It had been two weeks since Taekwoon last saw the tattooed man and if he were to be honest, Wonsik never once left his mind. He would catch himself dazing off as he laid in bed, thinking back to the moments that they had shared, dissecting every word that the other had said. His parents would catch him staring intensely at his rice bowl during dinner, lost in thought. They would call out his name repeated before snapping their fingers in front of his face.

They knew something was up and that made Taekwoon worry. They weren't suppose to know that he broke the rules. They started acting the slightest more suspicious, repeating the rules more than once. They would enter his room and converse with him more often even though it was the same story each day.

He had to behave himself better than before. He felt uncomfortable with their attention on his every move. It was about an hour after they left, he was in the kitchen getting some water when his father burst through the front door without notice. Taekwoon paused mid-sip, eyes wide in surprise as his father hastily checked each room in the house before mumbling that he was looking for his wallet. When Taekwoon pointed out that it was in his back pocket, he father scratched his neck with an 'oops.'

Now, he laid in his bed with a newly fueled anger in him. Why was he lying here like a sitting duck waiting for Wonsik to come? Who was the other to him?

That didn't stop him from tugging on the red string that was tied around his pinky finger every few minutes, hoping that each tug would bring the man he wanted to see an inch closer. Sometimes he would think about whether or not Wonsik could feel each tug, if not, maybe his heart strings felt a small pinch— maybe a feeling as though he shouldn't be where he was but somewhere else, with someone else.

That was only wishful thinking though and Taekwoon knew that.

He sighed as he turned on his side, burying his face into the plush pillow that he was hugging tightly to his chest.

Just forget about him and everything, just like Wonsik told him to.

But he knew. He knew that he couldn't forget the man with those piercing eyes that have seen much more than he has. He couldn't forget the way Wonsik seemed to be a living contradicting. He would so nice one second, terrible the next, then caressing his hair and making him feel all sorts of things that were foreign.

And Taekwoon wanted to know what those feelings were.

"I think I'm going the right way..." Taekwoon murmured to himself as he starting looking at his surroundings. If anything, everything looked worse than he could remember. Maybe it's because that infuriating man was no longer with him for him to hold onto but his sense of safety was not present. He was fearing what the other had said.

"The world is much, much worse. Those men could have beat you up real good if you were alone."

He didn't want to get beat up, but he also wanted to find something out.

Ravi.

What had that meant? Why did those men seem to be so fearful of such a simple thing?

Why were they about to apologize?

He couldn't ponder on the thought too long before he stopped in his steps, eyes wide. It was almost like deja vu; the scene that played out in front of him. It was a different person this time but in the almost exact same manner as when he first saw.

Sobbing, pants down, clothing tattered.

Taekwoon heart sped up as a foul taste coated his tongue, one of the same men coming out with another one in tow. His stomach churned with something wretched as he felt fear seep through his skin. To make things worse, he had made eye contact with them.

"Well, well, well. Pretty boys are just coming one after another, huh?" The new man said as he made his way over to where Taekwoon stood frozen, legs refusing to listen to his mind as it screamed for him to run.

"Hey, man. Skip out in this one." The familiar rough voice made Taekwoon shiver unpleasantly.

"What do you mean? Look at him! You want me to skip out on that? You're crazy, Junho."

"No, man. You're crazy." Junho retorted, "This kid here came about a week or two ago with Ravi. He was pretty pissed off. Started his whole three count bullshit. Oh, heads up, he dyed his hair again. It's black this time." Junho shook his head, "Almost shit myself when I realized it was him."

"Ravi? He's into guys?" The incredulous and doubtful tone in the man's voice made Taekwoon frown.

Was liking a man wrong?

"Ravi? Who's Ravi?" Taekwoon's soft voice drew the men's attention soon enough, a mysterious glint in the man's eyes. He took a step back as a grin lifted the side of Junho's lips.

"Ravi, the man you were with. Black hair, tattoos?" Junho raised a brow before realization hit him. "Oh." He breathed. "Ohhh." Taekwoon furrowed his brow as the other broke out into fits of laughter.

"What's so funny?" He questioned.

