“Jeonghan.” Seungcheol spoke softly, breaking the silence that had enveloped the room after their lovemaking. He continued to trace patterns on Jeonghan’s skin with his fingers, the soft touch a soothing balm to his now sore and sensitive body.

Jeonghan hummed and opened his eyes, looking up at Seungcheol with a sleepy and sated expression. He loved the way he said his name, the way it sounded so gentle and almost loving. He nuzzled his face into his chest and spoke  “Yes?”

Jeonghan paused for a moment, mulling over Seungcheol question. He could feel the his body tensing slightly, anxiously awaiting his response.

Seungcheol tangled his fingers gently in Jeonghan's hair and spoke softly “It's alright if you aren't comfortable. I don’t want to label it if you don’t want to.”

Jeonghan let out a soft sigh, his body relaxing again as he heard Seungcheol response. He didn’t know if he ready to label whatever this thing was between them either, but he didn’t want it to end. He snuggled closer to him, feeling the other man’s warm and firm body against his own.

“I don’t want it to end,” he mumbled against his chest.

Seungcheol tightened his arms around Jeonghan, holding him closer and more protectively at his words. He couldn’t deny the feelings that the thief stirred in him, the possessiveness and desire that burned bright whenever Jeonghan was near him.

He planted a soft kiss on Jeonghan’s head and spoke gently “It doesn’t have to end, Jeonghan. Not if you don’t want it to”

Jeonghan felt a rush of relief and happiness at Seungcheol words, the fear of losing whatever it was that was building between them slowly fading. He couldn’t deny the intense feelings that sparked in him either, the way the Seungcheol made him feel things he had never felt before.

He looked up at him, his eyes searching the other man’s face for any hint of insincerity, but all he saw was honesty and a hint of vulnerability.

“I don’t want it to end either,” he said softly

"I willl take care of you and Haneul until we find your boss." Seungcheol says with determination in his eyes.

Jeonghan felt a mixture of gratitude and disbelief at his words, the offer taking him by surprise. He had known that he was a powerful and a dangerous man, but he had never expected him to offer to protect not only Jeonghan himself, but also his son.

“You…you would do that?” Jeonghan asked softly, his voice filled with a hint of awe and wonder.

Seungcheol nodded, his grip on Jeonghan tightening possesively. “Yes, Jeonghan. I would take care of both you and Haneul, until you find your boss.”

His voice was firm and sincere, the conviction in his words not leaving any room for doubt. He had never felt this protective of someone before, but something about Jeonghan and his son brought out a possessive side in Seungcheol.

Jeonghan was speechless for a moment, his mind reeling from his offer. He had never let anyone get this close to him and Haneul before, but Seungcheol words made him want to trust him, to open up and let him into his life.

Jeonghan looked up at SCoups, his eyes searching the other man's face for any hint of deception, but all he saw was determination.

"Why...why are you doing this?"

Seungcheol paused for a moment, his eyes locked with Jeonghan's, searching for the right words to express the feeling that he himself didn't quite understand. He tightened his hold on Jeonghan once again, wanting to keep the him close.

"I don't know," he admitted softly, his voice low and gravelly with emotions he wasn't used to feeling. "But I feel compelled to protect you and Haneul. To keep you safe."

Jeonghan's heart fluttered at his words, the protectiveness was doing things to him that no one had ever done before. He knew he should be wary, should be hesitant to trust someone like him, but something about Seungcheol made him want to throw caution to the wind.

He snuggled closer to Seungcheol, burying his face in the other man's chest and breathing in his scent

"Okay," he whispered softly.

Seungcheol felt a satisfied surge inside him at Jeonghan's agreement, the thief's words only fueling the possessive fire that burned within him. He held Jeonghan closer to him, his arms wrapping around him in a soft embrace.

"Don't regret it," he warned, his voice low. "Once I protect and take care of what's mine, I don't let go. Now go to sleep"

Jeonghan chuckled softly at his playful tone, but he couldn't deny the feeling of being safely cocooned in the other man's arms. He snuggled closer to Seungcheol, burying his face in the crook of his neck and breathed in his scent.

"Yes sir," he responded jokingly, his voice filled with amusement. But his heart felt warm and content as he closed his eyes and let himself drift off to sleep in his arms.

Seungcheol couldn't hold back a small smile at Jeonghan's response, his heart feeling warm and fond as he snuggled closer to him and closed his eyes. He pulled Jeonghan even closer, wanting to keep him safe in his arms all night.

He rested his cheek on Jeonghan's head and closed his own eyes, listening to the soft and steady sound of Jeonghan's breathing as he also drifted off to sleep.

Time passed quickly and soon a few days had gone by
Seungcheol had kept his word and taken care of Jeonghan and Haneul, making sure they were comfortable and safe in his penthouse.

The members too took care of Haneul, playing around and spending time with him. The three of them had fallen into a routine, with Jeonghan spending his days with Seungcheol and Haneul, and the nights spent in each other's arms sometimes.

Jeonghan had grown accustomed to the luxury and security of Seungcheol penthouse, the wealth and extravagance of his surroundings no longer intimidating him as much as it had at first.

Haneul had quickly grown fond of Seungcheol, the boy following the gang leader around with wide and curious eyes everywhere.

