Live music was ruling over Casino Palace, spoiling every pair of ears. The club didn’t offer any kind of adult entertainment, but the music was pretty much ual with saxophone and blues tunes to welcome someone’s desires.

By the look of people’s expressions, they were having a great time. They smiled and laughed loosely. The mood was festive, greetings exchanged, laughs mingled, alcohols consumed back-and-forth, and of course, steamy affections displayed around.

Sungmin was talking and laughing with few people in a circle. There was Heechul clinging to a tall, athletic guy from China. Heechul kept his name in secret, introducing him as ‘China Man’. He was a quiet person, or maybe he just lost in translation because the pretty explained that the China Man was not fluent and still learning Hangul. But, physically, he was totally cool and handsome dude. The President was kind of salute on Heechul’s eyes for a man. The pretty definitely had high taste.

Then, there was another guy, as pretty as Heechul and had similar face too. He was called Taemin, who was also an and just arrived at the club from his escorting job in London. Taemin looked feminine and fragile in Sungmin’s eyes, sweet and cute kind of guy. His normal speaking voice was like a hum, soft and rhythmic. The idea of him being an seemed ridiculous based on his innocent look. But, Sungmin tried not to judge, who knew that slender body could rock many people in one night.

There were few girls too, Tiffany, the pretty waitress with smiling eyes; another ‘innocent-looking’ called Yoona with her client. For a second, there were random questions popping out in Sungmin’s head, ‘what is up with innocent-looking people as escorts? Is Super Generation selling it as market strategy? Angelic-looking from the outside but wicked personality or skills inside?’ Well, in the end, it was a good strategy, considering the fact of Yoona and Taemin’s rank as top five best escorts, so yeah, everybody loves innocent kind of thing, probably to lessen the guilt of having wild ual activities.

Seohyun was also with them. It should be awkward between Sungmin and Seohyun, remembering Kyuhyun’s affair or how horrible she was with Kyuhyun doing something naughty in Sungmin’s head. But it turned out unexpectedly normal. Sungmin couldn’t fathom it himself. He didn’t feel angry, or insecure at such, even when she still tried to get Marcus’ attention like giving him a glass of scotch flirtatiously, lingering her fingers on Marcus’ forearm unnecessarily, or bragging few facts about Marcus that only she knew in front of other people. Yet, Sungmin still didn’t find her draining his nerves. He just shrugged it off on every flirty thing she did towards Marcus. Desperate girl needed to be respected, giving all the attention was one of the example, his mind said.

Couples of minutes later, they announced the three top remaining gamblers to take their seat at the final table because the final round would be starting in few minutes. It diverted everyone’s attention and made them walking towards the said place.

And then, the mood changed.

People were gathering around, voices started to tone down, gamblers were sitting in their respective seats, eyes started to focus in one spot, the dealer. Things were suddenly nerve-wrecking. The universe had one rule for a term of ‘Final Round’. Whatever competition it was, ‘final round’ was always intense.

Table and chairs for the final round was bigger than the usual. Three gamblers were on their seats in front of one dealer and there were a crowd mass circling around the table area. Everyone was there, including Hanna who stood further back beside Heechul. All the Gambler’s partner was allowed to stand close behind the gambler’s chair, which happened only two people standing on their feet, Sungmin and a woman. She was with one of the gambler, not Kyuhyun or Top, the other one. From the beginning to the end, Top remained alone without any partner, making him more and more mysterious for Sungmin’s attention.

“Good evening ladies and gentlemen.” A voice announced.

Sungmin could feel the tense surfacing from Kyuhyun’s body. The rebel didn’t show it with obvious gesture, but somehow, the way his finger twirling on the tip of his scotch glass told him so.

“Welcome to the final round of Blackjack competition. I am Kim Jonghyun, will be honored to be your dealer for tonight.” The dealer introduced himself.

His resonant voice gave out a rich vibe. He continued to introduce the gamblers at the table and their winning status. Kyuhyun was at the bottom place with his 70 million dollars in hand, only separated 13 thousands lower than the second rank, and 1 million gap with Top who spotted at the first rank.

Sungmin slouched down to hug Kyuhyun’s neck from behind. “What is it?” He whispered to Kyuhyun’s right ear.