"Sweetheart. Sweetheart." He cooed softly, almost teasingly. "You don't know about him? That man you were with?" He broke out into another fit of laughter before he stopped, eyes analyzing Taekwoon with more confidence than before. "Ravi. He has a pretty big rep around here."

"Rep?"

"Reputation, sweetheart." Taekwoon felt disgusted at what should've been an endearing nickname. "Rumor is, or I guess fact is, he's killed a man. Shouldn't be that big of a deal in a place like this but when the man you managed to kill was double your height and weight, shit gets real."

"W-What?" Taekwoon stuttered, taking a few more steps back. No, no, no. Wonsik wouldn't do something that bad, right?

"Yep, stabbed the guy in the cold blood after giving him a good beating. Left him to bleed out. But we knew. Someone says they saw him in one of the bathrooms washing his hands clean of blood." The other man spoke up. "I saw him. That someone was me."

"But did you see him stab the person?" Taekwoon asked with wide eyes, not realizing that he had taken a couple steps closer to them. "You didn't see him though right? He wouldn't." Taekwoon was trying to convince himself more than anything at this point. Wonsik wouldn't have. He wouldn't stab a man would he? He would have a good reason wouldn't he? What kind of reason was good enough though?

Taekwoon's breathing quickened. He needed to find Wonsik.

"Does it matter if I saw him actually do it? I saw what I saw, and that's that. He looked cold as ice when he was rinsing his hands of sin, blank even. No remorse. Scariest sight I've ever seen and I've seen a helluva lot." The man added on, shivering at the thought. "Now run along little one. Not everyone knows that Ravi has a claim on you. We're not trying to get someone else killed by that man."

"I... Do you know where I can find him?" Taekwoon asked meekly.

"He finds you." Was Junho's simple response.

Taekwoon sat up, kicking the blanket off his body in frustration. He glared at the wall in front of him, fingers digging into his bed sheets.

He finds you.

And if he doesn't? He hasn't for the past two weeks. Does that mean he won't see Wonsik anymore?

Taekwoon flinched, hand coming up to pat his chest softly. Pain etched itself on his face at the thought of never seeing the man again.

His eyes trailed down to the red string that stood out against his pale skin, the moonlight that breached his curtain creating a certain glint to it. He pouted slightly, tugging at it. At times like these, he really wished that each tug would bring Wonsik closer but at the same time he wished he didn't have such a reminder of the man as so.

Soul mate. Fated one. True love...?

Is this how true love felt?

He laid back down on his back, an arm coming up to shield his eyes as the other laid on his stomach. He released his umpteenth sigh, biting at his lips nervously.

Before he could dive back into his thoughts, a thump interrupted his silence.

He raised his arm, peeking out from under it. Getting up, he walked to his door to open it, eyes meeting nothing but a dark living room. He shrugged, closing the door once again as another thump sounded. This time, it was clear that it didn't come from the door as he was standing right by it.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

It sounded impatient this time, louder. His eyes caught sight of his window, seeing something like a shadow of an arm coming to view as another thump sounded.

His eyes widened in fear, his breath hitching. It sounded again, harsher this time around.

He looked over to his bedroom door that he stood by, his mind screaming at him to high tail out of the room and get his parents. He went to do exactly just that, trusting his fight or flight instinct when he heard a muffled voice through the glass.

"...-woon." He strained his ears again, trying to catch what the oh-so familiar voice said, "Taekwoon!"

His eyes squinted as he thought about who the voice belonged to, it being almost too muffled to make out.

Only one person besides his parents.

Only one.

Wonsik. Kim Wonsik.

He made slow steps towards the window, teeth digging into his bottom lip. A cautious hand reached out, gripping the curtains that covered the secret. With a deep breath, he pulled them back.

The sight before him had Taekwoon gasping.

"Fuck! That hurts." Wonsik hissed as Taekwoon dabbed the cut on his lip, the cotton ball being doused in rubbing alcohol. "Can't you try to be a little gentle?" His request was ignored as Taekwoon moved to the bleeding wound on the side of his forehead, harshly digging the cotton ball into it as if to disinfect the deepest parts of it.

