Chapter Text
Jay scanned the banquet hall with concealed boredom. There was a hand on his hips, the touch bold and invasive, yet he didn't slap it away. Well he did try, multiple times throughout the night but the man was unrelenting in his advances. When he flees the man follows, the hand on his shoulder forces him to stay as the man guides him around the room and parades him to his acquaintances.
Some people leer at him, few look at him with pity yet none dare to do anything about it. It was probably for the best since if a fight broke out, the instigators would be kicked out. And he doubts these rich snobs knew how to defend themselves without their guards. Not when you can easily throw away money to have someone protect you with their lives, in the name of making a living. And when one bodyguard falls, you can just replace them with another.
Private bodyguards of guests were stationed outside the building. Each guest is only allowed one bodyguard to bring inside and even then, they can't enter the main hall unless they’re alone. The auction hall was tightly guarded by the Yamazaki clan as organizer. It was neutral territory for anyone who was anything in the underworld.
He hides his scowl behind his tall glass, the champagne doing nothing to ease his nerves. Tonight was important, his father left the matter of securing an important land to him. He didn’t want to attract trouble but the man is shameless. He looks like he could be his grandpa and he knows this one dabbles in trafficking.
He chokes when the hand slides lower, any lower and the man could fit his butt in his hand. If anyone saw, they pretended not to see. As any other sensible person would. Jay clicks his tongue and shifts away to face the man but to his surprise the man leans closer, his chest right next to him, he could see the veins on the man's neck. The guests around them drank from their glass and chatted, blissfully unaware or blissfully ignorant?
Jay suppresses a shudder when the man’s breath tickles his cheek. The hold on his arm keeps him near and Jay wouldn’t be able to pull away without dropping his glass and raising a commotion. There are other ways to get himself out of this, one he doesn’t like to do but always ends up doing. Is to play along with the man’s advances to lure him in a false sense of complacent then run away quickly.
Play coy.
Mustering up a shy smile, Jay looks up to the man. Giving a childish and trusting look, instantly the hold on his arm loosens. It gives him some space to back away a little bit, at least he wasn’t one centimeter away from the man’s face. He looks around for an opening to excuse himself. But someone greets the man from behind him and he’s forced to turn around and the old coot sneaks an arm around his waist again.
He fakes a smile and nodded to greet the man’s colleagues. They talk and laugh boisterously; the vein on his head thump heavily. Signs of an oncoming headache. The man plays and squeezes his hips. Tracing circles around his stomach. He places a hand over the man to get him to stop and it seemed to annoy him because Jay was yanked towards the man's chest in some form of scolding. He barely stops his face from colliding and looks the other way to hide that he was gritting his teeth.
There was a figure not far from him. His presence is barely noticeable but something tells him he should keep an eye out for him. The guy clad in a standard black crisp suit that he sees the servers and guards run around in, he just stands there amongst the throng of people. His posture was non-threatening, in fact his back was relaxed, almost slouched. His face holds youthfulness, sharp jawline yet soft around the edges and Jay has to remind himself not to lower his guard down because even though he displays an easy smile there was darkness in the corner of his eyes. Like he’s been through a lot this week. No, not just this week but his whole life.
Odd that the guy keeps looking his way. Was he there the whole time?
‘Need help?’ The guy mouths. Jay quickly averts his face because who does this guy think he is?
First of all he doesn’t know him and it’s not good to owe people favors, not with these kinds of people. They’re the kind who would want your lungs after you’ve given them your heart. And second of all the guy doesn’t look like he’s in a place to help him. What could he possibly do to these bourgeois pack of wolves? The guy would be eaten alive.
The old man’s laugh rumbles his whole body and Jay lets him pull him closer until he's flush against the man’s chest. He cranes his neck back towards the guy, sneaking a look but finds the spot empty. Jay flits his eyes left and right for any signs of him.
It was like he disappeared in a puff of smoke. Untraceable, Jay lifts his brow in mild amazement. First he didn’t realize the server was there then he didn’t see the guy leaving after only looking away for a fraction of a second. And he likes to think that he’s good at sensing other people, he’s basically been trained his whole life. Maybe the Yamazaki clan trained their servers like they train their hitmen.
