<Rose Quartz Enterprises>

Joshua took a deep breath as he waited in Seokmin's cabin. He recalled Woozi's words, 'Mr. Lee also takes his pills as soon as he reaches office. And that's also the time when he's not around the people of this mansion.'

"Good morning Mr. Hong." Seokmin greeted with a smile while stepping into the cabin, "And sorry for making you wait."

"It's alright, Mr. CEO." Joshua teased.

"C'mon!" Seokmin shrugged as he took a seat, "Just a second." He excused as he took his pills, as expected.

"Didn't we agree on addressing each other informally? What's with Mr. Hong now?" Joshua asked.

"Joshua sounds odd considering you're older than me." Seokmin paused, "How about hyung or something?"

"So you got to know my age too?" Joshua laughed, "Are you stalking me?"

"What if I am?" Seokmin joked, "Don't worry, I got to know just a few things for basic knowledge. Afterall, I should. You know everything about me."

"Oh so you wanted it to be even?" Joshua chuckled, "Anyways, I don't think that I know everything about you."

"You don't?" Seokmin raised a brow.

"Yeah." Joshua leaned forward on the desk, "I wanted to know about your efficiency at work, as the CEO."

"Efficiency?" Seokmin repeated, his eyes fixing on Joshua. "And what do you mean by that exactly?"

"As far as I know, you took over the business 'after' Mr. Choi, your elder brother, resigned right?" Joshua stated, "People often tend to overlook the capabilities of the one who becomes the leader like that. I'm sure some employees must be thinking like that too. So, I'm here to observe what goes on in this office."

"Ah, so you're here to judge my leadership skills, is that it?" Seokmin replied, a spark of challenge in his eyes. "You think my employees underestimate my abilities?"

"C'mon, you must know that too." Joshua paused, "Have there been instances when you had heard them praising Mr. Choi over you?"

Instigate him. Make him lose control. And when he snaps out of his trance, he will be on a guilt trip, ready to do anything to make everything right.

It's wrong but it's required.

Seokmin's expression darkened at the question, a flicker of annoyance passing through his features. He had heard whispers in the office, comments from disgruntled employees who still held a fondness for his brother.

"Yes, there have been moments when I've heard it," he admitted between gritted teeth.

"Did that hurt?" Joshua's voice dropped to a lower octave, "Your ego?"

The question hit a nerve, causing Seokmin's jaw to twitch involuntarily. He tried to maintain a neutral expression, but a hint of bitterness crept into his eyes.

"Of course not," he forced out, trying to sound nonchalant. "Why would I let some petty rumors and praises affect me?"

"Calm down, Seokmin. You don't need to lie to me." Joshua grinned, "I won't judge your insecurities."

Insecurities that are solely based on those pills.

Seokmin's grip on the edge of his desk tightened, his knuckles turning white as he struggled to contain his frustration. It was clear that Joshua had hit a nerve, and it was getting increasingly difficult for him to keep up the facade.

"I'm calm," he retorted through gritted teeth. "I don't have insecurities."

"You can't lie to an advocate, Seokmin." Joshua replied.

Seokmin's jaw set in a firm line, his eyes narrow. He wasn't used to being called out like this, and it was taking a toll on his already weakened mental state.

"You think you have me all figured out, don't you?" he snapped, his voice betraying a hint of vulnerability beneath its harshness.

"We both know this." Joshua shrugged, "There's nothing wrong in being a bit pathetic, is it?"

A flicker of anger passed through Seokmin's eyes at the jab. He stood up as well, his hands clenched tightly at his sides.

"Pathetic? You think I'm pathetic?" he repeated, his voice thick with annoyance. "You don't know anything about me."

"I think you should calm down, a bit." Joshua stated.

Seokmin's jaw was clenched so tightly it looked like it would break at any moment. He took a shaky breath, his body visibly tense.

"I am calm," he retorted, though the words came out more harshly than he intended. "I just don't appreciate being labelled as pathetic."

Joshua stood up as well, "Why don't you accept the truth, Seokmin? Only then we can proceed to talk with transparency."

Seokmin's steps were deliberate and steady as he moved closer to Joshua, his gaze cold and intense. He was clearly struggling to keep his temper in check, his body coiled like a spring ready to snap.

"Accept the truth?" he repeated, his voice low and dangerous. "What truth is that? That I'm pathetic and insecure?"

Joshua gulped visibly. He knew he had to face it but still, his heartbeat raced as he took a small step back but hit the edge of the desk, "I-"

Seokmin's eyes narrowed as he advanced, almost pinning Joshua against the desk with his imposing presence. He could see the fear and hesitation in his eyes, but he refused to back down.