"You deserve it." Taekwoon repeated the movement, feeling slightly guilty at the way Wonsik flinched away from his touch. "Be quiet, my parents might hear." He pulled away, putting the bloodied ball into the trash bag near by, placing his hands in his lap as he stared at the mess in front of him.

When he said he wanted to meet Wonsik again, he hadn't expected for the man to be in a state like this. The other was beaten in various places, his eye decorated with a forming bruise, lip and temple cut nicely and the skin on his knuckles broken and bleeding.

He's never seen much a beautiful wreck as Wonsik. It left him a little breathless, the sight of the sinful man's silhouette with the moonlight gracing his frame.

But he wasn't focused on that.

He was focused on the dry blood that Wonsik's clothes was stained and tainted with.

"What happen?" He murmured, his hand taking Wonsik's larger one as he grabbed another cotton ball wet and cold with disinfectant. He pressed it against the others knuckles in the same manner he would when his mom would accidentally cut her finger when making dinner, gently. He frowned when Wonsik pulled away, gripping the man's hand harder.

Wonsik hummed, "I was just minding my own—"

"Not that." Taekwoon interrupted, glancing over at the door he had locked when the other stumbled into his room from the window. "Don't tell me."

"Then what do you mean what happen?" Wonsik chuckled, his other hand coming up to run through his locks, growling out of annoyance at the sting he felt when Taekwoon touched the tender and bruising skin.

"What happen to our promise?"

"I never promised anything. I just said sure." Wonsik started, biting his lip in regret as the burn of his knuckles increased. He yanked his hand out of Taekwoon's grip, his glare meeting another's.

"You broke our promise." The heartbroken tone of Taekwoon's voice made Wonsik's heart tremble a little, guilt filling his veins once again.

"Why don't you want me to tell you?" Wonsik made an attempt to change the subject.

"Because my outlook on you might change and I don't want that." Taekwoon answered, grabbing Wonsik's hand once more, placing it onto his lap as he reached for the wrap that laid idly on the surface of his bed.

"What? You afraid I might say I killed someone?" Wonsik laughed, his grin slowly dying as he saw the serious look on the other's face. "Do you... do you think I did?"

Taekwoon shook his head, "Have you ever killed anyone before? Did you stab a man twice your size in cold blood? Have you, Wonsik?" His words cut sharp as he stared down at the warm hand on his thigh, ready to wrap it up when it moved in a flash, gripping his chin harshly.

"What are you talking about?" For the second time in his life, Taekwoon was fearful of Wonsik. The tone in his voice was dangerous, threatening. The look in his eyes glinted with a certain flame that made Taekwoon feel like he was going to get burnt for playing with fire.

"Is it true? Did you?" Taekwoon whispered, shifting his head from the others grasp.

"Who told you that?" Wonsik's voice shook, "Where did you go, Taekwoon?"

"I went to that one place you took me the other day." He paused, eyes downcast, "I went there to look for you." He glanced back up to look at Wonsik's harsh eyes with genuine concern, "I wanted to know more about you. Why those men were so scared of the word 'Ravi.' On my way, I met this man name Junho and someone else."

"And they told you? They told you I killed a man after beating him up, right? They told you I looked like a monster, right?" There was something to the others voice that broke his heart in a certain way, "Am I right?" Taekwoon meekly nodded, his nimble fingers working quickly on the bandage. "And do you believe them?"

"I don't. Not unless you tell me you did." Taekwoon answered back, "I don't think you'd do that."

"Why not? You know I'm fully capable of doing so." Wonsik questioned, seeming curious more than anything. He nodded in thanks as the other finished up, giving Taekwoon his other hand to repeated the process.

"Yeah, you're more than capable of doing so... but you wouldn't." The finality in his voice made Wonsik raise a brow, "You act all tough and hard but I think you're truly a big baby. You can't even handle me disinfecting your cuts and you expect me to believe that you've caused a man to lose his life? You wouldn't."

"Hey, this shit hurts like a bitch." Wonsik defended himself, "Plus, you aren't being too nice about it either." As if to prove Wonsik's point, Taekwoon pressed against the wrapped knuckle harshly, a small smile on his face.

