<Choi Mansion>

"I can't say a few things out loud, please understand. I've genuine reasons for that. I once made this mistake and things got this fucked up." Seungcheol scoffed.

Jeonghan blinked, caught off guard by Seungcheol's sudden change in demeanor overnight.

The older was back to his nonchalant self, the vulnerability from last night gone, hidden behind his usual mask of arrogance.

He sighed, the weight of everything felt too heavy to even try and break through the older's walls.

Instead, he nodded, "I understand."

Seungcheol looked away after which he spoke, "You can ask questions. I'll answer as much as I can."

Jeonghan pursed his lips, his mind searching for the right question to ask. There were so many things he wanted to know, but he had to tread carefully.

He inhaled deeply and asked the first question that came to mind, "Are the people who are currently hurting you, they're your...family?"

It felt like the question alone could light up the whole room.

"Pass." Seungcheol stated almost immediately.

A flicker of frustration passed across Jeonghan's face. He took a moment to compose himself before trying a different approach.

He looked at Seungcheol, studying his expression, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Alright, skip that one. How about this," Jeonghan asked, his tone steady, "Is there anyone who is able to stop what is happening to you right now? Someone with that...that power and authority to stop all of this or help in any way?"

"No." Seungcheol muttered.

Jeonghan sighed, this time louder and heavier. He rubbed his face with his hand as if to ease the growing tension.

He decided to take another approach. He looked at Seungcheol, his voice almost pleading this time, "Seungcheol, please. How many people are involved in doing this to you? The ones who torture you? How many?"

Seungcheol sighed, "I don't even knows. I keep encountering several different people. Listen here Jeonghan, even I don't know what's exactly going on here. There's no point of asking me questions and relying on my answers."

Jeonghan clenched his fists under the table, the feeling of helplessness and frustration growing stronger.

He leaned forward slightly, his voice filled with impatience, "Then what do you want me to do? Just sit with you in silence? Watch them hurt you again and again and do nothing?"

He shook his head, unable to hide the growing anger. He tried to control his tone, "Seungcheol, you're not giving me anything to work on here. You're not even trying. Do you want me to leave?"

"Yes, I do." Seungcheol gulped the lump in his throat, "This is not a place to stay anyways. But guess what? You've yourself trapped yourself here.

And you really want to do something for me huh? Tell me, are you confident over that?"

Jeonghan fell silent for a moment as Seungcheol's words hit him like a dagger. He felt trapped, the frustration boiling within him. But there was a deeper feeling, one that pushed him to answer with an unwavering determination.

"Yes."

His voice was resolute, the certainty in his tone unshaken. He looked at Seungcheol, his eyes set.

"I am confident."

Seungcheol scooted closer to the younger, his right hands remained cuffed as usual.

He trapped Jeonghan amidst the headboard of the bed, "Kill them. Kill everyone in this mansion except for Seokmin."

Jeonghan's eyes widened at the older's words. The atmosphere suddenly felt thicker, heavier. He could hear his heart hammering against his chest.

He swallowed hard, gripping the sheets tightly as he met Seungcheol's intense gaze.

"Kill...?"

He repeated the word like it was foreign, almost choking as he did so. He was a doctor, a psychiatrist, someone who was supposed to heal and save lives. Not...kill.

Seungcheol held the younger's chin from his free hand to pull his face closer as he whispered, "Yes. Kill."

Jeonghan could feel the older's breath on his face, the closeness making him dizzy. He felt his hands trembling, his body stiffening against the headboard.

His eyes were wide, almost fearful. Killing- it didn't feel right, it wasn't a part of his nature.

He swallowed hard, the older's grip on his chin and the pressure of the situation making him feel small.

"I-I can't," he stuttered. "I'm not a murderer."

Seungcheol's hand slipped down to hold the younger's nape as he chuckled, "Become one. Didn't you say you were willing to do anything for me?"

Jeonghan's voice was quiet, almost a whisper, "I-I can't- I promised to do anything, but- but not this."

"Then what else can you help me with?" Seungcheol leaned closer, his gaze falling on the younger's lips.

"I- I can talk to people," Jeonghan stuttered, gripping the sheets tightly. "I can try to negotiate, find a way to make them stop or- or talk them out of it."

Seungcheol chuckled as he took the younger's hands to intertwine them with his own, "You know that's not what I'm asking for. What if I want you?"

Jeonghan swallowed hard, his voice barely above a whisper, "In...in what way?"

He knew he was asking a risky question, but he couldn't help it. The older's words had a strange, unfamiliar effect on him.

"In every possible way." Seungcheol whispered against his lips, "Each and every."

Jeonghan's mind went blank as Seungcheol's words sunk in. The closeness, the intensity, the desire - everything was too much to comprehend.

His voice was barely audible as he whispered back, "Every..every possible way?"

The words tumbled out before he could think, the question hanging in the air, mingling with their shared breath.

