<Choi Mansion>

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?"

"This-" Seungcheol gave the chain of his cuffs an aggressive tug, "You don't deserve this. Not a person trapped in such a dangerous conspiracy."

"Seungcheol..." Jeonghan whispered, his voice strained. "You're not trapped. We'll get you out of this, I promise."

"That's a different thing and what I'm talking about is different." Seungcheol removed a few strands of hair from the younger's face, "I feel you more than just a therapist and it's pretty obvious. It's hard either I confess about it or not."

"Seungcheol, what are you saying?" Jeonghan's voice was a mixture of surprise and curiosity. "You think I don't know that you see me as more than just your therapist, but what do you mean by that..?"

"More, much more." Seungcheol breathed out, "As if you're my everything, my only ray of happiness amidst all this pain. But- but I don't want to bound you to myself. I've nothing to offer you in return, Jeonghan, I've lost everything."

"You don't-" Jeonghan started, swallowing hard, "You don't have to offer me anything. Just...you...just being you is enough."

"I knew you would say that but I really don't want you to sacrifice this much for me, never." Seungcheol clarified.

"Don't you think that I'm already way too deep into this case to be able to escape mid-way?" Jeonghan retorted, "We'll be out of this together, Seungcheol."

"Still-" Seungcheol began but was lost within the younger's soft and promising gaze.

"We will be," Jeonghan said, his voice firm and determined. "Together. We'll find a way out of this."

"But-" Seungcheol gulped, "You know what I become at times. They've made me like this. No heart, no empathy, nothing. I might even hurt you and I won't have a single idea of that."

"I know," Jeonghan murmured, his voice a gentle whisper, "I know you're not yourself sometimes. But I trust you. And I know, deep down, you wouldn't hurt me. I've seen that side of you. You're not a monster."

Seungcheol averted his gaze while being torn between backing away and confessing more of his feelings to the younger, to the point where there could be no going back.

"Seungcheol," Jeonghan said gently, his voice soft and coaxing. "Look at me. I want to hear what you have to say."

"I-" Seungcheol's gaze landed on the younger's lips but he looked back into his eyes, "I really want you as a forever person in my life. But- you know how fucked up the situation-"

Jeonghan's breath hitched as Seungcheol's gaze lingered on his lips, his heart fluttering in anticipation. But he didn't expect the older's words, spoken through a conflicted voice, to hit him so strongly.

And suddenly - Jeonghan couldn't hold himself back anymore. With a surge of courage, he acted on instinct and pulled the older into a kiss.

Seungcheol was taken aback for moment but couldn't hold back either. He gripped the younger's waist as he poured his heart and soul into the kiss. He bit the younger's lower lip gently as he pushed his tongue in.

Jeonghan parted his lips as the kiss deepened, a soft mewl escaping from his throat. His fingers tangled into Seungcheol's hair as he responded with a desperate fervor, pulling the older even closer.

Seungcheol pulled away as he stared deep into the younger's eyes, "This- happened."

Jeonghan met Seungcheol's gaze as the older pulled away. A wave of emotions washed over him, his heart still racing from the unexpected kiss.

"It did." Jeonghan breathed, his voice laced with a mixture of surprise and awe. He caressed Seungcheol's cheek gently, his touch tender. "And I don't regret it."

Seungcheol pressed a kiss on the younger's palm which was on his cheek, "Me neither."

Jeonghan held onto Seungcheol's face, his touch gentle and caressing. "Seungcheol," he murmured, voice so soft that it was almost a whisper. "What does this mean for us?"

Seungcheol leaned closer to the younger's face, "What do you want to name this?"

"I want..." Jeonghan faltered, trying to find the right words to express his feelings. "I want...you."

"What makes you think that I don't know that?" Seungcheol shifted to sit right beside the younger and held his hand with his spare one, "I care for you as much as you care for me, Jeonghan. I'm really grateful to you for literally everything.

But being with me, more than as a therapist, is your decision and I request you to think about yourself first. You're much aware of my life right now, do you really want to be with a person like me? A person who becomes the puppet of someone's filthy intentions at times?"