"So you didn't?" Taekwoon asked for confirmation.

"I didn't."

"Then why did such a rumor spread?"

"I just so happened to be at the wrong place and the wrong time..." he trailed off, "He was already dead."

"What?" Taekwoon asked, his eyes widening as he looked up at Wonsik who wore a grim expression. "Did you see who did it?"

"No."

"Don't people go to jail or whatever for killing people?" Taekwoon pondered, his mind wandering back to past conversations he had held with his mother.

"Yes, if they are proven guilty." Wonsik explained. "If they don't concrete evidence that states whoever murdered who, they don't go to jail. Like my case, I was a suspect but they couldn't find any evidence but a drunkard whose statement couldn't be trusted. Plus, I had a good alibi." Taekwoon hummed, patting Wonsik's arm as he scooted closer, "Enough about that though. Do you believe me?"

"I believe you." A soft smile graced Taekwoon's lips, knocking the oxygen out of Wonsik's lungs. "Now, what happen?" Wonsik closed his eyes as cold fingers ran over his bottom lip, the sting of the cut almost nonexistent now. Those fingers pulled back, making him open his eyes to see Taekwoon pulling a band-aid out from the small first aid kit.

"Wrong place, wrong time." Wonsik smirked, his face contorting in pain when said cut started hurting again. His tongue came out, swiping against it to soothe it. "What can I say? I'm an unlucky person with terrible timing."

"Stop, it's bleeding again." Taekwoon shook his head, placing the bandage over the cut on his temple before glancing back down at the bleeding lip.

He felt his breath hitch, the distance between them seeming smaller than before. He could breathe in the scent that was Wonsik, a smell that consisted of detergent with an underlying spice to it that made his nerves tingle.

"Stop staring at me like that unless you're going to kiss the pain away." Wonsik's voice broke his daze, eyes seeing a smirk pulling the others lip, playful glint in his eyes. He pressed a finger against the others bruised lips, pushing his face away. Wonsik let out a loud chuckle, making Taekwoon widen his eyes.

"Shush! My parents." Taekwoon panicked, ears straining just as the lights of the living room illuminated the crack underneath his door. "Crap." He whispered, gently placing all the used first-aid items into the trash bag, eyes closing at the rustling sound it made.

"Chill, just don't open the door if they knock. Tell them you dreamt of something funny." Wonsik said lazily, leaning to lay down. Taekwoon pounced on him immediately, straddling the other as his hand slammed down against the others lips, eyes wide. He brought a finger up to his own lips as a signal to stay silent, something the other rolled his eyes at.

"Woonie?" His mother's voice sounded as footsteps patterned to his door.

"Yeah?" He groaned out, making his voice seem as tired as possible. He could feel Wonsik's lips curling from underneath his palm, making him glare.

"A-Are you reading your stories late at night again? I could hear your laughter..." Taekwoon sensed the nervous drawl in her voice, causing him to tense as he stared at the door knob.

"No, mother, I just—" He yelped, eyes swirling back to look at Wonsik as he pulled his palm away, the cool air hitting the wetness of it. Wonsik had licked him.

"Woonie?"

"A-Ah, I was just... I dreamt of something funny, I guess that's why." He said aloud, jumping a little when hands rested at his thighs that laid on either side of Wonsik's. His breath hitched as Wonsik sat up effortless, their position changing slightly so it seemed like Taekwoon was now straddling his lap.

"Ah..." There was a sigh of relief coming from the other side of the door. "Alright, Woonie. I'm going to go back to sleep. Good night, sweetheart."

"A-Alright." He stuttered, trying to pull away when Wonsik leaned his face closer, his efforts being wasted at the hand on his lower back and the other at his neck, keeping him in place. He turned his head, watching the for the sign of the living room going dark once more before turning back to the sinful man. "W-Wonsik."

"Hmm?" He hummed, a grin tugging at his lips.

"You're so immature!" Taekwoon whisper-yelled, pushing against the others chest. "Let me go." He tried to climb off, only to realize he was entrapped by long arms surrounding him. "Wonsik."

