What to do to talk again? What to do to break the uncomfortable silence? Should he apologies? But, why? He hadn’t done anything. Except, maybe, treat him as scumbag since he started working as his assistant. But that’s just how he has treated every assistant previous at him —which is why none of them lasted. It was part of their test. But then again, he had proved to be a lot much better than his predecessors. And Doojoon had known it since the beginning.

Then, why did Doojoon still treat him like that? To be fair, he reasoned. Why would he, the man who hated any assistant who wasn’t Gina, suddenly be nice to him? That would be suspicious. And he definitely didn’t want to be suspicious.

Since that time at the restaurant when he saw him after so many years, Doojoon had felt that weird thump in his heart as memories of a time where he had been so happy came to him. Suddenly he was a teenager again and was being introduced to the class president whose smile made his blood rush to his cheeks and his sister had to elbow him hard on the ribs so he could stop staring.

But he wasn’t a teenager, Yoseob wasn’t smiling and his sister wasn’t there with him. He was an adult now and so was Yoseob. Whatever had happened in the past had to be there, in the past, and it would never be part of their present.

“I wonder if Hyunseung could recognize Junhyung” Yoseob said suddenly, pulling Doojoon back from his thoughts. Doojoon had told him he had got in contact with Junhyung just recently when Yoseob asked about their friendship.

Now that Doojoon thought about it, he wondered it too. It was true that Hyunseung had seen Junhyung many times after he woke up from his long sleep —he hated the word “coma”—, but that was long time ago and they hadn’t seen each other in almost ten years. It could be as it could not be possible.

“I wonder that too” he admitted after some minutes of silence.

He was sure that, for an outsider, it would look as if he was playing hard to get while Yoseob tried his best to get them into good terms. He knew that, he was sure of it. That Yoseob was trying, he knew it. How couldn’t he after the younger’s every attempt to talk to him?

So of course that part of the guessing wouldn’t be far from true… And yet it wouldn’t be that close either.

Nobody knew, nobody would know anyway about the ongoing war in his head…

Should he act as if nothing had happened? No, that would be plain stupid because obviously not-nothing had happened. But maybe those weren’t important. Maybe it was just him making up things again, making wrong assumptions like he was proved he did many times before, minutes ago.  

“We’re here” Yoseob said when the cab pulled to the side as they reached Junhyung’s building. And Doojoon was so glad. Another five minutes in the cab and Doojoon was sure his head would explode while trying to find an answer.

It was a very large building in a nice area. There was a small park in front of it where some kids were playing, some couples were walking; and he had seen some grocery stores in the way, few blocks from there. It actually looked as a really nice place to live, a good place for families. If he just didn’t have to live in that house. But that was the deal with his parents so Hyunseung could come live with him, so he had to deal with it.

“1125” Yoseob read out loud the number of the apartment in the text Junhyung had send Doojoon —Doojoon had given him his phone since the last call with Junhyung. 

Great, now they had to be alone in the elevator.

Doojoon wasn’t claustrophobic, but he believed strongly that faith’s favourite place for unfortunate, coincidental, awkward events happened to be that rectangular box. Why? Probably because of the many movies and TV novels the maids at his house so much liked to watch. Other from that, he had no barely reason.

He even thought of taking the stairs. But he hadn’t slept all night, eaten nothing at all since the night before and in a damn hurry to inform his nephew he was grounded until further notice, so, yeah, he decided for the elevator.

Luckily for him another two young girls entered the elevator at the same time they did. He was about to get relaxed when the elevator stopped in the second floor and the two girls stepped out, living them alone in a really uncomfortable silence —not different from the cab, though.

3… 4… 5…

This damn thing went soooooo slow it was killing him.

From the corner of his eye he saw Yoseob peeking at him. He was too, probably, trying to find something to talk about.

 6… 7… 8…

“Thank you for coming with…” Doojoon started at the same time Yoseob said “I’m sorry to nose in…” and then both stopped midsentence.

Maybe if it were another situation, another people, they would have laughed. But they weren’t and it was actually uncomfortable as none of them said a single word. Yoseob was probably wondering why Doojoon was thankful, because it actually made no sense. And if Doojoon thought truthfully about it, Yoseob was indeed being nosy; he was nosing into Doojoon’s life when it had nothing to do with his job. None of the assistants before him had done it. Not like would dare, anyway. They were all too afraid of Doojoon. And Yoseob once again had proved to be different. He probably had known the implications of nosing into Doojoon’s life, but decided to take the risk. Of course he was doing it because of his job, but Doojoon liked to think that it was because he still cared about him. His reaction to the news of Hyunseung’s parents dead told him so.