"C'mon doctor, aren't you my therapist?" Seungcheol whispered, "I should be able to talk to you, that's true. You're great at that but this attention deprived soul needs much more."

Jeonghan felt his heart hammer in his chest as he listened to the older, their faces mere inches apart. This side of Seungcheol..this needy, attention-seeking side was strange, but it was also...allureing. Like he was seeing a different side of him.

His words had a strange effect on him, causing his breath to hitch and his hands to clam up.

But he couldn't deny the desire that was welling inside him. A part of him that he didn't know existed.

He nodded, his voice barely a whisper, "What- what do you need?"

Seungcheol's hand traced the younger's jawline after which his thumb caressed his lower lip, "Already told you, Jeonghan."

Jeonghan's breath hitched as he felt the older's touch on his face, his thumb caressing his lower lip. The gentle gesture sent shivers down his spine, making his mind go blank.

He could only manage to nod, his eyes locked with the older's, his breath coming out as a shaky whisper, "You...you did."

He hesitated and swallowed hard, trying to clear his mind. This was wrong, a professional crossing a line they should never overstep.

Seungcheol laughed lightly as he backed away and sat back on the bed, "On the very first day, when you said that you're determined enough, you were right.

A lot happened in just a few days but you never thought of running away from here. I appreciate that Jeonghan, but I hope you know that it's stupid and dangerous."

Jeonghan blinked, the sudden shift in Seungcheol's tone snapping him out of his daze.

He looked at the older, his mind still buzzing from the unexpected moment they just shared.

He cleared his throat and composed himself, his voice still slightly shaky as he tried to push down the growing feelings, "I- I know it's dangerous. But-"

He trailed off, his words dying on his lips. How could he explain why he couldn't leave? How could he explain these feelings he was starting to feel against his better judgement?

"But what?" Seungcheol asked, "From day one, I can see you sympathising with me who is a proven criminal doesn't matter that the truth is far more different. But still, why do you care? I can't understand this at all."

It was a good question, why did he care so much? Why was he risking so much for a man who everyone knew as a criminal?

Jeonghan swallowed hard, his voice almost cracking, "I don't know. I just do."

"Don't." Seungcheol scoffed, "There's no point in caring for me. You felt sad after seeing what happened last night. It will happen everyday. You don't have to care, I'm genuinely saying that."

Jeonghan frowned, "Why? Why can't I care about you?"

The question slipped out without him realizing, his voice tinged with a hint of defiance. He wasn't expecting an answer from the older, but he also knew he wasn't going to stop caring. It was impossible.

Seungcheol scoffed heavily, "I don't know why do I have to explain this to you again and again. Thankyou so much for helping me last night but I swear, you'll get tired of it in a few days yourself."

Jeonghan shook his head, his voice steady and sure, "I won't. I won't get tired of helping you."

He inched closer, his stubbornness matching the older's, "Why can't you just accept that someone is genuinely trying to help you, huh?"

Seungcheol's eyes widened for a moment at the change in the younger's tone and behaviour, "Okay okay, calm down."

Jeonghan let out a humorless chuckle, "I'm just tired of this constant refusal, Seungcheol. I'm trying my damn hardest to help you, and all I'm getting is you pushing me away. I'm doing everything I can. How much more reassurance do you need?"

He paused, his breath coming out as heavy, "I'm not going to give up. So let me try, please. Just try and let me help."

Seungcheol stared at him for a moment after which he let out a subtle laughter, "My mistake. I'm sorry. You're adorable though."

Jeonghan blinked, the sudden change in the older's demeanor taking him by surprise.

He shook his head, "No, we're not changing the topic here. I'm trying to help you. Why can't you just let me?"

Seungcheol turned to face him as he held his cheeks with his free arm, "I said sorry right? And I'm not changing the topic, I'm just saying that you're really adorable."

Jeonghan mind went blank for a moment, his breath hitching at the close proximity. But he quickly snapped out of it and shook his head, "We're still not changing the topic."

He didn't step away from the older's touch, his voice softer now, "I- just don't push me away, please."

Seungcheol looked at his hand which was once on the younger's cheeks, "You yourself backed away right now."

Jeonghan paused, unable to come up with an adequate explanation for his actions, his mind still slightly fuzzy from the older's touch. Instead, he changed the subject, "That's not the point here, alright? Stop changing the topic."

Seungcheol leaned closer once again which a small teasing smile on his lips, "I'm not changing the topic. I'm just trying to figure out that my strict therapist has such rosy cheeks when close to me."

Jeonghan felt his face heating up even more at the older's teasing words. He tried to keep his voice steady, but couldn't help the slight waver in it, "Stop making fun of me."

He took a small step back, trying to maintain some distance between them. He had to be professional. He was a doctor, he was supposed to help the older, not feel dizzy every time he was close to him.

