The strength of a given magnet is sometimes given in terms of its pull force— its ability to move (push/pull) other objects.

In 17 years’ life of Lee Sungmin, never at once he confronted this kind of situation, taking care of someone who badly injured. He was the one who always received care or treatment by others, not the other way around. Of course the blonde had boy’s scouting in junior high, he also had first aid training during his martial arts private lesson, and yes, he knew how to treat injured person, at normal level, since he took taekwondo. But those experiences were nothing compare to treat a battered person who barely even stand with blood all over his stomach. As perfect as he always been in many things, it was just too much for Sungmin’s league.

When the blonde opened his door and found Kyuhyun, he stood frozen in his position. A shocked feeling overwhelmed Sungmin who rooted at the frame door. Sungmin who had a very good neural response, would react immediately in these kind of emergency situation. But it was unusual circumstances. Sungmin stunned, he was distraught.

After couple of seconds diving in his own amusement, the rebel’s head movement to have a glance at him made Sungmin back to his senses. Sungmin finally alarmed with the urgent condition in front of his eyes. He took Kyuhyun’s right arm, hooked it securely around his shoulder and grabbed Kyuhyun’s waist, supporting the rebel to stand. Slowly and carefully, Sungmin lead Kyuhyun to walk inside his room.

When they made their second step, Kyuhyun hissed and Sungmin stopped in an instant. Concerned face was clear on the blonde’s face who tilted his head to the other’s direction. “Sorry... Does it hurt?” Sungmin knew it was a stupid question slipped out from his mouth. Of course Kyuhyun was hurt, his injury was a clear evidence. But the blonde couldn’t think clearly right now. Panicked feeling inside him grew stronger as the usually snarky rebel didn’t give any reply and Sungmin could feel Kyuhyun’s arm turned cold because of his sweat. In a rush yet still very careful, Sungmin dragged Kyuhyun to his couch, and laid the taller man in a sitting position, his back was on the backrest of the couch.

Kyuhyun was sweating, his head rested helplessly on the backrest, his face looked pale, and his breathing was uneven. After few seconds of examination and calming himself, Sungmin left Kyuhyun for a while and came back with a towel. He carefully took a seat on the left side of the injured man and ready to wipe his sweat.

When the towel almost reached the rebel’s forehead, Kyuhyun flinched his head away making Sungmin stopped his movement. “I-I...just want to wipe your sweat...” the usually calm and firm President was stuttered a bit.

Kyuhyun turned his head and glanced at the blonde. Sungmin looked blurred in his vision right now. With a heavy breath and haggard-eyes, he replied “...yeah, it’s just my self-defence instinct...” he reasoned weakly.

Sungmin could recognize the other’s eyes turned softer afterwards. “...It’s okay... I understand...” From the fact sheets his Secretary gave him, Sungmin knew that Kyuhyun had a rough and hard life outside school. He was raised in Dukryang, a border area of Boseong City, that also well-known as a criminal neighbourhood. Law didn’t apply there, only the mob rule of ‘kill or get killed’. Always alarmed was all Kyuhyun needed to survive, it always been a part of his lifestyle. And Sungmin was very much aware of that.

Right now, the blonde couldn’t help but to concern with Kyuhyun’s condition. He threw away the fact of their ‘exchanging hate words’ lover’s relationship that they had for past few days. “You... you safe here.” Sungmin whispered words of guarantee to Kyuhyun. He lifted his hand once again, in order to wipe Kyuhyun’s sweat which the other did not refuse this time.

thumped

It happened again, Kyuhyun got his usual heartbeat when he felt the warmth of Sungmin’s hands through the towel on his face. However this time, it was calmer than usual. His blood pressure did not increase rapidly. Kyuhyun thought his body betrayed him when he realized that his body turned relax. Trapped in his own confusion and denial, Kyuhyun’s mouth released a small, and rather friendly, chuckle.

It sounded nice in Sungmin ears. He couldn’t help but to smile unconciously while continued to rub the towel gently on the other’s face. Both of them fell in a peaceful silence afterwards.

When rubbing the other’s face and neck, Sungmin examined Kyuhyun’s condition closely. Lacerations on his face, bruises on his hands and blood on his stomach was making Sungmin worried that if it were not treated immediately, it would bring a serious permanent impact for Kyuhyun. Cho Kyuhyun needed a proper treatment for his injuries. That was the only thing in Sungmin’s mind right now.