Squashing down the strange feeling of disappointment Jay faces back towards the old man’s group. His eyes instantly zeroes in behind the small gathering. The guy he was looking for now carries a tray of refreshments. Their eyes meet and the server flashes him a provocative smile, like he was going to do something he wasn’t supposed to do. The guy hands the champagnes left and right, purposely making his way closer while never breaking eye contact with him.
There was only one glass left on the tray and Jay sees the server’s eyes drift to the old man, he reads the smirk on his lips as mischief. Jay has a bad feeling about this. He shakes his head with as little movement as possible, trying not to alert the old man while giving his disagreement to the server who looks at him with a wild smile.
The guy trips and spills the drink on the old man. Jay steps back as the crowd loudly gasps. The splash was big and Jay’s impressed that the guy managed to only get the old man, even though Jay was practically inches away from him. He covers his mouth seeing wine drip down the old man’s face. It was a mess. The corners of his mouth rose up, he tried to suppress it.
“I’m very sorry sir!” The crowd’s attention flickered to the server who was bowing. Instantly the crowd’s attention shifted away from them, probably from pity to the server or out of politeness to the old man. But Jay knew their ears were still wide open. Understandably the old man began to yell, his face got so red that Jay’s worried he might have a heart attack and drop dead then and there.
Jay carefully surveys his surroundings, some guards are alert and have started moving towards them because of all the ruckus from the old man’s shouting. The old man was hurling insults that hurt pretty bad if it was directed at him, Jay brought the rim of his champagne glass close to his mouth to conceal that he was checking the server’s reaction to see if he was hunched in guilt or cowering in fear.
But he finds neither, the server had an innocent wide smile. Jay was beginning to think if he had problems recognizing social cues. In short, is he stupid? Their eyes meet one another and the guy flashes him an expression mimicking the old man’s tantrum. It made Jay snort his drink and he realized too late he made a mistake because the old man noticed him laughing. His face turned impossibly redder and he made angry steps towards Jay.
The server pulls out a handkerchief and starts to wipe the ruined suit jacket while purposely maneuvering his body to be between Jay and the old man, he wipes with extra force making the old man stumble back.
“Get your filthy hands off me!” He barked, swatting the servers hands away and snatching the cloth to wipe himself. Jay looks down, now embarrassed of all the attention towards them and because he probably made the server jobless after this. If the Yamazaki clan were even willing to let him go after all this.
“Sir, is everything alright?” Jay looks up to find the guards were finally here. The old man points at the server, “This fool, here I thought the Yamazaki clan had competent people.”
The guards eye the server with raised eyebrows and confused looks. Because Jay was directly behind the man he can’t see what sort of expression he had. But he sees his shoulders shrug as an answer. That attitude again, was he always this straightforward, Jay wondered.
The old man throws the handkerchief to the server's face causing him to look right in an attempt to dodge. Jay’s entire body freezes when he sees half of the server’s face. His entire demeanor changed and the guards seemed to sense it too. They scramble to guide the old man away, offering to clean and pay back the damages, offering the old man free upgrade to seat him at the very front of the box seats when the auction starts, apologizing and many more.
The old man expectantly looks at Jay to follow him and he steps forward to follow them, not wanting to cause anymore problem but he was suddenly pulled back by the waists onto the server’s chest.
Jay briefly sees the old man’s face start to fume again but his line of sight was cut off by the server who stood in front of him again. And with that the commotion died down as the old man was escorted somewhere.
While lost in thought, Jay observes the crowd go back to whatever they were doing, then he bends down to get the fallen handkerchief. When he rises he’s met with a genuine smile from the server as he hands it back. “Thank you.” The server says as he tucks the cloth back in his pocket.
Jay shifts his footing from one foot to the other, not knowing what to say. The server did just save him, and he risked his job and probably his life too all for a stranger like him. Jay doesn’t know what to make of it. What was his purpose? Did he know who Jay was? Did he want some leverage over him or his family? Was he supposed to offer the server a job if he was fired after this? He’s at loss for words.
“Bye.” Was all the guy said before turning around and walking away.
Jay’s mouth hangs open seeing the figure retreating. He quickly chases after him, setting his glass down on the high table. He navigates between bodies until he is next to the guy, who notices him and regards him with the same innocent smile. Jay wanted to thank him but crashed with other guests because he wasn’t looking. And the man keeps walking without care in the world. Jay picks up his pace so that he’s in step with him again, if only the guy stops for a second and listens to him.