Kyuhyun turned his face a little towards Sungmin, making their noses brushed against each other. “Hmm?”

“You startled.” Sungmin closed his eyes and posed a smile. “Nervous?”

The rebel seemed hesitant to reply. “No.” He finally mumbled. “Just feel weird.”

“About?” The younger whispered again, eyes still closing and smiling like absorbing all Kyuhyun’s hostile aura.

“The money. It wasn’t that much before.” He turned away from Sungmin, and found Top’s eyes shooting at him.

“Well, is it good or not?” Sungmin landed his face on Kyuhyun’s cheek, inhaling it a little.

With his eyes replying Top’s glare and his ear on Sungmin, Kyuhyun spoke boldly. “Min, we should take distance.” He muttered in a low tone, avoiding anyone to hear. “People who hate me will do nasty things to you if we’re showing too much intimacy. They will sense our relationship.”

Sungmin opened his eyes and giggled. Instead of fulfilling Kyuhyun’s request, he suddenly landed a short kiss on Kyuhyun’s cheek and let his lips stay longer there, mumbling. “Your reason doesn’t make sense. I’m not buying it.” He mumbled again on Kyuhyun’s skin. “Try again, Marcus.”

“Min…” Kyuhyun sighed and was about to protest before Sungmin grabbed his face and forced him to look at the younger in the eyes.

“I want them to know.” Stated Sungmin in a low voice, decisive and affirmative. He was very sure about what he was doing, even though it would cost his safety. “Trust me.”

Sungmin could see it from the look of Kyuhyun’s face that the latter was contemplating; his mind was trying to guess Sungmin’s. Sungmin and Kyuhyun’s faces were too close and their eyes were so focused on each other that they didn’t hear the dealer’s voice to introduce Marcus.

“…cus.”

Lee Sungmin.

Both in Kyuhyun’s mind and Kyuhyun’s eyes, it was only Sungmin right now. Kyuhyun lowered his eyes to focus on Sungmin’s lips. It looked soft and luscious in peach color. He could see how those lips formed a word in a slow manner, as if teasing him.

Fo.cus.

The lips said.

And it was all Kyuhyun get from those lips before he shut it with a kiss.

Sungmin replied the kiss with a same amount of passion. The heat coming from Sungmin’s breath and lips slowly relaxed Marcus. The kiss told Marcus indirectly that Sungmin was there, the older was not alone in this whole situation. As a matter of fact, he was indeed not alone. Sungmin made it clear that they were together by showing how intimate they were in front of other people, like two people belong into one, solid team.

“Mr. Marcus?”

A vague sound came into Kyuhyun’s hearing while he was busy puckering Sungmin’s lips. He was actually out of places. Kyuhyun realized he was about to play blackjack, blackjack competition to be specific, but he didn’t give a damn attention to it right now. All credits went to Sungmin. His boyfriend distracted him, turning his attention away, making him more chill and loosened.

*BHAM!!*

A crashing sound emerged.

Someone was knocking a table, real hard it made the glass shaking and spilling its contain.

“Are we going to play or what?” An angry voice was heard following after.

The sound and the voice stopped them. Kyuhyun released Sungmin from the kiss and turned his head towards the speaker. “Sorry, Mr. Top. I got carried away.” He said while straightening his seating position. Whispering voices from the audience was filling the air as Marcus continued. “Well, what can I say? Miinah makes me lose myself.” He bragged casually while getting a giggle response from the said guy.

One pair of arms was circling on Kyuhyun’s shoulders once again before he received soft peck on his earlobe from Sungmin. Kyuhyun was curling his lips to smirk when he asked the dealer. “So, Mr. Kim, where are we?”

*****

“Blackjack.”

“Set finished with Blackjack by Mr. Top.” Jonghyun, the dealer, announced as his hands were collecting the cards and the balance on the monitor quickly adapted with the current winning status. Cheering voices and several claps roared afterwards in the room, celebrating the said man’s talent.

! He won double amount again.

Kyuhyun started to get worry with Top’s second in a row Blackjack winning. Sure he was securing himself to the second spot with smooth moves, but Top was still, like his name suggest, topping him in the game.