"Go on," he prompted, a cruel smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "What were you going to say, hmm?"

Joshua's throat went dry when he saw the beast awakening right in front of him, "I didn't mean it in the way you're interpreting it."

Seokmin's smile widened into a sinister one. He pressed even closer, boxing Joshua in with his body so that he had no space to move. He was clearly enjoying the fear in Joshua's eyes.

"Oh, really?" he murmured, his voice low and mocking. "Then, how did you mean it, if not as a dig at my character? Please, enlighten me."

"Seokmin, this is not it." Joshua stuttered, "Don't make it personal. It's related to the case and you know that. I'm not throwing any shade to you."

Seokmin chuckled lowly, a dark sound that sent chills down Joshua's spine. "Not make it personal?" he repeated, his eyes glinting with a dangerous fervor. "You just called me pathetic to my face. How is that not personal?"

"If that's not true, then you don't need to be affected by it, do you?" Joshua retorted, "Your aggression reflects your insecurities and my accuracy."

Seokmin leaned in closer, gripping Joshua's jaw tightly. He was enjoying the fear written all over Joshua's face; it fed his ego, fueled his sense of power.

"My insecurities, huh?" he sneered, his voice barely above a whisper. "You know so much about me, don't you? But let me tell you something, smartass."

"Seokmin-" Joshua held onto the younger's arms, "Don't-" He stammered.

Seokmin's grip on Joshua's jaw only tightened at the attempt to restrain him. He leaned in even closer, his face mere inches from the older man's.

"Oh, you're trying to stop me, are you?" he mocked, his voice laced with condescension. "Why? Can't handle the truth, hm?"

"You are NOT supposed to act like this!" Joshua managed to speak, "Don't behave like a damn monster!"

Seokmin's eyes flashed with a dangerous fire at Joshua's words. He felt a dark, twisted amusement at seeing the older trying to control him.

"Oh, now I'm not supposed to act like this?" he sneered, his voice dripping with mock indignance. "And who are you to tell me how to behave, hm? Are you my superior, my boss, or just a pathetic little advocate trying to play the hero?"

"You're suffocating me!!" Joshua muttered, "This is not right!"

"Good," Seokmin snapped, his grip on Joshua's jaw tightening even further. "That's the first time I've heard your voice so desperate, and I'm loving it."

He was thoroughly enjoying himself at this point; the fear in Joshua's eyes, the desperation in his voice, everything fueled his sadistic streak.

Joshua knew what to do. Fuel Seokmin's ego to make him even more dangerous, "Please- You're scaring me!" Joshua breathed out.

"Scared, huh?" Seokmin murmured, his voice dropping to a mocking tone. "You are finally showing some vulnerability. Is that all it takes to make you weak, to make you submit to me?"

"Seokmin leave, it hurts!" Joshua's voice dropped to a whisper.

"Leave?" Seokmin repeated mockingly. "And why should I do that? You look so pathetic, begging for mercy like that."

Seokmin released his grip on Joshua's jaw, but instead grabbed hold of his wrists. The smirk on his face turned into a cruel grin as he wrapped his fingers tightly around them, effectively restraining the older.

"Now, look at you," he murmured, his voice full of mockery. "Behaving like such a little puppy, begging for me to let go. It's almost adorable, really."

Joshua writhed in his hold in order to escape but failed miserably. His attire was getting more and more disheveled as his vulnerability peaked, "Let me go! Are you insane?! You need a therapist as well!!"

"Me? Insane?" Seokmin mocked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Maybe I do need a therapist, but right now, you're the most entertaining therapy I could ask for. You look far too good like this - all vulnerable, helpless, pathetic."

"And you say you're not egoistic?" Joshua grunted, "Going to this extent just to feed your damn ego! I never expected this from you!"

"Never expected this from me?" Seokmin repeated, the mockery in his voice thick. "Who said I've ever not been this way? Do you realize how long I've wanted to see you like this, trapped and vulnerable and helpless?"

"You-" Joshua gasped, sweat forming on his forehead as he wriggled again, "Leave me!"

"No, I don't think I will," Seokmin snickered, his grip on Joshua's wrists tightening. "You're too much fun to toy with. I could sit here and watch you squirm and writhe until the end of days and I'd never get tired of it."

"This is so sick of you!" Tears formed in Joshua's eyes, "Leave me, please! I beg you!"