But how could he when Seungcheol was looking at him like that? His eyes, his teasing smile, everything about him was almost impossible to resist.

Because of the backing away, Jeonghan stumbled but Seungcheol quickly held his waist to protect him from falling off the bed, "Careful there. Don't hurt yourself while trying to run away from the truth."

Seungcheol pulled him closer to himself, "You've promised me to not to run away and now you're pulling away like this. Not fair, doctor."

Jeonghan voice was barely audible, "I'm not running away."

His hands found themselves on the older's shoulders, steadying himself, his mind buzzing.

Seungcheol chuckled as he whispered, "You know, my wounds still hurt. Can you dress them? Afterall you're the only one who helps me."

Jeonghan tried to ignore the flutter in his stomach, the way his heart was hammering against his chest. He had to be professional. He couldn't let himself get distracted by the older's presence.

He cleared his throat again, his fingers slightly shaking, "Sit here. I'll get the first aid kit."

Seungcheol sat on the bed as he grinned while removing his shirt, the bandages from last night were a bit disheveled.

Jeonghan let out a sharp breath as he watched the older remove his shirt, his eyes immediately drawn to the bruises and cuts beneath the bandages.

It was a stark reminder of what had happened the night before, of the pain the older went through.

He swallowed hard, trying to ignore the fluttering feeling in his chest, and quickly grabbed the first aid kit from the drawer.

His steps felt shaky as he walked back to the bed, the older's shirtless and injured body making him feel dizzy.

As Jeonghan began to pull out the previous bandages, Seungcheol whimpered with fake innocence, "Gently."

Jeonghan rolled his eyes at the older's whining. He could tell it was fake, a way to tease him, and it annoyed him.

His eyes were fixed on the older's wounds, his voice quieter than before, "Stay still."

The bruises beneath the bandages looked even more painful, almost as if they were mocking him.

"As you say, doctor." Seungcheol replied as all of the bandages were finally discarded.

Jeonghan felt his hands shake as he saw the full extent of the older's wounds. It was worse than he expected, the bruises and cuts appearing darker on the older's pale skin.

He pushed that thought away as he focused on his task, his voice softer than before, "I'm going to clean the wounds, alright? It might hurt."

"Alright." Seungcheol kept smiling while staring at the younger's face who was busy cleaning his wounds. He tried his best to not make any sound even if it stung a bit.

Jeonghan's mind was focused on the task, his hands moving with a gentle precision. But he could feel the older's eyes on him, could feel his gaze burning into him.

He tried hard to ignore it, to remain professional. But his heart was racing, the older's eyes on him making his stomach do somersaults.

He knew it wasn't right, he knew how wrong it all was. But he couldn't stop the feelings stirring within him.

He focused on the task, his voice barely audible, "There you go, almost done."

Jeonghan bandaged the wounds again and helped the older wear his shirt back.

"Thankyou." Seungcheol nodded.

"Rest well. I'll be back in a while." Jeonghan retorted as he left the room, closing the door shut.

He walked down the hallway and reached the hall where Sunwoo was already sitting.

"Mr. Choi, I need to talk to you." Jeonghan stated.

"Oh Dr. Yoon, good morning." Sunwoo chuckled, "Have a seat."

Jeonghan felt his blood boil at his tone as he took a seat, "Mr. Choi, what's even going on. How can you do this to him?"

"That's not even a question." Sunwoo nodded, "Next."

Jeonghan frowned, "This has to stop."

"It won't."

"Mr. Choi!" Jeonghan paused to calm himself, "Okay look at it in this way. Didn't you say that you want him all fine and not aggressive at all? This can't happen if you keep pushing him to the edge all the time."

"And Dr. Yoon, this won't stop until he learns to behave." Sunwoo warned, "Not only him, his so called well wishers as well."

"I knew you won't get to the conclusion." Jeonghan clenched his jaw, "What do you want in return for stopping this torture on him."

"Hmm you're smart, very smart." Sunwoo smirked, "You do have a way with people.

Well, since you asked. All I need is peace. No one should interfere in my works by using those pity techniques like you did earlier.

Just fix him as soon as possible without interfering in anything else. If someone tried to do so, the consequences will be same or worse than last night."

"Mr. Choi, what are you even doing to have it cover up with such huge amounts of dirty plays?" Jeonghan asked.

"I just told you Dr. Yoon, no interference." Sunwoo warned.

Jeonghan nodded, "Alright. Done."

"I hope you'll stay true to your words." Sunwoo stood up as he left.

"Dirty plays." Jeonghan muttered to himself, "If things can't fall into place without in a proper way, then I'll find out another."

He stood up as he dropped a text to Joshua, Woozi and Hoshi for an urgent meeting.

A/n : Lmao y'all I had my fresher's party yesterday and it was fun!!

Anyways take care everyone!
-Jeonghanneyonghaseyo