Kyuhyun was waiting for Jonghyun to start the new set, dealing another cards for all three gamblers. He watched Jonghyun’s hands carefully while making a little noise by tapping his fingers on the table.

The cards were distributed from shuffling machine, two cards for each gambler.

Damnnit!!

He admitted, he lost count. There were too many cards for him to remember. His bad feeling started after the computer shuffled the game’s rules for tonight; 8 decks of cards, dealer stands on soft 17, double allowed for any card and after split, no surrender, no insurance and with minimum of 10,000 dollars to place the bet from each player. First of all, 8 decks of cards would result a long tiring game that difficult to follow. Kyuhyun’s brain could store a memory until 5 decks of cards, 6 decks would quite risky, but 8 decks were totally suicidal. The amount of bet was also ridiculous. It was a huge bet and it required all Marcus’ skill to take over the game. With 8 decks of cards in the game, Marcus could only depend on his luck.

Marcus flipped his cards a little, had a brief look and put it back on the table, face down. His mind already planned the next move when heavy voice announced. “Blackjack.”

SHIIITT!!

He whipped his head in anger towards the speaker who was, ridiculously, giving him smug smile. Then, Jonghyun voice was heard along with the cheering crowd around them, complimenting Top.

How the did he have blackjack three times in a row??

Kyuhyun kept the question inside his head.

It was ing unbelievable!

His eyes were unconsciously glaring to Top, eyebrows frowned, forehead crumpled. Clearly enough, Marcus was sending hatred message in silence to the other gambler.

Not anticipating any reply, Marcus surprised to see Top’s reaction for his hard gaze. The latter lifted his right hand, made a gun gesture with his fingers and shot ‘a bang’ to Marcus along with mischievous smile. Talking about Marcus with his short-tolerance for patience, of course he got provoked. He gritted his teeth, growling in anger, and was ready to perk out when two pairs of arms secured him in his seat, wrapping around his neck. Then, soft whispers approached his ear, calm and welcoming as the words spoken. “Hey good-looking, cigarette?”

Sungmin’s offer sounded tempting. Sure, cigarette seemed useful enough to make him relax right now. Marcus was still considering it when his right cheek suddenly showered with few rounds of small pecks, coming from Sungmin.

It tickled Marcus, in a very good result. “Stop it.” He growled, resisting to chuckle.

Sungmin slipped his left hand into Marcus’ suit. “Well, your Mom told me, one of the way to get your attention when you’re wandering is by kissing all over your faces.” He took a pack of cigarette inside Marcus’ inner pocket.

“It totally does the trick.” For Marcus, not only Sungmin’s pecks, but also his whispers were tickling.

The rebel made a tiny smile while sighing. His eyes were following Sungmin’s movement as the younger put one cigarette in between his lips.

“Wait.” Kyuhyun alarmed suddenly.

Sungmin was grabbing a lighter from the table when he hummed in reply. “Hm?”

“What are you doing, Min?” Marcus asked in a low voice.

With a cigarette hanging on his lips, he mumbled his reply. “Mm-what?”

“You don’t smoke.” The older frowned in disbelief.

Sungmin brushed it off with a chuckle. “I don’t.” Oddly enough, he negated his own words by lighting the cigarette.

Marcus only stared at the other with a deep expression, just like almost everybody in the same room. The game was paused for a while, giving all the gamblers time to break. His eyes were full of curiosity, somewhat anticipating Sungmin’s next action. Meanwhile, his object of view was trying to look casual inhaling the cigarette.

After deep inhale, Sungmin pulled out the cigarette, grabbed Marcus’ chin with his left hand and cut the distance between their lips. “I’m doing a favor for you.” He said while exhaling slowly with his lips, transferring the smoke to Marcus who was inhaling it right away. The rebel was smoking from his lover’s breath, exhaling out when Sungmin inhaled some more from the cigarette. The latter did the favor for Marcus once again, barely made their lips graze against each other during the process.

Oh, baby, you’re ing y, you know that… Making me to smoke this way??

The gambler smirked with overwhelming satisfaction upon his face, clearly showing his enjoyment on Sungmin’s way to make him smoke.

There is no reason for me to lose, right baby?