One evening, as Jeonghan and Seungcheol sat together on the couch in the living room, watching Haneul play with a set of toy blocks, Jeonghan spoke up.

"Hey, Seungcheol. " he said softly, a hint of hesitation in his voice.

Seungcheol glanced over at Jeonghan, sensing the hesitation in his tone. He turned to face him, giving him his full attention.

"What is it?" he asked, his voice a low and gentle rumble.

Jeonghan took a deep breath, collecting his thoughts
"Can I ask you something personal?" he asked, his eyes meeting his gaze.

Seungcheol studied Jeonghan's face for a moment, silently curious. He nodded, giving Jeonghan permission to continue. "You can ask me anything, Jeonghan," he said, his voice soft and steady.

Jeonghan bit his lip, the question that had been on his mind for days now burning in his throat.

"I have asked you before still. Why me?" he finally asked, his voice barely above a whisper "Why do you want to keep me and Haneul safe? Why do you care about us so much?"

Seungcheol was caught off guard by Jeonghan's question, but he didn't hesitate with his answer. He reached out and took Jeonghan's hand in his, his fingers interlacing with him as he spoke.

"I can't explain it," he said, his voice soft and low "There's just something about you, about both of you, that draws me in. Something that makes me want to protect you and keep you close."

"But why.."  Jeonghan spoke "I am grateful that you helped me and save Haneul from the kidnapping still I am just a thief."

Seungcheol held Jeonghan's hand a little tighter and spoke firmly. "I don't care that you're a thief," he said "That part of you doesn't matter to me. You're more than just a thief. You're a father who would do anything to protect his son. You're strong, and brave, and kind. And I care about you."

Jeonghan felt a lump form in his throat at Seungcheol words, the intensity and sincerity overwhelming him. He couldn't understand why Seungcheol saw him like that, why the other man could look past his flaws and see something good in him. But he couldn't deny how those words made him feel, how they warmed his heart and filled him with a strange sense of hope.

"I haven't.. never told Haneul the truth I don't know what to say to him that I don't work just like a normal father would do." Jeonghan spoke looking at Haneul who was playing with the blocks.

Seungcheol followed Jeonghan's gaze to Haneul, watching the boy play with the blocks. He could sense the guilt and uncertainty in Jeonghan's voice.  He spoke softly, his free hand reaching up to cup Jeonghan's cheek and turn his face back to him.

"It's okay," he said, his voice gentle "You haven't told him the truth because you've been protecting Haneul. You've been making sure he's safe and happy, and that's what important."

Jeonghan sighed, the weight of his secret and deception heavy on him. "But I feel guilty," he admitted, his voice low "He's five years old and he doesn't even know the truth about me. He thinks I'm a hardworking office worker, not a thief."

Seungcheol squeezed Jeonghan's hand, his touch firm and reassuring. "You're not a bad father, Jeonghan," he said, his voice firm and emphatic.

"You're a great dad. You love Haneul fiercely and you would do anything to protect him. The truth about your job doesn't change that. It doesn't define you as a parent."

Jeonghan closed his eyes, letting his words sink in. He knew he was right, but the guilt was still there, gnawing at him like a constant hunger pangs. "But what if he finds out the truth one day?" he asked, his voice laced with worry "What if he hates me for keeping it from him for so long?"

Seungcheol shook his head, his grip on Jeonghan's hand tightening. "He won't hate you," he said, his voice firm and confident "He's your son. He loves you. And when the time comes, you'll tell him the truth and he will understand. He might be angry at first, but he'll see that you've always done what's best for him."

Jeonghan opened his eyes, looking up at Seungcheol and seeing the sincere and unwavering belief in his gaze. The weight on his shoulders felt a little lighter at the other man's words, the promise of understanding and acceptance a comfort in the face of his fear of rejection.

He let out a shaky breath, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "You make it sound so easy," he said, a hint of humor in his voice.

Seungcheol chuckled softly, his thumb stroking the back of Jeonghan's hand in a gentle and soothing motion.
"It won't be easy," he admitted, his voice soft "But I'll be here for you, and for Haneul. You're not alone, Jeonghan."

As Jeonghan sat next to him, his mind suddenly flashing back to a dark moment in his past. He remembered something he had long tried to bury and forget, a part of himself that he was ashamed of.

He glanced at Seungcheol, blissfully unaware of the darkness that was stirring in Jeonghan's mind. He didn't know if he could ever share that part of himself with him, the ugly and painful memory that still haunted him.

He knew that SCoups saw him as something more than a thief, but would that opinion change if he knew the truth about Jeonghan? Would SCoups still want to protect and care for him if he knew the depth of the thief's dark past?

Jeonghan didn't know if he had the courage to tell to him. The shameful and vile deed that he had committed on his boss' orders. The thought Seungcheol judging him differently, with disgust or horror, made Jeonghan's stomach twist with fear and anxiety.

Jeonghan drew a shaky breath and pushed the memory away, focusing on the present moment. He looked up at Seungcheol, his eyes fixed on Haneul as the boy continued playing with his blocks.

He knew that he couldn't tell Seungcheol about that part of his past yet, not yet but some other time.

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I am alive after burying myself heh-