Seokmin's expression darkened as he watched the tears form in Joshua's eyes. He leaned in even closer, his face only inches from the older's.

"You think I care about your pleas?" he sneered, his voice dropping to a mocking whisper. "I have a better idea - how about you get on your knees and beg for mercy. That'll be more entertaining."

Joshua's eyes widened as he froze, "W-what?!"

"You heard me." Seokmin's tone was firm, commanding. "On your knees, now. I want you to get on your knees and beg for mercy like the pitiful little puppy you are."

"N-no!" Joshua gulped hard, "I won't do th-that!"

Seokmin's eyes narrowed, a dangerous edge creeping into his expression. He moved even closer to Joshua, closing the already small space between them until their faces were almost touching.

"You're in no position to refuse me," he hissed, his voice low. "I gave you an order, now obey it. Get on your damn knees, or I'll make you."

"No you won't!" Joshua protested, "You CAN'T!!"

Seokmin's grip on Joshua's wrists tightened, his anger starting to boil over.

"Oh, yes, I can," he snarled, his eyes flashing with fury. "You have no idea what I'm capable of. Do. Not. Test. Me. Get. On. Your. Knees."

"Listen here Mr. Lee Seokmin, I'm not doing that, got it? I'm not!" Joshua retorted.

"Joshua Hong!" Seokmin released one of his wrists to make a move but that was when Joshua took the vase kept on the table and smashed it on the ground away from them.

"STOP!" Joshua yelled right after and the combined noise made Seokmin flinch, pulling him out of his trance.

Seokmin's eyes widened as he stared at the older and the broken vase. What had just happened to bring such a reaction out of Joshua?

"Hyung-" Seokmin's voice was soft, "What happened? What- Why- Are you crying?!"

"What the hell is wrong with you, Seokmin?!" Joshua scrunched his brows.

"Hyung?" Seokmin repeated in a low voice, his eyes locked on the tears streaming down the older man's face. His grip on Joshua's wrist loosened as he took a step back, trying to make sense of what just happened.

"I-I don't understand," he stuttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

Joshua wiped off his tears, "Are you really asking me that? After scaring and threatening me with all your might? You legit asked me to get on my knees and beg for mercy!"

Seokmin flinched at the accusation, the reality of the situation starting to sink in. He opened his mouth to speak, to defend himself somehow, but the words got stuck in his throat as he realized that nothing he could say would change what he had just done.

"I..." he tried, his voice catching in his throat. "I didn't mean-" He swallowed hard, the guilt and shame beginning to gnaw at him from within.

Joshua definitely looked traumatized of what had just happened, "No- I didn't- I never expected you to do something like this!"

Seokmin's heart lurched at the sight of the absolute agony etched on Joshua's face. He was suddenly hit with a wave of regret, realizing the full magnitude of what he had just done.

"I-I'm... I'm sorry," he muttered, his voice hoarse and strained. "I don't... I never meant to... I lost control, I just-" He swallowed hard, the words choked in his throat.

"I'll-" Joshua averted his gaze, "I'll take my leave."

"Wait, no-" Seokmin reached out, a desperate plea in his voice as he tried to grab Joshua's wrist. "Please, don't go. Let me- I need to explain, to apologize. Just-"

Joshua halted when the younger held him, "Please- we can talk later. I don't think that I can discuss this right now."

"Please," Seokmin repeated, his voice pleading and desperate. "Don't go, not like this. Just-" he swallowed hard, "Just tell me what you need. I'll do anything, anything at all. Just don't walk away. Not now, not like this."

"All I need, is some peace." Joshua muttered, "Let me go."

Seokmin's grip loosened, the plea for peace breaking his heart. He released his hold on Joshua's wrist, his expression guilty and ashamed.

"Okay," he whispered, his voice cracking slightly. "I'll let you go. Just... just promise me one thing."

"What?" Joshua asked.

"Promise me you'll still talk to me. That you'll give me a chance to explain. Please." Seokmin took a shaky breath, his voice wavering slightly. "I-I messed up, I know I did. Just give me a chance to show you I didn't mean it like that, to fix this, please..."

Joshua nodded as he turned around to leave.

Seokmin stood there in silence, his eyes following Joshua until he disappeared from sight. Then, he let out a defeated sigh and sank down into a seat, his head dropping into his palms, "Why did I do that? How?!"

<Choi Palace>

"So can you act as if you're constantly taking the pills without them actually effecting you?" Jeonghan asked.

"I can but what you're thinking is not possible, Jeonghan." Seungcheol looked up to him, "They themselves come to me with the pills. I can't avoid it."