With new excitement, Marcus suddenly spoke, in a very deep voice. “Miin-ah…”

Sungmin was blowing out another smoke when he hummed in reply.

“Be ready. I won’t let you sleep after the game is over.” Told Marcus.

Small suspecting laugh was heard from the younger. “And why is that?”

Marcus curled his right lips, smirking wickedly as he answered. “Cause we’re going to celebrate my winning…” There was three seconds pause before he continued. “And I’m going to you so hard you won’t even remember your own name.”

*****

“Set finished, winning by Mr. Marcus.” Jonghyun’s voice was firm, breaking the silent room into a big crowd of applauses and cheering voices, including one particular boy with big smiles forming upon his face. Sungmin locked his arms around Kyuhyun’s neck, and kissed the older’s jaw in a flash. He felt natural to kiss the older right after his winning set, like a sudden reaction of happiness.

“Gentlemen.” Jonghyun spoke again. “We still have a lot of cards in our deck, so I will propose something.” The crowd gradually became quiet when Jonghyun continued.

There was no other voice aside from Jonghyun’s in Casino Palace. “Gamblers, lets have a death match and bet everything you have.”

“The winner will take all the money and be crowned as the champion.” Jonghyun’s voice echoed.

As if people were processing the information, the room went total silent for few seconds. One by one, whispers filled in, stating interest of the announcement. People who supported the idea already put their bet on the winner, and they who were against it, got disappointed because the game would be finished soon.

“Whatever… Death match or not, the game will be mine after all.” said Top, intimidating others with his confidence.

Kyuhyun diverted his eyes towards the speaker, observing the man’s expression.

“Why don’t we ask the second winner and let him decide?” Top spoke again, eyes replying Kyuhyun’s stare.

The rebel’s eyebrows were making a line when he answered coldly. “Sure. Why not?”

*CLAP!*

“Okay, we have a death match here, ladies and gentlemen!” Jonghyun exclaimed in high-spirit. Following the dealer’s mood, the audience also got excited, shouting and clapping in reaction. Everyone started to blabber about who’s going to be the winner.

Not waiting any longer, Jonghyun was giving out the cards for the last final round.

Two cards for Top.

Two cards for Marcus.

Two cards for Taecyeon, the other gambler.

“Alright, gentlemen. Same rules.” Jonghyun reminded. “Best luck.” His lips were smiling from ear to ear.

Almost at the same time, all gamblers peeked their cards to see the value. They still kept it for themselves, not revealing it yet. The three of them remained calm and collected when Jonghyun offered. “I’ll start in clockwise.” He turned to Top and as his voice started to speak again, Top cut him off with a very deep voice.

“Stand.”

Sungmin shivered a little bit hearing his voice. The confidence, the threat and the absolute decision were all there in Top’s voice.

“Very well.” Jonghyun smiled politely and turned to another gambler. “Mr. Taec?”

The person in question was quite hesitant as he answered. “Hit.”

Jonghyun quickly responded by putting another card for Taecyeon. Three seconds passed before Taecyeon decided to stand.

Finally, Jonghyun turned to the last gambler. His voice was in the same tone when he asked. “Mr. Marcus?”

Marcus froze in silent, not saying anything to reply. Just like everybody’s eyes in the room, the dealer was waiting for the gambler whose eyes fell upon the other gambler, Top. No one in the room could guess what was inside his head, including Sungmin. People only saw how Marcus eyes were pointing sharply in fierce towards Top.

Another few seconds passed, and his decision was still in question, making the situation more intense than ever. The dealer was about to ask Marcus the second time when a voice occurred.

“Stand.” said a roughly voice.

It wasn’t him. The voice didn’t belong to Marcus.

“I dare you to stand, Marcus.” Top spoke again, adding a cunning grin at the end of his words.

With eyes still focusing on Top, Marcus took a brief moment to think before he finally answered. “Why not?” A smirk drew on his face. “I stand.” He confirmed, getting himself an even wider smile from Top.

“Very well.” Jonghyun interrupted. “Now, gentlemen. Please reveal your cards on the table.”

The three gamblers flipped their cards open within the same moment.

“Blackjack.”