"Seungcheol," Jeonghan started, looking into the older's eyes. "I do understand your concerns, but don't forget, I'm not some weak damsel in distress. I know what I want. And I want you. The good, the bad, all of it. You."

Seungcheol brought his cuffed hand on the younger's cheeks, the chain ruffled slowly with his actions, "Why are you like this?"

"Like what?" Jeonghan asked, his voice hushed. He reached up to grip Seungcheol's chained wrist, a small frown appearing on his face at the sight of the cold metal binding him.

"Like everything I could ever ask for." Seungcheol whispered.

"Seungcheol," Jeonghan murmured, his voice soft but filled with determination. "You don't need to ask. Just... let me be by your side. Please."

"I would never deny that." Seungcheol encircled the younger's waist and nuzzled his face into his neck.

Jeonghan brought his hand up to bury it in Seungcheol's hair, pulling the older in closer. The feeling of Seungcheol's face pressed against his skin sent a shiver down his spine. "Good," He whispered, his voice filled with a hint of relief. "Because I plan on sticking by your side until the very end."

Seungcheol's grip on the younger tightened, "There's nothing better than you by my side."

Jeonghan turned slightly to plant a soft kiss on Seungcheol's forehead. "And there's nowhere I'd rather be than here, with you."

<Woozi's apartment>

It was late evening when Woozi heard the doorbell ring. He went to open the door revealing Hoshi, "Oh! Hey!"

"Sorry if I disturbed you?" Hoshi scratched the back of his neck.

"No, not at all. Come in?" Woozi invited.

"No no, if you're fine then will you accompany me to the building's terrace?" Hoshi asked, "I'm new here so I've never went there."

Woozi glanced at the clock on the wall, then back at Hoshi, "Sure, why not?" He grabbed his coat, slipping it on as he followed Hoshi out the door. "Lead the way."

"Well, okay." Hoshi led the younger to the elevator as both of them got in.

Woozi leaned against the wall of the elevator, silently studying Hoshi. The atmosphere felt a bit different from their usual interactions, less tense and more casual.

"What are you thinking?" Hoshi asked with a small grin, without looking at the younger.

Woozi shrugged, "Nothing much. Just wondering why you suddenly invited me to the terrace." He glanced sidelong at Hoshi. "You were bored, weren't you? That's why you came to my door."

"Well, you can say that." Hoshi nodded as both of them got out of the elevator and reached the rooftop, "It's beautiful."

The city below sparkled against the night sky, a myriad of lights glowing in the darkness. Woozi took a deep breath, letting the cool night air settle on his skin. "You're right, it's gorgeous up here."

"How does it feel when you're away from your work stress and assessing people's feelings and emotions?" Hoshi asked as he faced the younger, "How does it feel to be...you?"

Woozi paused, surprised by the unexpected deepness of the question. He leaned against the wall, his gaze lost in the night sky.

"It's...complicated, I guess." He replied, his voice tinged with a hint of something he couldn't quite place. "Being me is... a constant struggle between my profession and my personal feelings. It blurs the lines of where I end and where my job begins."

He gave a weary smile. "But moments like this? Away from everything? They're the closest I get to just being... me."

"So, I get the honor of seeing the real you?" Hoshi chuckled while gazing the sky as well.

Woozi rolled his eyes at Hoshi's comment. "Don't get too cocky." He turned his gaze back to the stars, a hint of amusement in his voice. "But I suppose you could say that, in a way."

Hoshi just laughed lightly at the younger's reply.

"I wonder what's so funny." Woozi shrugged, "Anyways, how is your dance academy going?"

"You know? Oh right, of course you do." Hoshi nodded, "Yeah, it's going well. That place is close to my heart."

"It's good to have something that's yours." Woozi said quietly, "Something you did not do to escape, but to build." He leaned against the railing. "Why did you choose to open a dance academy?"

"A set of events along with my passion with a good amount of hard work." Hoshi explained, "It happened."

Woozi raised an eyebrow, "Happened?" He chuckled, leaning against the wall as he regarded Hoshi. "You make it sound easy."