“Well, you might have nosed a bit” Doojoon admitted. They were already in the eleventh floor and in front of the apartment 1125. “But I’m glad you did it”

Luckily for Doojoon the door was opened right then, so Yoseob didn’t have time to react.

As soon as the door opened they were greeted by a pretty girl —Hyuna, Doojoon guessed— with some kind of battle in the background. At first Doojoon thought it was the TV but with every step he took he started to recognize the voices of his best friend and his nephew.

“Make it stop!” his nephew yelled.

“I’m trying ok?!” then it was his friend.

“Ouch!”  then it was bout of them.

Ok, so as far as Doojoon knew, both his nephew and his friend were battling with something. For the sound of it he could guess it was water. Why? He had no idea.

“Can I go in?” Doojoon asked, wondering what exactly was going on there.

“Sure, but it’ll be of no use” Hyuna said as she shrugged her shoulders “they’ve been fighting since Hyunseung woke up”

That took Doojoon by surprise. They were fighting? Hyunseung was fighting?! That was a new. For all Doojoon knew Hyunseung had never fought with anyone in his life. Be it at school, the park or whenever he went, he was the kind of person who would get along easily with everyone

“You’re the one who broke it” Junhyung scolded. There was no water sound anymore.

“It’s not my fault your apartment is running down.” Hyunseung spat back. Oh, so he could defend himself. Doojoon couldn’t help but feel glad for it.

“It’s a brand new apartment” Junhyung said, offended “You just can’t handle techs.” And Junhyung had no idea how right he was. Hyunseung was just too bad with technology. He even needed Dongwoon to teach him how to use his phone.

“Yah! At least dry your hair! You’re gonna wet the carpet” Junhyung’s voice coming near made him stop his track of thoughts.

Doojoon turned to the voices and saw Junhyung throw a towel over Hyunseung’s head as they came out of what he suspected to be the bathroom.

“I can do it myself!” Hyunseung said as he tried to push Junhyung who was rubbing his head dry with a towel. He couldn’t blame his nephew; Junhyung ruffling his head way too hard after all.

Hyunseung tried to get away from Junhyung, but the older stopped him back using the towel in his head to pull him back.

They were so into their fight that Doojoon had to clear his throat to make them notice his presence.

“Oh, Doojoon-ah” Junhyung let go of Hyunseung the moment he saw the teen’s uncle in his living room. He knew how over protective his friend was, so he didn’t want to be misunderstood.  

“Hey Jun, seems like this kid has been giving you troubles”

“Not much more than what I usually have”

Noticing how his nephew hadn’t move a muscle since his name was mentioned, Doojoon suspected that he was afraid of how he might react.

If it was half an hour ago, he would surely be shouting at him for being reckless; but now that he was much more calmed, he was just glad nothing bad had happened to him.

“Dry your hair or you’ll catch a cold” Doojoon walked closer to the teen, took the towel and rubbed his hair dry. Hyunseung just let him, so he ruffled a bit harder to make him react.

“Are you mad?” Hyunseung asked in little voice while Doojoon dried his hair. He didn’t care about the rude way his hyung was drying his hair; he just wanted him not to be mad.

“Of course I’m not” he hugged his nephew feeling just glad that he was safe “but you’re still grounded until further notice”

There was a smile in Doojoon’s face and a pout in his nephew’s lips.

Doojoon apologised to Junhyung for the bother. He even tried to give him money for the broken faucet, but Junhyung admitted it hadn’t been working correctly for a while. And after that they left.

In the cab Hyunseung explained to Doojoon once again how things happened. For a moment Doojoon thought he had heard wrong when Hyunseung said “club” instead of karaoke, but when he repeated it he knew the one wrong was him. He threw a menacing glance toward Hyunseung and sure enough said teen knew exactly what was going threw his uncle’s mind.

“Would you have let me go if I told you the truth?”

Knowing his uncle well enough, Hyunseung knew that wouldn’t be the case. And somehow Doojoon felt guilty for it too. If he wasn’t such an over protective uncle he would have allowed Hyunseung to go —and pick him up later—, he wouldn’t have needed to lie and nothing of this would have happened. So, in part this was his fault.

“At least nothing happened”

“Oh, Yoseob-ssi, what are you doing here?”

Although he had been by Doojoon’s side the whole time, it was just until he spoke that Hyunseung noticed Yoseob’s presence. Well, maybe it was because he was in the front seat that Hyunseung hadn’t seen him until then.

“Well, we’re supposed to meet your grandfather’s friend, that’s why I came along” Yoseob explained even when, truth to be told, both he and Doojoon had forgotten about that while going to Junhyung’s place.

“Am I coming too, then?”

