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Donghyuck paced back and forth down the promenade with his arms wound around his waist and expression concerned. It had been about two days since he had seen Jaemin, and that fact alone sort of bothered him since they usually met up somewhat regularly (typically by accident).

It was a bit excessive for a normal person to be pulling their hair over a two day absence, but when it came to mafia members, disappearance meant potential death. Jaemin, for all Hyuck knew, could've been dead in a ditch, and that terrified him.

Should I just go to his house? He pondered with vast amounts of agitation. The river was splashing at the sides of its confines, seemingly reaching towards the leader as a taunt. But he hates it when I show up unannounced.....Actually, when has that ever bothered me?

He glanced in the general direction he would need to go if executing this idea. Would he really degrade himself enough to show concern for a boy who probably genuinely didn't want to see him? Would he risk knocking on Jaemin's door and demanding an explanation for why he hadn't been around?

Damn it, Donghyuck wasn't like other members.

His feet were guiding him towards the apartment complex before he had even made the actual choice in his head. One step after the other, one doubt fading after another.

Jaemin was flopped against his couch, staring at his ceiling blankly and listening to a pathetically mundane tune stream from the radio in the next door kitchen. The orange sky through his window cast a golden light over his form, creating an angelic picture with a secret devil inside it. The shadows that moved with the lowering sun shifted across his face and accentuated his enviable contours such as his cheekbones and jawline.

As his eyes fluttered closed to further relax, a single thought that had been plaguing his mind for two days was still there; still chewing his nerves. He had a 'date' with Jeno tomorrow night, and one he was extremely nervous for. This would surely lead to the same hell he ran from all those months back....but what could he say? He was a sucker at the worst of times.

When rest finally started inviting itself in, three heavy knocks to the front door had the male snapping his eyes straight back open. Jaemin waited, laying against the couch and counting the seconds until another three knocks sounded across his apartment. He sighed dramatically, sitting up and ruffling hair with irritation before slowly edging towards the door. He grabbed his precious handgun off the coffee table before moving, getting closer and closer until yet another, single knock was hit.

"This fucker," the blonde muttered under his breath as he hid the gun behind his back and reached for the knob. It was probably some child hoping to sell cookies or something, but that wasn't a reason for the killer to soften.

He yanked the frame open, gripping the weapon behind him and groaning at the sight of Donghyuck playing with one of his fearful daggers.

"Took you long enough," the older sighed, jabbing the sharp edge at Jaemin's face, but not close enough to touch him. He proceeded to move forward this way, backing the blonde up into the small hallway while closing the door behind him. "So, you were avoiding me?"

"What?" The taller couldn't help but scoff. He wasn't petty enough to avoid people. If they truly bothered him, he got rid of them. He stealthily held up his gun to show he did have a defence, though this seemed to matter very little to Haechan.

"You haven't been around, Jaemin. Why?"

Is he serious right now? I only stayed inside because I had no reason to go out.....and that annoying kid he works with irritated me. "Give me a good reason to avoid you, Hyuck. Seriously."

"I don't know!" He lowered the dagger down by his side, "We usually bump into each other here and there...I was just worried..."

"About?"

"Ugh! So fucking insensitive!" Donghyuck growled before starting to pull his coat off and fling it to the back of the sofa. "Clueless."

Am I being attacked? Jaemin wondered, yet decided to let the other blow off some steam, and instead wandered off to the kitchen to make some coffee. Donghyuck watched his every move with bated breath, genuinely just thankful that the younger answered the door. With such a long response time, he really did start to worry that something sinister had happened to him.

He was worried out of his mind, and properly felt how Renjun must've everyday for the first time.

"Espresso?!" The blonde called from within as the older collapsed onto the couch to relax.

"Is there a reason I need to stay awake?"

"Maybe."

The brunette smirked to himself while staring out at the darkening sky, "So ominous," he whispered.

After about ten minutes of back and forth shouting and ridiculous comments, Jaemin finally wandered back inside and handed the adult his coffee. "So," he started, "Why so panicked? Uneasy, even."

"You've noticed? So you aren't completely blind?"

The younger sneered, "I can read a damn mood quite well, Asshole. So what is it? Why are you upset?"

Because you weren't around.... "Wouldn't you like to know, pretty boy. I just felt like killing some time, so I came over."

"Whatever. Go kill that time with someone more amusing, yeah? Someone who's better company than me."

Hyuck arched his brow in surprise as the taller sat down on the other end of the sofa with a dark look in his eyes. "I'm sorry, what?"

"You heard me. Surely there's other people more....fun, than I am."

"Jaemin, where are you getting this from? I like hanging out with you-"

"Go back to work or something."

What in the world is he....Is he talking about Jisung? Has he seen him? Oh god, am I being too lax while at work? "Can I make a wild guess here?"

The younger waved him on as he sipped his hot drink, looking unbothered until the brunette shared with him his hunch.

"You're jealous, aren't you?"

Spit. The dark brown liquid sprayed to the side as Jaemin coughed for a brief twenty seconds. "What?!"

"Jealousy. You're jealous that I have friends, aren't you?" Donghyuck continued to tease regardless of whether he was right or not. It was actually very unlikely that the 'soulless' young adult cared enough about him at all, but this was a fun game for now.

"I've never been jealous before in my life, Genius. Why would I be that way inclined for you?"

Ow. That was a bit sore... "I was joking, okay? It was a joke."

"How very humourless of you."

"Wow, I see your point. Maybe Jisung is better company."

That alone struck a strange cord with the ex-mafia member. His heart did a strange flip thing while his stomach dropped as though he was sick. Perhaps he was sick. Sick in the head.

