Prologue

“Are you sure you don’t want any dinner, hyung?”

Choi Seunghyun wrapped his arms around Daesung’s waist, resting his chin on the other’s shoulder, watching his fingers run under the clear trickle of the faucet while nuzzling his lips just behind the curve of his ear.

“No, I’m good. I don’t deserve to eat.”

“Oh shut up, hyung. You’ll find a job soon.” Daesung raised his arms above his head and locked his fingers together before putting them behind Seunghyun’s head, pressing their faces closer. “Being jobless doesn’t mean that you deserve to starve. I won’t let you.”

“God, you’re sweet,” Seunghyun mumbled, biting Daesung’s lower lip in a tease. Still in each other’s embrace, they walked over to the center of their moderate-to-decent, snug-at-most housing, drunk in their kiss like alcohol, but so much more addictive.

Seunghyun swung Daesung until they both fell on the couch, laughing off their high and holding each other’s head to ward off the dizzying sensation.

“Hyung,” Daesung began to start off in a breathless voice, reaching for Seunghyun’s hand that laid limp and pale between them, like a barrier. Like a warning.

“What is it?” Seunghyun replied, turning on his side to face him with wide, b eyes that spoke of nothing but affection for the boy in front of him. His eyes flitted to the window that was just above his head. “It’s getting dark,” he remarked, blinking.

“Do you love me?” Daesung burst out, gripping to his hand with tight, coarse fingers, chest heaving and cheeks flushing.

There was a small pause, not too awkward but not to be mistaken for comfort.

“Why do you ask?” Seunghyun finally said, inching closer to Daesung’s side, one hand sliding up his arm and around his shoulders.

“I dunno. Insecurities, mysterious, things that don’t make sense at all. I mean, you’re...you. Tall, handsome, hopelessly endearing. That smile could make anyone fall in love with you. I guess I just don’t understand why you chose to smile at me.”

Seunghyun frowned. “You’re not still thinking that I’m with you because of your dad’s company money, are you?”

“No, of course not! It just feels...surreal. Are you actually here, or am I just imagining this, and am I going to wake up tomorrow morning without you next to me?”

The hand cupped itself around his neck, rubbing the nape with a soft thumb. He smiled as Daesung leaned into the touch, his eyes fluttering to a close.

“I would never leave you,” he told him, his voice getting softer with each passing word. “I need you.”

Daesung smiled. “I love you.”

Seunghyun leaned in slowly, his other hand wrapping around the other side of Daesung’s trembling neck. His breath washed over the other’s face in a flurry of mint and allure.

“Hmm, you’re so good to me,” he whispered, lips brushing over the other’s. Their foreheads touched, and Seunghyun could feel Daesung’s heartbeat picking up its pace, drumming its way against his chest.

Crack.

Thud.

“Nice work, Choi.”

A pair of lean legs stepped over the fallen body, kicking it aside with the heel of his converse. Seunghyun stared at the body, rubbing his hands together like a cleansing ritual.

It was a clean snap, he had felt no pain. It was guaranteed.

“No blood, no foul,” Seunghyun responded simply.

“No blood, no fun. As I always say,” Jiyong corrected. “But I guess that’s why he wants you on cleanup duty. Tying up the loose ends, huh?”

It was almost like he was sleeping, eyes closed, except for the bruise that was snaking around his neck. The sound of his body hitting the floor rung in Seunghyun's ears, replayed itself over and over in his head. The break of the bones, his hands shoving the body off the couch.

“You know this wasn’t like that. This was real, this was important. He didn’t want any cops finding splatters of blood or bullets from guns in this apartment. He didn’t want to take any risk.”

Jiyong stepped closer, his head almost reaching Seunghyun’s chin.

“Are you saying that I’m reckless?”

“Bat- crazy,” Seunghyun commended him, smiling and putting a hand on his shoulder.

“Hmm, agreed,” Jiyong chuckled. Their lips met in a fierce spark, like the clasp of brilliant lightning illuminating the front lawn of their own home.

"I understand why the captain assigns you to all these cases with cute guys. You don't need to break their necks, you can make their hearts stop just by seducing them," Jiyong mused, his foot snaking its way up and wrapping around Seunghyun's calf.

They stood embraced within their scars and bruises, a gun hanging low on one belt and both lingering next to the dead body of another name soon to be crossed off on the crude List.

There was no room for regret, as the dead feel nothing but the epitome of oblivion.