“Yes, you are” said Doojoon. “You’re grounded”

“But then I should stay at home” there was a hopeful smile on Hyunseung’s lips and Doojoon could tell he was already thinking on calling his friends over.

“Oh, right. Hyosung called earlier” Doojoon suddenly remembered. He took out his phone and gave it to Hyunseung “call her and tell her you’re not going to her place”

Mumbling incoherencies under his breath Hyunseung obeyed.

The rest of the ride and while they were waiting at the airport was mostly Hyunseung complaining to Yoseob about Doojoon being too strict on him or the teen chit chatting about anything with the assistant and ignoring his uncle. It somehow reminded Doojoon of the time when they were at the library; them chatting happily while ignoring Doojoon’s presence as if he wasn’t sitting practically between them —since he was sitting behind Yoseob. He didn’t really mind it at the moment, but he really hopped they wouldn’t leave him alone with his father’s friend.

John Richardson was the CEO of a British company and one of his father’s friends. Although Doojoon had met him just few times, he could say confidently that he didn’t like the man. Mostly because, although Doojoon had always made clear that he didn’t want it, the man would just always try to convince him to take over his father’s company whenever they met. It didn’t matter how many times he said he wasn’t interested, Richardson wouldn’t give up.

Even when Doojoon started his own business he wouldn’t stop and Doojoon was sure that this congress he had come to was just an excuse to talk to him and convince him.

But this time, Doojoon had been wrong. Since the moment he saw Hyunseung the man seemed to forget Doojoon was even the son of his friend. No matter what touristic place they were at or what Yoseob tried to tell him about it, Richardson seemed to just be interested in Hyunseung. He ignored them and just concentrated on the teen, telling him everything about the business world, how fun it was and bla bla bla.

Although Doojoon was glad he wasn’t the centre of his attention, he didn’t like the idea of the man trying to brainwash his nephew. He’s just fifteen. He’s supposed to be carefree not to care about his grandfather’s company. Whether or not he wanted to be in the business it was his decision.

“…if you keep your grades, you’ll be able to study whenever you want” Richardson was saying. Since he wasn’t able to catch Hyunseung’s attention by talking about business, he decided to change his tactic to studies.

“Mmm, I suppose that’s true” Hyunseung was concentrated on the chocolate cake in front of him and just answered mechanically.

“Of course it is. Have you thought about what are you gonna do in the future?”

“Not really. I’m just in first year”

“It’s never too soon to decide” Doojoon what Richardson was trying to do, so he signalled the waitress to bring the bill. While doing it, Doojoon noticed a slight frown on Yoseob’s brows. Perhaps he was tired and just wanted to leave already. Luckily the tour was over, so that gave Doojoon another reason to just call it off for the night.

“If I had to decide right now I would be a teacher” Hyunseung answered simply and finished the last bits of the cake.

Before anyone could say anything else the waitress brought the bill. He didn’t want a reason to stay any longer and give the man the chance to keep bugging his nephew, so he told the waitress to keep the change. And saying that he motioned for the other to get up.

“Well, you’re still unsure. Three years might change your mind” they were outside the restaurant and Richardson’s car had just arrived. He used his last chance to achieve his goal.

“Yes, it might. But even so, it will still be my decision” and with Hyunseung’s last words, Richardson said his goodbye.

Just when he was gone Doojoon was able to breathe at easy again. They were finally free.

Hyunseung said he was going to get a cab and left the two of them alone.

“I’m sorry you had to deal with us today” Doojoon apologised. True to be told, he was actually glad Yoseob was there.

“As long as you don’t make me deal with that man again…” Yoseob started, but then realized he was being very impolite “Sorry, I mean— I didn’t” he tried to apologize for what he had said, but it just made Doojoon smile.

Oh, so he hadn’t liked the man either. That was something they had in common.

“Don’t worry; I won’t” he said with a smile “as long as my father doesn’t sent him again”

“You’re father? I thought he had come to a congress?”

“A congress that I’m sure my father is paying”

“Why are you so sure?”

“Because he’s not an architect, neither his business has to do with it” Doojoon wasn’t an idiot. He knew very well that Richardson business was restaurants, and although his father had designed his restaurants, he had no idea about architecture. “Anyway, I’m sure my father won’t give up. I’m sure he will send him again to try to convince Hyunseung to take over the company” he said and suddenly turned to Yoseob with menacing eyes “You better not leave me alone then”

Although Yoseob had been a bit scared at first, he just laughed as Doojoon’s words felt like a bucket of fresh water on a hot summer night.