Before Jaemin had even thought through his actions, his whole body had bolted forward, dragged Donghyuck towards him by his legs and caged him against the sofa. His breathing was laboured now, for no other reason than adrenaline.

The older couldn't even find his own words as he gave two weak tugs against the other's tight hold on his wrists and gave up. His eyes were utterly captivated as he stared up at the blonde, unbothered by this position.

"Say it again..." Jaemin whispered hoarsely as he brought their faces closer. Their breaths actually intertwined with their close proximity, urging the feeling both were experiencing inside.

"S-Say what? Hm?" Damn it, I didn't sound confident at all! Stupid fucking voice!

"Go on. Tell me I'm better company."

"You were the one who said you weren't."

"Usually the queue for one to disagree," he murmured before lowering his head to rest beside the older's cheek. The feeling of his voice against his ear had Donghyuck shivering involuntarily.

"Then..." he hummed lightly while subtly separating his legs for Jaemin to lay between, "Want me to lie?"

"Bullshit. I'm the best company you'll ever find," he chuckled before connecting their lips in a sinful kiss that both knew wasn't right on so many levels. At first, it was like instant sparks, instant fireworks. They didn't feel any hesitation to meld their mouths together in a somewhat love-filled dance. Hyuck's hands were released and he pulled them up to run through the taller's hair. The feeling of this man resting against his body, so warm and so close was amazing...

These movements already surpassed what Renjun ever allowed. Obviously the young boss respected his boyfriend and his trauma...but he was still a boy, and he still had needs.

"J-Jaemin," he gasped for air as he pulled away and tried to sit up; key word being 'tried'. "We shouldn't be doing this. Oh my god, what if Renjun-"

"He won't find out. He's not psychic."

"Y-You don't know him like I do."

"Don't I? Baby," he teased, leaning in again to suck along his jaw, "Renjun is basically my brother. I know him like I know my gun. He's a bastard."

"He's a good person, which is why I don't think you know him well enough. There are so many nice points about him, th-that you haven't remembered..." He chose to stop talking when it was evident in his voice how aroused he was. He shouldn't have been this way. Not for Jaemin.

A kiss was a kiss. It meant nothing. But anything further was crossing the line in the sand.

"I...I can't do this to him. I'm sorry," he murmured, caressing the younger's cheek all the same and he didn't even realise how upset he was. The stray tear escaping his duct went unnoticed by him, yet Jaemin could see it running clear as day, and kissed it to intercept its course.

"Mmm. Wouldn't want feelings," Jaemin joked while making a disgusted face and sitting up. "Went down that road before, and it ended in flames."

"Wh-What? Feelings?"

"Yeah, those. As soon as I catch a sign of them, it's a big game over for me. I hate the concept of being tied down, of being so human."

"So.....So you don't fall for people? You won't let yourself?"

"I won't let others either," he winked, standing up and grabbing their half full mugs of cold coffee to replace them with new ones. "Good thing we're both psychos, right?" He leaned down and pressed a kiss to his forehead once more. "Shame you have a nasty boyfriend. This could've been fun."

Stab. Stab. Stab. Each word was like one dagger to the chest after another, one bullet to the heart after another. It hurt so bad, to Donghyuck, but for what? This was safer. He just needed to forget about it. "You know," he called with a weak voice, "I'd consider you a friend. Do you?"

Jaemin wandered back in with a face that could've been described as 'concerned'. "I'm sorry, did you say 'friend'?"

"Yes. Problem?"

"Well....no. I just don't have them. If I'm your friend, does that make you mine by default?"

"As a mafia gang leader, I'm going to say yes. You have to reciprocate," he snickered at the strange concept. "Why? You don't like me? You don't want to be my friend?"

"Honestly, no. I don't want potential collateral damage in my life....but I suppose I can stick you out, Mister."

"You're so unromantic, it's actually sad."

"I do try, Love." Jaemin slowly edged towards him with a quizzical expression, sort of pondering in a slight daydream before he walked towards a seemingly unused cabinet to the side. He reached into it, taking out something shiny before closing the little wooden door. "Actually...I suppose you're the only person I can think to give this to."

"Give what? Is it a weapon?"

"Something like that," the younger muttered before standing straight again and moving to sit down beside him. His hands extended in front of him, within them perching two chrome bracelets that matched.

"Are you proposing to me?" Hyuck tried to make light of the situation, yet inside, he was heating up and screaming.

"Who'd want to marry me, Idiot? Anyway, these are basically trackers, for lack of a better word. When one of us presses this clip here," he pointed to one of them, "The other gets a signal informing them that they're in trouble or whatever. I only ever give the other to someone I trust will come for me..."

"How does the tracking work?"

"It will beep continuously if you're in the right direction, and stop if you're heading the wrong way. The whole thing speeds up upon reaching your destination. Get it?"

"I-I think so. Does this mean you trust me?"

"For now. I'm..." he sighed tiredly, latching his one around his wrist before doing Donghyuck's for him. "I'm about to do something I don't feel comfortable with. I'm going to meet someone..."

"Someone dangerous?"

"Kinda. I'm weak to this person, and I'm suspecting a trap. If you hear this thing telling you I'm in trouble, please respond. I-I don't think I'll make it out without you if things actually go wrong. I don't think they will though. He's an old friend of mine."

The older pursed his lips with a hint of his own jealousy. "Is this the guy that you used to sleep with?"

"Yup, that's him. So, are you in? Can I trust that you'll come for me?"

".....Yeah. I'll come for you."

Jaemin smiled cutely, jingling his bracelet on wrist as a promise and standing again to head back to the kitchen.

Donghyuck simply sat there, staring off into the night beyond the window and trying to regulate his weird breathing pattern.

What did this mean?

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