Shortly after he finished, Sungmin turned his body to reach for his phone on the sidetable. Emergency hospital number were pressed and Sungmin’s hand was in track to bring his phone close to his ear when Kyuhyun halted his movement. “Wh-what are you doing?” he asked breathlessly.

Sungmin narrowed his eyes before answered “Calling the hospital, you need-“

“Don’t.” Kyuhyun cutted him sternly. His tone sounded threatening.

Sungmin was staring at Kyuhyun in disbelief “But you were-”

“I said don’t!!” Kyuhyun raged and grabbed the phone from Sungmin harshly. “I don’t need the hospital, I don’t need doctors, I can manage my own body!!” Kyuhyun said in command, his dark eyes glared fiercely towards Sungmin.

It was shocking for Sungmin to receive that kind of reaction from the other. Seconds ago he was slumped weakly, and now Kyuhyun berserked over a small thing. He only had a good intention to help Kyuhyun, no hate or grudges involved. Of course he care for Kyuhyun and willing to help him in a situation like this. Both of them were human, who had a lot of emotions, including consciences. With a jumbled up feeling, Sungmin released a heavy sigh before said “Then why are you showing up here if you didn’t need any help?” his pleading eyes telling that he felt upset.

He held his gaze on the other. “I thought we already agreed with our schedule... Tonight is our session rite?” Kyuhyun’s tone was more stable than before.

What?

Sungmin couldn’t believe at the unpredictable words coming from the other boy. He was ready to receive another wrath, and suddenly a cooperation words spoken by Kyuhyun.

A small agape form on Sungmin’s mouth was spotted in Kyuhyun’s eyes. Once again, he felt his own body betrayed him when the thought of Sungmin looking adorable that way, running wild in his head. With a lot of effort to maintain his composure, Kyuhyun continued “I know... I skipped two sessions before. But I have a good reason for that.”

In Lee Sungmin’s honest opinion, he could say that he was shocked and vaguely suspicious. “You want me to believe that? You realize your own condition now, right?” Sungmin gave a skeptical look. “Why bother coming? It’s too much effort and sacrifice for you to come here.”

The lineament on Kyuhyun’s face was changing again. His facial expression started to get tense. “I got attacked when I was walking here okay! Two jerks popped out of nowhere and of course I defended myself! It’s not my planned to get into a fight.”

Oh.

Sungmin was speechless. He was wrong before.

Kyuhyun seemed pissed off with Sungmin’s distrust words as he continued “So much for a respect! Never thought you were this y President.” He snapped.

If Ryeowook called him , maybe Sungmin would laugh it off as a joke. It was another different story if it came out from Kyuhyun’s mouth. Hearing the ‘b’ word, Sungmin got offended. No one would like to be called a from your 4-days-only-and-not-in-a-good-term boyfriend. “You’re the one who needed to stop being a jerk! Respect you say? If you wanted a respect, then you need to respect me as the owner of the room when you stepped into my dorm.” With an equal annoyance in his tone, Sungmin continued “My room, my rules! And that means let me help you with that.” He was refering to Kyuhyun’s injuries.

Kyuhyun glared darkly at Sungmin. His eyes provoked a challenge that was gladly received by the blonde. Sungmin’s implicit affection towards Kyuhyun was confined with the hostile situation. The substance of their arguments were not important right now since it was a matter of pride that desperately fought by the two boys. If glaring could kill, they both would be dead by now.

Despite all injuries he got, Kyuhyun had an energy to short the distance between him and Sungmin. He fixed his face a mere milimeters in front of Sungmin and groaned. “Rules were not applied for me.” Kyuhyun pointed out with excessive complacency.

Sungmin hitched with the sudden invasion of his personal space. He felt uncomfortable. Kyuhyun was too close for Sungmin’s liking. His glare and deep voice suffocating him to the point he almost forgot to breath. The only way he could escape was by closing his eyes and stared blankly at anything on Kyuhyun’s face other then his eyes. Dealing with a rebel and trouble-lover like Kyuhyun needed a lot of strength from Sungmin.