"Taekwoon." Wonsik teased, "No. I'm comfortable." He laid back down, taking Taekwoon with him. He turning to his side so the other was against his chest.

"Oh, no. Gross." Taekwoon whispered out, seeing Wonsik pull away in an offended way. "Oh, not you! Your shirt. Please change. I'll lend you some clothes."

Wonsik scoffed, pulling away. "What a mood killer" he sighed, "Alright, give me a change of clothes."

Taekwoon got up, calming the heated feeling in his chest as he went to his closet to pick out some sweats and an old t-shirt, one of his bigger ones. "Here."

"Thank you." Wonsik stood up, gripping the hem of his old and stained one, jerking it off in one swift movement. Taekwoon felt his mouth salivate, the sight of a shirtless and tattooed Wonsik in front of him was too much for his innocent heart to handle. A hand came up to clamp over his chest, willing his heart to stop beating.

Something about the bad boy vibe Wonsik emitted did something weird to his body. He would've never expected to feel the way he did.

"What? Fell in love with me?" Wonsik's baritone voice cut through his short day dream, causing him to look away with a blush.

"Should've warned me." He murmured, looking down at his feet as he gripped the edges of his own shirt.

"What's the fun in that? I wouldn't have gotten to see how flustered you look right now." Wonsik laughed quietly, the vibrations of it seeming to reach Taekwoon as he felt his body tremble, his knees going weak. "C'mere."

He looked up to see Wonsik seated on his bed, clothes fitting him nicely. "I-I don't... it's okay, I'll sleep on the floor." He turned back to his closet to reach for the extra beddings he had.

"I'll scream." Wonsik said suddenly.

"What?" He turned around to see Wonsik laying down on his comfy bed, sighing out with content as he patted the empty spot next to him.

"I'll scream if you don't lay down next to me." Wonsik raised a brow when Taekwoon made no movement. "One... Tw—"

Taekwoon hopped onto the bed, shoving his face into the pillows with a whine. "You're so unfair." His voice was muffled but he assumed Wonsik had made it out by the way he chuckled.

"Life's unfair, Woonie." Wonsik teased, using the nickname his mother had used.

He lifted his head with a glare, "Don't call me that."

"Alright, Angel." Wonsik answered, opening his arms up, "C'mere or I'm going to scream." He soon added, "We're already at two, the next and last number is three."

Taekwoon bit his lip, shyly scooting over so he was within arms length of Wonsik, gasping a little when the other suddenly grabbed him, pulling him into a warm chest.

"It gets cold." He heard Wonsik murmur from above him. "G'Night, angel."

Taekwoon closed his eyes as lips made contact with his forehead, feeling softer than they looked with the cut on it. He questioned when they had agreed on Wonsik sleeping over, much less in his bed but he didn't know how to respond so he settled with wrapping his arms around the others waist, whispering out a quiet, "Goodnight."

For the first time in two weeks, they both had the best night of sleep— even after such a rough day.

Once Taekwoon woke up, everything felt a little colder than usual. Opening up his eyes, he looked around in a daze, not seeing the body he expected to be there. He reached a hand out to the spot Wonsik had laid at last night, feeling it to be ice cold.

"What..." he murmured, sitting up as he scratched his head. He rubbed a hand on his arm, feeling so chilly all of a sudden, lonely. He glanced around the room, all evidence of last night gone. The trash bag of bloodied cottons and such was missing, his first-aid kit was placed neatly back on top of his desk where it usually sat, his bedroom door unlocked.

Everything was eerily quiet, discomfort coming to him at how normal everything seemed to be.

He laid back down, rubbing a hand over his face. Had he been dreaming it all? Was he missing the other so much that his mind was playing cruel tricks on him?

He turned to his side, feeling tears fill his eyes as he gripped at the sheets, shoved his face into them. Before his mind could run wild, his eyes opened wide.

He pulled the sheets away from his face, staring at them.

There was no faking it.

Wonsik was here last night.

With a sigh and a soft smile etched on his face, he grabbed the pillow that the other had rested on last night, hugging it close to his chest as dove his head into it, shaking his head several times before inhaling the scent of detergent and spice.