“Hey there, all alone?” A man snakes his arm around his waists and he momentarily loses balance. He observes the server stop and turn towards him, this caught his attention? Jay muses. He scoffs and pushes the random man away then the server shoves the man again, so harsh his body looks like a ragdoll. Jay winces when he hears the guy collide into some unsuspecting guests. Some glassware shatter and gasps fill the air but they both don’t pay it any mind
He bites his inner cheek annoyed, what is it with people suddenly grasping him whenever they want. First the pervert old man, then the server–who he let slide because he just helped him-then that random creep.
“It’s probably because of your waist.” The guy mutters and Jay thought he heard wrong but when he looks at the server he shows the same dark expression he had when a handkerchief was thrown at him.
What’s wrong with his waist?! He looks down, suddenly self conscious.
“It’s distracting.” The server mumbled, his face still showed that he was dead serious. “You’re distracting me from my job.”
Is he insane? Is he alright in the head? Jay screams inside, not believing what he just heard.
He studies the man's face. Searching for anything other than stubbornness on his face. Saying that to someone you just met without any remorse? Without any shame? And he did all that as if that’s the kind of reason to sacrifice his job over.
Whatever, see if he cares if the guy gets fired. If he’s so distracting then don’t let him keep him from doing his job, he huffs as he sees the guy’s back disappear between the crowd.
-
Jay cannot keep his mind to wander back to the server. Every time he sees a server with a tray of drinks or food he perks up to see if it was the same guy. Each time it was a different server, a little disappointment unfolds in his chest. Then he fills his cheeks with air or nibbles his small finger food because why was he feeling that way, it’s unreasonable.
He finds the server guy's action to be confusing. Straightforward to the act without thinking much of the consequences based on his actions and words. He seems capable of acting stern to his beliefs yet childish at the same time. And his face, naïve one second then so raw of human expressions the next second–and handsome.
They called the guests to enter the auction hall, Jay trampled on his feeling of dread at the possibility that he might not get another chance to see the guy again. Once he enters this hall there won’t be any servers anymore. At that moment he sees a flash of his father’s dour face in his mind. Right, he had a job to do. Whatever it takes he needs to see it done, otherwise his father…he’ll find another reason to be disappointed with him again.
The auction starts easy, small collectible items that might add prestige to a crime boss’s personal collection. Like swords forged by a known weapons master then vintage guns and many more. Jay sweeps his gaze around while trying to hide his disinterest, he wonders if the item he’s looking for had many buyers. If so, then he would need to start a bidding match in order to have it. His fingers clutch onto the wooden bidding board, anxious that the crowd might focus on him. Anticipating who would win in the end. His box seating offered him some solace because at least he was a little bit shielded from prying eyes, but he still shared it with some other people.
The glass next to him vibrates, the chandelier hanging clinks too loudly. There was a distant screaming that the entire hall silenced themselves in order to listen. The auctioneer on the stage tries to get their attention, then some guard approaches him and whispers to his ear, his face impassive but his brows showed something more. The audience starts to whisper amongst themselves, murmurs filling the air.
The building and chairs shake and the Yamazaki guards grow tense, a few run to the center stage. He feels it before he sees it, he knows when a dam was about to break loose. He knows because he’s had his whole life to know when something was about to break, courtesy of his father. Some guests eye him as he stands to leave, Jay could see the hesitation on their faces wondering if they should do the same.
The air was so tense it could cut you, then a huge explosion broke the large auction door. It sent debris flying, windows and glass shatter, people screaming bloody murder because it hit them in the eyes and face. People run to get in front of him, as they all think about their own safety. Jay let his body be pushed and pulled, in times like this you have to flow with the crowd not push against them. The people were like violent water currents, you have to relax your body and navigate wisely.
Jay sees people trip and fall, then they struggle to stand as they get stepped on. He winces seeing a woman's heel mistakenly step into a fallen man’s mouth, his screams muffled by the shoe. The lights simultaneously go out and a brand new fear unlocks in their brains. Jay steps behind a large column and stays there until the crowd passes.
He starts moving again after helping a woman stand on their feet, she holds his hands when she thanks him. He goes the other way of the crowd, closer to the stage because he needs to see if the items his father wanted were safe. He ducks down when he hears shooting. The lights flicker on and off for several moments before staying on. After peeking over the half wall, he makes out the Yamazaki clan guards locked in battle with some dark clothes men. They wore tactical suits, covered from head to toe. Mercenaries then, Jay decided. He regrets not hiding an extra gun when they checked him at the gate earlier.