"Maybe?" Hoshi chuckled, "It wasn't easy though. You're a psychiatrist afterall, you know how hard it is to deal with demotivation and criticism which is not constructive at all."

"All too well." Woozi agreed, a hint of sadness crossing his face. "Many people are good at tearing you down, but few are willing to truly understand the effort it takes to build something up." He looked over at Hoshi. "You must have had your fair share of demotivation as well."

"Well, you too I guess?" Hoshi turned to face him, "Everyone goes through it at some point of time."

"You're strangely good at making someone feel better." Woozi commented, a playful tone in his voice. "Maybe you should have been a therapist instead."

"Oh no, spare me. It's a hard job and I appreciate you for having that kind of patience." Hoshi stood beside the younger with a small grin, facing the city lights, "I've full potential as a patient though."

Woozi huffed a laugh, "You'd be a nightmare of a patient." He eyed Hoshi, "Always finding a way to mess with the therapist, I'd bet."

"And I bet you're joking because no therapist would say that to a patient." Hoshi retorted the laugh.

"You're right, I am." Woozi chuckled. "But if you were my patient, I might have to make an exception."

"You sure are adorable." Hoshi muttered beneath his breath.

"What was that?" Woozi turned, raising an eyebrow at Hoshi. "You said something?"

"Nothing." Hoshi nodded, "I said you're kinda annoying but my kind of annoying."

Woozi rolled his eyes, but he was unable to hide the smile creeping up on his face. "And you're the most unbearable kind of annoying." He feigned annoyance, but there was a hint of affection in his voice. "My kind of unbearable, unfortunately."

"I'll take it as a compliment." Hoshi chuckled.

"You would," Woozi retorted. "You take everything as a compliment." He shook his head slightly, still smiling. "You're something else, you know that?"

Hoshi laughed out loud, "Of course, I'm well aware of that."

Woozi couldn't help but laugh along. There was something infectious about Hoshi's laughter, something that made him want to join in.

"You've got a weird way of making someone enjoy your company," he commented, shaking his head again.

"So you're enjoying my company?" Hoshi raised a brow, "I was hesitating at first as I didn't want to act like a disturbing element."

"Disturbing element?" Woozi repeated, an amused expression on his face. "You're not disturbing, exactly. Just... surprising." He admitted, "You're way more interesting than I ever thought you'd be."

"Really?" Hoshi chuckled, "Then I think it's high time that you start studying me, doctor."

"Study you?" Woozi repeated, a hint of intrigue in his voice. "And what makes you think you're worthy of being studied?" He teased, crossing his arms against his chest.

"Why? Don't you think I'm worthy enough of being studied?" Hoshi stared deep into the younger's eyes, reflecting the moonlight as the soft breeze ruffled their hair, "By you?"

Woozi met his gaze, the air around them seeming to still for a moment.

There was something in Hoshi's eyes, a challenge, a silent invitation. He'd always prided himself in being able to read people, but Hoshi seemed to be a book written in an unknown language.

He couldn't tear his eyes away.

"Maybe I do." He murmured, the words slipping out almost without his consent.

Hoshi stepped slightly closer without averting his gaze, "Maybe? Not sure?"

"Maybe." Woozi repeated, a hint of defiance in his voice. "Why should I bother studying you, anyway?"

"Yeah." Hoshi turned his face again towards the sky, "Why would you? There's no point."

Woozi watched as Hoshi's gaze shifted away, a hint of disappointment he wouldn't admit aloud rising in him. He pushed the feeling aside, feigning indifference.

"Exactly." He said, a sharpness in his tone. "No point at all."

Hoshi chuckled to himself, knowing well that behind that nonchalance, Woozi was going to wonder about this for a long time.

Woozi shot him a sidelong glance, his expression still neutral. He didn't want to give the older the satisfaction of knowing that his actions, or lack of actions, had affected him.

But as the night continued to slowly slip by, he couldn't help but wonder.

What was Hoshi thinking? Why did things suddenly feel different between them? And why did he desperately want to cross the space between them?

A/n : Yeah-

Anyways take care everyone!
-Jeonghanneyonghaseyo