*****

“Hurry, Kyuhyun. It’s the right time for you to go.” With a quick motion, Hanna put several stuffs inside a backpack. “Don’t go back until everything is safe in here.” She put the backpack on the table and rushed to her room.

“You sure, you don’t want to come with me?” Kyuhyun who were struggling to get rid the buttons of his shirt, mumbled.

Hanna stomped out from her room, carrying a small box in her hand. “No, don’t worry. I’ll be fine in here.” She put the box inside the backpack. “I won’t let him touch me. Where’s Sungmin?” Her head turned sideways few times to look for the said boy.

Kyuhyun tossed his formal suit to the sofa and took a casual t-shirt. “At the parking lot with Zhoumi.” He quickly covered his body with the material.

“There is pumpkin pie in a small plastic ware inside your backpack, please give it to him.” Hanna’s words made her son paused.

Kyuhyun was in the middle of stooping down to take his leather shoes off when he heard his mother. “The , Mom??” He asked, face-showing belittlement.

Hanna startled. “What?”

“What the with giving him pumpkin pie like it was the most important at the moment??” Kyuhyun chuckled in disbelief while continued to change his shoes.

“He loves it.” Hanna reasoned, quite defensive by the sound of her pitching voice.

“Yeah, I know.” Kyuhyun put his sneakers on as he continued. “But come on. I’m your son, you’re not going to see me for quite a while, boss is probably chasing me out, and all you can think of is making sure that I give Sungmin pumpkin pie???”

“Oh, come on.” Hanna rolled her eyes in annoyance. “Don’t be such a drama.” She continued. “What else do you need?! You have everything ready, clothes, money, phone.”

Kyuhyun let her question hanging with no answer, as he was busy tying up his shoes. “Yeah, yeah. Thank you for your love, Mom.” He snapped in a sarcastic manner.

After he finished with the last knot, Kyuhyun stood up and grabbed his backpack from the table. “I’m leaving, Mom.” He turned to Hanna and took her face to give a peck on her lips.

Not long after, the young gambler walked in a quick pace towards the door, ready to leave his Mother alone.

“Kyuhyun!” Hanna suddenly shouted, halting Kyuhyun right away. The rebel turned his body around to see his Mom.

“Please take care of Sungmin.” Her voice told the boy.

What…

Kyuhyun frowned in reaction, feeling confuse.

“Sungmin…” She hesitated for a while. “…is a good boy…”

What…? What’s with this Sungmin issue…?

Kyuhyun kept his confusion inside his head.

Before Kyuhyun could get anymore clue from his suspicion, Hanna knocked him to reality by saying. “Go, now…” She added a smile at the end of her words. “I’m so proud of you my king of gambler.”

*****

Sungmin… is a good boy…

Hanna’s words spoke again in his mind.

Yeah, I know he’s a good boy…

Kyuhyun thought.

The young gambler was running towards the parking lot where he put his motor-bike, also the same spot he would meet up with Sungmin. He asked Sungmin to wait there and requested Zhoumi accompanying the President for the sake of safety precaution.

His eyes caught two figures further ahead at the corner of parking lot. One was tall like a tower, the other was delicately small, especially since he was standing close to the tall guy. Kyuhyun slowed down his pace when his eyes confirmed the two as Zhoumi and Sungmin.

Kyuhyun paused in his trance as he suddenly had a shock by the image presenting to him. His eyes captured Zhoumi getting close to Sungmin and kissing the latter.

“Hey!!!” Kyuhyun shouted out. His warning made Zhoumi stepped back and turned away to face the rebel.

“Come on, don’t be such a jerk.” The tall started to walk closer to Kyuhyun. “Besides, it’s just a friendly kiss.” He spoke while smiling flirtatiously.

Zhoumi was getting nearer to Kyuhyun when the latter replied. “Friendly-kiss my !!”

It made the laugh mockingly.

Zhoumi stopped beside Kyuhyun to add. “You should thank me, you know.”

“Tsk!” The rebel chuckled. “No, I shouldn’t ask you to accompany Sungmin in the first place.”

“Oh, really?” Zhoumi scoffed. “After doing few favors for you, is this what I get in return?” He teased the rebel more, smile still drawing on his face. “Trust me, you will definitely thank me later, handsome boy.” He patted Kyuhyun’s right shoulder before he continued his walk, leaving the lovers alone in the parking lot.