The Yamazaki men were wiped out, some writhing on the floor. Mercenaries slink backstage, by now Jay realized they were after the goods. This was the first time in history the Yamazaki clan got raided when the auction happened. What the hell happened, Jay bit his lips in frustration, the gravity of the situation weighing on him.
The auction was a revered event in the underworld. The government and police all look away because of its significance. And the fact that no one had any resources to stop it after risking an all out war with the Yamazaki clan and allies. People entrust their items to be sold at the auction because the Yamazaki clan could safeguard it and also become the executioner if anyone dares to steal or refuse to pay. Any items, illegal or legal. And throughout history no one has ever tried and succeeded to cross the Yamazaki clan. Until now that is.
Jay feels misplaced sympathy to whoever’s in charge of the auction. It was as if witnessing the start of a fallen empire. He knows he shouldn’t because they’re criminals and they do bad stuff. His father hates them, he should too. He checks his phone and sees many missed calls from his butler. Briefly scanning the texts sent he answers a rendezvous point that they could both ideally reach. Jay shoves his phone back inside his pocket when he hears another shoot out. Jay runs, this time to find an exit. It was kind of hard to see from all the smoke, he nearly tripped over a body but nothing he couldn't manage.
To his right in the next corridor, he sees Yamazaki clansmen chasing after some guys. Jay’s thankful they don’t notice him. When he focuses to the front again, his breath hitch because that server guy he’s looking for just ran past him. They fixate on each other as they run the opposite way. The server continues running and Jay stops. The gusts of wind left behind hit his face as realization hit him. Jay acts before he thinks–which is rare for him–and turns around chasing after the guy.
Jay hasn’t paid him back for saving him earlier and now seems like a good time. He saw figures armed already marking the server. Jay lunges to pull the guy away to safety, narrowly avoiding a barrage of bullets. They took cover behind a column, the server’s back pressed against the wall with Jay in front of him and his hands on either side of the server. Effectively shielding him.
Jay diverts his attention away from the close proximity in favor of peeking out to assess the situation. A bullet wheezes from behind him, surprising him as it caught him off guard. Alarmed that they were in the line of sight of new shooters but the panic instantly died down once he realized it was Yamazaki men based on their suits. They make quick work eliminating the threat, then they change their focus to him.
Jay pushes off the wall, standing straight as his body tensed because now they were aiming their guns at him. Mind rushing to find a solution and escape routes. His butler is probably already waiting for him. Someone steps out from the line of Yamazaki men, an executive perhaps? His eyes are sharp and intense under the orange tinted sunglasses, yet he’s still calm and collected. He regards him in suspicion, “Don’t hurt him.” Jay whips his head to the side when the server speaks out. Jay internally scolds him, he should’ve stayed quiet and let him explain who he was. The guy’s not in a position to demand things, isn’t he just a server? They’d surely fire him after this.
The man’s calm face breaks into an annoyed expression. His eyebrows taut as he scowled.
“Don’t tell me what to do.” The man snaps back and Jay sees the server wrinkled his nose in determination. It seemed that the man already had experience with the server’s stubbornness before, Jay thought as he looked back and forth between the two as they engaged in some kind of telepathic communication.
“You realize what you did, Hyungseok? Everything’s ruined because of you.” The man breaks the silent convo.
Whoa, even he thought that was kind of harsh. Surely a single server can’t be held responsible for all of this happening right? Jay held out his hands to reason with the man, earning the attention of them both. He tried not to shrink at the scowl thrown at him. Out of the corner of his eyes he noticed Hyungseok beaming at him. Jay doesn’t understand why because they were still in deep shit right now.
Hyungseok stood taller and puffed out his chest, “Yeah, what he said.” Hyungseok declared proudly as he raised his chin to point at Jay.
The man deadpans at Hyungseok, “He didn’t say anything.”
Jay gestures his hands wilder to get his point across. “Yeah, tell him.” Hyungseok cheered on. Jay would like to smack him to get him to quiet down.
The man lifted his gun, pointing at Jay then to Hyungseok. Who both raised their hands up in surrender. “I don’t know what you two are playing at.” The man grumbles.