After taking a deep breath to calm himself, Sungmin smiled “Funny, how you don’t following rules but you demand a respect...” Sungmin had enough dealing with a selfish jerk who loves making excuses to protect his pride goes by the name Cho Kyuhyun right now. If Kyuhyun wanted arguments, it was not tonight, not after a long day of school’s, club’s and council’s activities. “You are free to go now if you think you can manage all things by yourself with injuries like this. I wont started our sessions until you got treatment.” Sungmin said with a smug.

What?!

Unbelievable. Sungmin was making it very hard for him. Who was he dared to put a threat on Cho Kyuhyun?

“ you!! I never signed for this! It was all your idea remember?! And when I got beaten on my way here, because I want to attend ‘our sessions’ you shooed me away?!” His hate and anger was clearly shown by the high tone of his voice. Kyuhyun forgot about his pain on his stomach, or all his bruises, he just too pissed to care about it now. If Kyuhyun was not injured, a fist or two would totally thrown to the blonde’s pretty face.

Whatever Sungmin would say or react, Kyuhyun decided to left the blonde President and all matters related to him behind, including their stupid agreement. Kyuhyun needed huge amount of energy to stand considering his current condition right now. But he unaware of it, he burried down the pain until he felt immune to his system.

Kyuhyun was almost standing tall when Sungmin caught the red blood spot on his shirt getting larger than before. Kind hearted as he was, the fact of Cho Kyuhyun’s injuries getting worse and needed treatment as soon as possible, made Sungmin’s mind change in a snap.

Almost immediately, the blonde stood up and grabbed the other’s arm, detaining him to walk away. “You!” Kyuhyun turned his head and stared defiantly at him. His dark eyes was sending a thrill to Sungmin.

The blonde was resisted for few seconds before continued “God! Why is it so hard with you! I just worried you jerk! I was offering you a help, not trying to kill you!!” Sungmin’s round eyes almost bulged out and his body was shaking. He was furious. “What’s the matter with you?! Why do you always take it the wrong way!” he grabbed Kyuhyun’s arm tighter it made the other boy wrinked his face. “You’re talking about respect, huh?! Show your respect to me, your boyfriend who worried and want to help you!” he was almost out of breath when he finished spilling his exasperation.

One round of glaring battle between the lover tonight was not enough as they sent their negative vibe to each other through their eyes once again, making it into a second round. It felt tense and horrible for Sungmin. Tense because of Kyuhyun’s dark eyes fixed abosolutely on him. Horrible because his anxiety could be detected by the other based on his sweaty palm which was holding Kyuhyun ‘s elbow.

The only sound that audible was the clock sound coming from Sungmin’s grandfather clock. Almost a minute passed and it was Sungmin who initiated to warm the cold moment between them. Sungmin released his breath, and relaxed his tensed shoulders. His sharp eyes creased down in a gentle manner.

Sungmin’s gesture was reciprocated, without him notice, Kyuhyun also eased up his body afterwards while maintaining his eyes on Sungmin. Their eyes still fixed on each other though the tension was almost gone. Maybe Kyuhyun realized it was wasting his time if he keep persistent, or maybe he just tired to argue anymore, whatever it is, Kyuhyun couldn’t restrain his lips to move upwards and release a chuckle.

Sungmin definitely believed that Kyuhyun’s small laugh was a ridiculous-type one, without the usual hate or negative vibe. And it trigerred his brain to send a command to his lips to make a giggle.

Their small happy feeling continued as Kyuhyun deepen his laugh and Sungmin giggled more and louder. The mingling sounds of silly laughters between Kyuhyun’s deep voice and Sungmin’s falsetto was really fresh to hear.

“Have you realized that you sounded ridiculous talking about boyfriend things?” Kyuhyun said between his laugh.

Still giggling, Sungmin replied “yyess....” His eyes were getting wet because of his non-stop laughes. “But you started it...”

“Nagging .” Though it full of sarcasm, the way Kyuhyun said it with his dark smiling eyes and joking chuckles, made Sungmin laughed even more.

“Hell of a jerk.” With glittered eyes due to the tears, Sungmin said back.

For the first time, both of them indulged in their very own sincere happiness.

*****

a/n: Why do I feel unsatisfied with this chapter? Well, I just hope you can find a way to enjoy this one. Annndd... Workload asking for more attention these days and going on forward... To put it simple, late update guys!