“Don’t laugh! I’m being serious here” Doojoon continued, though there was nothing serious in his voice. “If he comes again he might try to brainwash Hyunseung again”

“I don’t think you have to worry about that. For what I saw Hyunseung is very much able to handle people like him”

Yoseob was smiling while saying this and Doojoon couldn’t help but to stare at it. It was impossible not to; it was too enchanting. His eyes, his smile, his laugh; all him was too enchanting.

“Hyung, I got the cab!” it was just Hyunseung’s call that made him stop. And he was glad for that. God, he would have looked creepy while staring at Yoseob like that.

“Let’s go” Doojoon motioned Yoseob to follow Hyunseung, but the younger denied with his head.

“I live in the opposite direction” he explained. “So…”

“Oh, well, then”

That was such a shame. First because Doojoon’t didn’t know where Yoseob lived at; and second because he couldn’t even give him a ride. So, yeah, it was time to say goodbye, but Doojoon just didn’t want to. They had finally talked normally again. He was afraid that, if he let Yoseob go just like that they would go back to the same situation, but he didn’t know what to say to make it last…

“Do you wanna come?”

Yoseob raised an eyebrow.

Ok that wasn’t it.

“I mean, one of these days, to have dinner with us” that was better “Hyunseung would love you to” I would love you to. “Don’t worry, I won’t cook. God knows how bad I’m at it. Hyunseung cooks”

Although he looked surprised and, Doojoon dared to think, a bit excited, Yoseob seemed to be thinking thoughtfully about it.

“mmm, will you go to the Charity party next month?” he finally said, though it wasn’t what Doojoon was hoping to hear.

“Erm, no, it’s just a party for tightass people who pretend to care” Doojoon explained. He was disappointed, but if Yoseob cared about that kind of events, then he should just tell him what he thought of them. “I’ll just send my contribution and…”

“Are you going to the party?” he asked again and Doojoon was starting to get irritated. If he didn’t want to accept the dinner offer why couldn’t he accept that Doojoon didn’t want to…

Suddenly he fell in realization. He turned to Yoseob and looked at him with questioning eyes, to what the other responded with a raised eyebrow and a slight smile.

“Are you blackmailing me??!” Yoseob’s smile grew at that.

“Well, Gina said you didn’t like these kinds of events but, seriously, even if you don’t like them you need to go” Yoseob shrugged his shoulders and bitted his lower lip as he explained. “So, are you going?”

Doojoon couldn’t believe it. Yoseob was actually blackmailing him to have dinner with him.

“Whatever you decide, just know that I’ll find another way to drag you there”

“Hyung! Come on!” Hyunseung called again and he sounded kind of desperate.

“So?”

Doojoon should be mad; he was being blackmailed at, but he just couldn’t help but smile.

“Even if Hyunseung burns the food, you’ll eat it all!” He said with a smile and then ran towards the cab.

“Why are you so happy about?” Hyunseung asked when Doojoon finally got into the cab.

“Eh, me?” Doojoon hadn’t noticed until then, but, as his nephew said, he was happy. And there was a big wide smile adorning his face to probe it.

“Nothing, I’m just going to a party”

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH FINALLY!!!

I’m sorry, really really sorry for the delay. But, people you just have no idea what my life has been these last months.

First of all, my family is bankrupt. Not really, but seems like they can’t pay my studies. So, it’s been decided that I must drop my studies. I know that I should be understanding because, let’s face it, private college is not cheap and we don’t get money from trees (which we have a lot). But I couldn’t be understanding; I just couldn’t. My classes were supposed to start on march first. They started, but without me. And when I finally had internet access I read on FB how tired my friends were because of the classes at the hospital and the campus too; that the psychiatrist was a , that munra (a teacher as slim as a skeleton) was making their life impossible. And you know what? I would give anything to be complaining like them.

I’ve been in depression since then and closed myself in my room.

Childish, stupid, selfish and useless. I know. But at that time that’s just how I felt. I couldn’t write a single line of this fic because I simply couldn’t connect myself with the characters (since that’s how I write).

Luckily, I slapped myself hard and came back. I decided I wasn’t going to let myself drop school. Maybe I can’t go back this year, but next year I will. I decided to work. I’m tutoring kids now (who would even think that, considering how hard is for me to deal with the little demons, aka, kids) and dad has two jobs too.  

And thanks to that to I started writing again.

My apologies to all of you. It’s not an excuse and I don’t expect you to read everything. That’s why the font is different.

Anyway, this chapter was hard to write. I’m not sure why, but dooseob is quite troublesome. Next chapter, I find it cute. I’ll be posting it next week. :D

Please do comment.

Saranghae~~~

Your ty author, Natsuki

PD: there are three songs that had been in my head the whole week: Block B - Nillili mambo, 2YOON 24/7 and  M4M sadness. Weir combination, I know.