"No don't worry about that, we'll soon be stopping the pills from its main source." Jeonghan stated.

"What? How?" Seungcheol perked up.

"I've possibly met one of the core team members who are doing all this for Sunwoo. I guess that would be possible." Jeonghan explained.

"I hope that's true." Seungcheol muttered, "But please, don't put yourself in danger."

"I can handle danger," Jeonghan assured him, determined to hide any hint of faltering in his voice, "I'll be careful."

"Yeah, please do!" Seungcheol scoffed, "And- argh" He whimpered abruptly while clutching his right shoulder with his free hand.

"What's wrong?" Jeonghan asked, his voice filled with concern. "Are you okay?"

Seungcheol nodded slowly, "A little wound. The pills made me lose control last night but I managed it to a greater extent."

"A wound?" Jeonghan questioned, "Show me."

"It's fine, Jeonghan! Don't worry!" Seungcheol tried to assure.

"No, let me see it," Jeonghan said, more firmly now, "Just show me the wound."

Seungcheol exhaled a deep breathe as he unbuttoned his shirt halfway and slipped it off his left shoulder upto his muscular arm to display a wound that was considerably concerning, "It's-"

"I swear those pills-" Jeonghan frowned as he reminded himself again that he had to eliminate those pills as soon as possible. He went to get the first aid, "I'll dress it."

"Jeonghan don't worry much!" Seungcheol insisted.

"Don't lie," Jeonghan said, his voice softer now as he started to dress the wound while standing in front of the older who was seated on the edge of the bed. "It looks like it hurts like hell."

Seungcheol paused for a moment at the proximity as the alluring smell of the younger clouded around him, "Um- yeah I guess."

"Yeah?" Jeonghan echoed, his voice quiet as he carefully applied the antiseptic, "Just guess?"

Seungcheol looked up to stare at the older's worried face, "Can you feel something as well?"

Jeonghan paused his work on the wound as Seungcheol diverted his gaze up to his face. He met Seungcheol's stare, raising an eyebrow at the question.

"Feel what?" Jeonghan questioned, his voice slightly hushed.

Seungcheol gently gripped the younger's waist to pull him closer so the Jeonghan was standing in between his knees, "Something? Something that I can't pin-point but always feel when you're close to me."

Jeonghan's heartbeat quickened at the sudden closeness, and at Seungcheol's words. He looked down, confusion clouding his expression. "What feeling?" Jeonghan asked, his voice a whisper.

Seungcheol slowly stood up as he lifted the younger and placed him on the bed, seating him against the headboard. Seungcheol's cuff's chain wriggled but he didn't care at the moment. He leaned closer to the younger, "A good one. A feeling that brings me calm amidst this storm clouding my life. You bring peace to me, Jeonghan."

Jeonghan felt a wave of emotions wash over him. A mix of surprise, confusion, and something else - something he couldn't quite explain. "I bring peace?" Jeonghan muttered, disbelief laced in his voice. "How?"

"I don't know." Seungcheol whispered, his free hand came to rest against the younger's cheek, "You're very precious to me. If I was in a right condition, with a normal life, I would have-"

"If you were...in a better condition.." Jeonghan echoed, his voice barely a whisper. "You would have?"

Seungcheol chuckled, inching closer to the younger's earlobe, "Asked you out."

Jeonghan could feel his heart hammering against his chest as Seungcheol inched closer. The warm breath against his ear sent shivers down his spine.

"Asked me..Out?" Jeonghan repeated, his voice hitching in surprise. The younger tried to process the sudden revelation.

Seungcheol looked back into the younger's eyes as he nodded, "You're a gem. I would have tried my best to win your heart."

Jeonghan's breath caught in his throat as he locked eyes with Seungcheol, his heart skipping a beat again. The older's words echoed in his ears, filling his thoughts.

"Win my heart..." Jeonghan echoed, his voice hushed.

He wanted to ask so many questions, needed to know more, but the words lodged in his throat.

"Only if I could promise you a better me. But I can't. You deserve so much more." Seungcheol mumbled while slowly caressing the younger's cheeks.

Jeonghan's heart ached at Seungcheol's words. He saw the sincerity in the older's eyes, and it only made him want to understand him even more.

"Please don't talk like that," Jeonghan whispered, his voice shaky. "What do you mean when you say I deserve more?"

A/n : Ik y'all will be curious for the next chapter 😭😭

Anyways take care everyone!
-Jeonghanneyonghaseyo