sits back up.

He'll start applying to places. Next week. He'll stay low. For a short while. Give them time. In case they plan to punish him. Ruin for him.

He just hopes… they'll forget him. But that probably won't happen easily. With Donghae part of it now.

Hyukjae just had to get caught up in their relationship somehow, didn't he?

And this Donghae's... being too much. He tried to contact Hyukjae. Left a few messages for him. Something about breakup again. He said he wants to speak to him. He'd shown up at his place too. Late one night. Hyukjae didn't open the door.

He doesn't want anything getting worse. Wants to be left alone. them all. And whatever happens... or happened... between Jaeho and Donghae -- Jaeho would think it's his fault. Because everything's Hyukjae's fault.

He suddenly feels cold. Prays he stays out of it.

Jaesung.
 

--

Hyukjae... keeps ignoring him. Completely.

Now Donghae's been rethinking. Of Hyukjae's reaction. The time Donghae waited for him in front of his building.

He's scared of Donghae, isn't he? That means calling Hyukjae... appearing at his door... probably scares him more.

Honestly. Donghae doesn't know him well. And he was actually his boss. So that's... sort of creepy too.

Yes, Donghae's still upset. In need to understand. But worried too. However… seeing KissThyLips's regular updates helps him… feel less worried. A bit.

Donghae watches the man's soft mouth. Pale lips. They're getting covered in a light orangey pink colour. He likes the way Hyukjae evens it out. Presses his lips together.

Donghae loves how his teeth show. When his lips part.

"Donghae?"

He shuts off his phone. Looks up. "H-Hey…"

"You're here? To see mom?" Solmi asks. She adjusts her purse on her shoulder.

"Uh, y-yeah... um, Heechul or you, actually, if you have time..."

She's surprised. "Heechul and mom will be late today. Let me put my stuff away and change, okay?"

"Yeah. Sure."

Donghae watches her walk up the stairs. He takes in a deep breath. Goes back to his phone.

A message from Jaeho appears.

"I need to get the rest of my stuff. I'll be quick."

Donghae answers: Go ahead. Code's still the same. I'm not there right now.

Oh, he's glad. That he came here today.

He's at his family house. He's finally had no choice but to ask them. He can't keep asking Jaeho. Not when it could just anger him more. Or cause misunderstandings.

They're over. Donghae wants them to be over. But he wants answers about Hyukjae.

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