The made a closing remark by shouting from afar. “I demand a bottle of scotch!”

Kyuhyun heard Zhoumi’s voice echoing through the parking lot. Why and what the was referring to, Kyuhyun had no idea. He didn’t even bother to think about it twice. He just wanted to go back to the dorm with Sungmin on his side. That’s all.

Talking about Sungmin, Kyuhyun turned to the said boy, wondering why he was quiet all the time since he arrived. The rebel walked again towards the younger, eyes observing the small figure standing beside a motor-bike, hugging a crash helmet on his stomach. His face was down to look at the headgear.

Something was not right. Sungmin was too quiet. Kyuhyun had a hunch that it was something related to Zhoumi, or his ‘friendly kiss’.

The rebel kept walking closer to the other, keeping his anxiety at bay. When he was about two meters away from the younger, Sungmin looked up in a snap.

“Cho Kyuhyun!” The President blurted out.

Kyuhyun stay put on his spot right away, getting surprise with Sungmin’s sudden action.

They were exchanging glances on their respective position. Kyuhyun wrinkled in confusion, while Sungmin looked determined and eager.

“Listen to me.” Sungmin started again, making the older tense. “I’m sorry if I make you mad, angry and suffering during my stay in here.”

Kyuhyun’s face was clearly showing how lost he was. He completely had no clue what Sungmin was talking about. “Min-”

“Just listen to me!” The younger cut Kyuhyun off, startling the latter a little.

The rebel closed his lips shut, following Sungmin’s command.

“I’m sorry for all commotions that I made since I came here. And for all things that you need to do to comfort me.” The younger continued. “I learn many things and you help me to discover something about myself. For that… I apologize to give you the burden.”

What are you talking about…?? Why are you apologizing??

Kyuhyun couldn’t fathom anything from Sungmin’s words, he was clueless with him at the moment.

“Remember what you promised me?” asked Sungmin.

Promise?

Kyuhyun was thinking when he realized that Sungmin was waiting for his answer. “O-only you…” He stuttered, unsure. “For me, there’s only you…”

“Yes.” Sungmin nodded. “Only me, and there is no another.” A smile was creeping upon his face. “Thank you for not breaking your promise.”

Kyuhyun frowned more, and he was hesitating to reply. “But I-”

“No.” Sungmin shook his head, hugging the helmet tightly. “You never break your promise, Hyung…” He was smiling widely. “Not even once…”

Kyuhyun bulged out in surprise as he realized where their conversation was leading. “Th-that means…”

Sungmin nodded, confirming Kyuhyun’s suspicion. “Yes, Zhoumi sworn himself to death that he told me the truth.”

Kyuhyun chuckled in response, thinking how this explained Zhoumi’s reason having the right to be thanked. Well, one thing for sure, Kyuhyun owed a bottle of scotch to the .

“So… Can I go there and kiss you, now?” Kyuhyun teased, somewhat feeling relieved that he was keeping his own words.

Sungmin startled in surprise. “Yo-you’re not pissed off or something?” He asked.

“Pissed?” Kyuhyun frowned. “Why?”

“Because I punished you for doing something you’re not even do!” Sungmin explained. “Even worse, I’m the one who went kissing and flirting myself out with other people.”

Kyuhyun took his time to sigh, feeling tired to discuss their conflict. It’s in the past for god’s sake! And they solved it too, so Sungmin didn’t need to feel guilty. In the end, Kyuhyun also learned something from it. Right now, he didn’t give a damn about which one was fact and which one was misunderstanding.

After a while, he went saying “I don’t give a damn. I’m just happy that I’m still keeping my words to you.” He added a brief smile.

Sungmin chuckled and nodded.

“And can we just go back to our dorm, now?” asked Kyuhyun

Sungmin didn’t say anything to answer, only smiling wider in contentment.

*****

a/n: Hiiiii! It's been a while, isn't it? Truthfully, this chapter was still long way to go, but I have no time left to write, so I decided to post it as what it is. Sorry.

Well, hope everyone is happy and healthy, also enjoying this one! ^^