Jay parted his lips and his eyes darted around. He caught the Hyungseok’s eyes, who shoots him a grin. Jay wants to pull his hair out of frustration.
Then all of their attention was stolen by a figure who struggled to stand from the mess after the shoot out. The Yamazaki men aimed their guns at him but it was too late.
Clink
“Fuck! Take cover!” The sun glassed man screamed as a bomb rolled towards them.
The explosion made the floor underneath them disappear and before Jay knew it they were all falling to the bottom floor. His body feels light and raw fear shivered from his feet up his back as he reflexively flails his hands to reach for something to hold onto. A hand reaches to pull his hips down, he looks down and sees Hyungseok pulling him closer. The strands of Hyungseok’s hair float up, the outline of his face so clear Jay could memorize it and recite it when need be.
He shies away when Hyungseok looks at him with an expression so sincere but the other brings a hand to his face and Jay's forced to look as Hyungseok's eyes turn soft. Like he was ready to let everything go, Jay doesn't want to think that this is the end. Yet they are still falling down, and his whole life flashes before him. His breath was stolen as terror course through his body. Hyungseok brings their forehead together by holding onto the back of his neck. His fingers are icy cold but as Hyungseok leans his forehead to his, the warmth reaches the very deep of his soul. If he was going to die, it wasn't going to be alone, he realized as he breathed deeply and closed his eyes. Hyungseok would be with him, the mysterious stranger he just met–who's willing to risk it all for him.
In a split second Hyungseok cradles his face in his chest. The landing knocked the air out of his lungs and he wheezed in pain. Dust clouded his vision and nose. He rushed to get up because Hyungseok had deliberately cushioned his fall. He observed his surroundings, coughs and groans were heard all around them. No one paid him any mind. This was the perfect chance to run. He pats Hyungseok’s cheek but he gives no reaction. Jay bit his lip out of fear that something severe had happened to Hyungseok. This man had saved him yet again, Jay now owes him another favor–in fact he owed him his life.
He gathers Hyungseok's upper body and leans it to him. They make their way out of the building with Jay supporting Hyungseok’s unconscious body.
-
His butler eyes him with confusion when he sees Jay from afar.
“Who is this man, Young master?” His butler asked as Jay carefully laid Hyungseok in the backseat of the car. He closed the door and leaned on the car trying to catch his breath. He mimics the action of a server to his butler.
“A server?” The old man repeats to which Jay nods. He watches the building he was in moments before catch on fire. The backdrop of the night and injured bodies resting near it make a haunting image. He urges his butler to make haste and he texted the family doctor to meet him at his apartment.
Jay keeps looking back through the mirror in case Hyungseok showed any signs of waking up. He ignores his butler’s repeated glance every time he does it.
-
“Young master, the patient doesn’t seem to have any internal bleeding so it is safe for now but I recommend going to the hospital tomorrow to get a scan in case of broken bones.”
The doctor’s words brought him out of his reverie. Jay nods and thanked him deeply. “I’ve dressed his wounds from minor cuts because of the fall.” The doctor continued, Jay noticed the bandages wrapped around Hyungseok’s head and hands. “Young master, are you sure you don’t need any tending?”
Jay nods again and flashes an easy smile to ease the doctor. “It’s a miracle you both don’t have major injuries.” The doctor said as he stood next to Jay by the bed. They observe Hyungseok’s fit full slumber for any signs of discomfort.
“Well then Young master if anything happens, please call me. I will leave for now.” The doctor politely bowed. Jay bowes back until he hears the door shut. He sighs and turns back to the bed, suddenly all the night’s events weigh on his body and he feels exhausted.
Jay didn’t feel like changing out of his suit right now. Normally he would be bothered by the sweat and grime getting on his bed, but Hyungseok is already there. He figured he could just change the sheets tomorrow. He laid next to Hyungseok carefully, his eyelids were getting heavy. It was 2 in the morning but he didn’t want to sleep yet. He follows Hyungseok’s chest rise and fall for a while, giving him peace that he wasn’t dead–because Hyungseok looked a little too pale.
A shiver ran through his body, he curled on his side to stave off the cold. He didn't want to shake the bed to get under the covers fearing it would disturb Hyungseok. He snuck his hands between his thighs to warm them and closed his eyes.